The great river's flow was severed. Sword Radiance cleaved through the roiling demonic clouds and sent Cihai flying backward.
Brilliant red demonic qi gushed out, and golden vow power melted away like accumulated snow. The little temple of gold lacquer and jade masonry dimmed, crumbling inch by inch. Glittering golden fragments fell into the surging red demonic clouds, and the demonic qi gathered around Cihai into a red lotus ablaze with karmic fire. The old monk stood upon it.
The twisted, spiraling horns of desire atop Cihai's head grew ever more hideous. His face brimmed with compassion as he sat upon the Lotus Throne and chanted sutras. Demonic voices swept across the entire battlefield, bringing pained expressions to the faces of many cultivators below.
Xu Xuan activated Heavenly Drum and lightly flicked Cinnabar Thunder. Thunderclaps mingled with the sword's ringing, blocking every trace of the demonic chanting. Then white lightning and black fire blazed anew upon his sword. He lifted the Edict Grand Talisman with its tip and sent the Black-and-White Sword Wheel slashing out. Its fierce thunderfire vaporized vast amounts of river water, raising billows of white steam.
Cihai formed a seal to block it. Heavenly Demon light poured endlessly from his heart aperture, but the Black-and-White Sword Wheel pressed inexorably onward. Thunderfire roared, pulverizing all the demonic qi. Cihai shielded himself with the red lotus, locking into a stalemate with the Altar-Nether Thunderfire Talisman Sword.
Holding his sword in one hand, Xu Xuan raised the other. The silver-white Thunder Pool gradually shrank and settled into his palm. The Thunder Spirits of every hue and the lines of law inscribed upon it seemed about to awaken, shining brilliantly. Supporting the pool above his left palm, he then flipped his hand and slammed it viciously onto Cihai's head.
Hundreds of