“I think I might still need a shot to pull off such a high-difficulty technical move...”

Yes.

Right as Old Chrysanthemum’s livestream started!

Octane, on the other side of the ocean, also just went live.

Known globally as the ‘World’s Number One Power Kid,’ Octane’s recent streams were originally focused on grinding ranks with the new season update for Apex.

But after Peak Kingdom was released, Octane couldn’t resist the temptation and temporarily put down his ‘old flame’ to embark on a determined journey to the Alps.

After all!

For someone who has always been chasing limits, this game was just too irresistible.

In fact, Octane has always had a strong interest in sports games.

To put it bluntly, before Peak Kingdom’s release, the most thrilling sports experience Octane had ever felt was the parkour levels in Titanfall.

But now!

Peak Kingdom was here!

Mountain biking, rock climbing, wingsuit flying...

All sorts of extreme niche sports came into the public eye, reigniting the surging passion within Octane’s powerhouse heart!

After briefly testing various events, Octane finally locked his focus on the “downhill skiing” event.

Although compared to mountain bike downhill, its free-fall weightlessness was a bit less.

Although compared to wingsuit flying, its shock impact was somewhat lacking.

However!

This was the only extreme event in Peak Kingdom that demanded extremely precise control of the competitor’s legs!

Every bend of the knee, every muscle exertion, even every angle of the squat could influence the final downhill result.

After all, in this extreme sport, competitors often face ultra-high speeds exceeding 130 kilometers per hour!

Furthermore, in all downhill skiing events, every map has a hidden trophy to earn.

The hidden trophy is called [Peak Speed], obtained by surpassing a top speed of 250.7 kilometers per hour during the downhill run—this is the world record set by French athlete Félix Guimard at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah, United States.

This is no longer skiing fast; it is basically flying low.

And this!

Is only the entry ticket to the [Ice Solidification] challenge among the “Peak Eight Events.”

In theory, to participate in the Peak Eight Events, you only need to pay five dollars for this real-location thrill-seeking opportunity.

But wisdom demands self-awareness.

Alpine avalanche downhill is not just about “going downhill fast,” it’s also about escaping the pursuing avalanche!

Therefore, Octane resolved to put in massive effort to perfectly conquer the Alps on his only chance ahead!

“Phew...”

Standing again at the very top of the snowy trail, Octane exhaled deeply.

Snow-covered and boundless white stretched before his eyes.

The biting cold wind, as if blowing from Western Siberia, swept through his snow suit with a whooshing sound.

The distant mountains layered in ridges, with a cold, dazzling sun hanging beyond the mountaintop on the horizon.

Octane stomped his ski boots, and the snow on his pant legs fell in flakes.

The chat barrage responded with soft gasps—

‘The level of industrial design in this game is truly unbelievable’

‘After all, it’s a game with over a hundred million dollars invested, while Sekiro only cost less than two hundred million’

‘Comparing like this, it’s hard to imagine where Torii’s over two hundred million investment was spent...’

‘looooooool...’

‘But speaking of which, Torii’s industrial design alone is indeed super impressive’

‘After all, it’s a string figure simulator’

‘That last comment must be from a Chinese bro, string figure is too rough hahahahahaha’

‘Mysterious Eastern technology’

‘That was such a pity, just a little bit more and it was done’

‘Backflip with 360 spin, then horizontal 720 spin is too difficult, doing 360 spin alone is already great’

‘One more time!’

‘One more time (×) Die again (√)’

‘Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is just for fun, but real shadow death is Peak Kingdom’

‘“Peak Kingdom: Shadow Death N Times”’

‘Hahahahahahaha...’

‘...’

Amidst the players’ and audience’s encouragement, Octane readied himself once more.

With a casual flick, he opened the holographic UI.

Selected Peak Radio, adjusted the playlist, chose single loop.

“For ya.”

Confirmed.

Whoosh——!!!

Planting his ski poles, Octane leaned slightly forward, pressing down on his skis, scattering flakes of snow as he slid down the slope!

[All the good things come for ya]

[All my love comes for ya]

[Baby, this is the gift I give you]

[Just want to hide you deep in my heart...]

Whoosh!

His agile figure was like an icefield snow wolf.

A lone posture moving forward like stepping on the wind beneath the cold winter sun.

Snowflakes scattered flying beside his skis.

The rustling snow sounds were drowned by the howling wind.

Sixty kilometers, eighty kilometers, one hundred kilometers, one hundred fifty kilometers...

Swoosh——!!!

Though the almost horizontal snow slope’s angle was not exaggerated, on this nearly forty-degree incline trail it still acted as a crucial launch pad!

With a whoosh, Octane’s body performed a backflip with a 360 spin midair, then landed steadily on the slope, letting out a satisfied breath.

At this moment, nothing could catch up to him.

Except freedom.

If Octane were to pick the greatest invention of this century, the motion-sensing pod would undoubtedly take first place.

And among all companies related to motion-sensing pods, Golden Wind would be his sole choice for gratitude.

Accompanied by the upbeat tune of “For ya,”

At this moment, both soul and body were equally liberated.

‘One hundred fifty kilometers, holy crap!’

‘One hundred sixty!’

‘Thanks a lot—Hey, why has Octane been deliberately lowering his upper body? He’s reducing wind resistance!’

‘Huh???’

‘No way... holy crap... this game... actually calculates wind resistance???’

‘Whoa! Really! This time after lowering wind resistance, Octane was noticeably faster than last time!’

‘This is freaking—’

‘Terrifying Golden Wind’

‘What players think, they make it happen; what players don’t dare to imagine, they also do...’

‘Such a rip-off! This game is a huge rip-off!’

‘Look at Octane’s rip-off speed, holy crap! Already close to two hundred kilometers!’

‘Here it comes! Consecutive big slopes!’

‘...’

As his sliding speed climbed higher and higher,

Wearing the same color scheme snow suit as Power Kid, Octane seemed to have transformed into a green arrow flying!

Whoosh——!!!

With flying snowflakes swirling around Octane leaping the slopes, the real Power Kid—who lost both legs but never gave up hope—performed a backflip in midair, the white snow forming pure wings beside him, gently fluttering.

Flying.

At speeds reaching two hundred kilometers per hour, Octane defied gravity, spreading snow wings amid the snow-covered mountains—

180 degrees... 360 degrees... 480 degrees... 720 degrees!!!

Pfft——Whoosh——!!!

The moment he landed steadily, adrenaline more powerful than a heart stimulant surged violently through Octane’s body!

A perfect two-rotation backflip at extreme speed without flaw!

Exploding action scores flashed golden light on the UI!

Ahead, another snow slope appeared!

Swish——!

Leaping again!

Snowflakes fluttered around him in a vortex!

The song seemed to sink beneath the sea at this moment, humming faintly in the buzzing mind—

[Liking you is my secret]

[Depth like ten thousand meters under the sea]

[I admire the quiet of sunrise and sunset]

[Loving the sky and deeply loving you—]

Winter, heavy snow, the free soul spun in the air, dancing an unyielding and elegant extreme waltz.

Everyone held their breath.

One spin...

Two spins...

The action score on the UI ignited into flames!

The next moment.

Screech——!!!

Snow flew wildly!

Amidst the swirling white snow fog, Octane raised his ski poles and shouted as he charged forward!

“YEEEES! YEEEES!”

“F***! F***! I freaking did it, damn it! This is unbelievably f***ing incredible!”

“YEEEEEEEEEEEES——!!!”

Boom——!!!

The livestream chat exploded with excitement!

Backflip with 720 spin plus horizontal 720 spin!

At two hundred kilometers per hour beyond extreme speed, even the action score flamed with passion, cheering for Octane!

‘OHHHHHHHH——’

‘Holy——shit——!!!’

‘Awesome!!!’

‘Double 720 spin is freaking awesome, holy crap!’

‘Even more intense than the standard move, damn it!’

‘It shows that when God closes one door, He definitely leaves a brighter window’

‘Damn! That’s not leaving a window! God just ripped off this kid’s entire roof!’

‘Indeed, damn it, Apex season-long hunt, world’s number one Power Kid, now playing this game and still so godlike, five tries and already double 720 spin, damn...’

‘Ridiculous!’

‘...’

Octane was almost crazy! Heart rate exploding!

The livestream went wild! Cheering, screaming, and real-money tips flying everywhere!

“Hahahahahahaha—this feels amazing—!”

The exhilarating sensation was intoxicating!

Octane vividly remembered the last time he shouted curse words and cheered excitedly in a stream was when he first won the Defender title for top kills!

However!

The next second!

Boom!!!

A huge impact sound rang out.

Octane felt numb all over!

Then his whole body flew up, and the scene before him instantly turned black.

Thud, crackle—

Octane lay like a rag doll on the snow, eyes resentful as he looked at a single snow pine less than a hundred meters from the finish line.

Octane: ...

Audience: ...

A full ten seconds of silence!

The audience couldn’t hold it anymore and burst into laughter!

‘Pfft hahahahahaha—’

‘Old Thief’s malicious intent...’

‘How could there be a tree right before the finish line hahahaha’

‘And only this one tree hahaha’

‘Ultimate joy turning into sorrow’

‘Special cure for half-time champagne poppers’

‘Hahahaha I’m laughing so hard I’m gonna puke’

‘Old Thief: Safety first, don’t celebrate before the finish line’

‘Such a damn tree’

‘Feels like seeing Old Thief’s smile’

‘...’

The next moment, Octane’s furious roar echoed through the livestream!

“Fvvvvvvvvk! FvkU! Saaaaaaaaaam!”

He went insane!

With a hiss, the motion-sensing pod opened, and Octane, completely breaking down, jumped out.

Yes, Octane can now move freely wearing prosthetics.

But immediately after, he pulled off his right leg prosthetic, shaking the carbon fiber leg signed by Gu Sheng in cursive, as if accusing Gu Sheng himself!

“You designed this? Huh? You deliberately put a tree there?!”

“My double 720 spin!”

“You dog! You must be a dog!”

“Why! You owe me for that technical move! You owe me a trophy! Aaaaahhhh...!”

His abstract accusations and hyperthyroid roars filled the livestream.

Viewers laughed loudly, even louder than before.

Various colored “hahaha,” “LOL,” and “wwww” laughter comments flooded the chat.

The ultimate skill of half-time champagne popping instantly turned the livestream into a lively atmosphere...

...

“Hahaha...”

Meanwhile,

In a hospital room in China,

A boy in a patient gown was holding his phone, grinning widely.

The cold winter sunlight outlined his gaunt, somewhat altered face.

He gently lifted the net cap from his head and scratched his bald head caused by chemotherapy.

Then, opening the barrage of fast-scrolling chat messages, he typed on the virtual keyboard and smiled as he sent a message—

[Supercat Cat Knight: Really want to go see the Alps...]

Right after sending the message, a notification sounded—his best friend had sent a message:

[Dawei: How are you feeling today?]

[Cat Knight: Feeling much better, probably a temporary rally]

[Dawei: 6]

[Cat Knight: Getting discharged tomorrow]

[Dawei: I’ll come pick you up]

[Cat Knight: No need, family is enough, it’s chaotic]

[Dawei: Then I’ll visit the day after tomorrow]

[Cat Knight: Deal, you push me out then, we’ll go to the motion pod]

[Dawei: Apex? Or Chicken Dinner?]

[Cat Knight: Peak Kingdom, check out this game, I’ll send you a copy later, you get familiar, then teach me]

[Dawei: Really, godfather?]

[Cat Knight: A promise is a promise!]

[Dawei: No backing out!]

[Cat Knight: They say the highest difficulty challenge in this game is real-location based, super awesome]

[Dawei: Okay, when you’re better, we’ll do an actual location check-in]

[Cat Knight: Deal!]

Looking at Maomao’s message,

Dawei’s gaze briefly became dazed.

Then he sighed softly and locked his phone screen.

His face reflected on the dark screen, along with his reddened eyes.

Maomao was discharged.

But that did not mean his condition was controlled or effectively treated.

On the contrary.

Maomao might never be able to go to the real location.

The incurable disease had tormented him for a full fifteen months.

When all treatments failed, even though everyone hid the truth,

Maomao sensed something.

He decided to leave the cold, despair-filled place.

Return to his own life,

And embrace this world properly once again.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com