162 Focus your mind

The monk brought Kaden over to the famous mountain inside the monk temple city. The two of them then started climbing the mountain in silence.

The trail started at the outskirts of the temple city. Stone steps, worn smooth by the passage of countless feet over the years, led the way. 

This initial stretch was flanked by tall, graceful trees whose leaves rustled in soft applause as if encouraging the climbers to continue their ascent.

Soon, the steps gave way to a more rugged path, where rocks and roots emerged from the earth like ancient sculptures. 

Moss and lichen adorned these natural monuments, adding a touch of whimsy to the solemnity of the journey. 

Here, the trail started to wind its way upward in earnest, zigzagging through evergreen forests and crossing small streams that chattered away as they tumbled down from higher elevations.