The sudden eruption of Rui Xing () and Xi () from Robin’s body drew curious glances from all around. Just as these onlookers began to wonder what was happening, Robin’s figure abruptly vanished from their sight, dissipating as if evaporated into thin air.

Inside the Imperial Palace of the "Dong Yue Empire" (), Emperor Alexander sat upon the Dragon Throne, listening intently to reports from his subordinates. A distinct trace of anxiety and worry furrowed his brow. "Your Majesty, based on the current situation, the 'Cun Bu Jiu Kingdom' () will not immediately encroach upon our territory. Its current expansionist drive is focused on annexing the smaller neighboring nations. However, if allowed to continue unchecked, it will inevitably pose a threat to the Dong Yue Empire!" stated Patrick, the Chief Commander of the Imperial Guard, his expression grave.

No one had anticipated that the "Cun Bu Jiu Kingdom," a nation as insignificant as a sesame seed, would dare to initiate warfare in this era of peace. What was even more astonishing was the speed of its expansion—it was like unstoppable, breaking through all resistance! In just a few short months, it had swallowed five surrounding small nations. The most direct threat to the Dong Yue Empire was its annexation of the "Cui Can Kingdom" ()!

The Cui Can Kingdom bordered the Dong Yue Empire and sat astride crucial transportation routes, directly impacting the security of the Dong Yue Empire's frontiers—a matter that deeply troubled Alexander.

Alexander was not ignorant of the principle that if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. He had considered dispatching troops to offer aid, but by the time he learned of the Cun Bu Jiu Kingdom's assault on the Cui Can Kingdom, the battle was already over—it had been that swift!

If he were to launch a punitive expedition now, it would inevitably lead to a direct confrontation with the Cun Bu Jiu Kingdom. At this moment, only one factor gave him pause: the sudden appearance of a powerful, mysterious figure within the Cun Bu Jiu Kingdom. No one knew where he came from, nor did anyone know his background. It was only known that whenever a siege occurred, this figure would appear and, within moments, instantly kill the enemy's high-ranking generals!

This was an existence of terrifying power. According to the estimations of the two bodyguards attending Alexander, Charlie Feng and Charlie Yun, this person’s strength far surpassed their own; if he were to attempt to assassinate Alexander, even joining forces, they would be unable to stop him!

The only individuals they could conceive of being able to match him were the two children who had previously knocked them unconscious. Beyond those two, they could think of no one else!

Whenever this topic arose, Alexander, amidst his worry, also felt a surge of relief. He was fortunate to have possessed foresight and reached an agreement with that young boy. Not only was he able to secure equipment support from the "Dark Merchant Guild" () (though it required payment, naturally), but he also acquired several immensely potent items. It was precisely because of this that, despite his current anxieties, he could still sit here calmly.

"Have you ascertained the background of that mysterious individual yet?" Alexander inquired thoughtfully.

"For the time being, we only know he is the State Preceptor of the Cun Bu Jiu Kingdom, named Bichier (), a dual cultivator of both magic and martial arts, and..." Patrick hesitated slightly.

"And what?" Alexander drew his thoughts back, fixing his gaze directly upon Patrick.

"And it is rumored that he commands several monstrous creatures of formidable power, creatures resembling gigantic insects, leaving rivers of blood in their wake wherever they pass. No army can stand against them!" Patrick’s voice trembled slightly.

"Even our Iron Cavalry Army cannot resist them?" Alexander’s brow furrowed.

"I fear... not!" Sweat was already beading on Patrick’s forehead.

This was his greatest concern. It was said that those gigantic monsters possessed strong resistance to all schools of magic, and even physical attacks struggled to inflict any significant harm. Reportedly, the final, desperate blow from a Sword Saint-level expert barely left a shallow mark on one of them; the degree of its terror was self-evident!

If those monsters were to charge towards the "Capital City," then no one could stand against them!

Alexander’s complexion turned slightly ashen. He hadn't expected that even the Dong Yue Empire’s most vaunted Iron Cavalry Army would be unable to hold them back. Was this world about to descend into catastrophe?

"Your Majesty," Patrick looked as if he had more to say but hesitated.

"Speak plainly, whatever you need to say!" Alexander stated in a deep voice.

"Although temporarily no one can withstand those monsters, it is rumored that high-tier scrolls from the Dark Merchant Guild have remarkable efficacy against them, especially the non-sellable scrolls. Not only can they defend against the impact and attacks of those monsters, but they can also inflict a certain amount of damage upon them. This is also the main reason the Cun Bu Jiu Kingdom has recently slowed its expansion. Many nations have now begun purchasing scrolls from the Dark Merchant Guild at exorbitant prices. Should we perhaps..." Patrick was unaware of the transaction Alexander had previously made with Zhong Shenxiu (), hence his question.

Currently, scrolls from the Dark Merchant Guild had soared to astronomical prices. As for those 'non-sellable scrolls,' even if someone offered billions of diamond coins, acquiring just one would be extremely difficult!

Now that they faced imminent danger, many nations were embracing the mentality of "paying money to avert disaster," sparing no expense to purchase scrolls simply to ensure immediate safety. As for the future, that could be dealt with later; the immediate crisis needed to be overcome!

"You say the scrolls from the Dark Merchant Guild have remarkable efficacy against those monsters?" Overcome with excitement, Alexander suddenly shot up from his chair.

"Yes... yes!" Patrick flinched, answering truthfully.

Upon receiving his affirmative reply, a sliver of light finally broke through the gloom that had clouded Alexander’s face for days. He was ecstatic—ecstatic over his own foresight!

Others might fret over acquiring scrolls, but he did not have to. Because he had an agreement with Zhong Shenxiu: in times of dire need, the Dark Merchant Guild would sell goods to the Dong Yue Empire without limitation, including scrolls!

Patrick stared blankly at Alexander, completely baffled as to why his Majesty was so agitated.

After composing himself, Alexander slowly returned to the Dragon Throne and asked as calmly as possible, "Is there any trace of those two children?"

He did not wish to reveal his connection with Zhong Shenxiu to outsiders yet, so he continued to refer to them as 'children.' Furthermore, he had not stopped searching for Zhong Shenxiu and the others in recent days, as he firmly believed that the only ones who could help the Dong Yue Empire overcome this crisis were Zhong Shenxiu and his companion!

"Reporting to Your Majesty, they have not been found yet!"

"Are there any leads at all?" Alexander pressed again.

He had dispatched men to investigate the territories gifted to Zhong Shenxiu, but the reports indicated those lands had remained untouched, and local officials claimed never to have seen them. He had also tried to inquire within the Dark Merchant Guild, but to his frustration, that information was highly confidential within the guild. Putting aside the question of whether they knew, even if they did, they would never tell him, even if he were the emperor of this empire!

"Scouts report that the last known location of those two children was the Cui Can Kingdom; where they went afterward is still under investigation!" Patrick replied.

"Good. Pursue this matter with urgency. Report to me immediately if there is any news!" Alexander signaled Patrick to withdraw, but in his mind, he was thinking: My little ancestors, where in the world are you?

The sun began to set; it was now dusk.

Within the Cui Can Kingdom—or more accurately, it should no longer be called the Cui Can Kingdom, as it had already been conquered by the Cun Bu Jiu Kingdom—it was currently undergoing restructuring and a purge of remaining staunch resistors. In the streets and alleys, soldiers armed with weapons could frequently be seen moving about; they were all men of the Cun Bu Jiu Kingdom, tasked with taking control and apprehending resistance fighters.

Just then, a disturbance erupted from some unknown source, causing large formations of soldiers to rapidly converge, shouting incessantly, "Quickly! This time, we cannot let those two escape again!"

The shops along the streets that hadn't managed to move their goods had all tightly shuttered their windows, daring not to peek out for fear of attracting trouble! The entire street was devoid of any pedestrians, save for the heavily armed, grim-faced soldiers marching in formation!

Fifty li southeast of the Royal City, there lay a stretch of barren land, overgrown with weeds but sparse in trees.

This area was now heavily surrounded by soldiers, with even more troops pouring toward the location.

At the very center of the encirclement stood two figures huddled together—the very targets of these soldiers!

"Tia, are you scared?" Belladonna () held Tia tightly to her pale chest, her eyes warily scanning their surroundings.

She had already expended an enormous amount of magical energy and was now at the very end of her endurance; holding out this long was already her absolute limit. Looking at the tense, weapon-drawn soldiers surrounding them, she knew the probability of escape was zero!

Tia’s eyes brimmed with tears, but she desperately held them back, continuously shaking her head, though her small body trembled uncontrollably!

"Cease your futile resistance and surrender immediately!" A figure, seemingly the leader, stepped out from the ranks of soldiers, looking at Belladonna with considerable apprehension.

They had initially assumed capturing this woman and this child would be a simple task, but once the fighting began, they realized otherwise. This woman’s magic was inexplicable; she could transform masses of fallen leaves into razor-sharp blades—it was utterly monstrous!

What troubled them most was that both targets could fly and consistently employed guerrilla tactics, leaving the soldiers utterly exhausted. This time, they had finally cornered the pair, and it appeared they lacked the strength to fly anymore!

Belladonna glared fiercely at the invaders but uttered not a word!

"Stubborn fools," the leader muttered under his breath, then turned and waved his hand toward the soldiers, commanding, "Advance! Lethal force authorized!"

The highly disciplined soldiers shot forward like released arrows toward the defenseless Belladonna and Tia, their longswords gleaming with sinister cold light!

Belladonna was overcome with despair. She dropped her staff, clutched Tia tightly to her chest, closed her eyes, and waited for death to descend!

And just at that moment, a powerful gust of wind materialized from nowhere, stirring the hair and gowns of the two women.

Slowly opening a sliver of an eye, a small and familiar figure appeared within Belladonna's line of sight...