"How did you initially get to the Jade Pool?"
While having breakfast, Carson Flores casually brought up the subject, as it was the main reason for his visit.
"I couldn’t cultivate any Inner Qi no matter how hard I tried. The orphanage director took me to that place. I stayed there for ten days, then had a Breakthrough and entered the realm of Inner Qi..."
Upon hearing this, Carson Flores understood.
It seemed that the orphanage director had also discovered the dense Spiritual Energy at the Jade Pool, which made cultivation and Breakthroughs easier in such an environment. Hence, he took Lilly Compton there, and indeed, she successfully had a Breakthrough into the realm of Inner Qi.
"What kind of place is it?"
Lilly Compton’s eyes gleamed as she answered, "It’s a magical place, surrounded by snowy mountains and ice, but the water in the pool doesn’t freeze. Moreover, the bottom is colorful and dazzling, especially in contrast to the surrounding area. It’s so striking."
"Cultivating by that pool made the air feel so fresh; it’s truly as refreshing as the saying goes, ’like a cool breeze to the mind.’ Just one breath would invigorate you. If it hadn’t been so difficult to get to, I would have gone there often to cultivate."
Carson Flores asked, "Is the pool very big?"
Lilly Compton shook her head, "Not big, it has a diameter of about ten meters or so. It’s just a small round pool. There must be a spring at the bottom because it also flows out, but very slowly. From above, it looks like the eye of the snow mountain."
Carson Flores nodded, "Alright, you take me there, and we’ll call it even for your extortion."
Lilly Compton fully relaxed. Carson Flores hadn’t touched her during the entire night, filling her with gratitude and fondness towards him.
"How long will you stay there?"
Carson Flores shook his head, "I’m not sure, maybe I’ll stay for a while."
"Oh, you must also be going for cultivation then."
Lilly Compton continued, "If you’re going to stay for a while, then there’s a lot to prepare: a tent, cooking gear, bedding, food, clothes for the cold, as well as medicine. In short, the more thoroughly you prepare, the more comfortable it’ll be. Otherwise, it’d not only be tough but also easy to fall sick and have accidents."
Carson Flores nodded, "Alright, I’ll listen to you on this matter."
Lilly Compton smiled, "I’ll take you to buy the equipment later."
After they finished breakfast and walked out of the hotel, they saw Baylor Combs approaching from a distance with a man beside him—about sixty years old, walking with his head held high as if he had eyes on the top of his head.
Lilly Compton’s expression shifted slightly as she whispered, "I know that man, his name is Philip Schneider, a Master Strength, and also from the Tielimu Sect. He’s Baylor Combs’ backer. Whenever Baylor Combs gets into trouble with people he can’t afford to offend, it is Philip Schneider who steps in to settle it."
Carson Flores laughed, "They bring just one Grandmaster, that’s underestimating me too much."
Lilly Compton replied with a wry smile, "You use whatever phone you have, and whatever connections you have first. If there really is a conflict later, flaunting your status might not get you anywhere then."
As they were talking, Baylor Combs had already walked straight over, with the elder confronting Carson Flores and Lilly Compton with his head held high, "I am Philip Schneider, an elder of the Tielimu Sect. I’ve heard that you’ve beaten up four of our sect’s disciples, and humiliated Baylor Combs..."
Carson Flores laughed, "Indeed, that happened."
Philip Schneider had not expected Carson Flores to admit it so readily; this was not the response he had anticipated. He thought that once he stepped in, Carson Flores would surely explain the situation, showing that he was the victim and acted out of self-defense...
Carson Flores’s unexpected playbook completely threw off the rhythm Philip Schneider had in mind.
Philip Schneider froze for two seconds before continuing, "Good, I like straightforward people. Since you’ve so generously admitted it, I’ll just ask directly. You’ve injured the disciples of my Tielimu Sect, how do you plan to settle this matter?"
Carson Flores laughed, "Why should I settle it? They provoked me, and they got what they deserved. I was already merciful to them; I just gave each one a slap for reflection..."
Philip Schneider sneered, "Bold words! What’s your name?"
Philip Schneider thought for a moment. He didn’t recall this name, and thus he sneered, "And what’s your background?"
Carson Flores laughed, "I’m unaffiliated."
Philip Schneider felt greatly relieved. Although he came out to solve Baylor Combs’ problem, he did that because of their mutual interests. Why else would Philip Schneider help Baylor Combs?
Philip Schneider was also afraid.
He feared encountering a situation where they mistakenly provoke someone pretending to be weak but strong; that would lead to trouble for both him and Baylor Combs.
It was critical to clarify everything before taking action, to avoid mishaps.
Boy, don’t say I didn’t give you a chance. Apologize now. You won’t miss out on giving what’s due, but it’ll save you from a thorough beating and possibly broken limbs..."
Carson Flores laughed, "I’ll give you a chance too. Slap yourself twice, and I’ll let you off the hook!"
The Tielimu Sect could do whatever they wanted in Dingburg. They weren’t the ones who needed to be "let off the hook." Hearing Carson Flores’s words, Philip Schneider exploded, "You’re quite arrogant, young man..."