Jiang Renhua raised his Buddhist Staff, about to smash it down on the crown of Aoki's head.
Just as the Buddhist Staff was about to fall, a cold glint suddenly shot out from beneath the stands, so fast that it left only a silver afterimage as it flew straight toward Jiang Renhua's heart.
Alarm rose in Jiang Renhua's heart. He had no choice but to pull his staff back and retreat, deflecting the cold glint. Looking down, he discovered that it was a Sakura Cross Dart coated in demonic poison.
"Despicable!" Shu Baimo shouted angrily, looking up toward the Sakura warriors.
The Sakura Warriors leading them gave a sinister smile, stepped forward, and shouted toward the stage.
"Lord Demon Fox has spoken. Our Sakura Country will see this wagered duel through! Since Lord Aoki has already borrowed his power, the fight must naturally continue!"
No sooner had he spoken than Aoki, standing on the arena, fell completely under the control of demonic power. His body swelled a size larger, fine dark-red fox fur covered him, and claws half a foot long grew from his fingertips. Low growls escaped his mouth. He had completely transformed into a half-human, half-fox monster.
Jiang Renhua tightened his grip on his Buddhist Staff and invoked the Buddha's name again. His aura abruptly surged, and clear golden-red Buddhist light spilled from his entire body.
Buddha power suppressed demonic evil. The scarlet demonic mist that had been swirling around Aoki melted away in great swaths the instant it touched the Buddhist light, like snow meeting fire.
Controlled by demonic power, Aoki let out an enraged roar. Ignoring the pain of the burning Buddhist light, he lunged forward, his claws carrying a foul wind as they reached straight for Jiang Renhua's throat.
Rather than retreat, Jiang Renhua advanced.