Anyone hearing Li Younan say such a thing would be surprised at first.
At this moment, Luo Yong scrutinized Li Younan, his eyes subtly glowing.
In terms of physique, a rock climber’s main characteristic is having a high strength-to-weight ratio, meaning they’re often lean and nimble.
Rock climbing encompasses different styles, like bouldering, traditional climbing, long distance climbing, each with varied physical demands.
However, the common trait among all styles is being lean with developed back and prominent forearm muscles.
Li Younan was wearing a thin jacket and sweatshirt, concealing his body type, making it hard to discern his physique.
Just now, while Luo Yong was talking to Zhu Qingyue, he naturally noticed the quiet Li Younan beside her.
At the time, he only inwardly speculated about Li Younan’s relationship with Zhu Qingyue. Since the latter didn’t speak, he didn’t ask further.
Now, hearing Li Younan underestimate the difficulty of the routes here naturally surprised Luo Yong and somewhat displeased him.
Regardless of whether Li Younan was boasting, his words already touched on an issue of face.
The routes here include one extremely challenging path that even Luo Yong finds strenuous without regular practice.
The entire club is aware of this fact.
Thus, Li Younan’s statement made him seem somewhat... weak.
Of course, Luo Yong didn’t believe Li Younan truly possessed the prowess to surpass all the routes.
But Li Younan dared to say so, indicating he did know climbing, potentially at a decent level among ordinary folks.
Yet he underestimated the difficulty of the routes here.
If that’s the case, Luo Yong didn’t mind giving this somewhat arrogant young man a lesson, to at least make him realize there are always greater challenges beyond visible simplicity.
Zhu Qingyue looked at Li Younan somewhat unexpectedly at this time.
In her understanding, she wasn’t aware Li Younan could climb.
However, she was primarily thinking about how Li Younan would persuade Luo Yong to tell them the route.
Luo Yong chuckled and said, "Young brother, so you can climb?"
Li Younan nodded in agreement.
Luo Yong asked, "How many years have you been practicing?"
Li Younan gazed at the tallest rock wall in the venue, with many high-difficulty obstacles, slowly withdrew his gaze and smiled, "Coach Luo, do you think the length of practice is crucial to skills?"
Luo Yong glanced at the wall following Li Younan’s gaze, nonchalantly nodded, "It’s quite important, isn’t it? Or, do you think it’s not?"
Li Younan pointed at the wall, "Is that the hardest route here?"
Luo Yong smiled and nodded, "See the blue area? That’s the toughest one."
Li Younan showed a contemplative look.
Luo Yong said, "Why not try it?"
Li Younan eagerly nodded in agreement.
Luo Yong chuckled, "Honestly, many climbing enthusiasts come by, but it’s my first time hearing someone say the routes here are too easy. That’s perfect, we can exchange and learn from each other."
He heavily emphasized the word "exchange."
Li Younan looked at the wall with some interest.
Everyone gathered in front of the rock wall.
However, Luo Yong didn’t let Li Younan try first; instead, he called out Ling Feng from the trainees and said, "Ling Feng, you try first."
Then told Li Younan sincerely, "This route seems less difficult, but it has hidden challenges, easily caught off-guard if not careful. This guy here is one of my top trainees; let him give it a go first."
Ling Feng was already itching to start. When Li Younan made those comments earlier, he was already holding back.
He’s slightly renowned in the Chengdu climbing circles.
If Li Younan was indeed that skilled, he should already be recognized as a big name in the climbing community.
In reality, it’s almost unheard of for a silent, unknown talent to suddenly emerge.
Ling Feng began tightening his shoelaces, forcefully tying the knots with his fingertips.
The chalk bag swung at his waist, white powder coating the gaps between his fingers.
The route had run through his mind many times, but this time unlike any other.
Starting with fingers clenched on the hold, he felt Li Younan’s gaze pinned to his back.
He began climbing.
Each move deliberately smooth despite muscle fatigue setting in.
At the tough spot his forearms shook, but he locked his core with determination, fingertips finding that irritating bump.
During the final inclined segment, breathing grew heavier, but he powered through decisively.
Upon touching the summit hold, his fingers fiercely pressed against the rough surface, pausing a moment before releasing.
Descending, the rope twisted, Ling Feng saw the coach’s mouth curve slightly.
Li Younan still had his arms crossed, but his neck was slightly leaning forward, his gaze following his descent.
As his feet touched the ground, Ling Feng unbuckled his harness, his wrist marked with deep red impressions.
His breathing hadn’t calmed yet, but he stood with his back straight. He brushed off the magnesium powder from his hands, deliberately slowing the action. The coach handed him water, but he didn’t take it; he first looked up at Li Younan.
Li Younan averted his gaze, lowering his head to step on the ground a little.
Only then did Ling Feng take the water bottle, unscrewing it to take a sip.
The coach checked the time and said, "Three minutes and fifty-nine seconds. This is your fastest time so far." Then he turned to Li Younan and said, "Little brother, you saw it just now. Actually, some parts of this route aren’t as easy as they look. You haven’t practiced this route before, so it’s normal if you don’t manage to climb it the first time."
Li Younan said nothing and simply walked silently toward the climbing wall.
As Li Younan was fastening his harness, the student called Ling Feng was unscrewing his water bottle, his hands trembling so much that water spilled onto his collar.
This was because he had exerted too much force climbing this extremely difficult route and had exhausted his strength.
Luo Yong focused his gaze on Li Younan.
Just after Li Younan made his first move, Luo Yong’s expression changed.
At the start, Li Younan directly leapt over the holds that Ling Feng had used, not even touching the spots that had been polished by Ling Feng’s hands.
While Ling Feng climbed, the rock wall was constantly making noise, but after Li Younan started, there was only the soft whisper of his shoe tips brushing against the wall.
He reached the crux.
If previously, Li Younan was slightly better compared to Ling Feng, but still within an acceptable range, reaching the crux was where different skill levels would truly differentiate handling methods.
Earlier, when Ling Feng reached the crux, he clung there for a long time, his arms trembling, which on one hand, showed his physical strength... at least his extremely strong finger strength was evident. On the other hand, it did highlight the incredible difficulty of that spot.
Most of the students present could only look up at this spot.
At this moment, Luo Yong was also a bit curious about how Li Younan would handle this place.
The next moment, he was shocked.
When Li Younan passed by there, he only used two fingers to grip a small protrusion and swung his body past. Below, someone let out half an exclamation, then forced it back in.
Anyone could see that when Ling Feng climbed the overhang section, his breathing was loud, while Li Younan’s breathing remained steady, without a hint of disorder. The difference in skill was already clear.
The final stretch, which Ling Feng had to tip-toe to reach the endpoint, Li Younan effortlessly soared past and even reached half a meter further, grabbing the real structural beam.
Zhu Qingyue looked at Li Younan with some surprise.
She really didn’t expect Li Younan to be so impressive.
After Li Younan climbed down, he unbuckled his harness and shook his hands, with only the pads of his fingers being slightly red.
Luo Yong stared at the stopwatch without speaking, the dial showing a time nearly a minute and a half faster than Ling Feng’s!
Luo Yong fell into complete silence.
Li Younan smiled lightly. His expression suddenly turned serious as he said, "Coach Luo... let’s talk some more."
Luo Yong frowned slightly and agreed.
"Coach Luo..."
"I didn’t expect you to be such a hidden expert."
Luo Yong still held the thermos cup in his hand, silent for a long time.
It seemed like Li Younan was showing off at their facility, but in truth, Coach Luo understood the subtext.
Roughly akin to... "You were worried that Zhu Qingyue was an inexperienced beginner, but now you know there’s an expert guiding her..."
Of course, heavy-duty trek and rock climbing are quite different; the two can’t be conflated. There’s no doubt that Li Younan is a rock climbing expert, but transitioning from a rock climbing expert to a mountain climbing expert is as different as the transition from an F1 racing expert to a rally champion.
However, Li Younan demonstrated his stance on this matter. It’s somewhat complex because Luo Yong himself is accomplished in both rock climbing and mountaineering. Both sports have been taken to a very high level by him, so Li Younan was subtly conveying another message: I understand you, and I have similar experiences and abilities.
At this moment, Luo Yong even felt an inexplicable camaraderie with Li Younan.
Luo Yong slowly placed the thermos cup down and said, "I understand what you mean... alright, let me explain to you all the details of our hiking route."
Beside him, Zhu Qingyue’s breathing became rapid.
Li Younan’s expression also became somewhat serious.
Half an hour later, Luo Yong picked up the thermos cup again, slowly blowing out a breath and said, "I’ve told you the general situation. My last advice... try walking it, but don’t attempt to climb it. Hiking and mountain climbing are entirely different undertakings."
Li Younan naturally understood the differences.
Hiking is like cross-country trekking, primarily emphasizing the journey from A to B, focusing on the scenery along the way, whereas mountain climbing is a high-difficulty sport from the foot of the mountain to the peak, emphasizing conquest and extremes.
From the start, Li Younan intended to take Zhu Qingyue without planning to climb the mountain.
Nonetheless, to reach the area where her aunt might have gone missing, the altitude would be quite high... over four to five thousand meters!
After leaving Luo Yong, Zhu Qingyue, with her head lowered, said to Li Younan, "For your great kindness, I cannot say thank you enough... I’ll repay you someday!"
Li Younan smiled faintly, "Let’s get started, no time to waste. Let’s go get ready."

Comments

Loading...