The entire pavilion fell into stunned silence. Every disciple and staff present stood frozen, their faces etched with disbelief.
But among them all, the most shocked was none other than the Minor Elder himself.
His voice trembled as he screamed,
"W-W-What the hell just happened?! How in the world did a High-Tier Mythical-Grade Artifact shatter into pieces?!"
His gaze fell upon the remains of the orb, now nothing more than lifeless shards scattered across the floor.
"This artifact was said to be capable of appraising abilities even beyond Heavenly-Grade… One of the Oldest and Most Treasured Artifacts in the sect's history! And yet—it Broke?"
"Was it simply too ancient to endure any longer? Or… was there another reason?"
A cold sweat ran down his back as another thought struck him.
"More importantly... how am I supposed to answer to the higher-ups?!"
In a distant corner of the chamber…
Reon's shock mirrored that of the others, though for entirely different reasons.