Five Concentric Demon phantoms roared and wheeled around Qi Yu, weaving themselves into a dense defensive net that continually blocked Song Shuhuai's attacks.
Song Shuhuai held a long sword gleaming with clear radiance. With each movement of his sword art, vast Sword Qi surged forth in an endless stream like an overturned river of heaven. Every strike contained irresistible True Essence and the true intent of water, forcing the black Qi around Qi Yu to contract without cease.
Qi Yu had no desire to clash with him head-on and kept retreating.
Elsewhere, Lei Hong roared again and again. This Demonic Sect elder drove his demonic art to its limit, his muscles bulging as crimson True Essence blazed around him like fire. Every strike of his palms carried the force to shatter mountains and collapse peaks.
Yet his opponents were Elder Zhao Songtao and Elder Sun Jingyi of the Cloudwater Supreme Sect.
Zhao Songtao's palm techniques were steady and heavy, repeatedly blocking Lei Hong's fiercest attacks at the very last instant. Sun Jingyi's swordsmanship, meanwhile, was light, tricky, and ghostlike. Her rippling blue sword light sought out every gap in Lei Hong's protective True Essence, forcing him to divide his focus to defend himself. Though he had not yet been defeated, he was completely tied down and unable to aid Qi Yu.
Farther away, the enormous Mysterious Dark Ox lay prone on the ground. Its formerly jewel-dark eyes had now dimmed completely. Strange, ghostly blue Corrosive Fire coiled around its body as it let out painful, low whimpers. Its aura had withered to the extreme; it was plainly at the end of its tether.
Beside it, the Seven-Leaf Golden Lotus still shone brilliantly. Its seven golden leaves had unfurled, while its lotus bud stood poised to bloom, exuding intoxicatingly abundant vitality