Under the guidance of Zhong Shenxiu, Kaini operated smoothly. With a single cycle of the "Jade Maiden Heart Sutra Lazy Art" great circulation of inhalation and exhalation, she had already cultivated a considerable amount of internal energy, though her Ren and Du meridians remained unopened.

When Kaini opened her eyes from her meditation, her hearing and sight felt sharper, and the entire visual field seemed brilliantly refreshed, giving rise to an ineffable, profound sensation!

What struck Kaini as even more incredible was the feeling of her body being feather-light, as if she were suspended in mist, and she sensed her pores opening and closing in rhythm with her breath. The sensation was indescribably refreshing!

Subsequently, Zhong Shenxiu requested that Kaini rest for a while and cease all cultivation for the time being. As the saying goes, haste makes waste, especially for someone like Kaini, who was already an adult; learning martial arts could not be rushed!

Kaini smiled and nodded, saying nothing more.

“You two wait here for a bit; I’m making a quick trip to the 'Undead Association' and will be right back,” Zhong Shenxiu suddenly announced. He had not forgotten the three-day agreement he made with Faraday!

Robin and Kaini both nodded. They understood where Zhong Shenxiu was going and knew he wouldn't be long, so they did not follow!

After Zhong Shenxiu departed on his sword, Kaini and Robin exchanged a glance, and with surprising synchronicity, they produced their fishing gear.

It seemed they had become addicted to fishing; they immediately sat back down on that familiar rock to cast their lines once more!

Laughter and the sound of water mingled pleasantly in the air—a scene of perfect harmony.

.

Meanwhile, upon arriving before the gates of the "Undead Association," Zhong Shenxiu pushed the door open and entered directly.

The few duty-bound Necromancers inside were greatly surprised to see only a child enter and started forward to admonish him, but Zhong Shenxiu presented the Elder’s token.

Instantly, the Necromancers who had approached froze as if struck by a stunning spell, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief!

“Summon your President!” Zhong Shenxiu stated with utter calm.

The Necromancers paused, then reacted. They recognized the Elder’s token immediately; on their very first day in the association, they had studied related knowledge thoroughly, which included the identification of all manner of tokens.

What they absolutely never expected was that this association, having only recently opened, already had an Elder—and that this Elder was a child not even ten years old! If they told anyone this, not only would they not be believed, they would likely be laughed at!

“Please wait a moment!” one Necromancer hurried to say before rushing off to deliver the message. They dared not offend an Elder, even if that Elder appeared to be a frail young boy!

Before long, both Faraday and Stanley emerged, their faces etched with worry.

“Elder, you’ve arrived,” Faraday said, a strange tone in his voice, though the reason was unclear.

Since the conversation that followed was confidential, Faraday and Stanley quickly escorted Zhong Shenxiu into the reception room.

Zhong Shenxiu did not wish to waste time; Kaini and Robin were still waiting for him. Therefore, he cut straight to the chase: “What is the answer?”

As he spoke, he fixed his gaze intently on Faraday!

Faraday suddenly felt an inexplicable pressure welling up. He had just been agonizing over how to deliver the news to Zhong Shenxiu.

He had submitted the conditions Zhong Shenxiu proposed to his superiors for approval, but the higher-ups didn't believe him at all. Not only that, but they had also reprimanded him, telling him not to stir up trouble and to stop bringing up such baseless matters!

However, Faraday had not given up. He had used all his influence, pleading ceaselessly, until finally, the higher-ups gave him a final response—though 'response' was too generous a word; 'perfunctory' was more fitting. If that was all, they were willing to grant Zhong Shenxiu zero point one percent (0.1%) of the shares!

In their view, this was not a small sum; "zero point one percent of the shares" represented colossal income. Yet, they were unaware that this figure was nothing short of an insult to Zhong Shenxiu!

Faraday was now agonizing over how to apologize to Zhong Shenxiu.

“Don’t waste my time!” Zhong Shenxiu reminded him.

Faraday gritted his teeth, thinking: Since offending him is inevitable either way, I might as well speak the truth! He then recounted precisely how he had contacted his superiors and the exact answer they provided. After speaking, he cautiously observed Zhong Shenxiu’s expression!

Zhong Shenxiu suddenly rose and walked toward the exit without a word!

“Elder!”

Faraday’s heart leaped wildly. He knew Zhong Shenxiu was angry, and seeing the dream he thought was about to materialize shatter, he couldn't help but panic.

Zhong Shenxiu stopped and turned around, revealing a wicked, sinister smile—a smile he hadn’t shown in a long time.

Seeing this smile, Faraday did not relax; instead, he became even more tense. How he wished Kaini had been there that day; then he wouldn't feel so helpless now.

It had been mentioned earlier that Zhong Shenxiu had several methods to solve the Necromancers’ problem with sunlight. The main difference between these methods was: some offered a complete cure, others were merely temporary fixes, and some allowed for a cure that could rebound at any moment!

The method Zhong Shenxiu would choose depended entirely on the answer Faraday gave him today. Since Faraday’s reply had enraged him, it was easy to guess which method he would select!

Faraday stared blankly at Zhong Shenxiu, unsure what his words truly meant!

Just then, Zhong Shenxiu spoke to Faraday again: “Hey, old man, want to make a deal with me?”

Faraday visibly flinched, looking at Zhong Shenxiu with an even more bewildered expression, stammering out, “Eld-Elder, what kind of deal is it?”

The wicked smile returned to the corner of Zhong Shenxiu’s mouth, and he replied with noticeable flatness: “I can cure your aversion to sunlight and restore your appearance. In return, you will act as my agent, selling goods for me, and you will not ask for any compensation.”

Hearing Zhong Shenxiu’s answer, Faraday was overwhelmed with joy and immediately agreed with a nod.

He had always dreamed of being able to walk freely under the sun, just like Robin. When he saw Zhong Shenxiu turn and walk away in anger, he thought the matter was settled and doomed. He never expected Zhong Shenxiu to propose a deal. For him, this arrangement held no downside; he only needed to spend some time helping sell merchandise!

Seeing Faraday agree, Zhong Shenxiu smiled again, then turned to Stanley, who was already stunned, and said: “You step out for a moment!”

Stanley blinked, failing to react, and remained standing there!

However, Faraday understood immediately. He knew Zhong Shenxiu was about to treat him and didn't want others to witness it.

So, he physically pushed and jostled Stanley: “Stanley, wait for me outside for a bit.”

Thus, Stanley was inexplicably ushered out the door.

Stanley felt utterly dejected. He couldn't fathom why two people working together received such vastly different treatment!

Stanley waited outside, feeling terribly aggrieved. He was incredibly curious about what was happening inside, tempted to push the door open for a peek, but the door had been locked from within.

Time dragged on. About half an hour later, the door opened, and Stanley looked up to see Zhong Shenxiu emerging from inside.

“Elder, how was it?” Stanley asked curiously.

But Zhong Shenxiu completely ignored him, walking away without looking back! This annoyed Stanley again. However, his most pressing concern was Faraday’s condition, so he didn't go out to see Zhong Shenxiu off but rushed into the room instead.

“Faraday, you?” Stanley was very surprised to see that Faraday was still completely wrapped in his dark robe; outwardly, there was no visible change.

Stanley wondered if the treatment had failed and started to step forward to offer Faraday some comfort, but he was startled by a sudden roar from Faraday.

“Aargh!”

Faraday’s roar sounded like long-suppressed emotions finally bursting forth!

“Faraday, are you—are you alright?” Stanley even began to suspect that Faraday had suffered a mental shock and was not thinking clearly.

Faraday didn't answer his question; instead, his body trembled uncontrollably.

Stanley moved closer to Faraday, and what he saw next completely stunned him: Faraday was weeping!

Now Stanley was truly bewildered. He didn't know what to say.

At that moment, Faraday broke the silence with a trembling voice.

“I—I finally—finally—” He stammered for a long time, unable to utter the most crucial word.

Just as Stanley was about to ask what he meant, Faraday suddenly reached out and pulled off his hood.

Instantly, Stanley’s entire body stiffened. For what lay before his eyes was the appearance of a rosy-cheeked, small old man!

“This... this…”

Now it was Stanley’s turn to tremble all over. He couldn't fathom how Zhong Shenxiu had managed to restore Faraday’s appearance in just half an hour! For him, it was a miracle among miracles; he simply couldn't figure out how Zhong Shenxiu had accomplished it!

Never mind Stanley; even Faraday himself felt a little dizzy from the transformation.

But that no longer mattered. What mattered was that Faraday could now walk the streets and alleys like a normal person!

However, after the initial excitement subsided, Faraday unexpectedly pulled the hood back over his head and said to Stanley: “Stanley, please keep this matter confidential for now.”

This was something Zhong Shenxiu had instructed him to do. He didn't know the significance of it, as Zhong Shenxiu hadn't explained why.

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