Xiangshan Mountain was located in Yanhai City, not far from Tianyuan City.
The Xiangshan Advanced Race was scheduled to begin at five in the afternoon.
By the time Derek Su arrived at the venue, the sun was already sinking toward the west.
"As expected of Yanhai City's number one mountain."
Standing at the foot of Xiangshan Mountain and gazing at the stunning scenery between the peaks, even someone as well traveled as Derek Su could not help but praise it. "Just looking at it is enough to lift your spirits."
He took a deep breath, and his mind filled with the faint, distinct fragrance of Xiangshan's red maples.
At this moment, Xiangshan looked a lot like Jiuzhaigou in autumn. The entire mountain was covered in dense forest, and as fall set in, the leaves turned yellow and red, like clusters of flames burning across the slopes. Compared to Jiuzhaigou, though, Xiangshan was still a great mountain, making it appear even more majestic.
Xiangshan Mountain was divided into two sections: Xiangpin Ridge, a 5A-level scenic area, and Chongyan Terrace, which was suitable for racing. Tourists mainly hiked around the front peak, while the Advanced Race was held on the back mountain, so the two did not interfere with each other.
That said, the Xiangshan Advanced Race was also considered one of Xiangshan's tourist attractions, though it was only held twice a year. Some sections of the racecourse passed through the cable car area, and both tourists and racers shared the same destination: Hongfengding, the summit of Xiangshan Mountain.
"It's too bad there aren't any big screens or spectator stands." Stella pouted unhappily. "Without those, I won't be able to keep watching Master the whole time."
Because Xiangshan's track environment was complicated and the altitude kept increasing, it was not suitable for helicopter tracking shots.
Instead, observation points had been set up along the route.
Spectators could choose any observation point and travel between them by cable car.
The three most famous observation points were Mixiangshan Road, Broken Moon Platform, and Wushe Cave.
Mixiangshan Road was the signature stage of the autumn Xiangshan Advanced Race. Every morning and evening, the entire 174-kilometer stretch of Mixiangshan Road would be shrouded in fog. Depending on the weather that day, visibility could even fall below five meters.
That was why most competitors disliked entering the Xiangshan Advanced Race in autumn. Mixiangshan Road was simply too dangerous. Drivers unfamiliar with the course, or those with poor reaction speed, were very likely to fly right off the track.
"It's fine. Just watch from the observation points. It's all about the same anyway." Seeing Stella puff out her cheeks, Derek Su could not help smiling as he rubbed her head.
"I'll go to Broken Moon Platform." Imperial Scale nodded to Derek Su.
Since Imperial Scale was going to Broken Moon Platform, Tunbao naturally followed her.
"Boss, I brought a camera today. I'll definitely capture the heroic sight of you and Purple Lightning flying over Broken Moon Platform! Hehehehe!" Tunbao showed Derek Su and Purple Lightning her camera with a wicked grin.
Tunbao had bought that camera two days ago.
Unfortunately, she had no talent for filming.
Most of the scenery she recorded looked like absolute disaster footage.
Please don't film me and Purple Lightning as one blurry lump...
The corner of Derek Su's mouth twitched as he silently complained.
"Then Blazing Wind and I will go to Wushe Cave," Absolute Shadow said, pinching her chin. "I'm not worried about your safety on Mixiangshan Road, but Wushe Cave has the highest accident rate in the Xiangshan Advanced Race. If I'm there in person, I can coordinate with the medical team for you at any time."
"Th-then I'll go with Senior Stella to Mixiangshan Road..." Lingwind said timidly.
Everyone else had already chosen, and they had all paired up, so she definitely could not let Stella go to the Mixiangshan Road observation point alone. In truth, the place she wanted to visit most was Broken Moon Platform.
Stella seemed to see right through Lingwind. She patted Lingwind on the shoulder and comforted her. "We'll go to Mixiangshan Road first. After Master passes through, we'll take the cable car to Broken Moon Platform, then finally head to Wushe Cave. We won't miss a single place!"
Lingwind's pretty face turned red. She bit her lip, twisting her fingers nervously in front of her chest.
"But the cable car tickets are so expensive. Going to the next observation point costs a thousand yuan."
"Do I look like the kind of Mecha Girl who'd care about that little bit of money?" Stella poked Lingwind on the forehead and said with exasperation, "You just stick with this King!"
As soon as she finished, she immediately changed into a fawning smile and leaned close to Absolute Shadow, speaking in a sugary voice.
"Absolute Shadow~ Can the cable car tickets be reimbursed?"
Lingwind: "???"
Absolute Shadow: "Ye... ahem. No. Trade me your pineapples for it."
There were two entire warehouses full of pineapples. If they did not eat them soon, they would go bad. They might as well help deal with some of them.
Thinking of that, she cast Derek Su a resentful glance.
This was all because the boss spoiled Stella too much!
"Deal!" Stella chuckled and agreed on the spot.
After a quick discussion, the club's Mecha Girls had basically settled their assignments.
Meanwhile, Derek Su took Purple Lightning to draw lots and determine their starting position.
In the Xiangshan Advanced Race, five cars started together in each round, with thirty seconds between rounds.
That essentially increased the level of direct competition, making its title as a comprehensive track test well deserved.
...
While waiting in line, Derek Su keenly spotted several familiar figures in the crowd.
Justin Kim from VVC Club was here with his Mecha Girl, Cloud Leopard.
Miles Wang from SSC Club was also present with his Mecha Girl, Hurricane.
In addition, Laiya An from TSD Dawn's Voice Club was there with her Mecha Girl, Dawnbreak.
"There are quite a few experts here today."
The corner of Derek Su's mouth lifted.
He wondered whether these old rivals had improved at all.
If their skills were still the same as before, then in the Xiangshan Advanced Race, they would only be eating exhaust again.
Speaking of which, where were Swain Li and Silver Mirror from the Crown Club?
Why hadn't he seen them?
Just as Derek Su was wondering about that, Swain Li had already finished drawing lots and was leaving the draw window with his Mecha Girl, Silver Mirror, heading toward the starting area.
He tilted his head slightly, and his gloomy eyes immediately caught sight of Derek Su looking around through the crowd.
"The Magician? Heh."
Swain Li withdrew his gaze.
A cold smile appeared on his face.
...
...
If you'd like to support my work and unlock advanced chapters, you can follow me on p-@-treon.
p-@-treon/GhostParser (40 Chapters Ahead)
You can also follow as a free member to read a few advanced chapters.