"Alright. The time is getting late. It's time for you all to return." Gong Xuanyan announced, before handing over a ring to Lian Chen and said: "Lian Chen. Let me give you one more reward."
"This is a Beastbound Ring. With this ring, you are able to keep your Scarlet Fire Crow inside, and release it from within whenever you need help." Gong Xuanyan explained.
"All you will need is to drop a blood from yourself on to the jewel, and it will recognise you as its owner." Gong Xuanyan handed over the Beastbound Ring to Lian Chen.
"Disciple Lian Chen, thank Sect Leader for his generosity!" Lian Chen clasped his fist, thanking Gong Xuanyan for this gift.
"Hahaha. Very well, we will meet again if the opportunity comes." Gong Xuanyan responded with a smile.
With that, Lian Chen returned together with Lin Chuxuan to pick up Xiao Huan from Lin Chuxuan house.
As Lin Chuxuan and Lian Chen departed, Gong Xuanyan's gaze shifted subtly, indicating that he was aware of someone observing their conversation. With a mysterious tone, he uttered, "So... what are your thoughts on Lian Chen acquiring the Azure Serpent Spear?"
Suddenly, a silhouette emerged from the corner of the armory, and it was none other than the elder Xu Tianyi.
"Hahaha. What did I tell you about that kid? Sigh… If only I can take him in as my disciple…" Xu Tianyi lightly sighs, clearly disappointed that he could not get Lian Chen as his own disciple.
"Hmph... Your disciple, the ice-cold one, has a future as promising as Lian Chen's, doesn't she?" Gong Xuanyan replied with a hint of intrigue.
"Of course. Can't you see who her master is?" Xu Tianyi replied with a touch of pride in his voice.
"However, who knows whose future will be brighter?" Xu Tianyi said, leaving it open to interpretation.
"We don't have to care whose future is brighter. All we have to do is to nurture these young seedlings and ensure that they grow into something we can be proud of," Gong Xuanyan said, emphasizing the importance of guiding and supporting the young cultivators.
"Speaking of which, I've been informed that the tomb is about to be unsealed again," Xu Tianyi mentioned, his gaze directed at Gong Xuanyan.
"Yeah… It's about that time soon again… This time, I wonder if we, the Buddha Benevolent Sect, will be able to yield anything." Gong Xuanyan sighed, clearly not expecting anything from this year.
"Who do you think we should send this year?" Xu Tianyi inquired, awaiting Gong Xuanyan's response.
"Lian Chen and Bing Chuyan are definitely going. As for the remaining slots, I will consider it," Gong Xuanyan responded, contemplating the selection of the remaining participants.
"Well, you are the sect leader, you make the decisions. As long as my disciple is included, I don't care about the rest! Hahaha" Xu Tianyi