Shen Yuan recoiled slightly. "...No, I was just... asking..."
"Asking what?! Are you going or not?!" Li Zhi's eyes widened.
"...Yes, yes, I'm going!"
Shen Yuan resignedly hurried his steps to walk alongside Li Zhi, not daring to spare another glance at Faxi Temple behind them.
The two of them headed down the stone steps they had just climbed.
A mountain breeze blew, rustling the leaves of the forest. The distant tolling of bells seemed to grow faint.
When they reached a slightly wider landing halfway down the stone steps, Li Zhi suddenly stopped.
She didn't look back or offer an explanation, just stood there stiffly, facing the verdant forest below.
Shen Yuan stopped behind her, his heart skipping a beat as he looked in confusion at her tense profile.
The mountain wind swept across the landing, carrying the crisp scent of the vegetation below and playfully tugging at a few loose strands of hair at her temples.
The girl seemed to be trying to calm some inner turmoil.
