Tang Yan brought Lin Dongxue and Zi Yun along without spending too long on the road. By the evening of the twenty-eighth day of the tenth month, they arrived at the Sword Alliance.
The Sword Alliance was divided into thirteen sword pavilions.
Grand Elder Lu Ruiqing resided at Clearwind Pavilion.
In a study, Lu Ruiqing warmly received the three of them.
"We'll hold the apprenticeship ceremony tomorrow and have Dongxue formally join the Sword Alliance," Lu Ruiqing decided.
"We'll leave all the arrangements to you, Elder Lu." Tang Yan nodded.
"Everyone entering the Heavenly Wailing Ruins Secret Realm will be here tomorrow. We'll bring you up to date on the Heavenly Wailing Ruins then. Get some proper rest tonight," Lu Ruiqing said with a smile.
After chatting a while longer, Lu Ruiqing arranged accommodations for the three of them.
Lin Dongxue was thin-skinned. Having only just arrived, she felt too embarrassed to disturb Tang Yan.
A dragon's skin seemed somewhat thicker. Zi Yun had no such reservations and soon slipped into Tang Yan's courtyard, engaging in dual cultivation with practiced ease.
The next day.
In Clearwind Pavilion, a solemn ceremonial platform had been erected in the square before the Main Hall.
The Grand Elder taking a successor was a major event for the entire Sword Alliance.
Sword Alliance Leader Lu Lingjun, the elders of the various sword pavilions, and all the senior members attended. Many disciples also came to watch.
Once the senior members had taken their seats, Lu Lingjun personally presided over the ceremony.
Standing on the platform, Lu Lingjun spoke in a deep, solemn voice. "The Sword Alliance has a history of over thirty thousand years since its founding.
"That the pinnacle of the sword Dao lies within the Sword Alliance is a fact acknowledged throughout the world.