Kai and his companions stood in a solemn assembly at the foot of the towering mountain, each face etched with a deep frown. The reason for their collective discontent was the prolonged absence of Elder Xieling, who had left them waiting for over an hour.
As impatience began to gnaw at the group, Elder Xieling materialized before them as if out of thin air. A smirk played on her lips, a silent promise of intriguing developments, which piqued everyone's curiosity about the unfolding situation.
Before they could probe further, the answer presented itself. A low rumble echoed from the heart of the mountain, drawing their collective gaze towards the entrance. The mountain seemed to breathe, its entrance pulsating like a living entity.