Time seemed to stand still.
Before their eyes, the sun was corrupted. A sliver of black at its edge rapidly spread until the whole thing was dark as ink—
And the figure within it suddenly turned insubstantial. It had not vanished, but it could no longer interfere with this world.
The monks still prostrating themselves in worship froze.
They looked as though they had seen something beyond imagination. They stood rooted to the spot like statues weathered by years of wind.
After a long while.
The senior monk finally spoke.
He stared fixedly at the black sun and forced out two words as though it took every ounce of strength he had.
"It's a trap!"
Zhou You turned his head.
"...What do you mean?"
The senior monk drew a deep breath and pulled his mouth into a smile that looked more like a grimace. "I understand now... I finally understand. So that's it... That's what happened..."
Seeing him on the verge of losing himself, Zhou You promptly slapped him.
Frankly, given the senior monk's muscles, a slap without any magic behind it barely stung. But the jolt finally brought him back to his senses.
Then Zhou You spoke again.
"What exactly do you mean? What trap?"
"...For centuries, Rosy Clouds Temple has hunted the Six Desires Demon Lord. We never managed to strike at its core, but we caused it plenty of trouble. If it means to emerge during this upheaval of heaven and earth, then we must be a thorn in its side..."
He paused, then continued.
"Our first plan failed, but everything after that went too smoothly. Why could the scriptures on the city wall trap it so easily? How did the temple's main force slip past the Ten-Thousand-Fathom Palace and reach this place so easily? Even with