Inside the sand dunes are heaps of skeletons, covered by a thin layer of sand on the outside. When Master Benwu shook them, the sand fell away, and moonlight seeped through the piles of bones, scattering fragmented light onto the ground.
The sound of the wind began to resonate in everyone's ears.
As the wind rose, the night ghosts cried.
The wind came closer, increasing in speed, the cold gusts intermingled with sand scraping against everyone's faces, blowing through the hollow skeletons, producing a clear whistle.
The group felt their hearts stirred.
"Amitabha Buddha." Master Benwu recited a Buddhist chant again.
The group steadied their minds and continued walking.
Yet still, they could not reach the center of Lop Nur.
Master Benwu paced around and occasionally stomped on the ground. After a while, he pointed to a spot and said, "Dig!"
The warriors began digging at that spot.
