The five soon learned that the celestial energy ginseng had appeared in the surrounding area of the Grand Desolation Mountain, which led to many cultivators rushing to the valley for it, and that some mysterious black-clad men also had showed up there concomitantly.
Austin, of course, did not disclose what he had done, and hid key parts of the story that involved him.
As for the whereabouts of the celestial energy ginseng, Austin said that he only saw it was finally taken away by a fox at level three, and very understandably didn't mention that the fox was Violet, who had been subdued to him.
On hearing the news of the celestial energy ginseng, the eyes of these Elders and stewards lit up. After all, the celestial energy ginseng of seven hundred years was also a great treasure even according to their standards, which would be of great aid to further their cultivation base.
And when Austin talked about the mysterious black-clad men, the five got visibly curious. They exchanged quick glances perhaps out of sheer fright as they focused on the words pouring out of Austin's mouth.
"The Soul Collection Array!"
When Austin spoke of the name of the array the men in black had arranged, the three stern and calm Elders turned pale as if they were horrified to their very cores.
They looked at each other and saw nothing but deep fear in each other's eyes.
"The Soul Collection Array... "
"Are they the dregs of the Ghost Sect... "
"If that's the case, we are in huge trouble... " ...
The three Elders murmured and seemed to be recalling something scary from their memories.
'The Ghost Sect? Are the mysterious men from the Ghost Sect?'
Austin wondered.
It was the first time Austin had heard of this seemingly notorious sect.
Judging by the horrified look on the faces of the three Elders, he reckoned that the Ghost Sect must have been a remarkable and evil force.
"Do you mean those men in black have laid the Soul Collection Array to siege the cultivators in the valley engaged in the struggle for the celestial energy ginseng?"
Elder Li suddenly asked in an icy tone, her arms fidgeting aimlessly.
"Exactly, Elder Li."
Although the woman had been mean to Austin, Austin still showed due courtesy to her, given that she was an Elder in the Sun Sect while he was just a negligible disciple.
"Well, if they really arranged the Soul Collection Array, how did you, a disciple in the seventh level of Energy Gathering Realm, get out of that valley safely? Are you hiding something from us?"
Elder Li snapped, fixing her piercing eyes on Austin. Her horrifying aura of a cultivator in the premium stage of Earth Realm surged out, looming on to Austin.
Austin was startled and then marveled at how thoughtful Elder Li was!
"Elder Li, I know very well that my cultivation base is low, so I had no intention to get the celestial energy ginseng in the first place. I went to the valley just to have fun and to see what it actually looked like," Austin explained.
"So I was at the very edge of the valley from the very beginning, and did not dare enter the valley at all. I noticed the men in black as soon as they emerged. I hid nearby, overheard their conversation, and knew they were setting up an array named Soul Collection Array.
Then I sneaked away in panic. I believe those people in black may have found me, but in order not to disturb the other cultivators and also owing to my low strength, they may have decided to not chase me."
Austin's words sounded perfectly logical and reasonable. Although Elder Li still harbored some doubts on him, she could not ask any further.
"Without further ado, now that they have given themselves away, they cannot get away this time. Let's run to the valley in case they escape again," Steward Xiao of the Flaming Sun Valley interjected hastily.
The rest nodded in agreement without much hesitation.
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