Following Huai Xu's memory, they continued upward, toward the area familiar to her.
The snow on the ground grew thicker.
Soon, a stone grotto suddenly appeared ahead. It was clearly not naturally formed, as it bore marks of having been carved, although not nearly as exquisitely as the Dunhuang Grottoes.
Zhou Li subconsciously glanced at Huai Xu.
Huai Xu was lost in thought.
After a while, Zhou Li finally asked, his voice very soft, "It's a bit different, isn't it?"
Huai Xu didn't respond and stepped inside.
Zhou Li followed, carrying Tuanzi on his back.
Snowflakes had drifted into the entrance of the grotto, forming only a thin layer. Walking inside, the contrast made the grotto's crudeness even more apparent. Axe marks were everywhere, though they had faded with time, imbuing the place with a sense of antiquity.
