In an instant, the Cloud Beast enveloped Xu Yang, forming a tight armor around him. He leapt backward as claws swept past his right shoulder, tearing off a large piece of flesh, blood pouring out profusely.
Farosa brought the Magic Blade down in a diagonal slash, her movements were crisp, violent like chopping fish. Before being harmed by the magic blade, the Phase Demon vanished from its spot, reappearing midway up the steps, lingering there and surveying the movements of the man and woman.
At that moment, a shout came from behind the Torii, from the pathway above, near the entrance to the Shrine. A man cried out, as if uttering some sort of incantation, and the Phase Demon immediately disappeared from the spot, its whereabouts unknown.
