Kill the Princess (Second Update!)

Like sunlight melting snow, warm, holy white light washed over the chamber. Wherever it fell, lesser evil spirits burst into pure-white, human-shaped fireballs. Sparks danced as their shrill screams echoed, and the evil spirits shrank back from the light.

Xia Lun grabbed Renee by the collar of her cloak and charged toward the tide of evil spirits at the spiral staircase.

"Roar!"

A hulking, grotesquely twisted evil spirit let out a harsh roar. Like a chariot, it forced its way through the light and sprang from the mass of bodies. Blisters raised by the holy light hissed across its skin, oozing foul pus.

"Watch out! It's a high-level evil spirit!" Renee shouted. The next instant, her warning turned into a scream.

Xia Lun planted a boot, scattering grit and dust. He hoisted the glowing Renee and, like a paladin swinging the Holy Avenger, dropped his shoulder, tucked in his elbow, and swung her at the high-level evil spirit!

The creature flared and melted in an instant, like snow plunged into boiling water. The evil spirits on either side were caught in the sweep and melted screaming.

With the path cleared, Xia Lun carried Renee across the surging tide of evil spirits in a few long strides and charged down the spiral staircase.

He rounded turn after turn on the way down. Every evil spirit that blocked him was reduced to sludge by the holy light before it could get close.

"Isn't this much more useful than Blood Wax?" Xia Lun said with a grin.

"I'm dizzy! Stop swinging me!" Renee protested sharply. "Don't compare me to Blood Wax. I'm warning you, I'm—ahhh!"

At the foot of the staircase, three of the Warden's personal guards stood ready in white masks. Black, cold flames burned along their gleaming blades.

Xia Lun stopped