Transmigrated into a Grandpa, Embracing the Laid-Back Life

Chapter 349: The truth is usually only told in half.

Su Ming set down his teacup, his tone calm. "The snow was falling heavily, burying many things. Being able to return truly was a stroke of luck."

He did not elaborate on the horror of the tide of insects, did not mention Zhao Tiji's sacrifice, and certainly did not mention that heart-stopping tunnel breakout. Those memories were too heavy, unsuitable to be laid out in this quiet little courtyard.

Qingfeng and Mingyue exchanged a glance, both hearing Su Ming's unwillingness to speak further in his words.

"Returning is what matters," Qingfeng lowered his voice, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "I heard from a Senior Brother in the Stewards Hall that in a few days, the sect will hold the 'Passing of the Flame Memorial' in 'Soul Return Valley'."

"Passing of the Flame Memorial?" Su Ming's brow lifted slightly.

This was a ceremony recorded in the Cloud Hidden Sect's archives, yet one that was rarely activated.

"Mhm," Mingyue added from the side, her expression somewhat solemn. "The Passing of the Flame Memorial is the sect's highest-level mourning ceremony. According to ancestral teachings, it is only initiated when someone who has rendered great service to the sect perishes, or when over a hundred fellow disciples fall in a single battle. At that time, all disciples of inner sect rank and above, including the elders of each peak, must attend."

"I heard even a wisp of divine sense from the Grand Elders in seclusion will descend," Qingfeng sighed. "The sect hasn't made such a grand gesture in a long time. This Iron Wall Pass incident... sigh."

Su Ming silently rubbed the warm rim of his teacup.

Over a hundred fallen?Far more than a hundred. It was an entire border defense army formation, thousands of vibrant lives, along with those two late Golden Core stage Elders Mo and Wu Miao, all turned to a handful of dust beneath the frozen soil of the Northern Border.

"The flame passes on, ever-renewing," Lin Yu's voice carried a trace of lament in the Consciousness Sea. "This ceremony is not just for mourning, but also to unite hearts and minds. With so many dead, if they don't make it grand and solemn, the hearts of the survivors will scatter, their sense of belonging to the sect will crumble."

Su Ming gave a slight nod.

This was indeed necessary. Those who died needed recognition, those who lived needed an explanation.

"By the way,"

Qingfeng suddenly remembered something, leaning forward, his expression turning somewhat mischievous. "Senior Brother Su, your promotion to True Disciple this time is a sure thing, a great joyous occasion. However..."

a True Disciple isn't that easy either. According to sect

was promoted to inner sect, I nearly pissed myself. That formation is downright eerie; it stirs up the things you fear most, the things you most want to hide. I almost blurted out about stealing

and secrets along your

a wry smile, but the mirth

Secrets?

hiding inside the ring on his finger, and

revealed, it would be enough for him

listen to his

glared at Qingfeng, then turned to Su Ming with a serious expression. "The Heart-Questioning Formation is personally presided over by the Enforcement Peak Master. It is indeed not to be underestimated. But its core purpose is not to pry into private matters; it's to confirm a disciple's loyalty to the sect and whether their inheritance

to make a Great Dao Oath within the formation—'In the future, I will

Enforcement Peak Master..." Su

of that black-robed, murderous aura-shrouded big

Lin Yu clicked his tongue. "If it were a fully automated formation, it'd be easier to fool. But

picked up his teacup and took a sip, using the motion of lowering his head

you for the

again, Su Ming's expression had returned to normal. He set down the teacup and took out two exquisite silk pouches from his robe, pushing them towards

local specialties. These are small trinkets I made in my spare time at Gazing Star Cliff these past few days. A

took his pouch

jade pendant. The material wasn't precious jade, but

pendant's surface—the gentle luster unique

pendant, a cool sensation shot from his palm straight to his forehead. The grogginess from his hangover and the "Deep Pool Burn" instantly dissipated by more

Pendant?" The knowledgeable Mingyue exclaimed softly. "But this material... seems to be Silver-Spotted Heart-Clearing

planted some at Gazing Star Cliff, using earth energy and star force to accelerate their growth. The effect is a bit better than ordinary Heart-Clearing Orchids. I also embedded a miniature 'Spirit-Settling Formation' inside. If you encounter illusions

'small trinket'!" Qingfeng put away his playful grin, solemnly hanging the pendant at his waist. "Senior Brother Su, this thing could fetch at least a few hundred spirit stones in the

worth much," Su

was indeed a token

up. Although Qingfeng and Mingyue's cultivation wasn't high, they had shown him considerable kindness when he