The early morning sun pierced through the valley's mist, illuminating the lush, verdant vegetation.
Li Ang and Song Shaoyuan trod along the steep, stone-paved mountain path. As they climbed, they listened to the forest creatures' gradually enlivening chirps and buzzes.
Li Ang reached a steep slope, and the view suddenly opened up before him. The sea of clouds surged, and precipitous peaks stood sharply. A welcoming pine broke through rocks on the sheer cliff. Looking out along the ancient pine's extended branches, he could faintly glimpse the structures of the Academic Palace through the mist.
"HUFF... HUFF..."
Song Shaoyuan also climbed the steep slope and stood beside Li Ang, looking down the mountain.
"Brother Song, you're winded already?" Li Ang joked. "It wasn't like this before."
"It's because I haven't trained in so long."
Song Shaoyuan forced a faint smile, his eyes slightly vacant as he stared at the scenery below.
