Although the nine light swords broke through the black mist, they had shrunk considerably.
Xia waved both hands in rapid succession. Clang, clang, clang... Sparks flew as nine metallic clashes rang out.
Then Xia flashed forward, appearing right in front of Qin Ming, and raked both sets of claws toward his face.
"What a nuisance." Qin Ming frowned, a trace of killing intent rising in his eyes. "Since you have a death wish, I'll grant it first."
The moment he finished speaking, a palm-sized Jade Token shot out of his sleeve and flew above Xia's head.
At the same time, he held his left hand before his chest with two fingers extended like a sword, began chanting an incantation, and shouted, "Demon Suppression!"
The Jade Token instantly swelled to the size of a boat, radiating dazzling white light as it pressed down toward Xia's head.
A flicker of fear crossed Xia's eyes, and she vanished from the spot. Then, with a bang, she rebounded as though she had struck an invisible wall.
"Hah..." Xia gave a low cry. Thick black mist surged from her body and swirled above her head, desperately holding up the Jade Token.
Although the Jade Token descended more slowly, it continued pressing inexorably toward Xia's head.
Meanwhile, bolts of purple lightning began striking from the bottom of the Jade Token, instantly tearing through swathes of black mist and reducing them to primal particles that dispersed into the world.
Xia could only release more black mist as fast as she could to replenish it, but it was being consumed far too quickly. At this rate, she would not last long.
The Kunlun disciples behind Qin Ming clapped and cheered, beside themselves with excitement.
"Senior Brother Qin's Purple Heaven Demon-Suppressing Plaque really is incredible."
"Of course it is.