These disciples were all elite fighters selected by the Lingxiao Sect. Working in perfect coordination, they subdued the five Variant Sect disciples in less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea. Two who resisted fiercely were wounded on the spot, while the remaining three were tied up.
Bai Chen had the harvested medicinal herbs packed away, then searched the disciples and found some powders used for raising Gu Worms. He then swiftly led his men back to their hiding place.
By the time the Variant Sect realized that their gathering party had not returned and sent people out to investigate, the Lingxiao Sect disciples had long since vanished from the mountains.
When the news reached the Lingxiao Sect, both the Sect Master and Lin Taichu breathed a sigh of relief. Lin Taichu had the three captured disciples brought in for interrogation, hoping to pry information about the stronghold from them.
Yet no matter how they were questioned, the three disciples refused to speak and continued to curse without end. Lin Taichu was in no hurry. He had them locked up and gave them only small amounts of food and water each day, intending to slowly wear down their resolve.
Over the next five days, Bai Chen successfully ambushed two more Variant Sect gathering parties. The Variant Sect lost more than a dozen disciples in these raids, and much of their gathered supplies was taken. By all rights, they should have made a bigger move.
Strangely, however, from the seventh day onward, no one emerged from the mine.
Bai Chen had people watch near the stronghold for three days, yet they did not see a single person. Uneasy, he hurried back to the Lingxiao Sect to report.
"Sect Master, Physician Lin, the Variant Sect has not come