Long faced Elder Lin and Zhou Wei. "I will help," he said simply.
Elder Lin exhaled, a hint of relief breaking through her stern resolve. "Thank you. We must prepare quickly. Tonight, while the disturbance is fresh, might be our best chance to strike before that entity regains strength or guards."
Elder Sui puffed himself up, volunteering despite a tremor in his voice, "I will maintain the Resonance Bell to anchor you back. My lucid dreaming days are behind me, but I can still ring a bell."
Lin smiled kindly at him. "That would be perfect, Elder Sui. You'll stay here and ensure we have a path home."
Within the next hour, plans were set. Elder Lin would lead the dream expedition, accompanied by Zhou Wei, Long, and one other disciple known for strong will—this turned out to be Disciple Gan, who, after some persuading, agreed to join. Gan had initially balked ("I survived this long by not plunging in deeper!" he argued), but ultimately his loyalty to his lost friend won out over his fear. His sarcasm remained as armor, though. "Sure, let's jump into the mysterious nightmare—what could possibly go wrong that hasn't already?" he muttered, earning a reproachful look from Lin and a sympathetic grin from Long.
They gathered in a quiet chamber adjacent to the main hall—one used for more advanced or private rituals. A circular formation was drawn on the floor with powdered silver and crushed dream lily petals. At each cardinal point sat a tall candle and a small hanging chime. In the center of the circle, on a low table, rested an object of polished bronze shaped like a half-sphere: the Resonance Bell, now uncovered and glinting faintly. Elder Sui explained it would be rung in a slow pattern to keep their subconscious tethered to the waking world.
Long helped chalk a secondary pattern of runes around the circle for added protection. The wolf cub was not to join the dream; instead, it curled up just outside the ritual circle, eyes following Long's every movement. He knelt and stroked its fur. "Guard us," he whispered. The cub nuzzled his hand and sat alert as a sentry.
Before they began, Elder Lin lit some incense and led a short prayer-like incantation. Even Gan bowed his head, whether in respect or to hide his apprehension. Long silently centered himself, cycling his qi. He recalled his own training in calming the mind, preparing to navigate illusions—skills from a long time spent tempering his Dao heart. He did not often have to use them in such a literal scenario, but he was thankful for them now.
At last, all was ready. The four of them sat in a ring just inside the formation. Elder Sui, standing by the Resonance Bell with a small mallet, gave a grim but encouraging nod. In the corner, the cub sat like a steadfast statue.
Elder Lin looked around at each of their faces. "Stay together once inside, as much as possible," she advised. "Do not trust what you see unless confirmed by another among us. And above all, remember who you are and why you walk there. Our purpose is to find our people and confront the force holding them, then return at once. Understood?"
Long, Zhou Wei, and Gan all affirmed quietly. Long rested his hands on his knees, back straight, breathing measured.
"Then let us begin." Lin closed her eyes and began a low chant, different from earlier—this one more akin to a spell. The others joined hands as instructed. Long clasped Zhou Wei's hand on one side and Gan's on the other. Gan's palm was clammy but steady. Zhou Wei's fingers trembled slightly, and Long gave them a reassuring squeeze.
As the incantation gained rhythm, Elder Sui began to strike the Resonance Bell in a gentle, slow cadence. The sound was deep and soothing—a gong… gong… that resonated in the chest. Long focused on that sound, letting it become the anchor of his consciousness.
The powdered symbols around them began to faintly glow. Long felt a wave of drowsiness, but it was different from the incense-induced pull earlier. This was guided—like stepping through a doorway rather than slipping on a precipice. His body felt heavy, yet his mind felt light.
The last thing he saw in the waking world was the wolf cub's intent gaze, golden eyes reflecting the candlelight, before his own eyes closed and the world fell away. The bell's sound echoed on, as if following them down into the dark.