The cracks in space around the obsidian fungus, like shattered glass, were like cracks through which the universe breathes. The swirling starlight and the faint "echoes" of the solar system, like the whispers of a mother calling her wandering child, etched themselves deeply into Lin Xingyun's soul. The previously vague sense of the spatial "weave" now, resonating with the signals of home, became clearer and more intimate than ever before.
He maintained that exquisite state of perception, not daring to relax even a moment, like a musician who has just learned to listen to the sounds of nature, afraid to miss a single note. "I need time... I need to consolidate this connection here," he said in a low voice, filled with suppressed excitement. "This unique fungus, this anomalous space, is a natural bridge connecting the two places, a supreme sanctuary for understanding the 'spatial veins'!"
Needless to say, his companions immediately understood his meaning. Aisha, Nguyen Thi Mai, Buakaw, and Dilawang quickly dispersed, forming a solid protective formation with Lin Xingyun and the obsidian fungus at their center. They knew that Lin Xingyun was currently at a profound juncture of enlightenment, and could not tolerate any interruption.
In the heart of this bizarre, eternally whispering fungus forest, a silent retreat began.
Lin Xingyun sat cross-legged before the obsidian fungus, his eyes slightly closed, his entire mind absorbed in the resonance of the distant "echoes." He no longer merely passively perceived the "weave" of space; instead, he actively channeled his mental power, psychic energy, and especially his newly acquired "spatial anchoring" ability, like fine threads, carefully probing the surrounding spatial cracks.
This process was fraught with uncertainty and risk. Those spatial cracks were not docile passages, but rather rife with chaotic energy flows and unpredictable folds in spacetime. A single careless move could shatter the probing mental threads, or even trigger uncontrollable spatial disturbances. Lin Xingyun had to be both the most patient embroiderer and the most cautious pathfinder, gradually exploring, adapting, and understanding the unique laws of this anomalous region. The "Ancient City Barrier Pattern" he inherited from Angkor Wat played a crucial role at this moment. This sorcerer pattern, derived from the ancient earth's protective will, not only endowed him with an affinity for spatial structure but also brought him an indescribable "stability," allowing his mind to remain unshaken like a reef in the face of spatial turbulence. The energy emanating from the Pearl Lake Light Tree acted like a spring, constantly nourishing his energy and allowing him to maintain this intense state of perception.
Time lost its standard meaning in this region of spatial distortion. Perhaps several alien days passed, or perhaps it was just a blink of an eye. Lin Xingyun's forehead was covered in sweat, his face sometimes pale, sometimes flushed with a red glow of enlightenment. But his aura grew increasingly steady, and his resonance with the surrounding space grew more and more harmonious.
The four guarding him did not dare to slack off.
Ayisha utilized her keen perception of energy patterns to the utmost. She no longer painted a specific batik cloth, but used her fingers as a brush, imitating the invisible energy ripples emanating from Lin Xingyun, resonating with the space. These ripples were unpredictable, far more complex than any fixed pattern, but she strived to capture their rhythm, attempting to understand the flow of spatial energy and stand ready to soothe and guide it with her batik spirit patterns when violent fluctuations arose.
Nguyen Thi Mai's dance became extremely slow, almost like a still sculpture, with only a subtle stream of water vapor flowing around her. She combined her perception with the ultimate softness and resilience of the water element, meticulously experiencing the impact of spatial fluctuations on the "water spirit" of the environment. She discovered that spatial distortions triggered subtle shifts in the flow of water vapor, which in turn reflected the stability of the spatial structure. Like a precise instrument, she monitored the "humidity" and "fluidity" of the surrounding space, providing Lin Xingyun with another level of reference.
Buakaw, on the other hand, practiced protection in the most direct way. He was like a raging vajra, his energy restrained yet hidden like a furnace, vigilantly observing every dark corner deep within the fungus forest. His fists locked onto any potentially malicious creatures or energy forms that might approach. Occasionally, a distorted fungus beast, drawn in by the spatial anomaly, would attempt to approach. Before they could attack, Buakaw's fierce gaze, imbued with the murderous intent of ancient Muay Thai and the energy of the stars, was enough to deter them. He transformed himself into an insurmountable physical barrier.
Dilawang was the most solid spiritual foundation. Holding a jade Buddha, he sat in meditation, chanting a peaceful and profound mantra (not specific words, but a spiritual rhythm imbued with Zen). A peaceful and resilient spiritual force field emanated from him, like a warm aura, effectively resisting the spiritual intrusion of the "Eternal Whisper" and greatly stabilizing the potential mental fluctuations that Lin Xingyun might experience during his enlightenment, creating a tranquil inner ocean for him.
The team's tacit understanding reached its peak at this moment. There were no words, only an interweaving of energies, a resonance of spirits, and a silent guarding.
Finally, at a certain moment, the aura surrounding Lin Xingyun suddenly shifted!
He suddenly opened his eyes, and a fleeting image of galaxies flashed before him! He slowly raised his right hand, palm facing upward, and the "Ancient City Barrier Pattern" shone brightly. At the center of the pattern, a single, extremely condensed, almost tangible, silver point of light quietly emerged, like the brightest star in the night sky!
This silver light was not simply a condensation of energy, but the initial stage of his "heart anchor"! He had built it by incorporating his own understanding of the "spatial anchoring" of the Qing'ai Galaxy, incorporating the resonance of the spatial "echoes" of his home star region, and tempered it with his powerful mental power and psychic energy. This was his personal spatial coordinate imprint!
"Concentrate!" Lin Xingyun called out softly.
The silver point of light in his palm suddenly radiated a soft yet penetrating light. The light was not dazzling, yet it seemed to illuminate the void. At that moment, Aisha, Nguyen Thi Mai, Buakaw, and Dilawang all clearly felt that the chaotic and twisted "weave" of space around Lin Xingyun was being gently smoothed and combed by an invisible hand, becoming gentle and orderly. Even the spatial cracks around the obsidian fungus seemed to stabilize somewhat.
Even more miraculously, through the silver light of his "heart anchor," Lin Xingyun could clearly "see" an extremely faint, almost invisible, yet real "thread of light" emanating from his palm, penetrating layers of spatial barriers and pointing far into the depths of the endless sea of stars, towards his homeland called the solar system! This "thread" was the prototype of the "spatial vein" he had perceived!
Although this "vein" was still extremely thin and fragile, unable to carry material through it or even transmit clear information, it truly existed! This proved that his approach was correct—when one is powerful enough, one can serve as an anchor, sensing and connecting to the spatial veins that exist in the universe!
"Success... I've found... the direction!" Lin Xingyun's voice trembled with uncontrollable joy. The silver light and the "heart anchor" in his palm slowly faded, but his connection to the "vein" leading home had been established, unbreakable.
The long period of guarding and exhaustion had exhausted the other four, but now all fatigue was replaced by the excitement of this tremendous breakthrough. Returning home, this seemingly unattainable dream, finally saw its first tangible ray of hope!
"Next, we need to make this 'heart anchor' more stable, and the perceived 'vein' clearer and stronger." Lin Xingyun's eyes were blazing. "This requires more energy, deeper understanding, and perhaps... some external stimulation."
His gaze shifted beyond the fungus forest, towards the vast and uncharted Qingai Galaxy. Seeking more opportunities, improving strength, and simultaneously countering the threat of the "Universe Burner"—all these efforts now had a clear goal: strengthening the heart anchor and paving the way home!
The Star Sea Shaman's journey had entered a new phase. The lights of my hometown are already twinkling on the horizon.
(End of Chapter 27)