Chapter 425: The Kunlun Mountains are imbued with spiritual qi

Lin Yang could only abandon the idea of persuading her, gritting his teeth as he said:

"Please rest assured, Miss Lin, my experience is extensive; I will definitely ensure your safety."

Lin Meng nodded, not at all worried about safety; she just wanted to walk the path of an ordinary person.

The two soon set out from the resort.

On the ramp up the mountain, there were many other groups; usually a guide could only lead a team of three.

Therefore, in groups with more people, there were usually several guides accompanying them.

Lin Yang pointed at those groups and said to Lin Meng:

"Travelers going alone like you are rare; most people go up the mountain in teams. Look at those groups with over ten people—they always include at least one gold‑medal guide and three assistant guides."

"But Miss Lin, rest assured—I'll personally guarantee your safety on a one‑on‑one basis; if you feel any discomfort, I'll let you know right away."

Lin Meng nodded, withdrew her gaze, and adjusted the mask on her face.

To her, this protective gear was actually unnecessary; she could fully mobilize her inner spiritual power to shield herself, even forming a spiritual qi barrier around her body to completely block the cold wind.

But since she wanted to experience an ordinary person's expedition route, she naturally couldn't be too unconventional—she wore all the required gear just the same.

Lin Yang's pack was very heavy; he even carried two oxygen bottles on his back.

Lin Meng thought for a moment and asked:

"Do you need me to help carry some of your luggage? Is this load really no problem for you?"

It wasn't that I felt sorry for Lin Yang—after all, I paid him several tens of thousands; a gold‑medal guide earns well, so a little hardship is deserved.

Lin Meng merely worried that this young man was overestimating himself and would end up becoming a burden.

Hearing this, Lin Yang shook his head and declared confidently:

"Rest assured, my strength is great; carrying this is nothing. Back when my grandfather guarded the mountain, I hauled supplies up that were far heavier than these."

Lin Meng heard this and didn't think further; after a while on the trail she discovered that Lin Yang had not exaggerated.

By ordinary standards, his stamina was indeed excellent; despite carrying much gear, though each step in the snow felt like it might sink his whole calf, he walked lightly, as if strolling on a flat road.

The environment truly forges the strong—no exaggeration.

Lin Meng even felt it a waste for Lin Yang to be a guide; he should be in the army carrying explosives—his physique and stamina make him perfect soldier material.

After an hour into the mountain, the pace finally slowed; Lin Yang suggested resting in a sheltered spot, and Lin Meng agreed.

During the break, Lin Meng tentatively asked:

"Have you ever thought about leaving here to develop elsewhere? With your physique, you'd be welcome anywhere."

Lin Yang smiled while drinking water and said:

"My roots are here; my parents and relatives are all native Kunlun people, and I have no intention of leaving."

"Although the outside world is wonderful, this mountain range holds endless charm for me as well."

"Do you know? My greatest wish in life is to explore the entire Kunlun Mountains on my own two feet while I'm still alive."

As he spoke these words, Lin Yang's eyes shone remarkably.

Lin Meng hadn't expected Lin Yang's dream to be so simple and pure, and seeing his genuine love for the land, she dismissed the idea of luring him away.

She thought and then said:

"Then let me first wish your dream comes true early; after a brief rest we'll set off again."

Lin Yang had only just rested a moment when, hearing this, he looked up at Lin Meng in surprise.

For some reason, he suddenly felt that this overly beautiful young lady before him was somewhat uncanny.

Since entering the snow mountain, he seemed never to see this young lady show any sign of fatigue—she wasn't out of breath and could keep a steady, unhurried pace behind him.

Moreover, while they rested out of the wind, he had replenished water and energy, regaining his strength, but Lin Meng hadn't drunk a sip of water or taken any nourishment at all.

By rights, this shouldn't be the behavior of a novice.

Even someone as experienced as him—a gold‑medal veteran—couldn't possibly trek through snow for over an hour and still feel completely fine.

Thinking this, Lin Yang couldn't help but voice his doubt.

"Miss Lin, aren't you thirsty? On the ice plain you need to constantly replenish energy, otherwise it's very dangerous."

Having said that, Lin Yang handed over an energy bar and electrolyte water.

Lin Meng stared at his words; she really wasn't thirsty or hungry—this level of consumption was to her like a morning stretch—but she had forgotten to pretend.

So she took the energy bar and electrolyte water, eating and drinking as she said:

"Thanks, I would have forgotten if you hadn't reminded me."

Lin Yang was half‑believing, half‑doubting; seeing Lin Meng finish the energy bar and drink half a bottle of electrolyte water, he finally stopped doubting.

The two quickly continued onward; the deeper they went into the mountains, the simpler the terrain became—so simple that at a glance one could hardly tell east from west.

Even the sky overhead was a blank blue curtain; without that faintly visible sun, a person could lose their sense of direction in minutes.

Lin Meng had no habit of remembering routes, her sense of direction was average, and without thinking she simply followed Lin Yang—soon she was completely lost.

If she had entered alone, she might soon have been like someone hitting a ghost wall, running about in confusion.

No wonder guides are essential—even locals rarely venture into the mountains lightly; this place truly is mysterious.

"Miss Lin, just another two kilometers ahead and we'll reach the ice lake; would you like to rest a bit?"

Lin Meng thought, then nodded: "All right, let's rest."

The two sat in silence; Lin Yang's curiosity about Lin Meng grew ever stronger—he had been secretly observing her all along, and he found his initial suspicions were correct: this young lady seemed never to tire.

What's more astonishing is that she seems to possess an innate, unmatched sense of ease; even though everything around her is a white void and her breath is icy shards, in such a hostile, unfamiliar setting anyone else would feel uneasy.

Yet Lin Meng strolled along as if walking through her own backyard—never rushed, never lagging, always able to leisurely take in every passing vista.

Lin Meng had no idea what Lin Yang was thinking, and even if she did, it wouldn't matter to her.

To her, this trek was as easy as drinking water; no matter how she tried, she couldn't truly act like an ordinary person the whole way—it would be too exhausting.

Anyway, after seeing the ice lake and the ice‑sealed forest, she would return with Lin Yang, then sneak back alone later.

Just treat this trip as a sightseeing.

The surroundings were eerily quiet, but Lin Meng enjoyed this natural tranquility.

She closed her eyes and sat quietly in the snow, her mind calming as she felt the airflow within the mountain range.

To her surprise, the spiritual energy here was already a bit denser than the outskirts.

Although it was far less dense than the spiritual energy of the spirit-gathering array at home, finding a place with spiritual energy fluctuations in this world was truly not easy.

She only hoped that going deeper into the mountains would yield denser spiritual energy; she didn't want to look for another secluded cultivation spot.