Tears had fallen from Angelia, shattering Zhong Shenxiu's illusion, and since then, Zhong Shenxiu had been giving her the cold shoulder.

Inspiration, much like a fortuitous encounter, is not easily recovered once it slips away!

And Angelia seemed to realize the mistake she had made, beginning to try earnestly to placate Zhong Shenxiu. This placation was not through words, but through actions. For instance, if anything was dirty, she would immediately clean it; if anything was messy, she would instantly tidy it—more diligent than a housewife!

As for Zhong Shenxiu, he still hadn't fully shaken off his gloom. How could he not? He was on the verge of grasping the ultimate truth, only to have it vanish pointlessly—it would make anyone sulk!

He also blamed himself for his carelessness; why hadn't he returned to his room while researching! Ah, well.

However, Zhong Shenxiu was generally an open-minded person. Though still depressed and stern-faced, he would still offer guidance to Angelia as usual when needed.

One day, Zhong Shenxiu was instructing Angelia on the crucial points of the "Split Stance" technique when he suddenly sensed movement within the vat—it seemed Robin was about to awaken.

With a flash, Zhong Shenxiu arrived before the vat. Just as he suspected, Robin’s Marrow Cleansing via the Yi Jing was complete, and Robin was slowly regaining consciousness.

Struck dumb by the sudden disappearance of Zhong Shenxiu, Angelia first paused, then looked around frantically. When she saw Zhong Shenxiu standing motionless before the vat, she seemed to grasp something, approaching cautiously, yet stopping five meters away, daring not to venture closer!

"Girl, go to the inner room and fetch Robin's clothes!" Zhong Shenxiu turned and instructed Angelia.

Hearing this, Angelia grew even more certain of her suspicions; she hadn't expected Robin to truly be waking up.

Whoosh.

As Angelia brought Robin's clothes out, she heard the distinct sound of water splashing. Following the sound, she saw a figure standing before the vat—a small jade statue, skin as smooth as congealed fat. Her raven hair flowed more elegantly than if she’d used "Piao Rou shampoo"!

This person was the awakened Robin! Unbelievably, Robin now appeared even more captivating than before!

Even Angelia was momentarily stunned, unable to believe this was the same Robin she had known before!

"Master!" Robin called softly to Zhong Shenxiu, offering a smile as ethereal as a lotus rising from the water.

At that moment, Robin felt light as a feather, her body seemingly brimming with inexhaustible strength, and her perception of her surroundings was astonishingly sharp!

This was the efficacy of the Marrow Cleansing via the Yi Jing, and its benefits stretched far beyond this.

Once Robin was fully dressed, Zhong Shenxiu commanded her to sit cross-legged and gave her a set of cultivation incantations, urging her to quickly circulate them for one full revolution to consolidate her newly tempered meridians!

Seeing Robin gradually enter a meditative state, Zhong Shenxiu quietly stepped back.

Angelia was still staring blankly at Robin, trying to guess what Robin was doing, wanting to ask but hesitating.

"Girl, stop dawdling here. Go prepare the meal!"

Prepare food? Hadn't they just eaten?

Angelia was initially surprised, but quickly realized this was all for Robin.

After circulating the incantations for one revolution, Robin awoke, truly famished. By this time, Angelia had already prepared the dishes! (Since Robin was only just beginning her cultivation journey, she had not yet reached the state of being independent of worldly sustenance!)

Man cannot live on air alone; after a full stomach, Robin appeared even more vibrant!

Robin's awakening dispelled much of Zhong Shenxiu's earlier gloom. Next up was tackling the new arrangement: merging the two courtyards and setting up the "Spirit Gathering Array"!

After half a day of strenuous effort, the obstacles were finally cleared!

The next task was setting up the "Spirit Gathering Array." Since this was a delicate operation, Zhong Shenxiu did not allow anyone to assist.

It took about half an hour to complete the "Spirit Gathering Array." To ensure the spiritual energy within the formation was even richer, Zhong Shenxiu used a drop of "Spirit Milk," allowing it to dissolve into the array's focal point. This way, even if it couldn't draw energy from the surroundings, spiritual energy would continuously surge from the focus, like a spring that never runs dry!

After setting aside the area needed for the "Spirit Gathering Array," Zhong Shenxiu used the remaining space to deploy a "Gravity Array," increasing the perceived gravity inside to three times that of the outside world!

Both Zhong Shenxiu and Robin had crossed the threshold into the "Cultivation Realm," so the triple gravity was naturally no issue for them. But Angelia was different. Upon stepping into the array, she felt as if a rock weighing over a hundred catties had been strapped to her back; without exerting her Battle Qi, she could barely move.

Watching Zhong Shenxiu and Robin move about the array effortlessly, Angelia’s heart sank. When will I ever be like them?

They say having a goal provides motivation, but when that goal becomes a distant dream, that motivation turns into discouragement.

Angelia was experiencing that feeling of deflation right then. She genuinely couldn't understand; she was trying so hard, yet the gap between her and the other two seemed to widen constantly.

Old Danny, in the meantime, was having the time of his life these past few days. Ever since buying that shield from Zhong Shenxiu, his back no longer ached, his legs didn't cramp, and food tasted much better. The best part was that he could finally annoy Donald again—nothing in the world brought him more satisfaction.

People say fortune turns in cycles, but no one expected the cycle to turn back so forcefully in his favor!

As it was, just after Donald left his house, the look of sheer envy in his eyes made Old Danny feel absolutely triumphant!

This expenditure of ten thousand gold coins was truly worth it! (A slight sweat broke out.)

Just as Old Danny was putting away the remnants of the "Battle" artifact, a servant approached: "Master, there are several people outside looking for you!"

Old Danny paused, then beamed, because usually only three types of people sought him out: those buying property, those selling property, or those renting property!

"Good. Lead them in!" Old Danny commanded.

The servant departed and went straight to the entrance, saying to the group waiting outside: "My master invites you in."

Only then did they realize that the people waiting outside were none other than Xia Luo, the leader of the "Sky Splitting Mercenary Group," and a few of her subordinates.

Why were they here?

Xia Luo had initially intended to find the "Double Axe Mercenary Group," settle scores, and then return home immediately, with no plans to stay long. However, after several days in 'Gulu City,' she hadn't even caught sight of a single member of the "Double Axe Mercenary Group."

They had been staying at an inn, but housing several hundred people at an inn was proving prohibitively expensive. And there was no telling how much longer it would take to find the "Double Axe Mercenary Group." After careful deliberation, they decided renting a few courtyards would be much more convenient.

Hearing that Old Danny was the largest real estate mogul in 'Gulu City,' Xia Luo brought a few subordinates to discuss rental arrangements.

Led by the servant, they entered the courtyard. By sheer coincidence, they saw Laurent and Solomon sparring within.

These two, having been thoroughly beaten by Zhong Shenxiu and Robin that day, had keenly felt their own inadequacy. Consequently, they practiced and studied swordsmanship whenever the chance arose; today was just like any other day.

"Hmm, I didn't expect such talent in such a small town!" Cai Ni exclaimed, as he was also a swordsman and could clearly discern the considerable skill displayed by Laurent and Solomon.

"Such strength at their age is indeed commendable, but they are still far below our leader's level!" Hank muttered quietly.

"What would you know, you're a mage. How many people in this world are like our leader? You can't compare everyone to her!" Cai Ni retorted.

Hank just chuckled, not arguing back, but instead asking: "Then what do you think of their strength? How do they compare to Fern in our group?"

Fern was also a swordsman and the weakest among their contingent on this trip!

"I think the taller one's strength is about equal to Fern's. His swordsmanship shows experience forged in life-and-death situations. As for the younger one, I suspect he’s still a student. I don't sense any sharp edge in his swordplay!"

"I didn't think you had much skill, yet your commentary is quite sharp!" Hank teased.

"Go on, get out of here!" Cai Ni laughed and scolded him.

As they spoke, the group passed through the courtyard.

Because Cai Ni and Hank spoke quietly, Solomon and Laurent did not overhear the critiques made about them.

Though they hadn't heard the exact words, they did notice the group passing by.

"Brother Solomon, what's wrong?" Laurent, though he had also noticed Xia Luo and her group passing in front of them, paid them little mind, as he was long accustomed to visitors coming to see his father.

"Didn't you notice those people?" Solomon asked in surprise.

"I saw them, but it's nothing. People often come to see my father!" Laurent replied with a smile.

"I mean, didn't you notice the emblems on their attire?"

"Didn't pay close attention!"

"They are from the 'Sky Splitting Mercenary Group'!" Solomon stated with a tone of slight shock.

"So what?"

"Haven't you heard of them?"

"No!" Laurent stated truthfully!

Solomon suddenly felt a wave of dizziness, left momentarily speechless by Laurent's ignorance!

Meanwhile, Zhong Shenxiu noticed Angelia's listless demeanor and smiled, guessing what might be troubling her.

"Girl, do you want to know just how much stronger you've become?" Zhong Shenxiu suddenly asked Angelia.

Angelia looked at him blankly. Though she didn't know what scheme Zhong Shenxiu was plotting this time, she nodded slightly. She truly wanted to know if she had made any progress!

"If you want to know, then come with me!" Zhong Shenxiu said, also calling out to Robin.

"Where are we going?" Angelia asked.

Zhong Shenxiu didn't answer, merely offering her a smile.

Where else would they go? Naturally, to Old Danny's place!

He recalled Old Danny’s previous invitation, and more importantly, there was Laurent, a former rival who was once evenly matched with Angelia!