Outside the corroded zone, the atmosphere was calm and relaxed especially after the battle with the Black steel wolves. Because of his performance, Grey was given more recognition as the rest of the team members would occasionally add him to their conversations.
Most of the time, Grey didn't know what to say so he stayed quiet while sometimes answering "En."
The team seemed to have acknowledged him as someone who was as strong as them and hold his own in a fight.
Everyone was feeling calm and relaxed but the captain always had his calm expression on his face. And while it looked like he was relaxed, his ears would twitch occasionally and his eyes would dart in the darkness. He was clearly on lookout.
Under the protective watch of the captain, the night passed without any problems. In the morning, Luo brought out several buns from his storage bag and passed them to everyone.
Grey was given two. The buns were the size of his fists and they were very fluffy and delicious. He finished one after some time while deciding to keep the other one for later.
They matched towards the scavenger camp and in five hours, they could see the outline of the scavenger camp.
But when they got closer, Grey saw that they were several convoys parked outside of the scavenger camp.
These convoys looked like cars but they ran on spirit stones. So naturally, they were called spirit cars.
The captain's expression turned stern as he walked even faster. Soon they reached the convoys of cars parked near the entrance of the scavenger camp.
It was quite weird to see technology in such a remote place. The corroded zone they had just come from was once a small city. After it had been hit by God's blinding radiance, its entire structure changed and spirit technology began to fail because of the corrosive substance.
But that was not to say, they were in a remote corner of the eastern continent after all. Technology was scarce here.
'Hm, this is my first time seeing spirit cars. I wonder who is inside?' Grey thought inwardly as he followed the captain with his eyes.
The rest of the cohort also decided to stay back and were watching from the distance.
When the captain was less than five feet away, the door of the spirit car suddenly opened and someone stepped out from it.
It was a old man. The spirit fluctuations coming from him could be felt by Grey and the others even though they were far away. The energy fluctuations were so strong, that it caused rumbling sounds to erupt in their minds as their breathing turned laboured.
Their faces paled a little and they staggered back.
'This feeling... This can only come from...' Grey thought inwardly as his brain refused to process what he was feeling.
'This is...' He started but Zuro continued his words for him.
"A cultivator at the foundation establishment realm!"
As soon as Zuro said that, everyone's pale face seemed to turn even paler. Although the old man did not release his aura, just looking at him was even to shock the minds of Qi accumulation experts.
The captain who was the target of the old man's gaze staggered back by a few steps and coughed out a mouthful of blood.
His face was pale but the expression on his face was one of madness and determination. He took a step forward and his aura instantly erupted. In the face of the old man's indifferent gaze, the captain's gaze was one of madness and determination.
He took a step after the other and crossed the five feet distance between them. He then raised his head and looked straight into the eyes of the old man.
He felt his mind rumble and shake under the power, but he didn't take his gaze away. He eyes turned bloodshot and blood vessels could be seen bulging out.
In the end, the old man took his gaze away and sheepishly rubbed his nose. He then turned to the captain and the subtle aura he emanated immediately dissipated.
He then turned to the captain who was breathing heavily and laboured. He then said.
"It's good you haven't lost your edge. I thought as the leader of this dump, you would lose some of your spunk!" The old man said and smiled.
'What the heck is happening!? '
Grey was not the only one who had the same thought in their heads. Everyone was also looking shocked. Clearly they had no clue about this either.
"Sir Sebastian... What are you doing here?" The captain's voice was hoarse and sounded grated. His hair which was tied in a small bun, was fluttering slightly in the wind.
"Him, I can't come and see you again?" The old man said as he slowly walked towards the captain and stood over him. Despite his old appearance, he was as tall as the captain and with the captain's back Brant slightly forward, he was looking down to him.
The captain was silent as he did not lift his head. As if fearing to meet the gaze of the old man.
"Okay, to be truthful I'm here because your exile has ended and I've come to invite you back." The old man said.
The captain was still silent and did not say anything but his gaze was still directed at the floor so no one could see his expression.
"I can't..." The captain said.
"Oh, why is that?" The old man had a surprised expression on his face. Clearly this was not what he was expecting.
"I have responsibilities here and cannot leave."
"Oh, is that so? Whatever, when can I be expecting you?" He shrugged.
"In a few months at most." The Captain had now regained his cool and finally raised his head. On his usually calm face held another expression... regret.
"Okay, see you then. Don't keep the sect master waiting though." The old man then turned his back and entered the spirit car.
The engines started and rumbling noise were heard before the cars drive off into the distance.