Zhong Shenxiu turned his gaze away from her and back toward the fight between Robin and Laurent. Beside him, Angelia had been quietly observing Cheri, and when she overheard Zhong Shenxiu's words to Cheri, she flinched in shock, stunned to realize that the Skeleton Warriors from that day had been destroyed by these very people.

These people were incredibly audacious! How would he deal with them now?

Angelia's mind began to race with frantic thoughts. Just then, Cheri suddenly shrieked, crying out to Irene, "…Teacher, you… you need to come quickly…"

Irene, who had been watching the battle, quickly turned when she heard Cheri's call. Seeing Cheri's panicked face, she was quite surprised and hastily asked, "What is it, Cheri?"

"Teacher Irene, you… you need to come quickly…" Cheri was so nervous she didn't know what to do, stealing a glance at Zhong Shenxiu. She didn't dare move an inch now; the memory of that day began to swirl before her eyes.

Irene, unsure what the matter was, walked over with a smile. Her student often made a fuss over nothing; she was somewhat accustomed to it!

Thomas spared Cheri a quick glance, thinking to himself, "Women are such trouble!" before refocusing his attention on the ongoing fight in the arena.

By now, Robin and Laurent had exchanged countless blows, though consistently Robin remained on the offensive while Laurent stayed on the defensive. Robin maintained his usual composed demeanor, but sweat had begun to bead on Laurent’s cheeks.

Under the dual pressures of tension and exhaustion, Laurent was gradually showing signs of giving way.

Solomon anxiously tapped his foot, growing more irritated the longer he watched, especially seeing Laurent's thoroughly stifled performance. He wished desperately he could step in himself!

"What is it, Cheri?" Irene had already reached Cheri’s side.

Cheri stealthily glanced at Zhong Shenxiu again, about to speak, but Zhong Shenxiu beat her to it.

"Hey, woman, do you all think you're so formidable?" Zhong Shenxiu scrutinized Irene as he spoke.

"Uh!" Irene clearly froze, completely failing to grasp the meaning behind Zhong Shenxiu’s sudden remark.

"Didn't I tell you? You should call me 'sister.'" Irene was truly taken aback by the form of address Zhong Shenxiu had used for her.

Zhong Shenxiu let out a cold snort from his nose and followed up with another statement that left Irene utterly mystified: "Just wait. I'll let you all know the consequences of provoking me!"

Irene blinked again. Wh-what did that mean?

As Irene stood there full of confusion, Cheri suddenly leaned in and whispered something quickly into her ear.

"What?" Irene exclaimed aloud, staring blankly at Cheri, wondering if she had misheard.

Cheri nodded, wearing an expression that confirmed, "Teacher, you heard correctly."

He was the Necromancer??

Irene looked at Zhong Shenxiu in disbelief. Based on his appearance, age, and demeanor, there was absolutely no way to associate the words "Necromancer" with this young boy standing before her.

"Are you really…"

"Prepare yourselves!" Zhong Shenxiu cut off Irene's question.

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

How could those Skeleton Warriors have been summoned by this young boy? How old was he? And he carried none of the deathly aura befitting a Necromancer. It simply couldn't be him who summoned those Skeleton Warriors!

While Irene was locked in this internal struggle, Solomon’s loud shout suddenly cut through the air.

"Laurent, what are you doing? Where did your skill go from when you fought me? What about your finishing move? Can’t you even defeat a child? Counterattack, dammit…"

Solomon could hold back no longer. He truly couldn't accept Laurent's passive style of fighting. This wasn't sparring; it was clearly just target practice! Even if this young girl was powerful, she couldn't be so formidable that he couldn't even mount a defense!

In reality, Solomon was guilty of "judging from a safe distance." Having never personally faced Robin's fighting style, he couldn't comprehend how terrifying Robin was. It wasn't that Laurent didn't want to use his best moves; it was that he was so thoroughly suppressed by Robin that he couldn't find an opening!

"Swing your sword! What good is your blade if you don't use it…" Solomon paced anxiously, nearly ready to jump into the fray himself.

Zhong Shenxiu glanced at Solomon, instantly finding the man irritating, especially that smug tone!

"Girl," Zhong Shenxiu's expression suddenly turned serious, "Give me your other sword!"

Angelia visibly stiffened, staring blankly at Zhong Shenxiu, wondering what he intended to do.

Despite her intense curiosity and confusion, Angelia retrieved the other sword from her magic ring.

This sword was one she had intended for practicing two-handed swordsmanship, but since she never felt the right connection to it, she had kept it stored away. She hadn't expected Zhong Shenxiu to even know about it.

Zhong Shenxiu took the sword, a wicked smile playing on his lips. Under the bewildered gazes of everyone present, he actually began walking toward Solomon.

Solomon had been busy directing Laurent when he suddenly saw Zhong Shenxiu approaching, causing him to pause, particularly noticing the longsword in Zhong Shenxiu's hand.

What was he planning?

"Hey, brat, from the sound of it, you think you're pretty impressive, don't you?" Zhong Shenxiu stopped two meters in front of Solomon.

Solomon didn't reply, as he hadn't yet recovered from his astonishment.

"Since you believe you're so capable, why don't we have a little spar? Ah, no, I should say, a fight!" Zhong Shenxiu grinned wickedly again.

If they were in the Cultivation World, anyone who knew Zhong Shenxiu well would steer clear the moment he showed this smile, as it carried a distinct implication: I'm about to unleash hell!

"Fight you?" Solomon was momentarily stunned, then burst into loud laughter. "Haha, stop joking. Do you think you are of the same rank as me?"

He was actually right, in a way—he and Zhong Shenxiu were certainly not on the same level! (Sweat –_–)

"Whoosh!"

Solomon’s response was a horizontal slash of the sword, incredibly fast!

"Swish~"

Solomon's outer garment was instantly sliced open, revealing his sturdy chest beneath. Zhong Shenxiu’s control was flawless; had the blade tip advanced even a fraction more, it would have been far more than just his clothes being cut!

"Nice expression!" Zhong Shenxiu commented, observing Solomon's stunned look.

Everyone save for Robin and Laurent, who were still locked in combat, was dumbstruck. That lightning-fast swing seemed to have shattered their grasp on logic!

But they realized their shock had come too early, for something far more astonishing awaited them!

"Bang!"

At that very moment, Solomon’s body inexplicably shot backward…