Chapter 363: Chapter 222 Funeral_2
Upon seeing Lin Tianming, a flush of red briefly passed over Lin Shigangâs pale face.
Lin Tianming bowed to Lin Shigang and then said, âSeventh Grandpa, your nephew Tianming has come to see you!â
With Lin Shikangâs support, Lin Shigang slowly leaned against the wall, nodded after looking at Lin Tianming, and revealed a satisfied smile.
âTianming, my time is nearly up, and I donât have many days left. The family has prospered and grown stronger, which puts my mind at ease,â he said.
âHehe⊠Itâs just a pity that I wonât have the chance to see the family produce a Golden Core Clan Member. Otherwise, after I pass away, I could share this joy with our ancestors.â
âWhat a pity⊠such a pityâŠâ
...
Hearing Lin Shigangâs words, Lin Tianming couldnât help but feel a twinge in his nose and said with tear-filled eyes, âSeventh Grandpa, what are you saying? In my eyes, your time is still far away!â
Lin Shigang chuckled bitterly a few times. He was well aware of his own condition â his life force was dwindling, and he didnât have much time left.
He lifted his head to look at the clan members around him, seemingly trying to memorize their faces.
Time passed, and out of the silence in the side room, Lin Shigangâs voice could be heard.
âTianming, everyone, thereâs no need to be sad. Although I wonât witness a clan member break through to the Golden Core Realm, with Tianming here, itâs just a matter of time.â
âNow that Iâve seen you all, I consider my wish fulfilled. Iâve said and arranged everything that needed to be said and arranged. Everyone, please go back to your tasks!â
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Shikang also gestured with his hand and said, âTianming, you should leave first.â
Lin Tianming nodded, bowed three times respectfully to Lin Shigang, and then slowly left the room.
Back in the small courtyard, Lin Xingzhi and some others came up to greet him and started asking about Lin Shigangâs condition.
Lin Tianming candidly shared some details about Lin Shigangâs physical state, causing the clan members present to tear up and sigh.
As the Head of the Skill Transmission Hall, Lin Shigang had taught the first lessons of the Immortal Path to most of the clan members.
For this elder, who had dedicated most of his life to the family, all of the Lin Family Members felt a mixture of love and gratitude.
Now that his last moments were approaching, despite having anticipated this day and believing they were prepared, the clan members still found it hard to let go.
Lin Tianming said a few words of comfort, and the moods of the clan members finally began to settle somewhat.
As Lin Shikang and a few others exited, the rest quickly went up to greet them with clasped fists.
Lin Shikang waved his hand, instructing everyone to disperse, and they all left Lin Shigangâs cave abode.
Lin Tianming didnât go into seclusion, and neither did the clan members in the courtyard, as they all knew that in just a few days, Lin Shigang would pass away completely, and they would have to see him off on his last journey.
He returned with his grandfather, mother, and sister to his fatherâs cave, taking the opportunity to rest and spend some quality time with his family.
Three days later, Lin Xinghan sent a message announcing Lin Shigangâs passing.
Upon hearing this news, Lin Shigong wore a sad expression and hurriedly led Lin Tianming and the others to the Spirit Hall to pay their respects.
Before long, the four of them arrived at Lin Shigangâs cave abode, and outside the courtyard, a large number of Qi Refining Clanspeople bowed deeply, their faces filled with sorrow.
These were all Qi Refining members of the Lin Family, each had stepped onto the path of cultivation under Lin Shigangâs guidance.
Learning of their mentorâs demise from their elders, they had set aside their work and come to pay their last respects, sending him off on his final journey.
Seeing the large number of clan members outside, Lin Shigong nodded and led the others into the courtyard.
By this time, many Foundation Establishment Cultivators had arrived, and several core members of the family had come to pay their respects and offer incense to Lin Shigang.
Lin Tianming and the others joined in, and even the Foundation Establishment Clan Members adhered to the customs of the Secular World in such a solemn and serious situation.
Here, it was only oneâs seniority that mattered, not oneâs cultivation level, and even Lin Shilu, at the Seventh Level of Foundation Establishment, still had to pay homage to Lin Shigangâs Spirit Tablet.
After the rituals were performed, they sat on the stone benches to the side, chatting casually as they waited for all the clan members to finish their respects before burying Lin Shigangâs remains in the family cemetery.
Following Lin Shigangâs burial, his Spirit Tablet would be moved to the family ancestral hall.
This process held a profound significance for all Lin Family Members. Only with the Spirit Tablet placed in the ancestral hall could one receive recognition from the family and the ancestors.
Since the establishment of the Lin Family, there had been no shortage of treacherous individuals who, during their lifetime, had done things detrimental to the familyâs interests or unity. In the end, their Spirit Tablets were not permitted in the ancestral hall.
This kind of punishment, in some sense, was much more severe than being confined or stripped of oneâs cultivation and cast into the mundane world.
For the vast majority of clan members, as long as they diligently practiced cultivation, even with modest cultivation levels, their Spirit Tablets would smoothly enter the ancestral hall after they passed away.
The placement of a Spirit Tablet in the ancestral hall symbolized recognition from both the ancestors and the descendants. Some clan members who had made significant contributions to the family would even be revered by the future generations.
Only by completing this step could oneâs life be considered truly concluded.
Once Lin Shigangâs Spirit Tablet was enshrined in the ancestral hall and the clan members paid their respects, this process was considered complete, marking the end of the events.
The clan members returned to their peaceful lives, focusing on cultivation once again, and Lin Tianming prepared to go into seclusion.