[ He takes the silence as an indication that this is something he's supposed to figure out on his own. And that makes sense. It wouldn't be a good learning experience if Shen Qingqiu just handed him all the answers! He's here so that Mo Xuanyu doesn't get wounded with no hope of rescue.

He stares at the remains of the landslide and makes his decision. ]

I think most of the others aren't going to want to look here. It's not like I'll be any less respected for climbing through the mud...

[ But then he turns back to Shen Qingqiu and looks at his immaculate robes, and feels a twist of guilt. ]

... Master Shen, you don't need to come with me. This isn't the sort of thing that someone of your status should be made to deal with.