"Where are you going?" Zhenfeng asked as he saw Jianyu getting up from his resting position.
Jianyu glanced at Zhenfeng with a furrowed brow. "None of your business."
Zhenfeng sighed, standing up and following Jianyu's steps. "I'd rather not get involved with your stuff. But people keep forcing me to be your babysitter."
Jianyu rolled his eyes. "You could refuse."
"Surprise," Zhenfeng replied flatly. "I'm not as cold-hearted as you."
Jianyu ignored him, treating Zhenfeng as if he didn't exist, and kept walking.
The further they went into the cavern, the brighter the lighting became. The air was damp, and moss grew on almost every surface.
Zhenfeng began coughing uncomfortably. "What are you even looking for?"
Jianyu didn't answer. His hand brushed over the damp surface of the rock, feeling the rising humidity in the air.
He couldn't delay any longer—he had to find water. Without clean water, the seeds he had planted earlier wouldn't survive. The soil was too barren, and though the plants glowed with life now, he knew it was only temporary.
Zhenfeng, who was starting to look visibly irritated, paused for a moment. "This is insane, Jianyu. We've come far enough. Are you sure we'll find what you're looking for here?" He rubbed his throat, coughing more frequently. "This place is suffocating."
"Who told you to follow me? I already said, don't interfere," Jianyu replied, though even he was starting to feel the discomfort.
Jianyu's eyes traced the cracked walls of the cavern, leading deeper into the passage. From a distance, he caught sight of a narrow crevice in the rock, faint blue-green light spilling out as though beckoning them forward.
"That… water," Jianyu finally spoke, his tone flat yet resolute. "I think there's a water source there."
Zhenfeng cast him a skeptical glance. "We've come too far, Jianyu. If this is a trap, I don't want to be stuck here."
Jianyu ignored Zhenfeng's warning and quickened his pace, his heart pounding. If he didn't find the water soon, everything would be for nothing. The soil would wither without it, and their fragile hopes of survival would crumble.
Zhenfeng followed reluctantly, unease gnawing at him. "Be careful," he said, his voice softer now, though tinged with concern.
They reached the crevice, which opened into a small underground pool, filled with shimmering, crystalline water.
Jianyu crouched down, his hand hovering just above the water's surface before hesitating. His eyes swept across the area, sensing something wasn't right.
Zhenfeng stood behind him, sword in hand. "What are you waiting for? Just take the water—we need it."
Jianyu nodded slightly, still wary but left with no other choice. He pulled out his long-empty water flask and dipped it into the pool. The crevice is pretty wide that Jianyu can put his water bottle past it.
The cold, refreshing sensation prickled against his fingers as he submerged the flask. But just as he pushed it deeper to collect more water, something shifted beneath the surface.
Zhenfeng noticed the movement immediately. "Jianyu, something's wrong."
The water rippled violently. From the depths of the pool, a massive creature emerged, breaking the side of the crevice and opening up a wider surface of the water. The creature, its body wrapped in poisonous plants that twisted like writhing arms. The creature lunged with unexpected speed, sending waves crashing toward Jianyu.
Jianyu jerked back just in time, retreating several steps. Some of the broken stones hit his face as run away.
Zhenfeng grabbed Jianyu's arm and yanked him further back, his movements swift and instinctive. In one fluid motion, he unsheathed his sword and swung at the poisonous vines reaching for them, severing the tendrils and sending splashes of water flying.
The water beast grew more aggressive as its vines were cut. Zhenfeng leapt forward, positioning himself protectively in front of Jianyu. "Stand behind me!"
Zhenfeng advanced, his sword gleaming as he faced the raging creature. The beast writhed like a giant serpent, its venomous tentacles lashing out with terrifying force. Zhenfeng held his breath and focused, every strike precise.
"Damn it," Zhenfeng muttered through gritted teeth, slicing through an oncoming vine. His sword cleaved cleanly, but the monster only grew angrier. "Jianyu, get out of here. Go!" he shouted without looking back.
But Jianyu didn't move. His eyes darted around, searching for something—anything—that could help Zhenfeng.
"You can't help! Leave!" Zhenfeng yelled again when he realized Jianyu was still standing there.
Finally, Jianyu grabbed a nearby rock and, without much thought, hurled it at the water beast, hoping it might do something.
The rock hit the creature squarely, causing it to growl in annoyance. Furious, the beast lashed out with one of its poisonous tentacles, striking Jianyu's arm.
Zhenfeng wasn't quick enough to stop it. A split second later, fresh blood streamed from Jianyu's arm as Zhenfeng slashed through the offending tentacle. "Damn it!" he cursed under his breath.
Jianyu stood firm despite the blood dripping from his wounded arm. His face was pale, but his eyes remained sharp. He glanced at Zhenfeng, guilt flickering in his expression—not for being injured, but for wasting time.
"It's fine," Jianyu said weakly. "I can still move. Focus on the creature, Zhenfeng! I need this water." His gaze darted back to the pool, now radiating danger yet still glimmering with the promise of life.
Zhenfeng spared Jianyu a quick, worried glance before redirecting his attention to the beast. It lunged at him again, more ferocious than before. Zhenfeng's sword flashed as he severed another vine aimed at Jianyu. "You're unbelievably stubborn, you know that?" Zhenfeng shouted, his movements swift and calculated.
Jianyu, ignoring the blood soaking his left arm, crept closer to the water. His hand hovered above the surface, sensing an odd energy emanating from the pool. Nearby, the monster grew more frenzied, launching relentless attacks at Zhenfeng. Yet Zhenfeng held his ground, refusing to let it reach Jianyu.
"Done," Zhenfeng called out as he delivered a powerful strike, forcing the beast to reel backward. But the creature hasn't died yet. Zhenfeng clenched his teeth. "Hurry up and get the water! We need to get out of here!"
Jianyu nodded, his movements hurried but steady despite the blood dripping from his wound. He filled the flask quickly, but as he stood to leave, the beast lunged again, its tentacles aiming directly for him.
Zhenfeng acted fast, cutting through the vine about to grab Jianyu, but another tendril struck Jianyu's leg, making him stagger.
"Hold on!" Zhenfeng shouted. Without hesitation, he pulled Jianyu upright, supporting his weight. "We're getting out of here—now!"