Locating the entrance of an underground tunnel, Austin immediately summoned Mindy and Violet
there. Together, the three of them entered the tunnel.
Inside, they discovered more than 10 cells.
In these cells, Mindy found the principle members of the Zhang Clan, as well as the head of the clan.
There were more than 10 of them there. The most exciting part was that Mindy also found her father,
whose brother was the leader, and also one of the principal members. In order to find the scripture of
Elixir Foundation, the Li Clan had imprisoned most of the principal members of the Zhang Clan and
questioned them using harsh methods, including torture, every now and then.
Mindy also found out that her mother had been killed by the Li Clan on the night of the attack. Hearing
this, she put her arms around her father and broke down.
After they rescued all the principal members of her clan, Mindy gathered the other members of the
Zhang Clan whom she had asked to remain hidden.
In this way, more than 30 members of the Zhang Clan were now standing together in the courtyard of
the Li Clan.
Previously the Zhang Clan had over 400 members. After the disaster, less than 40 members remained.
Standing in silence in the Li Clan's courtyard and looking at the numerous dead bodies, the members
of the Zhang Clan had mixed feelings. They were saddened by the impact of the disaster but felt lucky
to be the ones who survived it. The atmosphere in the courtyard was somber.
But they had successfully avenged their fellow clan members and the Li Clan had been ruined. Now
the question on everybody's mind was how to revive their clan in the future.
The members slowly went to their leader, gazing at him with eyes filled with despair and hope.
"Listen, everyone! We will rebuild our clan in the coming days. The Zhang Clan will be more
prosperous and powerful in Valley Town than it ever was! We will make it great again!" proclaimed the
head of the clan slowly.
Although his voice was not loud, each of the members felt their spirits rising and a renewed vigor
returning filling their bodies.
"Make our clan great again! Make our clan great again! ... ..."
Everyone chanted together, their eyes wet with tears. . . .
Then they found the secret room of the Li Clan, where Lanny had hidden the treasures.
They found as much as 1500, 000 vital energy crystals. It was a tremendous amount of fortune for this
clan from a small town.
That's not all. They also found lots of deeds of houses and lands. They counted them carefully and
concluded that these deeds contained almost two third of all the properties of Valley Town.
In fact, some of them had once belonged to the Zhang Clan. After their clan was destroyed, their
properties were usurped by the Li Clan.
But now everything had returned to its rightful owners.
"Austin, these vital energy crystals were found in the Li Clan's secret room. There are about 1500, 000
pieces. It is you who helped us avenge our fallen brothers and sisters and also defeat the Li Clan. So
we feel that these vital energy crystals should belong to you," Zachary Zhang, the head of the Zhang
Clan said to Austin.
All the vital energy crystals were put in front of Austin.
Getting to know the identity of Austin, as well the detailed process of defeating the Li Clan from Mindy,
Zachary understood clearly that it was Austin who had made the greatest contribution to what had
happened.
It would probably not so quick and smooth if Austin had returned directly to the Sun Sect and Mindy
had come back by herself after they obtained the twin blossoms.
Mindy knew that she could not defeat Lanny even though she, too, broke through the preliminary stage
of Earth Realm.
Austin was stunned at the sight of so many vital energy crystals piled up in front of him.
"Mr. Zhang, you don't have to do this for me. You are going to rebuild the Zhang Clan, and you will
need a great many treasures. You should be the one to take these vital energy crystals," Austin said,
refusing Zachary's offer.
He came here for the purpose of helping Mindy, not for these vital energy crystals. Besides, as what he
said, he knew that the Zhang Clan was in great need of money since they had made up their minds to
rebuild the clan.
"The Zhang Clan owes you a great deal as you have helped us so much. We cannot repay you even if
we all serve you for the rest of our lives. These vital energy crystals are nothing compared to what you
have done for us. Please accept these. It's the only way for us to show our gratitude.
Besides, we have claimed all the properties of the Li Clan in Valley Town, including the shops, houses,
lands and so on. We can rebuild our clan with those.
I urge you to accept our gift. Do not refuse us," Zachary said sincerely.
Mindy also came forward and pleaded Austin to accept it. Finally, giving in to Zachary and Mindy
persistence, Austin nodded his head.
"Okay. I will not refuse you but I will take half of these vital energy crystals. That means I accept your
gratitude," Austin said.
On hearing this, the respect Zachary had in his heart for Austin doubled and he had to agree with
Austin's counter-offer.
Austin was a man with a golden heart. He had a high cultivation base and wasn't intrigued by the 1500,
000 vital energy crystals.
"Austin, our Mindy is lucky to have met you. She is not perfect so you have to tolerate her when the two
of you are together," Zachary said to Austin suddenly, with a meaningful look.
Austin was puzzled at first, but then he realized that Zachary had misunderstood. The leader thought
he and Mindy were in a relationship now.
Zachary's words made Mindy blush. Pouting prettily in embarrassment, she said, "Uncle Zachary, what
are you talking about? If you talk like this, I will never speak to you."
"Mindy! You can't talk to the head of our clan like that. He is right. You cannot be so strong-headed
when you are with Austin. Understand?" Mindy's father reprimanded her.
Apparently, he also thought Mindy and Austin were lovers. Moreover, he felt happy to have a son-in-law
like Austin who had a high cultivation base and a good personality. In his mind, these were the qualities
of an ideal son-in-law.
Hearing her father's words, Mindy's face turned even redder. She dropped her gaze and didn't dare to
look at Austin.
"I can't explain this to you all," Mindy said to everyone and dashed out.
Mindy was both angry and happy inside.
Zachary chuckled at this turn of events.
"Austin, this is how girls behave. They are always shy. Don't blame her," Zachary explained to Austin.
Austin was embarrassed as well. He never expected that the Zhang Clan would consider him as a
prospective groom for Mindy. He could do nothing but laugh bitterly inside.
The good thing was that Zachary did not continue talking about it anymore. . . .
Gathering all the treasures in the Li Mansion, everyone went to the mansion where the Zhang Clan
once lived.
It was in ruins and weeds had sprouted up everywhere. It was still desolate and wore an abandoned
look.
Zachary dispatched some members of his clan to invite all the artisans near the town. At the same time
he bought a lot of construction materials. They started rebuilding and restoring their houses one by
one.
According to Zachary's estimation, it would cost them about 200, 000 vital energy crystals to finish
building the mansion. They had over 700, 000, which was more than enough.
Using these resources, it was easy for them to work. The members of the Zhang Clan were a diligent
lot, which was why had grown into such a big clan in the Valley Town.
The workers started to rebuild the house of the Zhang Clan and progress was quick. Gauging the
speed at which work was going on Austin felt that the new house would be ready soon.
Although there was nothing to do for Austin and Mindy, he decided to stay in Valley Town for an extra
day at Mindy's insistence. . .
While the construction was going on, a figure came sprinting over to Zachary.
"Sir, there is bad news! The big gang of brigands from the Black Mountain Fortress is coming towards
Valley Town. The chief of the brigands himself is leading the gang. They seem to have found out that
the Li Clan has been destroyed and are coming to take revenge for them," the young man reported to
Zachary.
He was a member of the Zhang Clan, with dark skin and sharp eyes. Zachary had sent him to look out
near Valley Town as many members of the Li Clan had escaped even though they killed Lanny Li. The
surviving members were a potential threat to the Zhang Clan, so Zachary wanted to be alert.
"What? The brigands of the Black Mountain Fortress? Why do they want to avenge the death of the Li
Clan members?" Zachary was puzzled.
Was there some secret relationship between the Black Mountain Fortress and the Li Clan?
Mindy and Austin appraised the situation.
"What is the strength of these brigands from the Black Mountain Fortress?"
Austin asked.
"I've heard about the chief of the brigands, named Miller, who was a cultivator at the Earth Realm. A
team of marauders follows him. They always rob near the villages and each of them is extremely cruel,
and even enjoys slaughtering. Once the village is looted by them, all the women and infants are killed
too," Zachary explained.
Hearing Zachary's words, Austin raised his eyebrow and murmured. "Good. More cultivators at the
Earth Realm. Okay. I will fight these gangsters this time."
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