After Failing to Find Immortality 185

Chapter 185: Shifting Tides, A Plan Revealed

The black-haired woman vanished.

Mao Ruoyu touched her chest, her mind still reeling.

The exhaustion she had felt moments ago was gone, her Yin energy and soul force returning, her body fully recovered.

But the events had unfolded so quickly that she was still in a daze.

Why had that dark version of herself suddenly disappeared?

“Ugh?!”

She frowned, feeling a sense of wholeness, as if a missing piece had returned. Memories and thoughts flooded her mind.

Hua Shuya rushed to her side, her hand on her shoulder, her voice filled with concern. “Madam, are you alright?”

“I… I think so?”

Mao Ruoyu’s expression was strange.

Now that her consciousness was whole again, she realized that the black-haired woman had been a part of her, a manifestation of her suppressed desires and instincts. It had only appeared because she had been wary of the jade pendant’s spirit.

And it had taken the opportunity to taunt and provoke her.

It felt as if she had just fought a battle against herself, a strange and unsettling experience.

Were her true desires so dark and selfish?

And competing with herself for Tianlu’s affection… what a ridiculous situation.

But she quickly pushed those thoughts aside and checked on Hua Shuya.

“Shuya, are you injured—”

“I’m fine.” Hua Shuya smiled gently. “My head was pounding, but that’s all.”

They were just minor injuries, easily healed with a few days of rest.

And with the jade pendant back inside her, her body flooded with Yin energy, those injuries had already healed.

“It’s my fault.”

Mao Ruoyu sighed, her face filled with guilt. “If I hadn’t been so conflicted, that woman wouldn’t have appeared and caused so much trouble.”

Hua Shuya chuckled. “Don’t blame yourself, Madam. It’s not your fault. But—”

She looked at Mao Ruoyu curiously. “What exactly… happened to you just now?”

“…It’s strange.”

Mao Ruoyu bit her lip. “It’s like three people were thinking at the same time, but also as one. There was no discomfort. If that incident hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have even noticed anything was wrong.”

She chuckled awkwardly. “When you held my hand, Shuya, I felt a surge of guilt and regret. I didn’t want to fight anymore. But I couldn’t back down so easily, so I had to say something.”

Hua Shuya couldn’t help but laugh.

So that dark and aggressive woman… was Madam Mao’s true nature?

“But why did you become like that, Madam?”

“Perhaps it was… a combination of the jade pendant and my constitution, causing my soul to split?”

Mao Ruoyu pondered for a moment. “But with the Moon Shadow Breath to balance it, this shouldn’t happen again.”

“That’s good.”

Hua Shuya sighed in relief.

She preferred this gentle and kind Madam Mao to the aggressive and possessive one.

But…

“No matter what form you take, Madam, you still care about me.” Hua Shuya smiled and helped her up. “I should be happy about that, shouldn’t I?”

“I should apologize to you properly when we get back, Shuya.”

Mao Ruoyu blushed, still embarrassed by her other self’s actions.

And those shameful words…

The black curtain that had enveloped them suddenly vanished, revealing the full moon hanging in the night sky.

Hua Shuya looked up and murmured, “It seems the real trial is about to begin.”

Mao Ruoyu calmed her heart.

“Let’s pass this trial and leave this place.”

Her feelings were completely different now compared to when they had first entered the sacred ground.

…

Inside the palace…

The Valley Master stood with her hands clasped behind her back, gazing at the crescent moon above, her expression distant.

Two figures silently appeared behind her, middle-aged women who shared a striking resemblance, their robes equally elegant and luxurious.

“Third Elder, Fourth Elder, did everything go smoothly?”

“The other sisters weren’t suspicious. We used a simple trick to put them to sleep.”

The Third Elder smiled faintly. “And their disciples didn’t notice anything. They’re enjoying their free time, playing in the courtyard.”

“Good.” The Valley Master nodded, her expression satisfied.

“But there was a slight oversight. Someone saw through our plan.”

“What?”

The Fourth Elder frowned. “We watched them fall asleep. Could someone be pretending?”

“Turn around and see for yourselves.”

The two elders turned to see a frail figure, leaning on a staff, emerging from the shadows.

Their faces paled as they recognized her.

“Aunt Li, how could you—”

“I sensed something strange was going on, so I decided to investigate. To see what you were plotting.”

The Second Elder’s voice was calm and even. “It seems your ambitions are quite grand.”

The Valley Master smiled gently. “You’ve guessed our intentions, Second Elder?”

“You put all the pacifist elders to sleep. Your purpose is clear.” The Second Elder said in a deep voice. “You’re using the Soul Moon formation to unlock the Lunar Valley’s hidden power, to seize control during this time of chaos.”

“Indeed.”

The Valley Master chuckled. “Those women have become too complacent and cowardly. Sometimes, they need a push to awaken their fighting spirit.”

“…”

Seeing the Second Elder’s silence, the Valley Master spread her arms and said, “Shouldn’t you be happy, Second Elder? After all, you’ve always been a proponent of war. You’ve also considered leaving seclusion and fighting for power, to restore the glory of the Moon Soul Sacred Sect.”

“I might be a warrior, but I don’t want to force those women into doing something they’re uncomfortable with. And I wouldn’t resort to such underhanded tactics. It will only damage our relationships. When they wake up, how do you think they’ll feel about you three?”

The Second Elder glanced at them and sighed. “We’ve lived together for centuries. Why can’t we understand and respect each other? Past glory is nothing compared to the bonds of family.”

“We all have different aspirations.”

The Valley Master shook her head. “I just hope they’ll understand.”

The Second Elder glanced at the active altar. “Did you do something to Mao Ruoyu and the others?”

“I wouldn’t harm those girls. In fact, I’ve given them a gift, a chance to improve themselves.” The Valley Master smiled. “But whether they can pass the trial… remains to be seen.”

“Where’s Tianlu?”

“I sent him to the Moon Soul Prison.”

“You!”

The Second Elder’s expression darkened.

“How could you do such a thing! That place is dangerous and treacherous. If he’s not careful, he’ll be trapped in those illusions forever! He’s alone, how could he—”

“It seems you care about Tianlu, Second Elder.” The Valley Master raised an eyebrow in surprise, then chuckled. “But don’t worry. I sent Jingyun with him. They should be fine together.”

The Second Elder’s eyes flickered.

“You know that even Jingyun can’t resist the illusions in the Moon Soul Prison. If they experience inappropriate fantasies…”

“I think Jingyun and Tianlu have a special connection. And she’s always been lonely and melancholic. Perhaps a beautiful dream would be good for her.” The Valley Master’s smile turned suggestive. “And although Tianlu is engaged to Ruoyu, we don’t really care about worldly customs in the Lunar Valley, do we?”

The Second Elder stared at her, speechless.

After a long silence, she finally spoke, her voice low. “You… You’re not the Valley Master.”

Her words startled the two elders who had been watching the confrontation.

“Aunt Li, what are you—”

“The Valley Master wouldn’t act like this. And I can still see through your thoughts.”

The Second Elder slammed her staff on the ground, her voice filled with a mixture of disappointment and sadness. “There’s only one person in the Lunar Valley who could impersonate the Valley Master so convincingly, someone with access to her… Elder One, how long do you intend to keep up this charade?”