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.
What other important fact would Austin have to say when he was just a disciple of the Sun Sect in the
seventh level of Energy Gathering Realm? What he may have left out should be nothing more than
something trivial.
Besides, this was a matter that also involved the celestial energy ginseng. If they got there in time, they
might find something. And if they were lucky enough to get it, it would be a pleasant surprise for
everyone.
So, the three Elders and two stewards asked Austin for the exact location of the valley where the
celestial energy ginseng was, and then all rushed in the direction as fast as they could, leaving Austin
exactly where he was.
Only Murray solicitously told Austin that the surrounding area of the Grand Desolation Mountain was
not safe and asked him to return to the sect immediately before he left.
Watching the five leave hurriedly, Austin silently let out a long sigh of relief.
Finally, he successfully managed to maneuver through their cross-examination. . . .
In a cave in the area around the Grand Desolation Mountain
Austin and Fanny stood, sweating profusely all the while.
"Hey, why did you bring me to this cave?"
Looking at the narrow cave, Fanny was unhappy and displeased.
"I have something to do here, of course. If you don't want to stay here, just leave by yourself. The
surrounding area of the Grand Desolation Mountain is so wide that you can easily manage to avoid the
people you stole from," Austin responded impatiently.
Fanny curled her lips and looked at Austin out of the corner of her eye.
"So petty!" she mumbled.
However, she did not leave, but looked around the cave as though she was scanning for something
specific.
Austin ignored her and continued on his own course.
He pulled a purple Illusion Bead from his Space Ring.
"Violet, you can come out now."
As soon as these words were spoken, a cloud of green smoke rose from the bead, and with a flash of
pink light, a little fox appeared in front of Austin.
"Aha!"
At the sudden scene, Fanny gave a scream of horror. Then she stared at Violet, open-mouthed. She
had not been this horrified anytime recently.
"Isn't this the same fox that took away the celestial energy ginseng in the valley? What is it doing
here?"
Fanny cried, covering her gaping mouth with her hand. She still couldn't believe that the fox suddenly
appeared in the cave out of nowhere.
Violet, who had known about Fanny's existence, was amused by her startled look.
"Master, I'm used to being in a human form."
"It's up to you. You don't have to ask me for permission. From now on, you decide what form you take."
Austin didn't stop her because he didn't think it was necessary to interfere with the little hobby of Violet.
Then with a flash, another cloud of green smoke filled the air, and the fox transformed into a fabulous
and stunning girl.
Her gentle features curved into an attractive smile. Her lithe, slender body walked gracefully, and she
was irresistibly charming. The whole cave appeared to be brightened by her charm.
Then Violet stretched out her hand, and in it lay a human-shaped herb with nine rays of colorful halos.
It was indeed the celestial energy ginseng itself!
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