Winter was drawing near, and silver snow drifted down, yet the Li River had not frozen. Its mighty waters surged eastward.
Several months after Xu Xuan emerged from seclusion, Lotus Temple began invading Dapan. The two sides faced off along the Li River, locked in a stalemate.
A silver-white tribulation pool hung high in the heavens, spewing lightning and pouring down sword qi. An ancient, gray dharma sword hovered beneath the thunder pool. Deep purple lightning surged and manifested, its mingled thunder rolling endlessly in a revolving cycle, bringing pattering wind and rain as tribulation light flared and faded.
Across on the northern bank stood banners, jeweled canopies, and strings of pearls and jade. Auspicious light and mist extended over more than half the river. Formations had already been laid along the shore, and numerous monks led converted mortals and cultivators southward, treading on lotuses as they chanted their scriptures.
Liu Xingfang stood on the southern bank, looking at the scene before him. Even with his steady temperament, he could not help burning with anger.
Most of those brought by the monks were mortals, with a few rogue cultivators at the fetal breath and qi refining stages mixed among them. Most had embraced Buddhism and were being led across the river by the monks.
With the [Heavenly Ring Divine Thunder Formation] in place, there was no fear of the enemy breaking through. Yet even after the monks were killed, the mortals and minor cultivators still refused to retreat, continuing to charge the formation while chanting the Buddha's name.
"Activate the formation."
He signaled the disciples behind him. The enemy had approached the southern bank and was already within the formation's reach.
Golden divine thunder gathered into heavenly rings and crashed down. The Li River shook. Many mortals fell into its