Chapter 131: Farewell’s
As the first rays of sunlight slowly rose beyond the horizon, the towering mountains of the Celestial Origin Supreme Sect gradually emerged from beneath the morning mist.
Normally, the warm light bathing the sect would bring peace to the disciples beginning another day of cultivation.
Yet today the spirit ship descending from the sky carried a cold and lifeless aura untouched by that warmth.
The massive ship slowly landed atop the main peak before falling completely silent.
The moment the disciples stepped down, Second Elder Tian Jian Zun appeared nearby with his usual calm grin already forming across his face, yet the expression instantly froze the moment his eyes landed on everyone standing there.
The pale faces, the bloodstained robes, the silence lingering between the disciples, and finally Bai Xue resting motionlessly within Miao Han’s arms immediately told him everything.
The grin on his face disappeared completely as even the surrounding wind seemed to quiet down.
Seeing him, Lin Xiao Tian slowly stepped forward while exhaustion and grief filled his eyes heavily.
"Elder Zun... it seems we have to say goodbye today," he said quietly while trying to force a smile onto his face, yet no matter how much he tried, the expression simply would not appear.
Tian Jian Zun remained silent for several moments before finally nodding slowly.
"I will gather the other disciples," he answered in a low voice while glancing once toward Bai Xue’s peaceful face.
Lin Xiao Tian silently nodded before turning around and leading everyone deeper into the sect.
The path gradually became quieter as ancient trees covered the surroundings while the scent of incense slowly drifted through the cold morning air.
This place remained hidden from ordinary disciples and was rarely visited by anyone within the sect.
Yet despite the peaceful scenery surrounding it, this was the one place Lin Xiao Tian subconsciously avoided the most.
The resting ground of the dead as everyone arrived there, Lin Xiao Tian slowly raised his trembling hand.
In the next moment, a beautiful blue crystal coffin appeared before everyone as faint runes shimmered quietly beneath its surface like flowing water beneath moonlight.
Even Lin Xiao Tian himself became slightly stunned after seeing it appear.
Then suddenly, the system’s voice echoed inside his mind once again, yet for the first time since its existence, the cold mechanical tone carried a strange gloominess within it.
"A farewell has arrived, Master."
After saying those words, the system completely fell silent once more.
Miao Han slowly stepped forward afterward without saying a single word. His hands trembled faintly as he carefully followed Lin Xiao Tian’s actions before gently placing Bai Xue within the crystal coffin.
At that moment, Tian Jian Zun returned alongside the other disciples of the sect.
More than a hundred disciples quietly gathered around the resting ground, yet not a single person spoke after seeing Bai Xue lying there peacefully.
Bai Xue had always been one of the brightest disciples within the sect.
Her smile alone could calm the atmosphere during difficult days while her cheerful voice constantly brought warmth to those around her.
Yet today that warmth no longer existed as the surroundings slowly descended into complete silence as the disciples unconsciously separated themselves into two quiet lines.
Lin Xiao Tian then stepped forward while levitating the crystal coffin gently before him.
Under the rising sunlight reflecting against the blue crystal surface, Bai Xue no longer resembled someone buried beneath mortal dust.
Instead, she looked like an immortal beauty peacefully returning toward the heavens after briefly descending into the mortal world.
The next moment, a simple shovel appeared within Lin Xiao Tian’s hand.
With his cultivation, opening the earth required nothing more than a simple wave of spiritual energy. Yet despite that, he slowly knelt down and began digging the grave himself one handful of earth at a time.
The sound of metal striking soil quietly echoed through the mountain while the rising sunlight gradually illuminated the surroundings.
No disciple stepped forward to help him because everyone understood this was something their sect master needed to do personally.
As time slowly passed, the grave gradually took shape beneath the quiet morning sky.
Only then did Lin Xiao Tian finally stop before the crystal coffin slowly descended into the earth beneath everyone’s silent gazes.
The sound of soil falling over the coffin echoed softly across the graveyard while many disciples lowered their heads completely, unable to continue watching the scene before them.
In the next moment, Lin Xiao Tian slowly pulled out a jade tablet while spiritual energy gathered faintly around his trembling fingers. Then he carefully carved several words onto it one by one.
Bai Xue
A First Generation Disciple of the Celestial Origin Supreme Sect
"She once stood beneath the heavens like an immortal flower.
Now, she returns to earth as silent dust."
After finishing the final word, Lin Xiao Tian quietly placed the jade tablet before the grave.
He then slowly took out Bai Xue’s sword and planted it firmly beside the gravestone before carefully hanging a garland of white flowers over the handle.
The moment the disciples saw that scene, the emotions they had desperately suppressed until now completely collapsed.
Quiet sobs gradually spread throughout the crowd as tears endlessly flowed down many faces.
Even Yan Feng lowered his head completely while his fists trembled violently beneath his sleeves.
Miao Han silently stood there while blood slowly dripped from where his nails pierced through his own palms without him even realizing it.
Meanwhile, Lin Xiao Tian slowly raised his head toward the rising sun above the mountains while desperately trying to suppress the tears gathering within his eyes.
Yet no matter how hard he tried, they still slowly fell down his face.
As the atmosphere gradually settled once more beneath the cold sunlight, Xiaoshan slowly walked forward from behind the crowd.
His face had already become completely blank as though every tear within him had long since dried away.
He quietly stared toward the flower petals drifting through the wind one final time before slowly kneeling before Bai Xue’s grave.
Then he kowtowed heavily.
Again.
And again.
Each impact slammed heavily against the ground as blood slowly flowed from his forehead afterward, yet he remained kneeling there motionlessly.
"The unfilial disciple has no words, Master," Xiaoshan finally said quietly while his hollow voice drifted through the silent graveyard.
After saying that, he slowly stood back up before removing his sect robes without hesitation. He carefully folded them before placing them behind Lin Xiao Tian silently.
Then he turned around and slowly began walking away.
Seeing this, Yan Feng’s expression instantly changed as he subconsciously stepped forward.
Yet before he could move further, Han Leu suddenly grabbed his arm tightly and stopped him completely. "No."
Yan Feng immediately looked toward him in confusion and anger, yet Han Leu only tightened his grip further while shaking his head slowly.
Only then did Yan Feng finally understand this was Xiaoshan’s decision.
Meanwhile, Lin Xiao Tian never turned around even once. Tears had already completely stained his face while several drops slowly fell from his chin onto the ground beneath him.
I truly lost two disciples today.
The sect rule continuously echoed within his mind like a curse that refused to disappear.
No disciple shall ever bring harm to another fellow disciple under any circumstance.
As Xiaoshan’s footsteps gradually disappeared into the distance, the remaining disciples silently lowered their heads while the last traces of tears slowly dried beneath the cold wind.
Eventually, Lin Xiao Tian quietly ordered everyone to disperse before remaining seated beside Bai Xue’s grave completely alone.
The sun slowly rose higher before gradually setting once again. Day turned into night while silver moonlight eventually covered the graveyard beneath a cold and quiet sky.
Yet throughout all that time, Lin Xiao Tian never moved from that spot. Then finally, quiet footsteps approached from behind.
Han Leu and Tian Jian Zun slowly appeared nearby while carrying a large pot of wine between them.
Tian Jian Zun quietly sat beside Lin Xiao Tian afterward before pouring wine into a cup and handing it toward him slowly.
"Sect Master," he said softly while looking toward Bai Xue’s grave beneath the moonlight. "Sometimes it is better to drown the sorrow away... than to let yourself drown within it."
