※ ,It’s raining and thundering outside today. That’s why I’m only starting to write the chapter now. I hope everyone is blessed.”

Robin and Angeliya both became interested when they heard Zhong Shenxiu say that, eager to see what marvel it held. Thus, their eyes widened, focusing all their attention, fearful of missing even a single detail.

Zhong Shenxiu smiled without speaking, rapidly forming a series of hand seals. Immediately, a streak of cyan light shot out from his hand, plunging straight into the “Void-Absorbing Stone.”

Then, a strange phenomenon occurred: the “Void-Absorbing Stone” began to flash rhythmically, much like a neon light. With every pulse, the surrounding atmosphere seemed to shift and change.

“Watch closely, it’s about to start!” Zhong Shenxiu reminded the two, his smile unwavering.

Although Robin and Angeliya were fully prepared, they were still astonished. The reason was simple: their bodies had inexplicably begun to float. The sensation was akin to being suspended in the vastness of the cosmos, completely devoid of any feeling of gravity.

What, what is happening?

Angeliya struggled, twisting her body in an attempt to regain the feeling of solid ground beneath her feet, but at that moment, she felt like an insect stuck in a spider’s web—no matter how much she thrashed, she couldn't exert any force.

In contrast, while Robin was also surprised, she wasn’t as agitated as Angeliya. After all, having followed Zhong Shenxiu for so long, she had witnessed countless strange things. Now, she gazed curiously at the ground beneath her feet. This was her first experience of floating, a feeling that was both miraculous and held an indescribable sense of wonder!

Is this what flying feels like?

Involuntarily, Robin’s interest in the Dao of Cultivation deepened. She knew the hand seals Zhong Shenxiu was using belonged to the path of cultivation, and she had heard from him before: once one achieved success in cultivation, they could soar on a sword!

Zhong Shenxiu performed several more hand seals. As he finished, the two women floating in mid-air, Robin and Angeliya, suddenly changed. With a whoosh, they were drawn toward him. However, just as they were about to collide with Zhong Shenxiu, an invisible wall stopped them both.

Seeing the astonished looks on their faces, Zhong Shenxiu smiled and gently set them down.

“I only gave you a slight demonstration just now; its true power is far beyond that.”

“What exactly was that?” Angeliya asked distractedly, still reeling from the experience.

“Given your intelligence, you wouldn’t understand even if I explained it. For now, just know that it is exceptionally unusual!” Zhong Shenxiu delivered this blow to Angeliya without mercy.

Angeliya immediately showed a conflicted expression. In truth, she wasn’t as intellectually shallow as Zhong Shenxiu implied; it was simply that she had never encountered anything so novel, and she couldn't process it instantly!

Her entire life, everyone had only praised her sharp intellect. The only two people who ever called her slow were Zhong Shenxiu and Robin!

At this moment, Robin, however, was radiant and visibly excited!

“Hey, girl, you are strictly forbidden from telling anyone about this, understand?” Zhong Shenxiu said to Angeliya with a warning tone.

Angeliya was generally reasonable and nodded, understanding that Zhong Shenxiu had shown her this out of trust.

Zhong Shenxiu glanced at the somewhat messy surroundings and performed another technique. Utilizing the ability of the “Void-Absorbing Stone,” he managed to fill the pit with the displaced soil once more!

Once everything was settled, Zhong Shenxiu led the two out, casually dismantling the external Eight Trigrams Illusionary Formation as he went. The reason was simple: he feared some other fool might blunder in again, and it would be terrible luck if they starved to death inside!

.

The door to the infirmary opened again. Coincidentally, Amode was on duty this time as well.

Turning sharply, Amode saw Harrison, one hand clutching his stomach and the other leaning against the doorframe.

“Harrison, what’s wrong? Stomach trouble?” Amode asked with concern.

Harrison seemed to be either shaking his head or nodding—in any case, he stumbled inside. Robin’s kick had truly nearly killed him, especially since he hadn't been prepared at all.

Vicious, Harrison thought resentfully, Don't let me see you again, or you’ll regret it! But another voice in his mind cautioned him: Don't be foolish, that young girl is not someone you can afford to provoke!

“Harrison, are you feeling unwell in your stomach?” Amode interrupted Harrison’s reverie.

Before Harrison could answer, Amode continued, “Did you eat something bad? I’ll prescribe you some ‘Xielizhi,’ a medicine for diarrhea. Remember to take it after meals.” Saying this, he opened a small medicine cabinet and started rummaging.

“Teacher Amode, don’t bother looking. It’s not a stomach ache; it’s an external injury!” Harrison said, slightly frustrated.

“An external injury?” Amode walked over. “Let me see. Where did you hurt yourself?”

Harrison hesitated, seemingly unwilling to lift his outer tunic. He quickly interjected, “Teacher Amode, do you have any liniment for bruises and sprains? Just a little will do!”

“That won’t do. I need to see exactly where the injury is and how severe it is!” Amode insisted, his expression earnest.

Part of his insistence stemmed from his professionalism. The other part was due to the school administration’s directive that seed-level students like Harrison and Angeliya required special attention; even a minor headache or a sneeze should not be ignored!

Harrison couldn't deny Amode’s insistence and finally lifted the front of his tunic. The shocking expanse of red made Amode gasp.

“What happened?” Amode asked sternly.

“I accidentally ran into a wall!”

Amode gave him a speechless look, thinking to himself: If hitting a wall could cause this effect, it would truly be an unprecedented event!

In truth, Harrison had only told half the story, omitting the crucial part. The full account should have been: I was accidentally kicked, then I hit a wall, and that’s how I ended up looking like this!

Amode, just like last time, didn’t press for details, as it wasn't within his purview!

Harrison’s injuries weren't limited to the kick to his abdomen; his back had suffered some impact when he crashed into the wall at high speed, causing minor bone stress—this was the primary reason for his pale complexion.

It looked more severe than the wrist injury he sustained previously, but it wasn't; the difference was that this time, no internal energy had invaded his body.

Amode cast a Light-based Healing spell on him and prescribed some external topical medicine. As long as he rested quietly for a few days, the wounds would mend!

.

In a courtyard somewhere, Charlotte listened silently to the reports from her subordinates.

This courtyard was one of the several locations recommended to her by Old Danny. She had already paid the rent for one month. In her estimation, if she couldn’t resolve this matter within a month, she would have to return, as keeping so many people stationed here draining resources was not sustainable.

She had just returned from her own inquiries, and as usual, she had gathered no intelligence on the whereabouts of the “Twin Axes Mercenary Group.” She was even beginning to suspect these people had evaporated. A woman’s sixth sense, she mused, was indeed accurate—and her description was quite apt for the situation!

“Commander, we visited the local Mercenary Association to inquire. We only learned that since the ‘Twin Axes Mercenary Group’ completed their last mission last month, none of them have been seen again,” a long-robed man reported.

Charlotte pondered for a moment, then asked in a voice that was gentle yet firm, “Did you find out where they usually operate?”

“Nothing about that. The other mercenary groups seem to dislike the ‘Twin Axes Mercenary Group,’ almost hoping they would just disappear!”

Charlotte’s brow furrowed. “Very well, I understand.” She then turned to her side. “Fenn, did your team gather any leads?”

“Commander, we found a very useful clue!” Fenn said excitedly.

He was widely considered the weakest among them, and now, when everyone else had nothing, he alone had found a lead—how could he not be thrilled!

“What did you find out?” Charlotte’s tone remained flat, betraying no emotion. This was the necessary composure of a group leader!

“We found out that the last person to see the ‘Twin Axes Mercenary Group’ was likely a girl named Angeliya. The old man claimed he saw the ‘Twin Axes Mercenary Group’ enter the Magical Beast Forest, and shortly after, the girl named Angeliya followed them in with two children! After that, the ‘Twin Axes Mercenary Group’ was never seen again!”

“Who are those two children?” Though Charlotte’s mind felt slightly cluttered, she zeroed in on the crucial question.

“The old man said he didn't know.”

“Do you know the address of that girl, Angeliya?” Charlotte asked Fenn, whose expression was now somewhat awkward.

“Yes, we already found it!” Fenn’s eyes brightened again.

Charlotte didn’t reply immediately. Instead, she turned back to the others. “Did the rest of you find any other clues?”

“Commander, we found out that someone picked up an emblem belonging to the ‘Twin Axes Mercenary Group’ inside the Magical Beast Forest!” another person stepped forward to report.

“Do you know who that person is?” A strange light began to shine in Charlotte’s beautiful eyes.

The clouds parting to reveal the bright moon! The truth felt closer and closer!

“Yes, we have found out. That person is named Cecil, and he likes to hunt in the Magical Beast Forest. He lives at…”

“What about the others? Any other new findings?” Charlotte asked the remaining group members.

The others remained silent, seemingly having found nothing.

Charlotte adopted a thoughtful posture, beginning to analyze the situation in her mind. The disappearance of the “Twin Axes Mercenary Group” had too many suspicious elements, yet there were too few concrete leads!

After careful consideration, she decided that the two people just mentioned—Angeliya and Cecil—should be investigated first; new discoveries might emerge from them!

For now, there was only one immediate task: whom should she visit first?

Charlotte thought for a while longer, and finally, she made a decision.