After finishing the bun, Anji felt a little warmer. The morning air was chilly even if the successor robes were thick. Senior Researcher Mo said nothing even when Anji started circulating her qi mid-hike to keep up with the pace and keep warm. If anything, Anji had a feeling the man secretly created a barrier of condensed energy around them to protect them from the cold wind as they climbed.
The hike took nearly two hours, even with the shortcuts. By now, Anji could hear the first birds of the morning. However, it was still very dark. They were navigating an underused mountain path with only a light talisman. It was difficult, and Anji almost fell several times.
"This won't do," the man eventually stopped. "We're going to be late."
Panicked, Anji gathered her skirt fabric and suggested running, but Senior Researcher Mo had other ideas.
