Demon Domain, Hundred Refinements Demon Palace, forbidden grounds in the rear mountains.
Within the pitch-black demonic mist that shrouded the area year-round, a massive cave dwelling covered in ancient demonic patterns stood silently.
At that moment, a rapid, piercing warning bell suddenly rang out from within the cave dwelling, shattering the silence that had endured here for years.
The bell rang for roughly three breaths before the cave dwelling's enormous door, weighing ten thousand jun and carved with defensive formations, let out a heavy creak and slowly opened inward.
A middle-aged man wearing a dark red demonic robe embroidered with gold stepped out slowly. He was Li Huang, the current Sect Master of the Hundred Refinements Demon Palace!
Outside the cave dwelling, an elderly man in a black robe with a withered face stood respectfully with his hands lowered. He was Xin Hong, the Grand Elder of the Hundred Refinements Demon Palace.
"Elder Xin, what matter requires disturbing me?" Li Huang's voice was steady. "Didn't I say that while I was in seclusion, you could handle all sect affairs?"
Xin Hong drew a deep breath and said solemnly, "Sect Master, something major has happened... Just now, the Burning Heaven Demon Sect was destroyed. Everyone in the sect, including its Sect Master, elders, and thousands of Heavenly Demon disciples... not a single one survived. Even the entire Burning Heaven Mountains were... completely erased!"
"What?" Li Huang's eyes flew wide open, and his pupils abruptly contracted. "Is this true?!"
"Absolutely true! I personally went to the Burning Heaven Mountains to see for myself. That mountain range is gone, leaving behind only an enormous palm print. The central area still contains destruction Dao intent that makes one's heart tremble, so I did not dare approach the center of the palm print."
"Hiss—" Li