A Show of Strength

Shen Qinghe's expression changed. She streaked toward him like a dark teal beam, her right hand spread wide. A massive claw of sinister demonic energy formed out of thin air and lunged for Li Xiao's back, carrying a cold, savage aura.

She had put her full strength into the strike. Even a Round Marrow cultivator would be badly wounded if it landed head-on.

Li Xiao did not look back. A thought was enough.

A golden blade of Sword Qi took shape beside him. Warm, pure Buddhist power radiated from it like a lamp driving back the dark.

The instant the golden Sword Qi appeared, Shen Qinghe's demonic claw seemed to strike an invisible wall. Where Buddhist light met demonic energy, a sizzling sound arose.

As though it had met its natural nemesis, the claw was cleaved in two by a casual sweep of the golden Sword Qi. Its halves dissolved into demonic energy and vanished in the wind.

Shen Qinghe's expression finally changed in earnest.

Buddhist Cultivation Methods naturally countered the Demonic Path, but the purity of the Buddhist power in Li Xiao's golden Sword Qi far exceeded her expectations.

She had struck in anger with all her might, only for him to neutralize the blow as if it were nothing.

She stopped in midair instead of rushing forward again. Her gaze locked on the golden Sword Qi, then shifted to Li Xiao.

Li Xiao's right hand had already closed firmly around the old woman's throat. True Qi surged into her body and sealed every meridian.

Her True Qi bound, the old woman was as helpless as an ordinary person. Li Xiao held her aloft with one hand, her feet dangling above the ground. Her face flushed crimson, and her eyes filled with terror.

Li Xiao lifted her before his