Fang Qianyuan decided to leave the deity statue locked away in the courtyard, box and all, for the time being, then went to rest.
Late that night, in his room.
Fang Qianyuan lay on his bed, his body trembling faintly of its own accord. A strange black radiance seemed to swirl around him, shrouding him in a hazy glow.
An indescribable black figure descended silently, as vast as the vault of heaven, its body blotting out billions of miles of starry sky.
Fang Qianyuan was wondering why he was walking across a barren, parched wasteland when he suddenly looked up and saw that indescribable black figure.
"What is that thing?"
Rumble!
Rumble, rumble!
Fang Qianyuan's eyes flew wide open, and he abruptly woke.
Coming to his senses, he found himself sitting on his bed, drenched in sweat.
It was a dream? This is bad!
He suddenly realized that this was no ordinary dream.
Fang Qianyuan hurriedly got up. Sure enough, before long, he saw Wu Longjie rush in from the Outer Court.
Because Fang Qianyuan had forbidden ordinary people from entering without permission, Wu Longjie had been unable to find anyone to announce him. He had no choice but to come himself, hurrying all the way with an anxious expression.
"Junior Brother Fang, something's happened!"
Fang Qianyuan said, "Senior Brother Wu, don't panic. Take your time and tell me."
Wu Longjie caught his breath and said, "Three of the laborers who helped with the excavation today died suddenly in their sleep. Another six have gone completely mad, and a few others..."
Fang Qianyuan asked, "What happened to the others?"
Wu Longjie said, "They ran outside and started killing people!"
He continued, "Even one of the City Guard Army soldiers was affected."
Fang Qianyuan's expression changed slightly. "Even the City Guard