February 7th, early spring, a time when new branches sprout and warmth still wrestles with the lingering cold.
Above Long Yan Marsh, Immortal Sound echoes, smoke rises among the clouds, Spirit Light gathers, coming and going in the air. A female cultivator in white stands by the river bank holding a zither, a Black Robed Boy rings bells and strikes chimes — these are disciples from various islands bidding farewell to Huo, Zhong, and Luo as they depart for the Sword Fighting Conference.
After the three burned incense and made prayers before the Mountain Gate, they suddenly heard a long and resounding cry of geese in the sky, clear and melodious, drawing their gazes upward.
Huo Xuan gazed at the sky for a moment and said, "The river ice is melting, and the returning geese are flying south; it's time for us to set out."
Zhong Muqing and Luo Qingyu both nodded in agreement.
