Hey! Austin, as you know, among the other disciples, there are a large number of them, who have the
same interests, have formed various groups and the sect leaders do not restrict them from joining
these groups. They are encouraged to join groups as long as they want.
The disciple explained. After a while, he continued, "For the outer disciples, except some powerful
ones like you can live a comfortable and extravagant life, it is tough to live alone for some low-level
cultivators and warriors. They tend to get bullied by some gangs or other groups.
What's more, the gangs or groups often steal martial arts materials from those who were bullied.
For instance, when you left, Marvin's disciples ganged up on Evan and drove him out of your house.
That's how they took over it.
We have no one to support and help us and that is the reason why we have been bullied for a long time
before.
Now that you're backing us, you can help us take revenge on those scums! Besides, your great power
convinced us totally, so could you please let us stay with you and serve you faithfully?"
The outer disciple said with sincerity, staring at Austin's face.
Austin listened calmly and said nothing. No one could know what he was thinking--or if he was really
thinking of the proposal at all.
"Do you want to form an alliance with me? You are independent and free. Are you willing to subject
yourself under my command?"
Austin replied, staring at the disciple.
"Yes. Your cultivation base has persuaded us. I'm willing to follow your command!"
The disciple nodded and answered firmly.
Austin clasped his hands and said nothing. No one could gauge whether he was happy with the new
set up or not.
"Austin, if you accept our request, I'm sure there will be many other disciples who will certainly join us."
"Aha! What do you mean?"
Austin curiously queried. He seemed to be interested in those last words.
"When they were leaving, I overheard several disciples discussing how powerful and capable you
were. Based on their talk, I can tell that they adore you very much. I even think that some of them said
they hoped to stay with you to avoid being bullied by other outer disciples."
"Aha, I have never imagined that someone can praise me like that!"
Austin said, sheepishly grinning. He was obviously happy with the praises that he was hearing and his
smile grew from ear to ear, almost like a dimwit.
"Austin, would you let us join you? If you will, we will follow you to the depth of the earth."
"Austin, would you... ..."
"Austin... ..."
Several disciples asked in unison, some almost pleading.
Austin raised his head in confusion and found the seven unfamiliar disciples around him.
The seven outer disciples were eagerly staring at him.
Austin held his hands tightly, and after a while, took a deep breath.
"Okay. Since you all believe in me, I have decided to find a foothold for myself and also for you."
Hearing Austin's words, the seven outer disciples cheered merrily.
Austin was much more powerful than Marvin. With these independent disciples under his support, they
felt a strong sense of safety.
"Everyone! Starting today, we are now disciples of Austin. From now on, we should obey Austin, follow
everything he says, and do whatever he wishes us to do. If someone goes against his will, we will all
punish that person!"
The first outer disciple announced loudly and happily.
"Yes! We are more than willing and glad to be under his command. We will surely obey him."
The seven outer disciples swore in a low but firm voice, with their face red because of excitement. They
knew their suffering would end, starting that day onwards, so long as they were protected by Austin.
Seeing the seven outer disciples who were so excited in high spirits, Austin had mixed feelings--a little
excited and nervous at the same time.
Starting today, he would be the leader of those seven disciples, and they would be under his command,
doing whatever he bade.
Austin had never felt such kind of emotions till now. The strong sense of stimulating upsurge in his
heart was confusing him.
The lofty sentiments started to enrage.
"From now on, we are a family, and we will unite together and fight together through thick and thin!
The one thousand pieces of vital energy crystals were not helpful for me, so please take them back as
your resources for martial arts practice.
Now that you have sworn to obey me, you should remember, you must work hard in martial arts
practice to improve the level of your vital energy and cultivation base.
If you have some difficulty or need my help, feel free to tell me and I will try my best to assist you.
Remember: your power is fundamental for you to live in this world!
Do you understand?"
Though it is his first speech as their leader, Austin felt very reasonable and authoritative.
"Yes! We will remember everything you have said!"
The seven outer disciples answered in unison.
They were happy and grateful that Austin cared so much about their practice, which made them more
convinced that choosing Austin as their leader was a wise move.
Among the outer disciple groups, most of the leaders only use their followers for their own good, but
Austin was totally different.
"Now, let's go to the residential area for everyone to meet my best friend, Evan!
In the future, if I'm out and not at Sun Sect, you should always look after Evan and keep him safe."
"Austin, believe in us. We will respect Evan as much as we respect you."
"Thank you. Now, let's go!"
Austin was satisfied with the seven disciples.
He led them to the residential area. . . .
After a while, they have arrived in front of the residential area.
Nearly thousands of houses stood closely next to each other and spread along to the mountainside.
On each door was a plate number.
There were so many houses which looked the same, so it was hard to find out Evan's.
Moreover, Austin had only been there once, so it was a strange place for him. He was lost in the area
and didn't know where they could begin to find Evan's place.
After all, it was impossible for them to find Evan just by calling out his name loudly.
"Austin, don't worry! You just wait there, and we'll find him. I have been living here, and I knew many
neighbors, so it will be easy for me to find Evan."
An outer disciple said, and then the seven disciples went to the area.
'It's wonderful to have some followers! Because of them, things seem to be much easier.'
Austin rejoiced and for the first time, in a short period, right after being proclaimed as a leader, he had
already experienced the benefit of being a leader. . . .
In a small house, a stout young man laid on the bed in gloom. His arms were wrapped with thick white
gauze from which blood oozed.
There was another man in the small house who sat on the edge of the bed and kept him company.
"Evan, do you feel better?"
"God! I think my hands are broken. I don't know if it would be healed ever."
Evan sighed sadly with a sad face.
"I have heard from Marvin that Austin was killed at the Grand Desolation Mountain. It can't be true,
right?"
"I don't think so. It would not be easy to kill Austin. He is a lucky man! I trust my intuition that he will be
back soon, so you need not be worried."
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