"Brother Tian?" One of the disciples guarding the gate turned around, his gaze fixing upon Tian Liu.
The tantalizing scent of herbs filled his nostrils, a fragrant reminder of the medicinal wonders within the bag that caught his eye. Rubbing his chin in contemplation, he inquired, "Are you embarking on a beast-hunting expedition?"
Meanwhile, Tian Liu's heartbeat quickened, thrumming like the crashing waves of a tempestuous sea. The sun, casting its golden rays from behind, played with his short azure locks, obscuring half of his countenance, leaving only glimpses of his facial expression.
"Ah, brother Yang and Tuo! Yes, you've guessed right. I'm fully prepared to confront the wild beasts and complete my formidable quest," Tian Liu replied in one breath.
As he spoke, a chilling mist escaped his lips, underscoring the unease that flickered in his worried and anxious eyes, barely visible beneath the veil of his hair.