A large crowd had gathered in the clearing, their murmurs creating a gentle hum of anticipation. The conversations quieted instantly as a figure approached the stage—Elder Guo, his weathered face solemn as he took his position.
From her seat among the audience, Yan Xuelian stared at him, her beautiful features betraying nothing of her inner thoughts. Elder Huang, who had been watching her former rival closely, looked away with a slight shake of her head. "Maybe I'm overthinking it," she thought to herself.
Elder Guo cleared his throat, the simple sound cutting through the remaining whispers like a blade. "Members of the Azure Cloud Sect," his voice resonated across the gathering, "it's no secret that our sect has been through some rough times these past days. Before we look forward, let us take a moment of silence for Sect Master Wei, who gave his life protecting what we all hold dear."
