Chapter 18
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Chapter 18: Unlimited Eye Drops
Yin Fan, though tall and sturdy, struggled against the soft dirt trapping him. His feet seemed suctioned to the ground, refusing to budge no matter how hard he pulled. Luckily, You You’s strength came in handy.
She gripped his arm, tugged firmly, and—*pop!*—yanked him free like a radish. The dirt around him collapsed, and for a moment, a faint glimmer seemed to flicker within the mud.
“Thanks, You You!” Yin Fan brushed off the dirt, face burning. He’d vowed to protect her, yet kept needing rescuing. Was he really this useless?
“Teammates stick together!” You You gave his shoulder a hearty pat.
“Yin Fan.” Xun Rong greeted him.
Yin Fan blinked, noticing Xun Rong. “Why’re *you* here?!”
“Coincidence,” Xun Rong replied, eyes narrowing as he scanned Yin Fan. “Are you hurt? That earthquake was sudden. You You and I emerged unscathed, but you… Well, internal injuries can be tricky.”
Yin Fan scowled. The guy made it sound like he was some fragile fool. “I’m fine!” He thumped his chest.
Xun Rong smiled warmly. “Of course. We trust you’re being careful.”
“……” Why did that sting more? Yin Fan gritted his teeth, swallowing his irritation. “Where *are* we?”
The trio surveyed the vast stone chamber. Dim light filtered from above, revealing a shadowy passage ahead, occasional breezes whispering through.
“An underground ruin,” Xun Rong mused. “The earthquake likely shattered a seal, dropping us here.”
“Now what?” Yin Fan scratched his head. Climbing back up seemed impossible.
“We follow the passage.” Xun Rong turned to You You. “It might lead out.”
You You shrugged. “Let’s go.”
“I’ll lead!” Yin Fan marched ahead, vigilance sharp.
The path sloped downward, darkness giving way to glowing stones embedded in the walls. Their faint light brightened as the trio passed. After ten uneventful minutes, the passage widened, ending at a massive stone door.
“Dead end.” Yin Fan shoved the door—no movement. “It’s solid. What’s inside?”
“Let me try.” You You stepped forward.
Yin Fan hesitated, then remembered the River Beast she’d overpowered. He retreated silently.
“……” Yep. Definitely useless.
You You pressed one palm to the door. It held firm. Huh.
Gripping with both hands, she heaved. *Crack!*
The door didn’t budge.
It split clean open.
Σ（°△°—）︴
A finger-thick crack appeared from You You’s palm. With a series of sharp cracks, it spread like a spiderweb, sparks flying, all the way across the stone door and adjacent walls.
Yin Fan: "……"
Xun Rong: "……"
“Stop!” *2
For the first time, the two men acted in perfect unison, yanking You You away from the crumbling door. Any more pushing would collapse the entire passage!
(Д≡Д)
“This stone door isn’t meant to be forced open,” Yin Fan wiped cold sweat, eyeing the door now resembling a turtle’s cracked shell. “There must be a mechanism.”
“Agreed.” Xun Rong nodded, then turned to You You with a soft smile. “If you’ll permit me, perhaps I could attempt it?”
“You?” Yin Fan snorted, scanning Xun Rong’s slender frame. “If we couldn’t budge it, what can you possibly do?”
“Back home, I studied obscure texts and dabbled in mechanisms, formations, and esoteric arts.” Xun Rong paused, his beautiful face suddenly clouding with sorrow. “Of course, I’m but a frail invalid compared to your robust strength. How natural that you’d deny me even a chance to try. Still… though we’re trapped here, I hoped to be of use.” He bowed his head. “If I fail, you may beat or berate me as you see fit.”
Yin Fan gaped, crushed beneath invisible accusations of tyranny. Even You You turned questioning eyes his way.
“Wait! Who said anything about—”
“Never mind.” Xun Rong cut him off with a trembling smile. “I know you meant well, rushing to find an exit. A simple misunderstanding.”
“But I didn’t—”
“It’s fine, truly. Such treatment is… familiar to me.”
“You’re twisting my—”
“Lady You,” Xun Rong interjected mournfully, “please don’t hold it against him. Thoughtless words often spring from good intentions.”
“I—” Yin Fan turned desperately to You You. “Listen, I never—”
“Still,” Xun Rong pressed a pale hand to his chest, “might I examine the door? Just a brief attempt?”
“……” Damn him!
You You studied Yin Fan’s crimson face, then Xun Rong’s valiantly trembling form. “Go ahead,” she decided. More attempts meant better odds, right?
Xun Rong exhaled as if pardoned, bowing deeply. “Your faith honors me.” He shot Yin Fan one last wounded glance before approaching the ruins.
Yin Fan: “……”
His lungs burned with rage. That scheming weasel did this on purpose! Absolute malice!
(▼皿▼#)
“The door’s fused with the wall,” Xun Rong observed, tracing fissures. “Forcing it risks destroying both. There must be a mechanism to disengage them.” His fingers brushed a glowing stone protruding from the right wall. “This light-source serves no practical purpose…”
He pressed. The stone sank inward.
BOOM.
Rumbling shook the passage as hidden counterweights dropped. The fractured door disintegrated into gravel, unveiling three gaping tunnels beyond.
It… worked?
(⊙_⊙)
