So that was the reason behind it. No wonder. It seems being the Elf Queen isn't an easy job either. Regardless of the race, power struggles exist; even the usually aloof Elves are no exception.

Afterward, Anna took Mohan on a tour of some of the beautiful sights in the Elven Forest. As they passed a copse of trees, Mohan unexpectedly discovered that the entire area was enveloped by an incredibly potent protective barrier. Based on his assessment, the energy of this barrier was more robust than any he had ever encountered, even eclipsing the Radiant Barrier, which the Church of Light prided itself on.

What’s more, within this barrier, Mohan could clearly sense an intense concentration of magical elements. Although the barrier blocked most of the energy, the sheer excessiveness of the internal concentration allowed a significant amount of power to leak out. Strangely, Mohan found he felt an inexplicable affinity for these magical elements.

Why did sensing these elements immediately lift his spirits and invigorate him? Mohan pondered this internally. This was undoubtedly a superb location for a mage to cultivate. The activity level of the magic here was at least dozens of times higher than outside. If he could train here for a period, he stood a very real chance of breaking through his current realm to achieve the rank of Saint Archmage.

As Mohan remained deep in thought, his body involuntarily drifted closer to the grove.

Just then, Anna gasped, "Brother Mohan, don't go closer! That’s a forbidden area!"

No sooner had Anna spoken than several silver shafts of light suddenly shot out from the woods, embedding themselves deep into the ground directly in front of Mohan, startling him. He looked sharply and realized they were several silver arrows, almost the entirety of the shafts driven into the soil—what astonishing arm strength that must require.

These were undoubtedly the finest archers he had ever seen. While they couldn't truly harm him now that he possessed the strength of a Sword Saint, if he were the target, he would certainly have his hands full. If they were wielding top-tier magic bows, he’d probably have no choice but to flee. He couldn't help but reassess the overall strength of the Elven Forest.

At that moment, several figures slowly emerged from the copse. The woman at the center spoke with chilling coldness, "Elven Forbidden Ground. Trespassers will be slain without pardon."

Just then, Anna hurried over, quickly interjecting, "Nyssa Sister, it's a misunderstanding! This is my sworn brother; he simply didn't know the rules of the Elven Forest and trespassed into the forbidden area. Please forgive him, Auntie Nyssa."

The female Elf addressed as Nyssa saw that it was Anna.

The icy expression on her face instantly melted away, replaced by a smile. "I wondered who it was. It’s little Anna. You naughty girl, always running off. You don't even come to visit your Auntie Nyssa. I thought you'd forgotten all about me." Anna immediately rushed to Nyssa and nestled into her embrace, pouting playfully, "That's because my Lady Mother captured me for lessons recently, so I had no time to visit. See, I’m here now, aren't I?"

Nyssa chuckled, affectionately stroking Anna’s head as she clung to her. "Oh, you. You only use Her Majesty the Queen as an excuse. Do you think I don't know? You were having too much fun running around recently, so Her Majesty grounded you. Let's see if you dare run off again next time?" Hearing this, Anna looked genuinely wronged. "No, I wasn't slacking off this time! My archery has improved tremendously, even my Lady Mother praised me! But all the pointers came from Brother Mohan here, so please don't blame him."

Saying this, Anna pointed to Mohan, who was still standing frozen in place.

Nyssa followed Anna's gesture and looked up at Mohan. She saw the man Anna called her sworn brother currently aiming those utterly detestable eyes at her, a wicked smirk playing on his lips. She couldn't help but speak coldly, "Is this the sworn brother who taught you archery? If he’s truly that formidable, I’d certainly like to test him myself when I have the time. Don't disappoint me."

With that, she fixed Mohan with a challenging gaze, as if daring him to make a move immediately.

The truth was, Mohan had been utterly stunned by Nyssa’s beauty the moment he saw her. These Elves were truly—it made one jealous—they were all so breathtakingly gorgeous. Nyssa had a graceful bearing and a tall, slender figure. The skin exposed by her clothing was smooth and lustrous like warm jade. Her eyebrows were delicately arched, and her eyes were bright, elegant, and captivatingly charming. She wore a tightly fitting, deep emerald dress that showcased her perfect physique entirely.

She was over 1.7 meters tall, and her figure was absolutely scorching, curves exquisitely formed. Especially the pair of soft, full, and firm breasts on her chest—Mohan estimated casually that they were at least a D-cup. In all his time in this other world, this was the first time he had seen such a spectacular beauty with such grand proportions, which was why he couldn't help but stare a moment too long. Seeing Anna nestled comfortably in Nyssa's arms, Mohan wicked a fantasy: what a wonderful sensation it must be to throw himself into her embrace.

Hearing Nyssa's words, Mohan exaggerated, "Heavens above! Is this real life? Are you trying to make people live in vain?"

Nyssa frowned slightly at his reaction and asked, "Is it necessary to be so dramatic? It’s just a friendly spar; it’s not going to cost you your life. If you’re scared, you can just say so." Her tone held a hint of disdain.

Mohan didn't get angry. He smiled and replied smoothly, "Heh heh, I think you’ve misunderstood, my lady. I was marveling at the Creator's artistry, not expressing fear about a competition."

"It's just a sparring match, why the grand sighing? How boring," Nyssa commented, looking perplexed.

"Of course, I must marvel. I simply cannot comprehend how time could produce a woman as exquisitely beautiful as Miss Nyssa. Truly, she could make fish forget how to swim and the moon hide in shame," Mohan declared, putting on a façade of deep contemplation.

Hearing Mohan praise her, Nyssa’s cheeks flushed slightly. She scolded him, "You humans are all the same, full of flowery words to flatter women all day long. No wonder they say humans are the most cunning race—I see it’s absolutely true. Anna, don't let this trickster fool you."

Mohan sighed helplessly, "I speak only the truth. I rarely compliment women lightly, unless they are truly peerless beauties. If you don't believe me, you can ask Anna if what I say is genuine."

Anna giggled, "Sister Nyssa, just ignore Brother Mohan; he loves teasing people. But Brother Mohan, what exactly do those phrases you used—'sinking fish and falling wild geese'—mean? They sound like compliments for a lady, right? But I've never heard them before!"

Mohan smiled and said, "It’s very tiring to shout across such a distance. Could you allow me to come a little closer?" Hearing his request, Anna looked towards Nyssa. Nyssa merely let out a cold hum and fell silent. Mohan, hearing no immediate rejection, quickly smiled and continued, "If you don't speak, I’ll take that as permission, won't I? I’m coming closer now, but don't shoot!"

With that, he adopted an exaggeratedly cautious expression as he walked towards Nyssa and the others, causing the few female Elven archers accompanying Nyssa to break into quiet laughter.

Seeing this, Nyssa remarked with exasperation, "What a thick-skinned rogue. Anna, how did you even end up with a sworn brother like this?" Anna quickly defended Mohan, "That's because you don't really know Brother Mohan; he’s a good person, just a bit prone to talking nonsense. You’ll see once you get to know him better."

Nyssa muttered under her breath, "Who would want to get to know a rogue like that? He can dream."

At that moment, Mohan arrived in front of Anna and the others. Anna immediately urged him, "Brother Mohan, tell us quickly, what do 'sinking fish and falling wild geese' and 'shaming the moon and shaming the flowers' mean? I’m really eager to know!"

Mohan chuckled, "I would love to explain, but I wonder if our main lady is willing to listen? If she gets annoyed, she might just shoot another arrow at me. So close, I wouldn't be able to dodge! Then I’d be in real trouble."

The Elven archers laughed at Mohan’s words, but Nyssa said calmly, "Say whatever you want. Do you think we care? But don't worry, I won't attack you." Nyssa's tone was noticeably less frigid than before, and a faint glimmer of a smile flickered in her bright eyes.

Anna quickly seized the opportunity, "See, Sister Nyssa said she won't attack, so hurry up and tell us!"

Mohan complied, smiling as he explained the meanings of the four-character idioms (Chengyu) to Anna and the others. He claimed he had read these stories in ancient texts, slightly altering the names of the historical figures, but ensuring the core meanings remained intact.

After hearing Mohan's explanation, Anna exclaimed in awe, "Are there really people in this world so beautiful that even flowers and the moon would feel ashamed in their presence? What astonishing beauty! I certainly don't have that level of grace, but Sister Nyssa might come close."