10 hours to go.
The snow stopped and the wind died down; the battle below the Golden Summit was over.
Ma Yuanhong was countered by Hua Anning's abilities and was eliminated after exhausting his strength; the seriously injured Mira unleashed her bloodline power and fought desperately, but was ultimately no match for Lu Jin'an and was eliminated; Gu Yujing and Shen Xiu both exhausted their supernatural abilities and fought to a draw.
There are 5 players remaining on the field.
"No... I don't have the strength to climb anymore..." Lu Jin'an leaned against the tree, clutching his chest where Mira had kicked him, panting like an old ox.
Completely exhausted by Gu Yujing, Shen Xiu sat on the ground, trying to recover as quickly as possible. Gu Yujing sat beside him, the usually aloof and noble young master looking more disheveled than a beggar.
Chang Le and Hua Anning were treating each other's wounds, their raised hands trembling.
Chang Le looked up.
Under a night sky as black as ink, the Golden Summit, at an altitude of 3572.21 meters, stands like a deity gazing at the universe from among the stars.
The indistinct outline was swallowed by the night and fog, with only the bright lights of the Star-Picking Pavilion at the top flickering faintly.
It's like something far away in the clouds, something you can only look at but never reach.
With 10 hours left, their physical strength had reached its limit, and climbing to the top of the golden platform was no easy task.
This is the final, ultimate test!
Li Yunfan looked at the group of people resting at the foot of the mountain and opened the communicator: "Help them get up the mountain."
"Boom!"
It wasn't a rumbling thunder, but the sound of a dozen or so giant beasts running.
"Again!" Hua Anning frowned slightly. "This is forcing us to go up the mountain."
Chang Le stood up, vines wrapped around his waist: "Be careful when climbing at night."
Lu Jin'an said seriously, "Let's help each other along the way, and then compete for the rankings at the top."
"Agreed!" everyone shouted in unison.
"Let's go." Gu Yujing reached out and took Hua Anning's hand, walking in front.
Shen Xiu grabbed him and walked in front: "You're not suited to lead the way, I'll do it, An Ning will assist me."
Gu Yujing said, "We'll take turns clearing the way."
Lu Jin'an and Chang Le walked behind: "We'll cover the rear now."
"Wait." Chang Le flicked out a few more vines. "Trust me, tie them all up."
The vines wrapped around the group of people, while four others were scattered on either side, constantly embedding themselves into the mountainside as they walked, serving as protective ropes.
The five of them worked together as one, climbing the rugged path uphill.
The Golden Summit is extremely dangerous and is not usually open to the public. The mountain environment is pristine, and the mountain road is just a transportation route opened up when the Star-Picking Pavilion was built. It is full of jagged rocks.
Without any safety measures or climbing equipment, they proceeded very carefully, but slips, rockfalls, and snow accumulations still occurred frequently. It was only through their concerted efforts that they avoided falling.
Lu Jin'an's main injuries were to his back and shoulders, and his injuries were relatively minor. After each landing, he would help Chang Le use the momentum to climb upwards. After Chang Le climbed upwards, he would use the vines to help him save energy.
Shen Xiu was still at the forefront. After traversing a steep mountain path, Gu Yujing pressed down on his shoulder: "Take a break first. You've reached your limit."
Shen Xiu's legs were so heavy that he couldn't lift them. He didn't try to push himself. Instead, the group gathered together in a slightly flatter area to rest.
“I’ll go first later.” Hua Anning then looked at Gu Yujing. “You stay behind and watch over me. My wind is sharper, so I’m better suited to be in front.”
“Chang Le will go to the middle, and Shen Xiu and I will cover the rear.” Lu Jin’an also made a slight adjustment.
After a short rest, the group set off again.
7 hours to go.
"Instructor Li, they have arrived at the Cloud Sea Stone Tablet at an altitude of 1,511 meters. The current temperature is -6 degrees Celsius."
5 hours to go.
"We are passing the snow-capped stone monument at an altitude of 2,500 meters. We have entered the snow-covered altitude. The wind force is level 8 and the temperature is minus 12 degrees Celsius."
Near the snow-capped monument.
The five people huddled together, wrapped themselves in both sets of clothes, and temporarily hid behind the stone tablet.
"No, no, I can't... I'll just leave..." Chang Le's teeth chattered, and he had to be careful not to bite his tongue as he spoke.
Hua Anning's face turned blue from the cold, and she gritted her teeth and said, "I don't need points."
Gu Yujing's expression changed.
Lu Jin'an immediately understood her meaning and said, "I want to send Chang Le up."
Hua Anning pressed down on Gu Yujing: "If you need it, I'll give it to you. Listen to me."
Then she looked at Shen Xiu and asked, "Brother Shen, do you acknowledge the favor we did today?"
Shen Xiu said helplessly, "I admit it!" In his current state, there was no way he could climb up by himself.
Hua Anning and Lu Jin'an exchanged a glance.
"I'll clear the way."
"I'll cover the rear."
The five of them set off again.
3 hours to go.
The height is 3107 meters.
Five people who climbed up a steep mountain wall encountered a strange type of snow ice flower.
A vine-like alien species that grows only on snow-capped mountains, it lives by consuming the energy of living things.
Hua Anning stepped forward: "You all go."
“No,” Gu Yujing said immediately.
"I'll stall you for a moment, and once you're far enough away, I'll call for help."
Hua Anning raised her cold, trembling hand and gently stroked Gu Yujing's cheek. He obediently lowered his head, and Hua Anning lowered her frosty eyelashes, placing a kiss on his lips: "Listen to me."
Lu Jin'an decisively pulled Gu Yujing away.
Startled by the scent of Hua Anning, the dense snowflakes crawled out of the snow, their light-colored vines surrounding Hua Anning like a hunting prey.
Hua Anning sneered and, in a desperate move, activated the last bit of her supernatural power.
The dark red, menacing thorns, radiating scorching heat, lashed out like the claws of a demon around her, tearing apart the approaching snow flowers.
"I'm not just the wind."
Hua Anning clenched her right fist, and Bloodthorns charged forth fiercely.
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