Central City wasn’t entirely new construction. The farther in one went, the more they could see remnants of Astoria’s former capital in the architecture and streets. It was just that the city, once the nation’s largest, couldn’t accommodate the flood of refugees who flocked to it after the apocalypse, which was why it had been expanded and rebuilt. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

The day after Paige Summers settled down in District Four, she took Erin Quinn and followed Sean Raines to the Second District, where the Taoist Association was located. Wide roads, buildings with a sense of history lining both sides... Here, she could vaguely sense the city’s former glory. But that was all in the past. The new houses interspersed among the ancient buildings were all low-slung yet extremely sturdy, like a refined scholar in flowing robes standing next to a short, stout, burly man. It was an incongruous sight, but for the sake of safety, it had to be this way.

Along the way, Sean Raines chattered on and on about what a kind and affable person his master was, but he fell silent once the three of them were standing at the entrance to the Taoist Association.

The Taoist Association was located in the western part of District 2, quite close to District One.

From the outside, it looked ancient, solemn, and dignified, very much in the style of a Taoist Abbey. Through the surrounding wall, one could glimpse the main hall inside, about two stories high, with upturned eaves and interlocking brackets that gave it a soaring, majestic air.

But that was just enough to fool a layman.

Paige Summers’s sharp eyes soon discovered that the interlocking brackets here no longer served their original load-bearing function and were purely decorative. The construction techniques had been simplified far too much.

’It must have been built after the apocalypse,’ she figured.

’Then again,’ she thought, ’it’s the apocalypse, and The Government is still willing to put on such a grand show for The Taoist Order. That proves these Daoists must really have some genuine skills!’

’This... is a good thing.’

Paige Summers looked at Erin Quinn, whose hand she was holding, and gave her an encouraging smile.

"Wow, I guess I’m getting cold feet now that I’m actually home!" Sean Raines laughed and scratched his head, trying to explain away his silence as he took the lead and pushed the door open.

Inside was a small plaza. Since they had arrived early, it was still empty.

After crossing the plaza, Sean Raines went straight into the main hall.

The hall wasn’t very large, and the furnishings were rather simple.

Aside from the portraits of the Three Pure Ones hanging on the center wall and a traditional square table beneath them, there was nothing else.

At that moment, the most eye-catching person in the hall was an old Daoist sitting upright in a chair by the table. He wore a Daoist robe, his hair was tied in a topknot, and he sported a short, salt-and-pepper beard. This was the old Daoist, Serenus.

"Master! Your disciple has returned!" Sean Raines exclaimed emotionally, immediately prostrating himself on the floor.

Paige Summers, holding Erin Quinn’s hand, simply bowed.

In contrast to Sean’s emotional display, Serenus’s expression was calm and detached. He simply waved a hand. "Get up. You’ve been gone for some time; this master of yours actually missed you. We’ll test how your training has progressed later." He paused, his gaze shifting to Paige Summers and Erin Quinn. "Is this the child you brought back? The taller one seems a bit old! Still, she has some spiritual aptitude!"

This "barely acceptable" attitude made Paige Summers cringe inwardly. ’What’s he being so picky for? It’s not like I ever planned on becoming a Daoist priestess!’

Sean Raines shot her an embarrassed smile and quickly explained, "Er, Master, that’s not her. This is Paige Summers; she only came to bring Erin Quinn here. The one next to her, *that’s* the little disciple I brought back for you."

Serenus sized up Erin Quinn for a long moment, his eyes growing brighter the longer he looked. Seeming greatly pleased, he immediately beckoned to her. "Little girl, come here, let me have a proper look!"

Erin Quinn glanced at Paige Summers. When she saw Paige nod, she no longer hesitated and walked straight up to him.

Serenus unabashedly pinched the back of her neck, her arms, her legs... Just as Erin Quinn was about to lose her temper, he abruptly withdrew his hands, sat back down, and roared with laughter. "Excellent, excellent! This child’s natural foundation is superb! She’s a final disciple bestowed upon me by the ancestors! Sean, quickly, go prepare everything! I want to hold the disciple acceptance ceremony right away!"

While he was talking, Erin Quinn had already scurried back to Paige Summers’s side like a little mouse, looking at her worriedly. ’I can’t hear what he’s thinking! That old man was putting his hands all over me. He isn’t a pervert, is he? I... I don’t want to stay here anymore!’

Paige Summers seemed to understand what she meant, and she held back a laugh as she shook her head.

’The old Daoist is clearly a very direct person. His gaze is clear, and he was actually very serious while he was examining you. He doesn’t seem like the type to have improper thoughts.’

Erin Quinn pouted and lowered her head. She had to admit that she was really just upset about being separated from Paige Summers and wanted to be spoiled a little.

’Mom’s gone, and Dad’s gone too. The only person willing to take me in and be nice to me is Paige Summers. She’s my only family! But I also know that right now, I’m mostly just a burden to her. If I really want to stay by her side, I have to get stronger. At the very least, I have to be as strong as that guy, Sean Raines!’