Climbing that steep slope almost killed Zhang Shaozhong. He was panting heavily, feeling like his lungs were about to explode, and his legs were as weak as noodles.
Looking back, the two big shots were also exhausted, drenched in sweat and breathing rapidly, but they were still able to maintain their basic composure. However, their faces were both pale, and their lips were so tightly bitten that they were almost bloodless.
"Huff...huff...I can't go on...I need to rest...rest for a bit..."
Zhang Shaozhong slumped down on a relatively clean rock, feeling as if he would kick the bucket if he took another step.
Ling Qingxue struggled to hold onto the tree trunk beside her. Although she didn't sit down, her slightly trembling legs betrayed her weakness. She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm her churning blood, and said coldly:
"The physical strength of ordinary people is indeed extremely weak."
Ye Meier wasn't much better off; she simply leaned against the mountain wall, disregarding her image, her chest heaving violently as she cursed:
"What kind of lousy road is this! Did the road builders have their brains slammed in a door? They only built the most difficult parts to travel on!"
Zhang Shaozhong rolled his eyes listlessly:
"Big sister...this is an unpaved road...nobody's built it...it's a miracle we can even walk on it..."
"Wild road?"
Ye Meier was stunned for a moment, then became even more agitated.
"That's even more foolish! Why not repair it?! Aren't you people of later generations supposed to be very capable?"
"With iron birds and telepathic communication, they can't even be bothered to build a decent road?"
Although Ling Qingxue didn't speak, her eyes revealed a similar sense of incomprehension and disdain.
In her view, even the weakest mortal kingdoms would find it basic to clear mountains and build roads.
Zhang Shaozhong was too lazy to explain the issues of environmental protection and development costs to these two ancient people who were like "why don't they eat meat porridge?", so he could only wave his hand:
"I'm tired. Let's destroy it, quickly."
After resting for about fifteen minutes, the group gritted their teeth and continued onward.
The slope became slightly gentler, but the sunlight gradually became more intense.
"It's so hot...this awful weather..."
"The water is almost gone, so we have to drink it sparingly."
Sweat soaked her clothes, making them stick to her skin and feel extremely uncomfortable. Ling Qingxue tugged at the collar of her windbreaker with extreme discomfort; she had never sweated so much in her life!
Ye Meier even rolled up the sleeves of her quick-drying shirt to her shoulders, revealing her fair yet muscular arms, while constantly complaining:
"It's so hot! What kind of lousy clothes are these? They're not breathable at all! They're nowhere near as good as the silk gauze of our Holy Church!"
"Mermaid silk gauze?"
Zhang Shaozhong has pointed ears.
"Hmph, you wouldn't understand even if I told you. How could a mortal be worthy of knowing?" Ye Meier arrogantly tossed her head.
Ling Qingxue then coldly added insult to injury:
"The demonic sect is accustomed to using extravagant things to bewitch people's hearts, so naturally they do not understand the wonderful coolness and summer-avoidance of my immortal sect's Cloud Garments."
"Oh? Yunshang? Those layers and layers of stuff you wear, wrapped up like rice dumplings? Aren't you afraid of getting heat rash!"
Night Enchantress immediately retaliated.
"It's better than some people being scantily clad and morally corrupt!"
"You hypocrite! I can wear whatever I want! You're just jealous that I have a better figure than you!"
Zhang Shaozhong listened to them arguing about everything from the hot weather to body image, and he was speechless.
He quickly handed over his half-full bottle of water:
"Gentlemen, are you thirsty? Have some water to cool down, and try to talk less. Talking takes a lot of your breath!"
The two big shots stared at the bottle of water at the same time, then looked at each other, but neither of them reached out to take it first.
Ling Qingxue: "Hmph, who knows if you poisoned it."
Night Enchantress: "Exactly! And with this little bit, who's going to drink it? The one you drank from is filthy!"
Zhang Shaozhong was so angry he almost poured water on his head:
"Drink it or don't! I'll just die of thirst!"
In the end, thirst prevailed.
The two of them took a small sip each, looking extremely awkward and disgusted, as if they were drinking poison.
After walking for a while, a relatively open scree slope appeared ahead. The sun was shining directly down, making it so hot that people felt dizzy.
"Hang in there, everyone! Once we get past this slope, it should be easier down below!"
The team leader encouraged everyone.
Just then, Ling Qingxue suddenly stopped, squinted at a huge rock at the top of the slope, and said with a hint of uncertainty in her voice:
"Behind that rock... there seems to be some shade?"
Ye Meier sensed it too and nodded:
"Hmm, it seems like there's a bit of cool air coming out. Maybe there's a small cave or a shady spot behind it."
Zhang Shaozhong and his fellow hikers were skeptical, but they still followed them toward the rock.
I went around behind the rock, and sure enough!
There is a small depression behind it, which forms a natural shady spot, and you can even feel a cool breeze blowing out from the cracks in the rocks!
Wow! It really is! It's so much cooler here!
"Great! Let's take a rest!"
Everyone was overjoyed and crowded into the small, shady spot to enjoy the rare coolness.
Zhang Shaozhong looked at the two big shots in surprise:
How did you know?
Ling Qingxue slightly raised her chin, her tone calm:
"Observing the angle of sunlight and the shadows cast by rocks, along with a slight sense of airflow—it's all very basic." (Translation: Common sense.)
Night Enchantress gave a smug hum:
"How could you mortals compare to my sensitivity to the earth's yin energy? This little trick is nothing to worry about!"
Although his tone was still arrogant, at least he did something "good".
After resting for a while, just as we were about to set off again, a problem arose.
This shady spot is too small, and with everyone crammed together, it's inevitable that people will bump into each other.
When Ye Meier got up, she didn't notice that her elbow accidentally bumped into Ling Qingxue's back.
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