Fang Cheng patiently prepared to teach them the basics of mental synchronization meditation. "First, close your eyes, slow your breathing, and dismiss all distractions." "You may hear many voices and see many illusions, but don’t pay them any mind; simply concentrate on silently repeating my name ’White Owl’ in your mind, and visualize me wearing a mask." Zhou Liang, Cui Xiuying, and the others, although they didn’t understand his intentions, obediently followed his instructions. Feeling the gradual stabilization of their mental waves, Fang Cheng continued to guide them. "Now, start imagining me as a lighthouse standing tall along the coast at night," Fang Cheng’s voice seemed to carry a soothing power, echoing in everyone’s mind. "That light is golden, warm, and steadfast, like the dawn capable of piercing through all fog." "All you need to do is keep approaching that lighthouse, no matter what happens along the way, do not waver..." With Fang Cheng’s patient guidance, they slowly began to perceive a glimmer of gold in the darkness of their subconscious. Zhou Liang and his team members, having undergone professional meditation training, soon got into the state, rapidly amplifying the speck of light. Cui Xiuying, being a researcher, had a similarly resilient and calm mind. After a few attempts, she also successfully found the knack. Seeing a few more "Initial Believers" successfully establish a link, Fang Cheng nodded with satisfaction. With himself as the "Meditation Target" standing by to actively guide the meditators’ awareness, coupled with the experiences of Xu Hao and Xiao Shuai, helping them achieve the initial meditative state wasn’t difficult. Except for that security guard; he was just an ordinary person caught up in the disaster. By this point, he was already scared out of his wits and couldn’t focus no matter what, almost on the verge of tears: "No... I can’t do it, my mind is filled with those monsters..." His face was full of terror, afraid of being left alone in this horrific place. Cheng Jiashu raised his hand to stop him from affecting the others: "I can try to carry two more people." As he spoke, his gaze fell on the monstrous Shijima Gorou, estimating in his mind. This guy’s tough; maybe he can conserve some energy on him. They all briefly attempted meditation. Memories intact and preparations ready, they immediately formed a circle. Zhou Liang, Ali, Ah Yang, Xiao Jie, along with Cui Xiuying, all extended their hands, laying them on Fang Cheng’s broad shoulders. Fang Cheng, in turn, placed a steady hand on Cheng Jiashu’s shoulder, forming the crucial link in the spiritual chain. Cheng Jiashu stood at the forefront, one hand grasping the trembling security guard’s nape and the other lifting the unconscious Shijima Gorou. Thus, an energy conduction array built with humans, centered on Fang Cheng, took form. "Close your eyes, and restart meditation using the method I just taught you." Fang Cheng commanded in a deep voice, "Do not open your eyes until I tell you to." Everyone complied, closing their eyes, adjusting their breathing, and dipping back into the dark world of consciousness. This time, the light from the golden lighthouse was unusually clear, and seemingly expanding swiftly. Just as they felt themselves getting closer to the lighthouse, the light growing so dazzling it was almost unbearable to look at. A massive suction force suddenly came crashing in, yanking each of their consciousnesses forcefully! "You can open your eyes now." The next second, Zhou Liang and the rest were shocked to find their visual perspective completely changed. They found themselves in an incredible, unimaginable hall. Towering stone columns supported an unseen ceiling, surrounded by infinite depths of shadow. The wind whistled through, producing a wailing sound, like ancient spirits whispering. In the center of the hall was a massive golden orb. It floated quietly, emitting a gentle yet majestic glow. "Don’t move, or let your thoughts run wild." Fang Cheng’s voice resonated within everyone’s consciousness, carrying a hint of warning. At this moment, he stood in the center of the hall, looking up at the domed ceiling. The starry sky symbolizing "Believers" was now dim and devoid of light. Only a faint glimmer could be seen flickering stubbornly on the far edge of the darkness. The flickering light seemed to convey emotions of fear and panic. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝗂𝗋𝖾⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥 That was precisely Xu Hao’s consciousness coordinates. Fang Cheng swiftly concentrated his consciousness, choosing a one-way projection, establishing a spiritual link. A beam of golden light shot from the golden orb, connecting precisely with that star. However, as soon as the link was established, an invisible disruptive field emerged. Waves of spatial fluctuation followed, surging like tides, deafeningly loud. With a "crack" sound, the golden beam snapped instantly. Fang Cheng frowned slightly, his gaze penetrating the barrier of the Memory Palace, peering into that external boundless void of darkness. In his vision, it was filled with a denser, purer black fog than in the Inner World. The howling winds and the constant sound of crashing waves were ever-present. In this dark ocean of consciousness, red points emitting ominous auras flickered amidst the tides, as if countless malevolent entities lurked, waiting to devour. In the farther distance, a vast, slowly rotating red nebula appeared conspicuously. Like a sinister cosmic eye lying deep in the universe, radiating a chilling allure and malice. The slightest attention drawn in that direction. Countless whispers of madness would swarm in, attempting to strip the observer’s soul and take over their physical shell.
