Cultivation Simulator: Shocking the Academy

"That man in the black cloak again..."

She suddenly murmured.

Hearing this, Su Chen followed her gaze and saw that mysterious man in the inn, leading a group of boisterous rough men up the mountain.

"Master Canghen, can you tell us when we'll reach the summit, will it be before sunset?"

One of the middle-aged men, with a handsome appearance, asked.

The mysterious man with a veiled face nodded slightly but said nothing. His steps were light and slow, but if one looked carefully, they would see his pace was faster than those of the brawny men, always staying a few meters ahead. With the response, the middle-aged man smiled a little, turned around, and said to the men, "Brothers, we can reach the summit before sunset, then tonight we can witness the true appearance of the Spiritual Treasure!"

Everyone was elated and even more excited, then followed the mysterious man, called Master Canghen, up the mountain path.

"Spiritual Treasure?"

Su Chen was secretly surprised and looked at Qi Ling with a strange expression. The latter just smiled and looked at him with an "I told you so" expression.

"I told you I came to hunt treasure, do you believe me now?"

Su Chen nodded but awkwardly realized he was still hugging Qi Ling. His face turned a few shades redder, and he hurriedly let go, stepping back a few steps, "I'm sorry, just now..."

"Why apologize? It's not like you hugged me first."

Qi Ling stood cutely under the tree, twirling her hair with her slender jade fingers, smiling at Su Chen. "The situation came out of nowhere, so I let you take advantage a bit, but tonight, you'll have to make it up to me."

Su Chen's mouth twitched, and he exclaimed, "Ho—how do I make it up?"

"Just like before, sleep together, alright?"

Qi Ling's dimples were filled with laughter.

"No way!"

Su Chen decisively refused, blushing, and walked out from under the tree, heading towards the mountain path. Qi Ling couldn't help but laugh lightly, her gaze moist as she watched Su Chen's back, "This silly guy, he really thinks I want to sleep with him, hehe~" The two of them, one in front and one behind, walked up the gentle slopes of Luoji Mountain under the midday sun. Following the winding mountain road, they walked for about half an hour, and Su Chen wiped his forehead, which was already sweaty.

"Do you want to rest for a bit? Seeing you drenched in sweat makes my heart ache."

Qi Ling's lively voice, like a yellow oriole's, came from behind.

Su Chen paused for a moment, shook his head, and continued forward. He didn't want to still be out by nightfall; it would be troublesome if his senior brother found out.

Qi Ling watched his determined back, sighed and said, "Such a stubborn child."

Suddenly, she sped up and quickly caught up with Su Chen, then patted him on the shoulder, "Silly, stop for a second. We can take a shortcut; I know a path that leads to the summit."

Su Chen was startled, turned back, and glared at Qi Ling, "If you knew a shortcut, why didn't you say so earlier? Made me go the long way for nothing."

Qi Ling smiled nonchalantly, her bright eyes looking at the slightly annoyed Su Chen, and said plainly, "Who told you to walk so fast, ignoring me? And..."

"And what?"

Su Chen already frowned.

"And I wanted to spend more time with you. If we took the shortcut, there'd be no chance, right?"

Qi Ling's tone suddenly turned a bit pitiful. Su Chen, looking defeated, said to her, "Crazy girl, I really don't understand what you're thinking. Lead the way; we need to make the most of our time."

Qi Ling purposely gave him a plaintive look, then walked a few steps ahead, "Hurry and follow, this path is a bit complex. I'm not sure if I've remembered it correctly, if I've got it wrong..."

"What then?"

"Then we'd have to spend the night in the mountain, hehe."...

Following Qi Ling, after twists and turns, they finally reached the summit of Luoji Mountain half an hour later. Standing on the spacious peak, with the warm mountain breeze blowing, Su Chen sighed, "Finally made it, I guess you didn't let me down."

Qi Ling laughed into the wind, "With my talents, as if a little trail could stump me, dream on."

Seeing her smug and showy demeanor, Su Chen felt a bit defeated again, but just then, footsteps and shouting were heard from the main path to the summit!

"Quick, quick, we've reached the summit!"

"Master Canghen, slow down, don't accidentally fall!"

"Hahaha, brothers, move fast, I can't wait any longer!"

Su Chen was startled, quickly grabbed Qi Ling's hand and hurried towards a large rock, "Quick, hide, it would be bad if we're discovered!"

Qi Ling felt a slight stir in her heart as her hand was held, but her expression remained relaxed, "Don't worry, they won't discover us."

Su Chen was about to ask why when he saw a group suddenly appear in front of the large rock; it was the men who had come up the mountain with the mysterious man. They saw the vast summit and couldn't contain their joy. The middle-aged man leading the group spotted a stone altar at the center of the summit!

"Brothers, there's a stone altar ahead!"

All of a sudden, everyone was excited, looking eager at the stone altar. At that moment, from the back of the crowd, the mysterious man with the black veil slowly walked out, and everyone made way for him to come to the front.

The mysterious man held a longsword and slowly raised it high. Everyone gazed intently at the black, translucent mysterious crystal on the sword!

"Master Canghen, what's the situation?"

The middle-aged man, despite trying his best to suppress his inner excitement, still had a slight quiver in his voice.

The mysterious man looked at the crowd, and a faint cold light seemed to flicker in his eyes beneath the veil. He spoke slowly and hoarsely, "The black Spiritual Qi of the crystal is intensifying, indicating that the Spiritual Treasure is definitely on the summit. However, once the treasure is found, who will preside over it?"