*Poff*
Robin threw himself onto his bed like a weary traveler who hadn’t slept in weeks, well, that was kind of true. The past years had been exhausting... deeply, relentlessly, unforgivingly exhausting in every imaginable way.
Thirty-five full, consecutive years were spent reading a single book—one book and nothing else. He hadn’t strengthened his soul, hadn’t improved a single level in energy cultivation, hadn’t even stretched a finger toward any of his usual side experiments or fields of research.
Without a shred of doubt, this had been the longest period of isolated seclusion he’d ever subjected himself to, all for a singular objective.
Even his once-legendary research on the mysterious Fifth Cultivation Path hadn’t consumed this much of his life.
And the worst part? It wasn’t even the kind of seclusion he liked—those peaceful years filled with curious experimentation, philosophical reflection, and elegant magical theory.
No, not at all. This one had been nothing but pure mental torture—an excruciating grind of reading word by word, line by line, while fighting through illness, mental fatigue, and something akin to spiritual erosion.
After finally escaping from that torment, the only thing his mind craved was sleep—years of sleep, uninterrupted and dreamless.
But...
There was no time for indulgence.
"Hooh~"
After lying still on the bed for several long minutes, Robin refused to allow himself the luxury of sleep.
He inhaled deeply, then sat up cross-legged in a meditation posture atop the sheets, eyes shutting with practiced ease...
Instead of seeking rest through dreams, he knew better—it would be far wiser to spend the next few years regaining momentum, building capital, and earning resources.
--------------
Inside the Soul Society---
The familiar fairy appeared in a dazzling flash, then immediately twirled into a full circle around Robin, her glowing wings fluttering cheerfully in joy.
Robin tilted his metallic face slightly to one side, his mechanical features betraying only mild curiosity.
"But now you know where I am?"
The fairy’s voice sparkled with both respect and excitement.
"..." Robin exhaled a slow, tired sigh.
Those few days where his location had gone dark were almost certainly the time he had entered the Planet of the Cosmic Elder—where detection was suppressed.
Aside from that brief break, however, he was always under surveillance—constantly.
Even when no one was physically tracking him, the soul seed embedded deep in his head ensured that his position could be monitored at all times.
It was unfortunate, but he had e to accept it as part of his reality.
The fairy hovered closer to his face, her curiosity clearly genuine.
she added with a mischievous sparkle in her eye.
"...You’re unusually excited today, aren’t you?"
Robin raised an eyebrow, an amused smile tugging at his lips.
she answered, fluttering her wings in slight embarrassment.
"You don’t need to. Honestly, I like you better this way—more lively."
Robin reached out and gently patted her on the head.
"Actually, I’ve been through a particularly rough experience lately, and I want a plete change of atmosphere—something soft on the nerves and easier on the senses. Also, I want to check the new requests in the Chamber of Truth. Can you arrange both for me?"
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