Chapter 1: Free Solo Climbing? Bring It On! A Tribute to the Fans (New Book Bonus: A 4,000-Word Chapter)
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Parallel universe, Shanhe City, Jiujia Mountain.
At the southern side of Jiujia Mountain, beneath the stone cliff.
Lu Xingzhou looked up toward the sheer rock wall more than 200 meters high.
A drone hovered above, moving up and down in sync with Lu Xingzhou’s gaze, the imposing grandeur of the towering mountains overwhelming the senses.
Live Challenge: Rock Climbing Jiujia Mountain Cliff (Height: 212 meters)
Task 1: Climb 100 meters (0/1)
Reward: Ten times the day’s live stream tips (directly deposited into the streamer’s bank account, no middleman fees)
Task 2: Reach the summit (0/1)
Reward: Restore body to optimal condition
Task 3: Climb to the summit carrying 10 kilograms (0/1)
Reward: World-class muscle strength control
Rock climbing assistance activated—route planning.
Simultaneously, a golden line appeared before Lu Xingzhou’s eyes, winding along the cliff from base to summit—this was the system’s optimal climbing route.
For free solo climbing, the greatest challenge isn’t physical endurance but determining the route.
Many climbers have lost their footing and met tragedy simply because they chose the wrong path.
The system’s planned route solved this biggest difficulty for Lu Xingzhou.
Of course, only Lu Xingzhou could see this golden climbing route.
Viewers in the live stream room followed his gaze, continuously expressing amazement.
Northern Star (LV12): I didn’t think 200 meters was a big deal until I saw this cliff. Now you’re telling me someone’s going to climb it!
Gray Car Paint (LV14): Isn’t this vertical? How on earth do you climb this?
White-Haired Heroine’s Dog (LV7): Streamer, maybe don’t do it—don’t die on my phone.
User ‘Mother of the Moon Goddess’ (LV47) gifted the streamer ‘Value 1000, Live No.1 ×1’
Mother of the Moon Goddess (LV47): Streamer, even if you climb Jiujia Mountain, it’s too dangerous!
...
The audience in the live stream was stunned. Nowadays, most people talk big during streams or play around, but who would have thought someone would actually climb Jiujia Mountain!
Watching the barrage of comments flashing on his smart glasses, Lu Xingzhou pursed his lips. The system had already issued the tasks—how could he back down now?
Since retiring early from the provincial team due to injury, Lu Xingzhou worked as a personal trainer at a gym, occasionally live streaming, delivering takeout—juggling three jobs a day just to make ends meet.
Just before yesterday’s stream, a holographic projection suddenly appeared.
Congratulations, streamer! You have bound the Live Challenge System!
Complete the daily challenge tasks issued by the top-ranked patron and instantly receive rewards such as money, skills, items, and attributes!
With the system binding came a full set of new live streaming gear—drones, gimbals, smart glasses—far better than streaming with just a phone.
So, during yesterday’s stream, Lu Xingzhou accepted a tip challenge from ‘Mother of the Moon Goddess’: free solo climbing Jiujia Mountain’s cliff.
When the task and reward appeared, only one thought crossed Lu Xingzhou’s mind—let’s do this, mainly to treat the fans!
Among all the rewards, the one Lu Xingzhou cared about most was ‘Restore body to optimal condition.’
Only those who have suffered injuries know how tempting that reward is!
Only after losing control and wetting your shoes do you realize how precious youth at twenty really is.
Now, the top-ranked patron, ‘Mother of the Moon Goddess,’ tipped again, begging Lu Xingzhou not to climb Jiujia Mountain.
But how could he not climb?
“Don’t worry, big bro! As a fitness streamer, I know a thing or two about extreme sports. Jiujia Mountain is just 200 meters. Today, I’ll conquer it.”
After speaking, Lu Xingzhou made a cheeky banned gesture.
Then he pulled out a weighted vest from his delivery box, attached a steel plate inscribed with ‘Mother of the Moon Goddess’ on it.
“Big bro said if I come, it counts as climbing. I can’t ignore such kindness. Today, I climb Jiujia Mountain cliff wearing this weighted vest—the weight represents your importance in my heart.”
He closed the box, adjusted the gimbal on his chest, switched the drone to follow mode, and began ascending the cliff.
---
Ten kilometers away, at the northern foothills of Jiujia Mountain.
Dozens of police cars were parked at the mountain’s base, blocking the northern ascent routes.
Zhou Shuwu stared at a 3D scan transmitted by the drone, frowning deeply while an officer reported nearby.
“According to forest fire monitoring cameras, Wei Na and Huang Xuehai each carried large backpacks to Jiujia Mountain.
Technical investigators analyzed footprints left by Wei Na and Huang Xuehai at the base.
Subtracting their own body weight, each backpack weighed about 30 kilograms.
When they descended, the backpacks disappeared—they likely hid the bags containing the victims’ bodies somewhere on Jiujia Mountain.”
The screen showed Jiujia Mountain blanketed by dense, towering vegetation. Apart from forest rangers, no one usually ventured there.
Thus, Zhou Shuwu felt no confidence in finding the victims’ remains inside Jiujia Mountain.
If it were autumn or winter, it might be easier.
But now, in the blazing heat of July, with thick green foliage shading everything, even the drones were of little help.
“Report! Captain, the base has been secured!”
A male and female officer ran to the command vehicle to report.
“Good.”
Zhou Shuwu was about to issue orders when the female officer hesitated.
“Xiao Lu, do you have anything to say?”
Lu Jiangying stepped forward.
“Captain, the northern ascent routes are all blocked, but the southern cliff remains open.”
Zhou Shuwu glanced at the 3D map.
“The map shows the southern side is a nearly 200-meter vertical cliff.”
Lu Jiangying was momentarily speechless.
Normally, a 200-meter cliff is a natural barrier; there’s no need to block it.
Yet strangely, her mind kept flashing images of her younger brother Lu Xingzhou—the kind of guy who, if left unchecked for three days, would cause chaos.
Lu Jiangying was Lu Xingzhou’s elder sister by two years, named by their father to commemorate his first date with their mother—‘Lake Light Flickering, River Shadow Sailing.’
From their current lives, she felt she either had to handcuff her brother herself or bury him with her own hands.
Zhou Shuwu pondered for a moment.
“Alright, Xiao Lu, take three team members to patrol the cliff edge. See if there are any clues.”
“Yes, Captain!”
Lu Jiangying gathered three officers and headed to the cliff.
---
Back in the live stream room, the comment barrage had completely stopped.
Every viewer held their breath, watching Lu Xingzhou climb the sheer cliff barehanded and weighted, with no protection, as if afraid any noise would cause him to fall.
Task 1: Climb 100 meters (1/1)
Reward: Ten times the day’s live tips (directly deposited, no fees)
(Current tips: 1,423.6 yuan; deposited into bank account: 11,236 yuan)
(Note: Task rewards apply from 00:00 to 23:59 each day. As tips increase, deposited funds rise concurrently. Please keep it up, streamer!)
“Holy crap, really? Already earned over ten thousand?”
Lu Xingzhou’s heart surged with excitement.
But after passing the 100-meter mark, he felt a faint ache at his old injury site.
He recalculated his stamina reserves in his mind—there was absolutely no way he could reach the summit.
---
“Damn injury! If it weren’t for this injury, I wouldn’t have retired early,” Lu Xingzhou cursed silently.
The more he thought about it, the more he realized how crucial the ‘Restore body to optimal condition’ reward was.
No matter what, he had to achieve it!
Now, Lu Xingzhou had only two choices:
Either climb to the top and be reborn, or fall and be reborn.
Looking up, about 20 meters above, the golden line formed a dot with four hovering characters—Temporary Rest.
Lu Xingzhou remembered that spot from earlier observation; it was a protruding ledge on the cliff.
“This system’s pretty considerate, even planning rest points in advance—perfect for catching my breath on the cliff.”
He quickened his pace, climbing several steps, took deep breaths to steady himself, spread his arms wide facing the sprawling Taihang Mountains.
“Everyone, have you ever seen Jiujia Mountain’s scenery from this angle? How is it—majestic or not?”
Nine-Turn Intestine (LV24): Big bro, you really are my bro. Your heart’s huge—to enjoy the scenery at a time like this!
Rising Prosperity (LV33): Streamer’s basically a superhero. Watching the gimbal’s camera, I’m not climbing but my legs are already weak. Lucky I’m sitting; if standing, I’d be on the floor!
Early Eight Can’t Wake (LV16): Listen to me, let’s just stop here today. Don’t climb any further—I’m scared you’ll die on my phone.
User ‘Mother of the Moon Goddess’ (LV47) gifted streamer ‘Value 10,000, Future Capsule ×1’
Mother of the Moon Goddess (LV47): Streamer, stop climbing, it’s enough. I’ve contacted your private rescue team—they’ll pick you up soon!
The viewers were already convinced—climbing a nearly vertical cliff with no safety gear was playing with death.
Especially those following the drone camera up the cliff, their legs were trembling, begging Lu Xingzhou to stop; they were terrified just watching.
Lu Xingzhou immediately took out his phone, logged into his bank’s website to check his balance.
Sure enough, the balance had jumped from 4.86 yuan to 117,473.86 yuan.
And with each refresh, the cash kept climbing wildly.
Would the bank notice?
When technology gaps reach a certain level, the other side can’t be detected... right, Ms. Gale?
At that moment, the cool breeze of a summer morning ruffled Lu Xingzhou’s hair; his body felt reenergized, and his eyes sparkled with light.
“Towering peaks pierce the purple heavens; where paths end, bridges to immortals are built! Everyone, there’s a way on the cliff—a path to push life’s limits!
Also, thanks to ‘Mother of the Moon Goddess’ for the Future Capsule gift. Big bro, I dedicate this climb to you.”
Turning around, Lu Xingzhou performed a backflip on a one-meter-square section of the cliff, his body flying completely off the face.
Just as he was about to fall, he grabbed the cliff with both hands, pulled himself up with a surge of strength, and climbed back on.
The airborne drone perfectly broadcast his harrowing stunt.
Nine-Turn Intestine (LV24): Big bro, my heart was fine before, but now after watching your stream, it’s not doing so well.
Rising Prosperity (LV33): Streamer, please don’t do this anymore. You can handle it, but our hearts can’t!
Just Here to Slack Off at Work (LV23): Mom asked why I’m kneeling watching the stream... Damn, who wants to kneel? My legs are weak from fear; I can’t even stand!
Lu Xingzhou smiled at the flying comments, then noticed two mountain camouflage backpacks tucked inside a recess on the cliff.
The gray-white mountain camo blended almost seamlessly with the rock face; without close inspection, they’d be nearly invisible.
“Look, some fellow climbers left supplies here. Let’s see what’s inside.”
He crouched beside the backpacks and was immediately hit by a terrible stench—like durian-flavored snail noodles mixed with stinky tofu left in an unswept dry latrine.
“These packs look new, but the contents have already gone bad.
Let’s check if the items are spoiled. If they are, we’ll take them as trash when we leave.”
Saying that, Lu Xingzhou unzipped one backpack—and locked eyes with a half-decayed human head inside!
(P.S.: If you find any shortcomings in this book, please, dear patrons, speak up—I will do my best to improve. Please keep me in check!)