As the tension between both sides reached a severe climax, Yi Yan, caught in the middle, lowered her protective magic barrier and spoke up, "Are you two going to fight or not? If so, hurry up and get it over with. Standing around like fools is so boring."
[Host, is it really a good idea to stir up conflict like that? It doesn't even look like they were planning to fight.] Ni Tian System chuckled.
I know, but the plot is completely off track here. Originally, only members of the Light Mage Faction were supposed to come to this Dark Forest to scout out the movements of the Dark Mage Faction.
With the appearance of the male protagonist Mo Ge, he practically scared off the Dark Magic Beast and rescued the Original Host, which was how the Original Host developed feelings for Mo Ge.
Yet now, Yi Yu, the ultimate villain of the entire magical world, had inexplicably shown up here at the same time as the male lead.
"Yi Yan, what kind of nonsense are you babbling about? Hurry up and get over here! It's dangerous over there!" It was the female protagonist, Lis, who spoke.
Yi Yan looked up to see a blonde beauty with a graceful figure—this must be the female protagonist, Lis!
The name Yi Yan brushed a ripple of emotion across Yi Yu's heart, though that sentiment quickly dissipated from his mind.
Seeing that Yi Yan was still standing stranded in the middle, Mo Ge called out, "Hurry up and come over here!"
Yi Yan glanced sideways at the male lead, taking in his cold demeanor and striking looks—truly deserving of being the most prominent figure in that group.
[Host, both the male and female leads are calling you over! Are you not going to go?]
I'm going, I'm heading over right now.
Communicating mentally with Ni Tian System, Yi Yan leisurely walked toward the camp of the Light Mage Faction.
Just then, Yi Yu beckoned to the group of Dark Magic Beasts behind him.
"Her, I want her!" Yi Yu said in a low voice.
In the span of a single breath, he materialized right in front of Yi Yan.
Before Yi Yan even had a chance to marvel at how formidable the villain's magic was in this world, she was immobilized by Yi Yu and scooped up into his arms as he retreated.
He left behind Mo Ge and the others, who were still too stunned to react.
"How is this possible? My..." Could there be something strange about this forest? Mo Ge muttered under his breath.
"Leader Mo, what should we do now?"
"We'll head back first. I already know that Yi Yu's old injuries from last time haven't fully healed. It seems we will have more time to prepare for this magical war between darkness and light. As for Yi Yan, I can only hope she can fend for herself at this critical moment," Mo Ge replied.
"Yes, Leader Mo."
"Mo, I have confirmed that the final magical bloodline of the Yi Clan is indeed that little mage named Yi Yan. We must find an opportunity to rescue her. She might hold the clues to the Yi Clan's secret magical manuals," Lis whispered to Mo Ge.
"I didn't expect it really to be her. Given the current situation, I can only hope she doesn't fall victim to Yi Yu and holds out until the moment we can save her," Mo Ge sighed.
Inside a pitch-black palace, Yi Yan recovered her ability to move, only to find herself lying on a huge, soft bed.
When Yi Yan sat up, she noticed someone sitting at the head of the bed, staring right at her.
"How much longer are you going to stare like that? Did nobody ever tell you it's impolite to gaze at a young woman like this?" Yi Yan asked with a smile.
The person sitting at the bedside froze for a split second, his gaze instantly turning icy as he said, "You want to talk to me about manners? Do you know who I am?"
"Who are you?" Yi Yan feigned ignorance and asked with a puzzled look.
"Yi Yu."
"A word?"
"I am the greatest danger to your Light Mage Faction."
"Danger? Then why did you drag me here? I didn't offend you! I'm just an insignificant little mage."
"Dragging you here requires no reason. It's enough that you obediently stay by my side! Don't even harbor any wild thoughts of escaping."
As soon as Yi Yu finished speaking, with a wave of his hand, the tattered dress on Yi Yan transformed into a brand-new outfit.
The young girl's effortless, natural beauty and fair, flawless skin, paired with a simple black-patterned dress, made her look as breathtakingly ethereal as an immortal untainted by worldly affairs as she smiled faintly.
Astonished by the young girl's beauty and attire, Yi Yu muttered involuntarily, "You are beautiful! You are a perfect match for me!"
Having received a compliment from the supreme boss of the magical world, Yi Yan bluntly stated, "Shouldn't we be honest with each other, then?"
Unexpectedly, the villain Yi Yu completely ignored Yi Yan's request.
"It's not the time." With that single phrase, he turned his back on her and walked out alone, off to God knows where.
"Not the time? The plot development is completely ruined! Ni Tian System," Yi Yan said helplessly.
[Host, that was terrifying just now! That guy feels like someone you really shouldn't mess with. But the host is so brave! Ni Tian System admires the host's nerve so much.] Ni Tian System praised her sweetly like a child, which thoroughly delighted Yi Yan.
However, Yi Yan quickly returned to the main point: "That's not the point! The crucial issue is that I should be on the male lead's side right now, right? Running off to the main villain's side like this won't mess up the subsequent plot development, will it?"
[It doesn't seem like it, Host!]
"Is that so? Then as long as this cannon fodder's counterattack makes me happy, that's all that matters? As long as I change the destiny of the minor cannon fodder in each world, that should count as completing the mission, right? There aren't any restrictions on whatever else I want to do, are there?"
[That's right, Host.] Ni Tian System answered.
"Ni Tian System, this is the second time you've affirmed this. Defying the heavens truly is defying the heavens. Then let's defy the heavens whenever we want! Act against the heavens and alter a lost destiny!" After saying this, Yi Yan began walking toward the exit.
The moment Yi Yan lifted her heel, before her foot could even touch the ground—literally not even half a step out the door—two shadowy black figures suddenly appeared before her.
[Host, they are servants conjured by Yi Yu using dark magic.]
"You're blocking the way! Could you please move aside?" Yi Yan looked at the two dull-faced figures in front of her and said politely.
"Apologies, Mistress! Without the Master's command, you cannot take a single step away from here."
Yi Yan secretly gathered magic in her hands, but tried time and time again only to fail.
"Mistress, please don't waste your energy. Ever since entering the Dark Forest, the power of light mages gradually diminishes. And the power of this Dark Palace is more than enough to suppress your magic so that it cannot be cast."
So that was how it was. No wonder the male lead's side had reacted so sluggishly earlier, watching blankly as she was snatched away by the grand villain, utterly helpless and incompetent.
It seemed that once inside this Dark Forest, anyone wielding the magic of light would steadily grow powerless!