Lin Mu could not reassure his companions. He could not even move properly. So he did the only thing he could.
He focused.
Within his mind, he began chanting.
The Calming Heart Sutra.
Its familiar rhythm echoed through his consciousness, each line forming a thread that pulled his scattered thoughts back together. The chaotic pressure did not vanish, but it became something he could begin to endure.
Minutes passed.
Each second felt stretched.
Each breath was an effort.
But slowly and gradually his awareness sharpened. The overwhelming weight began to separate into something more defined.
Lin Mu pushed further.
He forced his perception outward, searching through the pressure instead of being consumed by it.
"Find it…" Xukong's voice guided him.
Lin Mu obeyed.
And then… He realized something.
The pressure was not uniform. It was not coming from every direction like he had thought before. It had a source, a direction... A pull.
With immense effort, Lin Mu turned.
