Joel didn't talk anymore after learning about the presence of something potentially stronger than a level two magical beast in the ruins. Even a rooting expert like him would hesitate against such a threat, putting him in a pensive mood.
Liam shared that pensive stance for different reasons, and Melissa never really spoke much, so the trio completed the rest of their journey in silence, returning to the Sect when morning had fully arrived.
Due to the Pale Moon Sect's layout, the trio had to climb through the areas assigned to outer disciples and approach the Halls on the other side of the mountain to reach the second plateau.
The Sect's peak activity was in the morning, so many eyes fell on the trio, most focusing on Liam and Melissa. Their shabby, injured state inevitably claimed the bystanders' attention, and Melissa's clingy stance also fueled all kinds of murmurs.
