Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 348: To the Top of the Mountain

Chapter 348: Chapter 348: To the Top of the Mountain

"What should we do? Should we continue climbing? Even if we reach the summit, it might be shrouded in mist and we won’t be able to see clearly. How are we supposed to find anything?" Lu Yi’s words were very reasonable. Even the townsfolk, as fervent as they were about eternal youth, were beginning to reconsider in the face of their harsh reality.

Seeing everyone hesitating, Du Changhui complained, "Climbing this mountain peak was your idea, Gu Fan. Are you suggesting we just give up now?"

Though he sensed the accusation in the remark, Gu Fan was unfazed: "Yes, it was my suggestion, but everyone agreed to it. Besides, do you have a better idea? If not, keep your criticisms to yourself. It’s easy to blame others when you have no solutions of your own."

Du Changhui was infuriated by this retort and made a mental note of the ordeal.

"Yuxueyun Mountain, in a sea of clouds, at the mountaintop, in the vastness of heaven and earth, another mountain rises higher still," Gu Fan muttered to himself. Then, determined, he called out, "Old man Tian, do you think we can press on? If so, let’s keep moving."

"The mist may be thick, but at least we can still see the path under our feet. Follow the rope and move slowly." Encouraged by old man Tian’s words, everyone summoned their courage to continue the climb.

Clinging to the rope, everyone carefully ascended, the mist growing thicker as they neared the summit. Initially, they could see ten steps ahead, but now, they could only see five. Even the person in front appeared as a faint silhouette.

The only consolation was that the path towards the summit was gradually becoming less steep. Surprisingly, they realized they were walking on steps. Someone had carved out a path near the top of the mountain.

"Damn, there’s actually a path here. We’re unlucky to only find it now," Lu Yi regretted. But Gu Fan was exhilarated—if there was a manmade path here, it meant they were on the right track.

And it wasn’t just Gu Fan. Su Hui, Lin Xi, and Du Changhui all felt the same. They believed they were on the right path.

After a grueling half-day of climbing, everyone was exhausted. However, the townsfolk’s obsession with eternal youth drove them to push past their physical limits, taking them further than Gu Fan and the others.

"No way, we, a bunch of young people, can’t even keep up with a bunch of middle-aged folks." Lu Yi, unable to climb any further, sat on the steps to rest. Meanwhile, Gu Fan was catching his breath, feeling incredibly tired and pondering about the clue on the map.

What does "in a sea of clouds, at the mountaintop" mean? Does it really mean to climb to the top of the mountain? But what’s the use of reaching the summit when it’s all obscured by mist? Even if there is an entrance, we won’t be able to see it.

"What critical information are we missing?" Not only Gu Fan, but Lin Xi also did not believe that reaching the mountain peak would reveal the answers. Nothing could be that straightforward.

Gu Fan and Lin Xi pieced the four maps together once more, hoping to spot any missing details. With her supernatural power, Lin Xi could dissipate the mist around them, allowing them to see a bit further.

Despite looking over the maps again, they found nothing new. Gu Fan was at a loss. Lin Xi retracted her power, and the mist instantly surrounded them once more.

"Let’s move on to the mountaintop first." After a brief rest, they resumed their climb. After much effort, they finally reached the peak and regrouped with Du Changhui and the others.

Du Changhui scoffed, "What took you so long? I thought you had chickened out."

Ignoring him, Gu Fan turned to Lin Xi, "It’s your turn now, our queen."

Lin Xi began to meditate and then slowly pushed her palms forward. The surrounding mist was gradually dispersed, giving them a clear view within a ten-step radius.

"Quickly, look around for an entrance. I can’t maintain this spell for long." Hearing Lin Xi’s words, Du Changhui and the others immediately set out on their search. They searched the area frenziedly, with one person nearly stumbling off the mountaintop in their haste.

Unable to find anything despite the thorough search, Du Changhui and the townsfolk searched again in desperation. But it was fruitless; there was no entrance in sight.

"What should we do now, Gu Fan? Was this trip a waste?" Du Changhui accused, not the only one feeling resentful. The townsfolk had come up empty-handed, and they eyed Gu Fan with a bitter glare.

But Gu Fan paid them no mind. Instead, he was deep in thought, "We’re at the mountaintop, we’re in a sea of clouds, but we can’t see anything."

"What did I miss?" Gu Fan couldn’t figure it out. Du Changhui, bothered by Gu Fan’s nonchalance, objected, "We can’t waste any more time. Let’s descend and see if there are other routes."

That’s when Du Jun had a thought, "Perhaps it’s not this peak, but another one."

Everyone’s heart sank at his words. Lu Yi, in particular, looked somber, "You’ve got to be kidding. So we descend now, only to climb another mountain? Have mercy, I can’t climb anymore."

Lu Yi’s words resonated with everyone. Exhausted and depleted in morale, the townsfolk were especially dismayed.

It was certain that there were no entrances on the peak. Luo Jingrong sighed, "We can’t deny the facts, can we? But at least we can return alive. That’s worth celebrating."

Although Luo Jingrong’s words were meant to be comforting, the gloom remained. Jie looked tired, "It’s so foggy that we can’t see anything. The descent is going to be problematic."

"Wait!" It seemed as though Gu Fan had realized something crucial. His urgent shout made everyone stop in their tracks. They turned to him, their expressions full of confusion. Du Changhui was the first to express his dissatisfaction, "What is it now, Gu Fan?"

"Quiet! Don’t disturb my thoughts," he ordered. Then he started muttering again, "’In a sea of clouds, at the mountaintop’, which is right where we are now. ’The vastness of heaven and earth.’ We’re surrounded by mist, very fitting for this description, isn’t it?"

It seemed they were close to the answer. Energized by Gu Fan’s realization, everyone eagerly waited for his conclusion.

"Yuxueyun Mountain, in a sea of clouds, at the mountaintop, the vastness of heaven and earth, another mountain rises higher still," Gu Fan murmured, lifting his head to the sky and revealing a cryptic smile, "Sister Su, could you please fire a shot towards the sky?"

"All right!" Su Hui complied immediately. She fired a shot almost directly upward. A gunshot pierced the air, the bullet piercing through the cloud cover above, before a distant sound of impact echoed back.