Along the way, Austin discovered many well-hidden arrays. If his cultivation base of array skills were
not so extraordinary, he would not have noticed them.
The further he went, the more arrays he destroyed.
He encountered a couple powerful arrays as well. Even for Austin, they would take a lot of effort to
destroy.
He decided not to deal with them and made a detour when he came across ones such as these.
Anakin, Cayden and the water source beast followed Austin closely. They were both surprised and
pleased to see him break one array after another so effortlessly.
"There's a large array over there. Let's go take a look!"
Austin called out, immediately walking over to it.
This particular one was set up in a valley and was much larger and more powerful than any of those
he'd already come across.
"A large array?
It's probably really dangerous. We should go around it,"
Anakin suggested cautiously.
"Don't be afraid. I promise nothing will happen to you,"
Austin replied with a reassuring smile.
Before long, they came to the mouth of the valley.
The valley was vast, stretching as far as the eye could see and enveloped in a large array that covered
the entire thing.
"There appears to be a group of creatures trapped in there!"
Austin saw a large group of creatures in the valley when his gaze penetrated through the array.
It was clear they were trapped and unable to move around freely.
It was a truly powerful array, capable of causing hallucinations. It was difficult to see the truth of what
was going on inside from the outside.
Austin's cultivation base of array skills was relatively good, so he was able to see the imprisoned
creatures, even though only barely.
He looked over them carefully and after a while finally made them out. The creatures trapped in the
valley were a group of monks.
"It's a group of monks in there!" he exclaimed.
Every monk was releasing a dignified and sacred Buddha light.
He could hear the faint sound of ancient Buddhist music echoing within the array.
The valley looked like some sort of world of Buddhism.
"This is strange. Why are there a group of monks trapped inside there?"
Austin murmured to himself, thinking out loud.
"Austin, did you say there's a group of monks trapped in that valley?
Could it be them?"
Anakin suddenly asked after hearing Austin's muffled words.
"Yes, I saw them.
Do you know who they are?"
Austin replied.
"We did once meet a group of monks around here, but I do not know exactly who they are.
A long time ago, some monks broke into the Frigid Continent. They appeared to be looking for
something.
They were wandering around and happened to pass by our territory. My two brothers and I joined
hands to fight them.
They were very powerful. We were no match for them, not even slightly. Fortunately, we were able to
escape. They had no intention of killing us and so they did not give chase. They just let us be.
I have never forgotten them. They left quite the impression on me.
But I never expected them to be trapped here,"
Anakin explained.
"Yes, now that you mention it, I do remember the three of us fighting a group of monks. And I
remember them defeating us and forcing us to flee in a sorry state.
Seems to me like they got what they deserved!
Serves them right!"
Cayden added, his displeasure clear in every word.
"Yes, I know these monks. They passed my lands as well, but I could see that they were too powerful
for me so I did not provoke them,"
said the water source beast thoughtfully.
"I'm going to save them,"
Austin said after contemplating it for a while.
He felt that the energy waves emitted by the trapped monks were the real Buddhist energy.
These monks were likely real Buddhist disciples.
Ivy and Sue were now both Buddhists, so he could not stand by and do nothing.
"What? Austin, you're going to rescue them?
Are you sure you know what you're doing?
These guys are really powerful and we don't know if they're our enemies or friends. It's too risky!"
Anakin said hurriedly, trying to convince Austin to change his mind.
"It's okay. I don't think they're our enemies.
But since you're so worried, I'll go in and meet them first. Once I figure out who they are and their
intentions, I'll decide whether to save them or not,"
Austin said after a moment of silence.
"I've fought these monks before. If you free them, they'll recognize me. What if they want to finish me
off?"
Cayden asked anxiously.
"I'll check them out first, and then we'll make more plans after that."
With that, Austin began walking towards the valley.
Boom!
The moment he arrived at the entrance to the valley, the array that covered it erupted, releasing
tremendous array energy. And then, a massive array slowly emerged in front of them for all to see.
"That array is horrifying!
You must be careful!"
Anakin cautioned, standing behind Austin.
"Worry not. I will be,"
Austin replied, nodding as he continued on.
He released his spiritual sense and began studying and analyzing the array in front of him.
He had to admit it was of a high grade and incredibly powerful. Even with his abilities, it was difficult to
figure out in a short period of time.
He decided he would take his time to learn all he could of it, sitting with his legs crossed as he worked
on his analysis.
'If I can do a thorough analysis, it will help improve my cultivation base of array skills greatly,'
Austin thought to himself.
Then, like an old monk in meditation, Austin sat still, concentrating hard on the array.
Anakin, Cayden and the water source beast did not dare move around too casually. They found a place
to sit with their legs crossed, and closed their eyes to get some rest.
Time passed slowly.
Before they knew it, three years had gone by.
"Finally, that's it. I've figured out all there is to this array."
Austin's face suddenly lit up, his eyes flashing open and glinting with excitement.
He stood up, turned to his companions and said,
"Wait here outside. I'm going in to have a look around."
"Austin, you must keep on guard. We don't know if they want to harm us. If you sense something's not
quite right, get out of there immediately,"
Anakin warned with concern.
"All right, I will be extra careful," Austin responded with a relaxed smile.
He had no fear at all.
A strong energy of array spread from his body and formed mysterious array runes around his body.
Austin then stepped into the valley.
When his body touched the array, the runes surrounding him instantly wrapped around him tightly.
He walked forward, passing through with ease.
This array which seemed so mysterious to others was not a big deal to him at all.
"That's amazing!
Even from afar, that array is so frightening. I would never dare go near it. But here goes Austin, passing
straight through like it's nothing!
I really do admire him!"
Cayden cried out in awe.
"Cayden, I have a good feeling he can really help us free Braden!"
Anakin said, watching Austin as he walked off.
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