Nutwood Mountain, at the foot of the mountain.
Carson Flores, dressed in casual attire, strolled up the mountain path like a tourist. Gradually, he left the main road and stepped onto a smaller path.
A few hours later, he stood in front of a sprawling estate.
This was the place Isabella Roth had told him about, where the Gatekeeper of the Nutwood Heavenly Cave resided.
It had been a while since the great battle by the lakeside. During this time, after extorting Emilio Compton to complete some fundamental cultivation practices, Carson first went to Polgel, then to Seashore, and finally returned to Xijing.
He met with those he needed to see and arranged what needed to be arranged.
The Miller Family patriarch and Adan Gilliam and his wife were reluctant to let go but ultimately happy. After all, their child was embarking on the path of cultivation—a cause for celebration.
This was akin to a daughter marrying far away. Even though they would not be able to see her, as long as they knew she was happy, it consoled the parents.
Camille Rhodes was also reluctant to part ways but bluntly stated that she knew this day would come—she just hadn’t expected it so soon.
Carson left her with Lydia Howell’s phone number, telling her to call his auntie if she ever ran into trouble.
Camille was delighted—not because Carson had found her a backer but because he truly considered her family.
Her fondness was not a mistake.
Carson didn’t make further promises, for his own future was still shrouded in mist and fraught with danger.
If he ever made something of himself in the future, he could surely make new arrangements for her.
Carson was quite grateful to Camille—not just because she liked him but also because her presence and actions had significantly influenced Shirley Miller and Samantha Tate. Without her, things wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.
Returning to Xijing, Carson unexpectedly received a letter from his master, Andrew, that had been left at the Frost Family residence.
Andrew had paid an unexpected visit to the Frost Family, spoken at length with Leah Frost, left a letter behind, and then drifted away.
"Kid, you’ve done well, far stronger than your master here.
You’ve made your own choices, uncovered your origins, so now I can tell you some things.
Your father once saved me. He entrusted you to me temporarily, not wanting to put you in danger, but I never anticipated he would never return.
I don’t know what happened to your parents afterward. I tried to find out, to no avail—I thought they were dead.
I was harsh on you from childhood for this reason. After all, you would have to face the storms of this world alone. How could you manage if you weren’t tough?
Go and find your parents. They both love you dearly, and I’m sure they will be overjoyed to see you.
Remember to tell your father that I’ve repaid the favor I owed him.
Kid, no matter what lies ahead, don’t back down. Fight through it, and it’s done.
Oh, and your wages over the years, they’re mine now, consider it your board.
After reading the letter, Carson felt a mix of laughter and tears.
True to form, very unyielding indeed—not even a goodbye before such a long journey!
Raising me because of my father’s favor, being strict to prepare me to face the world’s trials alone...
Perhaps that’s what it means to be a man.
If I ever get the chance to return, I’ll surely drag that old man to the Blessed Land of Cave Heavens. Not to mention anything else, living another hundred or eighty years would be quite nice.
During his stay in Xijing, Carson handed a Virtual Space Ring to Leah Frost, which contained many valuable items he had collected from Nikolai Jimenez and Emilio Compton. They were of little use to him, but for an Innate Grandmaster and Great Grandmasters, they were quite beneficial.
With the aid of these medicinal substances, Leah Frost could elevate her strength to the peak of Innate Grandmaster in a short period. With her in charge, the Frost Family would likely be safe from danger.
He made a call to Lilly Compton, entrusting Lydia Howell to Leah Frost’s care.
Carson didn’t say goodbye, confident that he would return. By then, he was sure he would have the strength to take all his cherished ones and those who cared for and were willing to follow him away with him.
Standing before the estate, Carson collected his thoughts and gently knocked on the door.
The door opened, revealing a white-haired old man who appeared very ordinary. However, Carson knew this man was a master.
None who became the Gatekeeper of a Blessed Land of Cave Heavens were weak.
"Who are you looking for?"
Carson said with a smile, "I wish to enter the Nutwood Heavenly Cave."
The white-haired old man scrutinized Carson and said, "The Nutwood Heavenly Cave has been sealed for two hundred years and is inaccessible to the common folk. Please leave."
Carson extended his right hand, and in his palm suddenly appeared a Heaven’s Prophecy jade.
"What if I have this? Can I enter then?"
The white-haired old man was slightly startled, he took the Heaven’s Prophecy jade, his gaze briefly becoming vacant.
Carson didn’t rush him, simply waiting quietly.
After a long while, the old man regained his composure, gave Carson a profound look, turned, and said with his hands behind his back, "Come with me."
Carson obediently followed the old man, passing through the forest path until they reached the end of the mountain road.
They were at the junction between two peaks, and there was no path forward.
Carson circulated his spiritual energy, and his eyes turned crystal clear, reflecting the empty sky. Suddenly, in the reflection of those glass-like pupils, majestic peaks materialized, and between them, a path emerged, linking directly with the path beneath their feet, reaching out to where Carson stood.