Randeng cried out, his expression growing gravely solemn.
He was formed from the first coffin between Heaven and Earth, and had been exceptionally sensitive to deathly, demonic, and yin energies from birth.
That was precisely why Randeng had sensed a trace of demonic energy in the aura erupting from Venerable Yuanshi.
"How could this be?"
"He is a Saint, an existence that has already transcended."
"How could he be covered in such demonic energy?"
The more Randeng thought about it, the deeper his frown grew. He felt a faint sense of unease.
After all, if Yuanshi fell to demonic corruption, it would be bad news for both him and the Chan Teachings.
More importantly, Yuanshi possessed the strength of a Saint. Staying beside a Saint who had fallen to demonic corruption was extraordinarily dangerous.
At that very moment, deep beneath Yuxu Palace,
this place should have been where earthfire raged and spiritual ley lines converged.
But now, it had become a realm of absolute darkness and silence.
There was no concept of space here, no passage of time, and no material existence.
In a daze, it seemed as though there was only the purest "nothingness."
And within this "nothingness" floated a black rune about the size of a palm.
Its surface was covered in Demon Patterns finer than strands of hair. Each one seemed like a living thing, slowly writhing and radiating a chilling demonic intent.
"Rumble..."
As Yuanshi's anger flared, an unending stream of demonic energy poured in.
"Crack!"
For a brief moment, a faint sound of something breaking rang out.
Then, a fissure appeared on the surface of the black rune.
After that, more and more cracks spread across it.
Before long, the black rune had completely shattered.
"How long has it been...? How long has this venerable