The tremors stopped after three breaths, but the dark pattern drawn out by blood continued to glow red. Instead of fading, it wound along the rock walls like an awakening vein. Chen Wuya swiftly pulled back his hand. A piercing pain shot through his fingertips, as though fine needles were stabbing backward from the wound into the cracks of his bones. Looking down, he saw a faint blue glow deep within the gash in his right palm, as if some kind of energy were seeping into his meridians in reverse.
Bai Zhi stepped to his side and placed her fingers on his wrist, feeling his pulse racing in utter chaos. Without a word, she untied the strip of cloth she carried and wrapped it tightly around his palm again. Her movements were crisp and decisive as she applied pressure, without the slightest hesitation. The moment the cloth bit into his flesh, Chen Wuya clenched his back teeth, cold sweat beading at his temples.
"Don't let any more blood drip," she said in a low voice. "This place is feeding on you."
Mo Feng crouched beside the pedestal, the bronze token spinning lightly against the ground beneath his hand. His knuckles had gone white from the force of his grip. The signal was still cut off, but he suddenly looked up. "The tremors have changed."
The instant he spoke, a faint ripple ran beneath their feet. It was no longer a disorderly shaking, but a rhythmic pulse, like a heartbeat. The air between the four ruined pillars warped faintly, while dust hung motionless in midair, as though time had been stretched for a moment.
"The first node has stabilized." Mo Feng slowly rose and wiped away the blood lingering at the corner of his mouth. "But it isn't the end. It's