Robin slowly extended a single hand. "Without any prior warning, the high-density wind elements enveloped Dong Gongzhao. Then, with a mere wave toward the stone bench nearby, a sharp 'crack' echoed, and the stone bench instantly split into two halves!

Yet, the wind elements surrounding Robin's hand showed absolutely no sign of diminishing!

But... what is this?

Bellidanti’s beautiful eyes widened almost to the point of popping out. This was far more shocking than when Tya had demonstrated it, and it gave her a much clearer understanding of this technique's power!

Even though she understood, Bellidanti simply could not accept the reality! The profound essence of this technique was clearly about attaching wind elements to an object, thereby imbuing that object with the attributes of the wind.

However, while that sounds easy to say, putting it into practice is as difficult as ascending to heaven. There is a well-known principle: once a spell is fully formed, it immediately activates. Even mages with powerful mental energy can only sustain a spell for a brief moment, perhaps ten seconds at most.

Yet, the move Robin displayed utterly shattered this convention; the transparent airflow composed of wind elements still swirled around her arm.

How... how is this possible?

Another realization struck Bellidanti’s mind: If every mage could achieve this, then even in close combat, they would no longer need to fear warriors. Simply empowering oneself with magical elements would instantly transform them into close-combat masters!

What an incredible thing this would be for mages!

Heavens! Why have I never heard of anything like this?

Just as Bellidanti was so shocked she didn't know what to say, Robin uttered a slightly endearing sentence: "Did you see clearly?"

Ugh! She probably assumed everyone else possessed the same level of comprehension as she did!

Bellidanti pulled a face like she'd bitten into a sour gourd, looking at Robin with embarrassment. She wanted Robin to demonstrate it again, but for a moment, she couldn't figure out how to ask!

Just then, Tya, standing nearby, couldn't resist interjecting, "Little Sister, you really are amazing!"

Then she turned to the stunned Bellidanti and added, "Teacher, do you want to learn this too? Shall I ask Brother Xiu to teach you?"

Huh?

Bellidanti mechanically turned her head to look at Tya, her inner excitement almost escaping in a shout.

"I can learn it too?" Perhaps the shock she endured was simply too great; Bellidanti had lost her usual composure, and her voice was slightly off-key!

Tya covered her mouth and chuckled. It was the first time she had seen such a comical expression on Bellidanti. After laughing, she quickly turned to Robin and said, "Little Sister, why don't you teach Teacher right now!"

Half an hour later, Bellidanti stood there looking deeply dejected, her entire demeanor suggesting she had lost her soul.

"Still not getting it?" Robin inquired. She had explained it, but Bellidanti simply couldn't grasp it.

Bellidanti nodded with a touch of grievance. She hadn't expected that she, a respected teacher, would be less capable than Tya. Half the day had passed, and she hadn't made any progress; why was she so slow?

"I'll go even slower!" Robin said with a hint of helplessness.

To be honest, although Robin was exceedingly powerful, she was terrible at teaching. Just like when she taught Angelia back then, she could only resort to the most rudimentary methods.

"Forget it, I don't think I can learn this move," Bellidanti said with disappointment. She had hoped to master a truly formidable technique, but instead of learning it, her self-esteem had taken a massive blow!

"Teacher, perhaps we should wait for Brother Xiu to teach you!" Tya suggested from the side.

Bellidanti didn't refuse; perhaps she viewed this as her last hope!

※

Meanwhile, Zhong Shenxiu was using Samādhi True Fire to refine the "Wusuojing Stone."

He had set up a barrier throughout the entire room precisely to avoid any disturbance. This was the most crucial moment; he intended to complete an endeavor he had failed to achieve before—the creation of a hundred weapons!

As time ticked by, the impurities within the "Wusuojing Stone" were finally purged. What remained was the intricate process of inscribing the magic arrays into it, which was by far the most time-consuming part!

Outside the room, Robin, Tya, and Bellidanti had already walked into the small courtyard; it seemed they had come to find Zhong Shenxiu to teach Bellidanti that magic technique!

"Teacher, don't worry, Brother Xiu is incredibly capable; he will certainly be able to teach you that spell!" Tya was even comforting Bellidanti.

Bellidanti merely offered an awkward smile and said nothing.

Just as the three approached the room, Robin suddenly pulled the other two back.

"Little Sister, what's wrong?" Tya looked at Robin, confused, while Bellidanti was equally perplexed by Robin's action.

"Master has cast a barrier; do not disturb," Robin explained in simple terms.

A barrier?

Bellidanti blinked, then glanced toward the room, yet she still sensed nothing. She couldn't help but wonder: Is there really a barrier? Why can't I feel it?

"Little Sister, what is Brother Xiu researching?" Tya asked curiously.

"Researching things!" Robin replied. Next to her, Bellidanti stiffened again, because Robin’s reply unexpectedly coincided with something she had imagined. In her memory, Mercedes always loved researching all sorts of strange and bizarre things, often traveling thousands of miles to prove a single point.

But she had to admit that Mercedes knew far more than she did, and her strength was vastly superior.

In the last letter she received, Mercedes mentioned she was currently studying a strange type of magic, though the specifics were not disclosed!

Now, hearing that Zhong Shenxiu was also researching something sparked her curiosity, making her wonder what he could possibly be studying.

As if cooperating with her thoughts, Tya asked again, "What kind of things does Brother Xiu research?" These past few days, she had spent a lot of time with Robin and didn't know much about Zhong Shenxiu.

"He studies everything!" As Robin said this, a flicker of adoration crossed her eyes. She had followed Zhong Shenxiu for so long, yet what she had learned was merely a drop in the ocean; she was still a very, very long way from graduating!

"He studies everything?"

Bellidanti almost burst out laughing because that statement sounded like pure self-aggrandizement. Tya, unlike her, blinked a few times and then believed it!

Afterward, the three sat down by the stone table in the courtyard, chatting idly while waiting for Zhong Shenxiu to emerge.

Time flew quickly during their conversation. After who knows how long, a soft 'creak' sounded, and Zhong Shenxiu walked out of the room with a smile on his face. One could tell from his expression that the refining process must have been a success!

"Brother Xiu, you're finally out," Tya was the first to react, jumping up from the stone bench.

"What can I do for you?" Zhong Shenxiu walked over with a smile, giving Bellidanti a knowing look.

"Brother Xiu, could you teach Teacher Bellidanti the magic you taught me yesterday?" Tya asked somewhat innocently.

Zhong Shenxiu didn't answer her question but looked at Bellidanti and asked in a flat tone, "You want to learn?"

Bellidanti appeared flustered, hesitating for a long moment before nodding slightly. She knew that any powerful technique wouldn't be taught easily. She was unsure if asking was too presumptuous, but she desperately wanted to learn that move. She truly couldn't resist that allure!

What she didn't know was that, in Zhong Shenxiu’s eyes, this technique was no different from a child playing games; it wasn't considered a powerful move at all. Teaching Tya had only been to placate her happiness.

Zhong Shenxiu was in a good mood today. After making Bellidanti feel a little uncomfortable under his gaze, he finally said, "Very well, I can teach you!" Hearing this, Bellidanti’s body visibly trembled, and she stared blankly at Zhong Shenxiu’s youthful face!

He's actually going to teach me?

But I'm not familiar with him at all; why would he teach me such an incredible technique?

Is it because of Princess Tya's plea?

While Bellidanti was lost in speculation, Zhong Shenxiu's voice cut through again.

"Hey, woman. Squat down!"

Zhong Shenxiu looked directly at Bellidanti.

Squat down? Bellidanti was stunned again; what did he want her to do?

Although she was internally surprised, she obeyed immediately, not even knowing why she was so compliant, as if Zhong Shenxiu's voice held an irresistible magical quality.

"Now, listen carefully; I will only say this once!" Zhong Shenxiu instructed Bellidanti again.

Bellidanti quickly nodded. Because she was squatting, her line of sight met Zhong Shenxiu's exactly, and for some reason, she started to feel nervous.

Then, Zhong Shenxiu explained the core principles and precautions of the technique, and just as he had done with Tya, he asked her to close her eyes.

However, the difference was that this time, Zhong Shenxiu’s hand did not overlap with Bellidanti's; instead, he placed his hand on her forehead. Now she finally understood why he had asked Bellidanti to squat—it was because her altitude wasn't high enough! (Sweat!)

The instant Zhong Shenxiu’s hand touched her forehead, an indescribable, profound feeling surged into Bellidanti’s heart. As time passed slowly, she could clearly feel the surrounding wind elements dancing joyfully, and there was an almost imperceptible sound echoing in her ears, as if they were communicating with her in some way.

Half an hour later, Zhong Shenxiu told Bellidanti to open her eyes.

At this moment, Bellidanti was enveloped in a layer of wind elements, exactly like when Robin had demonstrated it earlier.

Since Bellidanti was already a Saint Magus, she learned this technique much faster than Tya.

Bellidanti was currently overwhelmed with emotion; she had finally mastered the technique. Not only that, but her affinity with the wind elements had also risen to a new level!

Tya didn't know that Bellidanti's daze was due to excitement; thinking she was still in a state of enlightenment like she herself had been previously, Tya refrained from disturbing her and instead curiously asked Zhong Shenxiu, "Brother Xiu, what were you researching in the room?"