The blast wave not only blew apart the sacrificial altar above them, but also blasted a huge hole through the bottom of the underground cavern. Qin Yutong had already lost consciousness under its tremendous impact.
Hu Xiaotian shielded Qin Yutong with his body. His body-protecting astral force formed the first layer of defense, and his armor the second. He kept crashing against the surrounding walls and rocks as they plummeted. Once things eased slightly, he pressed the button on his left arm. The Alloy Wings concealed behind him unfolded, guiding his body into a spiraling descent and slowing their fall.
Before long, his feet touched solid ground. He looked up and saw something bearing down on them like Mount Tai crashing overhead. Hurriedly beating his wings, he flew forward and to the right. He had barely cleared the area when a tremendous crash rang out behind him. The Square Cauldron from the sacrificial altar had slammed into the ground, the impact driving the entire vessel deep into the bedrock.
Still shaken, Hu Xiaotian let out a breath. Had he not reacted in time, he might have escaped the first day only to fall on the fifteenth. Even if the explosion had not killed him, the Square Cauldron would have crushed him to death.
It took a long while for the collapse triggered by the explosion to subside. Hu Xiaotian first checked on Qin Yutong, who happened to wake just then. The blast wave had merely knocked her unconscious. Fortunately, her injuries were minor, and she was now fully alert. Almost simultaneously, they asked, "Are you all right?" Once they were sure neither was hurt, they exchanged knowing smiles.
Qin Yutong could not help laughing at Hu Xiaotian's dusty, disheveled appearance. Hu Xiaotian burst out laughing too, and only then did