For a moment, he was completely stunned.

The one staring back at him was none other than Paige Summers.

Just then, Claire Chapman was nowhere to be found. A Superpower User who knew him couldn’t find him and had to run over to her instead. The person said the Base Chief had sent people to the vehicle carrying the children. Unsure if something had happened, they were planning to kick all the kids off.

The moment she heard this, Paige Summers came right over.

If Samuel Hughes could actually do something so inhumane, she would seriously dare to poison him!

But Erin Quinn refused to stay on the vehicle alone, clinging to her clothes and not letting go. The girl rarely acted so spoiled, so Paige’s heart softened for a moment, and she had no choice but to bring her along.

However, she never expected that the newcomers hadn’t come to cause trouble. Instead, they just bizarrely stared at each child in turn before preparing to leave the vehicle.

’Since they mean no harm, there’s no need for me to get involved,’ she thought.

But then, they came face to face anyway.

’An unfamiliar face, I’ve definitely never seen him before... But why is this kid staring at me nonstop with such a shocked expression?’

Paige Summers pursed her lips, took Erin Quinn’s hand, and prepared to head back.

Just then, Sean Raines suddenly shouted, "Miss! Don’t go!" As he spoke, he pulled a yellow paper talisman from his pocket. The object burst into flames without a spark, and in the next instant, he appeared right beside Paige Summers and Erin Quinn...

"WAH!" Startled by his sudden appearance, Erin Quinn buried herself in Paige Summers’s arms again.

The shock nearly caused Paige Summers to lose her footing and slip off the roof of the vehicle. Fortunately, a large hand grabbed her arm, pulling both of them back.

The lingering fear was palpable. If Paige had fallen, she probably would have been fine, but it would have been a problem for Erin Quinn.

She couldn’t help but glare at the embarrassed-looking man. He was handsome enough, dressed in a blue, traditional-style pants and jacket that was almost spotless, but his behavior... "What do you want?"

"Hey, hey, don’t be scared, I’m not a bad guy," Sean Raines explained, his eyes fixed on Paige Summers... or rather, on the girl in her arms, Erin Quinn. His eyes shone with unconcealable excitement. "I mean, I have something very important to discuss with you. This isn’t the right place. Let’s go somewhere else!"

Without even turning his head, he looked up and pointed down at the car Samuel Hughes had specially assigned to follow them.

Paige Summers sized him up for a long moment before finally nodding.

’He acts like a fool, but he probably isn’t a bad person.’

The three of them were soon sitting in the car. After hearing Sean Raines’s explanation, Paige Summers finally understood. It turned out this kid was the disciple of a Daoist, and he was here to recruit an apprentice on his master’s behalf. He had set his sights on Erin Quinn long ago. However, back when Dawnbringer Base was disbanded, Erin Quinn had been taken away by her father, so he never got the chance to bring it up...

"I thought I had missed my chance, I was in despair! I never, ever expected to run into you here! If this isn’t fate, what is!" Sean Raines burst out laughing, forgetting to maintain his composure, his laughter wild and unrestrained.

The corner of Paige Summers’s mouth twitched. She turned her head to look at Erin Quinn, who was sitting beside her.

"Do you believe what he’s saying?"

Erin Quinn nodded slightly. Everything he said was true. In fact, she found it amusing as she listened, because she could hear the man’s inner thoughts: ’I’ve finally completed Master’s mission! I can finally go back to Central City! My fine wine, my beautiful ladies, wait for me, here I come...’ All she wanted to say was that his thoughts were even dumber than his actions!

’Does his master know he’s like this?’

Paige Summers’s expression immediately became complicated. "So, what are you thinking?" ’Do you want to go with him?’

Erin Quinn was silent for a long time before she finally said, "I don’t know."

Paige Summers sighed. ’So she is tempted after all,’ she thought. ’Otherwise, she could have just said "no" outright.’

It was no wonder. The man’s teleportation trick alone was enough to show he had real skills. Erin Quinn might have a superpower, but what good was reading minds? She had no combat ability. Even if someone had malicious intent, she would be powerless to resist.

Hearing that Erin Quinn hadn’t agreed to go with him, Sean Raines instantly grew anxious.

"Our master is incredible, you know! He’s famous in Central City! The Government established the Taoist Association, and my master is the chairman! As long as you become his apprentice and study hard, your future achievements will be no less than mine! Then, whether it’s Zombies, Zombie Beasts, or Mutant Beasts, you’ll be able to take them all down with a single talisman, guaranteed! It’ll be a piece of cake..."

Listening to his increasingly wild bragging, Paige Summers rolled her eyes.

Sean Raines caught her movement out of the corner of his eye and suddenly stopped talking. He stared at her, dumbfounded, a strange expression on his face.

Paige Summers frowned. ’Not this again!’

Just as she was about to speak, there were two knocks on the window from outside.

Claire Chapman was clinging to the side of the car, peering inside.

Paige Summers rubbed her forehead, nursing a headache. After getting Sean Raines’s permission, she let him in.

"Are you... all right?"

"We’re fine." Knowing he had probably just gotten the news and had come because he was worried, Paige didn’t say much more. She just pointed to the seat next to her, telling him to sit. Although Sean Raines was full of hot air, she and Erin didn’t know the facts. Perhaps Claire Chapman knew more.

She briefly recounted what Sean Raines had said. Claire Chapman turned his head and blinked. "Your master is Master Clarence?"

Ever since Claire Chapman had entered, Sean Raines had reverted to his usual refined demeanor. Hearing the question, he offered a gentle smile. "Indeed. Have you heard of him, sir?"

Claire Chapman clapped his hands. "I’ve heard of him, I’ve heard of him! A true master!"

"Haha, you flatter me, you flatter me."

"Haha, no need to be modest. I was talking about your master, not you."

Sean Raines fell silent.

Paige Summers chuckled on the side.

After her chuckle, she saw Claire Chapman give her an affirmative nod, and she felt more certain about the situation.

’Looks like it’s really true.’

She glanced at the silent Erin Quinn and said, "This is a serious matter. Let me and Evie think it over before we decide."

Sean Raines looked at Erin Quinn, thought for a moment, then pulled a thread-bound book from his bag and handed it to her. "This is required reading for initiates of the Master’s order. It’s fine for you to take a look first."

Erin Quinn hesitated for a moment, then looked at Paige Summers.

Paige Summers smiled and nodded. ’It doesn’t hurt to take a look!’

With the matter temporarily settled, she took Erin Quinn’s hand and prepared to leave with Claire Chapman.

Sean Raines seemed conflicted for a moment but still called out to her. "Miss Summers, forgive my rudeness, but may I ask if your grandfather and father are still alive? Are you... living well?"