Withered Hall, an elder whose body was nearly rotting sat high on the stone platform.
He expounded on the Withered Scripture, from 'when the sun is at its zenith it declines', to 'all things prosper and then decay', all encompassing the true essence of this Scripture.
During the discourse, his body reached the peak of decay, seemingly on the brink of disintegration, ready to become dust at any moment.
The sickly tree behind him also transformed with him, green leaves turning yellow, bark cracking, until finally the remaining leaves withered, branches laid bare, becoming dead wood.
Qin Ming displayed amazement, though the elder appeared ghostly, he wasn't uttering nonsense, this was an important tome worthy of serious study.
He suspected it might be related to the "Withering and Flourishing Scripture" he long pondered upon, involving much of its parts.