The rising water soon submerged the horizontal opening they had dug, leaving less than an inch between its surface and their feet. They had no choice but to embrace, their arms and legs entwined as they tried to make their bodies as compact as possible. In the darkness, they could clearly hear each other's breathing and heartbeat.
"I'm sorry. I've dragged you into this!" Hu Xiaotian said. If he had not told Ji Feihua about this, Ji Feihua would never have accompanied him, nor would he have fallen into their present predicament.
Ji Feihua laughed instead. "What nonsense are you spouting? I volunteered to come. What does that have to do with you?" Despite his words, his heart dimmed with sorrow. He had never imagined he would meet an end like this. But remembering that Hu Xiaotian was beside him, he began to feel at peace. So what if he died? Everyone had to die sooner or later. At least he would not be alone.
He took out the Lightsaber and said to Hu Xiaotian, "Perhaps we can carve out a little more room."
Hu Xiaotian looked down. The water was almost touching the soles of his feet. He sighed. "Wouldn't it all come to the same thing?"
Ji Feihua shifted his arms as though trying to do something, but several attempts ended in failure. He said to Hu Xiaotian, "Help me take out the Night-Luminescent Pearl at my waist."
"For light?" Hu Xiaotian laughed. "No need to go to all that trouble. Just take the skull out of the leather pouch on my back. That thing glows."
Ji Feihua reached out, slipped an arm around Hu Xiaotian's neck, and undid the leather pouch behind him. Trapped in this narrow little cavity, they could hardly avoid tangling their limbs and