The professor watched them from behind.
Jem tossed Bai Chen a pair of gloves.
"Put these on so you don't scrape your hands," he said.
Bai Chen caught them and quickly put them on.
"All right, I'll go up first. Follow behind me and do exactly what I tell you."
"Okay, got it," Bai Chen replied.
Over the next few minutes.
Bai Chen stayed right behind Jem, following each of his steps. The route up the mountain was winding and awkward, so the climb was somewhat strenuous for him.
They kept placing things along the way and passing each other whatever was needed, though Bai Chen had no idea what those things were for.
Although the climb was only ten meters high, Bai Chen found it exceptionally difficult. He gripped the holds Jem had just used, not daring to let his guard down. Only after securing both hands did he push himself up to the next foothold.
Fine beads of sweat gradually covered his forehead. His legs felt like lead, but he gritted his teeth and kept climbing.
He did not dare look down, afraid the sight would make his legs shake and leave him too weak to climb.
Yet when he looked up at Jem ahead of him, the man seemed to be moving incredibly fast.
They occasionally rested when they reached a level spot.
The people below watched Bai Chen and Jem nervously.
Suddenly, Jem turned back and asked, "You holding up okay?"
Bai Chen took a deep breath and shook his head. "I'm fine. Doing okay. I can keep climbing."
Jem nodded at that and continued upward.
A little over ten minutes later, Jem reached the top first, then immediately reached down with one hand and pulled Bai Chen up.
Once he was up, Bai