After a solid three seconds of stunned silence, Angelia finally snapped back to reality, completely ignoring the lingering pain as she hastily pulled her legs together. A blush of crimson immediately burned its way up to her earlobes.

At that moment, all she truly desired was to find an ear scoop, dig a small hole in the ground, and crawl inside!

She was utterly mortified, as profoundly embarrassed as she had ever been in her entire life!

Zhong Shenxiu cleared his throat twice, masking his own awkwardness, then turned to Robin and said, "Robin, did you memorize everything I just taught you?"

"I did!" Robin nodded. Her mind was becoming incredibly sharp; it was almost photographic memory now!

However, memorizing was one thing; true comprehension would still take time. Moreover, many of the subtle mysteries of "Tai Chi" could only be grasped through actual combat experience; without extensive practice, it was impossible to reach the level of mastery Zhong Shenxiu possessed!

Seeing that neither Zhong Shenxiu nor Robin was paying any attention to her, Angelia scrambled to her feet and fled as if chased, presumably heading off somewhere to change her clothes!

Alas, what should have been a proper assessment ended like this. Surely, even the renowned "genius" Zhong Shenxiu hadn't anticipated such an outcome!

Zhong Shenxiu lost the inclination to instruct Robin further. He told her to practice on the side while he planned to go out for a stroll.

.

Meanwhile, after walking for some distance, Charlotte and the others finally arrived at the entrance of Donald's mansion.

"Whom are you looking for?" a servant inquired.

"Does Mr. Cecil reside here?" Charlotte asked very politely.

The servant nodded, asked a few more questions, and then led the group inside.

Cecil was still rubbing his eyes sleepily, looking as if he had just rolled out of bed. When the servant announced visitors, he merely mumbled, "Let them in!" before letting out a big yawn.

Cecil assumed the visitors were the same friends from yesterday, but when he saw Charlotte and her companions enter, he was instantly stunned, especially when his gaze fell upon Charlotte. He couldn't tear his eyes away for a long time.

Today, Charlotte was dressed in white, ethereal and graceful, moving with light steps. Without a trace of makeup, her complexion was like the rosy glow of dawn reflecting on snow—truly a peerless beauty!

"Are you Mr. Cecil?" Charlotte's voice was soft and melodious.

"I—I am!" Cecil replied, completely taken aback.

"Please forgive our intrusion!" Charlotte said apologetically.

"No, no intrusion at all, please, please come in!"

After everyone was seated, Cecil couldn't help but ask, "May I ask who you are?"

"We are from the 'Cloud Splitter Mercenary Group,' and my name is Charlotte. We have taken the liberty of visiting to ask you a few questions!" Charlotte stated with poised confidence.

"What do you wish to know?" Cecil asked straightforwardly.

"We heard you found an emblem belonging to the 'Double Axe Mercenary Group.' Is that true?" Charlotte inquired with a smile, her demeanor carrying the air of a capable heroine.

"Uh, yes, that is true!" Cecil had no intention of concealing it.

Charlotte's eyes lit up. Suppressing her excitement, she asked again, "May I ask where you found it?"

Cecil grew increasingly puzzled, not understanding why this beautiful woman kept asking about the "Double Axe Mercenary Group." Did the group contain someone she was looking for?

Despite his confusion, Cecil answered honestly, "I found it in a messy spot within the Monster Forest, a place that looked like a fight had recently taken place there."

Cecil tried hard to recall the details while observing the expressions of the group.

At this, Charlotte and the others exchanged a glance, all feeling that this matter was rather peculiar!

"If you want it, I can give you the emblem!" Cecil misunderstood their interest and quickly offered.

Charlotte smiled again and replied, "We didn't come for the emblem; we just wanted to inquire about some things regarding the 'Double Axe Mercenary Group.'"

After a brief pause, Charlotte skillfully changed the topic and probed, "By the way, do you know where the members of the 'Double Axe Mercenary Group' went?"

"I don't know that," Cecil replied honestly, then paused as if about to say something more but hesitated. "However..."

"However what?" Charlotte fixed her eyes intently on Cecil, which made him feel significant pressure.

"I heard a rumor," Cecil glanced at Charlotte and the others, unsure if he should speak.

Charlotte and the others remained silent, but their expressions clearly showed they were listening intently.

Cecil hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, "First, let it be known, I only heard this; it might not be true!"

"Please tell us!" Charlotte showed an understanding expression.

"I heard a rumor..." Cecil lowered his voice, "that the 'Double Axe Mercenary Group' was wiped out!"

At these words, Charlotte and the others jolted in surprise. They were momentarily speechless, finding the rumor incredibly difficult to accept.

"The 'Double Axe Mercenary Group' didn't have a very good reputation around here, but because they were the largest mercenary group locally, many people were afraid to speak out against them, which only fueled their arrogance and presumption," Cecil paused.

Meanwhile, Charlotte and her group were thinking: The largest mercenary group around here? Them?

Cecil, unaware of their thoughts, continued, "The rumor says that during a meal, some members of the 'Double Axe Mercenary Group' got into a serious brawl with two very formidable individuals. Afterward, both sides agreed to settle things in the Monster Forest..." The rumor really does distort the facts!

Charlotte and the others exchanged looks again, their expressions conveying: How unreliable can this rumor be?

It was understandable; the idea of two people setting up a decisive fight against an entire mercenary group in the Monster Forest seemed impossible. The idea that those two people then annihilated every member of the 'Double Axe Mercenary Group' made it even more unbelievable!

Cecil seemed to sense their disbelief and laughed awkwardly, "It's just a rumor. I don't actually believe it myself!"

The situation was becoming increasingly complex. Charlotte felt as if she were sinking into a dense fog. She hadn't expected the small 'Double Axe Mercenary Group' to be connected to so many complicated matters; it was truly incredible!

"Mr. Cecil, I have a slightly bold request!" After a period of silence, Charlotte said with a hint of difficulty in her voice.

"Y-you, please say it!" Cecil was momentarily stunned by the effortless charm Charlotte exuded, nearly losing himself in the moment!

"Could you take us to the place where you found the emblem?"

"That's no problem at all!" Cecil smiled. Seeing Charlotte's expression, he had initially feared she was asking him to face imminent danger, yet it was such a minor request.

Guiding them was hardly a burden; for someone who spent his days with nothing to do, it might even be a pleasant diversion!

"Thank you so much!" Charlotte dipped into a slight curtsy toward Cecil, which sent another tremor through him. He immediately stammered, "Not at all, not at all."

Leaving the courtyard, Cecil led Charlotte and the others toward the edge of the Monster Forest. As they walked, he began telling them about everything in "Gulu City."

"Don't let our small town's current low population fool you; when the 'Campus Ranking Tournament' arrives, the place is packed!" Cecil said with an impressed shake of his head.

"The 'Campus Ranking Tournament'? What is that?" Fern couldn't suppress her curiosity and asked.

"You've been here this long and haven't heard of it?" Cecil looked surprised, then explained, "The 'Campus Ranking Tournament' is a major event here. All the magic and martial arts academies in Gulu City send their elites to compete, all striving to improve their academy's ranking so they can recruit more students next year!" Cecil spoke with genuine excitement, much like a sports fanatic describing the World Cup.

"Oh? It sounds a bit like the 'Royal Competition'!" Fern remarked thoughtfully.

"The 'Royal Competition'? What's that?" Now it was Cecil's turn to look bewildered.

"No way! You haven't even heard of the 'Royal Competition'?" Fern widened her eyes, staring at Cecil as if he were a strange creature.

"I truly haven't heard of it!" Cecil laughed awkwardly, feeling like a country bumpkin encountering a city dweller.

Fern displayed a look of defeat and quickly explained, "The 'Royal Competition' is somewhat similar to the 'Campus Ranking Tournament' you mentioned; both involve sending elite students to compete through multiple rounds to determine the academy's ranking! The difference is that the 'Royal Competition' is nationwide, organized by our entire Winter Moon Empire, and held every three years!"

"That’s incredible!" Cecil exclaimed. He could picture the magnificent scale of such an event.

If just the small town hosting the 'Campus Ranking Tournament' drew crowds that dense, imagine the 'Royal Competition' organized by the entire Winter Moon Empire! Just thinking about it made his blood boil!!

"It's more than incredible; it's absolutely phenomenal!" Fern, seemingly influenced by Cecil's excitement, also looked animated. "You absolutely cannot imagine the caliber of people who get to participate in the 'Royal Competition.' They are truly the elite of the elite; saying they are one in ten thousand wouldn't be an exaggeration!"

"Really?" Cecil’s interest grew deeper!

"I’ll tell you a secret, but you absolutely can’t tell anyone!" Fern suddenly adopted a secretive air.

"What is it? I promise to keep it confidential!"

"See our commander? She participated in the 'Royal Competition' once!" Fern whispered, sneaking a glance at Charlotte.

"What?" A gasp escaped Cecil's lips as he stared blankly at Charlotte. "You—you are the commander?"

Although he had been talking with Charlotte for quite a while, he had never once imagined she was the leader of a mercenary group!

Charlotte smiled and nodded to Cecil, but she shot a sharp look at Fern for gossiping!

Good heavens!

Cecil nearly collapsed from shock, thinking to himself: Just who are these people I've encountered today?