In the silent and deep Great Hall, a deathly stillness pervades, chilling winds sweep through, causing the blood-patterned candlesticks' dark green flames to flicker unsteadily.

In the center atop a high platform, a strand of mystical light descends, illuminating several thrones forged from soul-breaking black jade.

The thrones are currently empty, yet they exude an overwhelmingly evil presence, lingering for a long time, instilling an unconscious fear in anyone nearby.

Daoist Monarch Xuan Ming dismissed those accompanying him and ventured alone into the depths of the Great Hall. His aged face, usually tense, showed signs of respect and even slight apprehension as he bowed and clasped his fists toward the throne at the center of the hall.

Buzz!

At that moment, the mystical glow descending from the dome of the hall suddenly intensified. The boundless Primordial Qi in the world seemed to be pulled by a strange Qi mechanism, boiling and frantically converging towards the throne.

Space warped and twisted, tearing open deep fissures. Suddenly, a terrifying wave of Evil Qi pressure descended like a tide, spreading and surging.

The thick black mist, infused with endless Evil Qi, poured from the spatial fissure, intertwining and coalescing above the throne, revealing a towering shadow that seemed to connect the heavens and the earth, appearing in the hall.

"Xuan Ming, why have you come alone? Where are Qiu Taoguang and the others?"

The commanding shadow, hidden in the mist, had a blurred face, making it hard to discern its true features. Only its pair of pitch-black eyes showed a cold, indifferent gaze, fixed on Daoist Monarch Xuan Ming, as a deep voice echoed forth.

Upon hearing this, Daoist Monarch Xuan Ming felt a chill in his heart and promptly replied in a solemn tone:

"Xuan Ming greets Sect Master."

"Reporting to Sect Master, there was an incident at the Ancient Ruins. Qiu Taoguang and the other True Inheritors were unable to match the people from the Eight Great Sects, and they were completely annihilated within the ruins, with not a single one surviving."

Boom!

Before the words had finished, the shadow that had blocked out the sky suddenly erupted with Evil Qi, sending turbulent waves across the entire hall!

Instantly, the Primordial Power pressure as heavy as ten thousand mountains shook wildly, even the surrounding void couldn't bear the strain, emitting mournful cries!

In the face of the terrifying aura released by the Demon Sect Master, Daoist Monarch Xuan Ming, who was at the Vientiane Realm Middle Stage, found it unbearable. His old face tightened, eyes wide with shock, breathing halted, while the flow of blood and Primordial Power within his body nearly froze.

"The True Inheritors and Elders we dispatched were completely wiped out?!"

Amidst the tyrannical aura, a voice restrained with extreme anger erupted, making the entire majestic hall tremble and dust rise.

Daoist Monarch Xuan Ming's forehead broke out in cold sweat. Struggling against the oppressive aura, he tremulously replied:

"Sect Master, please calm your anger. This matter indeed contains many strange aspects. I implore you to give me some time to uncover the truth and avenge our True Inheritors."

"Calm your anger?"

The shadow rippled violently, coldly snorted, its surging aura unabated, and spoke with ultimate power:

"The Ancient Demon Sect Relics were such a grand scheme! This time I sent you to oversee it as an opportunity for you, Xuan Ming, but you have let me down so greatly!"

Although he was mentally prepared, facing the overwhelming wrath of the Demon Sect Master terrified Daoist Monarch Xuan Ming. Hearing these words, his legs weakened, he directly fell to his knees with a thud, forsaking the dignity of a Realm Daoist Monarch, frantically bowing his head and begging for pardon:

"Forgive me, Sect Master! Forgive me, Sect Master!"

"There was a reason, I truly did not foresee this. Before setting out, I had already thoroughly investigated the strength of the True Inheritors and Elders dispatched by the Eight Great Sects, not daring to have any laxity!"

"Sect Master, I can guarantee that among them, there is no one capable of exterminating all of Qiu True Inheritor and the others. There must have been some unforeseen event in the Ancient Ruins that disrupted the balance of power between us and the Eight Great Sects, causing Qiu Taoguang and the others to be caught off guard!"

His voice slightly trembling, short, and urgent, faced with the Demon Sect Master's interrogation, Daoist Monarch Xuan Ming dared not hesitate. He poured out all the details of the events before and after the opening of the Ancient Ruins, as well as his various contemplations on the way back to the sect, without any reservation.

After speaking, he further prostrated himself onto the ground, bowing his head repeatedly in extreme humility, seeking forgiveness.

After a long silence, seeing Xuan Ming's blatant panic, feeling unsettled and fearful, the shadow manifested by the Demon Sect Master coldly snorted, then finally retracted the immense pressure spreading from his body:

"Humph! Get up!"

"Considering your past contributions to the sect, risking life and limb, I will set this matter aside for now. After you uncover the situation and avenge our sect's disgrace, I will decide on the punishment!"

"Thank you, Sect Master, for your mercy!"

Daoist Monarch Xuan Ming's bent body shuddered violently, feeling as if he had been granted amnesty. Immediately, he rose to his feet, a breath of relief in his heart.

As he regained his senses, he realized the front and back of his clothes were completely soaked in cold sweat.

The Demon Sect's methods of punishing disciples are extremely cruel, something Xuan Ming knew better than anyone.

Standing between life and death imbues great fear, even someone with cultivation as profound as Daoist Monarch of Vientiane Realm cannot evade such trepidation.

The Demon Sect Master's cold gaze shifted from Xuan Ming, looking upward, seemingly piercing through the dome of the hall, spanning tens of thousands of miles to focus on the location of the Ancient Demon Sect Relics.

More than a year ago, while in closed-door cultivation, he suddenly sensed that Qiu Taoguang used the protective talisman crafted by him at a critical moment.

Unfortunately, the Ancient Demon Sect Relics had restrictive barriers outside it, coupled with being just one of the strategists in this grand scheme.