Xia Liang didn't know what effect the opponent's smoke would have this time, and she certainly didn't want to find out through "personal experience."
So she continued to wield her Diversion ability, and several mirrors acted like exhaust fans, continuously absorbing the smoke produced by Drunken Fish Grass and transporting it elsewhere.
However, this was ultimately impossible to cover every angle.
Not only because transporting the opponent's smoke doesn't actually reduce its presence, but also because there are still gaps between the mirrors, making it unable to completely block the spread of the smoke. For this reason, Xia Liang even set up a magical barrier, which she had gradually become proficient in recently, after her magic armor, but even the magical barrier seemed unable to completely prevent the smoke from penetrating.
Should she break it forcefully with a large amount of magic power like Calla Lily?
This thought arose in Xia Liang's mind, but she quickly dismissed it.
Not to mention that the amount of magical power consumed by this method is too high, rendering it "not worthwhile," even if it could be cracked once, as long as the opponent's magic consumption for using this ability is lower than hers, they could easily repeat the strategy.
Rather than breaking it head-on, it seemed better to find a way to escape from here.
Just as Xia Liang was contemplating this, another voice suddenly came from beside her.
—"Let me help!"
It was Juan Dan.
She and Shan Dan had returned to Xia Liang's side, and had taken out the fans they had been carrying all along at some point.
Not only Juan Dan had one, Shan Dan also had one, and they had demonstrated it before Xia Liang several times. However, because it looked rather simple, Xia Liang had always thought it was merely a decorative item they carried.
But when the two sisters together activated their magic, even the fans were covered with a layer of vermilion magic patterns, like a flower in full bloom, she realized: these fans were actually their magic armor.
As a pair of twins, the magic armor of these two magical girls not only had the same appearance, but even the magical power fluctuations when using their abilities were extremely close.
Seeing them nod at each other, they stepped forward, and with a "snap," simultaneously opened the fans in their hands, while their arms waved and their bodies swayed.
Both the movements of waving the fans and the rhythm of their bodies seemed to contain some kind of wonderful pattern, having a mysterious beauty. They simultaneously closed their eyes and circled Xia Liang, moving slowly as if performing some ancient ritual.
If one were to use a specific behavior for comparison, it would be akin to the ancient people of the Material Realm offering sacrifices to emperors, praying to heaven and earth for protection and blessings. This prayer and sacrifice at times had a more specific purpose: to alter the weather.
Praying for favorable winds and rain, clear skies, the ceasing of thunderstorms, and the lowering of rainbows and signs...
And at this moment, the dance of Shan Dan and Juan Dan was a prayer for "wind."
Accompanied by the fans, the magic-affected breeze rolled through the air, and the rolling magic expanded extremely quickly, triggering a turbulent flow in an instant.
Realizing what these two intended, Xia Liang chose to trust her teammates; at that moment, she dispersed the surrounding mirrors, releasing the Diversion shield.
Then, a fierce wind arose.
The gusting wind almost blew Xia Liang away, but fortunately she was prepared, and quickly stabilized herself with magic power. However, the smoke in the passageways couldn't withstand this kind of force. With a single gust, the previously pervasive smoke was blown away to some unknown location.
Drunken Fish Grass showed a surprised expression, somehow having approached within five steps of Xia Liang.
Behind her, the two teammates who hadn't been informed were already lying on the ground, eyes still open but bodies completely motionless. If the maze hadn't failed to react and transport them out, Xia Liang might have thought they were dead.
But this was already enough to make one fearful — it meant Drunken Fish Grass had been serious all along, using this smoke indiscriminately to turn Xia Liang and the others into her teammates' likeness.
"Truly unexpected."
After a brief surprise, Drunken Fish Grass once again displayed a somewhat excited smile: "I didn't expect to randomly encounter a squad where three of its members have such interesting abilities."
"Let me reiterate, we have no intention or reason to conflict with you."
Xia Liang, looking at her earnestly, though this time her tone lacked the previously disguised innocence: "But if you really insist on fighting, then we will have no choice but to aim for mutual destruction."
"Isn't it nice?"
Drunken Fish Grass's voice was gentle: "You've been stained with a wonderful smell; although I don't know where it came from, since the scent is so strong, it means you're deeply connected to its source... It's truly intriguing."
"Smell?"
The term from the opponent made Xia Liang slightly widen her eyes, but before she could think further, she was alerted again by the actions made: "You're going to make a move again!"
"Yes, time to make a move again."
Drunken Fish Grass squinted and smiled, raising her hand: "Since smoke can be resolved by you all, this time I'll try a different method."
"A method other than smoke..." Shan Dan, who had just managed to neutralize her opponent's ability and was planning to counterattack, couldn't help but tighten her grip on her fan.
As the words fell, a deep purple liquid began to flow from the incense in Drunken Fish Grass's hand.
The liquid overflowed from her hand and fell to the ground, spreading rapidly from her standing position, like turning on a water tap to the fullest.
"Ha ha, let's see how you handle this poison this time."
Drunken Fish Grass ran a hand through her curled bangs while her smoky eyes stared intriguingly at Xia Liang: "Or perhaps you should show some real skills..."
—"Indeed." Xia Liang's usual smile faded away, and she nodded slowly.
"Hmm?" This brief response caused Drunken Fish Grass to pause.
She was merely accustomed to talking to herself, thus used to the idea nobody would respond in these situations. Yet, she hadn't expected anyone might actually reply.
Was it playful banter, or simply a gesture of goodwill?
She pondered briefly over the possible intentions, and then she saw Xia Liang suddenly raise her hand, which was enveloped in a soft purple magic glow, unknown since when.
This brilliance, so bright it's almost blinding, undoubtedly recognizable to any Magical Girl who studied the Magic Technique system.
—Explosion.