Super God Grandmaster

Chapter 32: Chapter 29: Little Nemeses Chapter 32: Chapter 29: Little Nemeses Ye Chen also slowed his pace, having the idea that there might be something more attractive ahead, which made him unconsciously curious and sped up his pace.

The flowers at the middle of the mountain were plentiful, but as they went higher, they became scarce. However, they would occasionally make a new discovery. Most animals came out to forage at this time, especially those in the middle of the mountain.

The mist and dew began to disappear under the sun’s rays as if they were hiding, and the sun turned slightly blistering.

Hao Tian said: “Let’s not rush this fast. Let’s wait for the others.” It seemed dreary to rush ahead like this, so he wanted to wait for the others and have a good chat with them.

Ye Chen slowed down a bit, and the others quickly caught up.

Jing Xing said, “Are you tired? I can help.”

“I’m not tired,” replied Ye Chen.

“If you’re tired, we can switch.”

“No need.”

Time flew by quickly.

Zhan Ze suggested: “Let’s take a break. I think in another two hours, we should reach the top of the mountain. Once we get there, let’s have lunch.” He was worried about tiring Qing’er out.

The sun rose quickly, and as the fog cleared, the mountain became more visible.

They were getting farther and farther from Immortal City, with the mountaintop within reach.

“I feel like eating something.” said Shi Zi.

Jing Xing responded, “Don’t get too tired to walk!”

Shi Zi said, “I’ve already digested it. What time is it now?”

“Let’s eat slowly when we get to the top.” Hao Tian suggested.

Zhan Ze reminded, “If she wants to eat, let her eat. After all, we have brought enough food.”

Shi Zi wanted to see what delicious food they had brought.

Zhan Ze went over to Yu Qing with a water bottle and asked, “Do you want to eat something?”

“I’d better not. I’m not hungry yet.”

“Haven’t climbed such a high mountain in a long time, right?”

“Yeah, I’m almost turning into an old granny.”

“My feet are about to blister,” complained Shi Zi.

Zhan Ze jokingly suggested, “Let Jing Xing carry you.”

“Hehe, I’m afraid he’ll throw me down the mountain. With his feeble frame, I doubt he’d be able to carry his own weight, let alone mine,” Shi Zi answered.

Jing Xing protested, “You’re the one who’s too heavy, not me.”

Shi Zi had already started tearing into a roasted chicken leg, its scent invigorating everyone’s appetite.

“This girl, she doesn’t hold back when it comes to eating. Out of two roasted chicken legs, she’s already torn into one,” Zhan Ze commented.

“Weren’t you the one who told me to eat?” Shi Zi answered.

“Yes, go ahead, just don’t complain later that you can’t walk,” Zhan Ze advised.

“If you can’t walk, you can roll down the mountain like a barrel,” Jing Xing teased.

“I’ll roll you down the mountain.” Shi Zi shot back, landing a kick on him.

“I’m too skinny, I won’t roll well. You’d look better doing it.”

Shi Zi gave him a murderous look as if he had just called her a barrel, and she would look better rolling down.

“Don’t look at me with such loving eyes. I might get the wrong idea,” Jing Xing jokingly said as he stood up.

“What’s wrong with you two today?” Hao Tian laughed, mumbling to himself, “This Jing Xing really is different. He enjoys expressing himself in such a manner. Truly remarkable.”

“Who said I’m his enemy.” Shi Zi mumbled while nibbling on her chicken leg.

Ye Chen sat peacefully on the ground, appreciating the view below the mountain and taking this opportunity to rest. Yu Qing sat nearby, seemingly avoiding him due to the incident from last night. Perhaps she felt too superior to give him any attention, which made Ye Chen feel a little awkward.

Zhan Ze went over with water and a handkerchief, worried that she might be exhausted.

Finally, they made it here. Hao Tian seemed to be holding his breath, but now he could relax.

The vegetation on the mountain was stratified according to its height. The plants that blossomed first were generally at the mountain top, while the plants at the foot of the mountain were greener, denser, and taller.

After resting for about an hour, they continued their journey.

By the time they reached the mountain peak, it was noon. They had finally managed to climb up from the foot of the mountain.

Shi Zi felt like she had lost a layer of skin and was falling apart from exhaustion. She hadn’t been this tired in a long time. She finally conquered this huge mountain. The view from the peak was incomparable. One could see far and wide, the scenery was magnificent. One could see swathes of pear blossoms on the mountain slant and even flowers on the peak whose names she didn’t know.

All I want right now is a bed to have a good sleep; I don’t want to think about anything else,” Hao Tian groaned.

The mountains behind were even steeper, with the forest growing denser, casting a slightly eerie shadow. The view was full of mountains. The view from the front mountain was comparatively more alluring, while the North Mountain in the back was certainly more bizarre.

Ye Chen took a walk around the peak. Zhan Ze shouted from the other side, “Hey, Ye Chen, don’t get lost.”

Ye Chen responded affirmatively.

Jing Xing asked, “Can we start the meal now?”

“If you’re hungry, eat,” Zhan Ze mentioned.

When Hao Tian looked at Shi Zi beside him, he said, “Hey, you’ve already had a chicken leg, still going for more?”

“Who said I could only have one chicken leg?” Shi Zi retorted.

“Oh, you really think all the chicken legs are yours? If you eat any more, you’ll end up with a barrel waist and crush Jing Xing to death,” Hao Tian teased.

A leg swept across, narrowly missing Hao Tian as he quickly dodged.

Bi Chun walked over, helping to unwrap some of the items. Surprisingly, some were still warm due to Zhan Ze’s precaution of wrapping them tightly in several layers of fabric to retain the heat.

Yu Qing remembered there was a Heavenly Lake behind the mountain and said, “There is a Heavenly Lake behind us, right? I’ll wash my face there.”

Zhan Ze quickly volunteered, “I’ll go with you.”

After Yu Qing ventured towards the back of the mountain, she said, “The last time I came here, there weren’t this many trees, right?”

Zhan Ze gave a nod in agreement, “Hmm, it’s been ages since anyone came up here to do any cleaning.”

“It’s so dark and creepy, it’s kind of frightening,” Yu Qing added.

“Hmm, we should have someone come up and clean it,” Zhan Ze affirmed.

Sure enough, at the back of the mountain, there was a massive pool of crystal clear water, the source of which was unknown. It seemed as if it fell from the sky.

The front of the mountain was relatively flat, but the back was steep, filled with cliffs that resembled sticks of bamboo.

Out of curiosity, Ye Chen wandered about for quite some time before Hao Tian called him back, shouting, “If you want to play ‘Beast and the Beauty’, fine, but let’s fill our stomachs first.”

Jingxing came back and said, “There are a lot of mushrooms, but I don’t know if they are edible.”

Ye Chen replied, “Some of them are. I used to pick some from the mountains and preserve them by drying. They can last quite a while.”

“So you even know how to do this.”

“In the past, I occasionally picked and sold some. People would come to our village to collect them. I know who they are,” Ye Chen explained.

“You’re not going to poison us, are you?” Jingxing queried.

Ye Chen answered, “I should be able to tell which are safe. Little mushrooms, when roasted slowly over a small fire and seasoned, can be quite delicious.”

“Spices? Who would bring spices on a mountain hike?” Hao Tian asked.

Ye Chen pulled out a bottle of pre-prepared seasoning from his jacket and answered, “Well, I brought one.”

Everyone was stunned silent. Shi Zi exclaimed, “Wow, you really did bring spices.”

Ye Chen replied, “Knowing we were going to the hilltop today, I came prepared, though I wasn’t sure if we would need it.”

“You really are a hunter-gatherer,” Shi Zi cried out in surprise.

Hao Tian objected, “Don’t say that about him.”

“No worries, say what you want. I indeed came from the mountains. In her eyes, I am a savage,” Ye Chen said.

“Did you hear that! It’s not me who said that. He admitted it himself, an innocent little savage,” Shi Zi exclaimed smiling.

Ye Chen glared at her, and Shi Zi gave a forced laugh.

“So later, are we going to pick some to grill and eat?” Jingxing asked.

“If you’re not afraid of getting poisoned, you can,” Ye Chen replied.

Bi Chun laid out the food, and soon Zhan Ze and Yu Qing returned.

Hao Tian cheekily asked, “Was the water clear over there?”

“Are you planning to soak over there?” Zhan Ze questioned Hao Tian, noting his usual inclination to do so.

“Can you guys stop being so disgusting?” Yu Qing objected, having just returned from washing her face there.

Smiling, Jingxing said, “A bath does sound nice,” as he was already covered in sweat.

“Come and eat,” Bi Chun urged.

Under a pine tree and on a large stone, the food was spread out. Everyone crowded around the spread as sunlight permeated through the trees. At this time, the sun was directly overhead.

Jingxing glanced at Shi Zi and announced, “Well, I’ll not hold back then.”

Shi Zi noticed his gaze on the roast chicken leg, his hand already moving in its direction.

Yuan Jingxing commented, “You are really planning to eat another roast chicken leg. With only two chickens, you’re going to have both legs, leaving not enough for the rest of us. Why don’t you eat a chicken’s head to boost your brains? The chicken leg is only good for filling out your thighs, and you’re already fat.”

Shi Zi retorted, “With such nourishing food, I’ll leave both chicken heads for you to help you grow a brain.”

Their exchange had everyone laughing.

Hao Tian warned, “Yu Qing has yet to have her share.”

Yu Qing giggled and countered, “I can’t eat that much.”

“Then let me distribute. One chicken head each for Shi Zi and Jingxing. Stop squabbling, there’s enough for everyone,” Zhan Ze suggested, laughing.

Then came two slaps, combining into one sound.

Grilled Sesame Seed Cakes, Dumplings, Rice Dumpling, and Meat Buns – there was plenty of food.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, each grabbing their food and finding a comfortable spot to sit.

Zhan Ze asked with a grin, “Are we just going to sit here daydreaming and staring at the mountain later?”

Hao Tian suggested, “How about a bath? Didn’t we always soak whenever we came up here?”

“And it’s back to nature,” Jingxing joked.

Shi Zi choked on her drink and agreed, “The country boy has a point. Roasting things does sound fun, as long as we’re careful not to set the mountain on fire.”

Zhan Ze queried, “Roast? Roast what?”

Shi Zi clarified, “I thought some mushrooms are edible?”

Zhan Ze looked at Ye Chen, who added, “It’s not just those that can be eaten, there are other things we can gather and cook too.”