"Carson, are you a Grandmaster too?"
Lilly Compton followed Carson Flores with a respectful attitude, her tone filled with admiration as she asked. After all, in her eyes, Carson was only a few years older than her, yet the difference in their strength was vast.
She had just entered the realm of Inner Qi while Carson could easily defeat Grandmasters.
Carson’s attitude towards Lilly had improved a lot by then, and he answered with a smile, "Great Grandmaster."
Lilly’s eyes suddenly widened, her gaze becoming even more shocked.
He was actually a Great Grandmaster!
No wonder he could easily defeat Philip Schneider; no wonder he didn’t run after hitting someone, waiting for them to come looking for trouble with him!
However, the Ironwood Sect didn’t just have one Great Grandmaster; even the Sect Master was a Peak Great Master!
Lilly felt worried inside, yet dared not speak more, because she had already warned Carson about this the previous night, and Carson seemed unconcerned.
Lilly’s worry was not purely for Carson’s sake but also for herself and the orphanage.
Having suffered two consecutive defeats, the Ironwood Sect would surely harbor hatred towards her. After all, Carson could casually walk away after the incidents, but she still had to live here, not to mention the orphanage...
Yet at that moment, Lilly had no other choice.
She had chosen her targets, dug her own pit; now she had to follow through, even on her knees.
Lilly led Carson through half of Dingburg to the west end of the city where the Dingburg Orphanage was located.
The orphanage was centered around a slightly old three-story building, complete with a large courtyard featuring swings, a merry-go-round, a small basketball court, and other play areas for the children.
About twenty or thirty children were playing in the courtyard, and at the entrance to the building, there was a lounge chair where an old man with white hair was resting, watching the children play, his gaze warm and loving.
"That’s the director; since his injury, he spends most of his time lying down. He can walk, but not very far..."
Back at the orphanage, a completely different smile bloomed on Lilly’s face—less false, more genuinely warm—as if she were a child out in the world who had returned home and cast off her defenses and pretense.
Upon entering, Lilly rushed to the old man, who also showed a happy smile on seeing her.
"Lilly, you’ve come."
The old man’s gaze fell on Carson Flores, inspecting him from head to toe, "And this gentleman is...?"
Carson stepped forward, introducing himself with a smile, "Carson Flores, Lilly’s friend."
After some small talk, Lilly looked at Carson with an expression that mixed apprehension and anticipation. Carson then said with a smile, "Mr. Bernard, Lilly mentioned you were injured. I am a doctor, let me take a look at you."
"Lilly’s thoughtful as always, thank you for the trouble, Mr. Flores."
After a careful examination, Carson said with a smile, "It’s not a big problem. I’ll perform acupuncture for you, and then write you a prescription. If you take your medicine regularly for three months, you should be able to recover completely."
Lilly’s eyes widened in surprise, "Carson, can it really be cured? We’ve seen many doctors before, and they all said he could only recover with care and that there was no way to cure it..."
Carson answered with a smile, "That’s because they don’t know the Resuscitation Technique."
Director Bellamy Bernard, surprised, "The second-ranked Resuscitation Technique on the list of amazing acupuncture methods?"
Carson nodded, "That’s right, Mr. Bernard, have you heard of it?"
Bellamy looked at Carson in shock, "I once heard a doctor mention that my condition could be cured by the Resuscitation Technique, but so few people in the world know it—who else could it be but Elder Grandmaster of the Celestial Sect, or the eccentric healer, Cartier Holt? A small person like me naturally couldn’t expect treatment from them..."
Carson said with a smile, "I learned it myself, so I guess I’m the third one. Let’s find a warmer room, and I’ll perform the acupuncture."
After moving to a warmer room, Bellamy took off his shirt and lay down on the bed.
Bellamy, seeing Lilly looking on at the side, instructed, "Go to the kitchen and help out; make something delicious. You guys should stay and join us for lunch."
Lilly looked apprehensively at Carson and, ultimately daring not to say anything, obediently went to help.
As Carson began the acupuncture treatment, Bellamy, lying on the bed, suddenly spoke up, "Mr. Flores, did Lilly do something to offend you?"
Carson smiled, "Why do you ask?"
Bellamy sighed, "I’ve watched her grow up since she was little, and she’s always been bold. The way she looks at you is off—with anxiety and awe; clearly, you two are not just friends... Mr. Flores, could you tell me what she did? She’s been bringing home a lot more money recently, and I’ve been worried she’s taken the wrong path, but no matter how I ask, she won’t tell me..."
Carson chuckled and didn’t hide the truth, telling the story of how she had attempted to con him.
Bellamy at first was angry, then his expression changed to self-reproach, "In the end, it’s my fault. If I weren’t in this paralyzed state, needing money to treat my illness, she wouldn’t have felt the need to go and do such a thing out of the desire for quick success. I apologize on her behalf, Mr. Flores, as it was my lack of proper guidance. Since she was willing to bring you here, and you’re willing to treat me, I presume you are a person of great magnanimity..."
Carson said with a laugh, "Her conning me was a small matter. My coming here was to first confirm whether what Lilly said was true, but more importantly, I wanted to learn more about the Jade Pool and explore the Mount Kahdas Cave..."