The sudden disappearance of Robin instantly stunned Bu Wanren, none of whom could make heads or tails of what had happened. How could a living person simply vanish?

Harrison, in particular, looked utterly dumbfounded; as the person directly involved, he had suffered the greatest shock!

He had just been enduring a merciless beating from Robin, on the verge of forfeiting and admitting defeat, when he suddenly felt the pressure lift. Opening his eyes to look closely, he found no trace of Robin left.

At first, he thought the dizziness and blurred vision were due to his severe injuries, but when he noticed the expressions of the surrounding spectators and the referee, he froze. Everyone wore the exact same look—a blank, stupefied expression!

What in the world happened? Where did Robin go?

The crowd, snapping out of their shock, frantically began searching for Robin. But the arena was a defined space; it was impossible to conceal a person. Moreover, dozens of eyes were watching from every angle. They could spot a fly, let alone a grown person.

Yet, they had truly, utterly lost sight of Robin, and it had happened without the slightest warning!

The adorable children tugged at their parents, loudly demanding to find "Sister Robin." But their parents were too consumed by the baffling event to pay them any mind!

After a brief silence, the entire venue erupted into uncontrolled chaos. People spontaneously started scouring every nook and cranny, leaving no corner unexplored!

From the distance, Rhys, who had just been startled by Zhong Shenxiu’s disappearance, turned back upon hearing the commotion. He was even more astonished to discover that Robin was gone too!

What—what was going on?

Rhys’s mind went blank, and he joined the crowd in the search.

Meanwhile, Edwin, the Vice Principal of the Dublai Magic and Martial Arts Academy, who had been immersed in boundless excitement moments before, now wore an expression more vacant than a simpleton. This turn of events was too sudden, too impossible to accept!

How could someone vanish right under the noses of tens of thousands of people in broad daylight? Not even a phantom could disappear so tracelessly!

He felt the heat in his chest instantly turn frigid, as if he had been kicked from heaven into a bottomless abyss, only to have cold foot-washing water thrown over him—a bitter chill!

How could this happen? How dare this happen?

Edwin was nearly driven mad. At such a critical juncture, Robin’s vanishing act meant his recent string of beautiful dreams had been utterly shattered! What tormented him most was that the match wasn't officially over. If Robin couldn't be found, she would inevitably be ruled to have forfeited, resulting in Harrison's victory!

This outcome was the last thing anyone at the Dublai Magic and Martial Arts Academy wanted to see! Yet, many things are beyond human will. Even if they wept and pleaded with all their ancestors, the result might not change!

Following procedure, the referee ultimately declared Harrison the winner of the match!

Harrison stared blankly at the referee, unable to process the reality. He had been toyed with and beaten senseless from beginning to end; how could he have won?

He felt no joy in advancing; instead, he was filled with an inexpressible bitterness, like a mute tasting gall! This victory felt like someone spitting on him, then slapping him, and finally tossing him a bill to see a doctor—it was sheer humiliation!

But now, no matter how much he refused to accept it, a result was a result, already cast in stone!

Faced with this outcome, Robin’s fans immediately protested, threatening to demand justice for Robin and insisting the organizers provide a sensible explanation!

The relevant leaders of the Buzadi Magic and Martial Arts Academy rushed over, unprepared for the situation to escalate so rapidly. Even those who hadn't supported Robin joined in the uproar, creating a situation on the verge of spiraling out of control.

"What happened?" Angelia asked Rhys, who looked utterly bewildered.

She had just finished her own match and was shocked to arrive and find such frenzy—people shouting themselves hoarse about rigged matches, unfair fights, and bribed referees!

"N-No one... Robin is gone!" Rhys stammered, looking up at Angelia.

"Who's gone?" Angelia questioned while scanning the surrounding, nearly uncontrollable crowd.

"Zhong Shenxiu... and Robin too!" Rhys added, "They just vanished all at once!"

Angelia blinked, looked toward the arena, and indeed, Robin was nowhere to be seen, nor was Zhong Shenxiu anywhere nearby!

Ignoring the turmoil, let's focus on Zhong Shenxiu and Robin, who had already left.

Zhong Shenxiu had stopped at the location where he had previously set up a defensive formation. Robin soon arrived beside him.

Zhong Shenxiu’s expression remained grave; arriving here did not ease his tension. Robin, standing beside him, noticed his look and seemed to sense that something immensely important was about to happen. She stood quietly and obediently by his side, saying nothing.

"Robin," Zhong Shenxiu finally spoke, "My Heavenly Tribulation will descend shortly!"

Hearing this, Robin’s body gave a violent shudder. She looked at Zhong Shenxiu with alarm and concern, her delicate, pretty face turning pale at that moment.

She had heard Zhong Shenxiu mention the "Heavenly Tribulation" before. While she didn't know the specifics, she understood it was incredibly fierce and dangerously perilous for cultivators; the slightest error could result in utter annihilation of soul and spirit!

Zhong Shenxiu paused, then continued, "Wait, you must move a hundred paces away. No matter what happens, do not come a single step closer!"

Normally, Robin would have nodded readily. But this time, she hesitated! She felt the danger approaching with chilling clarity, a sensation akin to immediately losing Zhong Shenxiu!

As the saying goes: Concern clouds judgment.

Robin felt unprecedentedly lost and flustered. Uncharacteristically, she took the initiative to grasp Zhong Shenxiu’s arm, looking as though they were facing eternal separation. Her eyes were turning red, brimming with unshed tears!

Robin was human, too. Though she usually appeared cold and taciturn, when her emotions erupted, they were ten, even a hundred times more intense than others!

It could be stated with certainty that if Zhong Shenxiu failed to survive the tribulation, Robin would never carry on living. In her small heart, she had already made an unspoken decision: she belonged to Zhong Shenxiu in life, and she would be his spirit in death!

At this moment, Zhong Shenxiu gazed up at the sky. It was bright and clear, with not a cloud in sight. No one could imagine how drastically the heavens would transform shortly.

Zhong Shenxiu lowered his gaze, looking again at Robin’s tear-filled, beautiful face. The severity on his expression softened considerably, and he spoke softly, "Robin, you are capable of standing on your own now..."

However, Robin shook her head vigorously before he could finish his sentence, tears threatening to spill over. It was as if she knew exactly what he was about to say.

Yet, Zhong Shenxiu felt compelled to articulate it fully, as he could not face the tribulation with peace otherwise. He continued, "Robin, no matter what happens, I hope you live on strongly!"

Robin shook her head again, and the tears finally escaped control, flowing down her cheeks. She choked out, "No, I won't!" After a slight pause, she added, "I want to stay with Master, forever!"

This was the first time Robin had acted out, and also the first time she had cried so heartbrokenly!

It was at this moment that Robin first experienced how bitter the tears of sorrow could be, and how soul-shattering the pain of parting felt!

Robin clung tightly to the arm of the person even younger than herself, as if letting go this one time meant never having the chance again!

Zhong Shenxiu was not angry at Robin’s disobedience; instead, he fell into a deep silence. After a long while, he said, "Robin, if I fail this time..."

"Wherever Master goes, Robin follows. We stay together, even in death!" Robin looked up, her reddened eyes shining with resolute light. This very resolve was what worried Zhong Shenxiu most!

Zhong Shenxiu sighed inwardly, then his expression immediately corrected. He said sternly, "Robin, you cannot die. If I fail, I will rely on you to bring me back to life. You must become strong—so strong that even Heaven cannot dictate your fate!"

This time, Robin ceased speaking, gazing blankly at Zhong Shenxiu. Little did she know that this was merely a pretext Zhong Shenxiu quickly devised to prevent her from taking her own life!

Seeing that Robin was silent, Zhong Shenxiu pressed on, "Therefore, you absolutely must live! I can barely suppress the power within me now. The Heavenly Tribulation is imminent. Retreat a hundred paces immediately, and do not approach a single step closer!"

But Robin seemed unusually disobedient today. She didn't move, her delicate hands still holding Zhong Shenxiu reluctantly.

Zhong Shenxiu had no choice but to take Robin's small hand and walk out about a hundred paces. Feeling this might still be insufficient, he walked a further distance!

Stopping, Zhong Shenxiu handed his magic rings and other items to Robin, then asked, "Do you remember what I told you?"

Robin bit her lower lip and nodded softly, tear tracks still visible on her cheeks!

Looking at Robin now, Zhong Shenxiu couldn't feel at ease. He quickly used the remaining Immortal Stones to set up a protective formation for her too. He also placed a restraint on Robin, temporarily immobilizing her to prevent her from acting rashly and doing anything foolish out of impulse later!

"Master, be careful!" The tears that Robin had just managed to stop began to flow once more.

Zhong Shenxiu did not look back at Robin again. He made a reassuring gesture behind his back, then walked straight toward the defensive formation he had laid out!

Heavenly Tribulation, let's see if you are stronger or if I, Zhong Shenxiu, am tougher!