After feeling the boundless pressure and the murderous aura from Xu Tianyi, Lian Chen immediately lowered his head and clasped his fist in a respectful manner.
With a hint of remorse, Lian Chen said: "It was indeed my responsibility that the "Lightning Rush Technique" was burnt to a crisp. I am willing to accept any punishment, Elder Xu."
"Hmm…. any punishment huh…." Xu Tianyi's voice resonated with a mix of seriousness and mischievousness. Despite the overwhelming pressure and the murderous aura locked on to Lian Chen, if Lian Chen were to look up right now, he would notice a cunning expression on Xu Tianyi's face.
"Alright! Your punishment will be to make my disciple your wife!" Suddenly, as these words were spoken out of Xu Tianyi mouth, the boundless pressure and the murderous aura disappeared, as if they weren't even on Lian Chen to begin with.
"Err… HUH? Sorry?!" Lian Chen immediately raised his head and upon looking at Xu Tianyi's face, Lian Chen knew that he had been tricked by him.
"Anything but other than that please Elder Xu. I will wash the toilets, I will do the laundry, but just not that punishment!" Lian Chen pleaded, just thinking about how cold Bing Chuyan is, Lian Chen couldn't fathom how difficult it would be to win her over.
"Lian Chen… Who was it that burnt the "Lightning Rush Technique"?
"Err.. Me?"
"Who has to pay back for the Sect losses?"
"Me?"
"So, are you going to listen to what you have to do?"
"Yes… I will try my best…" After agreeing to the "punishment", Lian Chen cast a wary glance towards Xu Tianyi, who wore a rather satisfied expression.
"Elder Xu, by any chance… Did you just trick me? Do you actually know that the "Lightning Rush Technique" martial book has already been burnt to a crisp?" Lian Chen asked Xu Tianyi cautiously.
"Hmm? Trick? Why would I need to trick an inner disciple like you? I have no idea what you're talking about," Xu Tianyi replied, feigning ignorance to Lian Chen's accusation.
"By the way, why are you here now? Don't you know that your presence is required at the grand hall?" Xu Tianyi tried to divert the conversation by questioning Lian Chen about his current whereabouts.
"Why is my presence required at the grand hall?" Lian Chen asked, his confusion evident in his voice. He had no prior knowledge of any event or gathering taking place in the grand hall.
"??? What have you been doing? Don't you know that you are required to be at the grand hall 30 minutes ago? And your presence has been called by the Sect Leader!" Xu Tianyi exclaimed, expressing his surprise at the situation.
"30 minutes ago??... I'M LATE!" Lian Chen immediately bolted towards the direction of the Treasury Hall, without even bidding farewell to Xu Tianyi.
"Hahaha. You think you can expose me at such a young age? You're still naive and inexperienced... Enjoy your innocence while it lasts," Xu Tianyi laughed, while Lian Chen was already making his way towards the Grand Hall.
Entering the Grand Hall, Lian Chen saw that there were 4 silhouettes standing in front of Gong Xuanyan, and Gong Xuanyan was currently sitting on a chair, emanating a powerful presence.
"I, inner disciple Lian Chen, Apologize for being late!" Lian Chen shouted with sincerity, his voice filled with remorse.
As Lian Chen raised his head, he looked towards the two silhouettes that turned behind to look at him.
Standing among the four silhouettes were none other than Bing Chuyan and Duan Wu Kun, whereas the other two individuals were foreign to Lian Chen.
Duan Wu Kun immediately came running towards Lian Chen and said: "What do you mean apologize for being late? The meeting has not yet started!" Duan Wu Kun pulled Lian Chen to his side, and they were now standing before Gong Xuanyan.
Receiving the stares from the other people in the grand hall, Lian Chen couldn't help but lowered his head in shame as he whispered to himself: "Damn you old fox. Watch what I do to you next time!"
"Alright. Since all five of you are gathered here. I have something to announce. Three days from now, all five of you have been chosen to enter the Abyssal Dragon Tomb!"