Zhong Shenxiu watched as all the books in the carriage were secured, then turned to Faraday and the others emerging from the building. "You can all return now!" He paid them no further mind, urging Robin onward as he spurred the carriage into a cloud of dust. Faraday and his group were left standing, exchanging bewildered glances, unsure what to make of the situation.

"Guild Master, are we certain about just handing over our research findings to him? Might it all be for nothing?" a Necromancer whispered, approaching Faraday. "Jens, you simply cannot comprehend the rarity of encountering a master like him! Forget giving him all these books; I wouldn't complain one bit if I were to become his servant. While your power is respectable, your ability to judge character is sorely lacking!" Faraday said, with a touch of smug satisfaction.

"But why would such a master help us? Do you really think those books are enough to sway him?" Jens pressed. Faraday chuckled knowingly, a deep, esoteric sound. "You’ve overlooked someone, haven't you?" "Overlooked someone? Who?" Not just Jens, but all the other Necromancers leaned in with curiosity. "Trance Robin!" Faraday declared with immense pride in his voice. "Trance Robin? What does she have to do with this?"

"Haven't you noticed the little girl accompanying the Master? That is Trance Robin." The moment Faraday finished speaking, a stir of chatter erupted among the crowd. "That little girl is Robin? Impossible! If I recall correctly, Robin should also be a Necromancer!"

There was a fundamental truth known to them all: though Necromancers could attain strange and potent power, they paid a terrible price. One consequence was that they would all become distinctly inhuman, spectral beings, and they shared a peculiar sensitivity—a vulnerability—to sunlight. This was precisely why Necromancers always kept themselves so heavily swathed and concealed.

"Heh. In all my long life, nothing has filled me with more pride than taking Robin in. Even then, I sensed this child would surely be a lucky star, destined to bring me fortune. Indeed, my judgment has not failed me," Faraday preened, displaying a self-satisfied air. The actual truth, however, was far less lofty: he had only taken Robin in because, as the Guild Master of the 'Necromancer Fellowship,' he couldn't just leave a young Necromancer to fend for herself on the streets; it would have negatively impacted his reputation.

"Guild Master, that Master said he could formulate an antidote for the 'Darkness Backlash.' Do you really trust that claim?" Jens asked again. "Rest assured, it is absolutely reliable, because I took the liberty of speaking with Robin privately just a moment ago," Faraday stated with an air of profound mystery. "Guild Master, what did you two discuss?" the group asked almost in unison. "That is a secret. Consider it a consequence of how poorly you treated Robin earlier; you must regret it now!" Faraday remarked with a tone suggesting they were all still naive. "Alright, stop clustering here. Everyone head back!"

※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※

Zhong Shenxiu, his carriage laden with books, was in an excellent mood. He hadn't expected to acquire so many valuable research materials so effortlessly; he had anticipated a drawn-out negotiation. Well, since they were so obliging, perhaps he would offer them some aid! Zhong Shenxiu mused internally.

In truth, the so-called 'Darkness Backlash' was nothing Zhong Shenxiu concerned himself with; he was merely intrigued by its unique energy composition. Despite his current lack of restored magical power, formulating a cure for such a stubborn affliction was as simple as cooking a common meal to him.

His fervent dedication to research was like an irresistible addiction beckoning him forward. Even after transmigrating to this world, Zhong Shenxiu’s fundamental nature had not changed—perhaps the time elapsed had simply been too short. Thus, he had Robin drive the carriage while he sprawled atop the mountain of books, diligently engrossed in his studies.

"Robin, are Necromancers extremely susceptible to Light Magic?" Zhong Shenxiu suddenly inquired of the driving Robin. "Yes, Master. Light Magic is our bane," Robin replied based on her understanding. "And are Necromancers only capable of casting Dark Magic?" Zhong Shenxiu asked again. "I am not entirely certain about that, but Uncle Faraday said so," Robin replied after a moment's thought.

Zhong Shenxiu glanced at Robin curiously and asked, "Is Uncle Faraday a good person?" "I don't know about that. He is simply the one who took me in," Robin answered. "What about your parents?"

Robin suddenly fell silent, finally shaking her head. "I never met my mother; I don't know who she is. My father abandoned me and told me to fend for myself!" This was perhaps the memory Robin most desperately wished to avoid.

Zhong Shenxiu looked at Robin’s back with sympathy. He, too, was an orphan; had his mentor, True Man Wuliang, not taken him in years ago, his fate would likely have been drastically different. "Robin, do you want to find your mother?" Zhong Shenxiu thought that once his magic returned, he might be able to use the 'Thousand Mile Pursuit' technique from the arts of Witchcraft to locate her birth mother.

Unexpectedly, Robin immediately and firmly stated, "No!" Before Zhong Shenxiu could ask why, Robin continued, "Robin only wants to stay with Master forever!" Zhong Shenxiu fell silent. For the first time, he felt a strange sensation stir within his heart—a feeling akin to the stirring of something dormant for millennia, something known as 'being moved.'

They traveled in silence, finally arriving back as dusk was settling. Zhong Shenxiu immediately exhibited his scholarly obsession, diving into the newly acquired books to study without even eating dinner. Robin, understanding her Master’s nature, ate her own supper, practiced her unique skills a few times, and then retired to bed alone.

The next morning, Robin awoke to find Zhong Shenxiu still studying with boundless energy, observed his contemplation shifting between deep thought, sudden joy, and furrowed brows. Robin merely set the prepared breakfast before him before resuming her martial arts practice. In Robin’s mind, Zhong Shenxiu was her bond; she yearned to assist her Master, not become a burden to him. Driven by this motivation, Robin also labored day and night.

Truly, what kind of servant one has reflects the master! Through diligence came reward. Heaven had not failed Robin’s efforts. At this point, her cultivation of the Nine Yin Manual had broken through another stage, granting her strength sufficient to contend with a Gold Swordsman. Furthermore, her progress in the Lingbo Weibu technique was immense; when performed at full speed, it could now manifest as a mere afterimage. In addition to these, Robin had also achieved a basic level of mastery in the Turtle Breath Technique that Zhong Shenxiu had recently imparted to her…