Noble Academy's Mob Character: Reborn as the Campus Heartthrob - Chapter 39

Chapter 39: Mountain Climbing

As the first rays of dawn kissed the earth, Qi Yuan had already been climbing for some time. He leaned heavily on his trekking poles, panting for breath.

Each person’s physical condition varied, so their climbing pace differed as well. Qi Yuan’s physique wasn’t particularly robust, so he trailed behind his companions, struggling to keep up.

He harbored no illusions of racing ahead or being the first to summit. Qi Yuan believed in knowing one’s limits and refusing to push beyond them.

After climbing for a while, his legs began to ache fiercely. He paused to rest, intending to resume the climb shortly.

Despite the early hour, many others were tackling the mountain that day. Fortunately, it wasn’t a holiday; otherwise, they likely would have found themselves trapped in a human bottleneck, unable to ascend or descend.

Qi Yuan’s gaze swept across the unobstructed view ahead. The sun was half-risen, its glare nearly blinding.

He had initially feared that lingering too long in the Dreamscape would make him oversleep. Yet, to his surprise, he awoke just as his alarm rang.

With his plans undisturbed by the dream, he breathed a sigh of relief, then hurried to prepare.

After a whirlwind of packing, he grabbed his gear and rushed out, barely pausing to think. More pressing matters awaited: he joined the group at the guesthouse entrance for their planned ascent.

The climb had left Qi Yuan’s mind completely blank. Exhausted beyond thought, he rested briefly before resuming his ascent. Though his physical stamina was average, his resolve burned fiercely; he wouldn’t quit until he reached his goal. Having started the climb, he was determined to reach the temple at the summit, no matter how grueling the journey.

After what seemed like an eternity, Qi Yuan, panting heavily, sweat streaming down his face and soaking his back until he looked as if he had just been pulled from a river, finally saw the first rays of dawn. A triumphant smile spread across his face—he had made it!

Using every last ounce of strength, he scrambled up the remaining steps on all fours, abandoning all pretense of dignity. Yet he didn’t feel out of place among the other climbers; most were just as disheveled. Just making it to the top was an accomplishment in itself, regardless of how one got there. In fact, some were in even worse shape than he was.

The temple was vast, its halls teeming with pilgrims.

Instead of rushing inside, Qi Yuan joined his colleagues who had already arrived and were gathered nearby.

Zhuo Ming had insisted they wait for everyone to assemble before entering, ensuring everyone was safe before descending the mountain together.

Qi Yuan silently shook his legs, found a corner to squat down in, and then sat. So what if it’s dirty? I’ll just wash it later.

Sweat dried on his body in waves. After sitting for a while, the damp clothes against his skin started to make him cold.

Fortunately, he had brought a change of clothes in his backpack.

There was a restroom on the mountain. Afraid of hypothermia, Qi Yuan hurried there, first wiping himself down with wet wipes. The sticky feeling left behind by dried sweat was unbearable. He scrubbed as much of his body as he could reach, then changed into clean clothes.

His backpack also contained a pack of warming patches. He stuck a few inside his clothes, and soon, enveloped in warmth, Qi Yuan felt himself coming back to life.

He emerged from the restroom and headed toward the main group.

On the way…

“Brother Qi, give me a hand.”

Hu Xiang, who had just struggled to the top, lay sprawled on the ground, staring up at Qi Yuan with a tearful, hopeless expression. He was in even worse shape than Qi Yuan.

They had started the climb together, and Qi Yuan had initially assumed Hu Xiang’s bulk would give him an advantage. He never imagined he’d end up waiting for Hu Xiang repeatedly, severely delaying their progress. His patience wore thin.

After one final wait, he patted Hu Xiang on the shoulder, urged him to keep going, and left him behind. That was how they parted ways.

Qi Yuan pulled Hu Xiang to his feet, unable to resist a tsukkomi: “How are you even slower without me?”

Hu Xiang shifted into a sitting position. “What else could it be? I was afraid you’d ditch me.”

Qi Yuan: “Come on, we need to trust each other a little.”

“Brother Zhuo and the others are waiting. They said we’ll enter the temple once everyone’s gathered.”

Hu Xiang had no response to that.

But it was precisely this worry—the fear of being left behind—that had driven him to keep up with Qi Yuan, preventing him from falling too far behind.

Qi Yuan glanced at the main group, then extended a hand to Hu Xiang. “Still got the strength to get up? Looks like almost everyone’s here.”

Hu Xiang immediately grabbed Qi Yuan’s hand, using the leverage to pull himself to his feet.

Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine. He felt an icy gaze watching him, but when he turned around, there was nothing there.

Perplexed, he scratched his head, dismissing it as a hallucination, and stumbled after Qi Yuan toward the main group.

Zhuo Ming counted heads again, confirming everyone had arrived, and they all entered the temple together.

The temple was called Formless Temple, Qi Yuan noticed as they passed the signboard—a fitting name for a place on Nameless Mountain.

Inside the temple, the group dispersed again, after Zhuo Ming set a precise time for everyone to reconvene at the temple entrance.

Qi Yuan carefully memorized the time and set an alarm as a reminder before teaming up with Hu Xiang.

The two consulted a temple guide, planning to draw fortune sticks first.

Facing the colossal Buddha statue, Qi Yuan was seeing such a massive Buddha image in reality for the first time. He had only ever seen such things on television before, and it was impossible not to be awestruck.

After bowing reverently, he paid the incense money, picked up the bamboo divination tube, and shook it awkwardly, afraid of accidentally spilling all the sticks at once. He dared not use too much force, and it took several minutes before a single stick finally fell out.

Simultaneously, a stick also fell from the tube Hu Xiang was holding. The two men picked up their respective sticks from the ground.

Each stick bore a number. They approached the divination master to interpret their fortunes.

After handing over the sticks, the master glanced at them and retrieved two slips of paper from the wall behind him, giving one to Qi Yuan and one to Hu Xiang.

Neither Qi Yuan nor Hu Xiang could understand the divination verses written on the slips.

After exchanging a look, they returned to the divination master for clarification.

After hearing the interpretations of their respective fortunes, Qi Yuan walked away in pensive silence.

His fortune was favorable, promising great prosperity and smooth sailing in the days to come. However, the Buddha could not grant his deepest wish, suggesting he should abandon his attachment to it.

This outcome was more or less expected. If it couldn’t be resolved, then it couldn’t be.

He tried to calm his mind and gazed at the horizon. If this Dreamscape was the price of his rebirth, he had no choice but to accept it.

Hu Xiang’s fortune, on the other hand, spoke of meeting a noble benefactor—one who had already appeared in his life. By maintaining this relationship, his future would be bright and promising.

Hearing this, Hu Xiang’s eyes practically lit up.

His exhausted mind whirred to life: Who could be my benefactor?!

I absolutely have to latch onto this opportunity!

He had visited many temples, but few, like Formless Temple, offered such precise interpretations instead of vague platitudes.

He chanted inwardly: Where is my benefactor? Hurry up and let me find them!

Hu Xiang racked his brain, trying to recall anyone he’d met recently who might fit the bill. But no one came to mind.

Definitely not Brother Zhuo, he thought. He’s clearly just trying to latch onto someone else’s coattails like me.

And the others… none of them stand out.

Wait…

Hu Xiang’s gaze involuntarily landed on Qi Yuan.

“My benefactor!” he exclaimed.

Aside from Qi Yuan, he couldn’t think of anyone else who fit the bill.

Qi Yuan stared back, startled and speechless, wondering what bizarre scheme Hu Xiang was plotting.

Just as he was about to scold Hu Xiang, a voice called out from behind him.

“Qi Yuan.”

Both men turned.

Hu Xiang didn’t recognize the newcomer, his eyes darting between Qi Yuan and the stranger.

He’s pretty handsome, though, he thought. Blue eyes… mixed-race, maybe?

Definitely. He’s built like a mountain—imposing and overwhelming.

Feigning confusion, Qi Yuan asked, “Excuse me, is there something you need?”

In reality, he didn’t even know Jiang Wang’s name yet, such was his meticulousness.

Jiang Wang smiled faintly. “I just thought it was quite a coincidence running into you again. I wanted to say hello.”

“I forgot to introduce myself last time. My name is Jiang Wang—Jiang like river water, Wang like gazing into the distance.”

Qi Yuan nodded. “Nice to meet you.”

He had no desire to become entangled with Jiang Wang. He intended to exchange pleasantries and part ways.

But events rarely unfold as planned.

Jiang Wang continued, “If you don’t mind, may I join you in exploring the temple? No pressure if not.”

Qi Yuan hesitated for only a few seconds before agreeing.

“Of course you can.”

As the head of the Jiang Family, Jiang Wang had already shown exceptional politeness. Had his demeanor been even slightly less gracious, Qi Yuan could have easily refused. But now, rejecting him would have seemed ungrateful. Moreover, given Jiang Wang’s status, Qi Yuan couldn’t afford to offend him.

Hu Xiang’s gossip radar was blaring warnings, but this was clearly not the time for gossip.

He hadn’t uttered a word since Jiang Wang appeared. The man radiated wealth and power, and Hu Xiang knew that one of the Four Great Families in the academy was named Jiang.

Hu Xiang couldn’t help but think back. In his memory, Qi Yuan wasn’t someone who readily let strangers get close. It had taken all of his stubborn persistence to become Qi Yuan’s friend in the first place.

This man’s background must be far from ordinary.

Knowing he couldn’t keep his mouth shut, Hu Xiang decided it was best to play mute rather than risk offending anyone.

The guide mentioned a millennium-old tree in the temple.

They headed toward the ancient tree, eager to witness its legendary existence.

“We’re going to see the millennium-old tree in the temple,” Qi Yuan explained briefly to Jiang Wang, outlining their plans.

Jiang Wang: “Millennium-old trees are rare and precious. I once had the opportunity to witness one’s vibrant life force—it was truly awe-inspiring.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing the millennium-old tree at Nameless Temple.”

As they chatted casually, they reached the tree’s courtyard.

Qi Yuan looked up, gazing at the tree’s splendor. Its massive trunk split into countless branches, their number impossible to count. Autumn had already begun, and the leaves were turning yellow, falling to the ground with each gust of wind.

A young monk swept fallen leaves from the ground with a broom.

The sight was truly awe-inspiring.

Qi Yuan took out his phone, snapped a few photos of the ancient tree, and sent them to Qi Meng.

Whether or not he achieved his original goal, Qi Yuan felt the trip had been worthwhile. He had witnessed something he had never seen with his own eyes before, and he resolved to take Qi Meng on more trips in the future to broaden her horizons.

Their world was too small, so small it had become stifling—a mental stagnation born of prolonged isolation. They had been trapped in their own world for too long, always thinking there was nothing special beyond its borders. But that wasn’t true at all.

They shouldn’t waste their precious time like this.

This was a thought Qi Yuan from his previous life had never entertained.

He gazed at the ancient tree with delight, his joy radiating from his eyes, impossible to conceal.

Beside him, Jiang Wang watched him intently, his gaze full of longing that seemed about to spill over.