Carter Landford drove Flynn’s Porsche, escorting the three of them to the Langford family estate.
“See that? Over there is the Langford family wine cellar, filled with countless bottles of wine! Every variety you could imagine!”
“Every bottle is over forty years old!” Carter gestured toward a cave in the distant hills, his face lighting up with a flattering smile.
“Oh? All my favorites. You’ve got good taste-just like me! Not bad, not bad at all!” Scott Chilton stared at the cave, swallowing hard.
Carter’s heart soared with joy. He quickly offered, “The Langford family built a wine pavilion at the top of the mountain. How about we visit the cellar first? You can pick out whatever you like, and we’ll bring it up there.”
“That’s an excellent idea! Let’s do it!” Scott exclaimed eagerly.
“Alright, then let’s…”
“Boom!”
Before Carter could finish, Scott Chilton shot into the sky like a rocket. The ground trembled violently, and a massive shockwave rippled outward, engulfing the area.
Even though Carter was an Adept Greater Sovereign, the force flung him a dozen meters away.
As the dust settled, Carter staggered to his feet and stared in shock. The old man had already landed halfway up the mountain! He descended gracefully, not even stirring a single speck of dust.
“What the hell? Again?” Carter’s eyes nearly popped out of his skull.
The distance to the cave was over ten miles! And yet, the old man had controlled his landing so precisely-it was a clear demonstration of immense power, far beyond what Carter could comprehend.
“Unbelievable,” he muttered.
He looked at the tiny black figure entering the cave and nearly dropped to his knees.
This leap was three times the distance Dario Bragg had covered when he scaled Swordgate Peak in a single bound!
The old man was at least an Earthly Sovereign!
Olive rolled her eyes at the figure halfway up the mountain and muttered with a hint of annoyance, “Look at him, so impatient. What if his energy blast hurt someone?”
“Ugh-he’ll drink so much again, and we’ll have to carry him down the mountain,” she sighed.
Flynn chuckled at her words. “Don’t worry, Grandma. I’ll carry him this time.”
“Shall we head to the top and wait for them?”
Olive nodded with a gentle smile. “Alright.”
“Madam, allow me to help you up…” Carter dusted himself off and stepped forward to assist Olive. But just as he extended his hand-
“Boom!”
Another figure rocketed into the sky, piercing through the clouds!
“What? Where’s the old lady?”
“My God! Did she just leap straight to the summit? That’s fifteen miles away!” Carter’s legs felt weak, and he could barely keep himself upright.
The old man’s power was shocking, but at least it made sense-he carried a sheepbone sword at his waist, clearly a sign of a seasoned warrior. But the old woman? She looked like an ordinary elderly lady, blending into any crowd.
He had been planning to help her up the mountain, and yet she had soared effortlessly to the top!
Her ascension was like that of a deity descending to earth-graceful, commanding, and astonishing. She landed on the summit with pinpoint precision, leaving barely any trace of energy in her wake. The dust and wind she stirred were minimal, yet the aura she exuded was overwhelming.
It was the epitome of power restrained to perfection: domineering and awe-inspiring.
“Lord Valerian Nox, what level are those two at?” Carter stammered, still in shock.
Before Valerian could respond, yet another figure rose into the sky, ascending straight into the heavens.
“Blademaster at the peak of Earthly Sovereign,” Valerian replied, his tone calm but firm as he followed suit. He, too, leapt gracefully to the summit, landing beside Olive.
Peak Earthly Sovereign?
That meant they were at the Semi Heavenly Sovereign level!
Carter’s mind reeled.
Three Semi Heavenly Sovereign-level beings had gathered at the Langford family’s wine pavilion.
It was an unparalleled honor, a blessing that the Langford family could never hope to experience again in five hundred years.
Overcome with excitement and anxiety, Carter pushed himself to catch up. It took him thirteen steps, using every ounce of his energy, just to reach the halfway point.
By the time he entered the wine cave, Scott had already selected three fine vintages. Together, they headed to the summit.
—
On the third floor of the wine pavilion, Olive leaned against the railing, gazing at the breathtaking scenery.
The city of Paxton stretched out in the distance, a white carpet merging with the blue sky, creating a stunning tableau.
Rolling mountains intertwined like a coiled dragon, their peaks cloaked in lush greenery that spread like an emerald sea.
The sunlight pierced through the clouds, bathing the summit in a golden glow, enchanting and mesmerizing.
“Beautiful as it is, no scenery can match the intoxication of good wine,” Scott declared, seated in the grand hall on the third floor. He took a hearty swig of his drink, his expression one of pure satisfaction.
Olive pouted and tugged on his arm, pulling him toward the balcony. With a playful tone, she said, “You promised to travel the world with me. Thirty years have passed, and you never made good on that promise. Now I only ask you to enjoy this view with me, and you’re still reluctant?”
“I’ve been searching for Adrianna all this time…” Scott paused, then quickly softened his tone. “Alright, alright! I’ll admire the view with you!”
Olive pulled out her phone, switched on the camera, and raised it high. She dragged Scott into the frame, positioning them with the scenery in the background.
The two octogenarians posed for the photo like teenagers, making playful gestures. Scott even pulled a silly face, like a mischievous child.
Olive’s face radiated pure joy, her happiness untainted and infectious.
Watching them, Flynn felt a pang of emotion. Tears welled up in his eyes.
So many had suffered because of their family. So many…
Scott Chilton had spent decades searching for Adrianna, leaving little time to be with Olive.
They didn’t even have the money to spare for a $5, 000 bottle of wine. Olive’s phone was a ten-year-old model, its paint worn away from years of use.
Meanwhile, their enemies lived in luxury and splendor. It was infuriating.
“Mrs. Chilton, Mr. Chilton, you’ve endured so much. Even at eighty, you’re still fighting for my mother…” Flynn said softly, his voice heavy with guilt.
“Are you pitying us?” Scott’s smile froze, and he looked slightly annoyed.
“Listen, kid. Don’t act like you owe me anything,” he said sharply.
“Adrianna is your mother, but she’s also my disciple! I’ve raised her since she was in diapers!”
“She’s my daughter. Searching for her is my duty. There’s no need for guilt.”
Olive smiled gently. “Child, don’t say such things. For Adrianna, we’d trade our lives without hesitation.”
“Come here! Let’s take a photo together. Stand between us!”
Flynn stepped forward, wrapping his arms around the two elders as they took dozens of pictures together. He even handed his phone to Carter to take a few more.
Just then, the Langford family’s servants arrived with a feast-thirty exquisite dishes.
“Mr. Chilton, shall we eat?” Carter asked, filling their glasses.
Scott glanced at Olive for approval.
“Alright! I know you’re itching to drink. Go ahead, but you’ll have to peel shrimp for me,” Olive said as she put her phone away and entered the hall.
Scott pouted like a child. “You’re always trying to ruin my fun.”
“I don’t care. You owe me!” Olive teased, pouting like a girl.
Flynn chuckled. “Mrs. Chilton, I can peel the shrimp for you.”
“No need. It won’t taste as good unless I do it,” Scott murmured, grumbling as he started peeling shrimp.
Carter watched the two elders and couldn’t help but sigh. “Truly a pair of immortal companions. How enviable!”
“Immortal companions?” Scott suddenly looked up.
Olive smiled awkwardly. “You’ve misunderstood. We’re not husband and wife…”