The award ceremony proceeded in an orderly fashion.
Each group of honorees that took the stage was met with thunderous applause. In the family section, some wept softly while others tightly gripped the hands of those beside them.
Mrs. Xu's eyes had long since grown moist, and Father Xu took her hand in his.
Finally, the master of ceremonies' voice turned exceptionally solemn.
"And now, for the presentation of the Federation's highest honor—the title of 'Federation Hero'—to a total of twenty-four individuals."
The entire venue fell silent in an instant.
It was as if even the wind had ceased to blow.
"The first is a posthumous award." The master of ceremonies' voice was low. "Grandmaster Han Ce."
Normally, Grandmasters were not among those decorated. Each of them was a member of the Federation's highest decision-making body, much like how a company's board of directors wouldn't award itself a sales champion prize.
