Outside the car, Lilly asked bewilderedly, "What's going on?" She couldn't shake off the feeling that her uncles were interrogating Ivan. But he's not a criminal! Then, Ivan stepped out of the car, followed by her several uncles.
Bryson beckoned to her with a smile. "Lilly, come on in." While Edward and Jonas were busy "escorting" Ivan out of the car, Bryson took advantage of the moment and promptly pulled Lilly into the vehicle.
When Edward and Jonas turned around again, they saw Lilly, Hannah, Blake, Drake, Josh, and Zachary sitting in Anthony's extended Lincoln, driving away.
Good Lord, these b*tards are crafty! Edward and Jonas exclaimed.
At that, the two quickly hopped into their cars and headed home, leaving Ivan standing rooted to the ground, watching the departing convoy with a faint smile.
Silently, he loosened his fists and shook his hands. No one other than him would know that they were long drenched in nervous sweat.
The next day was Bettany's birthday, and everyone was thinking about what gift to get for the elderly lady.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtLilly pondered, wanting to prepare a unique gift for her grandmother... But what would be a good gift?! That night, she received another call from Ivan.
"Lilly, sneak out. | have something for you," the young man said over the phone.
Recalling that he had asked her to wait for him after school, Lilly finally realized that he had wanted to give her something.
With that, she teleported outside Crawford Mansion in a flash, avoiding Dexter and the others.
"Ivan, where are you?" Lilly looked around but couldn't find him.
Suddenly, a hand reached out from beside her and grabbed her hand. With a subtle glow, Ivan led Lilly away from the Crawford Mansion to a grassy area near Riverside Park.
"What's wrong, Ivan?" Lilly was surprised by his actions.
"I mainly didn't want your dad and the others to find out..." Ivan answered, and Lilly understood, nodding. "I get you. My dad and uncles can get quite strange. What did they ask you earlier today?" Ivan cleared his throat and said, "Nothing much, just some questions about the Nether. They are concerned about whether you've really been well down there." Lilly was touched. It turned out that her uncles were worried that she might be hiding something from them, not sharing anything upsetting.
"They can get really overprotective of me." Lilly smiled. "I'm really sorry for the trouble my uncles caused, asking you so many questions.” Ivan shook his head. "It's fine. | wasn't in a hurry anyway." The two sat down on the grassy lawn by Riverside Park, where it was rather quiet at 11 p.m., with only occasional couples strolling by the dam.
Ivan lowered his gaze to Lilly, involuntarily looking at her hands...
His heart suddenly raced, and he quickly turned his face away.
Unaware of anything unusual, Lilly asked, "Ivan, what was it that you wanted to give me?" "I heard from your uncles today that your grandmother will have her birthday tomorrow," Ivan said. "I guess you must be struggling to think of a gift, so | brought you some ‘local specialties.” As he spoke, he pulled out the things he had brought back from the Nether.
Lilly hurried back to the Human Realm after waking up, anxious because her grandmother was waiting for her. So, she didn't get to see the revitalized Nether.
"These are ‘white radishes’ and 'potatoes.™ Ivan took out two large baskets. "Following the maturity of the new Order, the spirit aura turned into mist and fell upon the mountains and rivers of the Nether, nurturing many of these Heaven and Earth spiritual treasures." Then, he pulled out several crates of ‘cabbage.’ "Fortune and the others harvested them and told me to pass them on to you." "Wow!" Lilly exclaimed. "I figured the spirit aura would revive, but | didn't expect it to be so amazing!" All this stuff is money! She suddenly had the urge to return to the Nether immediately and go on a harvesting spree.
Spiritual herbs and medicines, all into the jar of souls you go! Springs and streams formed by spirit aura, all into the jar of souls you go! Oh, and also the other Heaven and Earth spiritual treasures! She had to collect them all! Ivan was both amused and frustrated. "You're the overlord. No overlord fights their own creatures over fortuitous encounters.” "I don't care..." Lilly muttered. No one could stop her. After all, she "gave birth" to it. She had to seize a thing or two, or it would be a massive loss on her side.
Ivan tried his best to hold back his laughter as he took out another bunch of goodies. "This is the Clarity Bead, born from the nurturing of heaven and earth. When mortals wear it, it helps maintain clear thinking. The spiritual power inside the Clarity Bead automatically cleanses the wearer's body, gradually refining it..." Lilly was stunned. This is a genuine treasure! Then, he presented several other beads. "This is the Radiant Bead, which has the same effect as the Clarity Bead when worn.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThis one is the Firebane Bead; as the name suggests, the fire won't come near the wearer even in the event of a fire, standing in the midst of flames.
"This is the Aquabane Bead; if dropped into the water, it creates a space around it, keeping water at bay. And this is the Frostbane Bead..." Each time Ivan took out a bead, Lilly was shocked anew. Goodness gracious! The Nether actually naturally produced so many incredible things. She really regretted rushing home. She couldn't wait to go back and collect treasures immediately after finishing her high school entrance exam.
Ivan then took out a dark green string and refined all the beads with a wave of his hand. He threaded them together with the green string, creating a beautiful bracelet.
Ice green, ice pink, ice blue, and pure transparent beads. The pure transparent ones were made by Ivan polishing some inexpensive iridescent gems, assisting in connecting the Clarity Bead, Radiant Bead, Aquabane Bead, Firebane Bead, and Frostbane Bead into a gorgeous and noble bracelet, radiating a mysterious luster.
"Here you go. Give this to your grandmother as a gift. I'm sure she'll love it." Lilly was deeply moved; this bracelet was undoubtedly the most meaningful, valuable, and practical one in heaven and earth.
"How can | thank you enough..." Lilly looked at Ivan with gratitude in her eyes.
Ivan was about to say, "You're welcome," when he noticed Lilly suddenly staring intently at him.
"Ivan..." She suddenly leaned in, her breath brushing against his face.
Immediately, Ivan freaked out. This, this isn't, this isn't necessary... it's not at all... | really didn't do this for you, Lilly... really...
"However, Lilly didn't stop, moving closer inch by inch. She lowered her gaze...
Ivan pressed his lips tightly together. He was so nervous he dared not breathe. Seeing Lilly's lowered gaze inching in, he lowered his head instinctively...