Chapter 36: No Room for Humor

Chapter 36: No Room for Humor

Paike thought about his new strength. Advancing to Middle Ruby, as well as awakening his physical cultivation, had made him nearly unrecognizable in terms of ability. Depending on how he used it, he might be able to launch her a decent way up the wall. It might not be anywhere near the top, but it might be enough to make a difference.

Before he could say anything, Zhang Shuying stepped forward. “I see where you’re going with this, but allow me. I think my cultivation might be able to help.”

She stepped in front of Paike, lifting the hem of her robes with both hands and raising one slippered foot a few feet off the ground as if preparing to step into something. Paike frowned but understood what she was aiming for. He crouched down and interlaced his fingers as she placed her foot in his hand.

“Okay, on three,” he said. “One, two, three.”

As he stood, he pushed with his hands and flung her up above his head as he stood up. In one fluid, explosive motion, he went from crouching to standing with his hand above his head. Her timing was impeccable as she jumped with his assistance.

With an unnatural gust of wind, Zhang Shuying shot upward. She didn’t come close to reaching the top of the wall, but apparently, that wasn’t her goal. She latched onto the wall a good seven meters up. Liming, Paike, and Mi Lixian stared in awe as Zhang Shuying kicked off the wall, gaining another meter before latching on again. Just as she seemed about to fall, a gust of wind blasted their hair back, and she maintained her position, regrouping on the wall despite the handholds disappearing beneath her.

To Paike’s surprise, Guan Li wasn’t willing to be left out. He left his perch on the top of the wall and climbed down slightly, moving in an odd, stuttering way from hold to hold. Despite seemingly dancing on the vertical surface, he had the dexterity to reach out and grab Zhang Shuying’s arm, pulling her up and helping her stay attached to the wall. Eventually, she stopped trying to hold onto the disappearing handles and closed her eyes, focusing instead on letting the wind buffet her. It held her aloft for a few seconds at a time as Guan Li towed her up a meter before pulling her closer to the wall.

She just concentrated on not falling. She couldn’t fly with her cultivation—she was still far from that—but slowing her fall was doable before momentum took over. It was enough for the handful of seconds it took for Guan Li to drag her up to the next set of larger holds.

With Guan Li towing her to the top, they appeared to be the first team with two people at the summit. Meanwhile, Li Feng was climbing the wall with someone on his back. Paike shook his head in disbelief. That was very impressive. The fluidity that filled every one of his movements made Paike wonder if his physical cultivation had advanced again. There was no way Guan Li would match that feat. Guan Li might have been a slightly faster climber, but he didn’t have the strength to carry someone. Well, at least not Paike.

He glanced over at Liming. “I don’t know how this is going to work. I don’t think I can get you that high, and Guan Li won’t be able to pull you up as well.”

Paike desperately racked his brain, unwilling to be stuck here, unable to pass the first obstacle. Shuying couldn’t make it up by herself, but with help, she could. Guan Li could clearly ascend and descend the wall at will—it looked almost as effortless for him as walking on flat ground. But how would that help the rest of them?

They didn’t have the right arts to support themselves. Maybe if he had learned Acknowledgment of Worldly Matters, he might have been able to improvise using the attuned meridian. But he hadn’t had the time.

“Sister? Have you made any progress with The Reed Steers the River?” He asked. Now would be an excellent time for a battlefield control technique to boost the speed and power of her allies.

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“Yes, brother, but only the first technique, so I don’t think it would be of use now,” Liming said, but she also shot him a reproachful look that seemed to say, I would have said something if I had.

He raised his hands in apology before sinking back into thought.

“I might be able to do something with a song,” Mi Lixian said. Paike looked over at her hopefully. But she didn’t look confident. “But, I would need time to compose. I don’t have anything ready.”

Paike shook his head. They didn’t have time right now. “Later, if we have the same team next time, but I don’t know how long we have. Good to know that it is possible, though.”