That faint yet heart-stopping cracking sound was like a boulder thrown into a stagnant pool, instantly shattering the brief atmosphere of relief that had arisen in the cave after they had just evaded the scan.
Strands of seemingly living Primal Shadow Energy seeped from an unknown crack deep within the Giant Pillar, carrying an icy urge to devour and an intent to assimilate as they swiftly spread through the cave.
This energy, which the Pillar Soul called "Initial Embers," differed from the chaotic corruption commonly found in the Shadow Plane.
It was more condensed, more ancient. Its essence seemed closer to the purest tendencies of "Terminus" and "nothingness" first stripped from the Shadow Plane of the "door."
Even after being forcibly confined and transformed by the Giant Pillar's structure for countless ages, it still retained terrifying activity.
To beings of Order, it was like a mixture of the deadliest radiation and concentrated acid.
The Seeker's Light Mist immediately contracted and dimmed. Fine protective runes surfaced across it as it resisted the energy's erosion, while it urgently said, "The leak is accelerating!
Primal Shadow Energy levels have exceeded projections! It poses a direct threat to the Miniature Order Field and Yingsha's Shadow Body! Immediate isolation or evacuation is recommended!"
Yingsha's already weakened Dormant State was forcibly interrupted. His Shadow Body twisted and churned violently like ice thrown into boiling water!
To him, this primal Shadow Energy was both deadly poison and a fatal "temptation"—it was simply too pure.
It shared a certain origin with his own Shadow Origin, yet contained a frenzied will capable of completely washing away and assimilating what remained of his self-awareness.
He let out a silent cry of agony, and his shadowy form grew ever more unstable.
The pendant on Xingmang's chest also lit up in response,