Time throughout Small Town seemed to have had its fast-forward button pressed.
Flowers, grass, and trees rapidly withered, rivers dried up, and cracks appeared across the ground...
Meanwhile, outside Small Town.
The Eastern Snowfield.
The wind and snow ceased, and a tiny crack appeared deep within the eternally frozen glacier.
The Spirit Beasts in its depths seemed to sense some change and let out restless cries.
Tushan Ya struggled desperately against the White Jade Capital's assault.
Lowering her gaze, she met the eyes of Li Ping'an, who was drenched in blood.
Li Ping'an casually formed a sword seal with his hands.
Hum-!!
Above the White Jade Capital, a strand of ancient, pure Sword Intent.
Plummeted straight down.
"Ah!"
A golden ray pierced downward from above.
The golden ray forced Tushan Ya flat against the ground, and she maneuvered two enormous tails to scatter it.
She held the Thunderclap Edict.
"I, Tushan Ya, Sixteenth-Generation Disciple of Tushan, keeper of the Cave-Heaven Paradise under the Supreme Emperor of the North Pole of Purple Subtlety in Central Heaven, hereby petition you!!"
"An evildoer now throws the world into chaos with wicked arts.
"He slaughters the loyal and virtuous, brutally murdering cultivators of our ranks.
"Thus, this disciple petitions for this man's execution!"
A moment later, an ethereal voice seemed to sound in the air.
"Granted!"
Rumble-!!
At once, black clouds bore down upon the entire sky, tribulation clouds massing thickly.
Thunder of crushing might churned within the clouds.
Layer upon layer, without end.
The lightning kept expanding and contracting, seemingly gathering its power.
Once again, it illuminated Small Town's sky and earth, and the corpses strewn everywhere.
Li Ping'an changed his hand seal.
Another golden ray shot from the White Jade Capital.
This time, however, it traveled upward from below.
The golden