Chapter 17: Effortless Clearance — Rescuing the Princess

Lights illuminated ahead, signaling the next checkpoint.

A series of circular stone platforms came into view.

Each platform was supported by a half-cylinder pedestal, which now trembled violently, causing the platforms to tilt and wobble precariously.

Having just exhausted his strength, Lin Rui put on a pained expression. “This is way too hard.”

Just standing on the platforms required exceptional core strength and balance, not to mention stepping across them.

“Take a break,”

Wen Lingyue approached the first platform, lifted her foot, and stepped onto it.

The platform shook violently, but she lightly engaged her waist and core, standing as steady as a mountain.

Lin Rui: “……”

The audience was stunned.

Is a dancer really this extraordinary?!

Her balance is unreal.

Wen Lingyue continued forward. The violently shaking platforms felt like solid ground beneath her feet. Her movements were light and graceful, and in less than half a minute, she had crossed them effortlessly.

In the control room, Fu Xin held his chest.

He was dumbfounded.

The audience was equally shocked.

“No wonder she’s a classical dance champion—her lower body is rock solid!”

“Her balance is insane; these physical challenges are nothing to her!”

Wen Lingyue reached the second checkpoint.

Watching her move farther ahead, Lin Rui was in disbelief.

Not fair… look at me. I’m still stuck behind.

[Second checkpoint: Test of the knight’s intelligence]

The audience’s eyes lit up with anticipation.

An intelligence-based challenge wouldn’t be so easy!

They were sure of it.

That earlier puzzle? Wen Lingyue must have just gotten lucky!

Absolutely!

The electronic screen lit up with a series of brain teasers.

The first one was a pattern-recognition question. Wen Lingyue glanced at it and pressed the answer without hesitation.

A green light lit up.

A mechanical voice announced: [Correct]

Audience: “Huh?!”

This feeling… so familiar?!

The second was a math question.

Wen Lingyue read it and pressed the answer immediately, with no pause.

The mechanical voice repeated: [Correct]

Audience: “??”

Is there no justice?!

Is this even humanly possible?!

…

She easily solved all three intelligence challenges.

The audience was completely floored.

They couldn’t even answer elementary-level math this fast!

“Production team, are you even paying attention?!”

“Check Wen Lingyue’s IQ, I suspect she’s not human.”

“The gap between her and ordinary people is bigger than the gap between humans and dogs—I believe it now.”

Wen Lingyue’s precise, rapid actions drew countless viewers.

Many excitedly shared the live stream: “Hurry! Watch Wen Lingyue dominate the escape room!”

Her solo live stream nearly monopolized all traffic, crushing the popularity of every other live show on the platform.

The production staff were a mix of anxious and pleased: “Director, the other guests’ streams have no viewers now.”

“Normal,”

Fu Xin, focused intently on Wen Lingyue, said: “If I, the director, am watching her closely, the audience certainly will too.”

The staff nodded: “Inviting Wen Lingyue was absolutely the right choice!”

Though the program’s tone had shifted unexpectedly, the buzz was now the highest on the internet.

The show had just started and was already making history.

The live broadcast continued.

[Unlocking the next stage]

A stone door opened, flooding the room with dim red light.

Wen Lingyue squinted slightly, feeling a bit uncomfortable, and stepped inside.

“Who’s there?”

A frightened female voice called out at the sound of footsteps.

Yu Yan was tied to a stone pedestal, curled up like a quail—timid and terrified.

Gradually, the footsteps drew closer.

Yu Yan squinted, her gaze slowly lifting, and when she saw Wen Lingyue’s face, her eyes lit up with joy.

Wen Lingyue untied the thin ropes binding her. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Yu Yan, teary-eyed, complained: “Why are you only now coming?”

She stood up, legs numb, and threw herself into Wen Lingyue’s arms.

Wen Lingyue hugged her tightly.

The audience, watching this touching moment, was surprised:

[Guys, I have a bold idea…]

[I have a bold idea too!]

[White moonlight and red roses—let me ship this first!]

The previously awkward and tense scene suddenly did a complete 180-degree turn.

Fu Xin nearly dislocated his waist—

No, no! This isn’t what I imagined!

The princess should be rescued by the knight, not this!

Stop it, you two!

Yu Yan stood, a little embarrassed for her normally brash behavior, whispering an apology.

Wen Lingyue didn’t mind. “Stretch your arms and legs; we’ll exit the escape room soon.”

“Ah—”

As Yu Yan moved, she suddenly closed her eyes and screamed, clutching Wen Lingyue’s arm.

The audience collectively grinned:

[It’s not me shipping them; the show is just shoving sugar right into my mouth.]

[This must be the production team’s intent—I get it now!]

“What’s wrong?”

Wen Lingyue glanced around, noticing nothing unusual.

“Look above you.”

Wen Lingyue looked up. A row of bloodied organs hung from thin red ropes, grotesque and eerie.

Many audience members were startled.

“This is nothing,” Wen Lingyue said, tilting her head. “Just a row of organs.”

“You’re not scared?”

“What’s there to fear? I’ve seen this in anatomy class.”

She pointed: “This is a heart, this is a liver, this is a stomach, and this special one is a chicken heart…”

Audience: “……”

Help! Wen Lingyue is the scariest thing in this escape room!

Yu Yan was terrified: “Eek eek eek.”

Screaming, she pulled Wen Lingyue along.

They rushed out of the room, and Yu Yan sighed in relief, fuming: “The production team is way too cruel!”

“Lingyue!”

From the next room, a familiar voice called out.

Yu Yan, still shaking, asked: “Who is it?”

Wen Lingyue reassured her: “Don’t worry, it’s another princess.”

[Pahahahahaha]

The audience could no longer contain themselves. In the live room with millions of viewers, the chat was flooded with laughter.

[Congratulations to Lin Rui, newly crowned the princess!]

[Prince Lin waits for Knight Wen to come rescue him.]

Yu Yan didn’t understand but followed Wen Lingyue’s lead. She watched Wen Lingyue swiftly solve the puzzle; the door sprung open, and a figure rushed forward—

“Lingyue!”

Wen Lingyue asked him: “Why are you here?”

Lin Rui complained: “Don’t ask! Hehe cheated me into this escape room!”

“Hehe?”

“That male guest!”

Wen Lingyue’s expression flickered slightly.

Lin Rui, confused: “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Wen Lingyue hid her thoughts. “Come on, we need to rescue all the princesses to clear the room.”

“How do you know?” Yu Yan asked.

Lin Rui looked even more bewildered.

Wen Lingyue remained silent, tapping her temple.

“……”

Yu Yan and Lin Rui had no words.

Wen Lingyue pressed forward.

Ahead, darkness. The protruding walls were irregular, dotted with countless holes, from which bloodied imitation human arms extended—eerie and chilling.

Yu Yan and Lin Rui silently flanked Wen Lingyue, looking around warily.

Wen Lingyue’s expression remained calm, even curiously touching the arms.

Yu Yan and Lin Rui frowned.

Suddenly, a chilling laugh echoed.

The eerie green lights flickered. The bloodied arms on the walls began to wave, fingers like claws, striking toward the three of them.

Wen Lingyue sighed, immediately covering her ears.

“Ah—”

As expected, screams erupted from both sides.