CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

Shen Jingqi saw a large step appear before him.

Stepping onto the step, Shen Jingqi saw the route coordinates.

[Mount Everest], [Mount Kilimanjaro], [Mount Elbrus], [Aconcagua Mountain].

Shen Jingqi chose [Mount Everest].

Climbing Everest is truly a great sense of accomplishment.

Shen Jingqi knew about the famous school society at Shen University: [Eagle Society].

This mountaineering club has always been a popular society at Shen University, with relatively strict admission criteria.

During his undergraduate years, Shen Jingqi took too many courses and didn’t have much time to join societies.

In his doctoral phase, he also needed to do a lot of research.

When he saw these familiar words, he couldn’t help but think of the heroic feats that made his blood boil.

It was on the eve of Shen University’s anniversary when the Eagle Society fully trained and prepared for climbing Everest and finally successfully reached the summit, wishing their alma mater a happy birthday on the Everest peak.

The words of the Eagle Society’s mountaineering team’s captain deeply moved Shen Jingqi.

"Even someone who couldn’t do a pull-up as a freshman can climb Everest after several years of training."

Climbing is a baptism of the spirit.

[Please choose your path]

[Camp One: Altitude 6000 meters, the starting point for climbing Everest.]

[Camp Two: Altitude 6500 meters.]

[Camp Three: Altitude 7200 meters.]

[Lhotse Camp C4: Altitude 7850 meters, located in the crevice of the south peak of Everest.]

[Camp Four: Altitude 7950 meters.]

[Everest Balcony: Altitude 8400 meters.]

[Rocky Challenge Hillary Step: Altitude about 8700 meters.]

Shen Jingqi chose [Camp Four].

In an instant, Shen Jingqi found himself inside a tent.

The tent contained various equipment.

Soon, [Z] and [Cyan Silk] appeared in the tent as well.

"Let’s quickly change into our gear!"

Shen Jingqi said.

"Where is this place?"

"This is Camp Four on the south slope of Mount Everest, the closest camp to the summit, and next, we’re preparing to summit!"

"Reaching the top of Mount Everest must be very romantic!"

[Cyan Silk] squinted her eyes.

It seems that only the initiator of the activity can know the detailed current situation and needs to introduce the information to the newcomers.

The equipment in the camp was plentiful.

Shen Jingqi put on his down jacket and pants, donned ice sleeves, and layered the hard shell jacket and soft shell pants on the outside. He also added a knee protector.

The summit was really cold, and even inside the camp, the chill from outside could be felt.

He wore thick waterproof shoes and mid-ankle hiking boots on his feet.

He put on a hat, glasses, and an oxygen mask on his head.

He wore thick fleece gloves on his hands.

Finally, he put on the summit backpack and the hiking backpack, grabbed his trekking pole, and the three of them pulled back the tent flap.

A fierce cold wind hit them in the face.

Shen Jingqi quickly used his hand to press down his glasses and tightened the strap.

The trekking pole sank into the thick snow, surrounded by a vast expanse of white.

Nature’s most solemn face was displayed in front of Shen Jingqi.

After taking about a hundred steps, his feet felt as heavy as lead.

"Wait for us!"

Shen Jingqi heard the communicator on his clothes buzz.

It was [Z]’s voice.

Shen Jingqi slowed his pace, waiting for them to catch up.

The cold wind seemed to grow colder, and only by moving could he prevent his legs from stiffening.

Shen Jingqi shuffled along, keeping his blood circulation flowing smoothly.

Pulling out the trekking pole, it was already covered in a thick layer of frost.

Thanks to this tool, it could still provide some support.

Feeling [Z] and [Cyan Silk] catch up, Shen Jingqi picked up his pace again.

Up ahead was a narrow platform.

They could take a temporary rest there.

"Come on, at the Everest Balcony ahead, we can take a brief rest."

Shen Jingqi called out, then said no more.

The cold was overwhelming, and when breath met the cold air, it quickly fogged up his glasses, hindering his vision.

[Up ahead is the Everest Balcony, altitude 8400 meters, getting closer to the summit!]

Shen Jingqi wiped the mist from his glasses and walked briskly forward.

Soon they reached a platform.

The snow was piled with various kinds of oxygen bottles.

Shen Jingqi stood on it, looking at the two figures not far away.

Dean Zhang, at his age, could still climb here, truly admirable!

The three of them stood side by side on the step.

"Will we encounter an avalanche or ice fracture?"

"Doesn’t seem like it."

"Let’s continue climbing!"

Shen Jingqi led the way ahead.

On the southern peak of Mount Everest, the view gradually opened up.

But Shen Jingqi also saw the most treacherous stretch of the journey.

The path to the summit of Everest!

The ridge was like a protruding blade, with steep sides towering around.

Shen Jingqi climbed strenuously, the final stretch clearly more difficult than any previous sections.

He wasn’t sure if Dean Zhang could handle it physically.

Shen Jingqi carefully stepped on the ridge, each step taken with great effort.

A journey of a hundred miles, halfway is often the hardest.

The final sprint was often the most challenging.

Many people endured until this final juncture.

[Attention: Up ahead is the Hillary Step, altitude around 8700 meters.]

Shen Jingqi stopped, scrutinizing the path ahead.

This was a vertical route formed by exposed rock sections of the mountain body.

In past reports, there had been dangerous situations of snow collapse on the steps, with careless missteps leading to falls.

Shen Jingqi grasped the rope on the cliff, took a deep breath, and climbed upwards.

At the peak, the feeling of oxygen deprivation immediately overwhelmed him.

Shen Jingqi took deep breaths, focusing on climbing one step at a time.

After changing ropes several times, Shen Jingqi finally climbed onto a rock.

The summit was right in front of him.

Shen Jingqi felt pressure squeezing his entire head.

He straightened his body, stood up, and stepped forward.

[Congratulations to [Deep Mirror] for successfully reaching the summit of Everest: Altitude 8848 meters, you have accomplished the ultimate challenge of trekking!]

Shen Jingqi had finally reached the highest point on the world’s tallest peak.

Standing at the summit of Everest, looking at this boundless world, he suddenly felt infinite compassion.

Looking at [Z] and [Cyan Silk] moving on the rope below, Shen Jingqi realized the granular feeling of life.

The life suspended on the rope, from one end to the other, continuously climbing endlessly.

The rope on the cliff could only be used by one person at a time.

At the final cliff, [Cyan Silk] grabbed the rope and climbed up quickly.

Shen Jingqi didn’t expect her to have such adept skills.

Soon, [Cyan Silk] climbed up the high rock.

She unfastened the rope and looked at [Z] below.

There was a probing and threatening look in her eyes.

Through her body, Shen Jingqi saw the lip movements she made:

"You’re an observer, aren’t you!"

"Please tell me the secrets and matters about the observers!"