As Wan Long had predicted, Lu Tao Long was overjoyed that Kai Lan wanted to sell some of his jade to him. In fact, the businessman was in such a good mood over the high-quality jade and the price that Kai Lan asked for it that he said he'd have the pendants carved from the remaining Jade for free.
"Are you sure you only want 7 pendants carved?" asked Lu Tao Long, "With the size of the two jade pieces I'm sure you can get more out of it".
Kai Lan titled his head in thought, "How much more?"
Lu Tao Long looked at the size of the two jade pieces Kai Lan had kept, a light shade of green that wasn't quite as pale as the Frosted Meadow Jade that had been revealed first at the Stone Market. Lu Tao Long then pointed to the smaller one of the two, which was about the size of an apple "For the size of pendants you're asking, you'd probably get about fourteen out of this piece of jade". Tao Long then looked at the bigger piece which was roughly the size of a coconut, "You'd probably get three times that from a piece this large".
Kai Lan frowned, "I don't need that many pendants though… or jewellery for that matter. Maybe I might get it cut later. For now, I'll just put it away for safe keeping".
Lu Tao Long sighed, "Very well, let me know in future if you want it cut. Or indeed if you want to sell it or any other Jade. I'll get this one cut for you. It will take about five days".
Kai Lan nodded, "Thank you".
Five days later, Kai Lan picked up the jade pendants from Lu Tao Long, taking the remaining half piece to put it away with the larger piece. With seven pendants, Kai Lan bought the leather cords to tie them, and then carried them all secretly to his room.
Three days later, during the Festival of Gifts in his fifth year, Kai Lan and the rest of his Clan all ate a meal together and exchanged gifts with one another. Kai Lan himself was surprised however, to receive a more important gift that he had expected from Xia Fei, who had spent a month away preparing it.
"A sword?" asked Kai Lan, shocked at the simple yet beautiful piece that was given to him.
"Yes," Xia Fei nodded, "It is tradition for a Master to gift their student a sword once they master the basic combat arts. Alas I have been remiss in that duty as I did want something forged that was suitable for you. I give you the honour of naming the blade and in doing so, I hope it serves you well".
Kai Lan unsheathed the sword and looked at the fine work that had been done, "Did you ask a Master to forge this, Xia Fei-Jie?"
"He owed me a favour," Xia Fei smiled, "What shall you name it?"
Kai Lan looked at it a long moment before he smiled, "Silence".
Kai Lan sheathed the sword, and as if in acceptance of its name, the sword didn't even make a sound.
"Silence?" asked Ning Wei, "Why Silence?"
Kai Lan just smiled, "Because if I ever do take it from it's sheath, the time for talking will be over".
With that solemn promise, Kai Lan turned to Xia Fei, "Thank you, Xia Fei-Jie, it's a beautiful sword".
Xia Fei nodded, "The honour is mine".
Following that Kai Lan took out his own gift and passed it to each of the others, "I prepared this gift for all of you, I'm sorry it comes a little late".
They all opened the little wrapped boxes that Kai Lan had prepared and Ning Wei immediately gasped at the item presented to her, "My Gods, is this Jade?!"
Her eyes snapped up to Kai Lan in question, "Wan Long took me to the Stone Market, don't worry, I didn't spend very much".
Ning Wei frowned like she didn't believe him as she carefully took hers from the box. Hei Hei took his out and held it aloft, looking at the mountain scape and the symbol for 'Shan' on one side, and the unmistakeable carving of a Talisman on the other.
"You did well," Hei Hei spoke approvingly, "Thank you, Master".
"A Talisman on the back?" asked Wu Lan, then he turned to Kai Lan, "And what does this Talisman do?"
Kai Lan pulled his knees up to his chin as if embarrassed, "It's a three-fold talisman. It's primary objective is to protect the wearer. The secondaries are spiritual sense, communication and aura suppression".
"Communication?" asked Ho Ling.
"Only with others who possess the same pendant," said Hei Hei, "Besides the fact that it is limited by distance, it is more of an alert than actual communication. If someone wearing the pendant is in danger, the other wearers will sense it".
Ho Ling nodded in understanding, "Quite the gift, young master. I am impressed with your skills once again".
Kai Lan grinned, "Thank you Ho Ling-Jie".
The following several months were quiet for Kai Lan and his Clan. Xia Fei gifted Do Han and Ran Ran with swords of their own. She would have given Wan Long one as well if not for the fact that he had received one from the Master his family had implemented some time ago.
The four of them all excelled in combat arts more than their peers simply because of Xia Fei's private tutoring. Wan Long had also long surpassed the expectations of his masters in Talisman and Formation knowledge thanks to his training with Hei Hei and Kai Lan.
As the sixth year of Junior School dawned for Kai Lan, he and his friends began to prepare for the upcoming Inter-School competition.
Kai Lan had chosen 5 areas to compete in, and following the internal competition, was also selected as a back-up team member of the Arena, seeing as the 9 members of the school teams were usually comprised of students in the ninth and tenth grades. Kai Lan chose to compete in the Sword Combat competition, the Formation Duel, and had agreed to enter the double duel with Wan Long. Kai Lan was also entering the Talisman Arts Competition, and the Potion Making Competition. He was not as confident as some in potion making, but the knowledge his mother had passed on to him had earned him enough recognition that he was qualified to take part.