The moonlight filtered softly through the trees, casting a silver glow over the narrow path winding through Huanglong’s tranquil forests. The air was cool and crisp, the scent of pine and earth grounding and peaceful. You and Xiangli Yao walked side by side, the only sound the soft crunch of gravel beneath your feet and the occasional rustling of the leaves as a gentle breeze passed through.

It had been a long day of traveling, and while most would have been eager to reach the next town for rest, Xiangli Yao seemed content with the slow pace, his serene expression reflecting the calmness of the forest. His gaze was fixed on the path ahead, but there was an unmistakable quietness in the way he carried himself, as if lost in his thoughts.

"Xiangli," you said quietly, breaking the silence between you, "You seem distant tonight. Are you alright?"

He glanced at you, his eyes thoughtful but soft. "I am," he replied, his voice like a gentle breeze. "It’s just… sometimes, I wonder how the world might look through the eyes of others. How their journeys unfold. You see so many people cross your path, and yet, each one carries their own burdens, their own hopes."