In the stands, the elders of Three Pure Ones Mountain, Gezao Mountain, and West Mountain exchanged cupped-hand salutes.
The juniors below had shown one another courtesy and behaved with grace, naturally bringing honor to their elders.
Though Swordpoint Mountain had intended to seize the initiative, another way of putting it was that they had dared to lead the way. Besides, they had achieved solid results, so the other three schools offered their congratulations.
The elders of Swordpoint Mountain beamed, though they scolded their disciples aloud, saying they would certainly teach them the meaning of humility once they returned.
Harmony reigned in the stands. Now, back to the scene below.
Cheng Xinzhan looked toward Hao Jiansi.
Hao Jiansi was a Second Realm Daoist of the Sweet Rain Office under the Penglai Bureau on Pivot Mountain. He belonged to the same lineage as He Jiyuan and, by seniority, was actually He Jiyuan's martial uncle.
When Cheng Xinzhan had attended lectures at the Sweet Rain Office, his instructor had been Daoist Jianping, He Jiyuan's master and Hao Jiansi's senior martial brother.
He had met Hao Jiansi several times on field assignments. Hao Jiansi was young and talented too; otherwise, the Office Chief of the Sweet Rain Office would never have accepted him as his final disciple.
Cheng Xinzhan extended a hand and said,
"After you, Daoist brother."
But Hao Jiansi shook his head and said softly,
"Others might not know, but surely you do, Xinzhan. Our Sweet Rain Office is responsible for bringing rain, but we don't know how to clear the skies. Draining water and relieving floods is the Clear-Sky Office's work. If I go first, this rain won't stop."
Cheng Xinzhan smiled and nodded. He knew what the Sweet Rain Office could do.
So he cupped his hands toward those remaining