Sanctuary's night sky was shrouded by dark clouds. Even the stars hid their light.
Within the Pope's Chamber, twelve bronze candlesticks flickered with uneasy flames.
The Gold Saints gathered here, each face filled with disbelief.
"Aspros… betrayed Sanctuary?" Sagittarius Sisyphus's eyes were full of confusion. He and Aspros were Candidate Saints from the same period. Considering himself quite familiar with Aspros, he found it hard to imagine that man falling into darkness.
"Truly unbelievable." Capricorn El Cid's voice was low.
Aspros was elegant, noble, powerful… always seen as a model Saint, the Light of Sanctuary. Yet such a man would betray Sanctuary?
Defteros hurriedly explained, "This wasn't my brother's true will. Phoenix said my brother was controlled by someone."
Everyone turned their gaze to Setsuna, their eyes also holding shock.
He single-handedly resealed the Flame Army and assisted Defteros in defeating Aspros.
Though they already knew this Bronze Saint's strength was extraordinary, such feats were still astonishing.
Bound by chains, Aspros sneered. "I am inherently dark-hearted. Why would I need controlling?"
"To be precise, that person indeed didn't control you but amplified the darkness in your heart." Setsuna said gravely. "When I clashed my Phoenix Illusion Demon Fist with your Demon Imperial Fist earlier, I discovered a droplet of concentrated dark power in your heart."
He raised his hand. A wisp of dark blue flame rose in his palm.
Within the flame, a shadowy droplet form appeared, emitting an uncomfortable aura.
Setsuna continued, "Of course, your own heart has flaws. But it was more influenced by this dark droplet."
The Gold Saints were shocked again, 'Someone could secretly influence a Gold Saint's mind? And judging from Aspros's reaction, he himself didn't even know about it.'
Defteros suddenly knelt on one knee. "Your Holiness, could we ask Athena-sama to save him?"
He knew Athena's reincarnation had been brought back to Sanctuary by Sagittarius two years ago.
Sage Pope shook his head slightly. "Athena-sama hasn't truly awakened yet. She cannot use divine power at this moment."
Setsuna suddenly spoke. "Perhaps I can try cultivating the Genro Maoken, then use it to eliminate the dark power in Aspros's heart."
Sage was inwardly startled, warning gravely, "That is a forbidden technique strictly prohibited by successive Popes! Even Gold Saints can be tempted into depravity by the Genro Maoken!"
"I know." Setsuna nodded. He certainly understood the danger. Aspros was the prime example.
Although Aspros's fall was influenced by the dark droplet, if he hadn't trained the Genro Maoken, his descent wouldn't have been so rapid.
But this demonic fist was indeed powerful. In the original work, even a God of Time like Kairos could be affected.
Moreover, this demonic fist was indeed suitable for him.
Omega Shenron had absorbed the negative emotions of an entire universe. If he could transform those negative emotions into the Genro Maoken's power, this legendary demonic fist would undoubtedly become unimaginably formidable.
Setsuna said gravely, "The Phoenix Cloth contains power similar to the Genro Maoken. I have some confidence in training this demonic fist technique."
Sage hesitated. Although he trusted his disciple, this disciple's body indeed concealed astonishing dark power.
Defteros pleaded, "Let me train the Genro Maoken. This is my matter originally."
Setsuna shook his head. "The darkness in Aspros's heart stems from you. If you train the Genro Maoken, it might stimulate the growth of darkness in his heart."
Setsuna then looked at Sage. "If Master is worried about my corruption, please temporarily lend me the Sagittarius Cloth."
"Gold Cloths are armor of light. And the Sagittarius Cloth has the golden arrow representing light and hope. If I am tempted into depravity by the Genro Maoken, the golden arrow will surely give a warning."
"I have no issue with that." Sisyphus naturally didn't mind lending the Cloth temporarily.
Sage was silent for a moment, then sighed. "Very well. But we will monitor your situation closely. If the golden arrow shows any warning, we will stop you immediately."
…
The Sagittarius Gold Cloth shone brilliantly within the dim secret chamber. The sacred light contrasted sharply with the black demonic energy coiling around Setsuna's fingertips.
"This is… the Genro Maoken?" Setsuna stared at his palm, black mist winding around his fingertips.
Normally, this forbidden technique would plant a dark seed in the trainer's heart, gradually devouring reason, eventually turning them into the demonic fist's puppet.
But at this moment, he didn't even have a ripple of mental fluctuation.
'Something's off. Too smooth…' Though Setsuna considered himself mentally strong, not to the point of being this pure of heart.
Setsuna closed his eyes, attempting to guide the demonic fist's power into his spiritual world.
Boom!
The Genro Maoken's dark power had barely invaded the depths of his consciousness when it seemed to collide with a boundless abyss.
This wasn't an ordinary spiritual world but a darkness deeper than hell. Even the demonic fist's dark power was instantly swallowed.
'So that's how it is.' Setsuna withdrew his hand with a strange expression, thinking inwardly. 'The Genro Maoken can amplify the darkness in one's heart. But… the darkness within me doesn't need amplifying.'
Omega Shenron's power had long settled within him. That was negative energy sufficient to destroy an entire universe.
Compared to that level of darkness, the Genro Maoken's erosion was like a drop of ink falling into an abyss… not even a ripple could be stirred.
"This demonic fist can't affect me at all. Even… it can't even touch my 'darkness'." Setsuna shook his head slightly, clenching his fist. The Genro Maoken's power was completely under his control.
'It seems I'm more suited to this demonic fist than I thought.'
Simultaneously, in the Astral Tower, Sage and the other Gold Saints were observing Setsuna's training through a crystal ball.
"He's completely unaffected!" Defteros was shocked. He had personally witnessed how terrifying the demonic nature in his brother's demonic fist was.
Sage was also somewhat bewildered. "Could it be this forbidden technique isn't as dangerous as recorded?"
Sagittarius Sisyphus's eyes held admiration. "I understand! It must be because his heart is infinitely bright, strong to the point where darkness cannot shake it!"
The Gold Saints suddenly understood. Then their gazes towards Setsuna grew even more respectful.
'Truly worthy of being called a hero. To have such a pure heart.'