The next morning, before the first hint of dawn, Shenhe was already awake. With nothing else to do, she meditated quietly in her room until the sun was high in the sky, then went to Qin Yu's room.
"Qin Yu, are you awake yet?"
"Just five more minutes—" came a drowsy voice from inside.
Without hesitation, Shenhe nodded. "Alright, rest well."
But as she turned to leave, a voice called out from behind her.
"No, no, no! I'm already awake! Wide awake! I didn't say anything earlier, so just wait a moment!"
A series of faint thumping sounds followed.
Shenhe always had the impression that Qin Yu was perpetually busy. She acknowledged the call and leaned against the door to wait.
A short while later, Qin Yu, now fully dressed and ready, opened the door and peeked out.
"G-good morning," she stammered.
"Mm, good morning," Shenhe replied. "Shall we leave now or wait a bit longer?"
Qin Yu tilted her head slightly.
Strange... Why does Shenhe seem even more eager than before? Does she really want me to meet her Master that badly? I'm not so sure about this...
Even though I've chosen a gift, I wonder if her Master will even accept it. After all, she's an Adeptus.
Thinking that this was the perfect time to depart—perhaps they could even reach their destination before nightfall—Qin Yu smiled. "Let's leave after breakfast. I'll pack up and we can check out together."
"I'll wait for you."
"E-eh? Ah, okay, I won't be long."
Qin Yu quickly packed her backpack, went to the front desk to check out, returned the key, and purchased some provisions from the inn. Only then did she and Shenhe head to breakfast.
With their bellies full, it was time to hit the road.
The main road to Jueyun Karst had reopened, so Qin Yu and Shenhe followed it directly. Around noon, they stopped at a suitable spot to build a fire and cook a meal.
Sitting on a rock, sharing a meal with Shenhe while gazing at the mountain scenery, Qin Yu found it surprisingly enjoyable.
Though she disliked adventuring, traveling like this wasn't so bad after all.
If I were alone, I'd rather stay home and sleep all day.
It wasn't necessarily because Shenhe made it fun... it was just that Qin Yu couldn't muster the energy to do something like this by herself. But that didn't mean she'd go with just anyone; she wasn't that kind of frivolous woman.
Still, that didn't mean Shenhe was particularly special...
No, wait, if she had to admit it, Shenhe was special. This was the first time Qin Yu had ever traveled so far with anyone.
And it was to meet their parents.
And the gift she'd given—"everything I have now"—was so unique. And Shenhe had hugged her so many times... No, no, stop thinking about such nonsense!
This was perfectly normal between friends, right?
Even though they never skipped a meal, mountain climbing was still physically demanding, so they occasionally needed to replenish their energy.
Qin Yu would periodically stop for short rests, pulling out dried provisions and the tea she'd brewed at midday to share with Shenhe.
"This cookie is actually pretty good," Qin Yu said, satisfied.
"Mm," Shenhe replied, her expression remaining unchanged.
Will I ever see Shenhe smile? Qin Yu wondered. Then she noticed a crumb of cookie stuck to the corner of Shenhe's mouth.
"Shenhe, here," Qin Yu pointed to her own mouth.
Shenhe stared for a moment, then asked, puzzled, "Here?"
"I mean, there's a cookie crumb on the corner of your mouth... Wait, let me get it."
Now's the perfect chance to earn Points! Qin Yu thought, extending her slender fingers to brush away the crumb. The sensation against her fingertip made her marvel inwardly.
Her skin is so smooth...
Qin Yu almost couldn't resist continuing to touch and feel, but she snapped back to reality and hastily withdrew her hand, wiping the cookie crumbs from her fingertip with a handkerchief.
Evaluation: C+
This was her best score of the day so far—not bad at all.
"O-okay, let's keep going?" Qin Yu said, a little flustered.
"Mm. We're almost there now."
"Really?" Qin Yu's eyes lit up.
"Yes, halfway up the mountain."
Ugh, so we still have to climb.
Resting was kind of fun, but the journey itself felt like being in prison. Still, at least this might be the farthest I'll get to go out for a while.
Shenhe, meanwhile, was thinking about how Qin Yu's touch earlier had felt a bit ticklish, yet inexplicably pleasant. She wondered what Qin Yu was feeling. If Qin Yu felt the same way, if their hearts resonated... that would be perfect.
Evaluation: B
Huh? Why did it suddenly go up? Does Shenhe really enjoy climbing mountains with me? Does she like doing boring things together?
Crossing the bridge over the lake, they began ascending the winding path to Qingyun Peak.
Along the way, they passed numerous simple pavilions, likely built by predecessors, and stone tablets inscribed with poetry that Qin Yu couldn't fully understand.
Sorry, Teacher, I've forgotten what you taught me... Qin Yu thought awkwardly.
According to Shenhe, the Adeptus Abode on Qingyun Peak belonged to Moon Carver, while the Adeptus Abode on Mt. Hulao belonged to Mountain Shaper.
Mt. Aocang, however, was the location of Cloud Retainer's Adeptus Abode. Cloud Retainer was her Master.
However, other Adepti had also guided her.
Qin Yu glanced at Shenhe, thinking, If she were an Adeptus, she'd probably be the 'Expressionless Adeptus.'
If I had an Adeptus Title, what would it be...?
Lost in these idle thoughts, Qin Yu and Shenhe chose not to disturb Moon Carver. Instead, they continued their journey, crossing the wooden bridge suspended above the Huaguang Stone Forest.
It's swaying! Qin Yu felt a surge of fear.
She had never been fond of such bridges, always fearing the planks might collapse or the ropes might snap. In truth, a couple of planks on the wide wooden bridge were indeed broken.
Not wanting to worry Shenhe, Qin Yu let her walk ahead while she stubbornly followed behind.
They had barely taken a few steps when Shenhe turned around and firmly grasped Qin Yu's hand.
"Stay close to me. I won't let you fall."
Qin Yu lowered her head, her cheeks burning. She whispered, "O-okay..."
Don't let go!
Evaluation: B+
Ugh, that scared me half to death! Don't pop up at a time like this!
After safely crossing the wooden bridge, Shenhe gazed toward the summit of Mt. Aocang.
"Almost there."
Huff... finally.
But where's the path? Qin Yu scanned the area several times but couldn't find any route leading to the summit. A sense of foreboding began to creep into her heart—could it be...
"We'll have to climb," Shenhe said.
Without a word, Qin Yu opened the System Panel and located the most suitable skill for the situation:
[ Wall-Running 1 ]—Allows you to run along walls without falling, but consumes more stamina. This skill cannot be used on complex terrain.
It cost 10,000 Points, but its ability to enhance mobility during combat made it a worthwhile investment.
With the skill acquired, Qin Yu felt a surge of confidence.
Though still uneasy, she managed a small smile.
"I'll go first!"
"Mm, don't worry. I'll protect you."
Qin Yu was genuinely terrified this time. "T-thank you for the trouble..." she managed to say.
She took a deep breath, placed her foot against the cliff face, and felt an invisible force emanating from her sole, anchoring her firmly to the rock. Her instincts screamed, The skill is working!
Withdrawing her foot, Qin Yu took a few steps back, then charged forward and sprinted up the cliff face.
Spotting the summit's edge, Qin Yu's eyes lit up. She reached out, gripped the ledge, and with a powerful flip, she vaulted over the edge like a fish leaping out of water, landing squarely on the summit.
Qin Yu exhaled deeply.
Perfect!
"Oh? Your agility is quite impressive."
"It's nothing, really. But thank you for the compliment—"
Huh? Shenhe shouldn't be up here yet. Who's talking?
Qin Yu quickly looked up.
Before her stood a crane nearly as tall as a person. And it—no, she—had just spoken?
"Hmm? Why are you staring at this Adeptus so intently?"
This Adeptus?
Just then, Shenhe climbed over the edge, barely out of breath. Noticing Qin Yu and the Adeptus Crane, she nodded and said:
"Master, I'm back."
"Mm."
Master?
So this crane... is Shenhe's Master? Cloud Retainer, one of the Three Adeptus on this mountain? Qin Yu tensed up, realizing she had been staring at her just moments ago.
Cloud Retainer turned back. "Now, back to the matter at hand. Why were you staring at me so intently?"
Why is she so hung up on this?!
At a time like this, I should... right, I should say this.
"I'm sorry. I... I just thought you were very beautiful. Oh, and I should have introduced myself sooner. I'm Shenhe's friend, Qin Yu."
Cloud Retainer tilted her head.
"Oh? You find me beautiful?"
"Y-yes..."
"...............Your taste is acceptable. Very well, I will overlook your impudence." Cloud Retainer nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied.
Then don't pause for so long! Qin Yu felt her heart nearly stop beating.
Cloud Retainer thought to herself, This is the first time Shenhe has brought a friend to visit. As her Master, I must maintain the proper air of authority.
It seems I've done quite well.
Cloud Retainer thought to herself.