“Robin?”

After a moment of deep silence, another, slightly uncertain voice emerged from Zhong Shenxiu’s lips.

Zhong Shenxiu’s memories had only just been sorted, and he required a little time to buffer certain matters. His momentary failure to recognize Robin wasn’t due to forgetting her, but simply a lapse in reaction. The memories he had purged were exclusively those from his time in the Cultivation Realm; everything from his arrival in this new world remained perfectly intact.

Currently, Zhong Shenxiu was loading his data; once recalled, the memory would be instantly accessible next time! Hearing Zhong Shenxiu’s query, Robin nodded emphatically. She had genuinely been startled, fearing he had forgotten her entirely! (The readers must have been startled too, right? Hehe~ [Rat is truly wicked, daring to tease us! Brothers and sisters, crush him with your gold coins! Aow~~~~]) Zhong Shenxiu looked around, his expression less about observing and more about recalling.

After another brief pause, Zhong Shenxiu suddenly raised his head, staring directly at Robin.

“Pull me up!” To everyone’s surprise, Zhong Shenxiu extended his small arm.

Robin’s expression froze again, because the old Zhong Shenxiu would never have needed her to pull him up.

Why does Master seem a little different? Robin wondered curiously, but happily pulled Zhong Shenxiu up from the ground. In contrast, she actually preferred this, as it made her feel closer to him! “Robin, my clothes!” Zhong Shenxiu commanded her next.

Robin understood immediately and quickly retrieved Zhong Shenxiu’s spare set of clothes from the magic ring.

And then, for some unknown reason, Robin tentatively began to help Zhong Shenxiu dress. The word "tentatively" was necessary because the previous Zhong Shenxiu would have absolutely refused such assistance! Yet, this time, he didn't object! He truly was starting to change! Robin felt immense joy, a sweet smile gracing her lips as she meticulously helped Zhong Shenxiu dress, much like a young wife attending to her esteemed lord.

Although she had always been by Zhong Shenxiu’s side before, there had always been a barrier between them, as if in his eyes she remained a mere little girl who couldn’t grow up. But now, that was different; Robin clearly felt that distance dissolving.

Once dressed, Robin returned the items she had been safeguarding back to Zhong Shenxiu.

With that, the Heavenly Tribulation had finally been passed without major incident! “Let’s go back!” Although Zhong Shenxiu’s expression remained as placid as before, he had unconsciously added the particle “ba” (a suggestion particle) to his statement.

Robin nodded lightly, reverting to the extremely obedient √ of old, Robin! Inside Zhong Shenxiu’s small courtyard, the atmosphere felt somewhat heavy.

Xia Luo, Angelia, and Reese, who were in the courtyard, all lacked spirit, each appearing crestfallen and distraught.

None of the three had anticipated Zhong Shenxiu and Robin’s sudden disappearance without so much as a goodbye. Though they knew this day of parting would eventually come, they could not accept this manner of separation! Three days had passed without any news; they were clearly gone for good! (This was the consensus among the three.) Only then did they realize how desolate their surroundings felt without Zhong Shenxiu and Robin. The little courtyard itself seemed to have lost its former vitality! “Sister Xia Luo, are Master and Robin not coming back?” Reese asked with evident disappointment.

“I truly don’t know!” Xia Luo shook her head.

To be honest, after three days without seeing Zhong Shenxiu or Robin, she actually missed them. Even though Zhong Shenxiu occasionally teased her, he was never remiss when teaching her martial arts. In just a few short days, her strength had advanced significantly, for which she felt genuine gratitude toward him! People are like that; once accustomed to a way of life, any change brings severe discomfort! “Since Master and Robin won’t be back anytime soon, should we tidy up the things in the Master’s room?” Reese inquired again.

Since Zhong Shenxiu and Robin wouldn't be returning in the short term, as residents, they had an obligation to safeguard Zhong Shenxiu’s various bottles and jars.

“That…” Xia Luo couldn't decide and quickly looked towards Angelia.

Angelia also looked at a loss, appearing very troubled. Zhong Shenxiu strictly forbade them from touching his belongings; Angelia was genuinely afraid of 'doing harm in the name of good intentions'! As the three fell back into contemplation, a knock suddenly sounded from outside the courtyard.

Who could it be at this hour?

Angelia happened to be closer to the gate, so she went to open it. When she pulled the gate open, she froze entirely! It was Zhong Shenxiu and Robin, returning at this very moment! Reese and Xia Luo also saw the figures of Zhong Shenxiu and Robin, and without exception, they too were stunned! Zhong Shenxiu looked up at Angelia, first frowning slightly, then relaxing his features as he asked in a tone laced with inquiry, “Are you Angelia?”

Angelia looked at Zhong Shenxiu, completely thrown off balance. Why had Zhong Shenxiu returned at this time? And what was the purpose of his question? Didn’t he know her name?

Though a succession of questions arose in her mind, she nonetheless nodded honestly! Zhong Shenxiu said nothing more, stepping into the courtyard.

At this, Reese and Xia Luo both broke into smiles. If one asked why, the only answer was that Zhong Shenxiu and Robin were back! Zhong Shenxiu paused again, scrutinizing Reese and Xia Luo closely, but this time he asked no questions. After a moment, he suddenly addressed Xia Luo and the approaching Angelia: “I am hungry. The two of you go cook!”

With that, without waiting for a response, he led Robin into the room.

Xia Luo and Angelia exchanged bewildered glances, both feeling a strange sensation in their hearts.

The next day, Zhong Shenxiu rose very early. After hastily finishing breakfast, he took Robin straight to the library at the 'Dublai Academy of Magic and Martial Arts'.

Although Zhong Shenxiu’s personality had begun to shift, his fundamental interests remained unchanged; that craving for knowledge and his passion for research were still burning bright! The appearance of Zhong Shenxiu and Robin immediately stirred up a considerable commotion.

No one had expected Robin, who had mysteriously vanished for days, to suddenly reappear; how could this not astonish them? Some people had already reported the matter to the relevant authorities, and before long, Vice Principal Edwin and several department heads rushed over, winded from their journey. And soon after, Ma Kexin also rushed over upon hearing the news! Zhong Shenxiu was blocked by so many people, causing him to frown slightly, but he remained silent, staring straight ahead at them.

“R-Robin student,” Edwin’s expression was one of intense excitement, “It is truly wonderful that you are safe!”

Robin glanced up at him but remained silent.

“Student Robin, where have you been these past few days? We worried sick looking for you!” a department head asked with a forced smile.

Ma Kexin was the most concerned about this question, involuntarily perking up her ears. She had visited Zhong Shenxiu’s small courtyard but found neither him nor Robin there. She had been under considerable pressure these last few days, with the Principal and department heads taking turns speaking with her, all relentlessly inquiring about Robin’s whereabouts.

“Student Robin, why did you suddenly disappear from the competition arena? What exactly happened?” Edwin couldn't help but ask.

He still clung to a desperate hope: if the incident wasn’t directly related to Robin, if some accident occurred mid-way, perhaps their academy could contest the competition results, potentially allowing Robin to advance! Even if that failed, even if she had to re-compete, he had absolute faith in Robin’s ability! Facing a barrage of questions, a single sentence from Zhong Shenxiu silenced them all.

“Move aside, don’t block the way!” Zhong Shenxiu’s expression revealed neither happiness nor anger! Edwin and the others shifted their gaze entirely to Zhong Shenxiu. To tell the truth, they cared little for the little boy and were solely focused on Robin.

Just then, Robin also spoke up: “Move aside, or don't make me use force!”

Robin’s words clearly carried more weight than Zhong Shenxiu’s. These people had witnessed Robin’s strength—a little monster capable of instantaneous magic. If she became displeased, she might genuinely cause trouble! Considering this, Edwin quickly cleared a path, constantly signaling to Ma Kexin, who stood to the side; the message was unmistakable: he wanted Ma Kexin, the supposed 'relative,' to intercede on their behalf.

However, they were completely unaware that Ma Kexin’s status as a 'relative' was a complete fabrication, one she had invented! Faced with Zhong Shenxiu and Robin, she was equally helpless! After watching Zhong Shenxiu and Robin depart, the school leaders redirected their blame toward Ma Kexin, essentially chastising her for not stopping the pair.

Ma Kexin felt utterly conflicted inside, thinking to herself, Stop them? Are you kidding me? They'd probably throw me out! At Old Danny’s manor.

“Wh-what?” Elena stared at Ma Kexin in utter shock. “You… you… you mean you’re resigning?”

Ma Kexin nodded. She felt being a teacher had become increasingly humiliating—always having to defer to others and living in constant fear of her lies being exposed, it was driving her to sleepless nights! “But… how could you have such an idea? Being a teacher was quite good, wasn’t it?” Elena still found the news hard to accept.

Ma Kexin looked down, silent, wearing an expression suggesting a long and complicated story.

Seeing that she didn't want to elaborate, Elena dropped the subject and asked with concern, “Then what are your plans for the future?”

Her intention was to find out what job Ma Kexin planned to take next, but Ma Kexin’s answer was completely unexpected.

“Sister Linna, I’ve already decided. Aren't you recruiting special students? How about you take me in?” Ma Kexin asked with deadly seriousness.

“What?”

Elena nearly slid off her chair from shock…

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