...
The same corridor that would normally take no time to walk through now feels like an eternity. Walking leisurely with a beauty used to be carefree and relaxed, yet now it's unspeakably difficult.
Li Yan sighed inwardly. Despite the slowness, the three of them managed to reach the stairs with a steady, synchronized pace.
Watching the guests leaning against the walls, rushing downstairs, Li Yan said softly, "Let's go up!"
Yue Yao and Yurong fully complied with his arrangements. They were already struggling to hold their breath, eyes closed, following him forward, preparing to step upward. Each extended a hand—one probing the stairs, the other the wall.
Climbing the stairs was trickier than before on level ground, but since the stairs were relatively fixed—even though uncertain how many exactly, at least ten steps before needing a turn—along with being able to hold onto something, it was somewhat easier.
