The climb was a war of attrition. Each step intensified the spiritual gravity, heavy as syrup. Lin Tian focused on his rhythmic breathing and core's pulse. He didn't fight the pressure, instead channeling it through his Chaos-Harmony Origin Vessel.
Beside him, Xueya moved with a glacial patience, her Ice Phoenix essence a cool, silver anchor in his senses. Su Lan's internal fire was a low, banked furnace, burning clean and steady. Lu Cang was the only one audibly struggling, his breath a ragged sawing sound, but he kept pace, his determination a tangible force.
The staircase seemed to go on forever, a grey spiral vanishing into shadow. Then, without warning, it ended.
They stepped onto a flat, circular platform. The oppressive gravity vanished, leaving a dizzying lightness in its wake. Lu Cang stumbled, catching himself on the wall with a gasp of relief.
