Lilly dashed away, feeling her legs turn to jelly. The slap had drained her spirit energy, leaving her feeling worse than starving for a year. Regret surged within her, realizing her impulsive actions. Pablo would surely be angry if he found out...
As she ran, Lilly's legs gave way, and she tumbled through the air, descending toward the ground. Uncertain of the pain she might experience as a spirit crashing down, she remembered Pablo's words about the equal force of the underworld ground on spirits and the mortal world ground on humans.
This was her first time experiencing such an out-of-body phenomenon, and without the support of spirit energy, she had lost all momentum. Fearing the impact, Lilly tightly shut her eyes.
Just then, a white figure swooped in, catching her and cradling her in their arms.
“Master?!” Lilly's eyes widened in disbelief. “How did you... Master, how did you get here?” After the initial surprise, Lilly began to feel a sense of guilt. Pablo remained silent, swiftly carrying her forward without a word. He wasn't sure if the King of Cities had noticed, but leaving first was the safest choice.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtFeeling Pablo's silence, Lilly grew more afraid. She clutched his robe, her tear-filled eyes looking up at him.
“Master, | didn’t mean to run away. | was... | was...” Lilly's words escaped her in her desperation. “When | realized, | was already here. It wasn't...” “It was my disobedient spirit that ran away on its own!” Lilly truthfully explained the situation, though it sounded like a feeble excuse.
Listening to herself, it did indeed sound like a mischievous excuse, and Pablo would surely be even angrier now.
At that moment, Lilly saw Pablo cast a sidelong glance at her, a smile playing on his lips.
“Master?” Lilly was perplexed.
Pablo reached out, lightly brushing her small nose. “Master understands.” Seeing her anxiousness, Pablo found it both amusing and heartwarming.
“Lilly, you don’t have to be so afraid of Master,” Pablo spoke gently. “Master's strictness stems from the fear of you losing control and doing things that could harm yourself.” “There are things Master can help you with, but your personal trials, Master cannot assist you with.” Her understanding of the various facets of life, her inner world, those were beyond his control. But she had grown mature now...
It was bittersweet to see her growing up.
Pablo's arm tightened, embracing Lilly a little more, as he softly admonished, “Hold on tight, we're going up.” Lilly hurriedly clung to Pablo, lifting her gaze to take a look. To her surprise, they were on the Yellow Spring Route. Pablo had brought her back the same way they came. A blinding light flashed, and Lilly suddenly opened her eyes.
She swiftly turned over but forgot she was still in the car, nearly falling under the seat.
Blake raised his hand, steadying her in his arms. “Back already?” Relief flooded Blake's previously tense heart.
Lilly was momentarily confused.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmWait, wasn’t she in Master's embrace just now? How did she end up in Daddy’s arms? “Where's Master?” She turned her head to search.
Pablo appeared out of thin air, saying, “I'm here.” Lilly asked, “Master, where did you go?” Pablo replied nonchalantly, “Nowhere. After | lifted you up, Master was a step behind.” Actually, that wasn't true. Flying through the Yellow Spring Route, even if it was fast, would still be noticed by someone. He had gone to chat with Behemoth and Leviathan, and those two took the opportunity to extort billions from him.
Satisfied, he pretended to be clueless, saying, “What child? We didn’t see any child coming up.” Pablo had only returned after that.
Luckily, Lilly had burned money for him. Money was plentiful! Lilly didn’t understand, thinking that what Pablo said was true, that he was a step behind because he wanted to lift her up. She asked, “Master, what's happening?” Pablo said, “You were astral projecting.” Seeing Lilly's confusion, he continued to explain, “Your soul detached from your body, and as per your will, it went to train.” Lilly grasped the concept. “So, the soul and body train separately, right?” Pablo fell silent.
In a way... that was correct.
This was a spiritual upgrade, a process of becoming stronger.
Lilly solemnly said, “I understand now.” “This time, | gave the King of Cities a slap. Next time, I'll aim for two slaps, and the time after that, I'll make him spin in a circle right where he stands.” Pablo's mouth twitched.
Only Blake, without any principles, praised, “Lilly, you slapped the King of Cities? Impressive! Truly the remarkable daughter of mine!” Like father, like daughter. My daughter was the rarity among rarities, a true prodigy among spirits and a hero among ghosts!