"No. Even the ground has been corrupted by it." Her face darkened.
Tang Monk focused and began chanting. Buddhist Light slowly spread from his palms, forcing the blackwater back a little. But this was not a temple or sacred Buddhist land. Though his cultivation was profound, he was ultimately not skilled in battle. Against an evil thing that drew power from the earth and water, he could only protect the area around himself for the moment.
Over on Chu Yang's side, sword light flashed through the thick fog, appearing and vanishing, but he was clearly being held up.
Sun Wukong had yet to return.
The chill in Su Wanwan's heart sank deeper and deeper.
She knew that if they delayed any longer, once the Marsh-Dwelling Mother completely sealed off this stretch of official road and turned the entire ground into its "water," they truly would not be able to escape.
The woman in the sedan watched them struggle, and a trace of a smile slowly surfaced in her black eyes.
"Monk, your chanting sounds so pleasant," she said softly. "It makes me want to tear out your tongue and soak it in water so I can listen to it every day."
Tang Monk's expression did not change. He merely murmured a Buddhist invocation.
The Marsh-Dwelling Mother looked at Su Wanwan again, her tone contemptuous. "Little fox, you are quite protective. But can you really protect him? With your little bit of cultivation, you cannot even burn away all my hair. If you know what is good for you, move aside obediently. Once I drink this monk's blood and vital energy, I will keep you too—as the first lantern-bearing maid before my sedan."
Su Wanwan's palms went cold, but her fingers slowly clenched.
Of course she was afraid.
She could feel