After Failing to Find Immortality 180

Chapter 180: The Woman in Black, An Overwhelming Force

As the eerie laughter echoed through the air, the surrounding environment began to shift.

Dark curtains descended from the sky, enveloping the area within a hundred meters, creating a sinister and oppressive cage of darkness.

Hua Shuya’s expression turned serious, and she turned towards the source of the laughter.

The black mist churned and writhed, gradually taking the shape of a woman.

As the mist dissipated, a voluptuous woman with long, black hair emerged.

She took a step forward, her slender legs accentuated by high-heeled boots, her thighs wrapped in black silk. A golden-red robe, slit at the side, flowed around her, swaying with her every movement.

The robe clung to her curves, accentuating her ample bosom, her shoulders bare and alluring.

She raised her hand to her cheek, her voice filled with amusement.

“Why such a surprised expression? Is it really that unexpected?”

“How…”

Hua Shuya’s eyes widened, unable to hide her astonishment.

Because the seductive woman standing before her…

…had the exact same face as Madam Mao!

But their auras were completely different. This woman exuded pure seduction and allure, her eyes radiating a charm that even Hua Shuya, as a woman, found captivating. It was as if every inch of her body was imbued with a powerful charm technique.

“Could this be… my heart demon?” Mao Ruoyu murmured, struggling to stand straight.

Hua Shuya’s heart calmed slightly.

So this was what a heart demon looked like?

“Does this mean that if we defeat Madam’s heart demon, we’ll pass the trial?”

She drew her sword, ready to fight.

“Hehe, hehehe~”

But the black-haired woman just chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand. “You two are so amusing~”

Hua Shuya’s heart skipped a beat. Something felt wrong.

Was this heart demon truly just an illusion created by Yin techniques?

“What do you mean?”

Mao Ruoyu endured the dull pain in her chest, her expression turning serious. “Isn’t this one of the Lunar Valley’s sacred grounds, created by the Valley Master?”

“The Valley Master?”

The black-haired woman’s smile turned mocking. “What does that woman have to do with me? I just found this place pleasant and decided to pay you a visit.”

It wasn’t the Valley Master’s doing?

Mao Ruoyu was surprised.

“So there are no traps here. It seems that woman truly wants to give you some benefits, to please Tianlu.”

The black-haired woman glanced around casually. “Tianlu truly cares for you. He wasted a lot of time negotiating this opportunity, just so you could recover.”

“You… know Tianlu?”

“Of course.”

She turned her gaze back to Mao Ruoyu, her voice turning cold. “I came here specifically to see you, because of Tianlu.”

Mao Ruoyu’s eyes widened in surprise.

“I’ve been watching you these past few days. You’re truly pathetic.”

The black-haired woman shook her head and sighed. “Still so weak and indecisive. You can’t even take care of yourself, let alone your family. You’re just a burden to Tianlu, making him run around and plead with those elders on your behalf.”

“…”

Mao Ruoyu bit her lip, speechless.

“You can’t even control your own body, constantly causing trouble for Tianlu, always wallowing in self-pity. What do you think others think of you?”

The black-haired woman sneered. “A useless woman who only knows how to receive favors, but never gives anything in return.”

“I…”

“Madam, don’t listen to her!”

Hua Shuya stepped forward, her sword drawn, her gaze fixed on the black-haired woman. “Something’s not right. Don’t let her words affect you. If she’s truly your heart demon, you need to stay calm!”

Mao Ruoyu’s eyes flickered, and she quickly banished her doubts. “Thank you, Shuya.”

“Deluding yourself.”

Seeing their fighting stances, the black-haired woman’s expression turned even colder. “Seeing you like this just makes me sick.

Fine! We have plenty of time. I’ll play with you two and see what you’re capable of.”

Hua Shuya’s eyes narrowed, and she said in a low voice, “Madam, stay behind me and cover me. I’ll test her strength.”

“Be careful.”

“Mm.”

With that, Hua Shuya charged forward, her sword infused with her sword intent, its blade gleaming as she thrust towards the black-haired woman!

But the woman just stood there, her expression indifferent, her movements unhurried as she raised her hand.

—Clang!

The sword hummed, its momentum abruptly halted.

Hua Shuya’s eyes widened in shock as she saw her sword caught between the woman’s fingers, unable to move!

Her Azure Spirit energy and sword intent were completely neutralized!

“Your swordsmanship is quite interesting.”

The black-haired woman smiled seductively. “But it’s still lacking.”

She flicked her wrist, and Hua Shuya felt a tremendous force surge through her arm, almost disarming her. Her hand went numb.

“She’s incredibly strong!”

She was as powerful as the Jade Peak Mountain Spirit!

Hua Shuya gritted her teeth, spinning to regain her balance. She swung her sword, a flurry of attacks aimed at the woman’s vital points.

But a black mist appeared around the woman, effortlessly blocking every strike, creating ripples in the air.

“Your sword intent is strong, but your internal energy is lacking. You can’t harm me.”

The black-haired woman caught her sword again and flicked it, sending Hua Shuya stumbling back.

Suddenly, a wave of energy washed over her.

“Hmm?”

She glanced to the side and saw Mao Ruoyu using her Yin techniques to control her movements.

Understanding her intentions, Hua Shuya steadied herself, took a deep breath, and focused her sword intent, thrusting her blade forward. It pierced through the protective black mist and plunged into the woman’s chest!

“Wha—”

But what she saw next made her blood run cold.

Her sword, sharp enough to cleave through stone, had only pierced the woman’s skin slightly, not even damaging her robe!

“Your teamwork is impressive.”

The black-haired woman glanced at her bound limbs, her head tilted slightly. “But you’re still too weak. I’ll have to teach you a lesson.”

“Shuya, watch out!”

A sharp cry came from behind her. Hua Shuya instinctively dodged, but a hand, formed from black mist, slammed into her shoulder, sending her flying several meters.

“Ugh!”

Hua Shuya’s face paled, and she clutched her shoulder, her arm numb.

But she didn’t lose her focus. She gripped her sword and looked for her opponent, but…

She was gone.

Where had she gone?!

“—Hua Shuya, you need to practice your swordsmanship for another ten years.”

A mocking laugh sounded beside her ear.

Hua Shuya’s eyes widened, and she instinctively swung her sword, but a powerful force struck her side, sending her flying through the air. She landed several meters away, her body aching.

“I apologize for hurting you, Shuya. I’ll make it up to you later.”

The black-haired woman chuckled sinisterly.

She glanced to the side and saw Mao Ruoyu rushing towards Hua Shuya.

She vanished in a flash of black mist, reappearing in front of Mao Ruoyu.

“You—”

Mao Ruoyu stopped abruptly, her face filled with anger. She struck out with her palm, unleashing a Yin technique.

Crack!

But her attack was shattered effortlessly. Before she could react, a powerful force struck her in the stomach.

“Ugh!”

The blow sent her crashing to the ground, her body trembling with pain. She clutched her stomach, biting her lip to stifle a cry.

“You’re so foolish.”

A mocking voice whispered in her ear. “Did you really think I was just a heart demon?”

Mao Ruoyu looked up, her breath shaky. “Who are you…?”

Her words died in her throat as her eyes widened in shock.

The black-haired woman opened her mouth, revealing a jade pendant between her teeth. She smiled playfully. “I was always… Mao Ruoyu.”

“What?!”