Yan drew the next strand through the sequence. His body and foundation carried the current with less resistance, and the soul stage began to brighten in Gu’s reflective bowls. The method’s backlash reinforced his structure instead of tearing it. Qinghe called the phases from the sensor line while he maintained the circulation.
“Body steady. Foundation receiving,” she said.
Yan followed the current into the final turn. “I have it.”
The bowls caught a stronger glow. Gu leaned close but stayed outside the marked platform. The trace rose, moved around the inner rim, then settled without breaking into fragments.
“The soul signal is under strain, but coherent,” he reported.
Yan said he could continue. Qinghe checked the readings and called the next turn. The current flowed through his strengthened channels. He felt the power increase and kept it within the sequence.
Outside the platform, one grounding rod began to vibrate in its socket. Qiao Wen saw the motion from behind the safety post and called a pause. Yan released the current before the vibration grew stronger.
Qiao checked the clamp without crossing the active line. “It’s still closed. The rod is moving against the stone, not through the connection.”
