Yes! Herbert is very poor and he has to borrow money from me to make a living. Don't worry Herbert.
We are buddies after all! I won't ask you to pay me back.
Hearing that, Herbert was so glad that he immediately paid Evan a compliment.
Austin gave him a glance and couldn't help shaking his head.
Herbert had obtained seven contribution credits in the Beast Mountain. If he had come to the sect and
exchanged them with daily supplies, he wouldn't have had to borrow money for his meals.
It was obvious that Herbert was taking advantage of Evan's generosity.
Austin knew that Herbert was a nice guy, but he was greedy when it came to money.
Despite this little flaw, he had always been standing on the right side on major occasions.
For example, a few days ago, thinking that Austin had died in the Grand Desolation Mountain, Marvin
had kicked Evan out from Austin's apartment.
Although Herbert wasn't very competent, he had taken the risk of offending Marvin in order to take care
of Evan. Sadly, this act of kindness got him in a pickle in the end.
"Tin, can you ask Marvin to send me some vital energy crystals as well? After all, his men had given
me a lot of trouble some time ago. So he should give me some compensation too.
Since you're so powerful now, I'm sure he wouldn't dare refuse if you'll be the one asking him. It would
be a relief to make him spend more money!"
Herbert said, trying to encourage Austin to extort more vital energy crystals from Marvin.
Austin knew that Herbert had suffered a lot because of Evan these past few days, so he took out a
number of vital energy crystals
and piled them up in front of Evan and Herbert.
There were thirty thousand vital energy crystals in total.
"Evan, take an additional ten thousand vital energy crystals. Herbert, take twenty thousand vital energy
crystals. Now both of you have twenty thousand vital energy crystals each. You can easily afford some
stuff for cultivation practice with this much vital energy crystals."
With that, Austin took out two small bottles, each of which contained ten Energy-boosting Elixirs.
He then gave them to Evan and Herbert accordingly.
For ordinary outer disciples of Sun Sect, the Energy-boosting Elixir was very precious for cultivation.
That was why receiving a whole bottle of Energy-boosting Elixirs was like a dream come true for both
Evan and Herbert, who were so excited beyond their imagination. Herbert couldn't help but shout loudly
and run around like crazy in the yard.
"Ha-ha! Ten Energy-boosting Elixirs! I have made a fortune!"
"Remember not to provoke Marvin in the future. He doesn't want to confront me right now, but that
doesn't mean that he will let this slide and sit still. When he reaches a higher cultivation level, he will
definitely challenge me again.
Besides, his uncle is the steward of Sun Sect, so you can't afford to mess with him.
Don't try to get anything from him," Austin dutifully reminded Evan and Herbert after Herbert had
calmed down.
Keeping a low profile before becoming powerful enough was the philosophy that Austin stuck to all
these years. And it was also the philosophy which he constantly lectured to Evan and Herbert.
.. .. . .
"Tin, thirty-five outer disciples have joined us these past few days. They wanted to see you.
And many more outer disciples have asked to join us. Your influence now among the outer disciples is
more pronounced than Marvin's.
All the outer disciples said that you could rank fifth veritably now.
Someone even predicted that you would rank first again in the near future."
"Yes. Tin, you have become the center of attention of the outer disciples recently.
How about taking this opportunity to get more disciples to join us?
Hah! If we have more disciples who would stand on our side, then we will be the big shots among the
outer disciples and we can brag everywhere," Herbert said excitedly as if he couldn't wait to expand
their group. He would definitely look majestic if he were surrounded by a handful of disciples wherever
he went.
"No!"
Austin waved his hand.
"I agreed for those disciples to join us on a whim. I have no intention of expanding my influence. I only
wish to have someone to support us. That's all.
I must put all my efforts on practicing cultivation, so I don't really have time to think about other matters
at the moment.
You should continue to investigate the thirty-five disciples who have joined us. Once you find out if any
of them are deceitful and have a dark past, don't think twice and remove those men immediately.
I want a team that is small but strong."
After hearing what Austin said, Herbert immediately shut up. When it came to speculations, he was
probably the most questionable of all of them. He was worried that if he continued to talk about it,
Austin might drive him out from the team too.
Evan knew exactly what Austin meant, so he stopped talking about this too.
"Okay! Well then, ask those thirty-five disciples to come here," Austin ordered.
Evan and Herbert immediately run out
to inform the disciples.
Austin measured up his yard and smiled bitterly.
For the few days, he had messed up the yard while he was practicing. The plants in the yard had been
sliced into pieces and were scattered everywhere.
Under the impact of the sword power, deep grooves appeared on the ground which made it look like a
field that had recently been plowed by a farmer, waiting to be sown.
'It seems like I have to ask those disciples to clean the yard for me, ' Austin thought.
Only during such moments, did he appreciate the benefit of having followers.
"Austin, are you there?"
Suddenly, a young woman's voice rang outside.
Then a slim figure came in.
It was no other than Mindy.
Austin hadn't seen her since he came back to Sun Sect after vanquishing the demon fox, Violet.
And he had been occupied with trivial matters since his recent promotion to the outer disciple, so he
hadn't had time to inquire about her.
He was actually surprised that Mindy came looking for him of her own accord.
"Austin, the vital energy refining formula you're practicing seems to be a prime masculinity method,
right?" she asked.
Austin nodded, puzzled.
"Can you do me a favor? But it might be dangerous!"
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