As the curtain fell, the heavens above glittered with myriad stars. Zhong Shenxiu and Robin, two young figures, strolled at an unhurried pace. Anyone who didn't know better would assume they were merely out for a walk, but in truth, they were heading to the 'South Heaven Palace' for some serious plundering!

After what felt like an age, they finally reached the perimeter of the 'South Heaven Palace.' Oddly, not a single guard was visible along the path, allowing Zhong Shenxiu and Robin to proceed almost entirely unhindered.

Silence reigned all around, broken only by the shush of the wind rustling the leaves.

Where had everyone gone? Such a vast place as the 'South Heaven Palace' couldn't possibly be utterly deserted. What game were they playing at?

Zhong Shenxiu was equally curious and immediately deployed his "Spirit Wave" to scan the area. He wasn't just looking for hidden people; he was also searching for any valuable treasures.

In just a short while, a playful smirk touched the corner of Zhong Shenxiu's mouth. He understood Brenda's intentions perfectly: it was a classic "lure the dragon into the cave" setup, with a massive net already laid out ahead.

Since you’ve prepared so thoroughly, I suppose I should play along, he thought, leading Robin towards the ambush point. The leisurely manner in which he moved suggested he considered this an outing.

Meanwhile, Brenda, despite having everything arranged perfectly, felt an inexplicable knot of tension in her stomach. She couldn't fathom why she, the Palace Mistress, was so on edge over a mere child!

"Are you absolutely sure this will hold him?" Brenda pressed the elders again, having asked the same question countless times already.

"Reporting to the Palace Mistress, these are all products from the 'Dark Commerce Guild.' Their quality is absolutely guaranteed. They should pose no problem for restraining a spatial mage!" replied one elder respectfully, his tone tinged with excitement.

To deal with this little devil, Brenda had spared no expense, purchasing numerous high-level magic implements from the 'Dark Commerce Guild.' These items held a fatal attraction for mages, especially those who couldn't afford them! Thanks to Zhong Shenxiu, these few mages now had the chance to personally test out 'high-tech products,' which naturally thrilled them. They had no idea, however, that an even greater thrill awaited them!

Hearing the senior mage’s assurance, Brenda cast a doubtful glance at the strange assortment of newly acquired goods. She didn't recognize half of them or know how they were supposed to be used. She only knew they were outrageously expensive. If it weren't for confronting the imminent demon, she would never have parted with such a sum for these seemingly insignificant trinkets!

After a brief silence, Brenda was suddenly seized by a sharp premonition. As time crept by, that feeling of unease grew stronger.

Just then, a guard, his face etched with panic, sprinted toward them and dropped to one knee before Brenda, whispering urgently, "Palace Mistress, the targets are here!"

At those words, not only Brenda but everyone present jolted, their focus sharpening to the maximum!

Brenda waved the guard back, then tensed, "Everyone, prepare!"

In an instant, all breath was held. Eyes locked forward like sharp blades, not daring to make the slightest sound.

Soon enough, Zhong Shenxiu and Robin sauntered into view.

Why are there two? Brenda was momentarily stunned. As they drew closer and she recognized the second figure, a flicker of joy sparked in her eyes. This little girl is here too? Excellent! I can net them both in one sweep!

Hmph, I’ll make sure you two truly appreciate the methods of Brenda!

Brenda was already fantasizing about capturing Zhong Shenxiu and Robin, oblivious to the possibility that the roles of captor and captive might yet be reversed!

Zhong Shenxiu and Robin had already detected the hidden gathering, but they continued their facade of ignorance to play along.

The sound of their footsteps drew nearer, like heavy hammers beating against the hearts of the concealed group, creating an unbearable tension and oppression!

Fifty meters, thirty, ten, two... Finally, Zhong Shenxiu and Robin stepped directly into the ambush zone. As Brenda gave the silent signal, the hidden figures materialized, and the mages swiftly deployed the "Spatial Sealing Restriction."

The lights blazed on, illuminating Zhong Shenxiu and Robin's location with blinding intensity. A host of experts had completely sealed the area; not even a fly could escape now.

Faced with this perilous situation, Zhong Shenxiu merely smiled, sweeping his mocking gaze over the assembled crowd.

He had actually expected these people to possess some real skill. Instead, they relied on a few minor restrictions, and those were made with products he himself had introduced. Then they surrounded them with cannon fodder. How utterly unoriginal.

"You two can't run now. Surrender immediately!" Brenda's voice, laced with smugness, floated over.

She was confident that within such a tight cordon, no matter how powerful Zhong Shenxiu and Robin were, escape would be impossible. The people she had summoned were her most elite subordinates; capturing two children should be no issue!

However, Zhong Shenxiu had never entertained the notion of fleeing, and this time was no different.

"It seems you've prepared yourselves, haven't you?" Zhong Shenxiu sneered, then added, "You don't honestly think you've won just because of this, do you?"

"Palace Mistress, don't be swayed by his words! He's just bluffing!" suddenly interjected one of the mages.

In their eyes, once Zhong Shenxiu’s 'Spatial Magic' was restrained, capturing him was as good as done!

"My time is limited. If you're going to make a move, do it quickly," Zhong Shenxiu urged.

"Seize them!" Brenda knew she couldn't waste time talking to these children; delaying could prove costly.

With a whoosh, several guards rushed forward. Their movements suggested they were masters. Yet, before their hands could even brush against Zhong Shenxiu and Robin's bodies, a bizarre event occurred!

These guards were launched outward like cannonballs, followed by a deafening boom as they blasted straight through a nearby wall!

What just happened?

Everyone's eyes widened in utter confusion. They had been watching intently; they saw neither Zhong Shenxiu nor Robin make a move. So how did those guards get flung away?

Bizarre. Damned bizarre!

Brenda, moments ago full of confidence, felt as if icy water had been poured over her, chilling her from head to toe. Her eyes fixed on Zhong Shenxiu and Robin with unconcealed terror.

The surroundings fell into a deathly silence; everyone was stunned into paralysis by the sight.

It might be understandable if others were confused, but those who worked closely with the guards knew well: the men just flung away were masters among masters. It would be hard for an ordinary person to even touch them, yet they were sent flying without so much as a reaction. The others realized they would likely suffer the same fate if they stepped forward!

What did these two children just do? How did they manage it? As the crowd wrestled with this question, Zhong Shenxiu's voice cut through the air again, just as calm as before: "Hurry up. I don't have all day to play games here!"

Hearing this, Brenda's face darkened. He called this a game? It was outright contempt for her authority as Palace Mistress—unacceptable!

"Capture them now! There is no way I'm letting these two escape today!" Brenda's roar jolted everyone out of their shock.

Brenda rationalized: Even if I don't know the method they used, this is my domain, and I make the rules! If a few men can't hold them, I’ll use dozens, hundreds, thousands... I refuse to believe these two have three heads and six arms!

Brenda's authority still held sway. Following her command, another dozen guards surged forward, each encased in battle aura with long swords drawn, looking ready to cut Zhong Shenxiu and Robin down on the spot!

The guards weren't the only ones taking action; the mages began chanting their incantations. As they recited their spells, various forms of magic hurtled toward Zhong Shenxiu and Robin.

Facing such a fierce onslaught, Zhong Shenxiu laughed again. In his view, this was the only way the game became interesting; an attack by just a few people held no appeal!

And so, another scene impossible to accept unfolded: the dozen guards charging forward inexplicably veered mid-stride and began using their own bodies to shield Zhong Shenxiu and Robin from the incoming magical barrage!

This sudden turn of events was too abrupt, too unimaginable. Everyone froze again, including Brenda.

How? How could this happen??

Brenda repeated the question in her mind. Logically, these guards were her trusted confidantes; betrayal was out of the question. But why were they intercepting the magic meant for the two children?

What exactly had transpired?

Though the mages were also pondering this, their focus lay elsewhere. They were puzzled because they hadn't seen the two children use any 'Dark Magic.' So what was the deal with these guards?

It was obvious the guards were not acting voluntarily; their current expressions made that painfully clear.

In reality, the most shocked of all should have been the guards themselves. They had no idea how their bodies, in that instant, suddenly refused to obey them, as if seized by an unseen, irresistible force.

As the atmosphere grew heavy, Zhong Shenxiu spoke once more: "I think I've played enough with you all now."

As his words faded, Robin, seemingly understanding him without a word, vanished from his spot. Immediately following, Brenda’s piercing shriek echoed through the night.