I Made Up Forbidden Spells, and They Actually Worked?

Dean Bruce and his companions exchanged puzzled looks and couldn't help but ask, "Wasn't the Moon Temple already destroyed? What good would it do to take it back?"

The elder explained, "The entire ruin is sustained by the power within the Moon Temple. Although they destroyed the temple, its core remains intact. If you can reclaim it, I will be able to communicate with the Moon Goddess and suppress all the villagers who sided with the outsiders. This way, the only enemies you'll have left to face are the outsiders themselves."

"If you head to the Sealing Temple or the Ritual Temple first, you'll face even more enemies."

The reasoning was sound, and Dean Bruce and the others had no doubts.

After pondering for a moment, Dean Bruce asked, "How many people are guarding the Moon Temple? Are there any weaknesses?"

The elder smiled and replied, "You've already encountered the monsters that our people have become. Their only weakness is that they've lost all sense of reason! Additionally, I know of a secret passage that can directly transport you to the mountain peak. Once you defeat the person guarding the Moon Temple, I will be able to communicate with the Moon Goddess and regain control of the Lulu Ruins."

"You still haven't told me how many people are guarding the Moon Temple," Dean Bruce said, frowning slightly as he asked again.

The elder calmly responded, "The number of guards depends on how quickly you can defeat the enemy. The longer the battle drags on, the more enemies you'll face. Initially, there is only one."

At this point, a villager couldn't hold back any longer and spoke up, "Village Chief, the aura of these people is so weak. Do you really think they can defeat Lunia? Lunia was already a Grand Mage before siding with the outsiders. Now, at the very least, he has the strength of a Magus!"

As one advances in rank, even a small increase in level can result in a significant difference in magical power. Sensing that Dean Bruce and his group had not yet reached the level of a Magus, the villagers were filled with doubt.

The elder paid no heed to the villager's words, instead fixing his gaze on Dean Bruce and softly saying, "There is only one enemy. Do you think you can defeat him before the other two temples notice the battle and send reinforcements?"

Dean Bruce directly asked, "What is his exact level?"

The elder responded without hesitation, "A third-level Magus, capable of mastering two high-tier spells and seven advanced spells! Besides moon magic, he's also proficient in water magic."

[A Magus is equivalent to a fifth-level beast... though with intelligence, it should be more challenging to deal with. But it's not hopeless. I do have four high-tier spells, so if I can control the battlefield, combined with the others, we should be able to handle it.]

Dean Bruce narrowed his eyes, calculating their chances against Lunia, then turned to look at Alita Miller.

He wasn't sure about Horton Martin's exact strength, but he knew that Alita Miller was also hiding her true power. If she was willing to fight, defeating Lunia wouldn't be an issue—only a matter of time.

Suddenly, Lina Jones spoke up, "I brought a magic scroll that can temporarily grant me the power of a Magus, but I'm not very experienced in combat. I'll need your cooperation."

Hearing this, Dean Bruce decided not to press Alita Miller further. As long as someone could step up to defeat Lunia, that would suffice.

"Excellent!" The elder smiled, "On behalf of the village, I welcome you all. I can sense that you're already quite exhausted today, and some of you are seriously injured! Rest first, and once you've recovered, I'll send you to the Moon Temple."

"Follow me."

"Oh, and by the way, my name is Ebner Mondo."

With that, Ebner Mondo turned and walked away. The young girl glanced at Dean Bruce, a blush rising to her cheeks before she quickly followed Ebner Mondo.

Although the villagers still didn't fully trust Dean Bruce and his group, they held Ebner Mondo in such high regard that they didn't dare act out. They merely snorted or stared at them intently.

Seeing this, Dean Bruce said nothing more and led his companions to follow Ebner Mondo.

As they continued, Dean Bruce and the others realized that this village was large but very sparse, which made them increasingly believe what Ebner Mondo had said earlier.

The village was ancient, not designed with individual homes but rather with interwoven wooden huts.

Ebner Mondo paused in front of a massive wooden structure and said, "I know you won't fully trust us and have many concerns, so it's best if you all stay together here. That way, you won't have to worry about any ill intentions from me."

Such a straightforward acknowledgment of distrust made Lina Jones feel instantly ashamed.

Dean Bruce and Alita Miller, both seasoned veterans, paid no mind to these minor details and instead entered the wooden hut, meticulously inspecting it.

After confirming that there were no issues—no hidden magic formations or anything of the sort—Dean Bruce called for everyone to come inside.

Ebner Mondo, supported by the young girl, then took his leave.

Finally able to rest, Dean Bruce and his group seized the opportunity. Some closed their eyes to meditate, while others focused on healing their injuries.

Chelse, in particular, needed the rest. He had been struck earlier and staggered along for quite a distance, nearly dying from blood loss. It was only his strong physical and mental resilience as a sword cultivator that kept him going.

For the moment, the two factions coexisted peacefully.

After some time had passed, the young girl they first encountered returned, this time accompanied by three other girls carrying food.

Alita Miller immediately glanced at Ace.

Noticing this, the young girl spoke up, "There's no poison. We don't harm people!"

As she spoke, she picked up a meat pie and took a bite in front of everyone.

Seeing this, the members of the Temple of Wisdom breathed a sigh of relief and, without further hesitation, stepped forward to take the meat pies.

The intense battles and constant tension had left them both exhausted and hungry.

Alita Miller and Horton Martin remained motionless, signaling Ace to move forward.

Ace approached the meat pies, sniffed them a few times, then nodded at his superiors.

Alita Miller smiled and said, "Thank you, girls, for bringing us food so late."

"It's not late at all!"

The young girl replied, shaking her head. However, instead of leaving, she led the other girls to sit down beside Dean Bruce.

Noticing this, Lina Jones and Alita Miller narrowed their eyes slightly.

Dean Bruce, thinking they hadn't eaten yet, didn't pay much attention. But after everyone had finished their meal, the young girl and the other girls remained by his side, not moving. This finally piqued his curiosity.

"What is it that you want?" Dean Bruce asked directly, frowning slightly.

The young girl blinked and then said seriously, "Grandfather told us to serve you tonight!"

"What?"

Dean Bruce's mouth twitched uncontrollably.

The others were equally stunned, their eyes wide as they looked at Dean Bruce, some with a hint of envy and jealousy.

Here they were, struggling to survive in the ruins, while Dean Bruce was being offered the company of young girls?

"No, that won't be necessary. You can leave,"

Dean Bruce said, shaking his head. He had no intention of sleeping with these girls, especially not in front of everyone else!

"We can't!" The girl bit her lip and said softly, "If we leave, we'll be punished."

"…"

Dean Bruce sighed, "Then you can stay here, but there's no need to do anything else."

For a moment, the atmosphere in the wooden hut grew awkward. Everyone's expressions were filled with confusion and discomfort.

Even Dean Bruce couldn't figure out what Ebner Mondo was trying to accomplish with this.

Could it be that he wanted these girls to spy on them?

Or perhaps something more sinister?

With these thoughts in mind, Dean Bruce stood up and pulled Lina Jones, Alita Miller, and Horton Martin outside. He cautioned them, "Don't sleep too soundly tonight. Keep an eye on those girls. Lina, you'll be our main force tomorrow. Alita, Horton, we'll conserve our strength and make sure we can defeat Lunia before reinforcements arrive!"

"And be very cautious of that old man. If anything seems off while he's communicating with the Moon Goddess, don't hesitate to take him out!"

Alita Miller and Horton Martin, both experienced and not easily trusting, immediately nodded in agreement, while Lina Jones, though less seasoned, also agreed.

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, when Dean Bruce and his group awoke and stepped out of the wooden hut, they were stunned.

The sky still held the same bright moon!

It was only then that they realized something was very wrong.

Ever since they entered the Lulu Ruins, it seemed as if the sky had never changed. It was always night, with the moon perpetually hanging in the sky!

[Could it be that these three ruins aren't actual physical spaces, but rather spaces conjured by magic?]

Dean Bruce furrowed his brow, a vague thought forming in his mind.

But when he tried to focus on it, the idea slipped away.

Shaking his head abruptly, Dean Bruce had no choice but to push the thought aside.

With no change in the sky, there was no way to tell the passage of time.

All they could do was wait silently in the wooden hut, allowing the injured to recover as quickly as possible.

Ebner Mondo did not appear again. Instead, he always sent the young girl to deliver food or drinks. There was no poison, but each time, the girl insisted on staying with Dean Bruce overnight.

Even though Dean Bruce did nothing, they still stayed, making Dean Bruce quietly keep his guard up.