A sudden and overwhelming pressure descended from the sky. Gao Yang felt as if Mount Tai was crushing him, his body almost falling apart, forcing him to kneel on one knee.

The others fared no better, all either kneeling or lying flat on the ground.

From all directions came strange sounds.

It was like thousands of people chanting an ancient incantation rapidly in the dark, the voices powerful and solemn, overwhelming like a tidal wave.