Deep within the grotto-heaven, Xu Xuan could still fly at first, but after traveling a short distance, he felt the pressure steadily mounting and had to descend.
Purple lightning had solidified all around him. Thunderous vibrations rang endlessly in the distance, drawing his attention. He vaguely sensed that the Purple Mansion chapter of the Marsh Thunder Dragon-Treading Scripture lay somewhere within.
A thunder marsh manifested, bearing him swiftly forward. But something changed ahead: a Heavenly Soldier formed from purple lightning blocked the road, its aura likewise at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.
The soldier held a celestial halberd, its killing aura overwhelming as it locked onto Xu Xuan and barred his way. Yet his spiritual sense revealed that it had no mind of its own. It was a spirit condensed from lightning essence, awakened here through someone's divine ability.
"Another one."
Xu Xuan brought out Cinnabar Thunder and strode forward, pointing its blade straight at his opponent. Provoked, the Heavenly Soldier turned its majestic face toward him and spun its celestial halberd. Its killing aura swept out and collided with Xu Xuan's sword mystic qi.
Purple lightning crashed against purple lightning, thunder roaring without pause. Xu Xuan threw himself into the fight. Both followed the path of shock thunder; the stronger would prevail.
Xu Xuan drove [jade blood heart] to its utmost. An ancient, desolate aura emanated from his flood dragon body as he slashed downward without any fixed stance. The intent of tribulation and punishment lay hidden within his sword, condensed into a single point of pure white light.
He unleashed thirty-six consecutive slashes, their might piling upon itself and forcing the Heavenly Soldier straight back. The wondrous power of Cinnabar Thunder's [tribulation descent] continued to rise. At last, the celestial halberd snapped, and his sword mystic qi fell,