In the reflection of the setting sun, the small figure before them seemed towering, standing like an ancient, towering tree offering shelter from the wind and rain.

"Ro-Robin?" Beridanti couldn't quite believe what she was seeing.

She wasn't mistaken; the person who had appeared out of nowhere was indeed Robin, who had rushed over after hearing the news. Now, her seemingly placid face was shrouded in infinite frost. Her expressive eyes radiated—support genuine content, support "Haozi!"

Robin slightly turned her head, giving Beridanti a reassuring look. Now that she, Robin, was here, she would absolutely not allow anyone to harm either of them, not even a single hair!

"Sister!" Tiya also spotted Robin. The stubborn girl, who had been holding her ground moments before, suddenly burst into loud sobs as if she had finally found her anchor.

Tiya was different from Robin; her strength had its limits. She was still just a frail, young child!

Beridanti quickly pulled back the charging Tiya. She knew that the current Robin was their only hope for survival, and they absolutely could not allow Robin to be distracted further. The situation was beyond anything she could intervene in; all she and Tiya could do was stand quietly to the side.

At this moment, the charging soldiers also noticed Robin. Although surprised, their speed did not diminish, and the longswords in their hands were poised for a fatal strike. There was no mercy in their hearts, only the drive to complete their mission and look forward to their own bright futures!

In their minds, the presence of one more person, Robin, was nothing to worry about. They failed to realize that their actions now were no different from voluntarily throwing themselves into the scythe of the God of Death!

Just as they closed in to the attack range and prepared to strike, a cold snort suddenly escaped Robin's lips.

What followed made everyone present freeze. The charging soldiers had all transformed into pillars of blood, and after a few wet 'phut' sounds, only stains of blood remained on the ground—not even a speck of flesh was visible!

With that single move, the entire atmosphere seemed to freeze, oppressively silent. The surrounding soldiers widened their eyes; although they had witnessed such a bizarre scene with their own eyes, they couldn't fathom what had happened! Why had several people suddenly turned into pools of blood?

The leader sucked in several sharp breaths. While he didn't know how those soldiers had vanished, he knew none of this was unrelated to the young girl who had just arrived!

Th-This, is this also magic? As the leader glanced at Robin's eyes, he couldn't help but shiver. A deep fear surged from the depths of his being, preventing him from daring to make the slightest rash move!

Robin did not press her advantage. Instead, she turned to look at the haggard Beridanti and the distraught Tiya. Something within her soul seemed to stir!

It was her state of mind; a ripple had appeared in Robin's Xinjing (heart-realm)!

"Sister," Tiya's voice was hoarse, and the tears continued to stream down her face uncontrollably.

"It's alright now," Robin comforted, but it seemed to have little effect.

"Sister, Mother... Mother is already..." As if hitting a painful spot, Tiya began to convulse, unable to finish her next words.

Robin's brow furrowed, and the sensation within her soul pulsed more intensely, as if something was trying to burst free from her body.

"What happened to Mother?" Although Robin's tone was even, the cold light in her eyes became even more pronounced.

This was the first time she had called Paji "Mother," but sadly, Paji would never hear it!

Tiya was now sobbing uncontrollably. Robin had no choice but to turn to Beridanti. Although she already had a vague guess in her heart, she still wanted to hear it spoken aloud.

An expression of profound sorrow crossed Beridanti's face. Knowing she couldn't hide the truth from Robin, she could only say, "The Palace Master has been killed by them!"

That simple sentence struck Robin's ears like a thunderclap, leaving her rooted to the spot!

Although her time with Paji had been short, she was still her biological mother, and she had felt that fervent maternal love from Paji. Even though she hadn't called Paji "Mother" before leaving, in her heart, she had already accepted Paji!

An inexplicable agitation began to become more obvious within Robin's body, and a vast power started relentlessly trying to surge out.

If this were any other time, it wouldn't be so problematic, but the current Robin was facing an imminent Heavenly Tribulation, and emotional fluctuations were the most forbidden thing—this was exactly what Zhong Shenxiu had constantly warned her about!

"Where is Mother now? Maybe there's still hope!" Robin fiercely suppressed the power inside her as she pressed for an answer.

As Robin spoke, an exquisite small vial had already appeared in her hand. It contained a life-reviving spirit pill, painstakingly refined by Zhong Shenxiu at great personal cost—it was incredibly precious!

Beridanti's face turned extremely pale. Her lips moved, but in the end, she could not utter a sound.

"Where exactly?" Robin asked again. The agitation within her was growing more pronounced; she was completely unlike her former calm and detached self!

Beridanti did not look at Robin but instead looked down at Tiya, speaking softly, "Tiya, stop crying!"

Tiya seemed to fear something, her face paling as she buried herself in Beridanti's embrace. Her body began to tremble violently.

Only then did Beridanti look up at Robin, saying in a slightly mournful tone, "The Palace Master is in my magic ring!"

As she finished speaking, a corpse appeared on the ground—it was Paji.

However, when Robin saw Paji in her current state, she was utterly stunned. The small vial containing the spirit pill slipped from her grasp and clattered onto the ground...

Silence. A deathly silence descended.

Beridanti had already closed her eyes, unable to bear looking at Paji on the ground, and she held Tiya tightly in her arms, preventing her from turning around. She understood Robin's current feelings, but she couldn't utter a single word of comfort!

Paji on the ground was no longer a complete body; even the spirit pill could no longer bring her back to life!

"No!"

A long, sharp cry suddenly erupted from Robin’s mouth. The power inside her could no longer be suppressed. A stream of black gas suddenly shot out of her body, piercing straight toward the heavens.

That chaotic and murderous aura instantly flooded the entire world!

Robin had lost control!!!

Simultaneously, dark clouds suddenly gathered overhead, and lightning, like coiling dragons, flickered ceaselessly within the clouds. Robin's Heavenly Tribulation had arrived early!!!

At the manor in "Ivory Keep," Zhong Shenxiu had felt a persistent unease all day, as if something major was about to happen.

But what could it be?

Zhong Shenxiu truly couldn't imagine anything that could threaten him. The only thing that truly worried him was Robin.

Robin’s Heavenly Tribulation was only days away, but everything he could prepare had been taken care of. The grand formation was complete; as long as Robin heeded his advice and focused on regulating her state of mind, passing the tribulation would be absolutely no problem!

But why did he keep having this ominous premonition?

"Kainie, hasn't Robin returned yet?" Because he couldn't shake the worry, Zhong Shenxiu asked Kainie, who had been back for quite some time.

"I was wondering the same thing. We left in the morning, and normally Robin should have been back by noon, but now it's already dusk, and she's still nowhere in sight!" Kainie murmured sadly.

Normally, given Robin's abilities, she wouldn't get lost or ambushed, so she shouldn't be this late. Furthermore, Robin never missed a meal, meaning she should have returned at noon—so why was she still missing? Where could she have gone?

The unease in Zhong Shenxiu's heart intensified. Could it be related to Robin?

Just as this thought flashed through his mind, a powerful wave of energy suddenly swept over from the distant horizon, startling Zhong Shenxiu out of his reverie!

Th-This, this is... the Heavenly Tribulation?

Zhong Shenxiu's shock was immense. He knew that in this world, no other person or creature could undergo tribulation except Robin!

Instantly, Zhong Shenxiu's face turned incredibly grim, startling Kainie beside him into momentary shock!

"Gather everyone. No one moves until I return!" With that command, Zhong Shenxiu summoned his sword, "Inkfish," and shot toward the source of the tribulation, moving as fast as a shooting star!

In front of the "Dark Guild" gate in the "City of Late Dreams," a figure stood waiting—it was none other than Bichir, having arrived dusty from his journey.

This was the headquarters of the "Dark Guild," and Bichir's purpose for being here was simple: he intended to bring the "Dark Guild" under his control!

He had considered this idea before, but at that time, he didn't fully grasp the true strength of the "Dark Guild" and had been somewhat dismissive. It wasn't until he tasted the terrifying power of those monstrous scrolls on the previous battlefield that he realized how vital this "Dark Guild" was to his ambitions!

He truly hadn't expected those scrolls to be capable of harming his demonic insects and even restraining his movements—it was terrifying!

He, who thought himself invincible in this world, had suddenly discovered a powerful, unknown force. This left him astonished, yet somewhat uneasy!

His visit this time was twofold: first, to personally gauge the "Dark Guild's" true capabilities and uncover any secrets he didn't yet know; second, to see if he could conquer this "Dark Guild"—even taking control of its senior leadership would make the trip worthwhile!

"I'm sorry, please present your membership card!" As Bichir stepped forward to enter, he was suddenly stopped. The one who blocked him was none other than Yaster!

Those with good memories might recall him—he was the man whose arm Zhong Shenxiu had once modified, and he was primarily responsible for security here!

Bichir might have chosen the wrong place to visit, because besides Yaster, there was an even more monstrous existence here!

That existence was the swordsman Zakary, whom Zhong Shenxiu had transformed into the ultimate zombie!