Upon finishing its message, the ninefold natural yin array cicada returned to what it had been doing earlier—resting blissfully, lost in the relaxing sensation of Yang Qing's spell. That calming effect hadn't faded, even during Yang Qing's clash with the spiritual imprint.
That was partly why the fight had dragged on a little. Yang Qing's attention had been split three ways: one part focused on shielding the cicada's body and soul from any negative effects of his clash with the imprint, while the rest was divided between attacking and restraining the spiritual imprint, and simultaneously guarding against its self-destruction or any hidden traps it might have left behind.
