"No need to see me off, you have my number. We’ll get in touch if there’s anything."
At the airport entrance, Carson Flores turned to look at Lilly Compton and smiled as he said goodbye.
Lilly bit her lip, having a torrent of words in her throat that she found herself unable to voice. Hesitating for a moment, she stepped forward and extended her arms towards Carson.
Carson was startled for a second, but then he chuckled and embraced Lilly with open arms, patting her on the back.
A straightforward hug, yet Lilly felt a surge of deep emotion and joy. She even felt the urge to kiss Carson, but ultimately, she refrained.
Shyness was one reason, but more than that, she feared ruining this frank and beautiful moment.
Carson released Lilly and, with a hearty laugh, turned and entered the passageway.
Watching Carson’s retreating figure, Lilly’s gaze became misty.
There should be another chance to meet, right?
I must also strive harder. Always looking up, I can’t keep pace with Carson’s steps!
Today, I’ll return to see the director; tomorrow, I’ll set out to traverse mountains and rivers in search of a place abundant with Spiritual Energy!
Victor Compton was on the same flight but traveled separately.
The plane arrived in West Capital.
Carson exited the airport, and Lydia Howell was there to pick him up by car, with Carson and Victor getting in.
Victor had killed Grady Goodwin, and although Grady might not have disclosed anything, his visit to Dingburg could be traced, which naturally implicated Victor. With Grady dead and Victor alive, there was no explanation, and thus, he could no longer return to the Five Dragon Sect.
Carson took a look at Lydia, sensing a different aura about her, "A Grandmaster now?"
Lydia’s eyes sparkled with excitement, "Yes."
Carson had acquired five Five Spirits Pills from Liang Changshan’s cave haven, giving two to Lydia, which helped elevate her strength from Master to Grandmaster.
Not only Lydia, but Dawson Frost of the Frost Family and his uncle, Antonio Frost, had also advanced to Grandmaster with the help of a Five Spirits Pill. His other uncle, Justin Frost, was still a bit shy of reaching the Master Peak and had not yet taken the Five Spirits Pill.
Carson nodded with approval, "Not bad!"
Lydia looked at Carson with admiration, reaffirming her past decision.
Lydia had advanced to Master with Carson’s help, and after the Miller family incident was resolved, Carson stated that their obligation was fulfilled and she was free to leave. However, Lydia didn’t want to. She chose to stay and guard Shirley Miller closely, candidly stating her intent to "ride on their coattails."
In just a few months, with Carson’s assistance, Lydia had broken through again, becoming a Grandmaster!
Such a swift increase in strength!
If it had been through her own arduous Cultivation, not to mention whether she could break through her bottlenecks, just the process from Master to Master Peak could have taken god knows how many years!
"Mary’s back, did you know?"
Lydia asked excitedly, "Really? She hasn’t contacted me."
Carson briefly recounted the events concerning the Five Dragon Sect, leaving Lydia incredibly shocked and then somewhat disheartened.
"She’s that powerful now? Then she doesn’t need my protection anymore, does she? Is there no use for me to stay?"
Carson replied with a smile, "You’re a Grandmaster now. You can go anywhere. Whether you return to Polgel or Seashore, you will be among the top. What’s there to worry about?"
Lydia glanced at Carson through the rearview mirror, cautiously asking, "If I want to stay, even if just as a driver for you, to run errands, would you keep me?"
Carson laughed, "Why?"
Lydia straightforwardly said, "To keep riding the coattails, of course. You two are now formidable Innate Grandmasters, and who knows, maybe you’ll advance beyond Innate someday. If one attains enlightenment, even pets and livestock ascend with them. If I cling to you guys, maybe I’ll ascend someday too. Besides, while I can’t handle big affairs, I can still take care of smaller tasks, right? See, I can be your driver now."
Abel Compton, who had been silent in the backseat, glanced at Lydia and inwardly marveled at how natural, smooth, and pleasing her approach was!
A Grandmaster as a driver, willing to run errands and doing so with pride and happiness!
I must learn from this!
Carson and Shirley, such a young couple, were already Innate Grandmasters. Given time, truly advancing beyond Innate was entirely possible.
Moreover, wasn’t Shirley just an ordinary person half a year ago? To become such a powerhouse in just six months, who would believe there’s not some terrifying force behind her?
This is a leg worth clinging to!
The recent experiences had significantly altered Carson’s mindset. His vision was no longer confined to the mortal world, nor was he fixated solely on reaching the Innate Great Grandmaster Peak. Instead, his sight was set on the path of Cultivation beyond Innate.
Carson considered Lydia a friend, and if she was willing to join them, so be it. If there was a chance in the future to lend her a hand, it was not out of the question.
"As long as you don’t feel belittled, then stay."
Lydia immediately brightened, "Belittled? The world I’ve been exposed to thanks to you, staying in Polgel, staying in Seashore, I would never have seen any of this in my lifetime. I’m more than happy... By the way, where to now, home?"
A flicker in Carson’s eyes, "To the Reid Family, it’s time to settle some matters."