Si Shuo stood at the bow of the Crossing Starship and took one last look at everyone behind him.
His eldest brother, Si Kai, nodded to him, and his second brother waved at him.
Third Uncle Granduncle stood at the very front, leaning on his cane, his grizzled beard fluttering gently in the wind.
Black Mountain and Red Wind stood behind Si Chen.
Xie Changsheng held Gray Gray's hand, with Zhou Yan, Song Chi, and Luo Qingyin all standing beside him.
Everyone looked at Si Shuo.
Si Shuo smiled.
He turned, stepped beyond the ship's rail, and stood in midair.
His black robes fluttered in the wind over the sea.
Suspended in the air, he cupped his hands toward everyone watching the ceremony around him and bowed deeply.
"Everyone, today, I, Si Shuo, will take the first step."
After a brief silence, voices answered from every flying boat.
"May the gates of heaven open wide for you, Senior, and your Dao Path be smooth!"
"May you soar straight into the azure clouds, Senior, and soon attain the immortal Dao!"
Amid the blessings rising one after another, Third Uncle Granduncle finally spoke aboard the Si Household's Crossing Starship:
"Go."
"Open another path for the Si Household."
Si Shuo's body trembled slightly.
He raised his head toward the Crossing Starship and bowed deeply once more.
Then he straightened.
"The road of cultivation is long. Everyone... take care."
As his words fell, all the flying boats began retreating in unspoken accord.
They left a vast open space in the central stretch of sea.
Before long, only Si Shuo remained suspended over the center of the sea.
Black Mountain muttered quietly, "Hearing Third Master Shuo speak so seriously... really takes some getting used to."
Red Wind glanced at him. "Shut up and watch."
Si