After hearing Herbert's news, Austin rushed right over.
On his way there, he had a run in with two monster beasts that were level two, and still arrived just when the Evil Ape Hunting Team was gearing up for some action.
When Austin showed up in front of them, they were all surprised. However, instead of saying anything, they glanced suspiciously at Austin.
They were wary of Austin because his true strength was not known.
It wasn't that long ago that the team had turned away a lot of underachievers who wanted to join.
It made no sense to include weaker members when what they needed were people with real strength.
The consensus was that the only ones qualified to share the earth spirit fruit they would reap were those who showed real strength.
"He's the grunt disciple we met at Beast Mountain!" said Lara.
She was sarcastic when Austin handed the Jade Badge to the mountain keeper.
Even though she hadn't seen him in a long time, and Austin was tanner now, Lara recognized him immediately.
The grunt disciple?
When Lara referred to him like that, everyone else realized who Austin was.
As Austin looked at each of them, he was met with sneering, disdainful and even angry expressions.
The disdain Marvin felt towards Austin wasn't a secret as he said sarcastically, "Boy! What do you think we're here for? To play some game? We're going to kill the diabolic beast! The diabolic beast! Do you even know what that is? Huh? Aren't you afraid those evil apes will finish you with one bite?"
Marvin glared scornfully at Austin.
"Get out of here! Go fuck yourself and leave us alone!" snapped William angrily while he waved his huge palm in Austin's direction, dismissively.
Ralf stared at Austin coldly but didn't speak. Mindy and the others scoffed at Austin too.
Apparently, they all thought Austin was stupid and didn't know what was happening.
They were the five strongest outer disciples, so they were insulted that a grunt disciple thought himself good enough to join them.
"You want to join us? Bah! Look at yourself. You are nothing but a grunt disciple. You are good for nothing but the menial chores. Don't you know your limits? What a fool you are!" scorned Lara maliciously, frowning contemptuously.
With Austin there, Lara was suddenly grumpy.
"Shut-up!" said Austin callously. As his words were clipped out, he moved, and was right in front of Lara.
Over time, as Austin came to understand the wind in a more meaningful way, he had also become much more proficient in wielding the Wind-Commanding skill.
"Smack!" echoed the crisp sound, as the slap shocked Lara, stinging her pride as much as her tender cheek. Next, a bright, red mark of Austin's palm appeared on Lara's flawless skin.
To show his strength in front of the team, Austin slapped Lara so hard. It was also because he really hated Lara mocking him like that.
The rest of the surprised team stood there with their breath caught in their throats. They were frozen momentarily, as they waited.
"Ow!" screeched Lara as she tenderly placed her hand over her inflamed cheek.
"Marvin! This whelp hit me!" whined Lara indignantly as she cradled her cheek.
With the right half of Lara's face swelled, she looked funny.
Since Marvin had always thought of Lara as his woman, he was fuming to see that a grunt disciple dared to raise a hand and strike his woman, and worse, he did it in front of the team and him!
Marvin's reaction was out of character. He glared menacingly, and through gritted teeth seethed, "Whelp! You're going to regret doing that!"
Folding his jade fan with a snap, Marvin turned it into a short stick.
In the blink of an eye, intense energy rushed from Marvin's body. As the power surged, invisible pressure filled the area, and Marvin's white clothes shot up, making him appear specter-like.
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