Chapter 174

He remembered that during a previous exploration, he had discovered an entrance to a suspected shelter; although he wasn't sure if it was safe, it was at least much better than staying here and waiting to die.

"Xing Luo, follow me, I know a place that might be safe."

The two shuttled between the sea of fire and the ruins, every step filled with the unknown and danger.

Zhou Xuan used his familiarity with the terrain to cleverly avoid several buildings about to collapse, while Xing Luo followed closely, her eyes holding both fear of the unknown and trust and reliance on Zhou Xuan.

"Zhou Xuan, are you sure this path leads to a safe place?"

Xing Luo's voice trembled slightly, but she still tried to remain calm.

"Trust me, Xing Luo. We are partners, aren't we?"

Zhou Xuan looked back and gave her an encouraging smile, which looked exceptionally warm and firm in the firelight.

After a difficult trek, they finally arrived at the entrance of the hidden passage.

The entrance was sealed by a thick stone door, covered with complex runes and mechanisms.

"It seems this is the place we were looking for." Zhou Xuan said, beginning to carefully study the mechanisms on the stone door.

Xing Luo leaned against the wall, panting to adjust her breathing; although her wound had temporarily stopped bleeding, the pain was still constantly eroding her will.

"Zhou Xuan, be careful." She reminded softly, her eyes full of concern.

Zhou Xuan nodded, his fingers dancing between the runes, trying to unlock this ancient seal.

Time passed second by second, sweat sliding down his forehead and dripping onto the cold stone slab.

Finally, with a low roar, the stone door slowly opened, revealing a passage leading to the unknown.

"Let's go." Zhou Xuan looked back at Xing Luo and reached out his hand.

Xing Luo smiled slightly, placed her hand in his palm, and the two stepped into the passage side by side.

However, the scene inside the passage shocked them.

It was filled with dense traps and mechanisms, every step feeling like walking on a blade's edge.

Zhou Xuan held Xing Luo's hand tightly, fearing she might have any mishap.

"Follow me closely, Xing Luo." He whispered, while vigilantly observing the situation around them.

They moved forward cautiously, every step taken with extreme difficulty.

Suddenly, a rush of footsteps came from deep within the passage, and shortly after, several members of the Cheater troops appeared in their line of sight.

"Damn it, they caught up!" Zhou Xuan cursed, quickly drawing his weapon to prepare for battle.

The battle broke out in the narrow passage, and Zhou Xuan engaged in a fierce confrontation with the Cheater troops.

He used his combat skills and technological weapons to try his best to buy time for Xing Luo.

But Xing Luo's injuries prevented her from participating in the battle; she could only stand aside anxiously, cheering for Zhou Xuan.

Just as the battle reached a white-hot stage, Zhou Xuan inadvertently triggered a massive mechanism.

The entire passage began to shake violently, stone blocks and dust falling one after another, as if it would collapse at any moment.

"Run! It's going to collapse!" He shouted, pulling Xing Luo and running forward desperately.

But the traps and mechanisms in the passage seemed endless, and they were constantly obstructed and attacked.

Zhou Xuan's physical strength was nearing its limit, but he still gritted his teeth and persisted because he knew that giving up meant death.

Finally, after countless life-and-death tests, they finally saw the end of the passage—a faint beam of light shining in from there, as if the light of hope was calling to them.

Zhou Xuan used his last bit of strength to pull Xing Luo out of the passage; at that moment, they felt as if they had been reborn.

"We... we made it out!"

Xing Luo said, panting, her eyes flashing with tears, but it was the joy and gratitude of surviving a disaster.

"Yes, we made it out."

Zhou Xuan responded with a smile, his voice tired but filled with the pride and firmness of a victor.

The two supported each other as they walked under the starry sky, looking at the dawn gradually brightening in the distance; they knew that no matter how many difficulties and obstacles lay in the future, as long as they were together, nothing was impossible.

Because they were partners, comrades-in-arms, and even more so, indispensable existences in each other's lives.

"Xing Luo, stay awake!" Zhou Xuan's voice was exceptionally firm in the noisy environment.

He quickly looked around, using his deep understanding of Disaster Empire technology to quickly lock onto a temporary shelter made of several large metal plates.

He pushed hard against a crumbling rock and squeezed into the narrow space with Xing Luo.

"We are safe for now."

Zhou Xuan said, panting, his eyes flashing with unquestionable calmness and wisdom.

Xing Luo managed to squeeze out a smile; although her face was as pale as paper, her eyes were full of trust and gratitude.

"Thank you, Zhou Xuan." Her voice was weak but full of strength.

Zhou Xuan did not hesitate for a moment and immediately began to check Xing Luo's injuries.

Her arm had been scratched by a sharp fragment, and blood stained her clothes.

He took a first-aid kit from his pocket and carefully bandaged her wound.

"It will hurt a little, but just bear with it." Zhou Xuan's voice was gentle and firm, his movements skillful and swift.

Xing Luo gritted her teeth without making a sound.

She looked at Zhou Xuan's focused profile, and a warm current surged in her heart.

"I'm fine, you don't need to worry." She said softly.

"We are in this together, how can I not worry."

Zhou Xuan looked up, his eyes flashing with complex emotions.

He gently patted Xing Luo's shoulder to comfort her, "Don't worry, I will take you out of here."

After bandaging the wound, Zhou Xuan began to ponder. He closed his eyes, and the time he spent in the Disaster Empire surfaced in his mind. Those days of pitting his wits against high-tech weapons and those experiences of knowing the enemy's weaknesses like the back of his hand now became sharp weapons in his hands.

"Xing Luo, do you remember those Cheaters we encountered before?" Zhou Xuan suddenly asked....

"Of course I remember." Xing Luo nodded, a hint of vigilance flashing in her eyes.

"Although they are powerful, they are not invulnerable." Zhou Xuan continued, "I observed the layout of their base and understood their technical characteristics. If we can use these collapses to create chaos, we might have a chance to sneak into their base and find the key to controlling the self-destruct program."

Hearing this, a glimmer of hope flashed in Xing Luo's eyes. "You mean... we are going to take the initiative?"

"Exactly." Zhou Xuan's eyes became sharp, "We cannot sit and wait for death; we must actively seek opportunities."

In the following time, Zhou Xuan and Xing Luo began to discuss and formulate a plan in detail. They analyzed the enemy's possible reactions, formulated multiple alternative plans, and evaluated their feasibility one by one.

"We can use these collapsed passages as cover to approach their base quietly." Zhou Xuan said, pointing to the surrounding ruins, "At the same time, we can set up some traps and misleading signals to make the enemy think our target is in another direction."

Xing Luo listened carefully, nodding from time to time to show her agreement. "Then how do we sneak into the base?" She raised a key question.

"I have a way for that." Zhou Xuan smiled slightly and took a small camouflage device from his backpack, "I obtained this when I was in the Disaster Empire; it can simulate the enemy's identity signals. As long as we put it on, we can mix into the base."

Xing Luo took the camouflage device, her eyes flashing with surprise. "You really are a treasure trove, Zhou Xuan." She praised sincerely.

With a clear plan, Zhou Xuan and Xing Luo began to prepare intensively. They collected debris and fragments from the surroundings to make simple weapons and tools; they debugged the camouflage device to ensure nothing went wrong; they checked each other's equipment and supplies to ensure nothing was missed.

"Are you ready?" Zhou Xuan asked at last, his eyes revealing firm determination.

"Ready." Xing Luo answered without hesitation, her eyes also flashing with firmness and courage.

The two looked at each other and smiled, as if all fear and fatigue had vanished at this moment. They knew that no matter how difficult the road ahead was, as long as they relied on each other and worked together, nothing was impossible.

However, just as they were about to set off, an unexpected visitor suddenly appeared. It was a mysterious figure wearing a black cloak, who appeared silently before them like a ghost walking out of the darkness.

"Are you looking for the key to control the self-destruct program?" The mysterious figure's voice was low and powerful, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's.

Zhou Xuan and Xing Luo were both taken aback; they didn't expect anyone to appear at this time. They watched the other party vigilantly without answering easily.

"Don't be nervous, I'm not an enemy." The mysterious figure seemed to see through their thoughts, "I'm here to help you."

"Who are you? Why are you here?" Zhou Xuan asked in a deep voice.

"Who I am is not important." The mysterious figure smiled slightly, "What's important is that I know how to shut down that self-destruct program. And I have a way to get you out of this dangerous place safely."

Zhou Xuan and Xing Luo looked at each other, both seeing the light of hope in each other's eyes. They knew this unexpected visitor might be their only savior.

"Alright, we believe you." Zhou Xuan finally made the decision, "But you must tell us your plan first."

The mysterious figure nodded and began to tell his plan in detail. Every word he spoke was full of wisdom and courage, moving Zhou Xuan and Xing Luo.

Thus, in this abyss of despair, three strangers came together for a common goal. They worked hand in hand, fighting for survival and hope. And the starting point of all this was the calmness and resilience Zhou Xuan displayed in a desperate situation.

176. 【Do You Think You Can Succeed?】

Opening

Night fell, with stars dotting the boundless universe. On the Astral Express, a train traveled slowly. The lights inside the carriage were warm and soft, yet they could not dispel the haze in the hearts of Zhou Xuan and Xing Luo. They sat in a corner of the carriage, their faces full of fatigue and worry. In recent days, the shadow of the Disaster Empire had loomed like dark clouds, and the restless movements of the Cheater organization had made the situation even worse.

"Xing Luo, can we really succeed?" Zhou Xuan's voice was low, his eyes revealing a hint of uncertainty.

Xing Luo clenched her fists, her gaze firm: "No matter the outcome, we cannot give up. For the peace of the Honkai World, for those innocent lives, we must give it our all."

Just then, a rush of knocking on the door broke the silence in the carriage. Zhou Xuan stood up quickly and opened the door vigilantly, only to see an old man with a kind face dressed in white robes standing outside—it was none other than the famous Dr. Ratio.