Daily Evolution from Mastering Tai Chi-Chapter 233 - 212: Pinnacle of the World

But when they noticed Wang Ye's figure, their eyes revealed shock.

"A Chinese? Did he come here alone?"

"It seems so."

"To arrive alone at the South Ridge Camp at 8,000 meters above sea level is incredible."

"And judging by the size of his backpack, it seems he didn't bring oxygen tanks or ropes. Did he climb the ice unprotected?"

"That's too dangerous... Is he an extreme athlete?"

"He must be an athlete from the national team; being able to climb to this height alone is not a feat for the average person." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Because the snowstorm was so intense, they could hardly see Wang Ye's face, only barely making out his build and skin color.

But even so, they could tell that Wang Ye's physical condition was absolutely extraordinary.

At this altitude, even top endurance athletes in long-distance running would find their strength and endurance reduced to almost nothing, relying solely on willpower to keep moving slowly towards their goal. Ordinary people would collapse on the spot.

Yet, Wang Ye's walking posture remained upright, and his movements showed no signs of sluggishness or heaviness. It looked like he wasn't climbing Mount Everest, but briskly walking on a routine commute.

However, this group of people didn't pay attention to Wang Ye for long. Instead, they put on their oxygen masks and prepared their food.

After all, they were struggling themselves, having no mind to focus on others.

Wang Ye then entered a tent alone, staying inside the flimsy tent that was continuously buffeted by the fierce wind to rest and conserve energy.

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Night gradually fell.

The time came to 1 AM.

Wang Ye emerged from the tent.

The bone-chilling cold wind battered his cheeks but failed to cause him any pain.

Squinting, he gazed up at the towering peak of Mount Everest piercing through the night sky.

Tonight was the final summit day.

The outcome, success or failure, hinged on this one attempt.

If he succeeded, he could finally leave this dreaded place.

If he failed, he would likely have to attempt again.

But regardless of the outcome, Wang Ye did not really want to return to this place.

Wang Ye packed his backpack, made some preparations.

Then activated the camera and started the livestream.

After a brief network delay, the livestream went live.

Even though it was the middle of the night, the viewership was extraordinarily high.

Within just ten seconds of starting, the online numbers surged to thousands.

Wang Ye cleared his throat and slowly spoke:

"Hello, dear audience, I am the Qi Refining Stage Cultivator. I am now at the South Ridge Camp, 8,000 meters above sea level, preparing for the final attempt to the summit. After reaching the top of Mount Everest, I will proceed with Ozaki's Eight's second challenge, Celestial Descent, and will be livestreaming the entire journey. I hope you will send gifts and share the stream."

The chaotic, fierce wind continuously bombarded the microphone, but Wang Ye's voice came through loudly.

Instantly, the atmosphere in the livestream room heated up.

[As expected, Qi Refining Brother is climbing Everest to challenge Ozaki's Eight!]

[I'm so excited! When will the jump begin?]

[Damn, broadcasting at midnight; don't you want us to sleep?]

[Why go live in the middle of the night? Staying up late, are you?]

[Since you mentioned Ozaki's Eight, I'm not tired anymore; I've brewed coffee to stay up all night.]

[+1, ready to accompany Qi Refining Brother through the night.]

...

After hanging the camera on his right shoulder, Wang Ye took out a pair of ice axes and ice claws from the backpack, preparing to ice climb up the South Ridge.

Meanwhile, the American Team previously stationed at the South Ridge Camp also started leaving their tents, preparing ropes, oxygen tanks, and various ice climbing gear for their final summit attempt.

Wang Ye just glanced over briefly, not paying much attention to them. His climbing speed would be very fast, and in just a few minutes, he would be far ahead, with no worry of being affected by the American climbers.

After brief preparation, Wang Ye arrived at the base of the ice wall. Looking up, he saw many ice cones already set on the face, most likely placed by the American team beforehand.

Wang Ye deliberately avoided the route with preset ice cones, choosing a barren path to start his ice climbing.

Not far away.

The American team appeared very surprised seeing this.

"Is he really climbing the ice unprotected?"

"He could totally use our ice cones."

"Yeah, everyone's a climber, helping each other isn't unusual at all."

"Is it a matter of pride?"

"This is a life-and-death situation, who cares about pride?"

"He's got to be crazy; let's not bother with him and focus on our climb."

They shook their heads, completely baffled by Wang Ye's actions.

In their eyes, Wang Ye was just stubbornly preserving his dignity at the cost of suffering.

Ignoring available ice cone positions to challenge unprotected ice climbing.

Considering the intense winds above the South Ridge Camp.

Without rope protection, a hurricane could literally blow a person away.

But just as they were expressing contempt.

Wang Ye, with the help of his ice axes, was already tens of meters up the ice wall, almost out of sight.

Faster than even a speed climbing athlete.

The amazed American team members turned pale.

"Shit, that fast? Is he a gecko?"

"This is extremely dangerous, and he dares speed climb here!"

"Danger aside, this guy climbs really fast! There might not be anyone else in the world who can climb this fast!"

"Damn it...we underestimated him."

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By the time the American team painstakingly reached the South Ridge.

Wang Ye had already passed the Balcony at 27,500 feet altitude, advancing towards the final Hillary Step.

Even without oxygen tanks throughout, he felt almost nothing, with only occasional gasping.

It was now 7 AM Beijing time. The sun was rising, and its blinding rays illuminated the entire expanse of snow and sky.

By now, Wang Ye could turn and see the vast and majestic landscape, with slowly drifting ethereal clouds beneath which lay countless overlapping ridges and forests of towering ice pinnacles in a world of white.

The path he was on was an entirely independent ridge, like a massive white dragon sprawling at the top.

A terrifying hurricane capable of toppling a person, carrying countless snow particles and clouds, formed a tidal wave-like wall that attempted to sweep Wang Ye off the mountain.

Even for Wang Ye, resistant to temperatures as low as minus 180 degrees,

he felt an incisive cold that cut to the bone.

Seeing such a majestic and awe-inspiring scene,

the audience staying up all night with Wang Ye became exhilarated.

[This is the top of Everest! The top of the world! The roof of the world!]

[I'm fired up!]

[Never seen such stunning scenery in my life.]

[Damn, my eyes are getting watery. Makes me want to climb Everest too.]

[I've decided, I must climb Everest at least once in my life.]

[By the way, it looks like Qi Refining Brother is close to the summit. Does this mean he will soon challenge the Celestial Descent?]

...

Wang Ye took a deep breath and continued to climb toward the summit.

Finally.

Twenty minutes later.

Wang Ye stepped onto the steep slope, using the power of his ice axe, and suddenly scaled the top.

The altitude reading on his watch abruptly changed to—

8,848 meters.

Wang Ye embedded his ice axe into the ground, standing atop the world, gradually spreading his arms wide.

At this moment, he is the highest person in the world.

Above all else.

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