It was then that Austin started his search for Marvin's men. But he wasn't alone; with him was Evan,
Herbert and seven other outer disciples.
A group of outer disciples crowded to watch them, forming a long line that swept across the living area.
Under Austin's orders, those who picked on Evan or Herbert were to be beaten up. Whatever was done
to Evan and Herbert would be done to them in return.
The disciple who broke Evan's arms was so scared. When he saw Austin lead the group towards him,
he couldn't help but tremble in fear. At that instance, his legs felt so weak that he could hardly stand.
But Austin wouldn't let him go that easily. At his command, the seven outer disciples swarmed forward
and started to beat the disciple, kicking hard on his legs and arms until they were completely broken.
These seven disciples had also been bullied by that man. As they beat him up, they felt like they were
not only avenging Evan, but also themselves. When they heard the disciple wail in pain, there was not
a sliver of sympathy growing in their hearts, but pleasure and excitement. Elated, they kept blowing
merciless punches on the disciple, until the man's flesh was torn open, and he cried out for mercy.
If they weren't in Sun Sect, they would have killed the disciple. When they were through with him, they
had beaten him so hard that he laid there unconscious.
The next target was a disciple named Norris. He used to get Herbert into trouble because of Herbert's
good relation with Evan.
After he saw the other disciple beaten half-dead, he was so scared that he tried to sneak away. But
Herbert had sharp eyes and had seen him from far away. He ordered the other outer disciples to flank
and catch Norris.
Norris was an outer disciple at the sixth level of Energy Gathering Realm. Normally, Herbert wasn't his
match.
But with Austin by his side, he could beat him as much as he pleased. It was not much of a fight, as
Norris did not even dare to evade Herbert's punches and kicks. The others also ordered Norris to crawl
across Herbert's legs. Only after that did they finally released Norris, who was now wounded and
bleeding heavily.
Under Marvin's orders, all his other followers had bullied Evan and Herbert, too. But now, one by one,
they were hunted down and humiliated publicly.
It seemed cruel but Austin had his reasons. By doing this, he was building up his awe-inspiring
reputation among the outer disciples. Since his original plan to keep a low profile had failed, he had
changed his strategy after everything that had happened, and intended to let all disciples know that he
wasn't a push-over. From now on, the only result awaiting the bullies who picked on him or his pals was
torment and humiliation.
Although it sounded outrageous, his new plan would prove to be an instant fix.
As he planned, Austin's deeds spread quickly among the disciples through the audience who followed
and watched the entire thing.
Since then, no outer disciples dared to provoke Evan, Herbert or the other seven followers, for they had
known these men were under Austin's protection, and whoever had a problem with them would have to
answer to Austin. Once they crossed Austin, they knew that they would suffer his wrath.
Therefore, no one dared to displease Austin again, neither to embezzle his properties, nor to pick on
his pals. Even if Austin left the sect for years, his compound was never to be occupied again.
But out of everyone's expectations, in Austin's revenge, however hard he beat up Marvin's men, Marvin
himself never showed up. Since being defeated by Austin, the guy seemed to completely disappear
from the man's world.
His supporters also melted away after the incident. Without a doubt, they were no longer as organized
as before.
On the other hand, Austin's force and influence kept growing stronger. During his display of strength,
outer disciples were coming ceaselessly, asking to join him.
Austin didn't accept all of them. He had requirements for his followers, and the most basic principle was
loyalty.
Only when these disciples met the standards would he let them in, whereas those who took advantage
of opportunities and changed sides often were rebuffed.
In no time, the number of Austin's followers had exceeded over thirty, forming a considerable force
group. He couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed when he thought about future management.
When he attracted the seven outer disciples in, he was on a whim. But unexpectedly, his force of seven
had grown to more than thirty people in a blink of an eye. He had to think it through better.
Among the avengers, Herbert was the most excited. He shouted and chanted when the other people
were beating up the bullies. He strutted proudly along the way while the others stared at him in awe. He
was behaving as if the outer disciples were not afraid of Austin, but him.
After everything was done, Austin led his people back to his rented compound, and gave that house a
thorough cleaning.
He decided to have Evan and Herbert settled in the compound and make it into a base for his men.
After that, he went to occupy Marvin's luxury compound.
And of course, before moving in, he had asked his people to clean it up as well, discarding everything
Marvin had used and removing every trace the man had left.
... ... ... ...
The sun had already set, and the once bright sky turned into a dark blanket. Only a few stars could be
seen in the night sky, but the moon shone brilliantly in the darkness.
In the training room, Austin was sitting cross-legged, still wide awake.
The Energy-gathering Array of Marvin's was of higher grade, and ensued a better effect than the one
he had used before.
When he started his meditation, waves of vital energy circulating inside the array poured into his body,
even before he tried to breathe them in.
Like the proverb went, "You get what you pay for."
A more expensive Energy-gathering Array was certainly a more effective one. And as it was of higher
grade, this array aided a great more deal to Austin's energy cultivation.
After inhaling in more pure energies, Austin took out a few Space Rings from his storage.
These were his war trophies from the battle with Raymond and his men.
Carefully, Austin examined the rings, starting from Raymond's.
His spiritual sense extended into the storage space inside the ring, and cracked the lock like a walnut.
Raymond's hoard was now open to Austin unreservedly, and on top of the pile was a crystal white fruit
with an attractive aroma.
It was the precious snow dragon fruit!
Austin was so pleasantly surprised that he brought the snow-white fruit into his hands.
It was one of the magic herbs required in the practice of the second stage in Overlord Body-refining
Formula.
According to the hostess of Ganges Auction House, it also sped up one's energy storage, which
worked most efficiently on cultivators of the Energy Gathering Realm, but also had effect on cultivators
of the Earth Realm.
It was an unexpected joy for Austin to acquire this snow dragon fruit. He thought he had to spend a lot
of money to buy some.
Austin decided not to use this fruit for energy cultivation, but for formula practice.
After all, the fruit was effective on cultivators of Energy Gathering Realm, but lesser on cultivators of
Earth Realm. But now, Austin was already at the ninth level of Energy Gathering Realm, and it wouldn't
take long before he entered the Earth Realm. And then, the effect of the fruit would for then be wasted.
Thus, he decided to put the fruit into his storage, and waited until he had gathered other herbs needed
for the second stage of Overlord Body-refining Formula.
Ever since he had known about the formula's powerful effect, Austin had been yearning to level up.
Apart from the snow dragon fruit, there were about three hundred and fifty thousand vital energy
crystals in Raymond's Space Ring.
But Austin wasn't too surprised. Raymond was the grandson of the Chief Elder to Flaming Sun Valley,
the second largest sect of Violet Orchid Empire. As a member of the core leadership, his grandfather
must have possessed great power and influence during his tenure. Therefore, to most people, 350, 000
might be a great fortune, but to Raymond, it might be only a monthly allowance.
In addition to the three hundred and fifty thousand vital energy crystals, there were also elixirs and
spiritual weapons in Raymond's store.
Some of the elixirs were for cultivation purpose, but some, to Austin's disgust and surprise, were strong
aphrodisiac and stimulation of various kinds.
It seemed that this Raymond was really a senior womanizer.
He must have played with the female cultivators a lot, whether these women were willing or not.
Putting Raymond's Space Ring apart, Austin started to check the other rings.
He found fifty to sixty thousand vital energy crystals in Rankin and Madden's Space Rings, along with
two low-grade spiritual weapons, and other eighty to ninety thousand vital energy crystals in the other
three Space Rings.
Since he purchased the Illusory Swordsmanship, Austin's wallet was almost emptied.
Thus, when he acquired these gratuitous four hundred thousand vital energy crystals, Austin couldn't
help but feel elated.
With this wealth, he was cashed-up again.
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