"...That is more or less the situation here..."
"For many years, Void Rifts have proliferated here, and Space Dao void tides have swept through time and again, bringing all manner of living creatures. Intelligent foreign races have even sought this place out deliberately to plunder resources, so disturbances have been frequent."
"Our assignment here was to guard the spirit mine and ensure the safety of the Sect's property and personnel. But now that you have come to oversee this place personally, Grand Elder, we can hand over our duties and conclude our tenure without a hitch."
Fang Qianyuan had requisitioned the traveling palace left behind by a Sect predecessor as his temporary lodge until his new residence was completed.
Not long after he entered, the two elders stationed at the spirit mine came to pay their respects. After explaining the local situation, they requested leave to depart.
Both were venerable seniors past seventy. Once relieved of their guard duties here, they could return to the Sect headquarters and collect a special retirement stipend, enjoying lives of dignified leisure, carefree and at ease.
Naturally, Fang Qianyuan did not make things difficult for them. He said with a smile, "Thank you both for your hard work."
Without hesitation, he summoned his spirit creature, the Seal, and signed and annotated their assignment documents, bringing their service to a satisfactory close.
Putting away their assignment documents, both elders smiled in relief.
Fang Lian said from beside him, "Seniors, Grand Elder Fang has already ordered a banquet prepared at his residence as a small token of appreciation and a farewell feast for you both. Please do us the honor of attending."
Hearing this, the two elders naturally replied, "Then we shall accept rather than stand on ceremony."
At the banquet, hosts and guests alike enjoyed