They sat in companionable silence for a while before Lin Wei returned to the cave to rest.
The following morning, the group prepared to depart. The mood was somber, the weight of their losses palpable. The sky was overcast, a blanket of gray clouds promising more snow.
Peng Falcon addressed them, his voice carrying a note of authority. "We'll take the safest route back to the sect," he announced. "Stay vigilant. We can't afford any more surprises."
The disciples nodded, gathering their belongings and preparing for the journey ahead.
As they set off, Aric walked alongside Mei Xian. The forest seemed endless, the silence only broken by the crunch of snow beneath their feet and the occasional call of a distant bird.
Xu Mevan approached them, his expression guarded yet polite. "How are you holding up?" he asked Mei Xian.
She regarded him coolly, her gaze steady. "As well as can be expected," she replied, her tone neutral.
