Amid rhythmic, rising-and-falling cries of peddlers, an old man and a young man carrying shoulder poles arrived outside the gates of Shenjie Temple.
The two then continued at the same leisurely pace toward the more distant Archstone Village, looking every bit like a pair of small-time vendors who had merely happened to pass by the temple gates.
They did not spare the Foreign Monks inside the temple so much as a glance.
Naturally, their presence caught the attention of the Foreign Monks within.
However, the monks merely gave them a few extra looks and showed no real intention of coming out to buy anything.
Just as the two vendors were about to leave the Foreign Monks' line of sight, a pleasant voice suddenly called out and stopped them.
"Hey, you two up ahead selling things, wait a moment."
"Coming!" Hearing someone call to him, the old man selling steamed buns paused, then turned around and asked with a grin, "You two ladies want to buy some buns?"
Only after the old man spoke did the Foreign Monks inside the temple see two lovely figures, one in white and one in green, drifting down outside the gates before the old bun seller.
The young woman dressed in white possessed an ethereal bearing and a transcendent aura, like a fairy who had descended from heaven untouched by mortal dust. At first sight, one could not help but feel inferior before her.
The other was pretty and adorable, quiet yet lively, radiating youthful energy from head to toe.
The girl in white spoke softly. "Sir, how much are your buns?"
"Don't rush to ask the price." The more lively girl in green stopped her companion, then asked the old man, "Before deciding whether to buy, shouldn't we sisters have a look at the