The Villainess Always Tries to Seduce Me - Chapter 26

Before the black-robed figure could speak, Yun Chuanzhi was flung aside. Bai Fenghuo’s long sleeves suddenly wrapped around her, pulling her into a corner. She stumbled backward a few steps before steadying herself against the wall.

Not only had the black-robed figure fallen for Bai Fenghuo’s trap, but Yun Chuanzhi had been deceived as well. Uncertain how to react, she clutched her aching waist from the fall and shakily sat down.

In truth, she had noticed something amiss when she touched Bai Fenghuo’s wound earlier that day, but she hadn’t given it much thought. The subsequent dangers had been so pressing, and Bai Fenghuo had shown no further signs of weakness, so she dismissed her suspicions.

Truly cunning and deeply scheming, Yun Chuanzhi sighed inwardly, though she couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief.

Her thoughts had barely circled in her mind when Bai Fenghuo had already gained the upper hand. Though she lacked a proper magical weapon, she wielded all things as such. The luminous sword of condensed purple energy in her hand, combined with her extended sleeves, wove an impenetrable net, trapping the black-robed figure securely within.

“You demoness! How dare you deceive me!” The black-robed figure seethed with rage. Though her face remained hidden beneath the dark hood, her fury was palpable.

“What a joke! This Seat merely feigned illness to tease you a bit. You’re the one who took advantage of my weakened state and insisted on barging in here. How can you possibly blame me?” Bai Fenghuo roared with laughter, as if she hadn’t enjoyed herself so thoroughly in ages. Her laughter, like the tinkling of silver bells, echoed off the rafters, infuriating the black-clad figure so much that even the hem of her robe trembled.

Overwhelmed by Bai Fenghuo’s relentless assault, the black-clad figure suddenly flung her dark robe wide, unleashing a storm of pitch-black arrow blades that pierced the air and hurtled straight toward Yun Chuanzhi, who was watching the battle from the rear.

Yun Chuanzhi cursed under her breath. Her body ached terribly, and the arrow blades moved so fast they were mere blurs. She couldn’t possibly dodge them. Fortunately, Blackie leaped forward to intercept some of the projectiles, but it was hardly enough.

More arrow blades erupted from the black-clad figure like locusts during a plague, striking indiscriminately across the hall. The man’s cultivation was so high that even the thick walls couldn’t stop them.

“Why are you two fighting and staring at me the whole time?” Yun Chuanzhi shouted angrily from behind the enlarged Blackie. “Why are there so many cowards at Mount Everlasting, bullying the weak and fearing the strong!”

Blackie was already struggling to defend her. Pockmarks appeared on her spirit stone body. Yun Chuanzhi panicked, clutching her head and screaming, “Bai Fenghuo, look at him!”

Before she could finish speaking, a sleeve of her gossamer-thin robe drifted from nowhere, transforming mid-air into a wisp of translucent smoke. It swirled around her protectively, and when the swords struck the smoky barrier, they shattered against it as if hitting an iron wall, clattering to the ground in pieces.

“Enough of your noise,” Bai Fenghuo said coldly. “Did you think This Seat would let you harm her?” She turned to the black-clad figure with disdain. “You call me ‘Demoness’ at every turn, yet your own methods grow increasingly vile.”

“This Seat has no patience for further games. Prepare to die.”

With that, Bai Fenghuo leaped into the air, unleashing a gale that made the candles in the Immortal Palace flicker wildly. As shadows danced across the walls, the entire palace seemed to tremble as if struck by an earthquake.

Violet light erupted from behind him, coalescing into nine dazzling fox tails that pierced the air like swords as Bai Fenghuo spread her arms wide.

The black-clad figure recoiled in terror, hastily forming a defensive array. But it shattered instantly beneath Bai Fenghuo’s tails, and a brilliant violet light stabbed toward her Spirit Platform. The figure threw back her head and howled, her black robes tearing apart in an instant.

An overwhelming pressure filled the towering Immortal Palace, shattering the exquisite murals and bas-reliefs into rubble. Yun Chuanzhi, clutching Blackie tightly, frowned deeply.

Is this the power of a Tribulation Transcension Stage cultivator? Yun Chuanzhi thought. It seems the woman in black has been pushed to her limits, abandoning all fear of exposing her identity to save her life.

“Master, this person seems incredibly strong,” Blackie murmured anxiously in her arms. “Do you think Sect Leader Bai can defeat him? If she can’t, will we die too?”

Yun Chuanzhi pondered for a moment, but before she could answer, she heard the sound of something piercing flesh. Narrowing her eyes, she peered through the swirling dust and smoke, her expression shifting to astonishment.

Bai Fenghuo had appeared behind the woman in black as if from nowhere. Her right hand was extended straight, a radiant sword piercing directly into her body. The woman in black froze in shock for a moment before twisting free.

He collapsed to her knees, the oppressive aura vanishing as the shattered stones that had been suspended in mid-air crashed back to the ground.

Seemingly unable to believe that Bai Fenghuo had defeated her so easily, she rose to counterattack. But another powerful presence surged into the hall, like a blizzard sweeping down from snow-capped mountains, its icy winds chilling everyone to the bone.

A crystal-clear sword hurtled through the air, its hilt slamming into the woman in black’s shoulder. She was sent flying backward, tumbling across the ground like a pitiful, giant bat.

At that moment, the sword’s master flew into the hall. The cloud-patterned shoulder cape embroidered with snow lotuses reflected the dim yellow lamplight into a cold, piercing glow as she landed gracefully.

“What are you doing here?” Bai Fenghuo demanded, extinguishing the light behind her and slowly crossing her pale arms. “You’re interrupting my venting.”

“With such a commotion, would I still deserve to be Sect Leader if I remained ignorant?” Bai Xiaochen’s phoenix eyes swept over Bai Fenghuo with icy disdain. “What’s going on?”

“Isn’t Senior Sister supposed to be all-seeing and all-knowing? Can’t you figure it out yourself?” Bai Fenghuo retorted. Their conversation crackled with veiled hostility, making Yun Chuanzhi, who was cowering in a corner, feel like a fight was about to break out.

“Sect Leader,” Yun Chuanzhi called out, eager to end the farce. “This woman is from Mount Everlasting. Believing Sect Leader Qiu was gravely injured, she released a Shadow Demon to bewitch him, intending to assassinate her during her moment of vulnerability.”

“Mount Everlasting harbors demons?” Bai Xiaochen’s delicate brows furrowed. With a wave of her hand, she conjured a rope to bind the black-clad figure on the ground, then retracted her palm, sending the woman rolling to her feet.

Several more figures materialized in the air: Liao Zongfang, Sect Leader of the Second Peak, whom Yun Chuanzhi had seen earlier that day, and the middle-aged woman from the Fourth Peak. Each was accompanied by several Immortal Cultivators under their command, instantly filling the spacious hall with bustling activity.

“Remove her mask,” Bai Xiaochen ordered. Two young Immortal Cultivators in blue robes stepped forward and tore off the mask. The assembled crowd gasped in shock.

“Junior Brother Qiu?” Liao Zongfang exclaimed, her voice cracking as she pointed at the woman on the ground. “Why… why would you…?”

“Qiu Hanshan,” Bai Xiaochen said, equally astonished. She nodded, and the two blue-robed disciples carefully helped the woman to her feet.

“Sect Leader Bai, what is the meaning of this? Why did you attack Sect Leader Qiu?” the middle-aged woman demanded, turning to glare at Bai Fenghuo.

“What, are you trying to frame me again?” Bai Fenghuo scoffed, flicking a strand of hair aside and eyeing them with a sly smile. “Too bad, Sect Leader Qiu came looking for trouble with me this time.”

“And it wasn’t just once,” Bai Fenghuo’s smile turned cold. The beam of light in her hand solidified into a sharp sword, which she pressed against Qiu Hanshan’s throat. “Sect Leader Qiu, tell us why you’ve repeatedly sent assassins after me. And why you deployed a Shadow Demon to bewitch me, then ambushed me when I feigned weakness, trying to take my life?”

Liao Zongfang and the middle-aged woman stared at Qiu Hanshan in disbelief, their mouths agape.

“Why?” Qiu Hanshan, who had remained silent until now, coughed twice, her face pale, and spoke, “This Seat knows her days are numbered. I wanted to use my last strength to kill you, Demoness, and avenge the Former Sect Leader.”

“That you’ve lived this long is only due to the mercy of the Immortal Cultivators. A treacherous, wicked Demoness like you living is a misfortune for our entire Unceasing Mountain Gate!”

As she spoke, she began to laugh, bl00d trickling from the corners of her mouth. “Bai Fenghuo, I never imagined someone like you would have loyal followers willing to die for you. But rest assured, no one truly cares about a Demoness.”

“Everyone longs to see you brought to justice. Be careful, for one day…”

His words were cut short as the luminous sword in Bai Fenghuo’s hand suddenly extended several inches, piercing her heart in a flash. She twisted the blade twice, causing the woman to grit her teeth and tremble in agony.

“Bai Fenghuo!” Bai Xiaochen swiftly waved her hand, dispelling the luminous sword. “You mustn’t!”

“Demoness, stop!” Liao Zongfang roared from the side, stepping between Bai Fenghuo and Qiu Hanshan, glaring fiercely. “Junior Brother is merely grieving for Sect Leader Mingcun. He…”

“So I deserve to die?” Bai Fenghuo murmured, as if amused. She tucked her hands behind her back, her laughter causing the tips of her hair to tremble slightly. “Senior Sister, tell me, do I deserve to die?”

Bai Xiaochen remained silent, her emotionless gaze fixed on Bai Fenghuo before shifting to interrupt Liao Zongfang’s plea for leniency. “Take her to the Heavenly Prison.”

“Sect Leader…” Liao Zongfang began, but a sharp glance from Bai Xiaochen silenced him, leaving her to lower her head and stroke her beard in frustration.

“Sect Leader Bi,” Bai Xiaochen addressed the middle-aged woman, “I request you send someone to Third Peak to thoroughly investigate the demon-breeding incident. It’s unacceptable that demons have infiltrated our Unceasing Mountain Gate. If any disciples under my care are harmed, both you and I will bear grave responsibility. Furthermore, you will temporarily oversee Third Peak’s affairs. Keep this matter confidential.”

Sect Leader Bi acknowledged the order and departed. Several blue-robed Immortal Cultivators cautiously approached and escorted the limp, eyes-closed Qiu Hanshan away.

Bai Xiaochen passed by Bai Fenghuo, her lips moving silently. Without uttering a word, she said, “Rest well,” and swept away her robes as she left. Liao Zongfang and the other Immortal Cultivators followed.

The grand hall quickly fell silent. After a moment, Yun Chuanzhi spoke softly, “Sect Leader, may I leave now?”

Bai Fenghuo glanced up at her, then waved her hand to dispel the lingering mist. Yun Chuanzhi steadied herself against the wall as she stood, Blackie returning to its normal size and climbing onto her shoulder.

Dizzy with pain, Yun Chuanzhi fumbled for a few Bl00d Pills. Just as she was about to put them in her mouth, Bai Fenghuo’s spiritual energy snatched them away and crushed them to dust.

“Low-Grade Bl00d Pills aren’t very effective. Take these instead.” Bai Fenghuo tossed Yun Chuanzhi a delicate white jade porcelain bottle. Yun Chuanzhi caught it with both hands, lowered her head to sniff it, and felt her heart instantly clear, as if a refreshing breeze had swept away all impurities.

He quickly swallowed a pill. The pain in her body vanished instantly, leaving her feeling as refreshed as if she had slept for three days and three nights.

“Thank you, Sect Leader,” Yun Chuanzhi said cheerfully. Then, suddenly remembering something, her smile faded. “Ling Shui and Cheng Jinyi…?”

“Rest assured, they’re safe. This Seat has already ordered their rescue. Did you truly think a mere Shadow Demon could pose a threat to me?” Though a hint of fatigue lingered in Bai Fenghuo’s eyes, her complexion had regained its color. She turned and strode into the hall.

With a flick of her wrist, she conjured a small, furry black creature from thin air, which dropped to the ground with a squeak, clutching its nose.

Yun Chuanzhi hurried over to inspect it, picked it up by the scruff of its neck, and chuckled. “This is the Great Demon? It looks like a black rat—not the least bit imposing.”

“Keep it as a pet if you like,” Bai Fenghuo said coldly as she ascended the steps. As she passed, the shattered decorations and furnishings, destroyed during the battle, instantly restored themselves to their original state.

“No thanks. I hate rats,” Yun Chuanzhi said, tossing the Shadow Demon aside. The creature dissolved into a wisp of ash mid-air.

Tsk, how pitiful, Yun Chuanzhi thought, watching with sympathy. She rolled up her sleeves and hurried after Bai Fenghuo.

“Don’t follow This Seat. Your service is not required here. Return to the Immortal Servants’ quarters and rest,” Bai Fenghuo said, already standing before a grand gate carved from gold-inlaid sandalwood. She pressed her palm against the gate, pushing it open slightly. “This Seat wishes to be alone.”

After their recent encounter, Yun Chuanzhi sensed a subtle shift in Bai Fenghuo’s attitude toward her, though the change was so slight she couldn’t quite discern its nature.

“Sect Leader…” she began again, only to be cut off by a suddenly sharp tone.

“This Seat commands you to leave. Do you not understand?” Bai Fenghuo snapped.

Yun Chuanzhi exchanged a glance with Blackie perched on her shoulder, sighing inwardly. Just as always—fierce, ruthless, and utterly unchanged.

“Understood,” Yun Chuanzhi replied, turning to leave. But a thin silk ribbon suddenly drifted from Bai Fenghuo’s sleeve, coiling around her fingertip like a cold, cautious snake.

The unexpected touch made Yun Chuanzhi freeze. Startled, she turned back, following the ribbon’s gentle tug, watching as it slowly retracted into Bai Fenghuo’s sleeve and disappeared.

“Was what you said in the illusion… true?” Bai Fenghuo asked softly, her eyes lowered, her body turned sideways so Yun Chuanzhi couldn’t see her expression.

“You said This Seat need not test you, that you would never harm This Seat. Is that… true?”