Having witnessed his talent in refining elixirs, Fitch, Len, and Lind knew that Austin would eventually be a pill refiner in their sect.
Besides, their recommendation would greatly aid him in his application to be a disciple of the Magic Hand Sect.
The three were quick to befriend Austin as they recognized the advantage of being his accomplice.
'When Austin becomes a pill refiner, | can ask him to refine elixirs for me, ' the three thought with thrill.
However, Austin knew what they were up to. Yet, he smiled and agreed to them.
The rest nine applicants stood aside, throwing glares at Austin with utmost hatred and jealousy.
"Find a place for Marsh.
| will fill several Elders in on his application for a disciple position," Foster instructed Fitch.
Fitch, Len, and Lind were satisfied with their plan and excited to see the results.
After securing everything, Foster turned around and intended to walk away.
"Fitch, you bastard! | asked you to findtwo refinery assistants.
How did it go? | need them right now." A loud voice resounded abruptly, and a tall man suddenly appeared at the square.
He was a white-haired old man whose nose was red and face unquestionably wrinkled.
The second he turned up, the smell of alcohol reeking from his body penetrated everyone's nose.
"Hello, Elder Drew," Foster, Fitch, Len, and Lind greeted respectfully.
Foster's decision to leave the place was halted and together with Fitch, Len, and Lind, he walked to the old man.
"Where is my refinery assistants, Fitch? Two days have passed, but | haven't heard anything from you.
| need to see them right now," the old man demanded.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHe unexpectedly nabbed Fitch, holding him by the collar.
Fitch seemed to be really afraid of the old man. Smiling nervously, he hurried to explain, "I'm on it, Elder Drew. | would never dare to slack." Upon seeing that, Austin immediately knew that the old man was an important person in the Magic Hand Sect.
Judging by the vital energy emanating from the elder, Austin was horrified to learn that his cultivation base was one level higher than Master Realm.
'He is an Astral Realm master, ' he exclaimed to himself in disbelief.
Although the compelling energy flowed significantly, he couldn't tell which stage the old man had reached.
Moreover, it was Austin's first tto meet a cultivator of the Astral Realm, and he was kind of scared.
After all, he hadn't cto the Magic Hand Sect to just be a disciple.
Hearing Fitch's brief answer, Drew let go of his collar.
He then turned his gaze to the applicants and shortly surveyed them.
Austin, who was standing in front of Foster and Fitch, caught Elder Drew's attention.
The old man watched Austin intently, and after a couple of seconds, his eyes lit up.
"This guy is not from our sect. He is here to apply as my refinery assistant, | guess.
Did he pass the three rounds of evaluation?" Drew asked, pointing at Austin.
Fitch and the others grew anxious and alert at the sudden question.
"Yes. Marsh is applying for the assistant position," Fitch replied instantly.
He then moved closer to Drew and reported Austin's excellent performance during the evaluation.
After hearing his report, Drew becmore interested in Austin. He observed the young man from his toe up to his head, throwing sharp glances at him.
Under Drew's gaze, Austin felt that his heart dwindled in total fear.
It was like the old man was prying into his heart, and all his secrets had been exposed.
"What an interesting guy.
You seem to have so many secrets," Drew said knowingly while sizing up Austin.
A grin flashed across his face as he recognized his effect on the young lad.
Austin got flustered upon hearing his words.
'Did he discover that | disguised myself?" he silently wondered.
Since Austin had put on the Appearance-transforming Clothes, he had altered his physical appearance.
"Whatever! Now that you passed the examination, you'll be my assistant for the tbeing," Drew said after abruptly scrutinizing Austin.
He stretched out his hand, grabbed Austin by his clothes, and carried him like an eagle bore its prey. Without a word, he leaped into the air with Austin and headed towards the gates of Elixir City.
Caught off guard, Austin didn't have tto dodge his hand. In order not to expose his real strength, he had to allow Drew to aggressively grab him.
As the strong alcohol odor wafted through his nose, Austin felt angry yet exotically amused.
Foster, Fitch, Lind, and Len--who were left on the ground--looked tense and worried.
"Please wait up, Elder Drew.
He is a talented young man. | am going to recommend him as our alchemy disciple!" Foster uttered with the slightest hope of stopping the old man.
"lI don't care. | need him to do something for me." After stating those stern words, Drew immediately vanished out of sight.
"This is not good, Sir. Elder Drew must be refining snew elixir.
Now that he has Marsh, the young lad's life might be in danger," Fitch said anxiously, looking at Foster.
Meanwhile, he regretted telling Drew about Austin's excellent performance.
He knew what the old man was capable of and how short-tempered he could be.
Foster, too, was aware of that. Recognizing that they couldn't do anything, he let out a sigh and responded, "You know Elder Drew's temper.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe four of us can't stop him.
Now I'm going to report this to the other Elders and ask them to require Elder Drew to return Marsh.
| hope our leaders will cherish a prodigy like Marsh and keep him alive." Foster jumped up into the air and headed towards the headquarters of the Magic Hand Sect.
Fitch, Len, and Lind worriedly stared at the direction where Drew disappeared.
All they could do was hope that Austin would be safe.
After all, they would need his help once he beca pill refiner.
A few moments later, Drew and Austin left Elixir City and the former continued to fly southeast.
Austin knew that they were heading to the headquarters of the Magic Hand Sect.
‘Looks like Drew is planning to taketo the headquarters of the Magic Hand Sect, ' he speculated.
As the wind howled in his ears, Austin couldn't help but admire Drew's amazing speed.
'He flies more than ten times faster than | do.
Astral Realm masters do have incredible strength, ' he continuously exclaimed in awe.
Suddenly, he also recalled Foster's words before Drew left the square with him.
‘Drew just wantsto be his refinery assistant. Why did Foster plead him not to hurt me? Is it a dangerous job to be Drew's refinery assistant?" Austin thought of Drew's words and actions, and somehow, he had a bad feeling about them.
'It seems like Drew is a little dangerous, ' he concluded.
Austin could tell by the overbearing vital energy force surging out of Drew's body that he was no match for him.
'l stand no chance to outrunning or defeating him.
The only way to flee from his hold is to hide in the City, ' he thought after calculating the situation he was in.
Austin decided to follow Drew to the headquarters of the Magic Hand Sect and play it by ear.
'If Drew tries to hurt me, | can immediately transfer myself to the City.
Or perhaps | have overthought.
| don't think being a mere refinery assistant will putin jeopardy, ' he deliberated, quite easing out on the circumstance he was facing.
As he made the decision, he shook off all his apprehensions and settled to go with the flow.