"Not bad, your progress is quite fast!" Zhong Shenxiu suddenly said to Robin, who was practicing the Nine Yin Manual.

"Master, you're up! I'll go prepare food." Robin, seeing Zhong Shenxiu finally rise after three days of complete immobility, was overjoyed. Knowing that Zhong Shenxiu hadn't eaten anything for those three days, she bustled off to prepare sustenance.

Having an attendant is truly excellent, Zhong Shenxiu mused at that moment. Accustomed to solitude as he was, he would never have entertained such a thought before.

He hadn't expected this young woman to dedicate herself so fiercely to her training, with such rapid advancement. In just a few days, she had reached a new stage. At this pace, it wouldn't take long before she completely mastered the martial arts he had imparted to her. Should he consider teaching her other techniques? Zhong Shenxiu pondered this internally.

After consuming a modest meal, Zhong Shenxiu addressed Robin: "Through my research these past few days, I have finally achieved a rational understanding of your profession as a Necromancer. I have identified and corrected the various errors inherent in Necromancer cultivation, finally compiling a complete and perfected training regimen."

Seeing the light of excitement and adoration flicker in Robin's eyes, Zhong Shenxiu swiftly continued, "I will begin guiding you through this revised Dark Magic shortly. And you can rest assured, there will be absolutely no residual side effects, and you will no longer need to fear Light Magic. Furthermore, the improved Dark Magic has a promotional effect on the cultivation of other magical disciplines, so you can study other schools of magic when time permits in the future."

Why would Zhong Shenxiu, who knew so many profound martial arts manuals, bother learning this Dark Magic? The reason was simple: this Dark Magic did not require Spiritual Power or Internal Energy, but rather Mental Strength.

For Zhong Shenxiu, who was currently practicing the Xuanwu Jue, his mental strength was being tempered moment by moment; his mental power was growing exponentially every day. To possess such vast reserves of mental strength and not utilize them would be a great pity (besides, he had nothing better to do!).

Moreover, learning this Dark Magic would not only enhance his overall capabilities but also bring about numerous conveniences. Take the summoning of the undead, for instance—using it to set a watch or scout an area would be incredibly handy. Or consider raising a few Skeleton Warriors; they were free labor, which would undoubtedly speed up the pace of his research and development projects.

The Dark Magic refined by Zhong Shenxiu was devoid of the drawback of fearing Light Magic and lacked the self-mutilating phenomena; it was nearly perfect. If this were made public, it would certainly ignite an unimaginable sensation. Fortunately, Zhong Shenxiu had no intention of revealing it to the masses. He was no man to "freely publish research findings for the advancement of human civilization"; on the contrary, he remained somewhat selfish. If something did not concern him, or if he held it in disdain, he couldn't be bothered with what others did. His sole personal creed was: follow his own path, and let others say what they will!

However, Robin did not display much enthusiasm about learning Dark Magic. This was not her fault, as this infernal discipline had inflicted pain upon her that was too deeply etched into memory; she still carried lingering apprehension.

Although aware of Robin's reservations, Zhong Shenxiu said nothing. Instead, he suddenly uttered a phrase that left Robin utterly perplexed: "Seeing as your progress has reached a certain point, it is time to enter the second stage."

Enter the second stage?? Robin truly couldn't fathom what this "second stage" her Master spoke of entailed. Nevertheless, since it came from the Master, it must be something extraordinary, and thus, Robin looked forward to it with great anticipation.

In the afternoon, Robin was tidying various precious spirit herbs inside the small hut when Zhong Shenxiu suddenly called out to her from outside.

"Robin—"

Setting down her task, Robin hurried out: "Master, were you calling me?"

Only upon stepping outside did Robin realize that her Master, Zhong Shenxiu, was holding a large string of fish heads.

"From now on, you will use these fish heads to practice the Nine Yin White Bone Claw, understood?" Zhong Shenxiu stated.

"Oh!" Robin replied somewhat blankly, clearly struggling momentarily to accept this decision made by Zhong Shenxiu.

The second stage spoken of by Zhong Shenxiu had officially commenced.

Not only did he prepare ample fish heads for Robin every day for her Nine Yin White Bone Claw practice, but he also concocted a specialized medicinal solution for her to soak her hands in, all in the effort to make Robin's Nine Yin White Bone Claw utterly unbreakable!

Moreover, Zhong Shenxiu did not neglect Robin's movement techniques (Qinggong). He actually paid a blacksmith to forge a set of weighted training clothes tailored specifically for her. After each day's training, Robin would be drenched in sweat and utterly exhausted, yet she never voiced a single complaint.

To alleviate Robin's fatigue, Zhong Shenxiu prepared a large vat of marrow-washing elixir daily (since rare herbs and exotic flora were as numerous as the hairs on an ox in this world, wasting some as bathing water for Robin was no great loss). Every night, he instructed Robin to soak in it for an entire shichen before emerging. This soaking was no ordinary immersion; Robin had to employ the Turtle Breathing Technique to hold her breath, submerging herself completely in the potion. This practice not only elevated her mastery of the Turtle Breathing Technique but also cleansed and transformed her marrow and tendons thoroughly, leaving no spot untouched.

From this, it was evident how much painstaking effort Zhong Shenxiu was investing in her!

Aside from these rigorous exercises, Robin also had to dedicate five shichen daily to learning Dark Magic with Zhong Shenxiu; it could be said that Robin’s schedule was packed solid.

Had it not been for Robin’s incomparably strong willpower, any ordinary young girl would have been reduced to a miserable state long ago.

It must be said, Zhong Shenxiu's regimen of training, though perverse, yielded truly astonishing results. In just one month, Robin's overall strength had doubled or even tripled. With her current power, she could definitively dispatch two or three Great Swordsmen instantly.

Of course, during this period, Zhong Shenxiu was not idle; he subjected himself to training methods even more arduous and twisted than Robin’s. In this single month, his Dark Magic had shockingly advanced to the realm of the Divine-Demon Necromancer.

The author must pause here to clarify: Necromancer ranks, from lowest to highest, are ordered as follows: Apprentice Necromancer, Intern Necromancer, High Necromancer, Magister Necromancer, Great Magister Necromancer, Saint Magister Necromancer, and Divine-Demon Necromancer.

Aside from his monstrous progress in "Dark Magic," Zhong Shenxiu had also mastered the Yi Jin Jing, Heavenly Dragon Eight Steps, Iron Shirt, and Flicking Finger Skill to their absolute zenith. With his current strength, it could be stated without reservation that he could instantly obliterate whomever he pleased!!

A genius, indeed, truly deserving of the title ghost-genius!

Such an uncanny rate of advancement was not something achievable by mere talent!

No one in this world could have ever predicted that an unparalleled, peerless powerhouse was being forged right beside this unassuming little wooden hut.