They had only been climbing for less than ten minutes, and except for Xu Qingzhi, Huo Fengyan, Huo Jin, Huo Fengze and Jiang Xiao who worked out regularly, everyone else began to gasp for breath.

Although it was still dark, everyone was climbing up quickly because no one knew who had first suggested watching the sunrise.

You supported me, I supported you, Zhou An was so tired that he cried while crawling: "I will never crawl again next time, no, there will be no next time, absolutely no next time!"

Climbing the mountain was so scary. She wanted to die because of the endless stairs.

But now that I’m here, I won’t be willing not to climb up.

Wen Shanshan kept adjusting her breathing and rhythm, and after climbing for a while, she didn't feel tired anymore.

Huo Ying, who was getting more and more tired from climbing, could not catch up with Wen Shanshan, so he stretched out a hand to Huo Jin.

Huo Jin took out a piece of sucking jelly from the inside pocket of his coat and handed it over.

Because the sucking jelly is kept warm by body temperature, you won't feel cold when eating it even if the temperature outside is extremely low.

Huo Ying took two big sips of the jelly, and the sweet taste instantly relieved some of his fatigue.

She panted as she climbed, shaking her head and looking at Huo Jin who was very calm beside her, and asked: "Brother Jin, are you tired?"

"Not tired." Huo Jin was telling the truth. He exercises all year round, and this level of exercise intensity was not enough to make him out of breath.

"Since you're not tired..." Huo Ying confidently stretched out his hand: "Then carry me on your back. I really can't climb anymore. My legs are almost numb."

Huo Jin stopped and bent his 1.9-meter-tall body. Huo Ying leaped up and jumped up.

She even made a request: "You have to surpass Wen Shanshan. I made a bet last night and I can't lose."

Huo Jin strode forward with long legs and steady progress, and soon caught up with the crowd.

Wen Shanshan, who was passing by a store and bought a bamboo stick as a walking stick, looked at Huo Ying who was passing by and said, "You are shameless. Come down quickly. How can you climb a mountain and let someone carry you on your back?"

"I didn't say we couldn't do this last night." Huo Ying stuck out his tongue.

The group climbed the first level of the mountain while joking and playing, and then lined up to take the cable car up. If they relied solely on their legs to climb the mountain, it would take more than a day to finish. Taking the cable car to watch the sunrise is undoubtedly the best choice.

After getting off the cable car, you still have to continue climbing.

The sky was gradually getting brighter. Because of the high terrain, the oxygen was thinner. Xia Weiwei felt a little dizzy from climbing so she bought a bottle of oxygen. Everyone stopped to rest for a while.

Xia Weiwei asked: "Can we see the sunrise today?"

Xu Qingzhi: "It's a bit uncertain."

"Qingzhi, we have grilled sausages. Do you want to try some?" Wen Shanshan was staring at the grilled sausage machine in the convenience store.

"eat!"

"How many do you want?"

"I'll just have one."

Wen Shanshan: "Where's Weiwei?"

Xia Weiwei waved her hand, "I don't need it."

Huo Fengyan took the initiative to walk over and scan the code to pay.

We took a short break and continued to climb up.

Passing by the iconic "Phoenix Mountain" gate, many tourists check in here.

"It's a rare occasion that we all come together to climb the mountain, so why don't we take a group photo as a souvenir." Huo Yingti suggested. Although mobile phones can take photos, she and Wen Shanshan are used to bringing cameras when traveling.

Huo Jin took the camera handed to him by the eldest lady, walked a few steps down the stairs, and prepared to take pictures for everyone.

Xia Weiwei was recognized by a passerby fan and asked if they could take a photo together. Although Xia Weiwei was not feeling well, she saw that the other person was a polite girl and nodded.

Qingzhi took a photo with Weiwei using her phone. After the other party took a look and was very satisfied, Qingzhi asked, "Can I take up a little of your time and trouble you to take a group photo for us?"

"Okay, of course." The girl walked over excitedly and learned from Huo Jin how to press the button on the camera to take a photo.

Xia Weiwei and Xu Qingzhi walked up a few stairs and were pushed by everyone to stand in the center position, while Huo Jin casually stood at the edge.

Huo Ying took Qing Zhi's arm and said, "Come on, let's make a heart shape and take a few more photos with different poses."

A passerby girl helped take several photos. She was still excited about meeting her idol, but now she finally calmed down a little. Before leaving, she clenched her fists and cheered people up. "Weiwei, you will always be the best in my heart. You must continue to create better songs in the new year. I will always support you."

Xia Weiwei smiled and said, "Thank you."

After taking the group photo, the group continued to climb up. The higher they went, the more people there were.

Xia Weiwei asked curiously, "How come you weren't recognized along the way? I could recognize you just by looking at your back."

Xu Qingzhi naturally wouldn't mention the fact that he had opened a weakened aura for himself, and said softly: "How long have I retired from the circle?"

When they were almost at the top of the mountain, Xu Qingzhi noticed a middle-aged woman with a child, climbing up, bowing every three steps.

From time to time, someone would look on and talk about it.

"What is this for?"

"It's feudal superstition."

"You're free after having a full meal, right?"

Even Zhou Ran was puzzled and asked, "Is this some traditional ceremony?"

Xu Qingzhi: "You must have something in your heart."

Just like the Xu family, whenever there was an important exam, her father would go to the temple to burn incense and pray for her and her brother to get good grades.

The golden statue of Bodhisattva on the top of Phoenix Mountain has always been said to be very powerful. Many tourists not only come to climb the mountain, but also to burn incense and light candles.

They felt tired just walking up, let alone bowing every three steps.

The group quickly overtook the woman and continued walking towards the top of the mountain.

Zhou An is a staunch atheist: "But this is useless. If you encounter any difficulties, you might as well spend time solving them."

Xia Weiwei: "This is probably because they spend time and effort but can't solve the problem, so they come to ask for help."

"What's the point of this?" Zhou An didn't understand.

Xu Qingzhi asked: "If the person you love the most is seriously ill, and you can climb up like this and kowtow three times and nine times, your lover's illness will be cured, would you be willing?"

Zhou An said rationally: "But this won't happen."

Xu Qingzhi: "I mean what if."

Zhou An: "If I can, then I would definitely like to."

Xu Qingzhi: "Yes, that's what they firmly believe in their hearts right now."

Zhou An suddenly turned around and looked at the middle-aged woman and the child.

Facing all kinds of gazes, the middle-aged woman insisted on bowing every three steps.

Faith is silent, yet deafening.

Wen Shanshan shook her head and turned back, not wanting to look at her anymore. "She looks really pitiful. If I meet her up there later, I'll ask her if I can help her."

They are currently bowing, so it would be inappropriate to disturb them.

The group continued to walk up the stairs and met a few aunties singing and dancing in the middle of the stairs. The aunties' voices were not very pleasant and a little hoarse, and no one knew what they were reading. Some aunties who were interested would stop to take a photo or video, but most of the young people walked past in a hurry.

The faster we climbed to the top of the mountain, the stronger the smell of burning incense became.

Xu Qingzhi really likes the smell of incense.

I don’t know if other people have this habit of liking to smell strange smells, but her favorite is the smell of dried Chinese medicinal herbs.

When she was in school, every time she passed by the door of a Chinese medicine store, the smell of Chinese medicinal materials would make her feel comfortable all over, and she would want to stand at the door and take a few more breaths.

My second favorite thing is the smell of incense.

There were incense sticks for sale below, Xu Qingzhi and Huo Fengyan bought some and lit two sticks. (End of this chapter)