Aftermath

Shock permeated the audience. Some were stunned because it seemed an outsider and a stranger was just taking away the best disciple of the generation. Others, more knowledgeable, were amazed such an eminent figure actually took such a young boy under his wing. This Xue Guo was guaranteed a splendid future!

"There is no need for this rare talent to rot here. He deserves an appropriate master with the perfect environment to unfold his wings and soar to the skies."

Xue Guo was already kneeling on the ground to formally accept his new master. In his left hand he was clenching a token representing a rainbow over black mountains, grey skies and a black sun. The token of the Black Rainbow Sect.

The elders of the Cheng Huang School had mixed feelings about the ordeal. It was their goal after all for their best disciples to integrate that prestigious sect but some wished Xue Guo would have stayed at least until the 4th year's SCA competition. There was no point crying over spilled milk though.

It had already been agreed upon that Qiao Fa would bring back the first 2nd year disciple and it was simply unthinkable to oppose the will of this cultivator. And the compensations the school would receive from the SCA were considerable.

The competition ended and the thousands of disciples all headed to their respective accommodations. The 4th years should have finished their rankings as well and it was finally time to meet back with everyone again. The 4th year competition had taken place at another location and didn't have any interruptions therefore 2nd and 4th years hadn't seen each other since their respective competitions began.

Before the reunions, Elder Wen took Han Lingyun to a side.

"Disciple Lingyun, I have some bad news to announce you. I'm going to be very direct. Be prepared you have to stay strong: your grand major, Zhang Fang passed away."

"What?... H-How could that be? When?" Han Lingyun stumbled back at the brutal revelation.

Elder Wen placed his hands on the young boy's shoulder's. "It was during the first phase of the competition; your grand major was unfortunately ambushed. I withheld the news to not affect your performance as I know that you two were quite close. Deaths are sadly a common occurrence in the cultivation world. He won't be the last friend that you will lose on the path." Elder Wen seemed rather pensive as he uttered that last sentence.

Han Lingyun couldn't hold in his tears as his breath became heavy. "Th-thank you teacher Wen for your care. Thank you for announcing the news to me." His heart clenched as he thought of Zhang Fang's laugh and his strong pats in the back. He would never see his face again.

"I just lost a big brother."

He remembered every time Zhang Fang gladly brought him to market road. He made a pair of hilarious buddies with Lei Weimin. Han Lingyun wondered how Lei Weimin received this tragedy too. And Zhang Fang's affectionate advices. Han Lingyun was already missing Zhang Fang's good mood so much as a flurry of images and memories passed through his mind.

Elder Wen withdrew his hand, and continued to recomfort Han Lingyun further. When he calmed down, he gave another word of encouragement and left.

Before Han Lingyun could tear up once more, Wang Yimo appeared from behind him. "I'm also there for you Lingyun."

Her presence immediately placated his roiling mind.

"Yimo… Thank you. It means so much you don't even know."

"Hmm… Can you tell me what it is that shook you to that extent?"

"Yes, it's my…"

The two gradually headed back to join the other disciples of the White Tiger Sect, Han Lingyun pouring his emotions. Once they arrived, Han Lingyun waved goodbye to Wang Yimo before quickly making his way to search for Lei Weimin.

Han Lingyun managed to learn from other 4th year disciples in the middle of a celebration that Lei Weimin was staying in his room. Han Lingyun rushed inside; Lei Weimin only had the time to raise his somber face when Han Lingyun jumped into his arms.

"Big brother Weimin."

Lei Weimin nearly fell on his butt with the surprise. He still firmly caught Han Lingyun though. "Little brother Lingyun, I'm so glad you are fine." Lei Weimin laughed through some tears. He had lost his best friend recently and had to hold in his emotions during the perilous trial.

Once he exited and the majority of the disciples from the White Tiger Sect started celebrating their win, he found himself completely lost and inadequate. He finally isolated himself where his pent-up emotions came crashing down all at once.

And Han Lingyun had then appeared like a light in the darkness, a hope in his sea of loneliness. They had each other to rely on to digest the tragic news.

"Little brother, you are so brave. I heard that you performed splendidly at the 2nd year tournament too. I'm so proud of you."

"Big brother Weimin, you will always be one of my models with big brother Fang. And congratulations for your part in the White Tiger Sect's win with the 4th year's disciples."

"Little brother Lingyun. You are too precious." Lei Weimin squeezed Han Lingyun too his chest.

"Big brother, we should not stay here. Brother Fang wouldn't want to see us crying alone in that room and not celebrating with the others. We are not disrespecting him by not grieving alone."

Lei Weimin imagined a response of banter Zhang Fang would have added at this instant, which made him smile. "Brother Fang, you will always be in my heart. You're right little brother, let's join the rest. I'm sure that brother Fang would be glad."

For the first time, many disciples of the White Tiger Sect tried wine on that hectic night. It marked the end of a year and another page was turned on their bumpy road of cultivation. Despite the tragedies on the path, its fantastic dimension made it too attractive to pass.

Early on the next day, the White Tiger Sect was set to depart on its beautiful giant White eagles. The disciples had to circulate some qi to get rid of the effects of the strong alcohol and to clear their minds. The atmosphere was a lot more solemn as 37 White Coffins were placed on the lead eagles.

The 1000 or so disciples and the hundred elders then flew off as the first rays of sun peaked behind the horizon.

Han Lingyun breathed the fresh air due to the speed. A normal human might have found the pressure unbearable but for the disciples it only felt like a light, refreshing breeze. Han Lingyun caressed a bracelet that was still attached to his wrist. This gift from his mother was starting to become too small. Cultivators grew very fast and Han Lingyun was already 170 cm tall (5 foot 6)/ With his family, they had agreed that he would be visiting every year and he planned on fulfilling that promise after coming back to the sect.

Han Lingyun wondered how they were doing and how his little sister had grown. He mostly missed his parents. Zhang Fang's death had also acted as a reminder to cherish those close to him.

Before the 2nd and 4th year disciples arrived at the school, they were informed that they had to attend a ceremony that would take place the following day.

Han Lingyun's first task after landing was to announce the tragic news to his major Lan Ruoxi. She was unsurprisingly devastated but Lei Weimin and Han Lingyun were here to comfort and share the burden with her. Lan Ruoxi had also been very close to her own major who had become a role model in her eyes. His passing away came as a heavy blow.

The next morning, 2nd and 4th year disciples were lined up in silence at the 2nd year's plaza.

The wind gradually brought the echoes of a distant melody. It combined vigor with mournful undertones. The singing voices grew closer and closer until two rows of cultivators emerged from the forest.

They all wore uniforms with woodland-colored stripes. 37 white coffins were being carried by the procession. A regiment from the White Tiger Sect was giving the honors to the deceased of the competition.

The coffins were neatly put down in a line as the regiment continued to intone its solemn song. The cultivators from the regiment had their right hand on their left shoulder in a mark of respect named 'the long salute'.

The melody gripped everyone's heart while filling the disciples with pride and courage at the same time, the superposition of voices created such a powerful air. More than a handful were moved to tears even though they hadn't lost anyone close.

When the song ended, the 37 coffins were simultaneously ignited by white flames. After an incense stick worth of time, only ashes remained and the wind blew those away.

The thousand disciples then chanted the Sect's song together with their seniors from the regiment.

It was a very emotional event for the two promotions of White Tiger School's disciples. This ceremony had an even greater impact on the young disciples as it was their first time seeing a regiment. Their solemn, glorious and reassuring presence, with the deep camaraderie they portrayed made some already yearn for the day they joined them.

After the ceremony ended, the regiment flew away in formation and the disciples parted ways, still mostly in silence. Those that dared to chat only whispered as if they were carrying on their shoulders the weight and gravity of this memorable rite.

It was that time of year where disciples would go fetch 10-year-olds across the region and many headed in different directions.

Han Lingyun waved goodbye at Wang Yimo and took off for the city of Cemone. His next stop was his family.