173: Chapter 173 Automatically Attracting Crystals

Lin Wanwan pulled her into her arms and gently patted her back, but her own face was also terrifyingly pale.

Han Yurou held her mother's arm tightly.

"Mom, we'll be okay, right?"

Han Qing looked at her and forced a smile.

"We'll be fine. Qin Lin is here, the RV is here, nothing will happen."

But she didn't feel confident herself.

Li Ying leaned by the window, looking at the lava outside with an unusually serious expression.

"This stuff... can the RV withstand it?"

No one answered her.

Because no one knew the answer.

In the Drivers Cabin, Qin Lin was quickly checking the System data.

[RV Current Status:]

[Energy Shield: Operational, 85% efficiency]

[Internal Temperature Control System: Normal, maintaining 24°C]

[Propulsion System: Restricted, maximum speed reduced by 40%]

[Space Jump System: Available]

[Warning: Prolonged exposure to lava zones may cause permanent System damage]

Qin Lin's gaze fell on the "Space Jump System" line.

This was a new function added after the RV's upgrade, allowing for short-range Space Jumps with a 7-day cooldown.

He had thought it was just a nice-to-have feature; after all, he hadn't used it once since obtaining it. He didn't expect to need it now.

"System, is there a safe route?"

[Analyzing...]

[Three possible routes detected]

[Route 1: Direct path, approximately 5km to the nearest exit, but passes through multiple lava eruption points. Danger level: 90%]

[Route 2: Detour to the east, approximately 22km, passes through relatively stable areas. Danger level: 60%]

[Route 3: Detour to the west, approximately 18km, passes through crystal stones and special mineral veins. Danger level: 75%]

crystal stones and mineral veins?

Qin Lin's eyes lit up.

[Energy crystal stones ×3 detected in this area]

[special metal Materials ×10 tons detected]

[RV LV5 function "Automatic Attraction" can be activated]

[Must be within 500 meters of the target; takes 1 hour for automatic absorption]

Qin Lin did a quick calculation.

crystal stones and metal were exactly the Materials needed to upgrade the RV to Lv6.

If he could get these, combined with his existing blessing points, he would be much closer to the next upgrade.

But the problem was, to reach the crystal stone mineral vein, he had to take the route with a 75% danger level.

Was it worth it?

He hesitated for a few seconds and then made a decision.

"System, choose Route 3."

Su Yuran watched him from the side without stopping him.

She knew Qin Lin must have his reasons for doing this.

"Try not to move around and fasten your seatbelts!" Qin Lin shouted over the internal broadcast. "It might get a bit bumpy!"

In the living room, everyone quickly sat on the sofas and buckled their seatbelts.

Han Qing held Han Yurou in her arms; Lin Wanwan and Xu Xue huddled close together; Li Ying gripped the sofa armrest; Su Yuling curled up in the corner, clutching the hem of her clothes tightly.

Su Yuran also fastened her seatbelt.

The RV began to move forward slowly.

Outside the window, lava surged and heat waves rolled.

Even with the shield, the scorching pressure was palpable.

The RV bumped along the rugged ground, like a small boat struggling in a raging sea.

"Ah—"

Every violent jolt was accompanied by gasps and cries.

Han Yurou buried her face in her mother's chest, not daring to look outside.

Han Qing held her tightly, murmuring "It's okay, it's okay," though her own hands were shaking.

Lin Wanwan protected her stomach with one hand and gripped the armrest with the other, her face pale.

Xu Xue leaned against her with her eyes closed, muttering something as if praying.

Li Ying gritted her teeth and stared fixedly out the window, her expression extremely complex.

Su Yuling huddled in the corner, her body swaying with the jolts of the RV, her eyes red.

In the Drivers Cabin, Qin Lin focused intently on controlling the RV, avoiding one lava eruption point after another.

Warnings kept popping up on the holographic screen, but he didn't have time to look; he could only drive by feel.

"Qin Lin, watch out!"

Su Yuran suddenly shouted.

Not far ahead, a plume of lava suddenly erupted dozens of meters high, falling toward the RV.

Qin Lin jerked the steering wheel, and the RV made a sharp turn, barely avoiding the lava rain.

But a few drops still landed on the shield, making a "sizzling" sound and leaving behind charred marks.

[Shield energy decreased by 2%]

Qin Lin took a deep breath and continued forward.

Time passed second by second.

Every minute felt as long as a year.

Finally, the RV entered a relatively stable area.

Two days later.

[Distance to crystal stone mineral vein: 800 meters]

[Estimated time of arrival: 20 minutes]

Qin Lin breathed a sigh of relief, but quickly tensed up again.

Still 800 meters to go.

Who knew what they would encounter in these 800 meters.

"It's not over yet."

The RV continued forward.

500 meters.

400 meters.

300 meters.

Getting closer and closer.

Just then, the RV jolted violently and began to tilt.

A chorus of screams came from the living room.

Qin Lin's expression changed drastically.

One of the RV's wheels had fallen into a crack at the edge of the lava, and the entire vehicle was tilting to one side.

And that side was exactly where the lava was surging!

[Warning: Vehicle tilt angle 15°]

[Warning: Continued tilting]

[Suggestion: Disengage immediately]

Qin Lin floored the gas pedal, and the RV let out a massive roar, but the wheels slipped on the soft ground, making it impossible to break free.

The tilt angle grew larger and larger.

18°, 20°, 22°...

"Qin Lin!" Su Yuran's face was deathly pale.

In the living room, everyone felt the tilt.

They desperately grabbed onto whatever they could, but their bodies still slid uncontrollably.

Han Qing held Han Yurou tightly, shielding her with her own body.

Lin Wanwan protected her stomach with one hand and gripped the sofa armrest tightly with the other.

Xu Xue was already crying.

Li Ying gritted her teeth, her eyes fixed on the window.

On that side was the crimson lava.

Su Yuling huddled in the corner, her eyes closed as tears flowed uncontrollably.

In the Drivers Cabin, Qin Lin's mind raced.

What to do?

What to do?

Space Jump.

But the vehicle was unstable now.

"System, is there a way to stabilize the vehicle?"

[Suggestion: Activate Emergency Stabilization System, cost 300 survival points]

Qin Lin didn't hesitate.

"Activate!"

[Emergency Stabilization System activated!]

A powerful stream of energy suddenly erupted from the bottom of the RV, violently pushing the entire vehicle to the other side.

The massive impact nearly sent everyone inside the vehicle flying.

But the vehicle finally returned to a level position.

[Vehicle stabilized, tilt angle 0°]

[300 survival points consumed]

Qin Lin gasped for air, cold sweat soaking his back.

"Qin Lin... are you okay?"

Su Yuran's voice was trembling.

Qin Lin shook his head and forced a smile.

"I'm fine, let's continue."

The RV continued forward.

Finally, the long-awaited prompt appeared on the holographic screen.

[Arrived within range of the crystal stone mineral vein]

[Distance to target: 480 meters]

[Automatic Attraction function activated]

[Estimated time: 60 minutes]

[The RV must remain stable during this period]

Qin Lin breathed a sigh of relief.