Chapter 494: The heart moves with the wind, and the stars fall like rain in the night (6k)
"Although the bus fare from San Francisco to here is not expensive, if you are eliminated, you will only get a thousand US dollars in compensation, which is still a big disadvantage."
In the surging crowd, Ronald frowned, muttering in a low voice, his eyes wandering, with a little uneasiness and anxiety.
"Why so worried?"
At the same time, the familiar and steady voice of "Old Immortal" came from the earphones, penetrating the surrounding noise: "The volcano is the place where the vitality of heaven and earth gathers. Lihuo lives under Gen Mountain, ready to go. This phenomenon
It means the mountain fire hexagram, and the mountain shape is glowing, indicating that your luck will continue to rise."
"Remember, when you are in a dangerous situation, the disturbances in the outside world are just illusions. Only by maintaining inner peace and clarity, moving the body but keeping the mind still, and moving the mind but keeping the mind still, can you officially enter the practice of feeling and breathing.
stage, and then awaken the power hidden in your body.”
"That being said, my practice time is too short after all, and I still have no confidence." Ronald was slightly startled, but the anxiety on his face did not diminish: "How can the mystery of the Shanhuo Ben Gua be revealed in reality?
Can you give me a helping hand?"
"Old Immortal, do you know that the fear in my heart not only comes from the unknown challenges that are coming, but also from the past that cannot be forgotten."
He sighed softly and responded to the comfort from the "old immortal" in the earphones. His voice was mixed with a bit of helplessness and self-deprecation: "In my opinion, the troubles in this world are far more serious than the various hexagrams you mentioned.
It’s complex and changeable.”
"The tranquility and clarity you mentioned are the realms I have longed to achieve countless times in the dead of night. But do you know? For as long as I can remember, that tranquility has been as far away as the moon in the mirror, out of reach."
"I, Ronald Tang, a child who was tricked by fate, grew up in the shadow of discrimination and exclusion since I was a child. My adoptive parents gave me a home, but they left me in a hurry when I just entered middle school.
Go and leave me alone, facing everything alone in this foreign country."
"In school, I became an outlier, not only because I was Asian, but also because of the unwarranted rumors - they said I was born with an ominous nature and killed my adoptive parents. The indifference and rejection of my white classmates, and the provocation and violence of my black classmates.
, like an invisible net, binding me tightly."
In Ronald Tang's heart, those years of youth shrouded in gloom were like old scars. Although they were scabbed, they were always aching inadvertently. He stopped and looked through the bustling crowd, as if he was traveling through time.
Traveling through time and space, I returned to the high school era that was full of prejudice and loneliness.
"When I was walking on campus, they would bump into me on purpose and then scold me viciously, saying I was a yellow-skinned monkey and a born bastard. They also cursed me for killing my adoptive parents. They often threw my books everywhere.
They were all scribbling on my desk, filled with insulting words."
Ronald's fists clenched unconsciously, and veins popped out on his arms.
"Once in a physical education class, I was playing basketball in groups, but no group wanted me. I was practicing shooting alone in the corner, but they rushed over and snatched my basketball away, pushed me to the ground, and surrounded me haha
Laughing. I tried to resist, but what I got in return was them beating me even more fiercely. They punched and kicked me, and I was beaten black and blue."
"I tried to use silence and tolerance to buy a trace of peace, but found that it would only make the violence worse." At this point, Ronald's eyes flashed with a trace of imperceptible cruelty, which was left after countless struggles in despair.
traces below.
"I started to resist, using my fists and my body that seemed to never be defeated. At first, I was just to protect myself, but gradually, I found that every counterattack could make me stand up to those bullies.
He stood firm in front of others and even gained a modicum of respect, even if that respect was mixed with fear.”
"Fight after battle, I went from being bullied to a formidable being. I even attracted the beautiful and proud cheerleader in my class. Her eyes once made me think I had found the light in my life.
But that green emotion was eventually extinguished because of my clumsiness and incomprehension.”
"The Brooklyn Aquarium was the place where we had our last date. The vastness and depth of the ocean seemed to indicate the unbridgeable distance between us. She left with a smile, leaving me with more than just memories.
of loneliness and misunderstanding.”
"This failure, for me, is not only an emotional loss, but also the beginning of a new round of exclusion."
"The discrimination and attacks against me by my male classmates intensified. They laughed at my incompetence. To make matters worse, some people used the power of my family to put pressure on the school. I became the target of public criticism and finally had to choose to leave the school that brought me so much.
A dark middle school.”
Speaking of this, Ronald's eyes flashed with a trace of imperceptible sadness, but it was quickly replaced by determination. "Old immortal, you always say that the Shanhuo Ben Gua heralds good luck, but in this long and difficult journey,
During the journey, I saw only countless challenges and tests..."
"This competition is so difficult. Whether it is climbing mountains or gliding in aerial combat, I have never prepared for it. I have no experience in this area at all. Coupled with the possible exclusion of Chinese people by everyone, I am afraid it is not small! I don't know.
Will the organizer provide reliable security guarantee?"
"Child, the world is like a chess game. Your destiny cannot be defined by others. The tenacity and unyielding deep in your heart are the most powerful weapons." At this moment, the calm and peaceful voice of "Old Immortal" came from the headphones.
The sound, like a sweet spring in the desert, instantly soothed Ronald's restless heart.
"The mountain fire hexagram not only symbolizes the heat and magnificence of the outside, but also the light and purity of the heart. What you have to do is to find your own clarity in this chaos. Let your soul be like the top of a mountain.
Although the snow is in a hot place, it can remain white and flawless."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "Everything in the world has gains and losses. Although this trip is full of risks, it is also an indispensable part of your spiritual path. If you can seize the opportunity,
Not only will your strength be awakened, but you will also be able to take this opportunity to understand the true meaning of life. Isn't that a great gain?"
"Dropping out of school many years ago was probably the bravest decision I could have made."
Ronald nodded, seeming to have made up his mind: "I know that giving up my studies means giving up the recognition of mainstream society, but I am even more unwilling to continue to sink in such an environment. What I need is a place that can let me breathe freely.
The sky is a stage where I can truly show myself."
"Old Immortal, you said that the road to spiritual practice is lonely and long, but I am willing to endure this loneliness just to awaken the power hidden in my body and prove my worth."
"Maybe this competition is my chance to prove myself. No matter how difficult and dangerous the road ahead is, I will persevere and use my hands to break those prejudices and constraints."
After breaking through the barriers in his mind, he took a deep breath, walked quickly to the hang glider storage area, and selected a pair of equipment that seemed light and sturdy. Although he was uneasy, Ronald knew that with the "Old Immortal"
With his selfless help, he is no longer the helpless child.
He is now a warrior, one ready to find his own worth and strength in this unknown adventure.
…
About ten minutes later, with the loud bang of the starting gun, the qualifying competition officially began. Ronald quickly put on his hang glider, took a deep breath, turned on the GPS track record of his watch, and resolutely embarked on this challenging journey.
.
The initial height of five thousand feet was nothing. Relying on the physical fitness strengthened after training, he has always stayed at the end of the first echelon. He is familiar with the basic skills of mountain climbing, observing the pace and rhythm of the leaders in front, and learning silently.
Standing, adjusting one's condition.
But in the second half, the mountains began to get steeper and the temperature dropped significantly.
On the unobstructed hillside, the cold wind roared wantonly, scraping against his face mercilessly like a sharp blade, and like countless tiny ice needles, piercing into his skin, trying to kill his will.
Speed climbing, a sport that combines high-altitude climbing with cross-country running, is far more difficult than traditional climbing methods. To reach the summit as quickly as possible, not only requires strong physical fitness, but also extremely outstanding skills and perseverance.
Ronald took steady and powerful steps, and the road under his feet became more and more difficult. Soon, patches of hard snow that looked like solid ice came into view. The degree of slipperiness was beyond imagination. A little improper use of force would cause serious damage.
It is easy to sprain your ankle, and there is even a risk of slipping and rolling down the cliff.
He has officially entered the climbing stage of mixed ice and rock slopes, and every step he takes is extremely cautious. In such an environment, a small mistake may lead to serious consequences.
Climbing up from the snow line, the ice and snow areas were scattered among the gravel at first, and then gradually gathered together. Ronald took out the crampons from his backpack and carefully installed them on his shoes to increase the friction on the ice and snow.
After a while, another huge piece of ice and snow blocked the road ahead. It was about half the size of a football field and looked smooth and hard. Ronald frowned, thinking about how to overcome this obstacle. He adjusted his breathing and decided to start from the edge.
Find the breaking point.
He climbed hard on the ice and snow that was difficult to reach, and each step consumed a huge amount of energy. His clothes were soaked with sweat, but he did not dare to stop at all, and moved forward and back mechanically, even without hesitation.
Use electrical stimulation to relieve pain.
There were four or five helicopters hovering on the mountainside, obviously observing the competition nearby. Ronald knew that his every move might be recorded, but he had no time to care about it and had only one goal in mind - to reach the top of the mountain as soon as possible.
Finally, he successfully crossed the huge piece of ice and snow. Ronald took a short rest, replenished some water and energy, and continued to climb up. At this moment, his body was exhausted, but his spirit was still high.
As the height continued to increase, the surrounding scenery became more majestic and majestic but also dangerous. The strong wind roared, as if it was about to blow him down. Ronald held the trekking pole tightly and moved forward step by step with difficulty.
Due to his lack of skills and experience in climbing snow-capped mountains, although he is not lagging behind at this moment, he still feels a little out of his depth. Every step forward requires more effort than others.
More importantly, the countdown was gradually approaching, but the towering crater ice cap was still out of reach. Time was like a ruthless spurr, urging him to keep speeding up.
Just as he was thinking about how to regain his disadvantage and stand out in this competition, a breeze blew by, bringing the unique coolness of the top of the mountain and dispersing some of the confusion in his heart.
He looked up at the sky and saw several falcons hovering gracefully and freely on the updraft. This scene, like a flash of inspiration, lit up his thoughts.
"Disciple, do you still remember the keynote of 'Freedom and Control of the Wind' that I taught you this morning?"
At this moment, the voice of "Old Immortal" broke the silence, as if directly ringing in Ronald's heart, "It is a state of borrowing the power of heaven and earth to travel around the world at will. On the top of this volcano, the wind,
They are your wings."
"In this volcanic land, the airflow at dusk is extraordinary. The sun sets, and when other areas gradually cool down, the heat of the earth does not dissipate. Instead, it accumulates in the embrace of the volcano, forming a stable temperature difference.
This creates rising thermals."
"Look at those falcons, they can soar in the sky without flapping their wings."
The old immortal's voice had an ethereal charm, and he slowly explained to Ronald: "They use this rising thermal airflow to easily climb to high altitudes. You can do the same, you just need to learn to sense and control this
Find the energy that can help you rise."
“When you observe the wind direction and find the airflow surging upward from the bottom of the mountain, you can try to use the wide wing surface of the hang glider to capture this force, adjust your body posture, and lean forward slightly to form the best angle of attack.
In this way, the wind can become a ladder for you to rise."
As night falls quietly, the sky seems to have been splashed with dark blue ink. The dim sunset afterglow and the gradually active starlight and moonlight shine through the sparse clouds and fall on the mountain ridges, forming a series of intertwined light and shadows.
The wind shuttles between these lights and shadows, leaving subtle but perceptible traces.
Ronald squatted down and put his face close to the ground, as if he could smell the breath of wind and feel its pulse from every inch of the land. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, let his mind completely calm down, and connected with the world around him.
A silent conversation was going on.
The sound of wind, heartbeat, and even the gurgling sound of melting glacier water in the distance became extremely clear. He began to use his mind to perceive the flow of the wind. It was a subtle and delicate change, like a stream of water converging into a river, and like the wind.
It started at the end of Qingping.
Finally, Ronald captured a stream of air rising slowly from the bottom of the mountain. It was warm and powerful, as if it were a road to the sky specially paved by nature for the brave.
He quickly adjusted the posture of the hang glider so that the wide wing surface was fully unfolded, like a giant bird about to spread its wings and fly high, ready to be embraced by the wind.
"Now!" He opened his eyes suddenly, grasped the control stick of the hang glider with both hands, leaned forward slightly, kicked his legs hard, and rushed out of the ice like an arrow, heading towards the unknown
Gliding away high in the sky.
At that moment, he seemed to have truly transformed into a feather in the wind, light and free, dancing with the wind and swimming with the clouds. He was no longer bound by the constraints of gravity, but followed the surge of airflow and moved with a force.
Sprint towards the top of the mountain at an unprecedented speed.
The surrounding scenes passed by quickly like a movie scene, but Ronald's heart was extremely calm. He calmly looked down at the mountains and land at his feet. Those obstacles that once seemed insurmountable had become so small at this moment.
He seemed to have entered a wonderful realm, where time, space, and even himself became blurry and distant. Using the wind as his wings, he headed towards the unreachable crater ice cap.
He no longer needs to pedal hard, and he no longer needs to worry about the ice, snow or rocks under his feet. He only needs to adjust the angle and posture of the hang glider according to the rhythm of the wind, and let this natural force become the driving force for his progress. Crater
The outline of the ice sheet gradually became clearer.
At this moment, he noticed that the competitors behind him were also following his example and began to use hang gliders and updrafts to accelerate the climb. However, Ronald knew that they were already too late because he had already found the wind.
The secret is to master the essence of wind control.
…
At the same time, in a helicopter five or six hundred meters away, after seeing many people trying to break the rules and taking advantage of the wind to climb, the supervisor of this qualifier nodded with satisfaction: "In the last round of screening, I didn't expect it.
We found a few good seedlings with good bloodlines."
In fact, the reason why this speed climbing competition was given such a short time, exceeding the limits of most professional mountaineers, and adding the factor of gliding, was precisely to test everyone's ability to innovatively explore this shortcut.
In addition to genuine top-level mountaineering elites, or reliable and conventional methods to complete the competition, hybrids with some flying talents inherited from the dragon family, especially those with a high concentration of wind blood, also provide another better choice.
There is no doubt that climbing freely with the help of updrafts like a falcon is not a skill that everyone can learn. If those with insufficient skills try rashly, they will only be blown away by the chaotic mountain wind, lose control, and even fall.
The fate of being shattered to pieces.
…
Under the light of the stars and the moon, Ronald Tang successfully climbed to the top of the South Sisters volcano and stood on the edge of the crater first.
In front, the Teardrop Pool lies quietly in the middle of the crater. Under the caress of the moonlight, the blue lake is filled with mist, as deep as sapphire, and a thin layer of floating ice glows with silver.
, adding a bit of mystery and tranquility.
After most volcanoes erupt, the lava quickly solidifies on the surface of the caldera, sealing the magma at the lower end. South Sisters Volcano is no exception. There are only eight real magma lakes on the earth. Under normal circumstances, there are only
It's just standing water.
Walking to the Teardrop Pool, Ronald discovered that under the thin ice on the lake, the light of gold coins could be faintly seen.
He approached cautiously and gently tapped the ice with his hiking pole. A valuable gold coin revealed its outline. The ice floe shattered under the force and was scooped up before it sank to the bottom of the water.
came out.
"It seems that this qualifying round is not as difficult as imagined!" Looking back to confirm that no second person has entered the crater, Ronald couldn't help but said to himself: "If I glide back quickly, it shouldn't be
As for being attacked by those following you!"
At the same time, he also suddenly realized that according to the rules set by the organizer, he seemed to be able to throw stones at those contestants who were still climbing. After all, it only said that they were not allowed to attack each other during the climbing stage. There was no limit to the leader who had already entered the gliding stage.
By.
Having said that, when Ronald put the gold coins in his pocket, trotted around the lake, planning to change places to take off, and grabbed two obsidian stones on the ground to use as a weapon reserve, he felt a surge of spirit and energy.
The double physical fatigue and weakness suddenly came to my heart.
"Let's rest for two minutes and start again." Ronald thought to himself. He found a relatively flat rock and sat down, allowing his tense muscles to relax for a moment. He drank a full pot of hot water to dissipate the tension.
The chill accumulated during mountain climbing and paragliding.
The night wind blew gently, carrying the unique smell of sulfur from the volcano and the cold air from the glaciers. The surrounding scenery looked both peaceful and magnificent under the moonlight, and the waves of the Teardrop Pool swayed gently in the breeze.
This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! While finalizing the take-off point for going down the mountain, Ronald also carefully checked every part of the hang glider to ensure that it would be flawless during the next glide, and casually said
Asked: "How much time is left until the deadline of 20:00?"
"Well, let me see..." The old immortal's voice sounded from the earphones, but he did not answer normally, but counted down: "10, 9, 8, 7, 6..."
"Impossible, it's obviously not time yet!" Ronald Tang jumped up in excitement and almost slipped on the snow. Just as he was about to ask the other party why he was joking, suddenly, he came from nearby
In the scene reflected on the lake, I saw a string of bright meteors flying past.
This is the trajectory of thousands of sword lights cutting through the sky and passing over this place. Each one contains a majestic momentum that shakes the heavens and the earth. They are not scattered randomly, but gather in an indescribable rhythm.
It's like a network of colorful stars intertwining, covering the entire area of the Three Sisters volcanoes.
Among the seven-colored sword light, the red-gold sword energy is particularly eye-catching. It is as hot as lava and pours down slowly. Although it is emitted from a very far distance, it gives people a sense of close oppression, unlike ordinary swords.
The light is so sharp and rapid, but it has a kind of calmness and weight.
Every move of the sword energy seems to go against common sense. It should be as fast as lightning, but it seems to be extremely slow. It is this slowness that makes people feel unprecedented threat and heaviness, and they can't escape even if they hide to the ends of the earth.
Locked edge.
"This... what a profound cultivation! What an extraordinary sword intent!"
Ronald was shocked. As a beginner on the path of spiritual practice, he quickly realized that it was not some celestial phenomenon, but someone using extraordinary and holy swordsmanship to cross thousands of mountains and rivers to attack here.
Although I don’t know why the other party came, who he is, and how the countdown of the “Old Immortal” corresponds to the moment when the sword light from the sky falls like a shower of stars, but the power displayed by this sword energy alone is enough to imagine its owner.
of otherworldliness.
He quickly adjusted his mentality and realized that although he was a bystander at the moment and was not the target of this super master, he could not take it lightly. He must find a safe place to avoid the coming disaster to avoid being affected.