My low-key cultivation of immortality was discovered by the emperor in my diary.

The power of this demonic energy is unprecedented.

In an instant, the weather changed dramatically, a fierce wind howled, and the sky darkened.

The storm swept into the city, uprooting trees, easily swirling bricks and tiles, and countless houses swaying precariously before finally collapsing into ruins. (Note)

Amidst the piercing cries, the people who had taken refuge in their homes fled in panic, but some did not manage to escape in time.

In the face of disaster, people appear so insignificant; many families are torn apart in an instant, and countless lives perish in despair.

The storm before her was as powerful as a collapsing mountain. Chu Lengyu's face was pale, and the gale made her clothes flutter wildly, her long hair suddenly disheveled.

Although her back looked slender and delicate, she did not take a single step back, as if she were rooted to the spot.

Under the dark sky, she was the only patch of cold white, like a wisp of white silk, a jade flower, a fleeting ray of light.

She silently concentrated her sword intent to its limit, preparing for a final desperate attempt.

This was her choice, and also her responsibility.

This demon was hiding in the wild; she actively sought him out and forced him out.

However, Chu Lengyu did not regret or blame herself. This demon was already so difficult to deal with. If he continued to lie low or escaped to another place, it would only lead to more terrible consequences.

The world is vast, and there are countless living beings; she cannot guard against thieves every day.

The only option now is to go all out and use all our strength to kill this scoundrel here!

At the tip of the sword, the sword intent was as solid as ice, making it impossible to look directly at.

The demon sensed Chu Lengyu's determination, its crimson eyes looking down at her with a ferocious and terrifying expression.

He laughed wildly, "You think you can defeat me like this? How laughable!"

However, he felt a vague unease in his heart.

Just then, a deafening clap of thunder suddenly rang out from high in the sky.

Lightning flashed and disappeared in the dark clouds, instantly illuminating the battlefield shrouded in demonic clouds, and also illuminating the desolate and helpless faces of the people.

They all looked up at the sky, a glimmer of hope igniting in their grief and despair.

"Heaven has eyes, please send down lightning to punish this demon!" In the crowd, a young man knelt down with tears in his eyes, clasped his hands together, and prayed to the heavens.

"Yes, let's quickly subdue this monster!"

"May the gods protect us!"

……

The cries of the people rose and fell.

The demon sensed the terrifying power contained in the lightning above his head, and his heart sank.

Although the spiritual energy in this world is thin and the Heavenly Dao is not manifest, the foundation of this world is far beyond what he can challenge now.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became; nothing went right that day.

First his clone was destroyed, then he was seriously injured and fled to this city. He originally wanted to perform a blood sacrifice to heal his wounds, but he was entangled by this female cultivator and kept pestering him.

He released the seal on his injuries, greatly increasing his strength, intending to take him down in one fell swoop, but inadvertently aroused the vigilance of the Heavenly Dao of this world.

But in the demon's mind, he hesitated for only a moment before deciding to temporarily leave the place and prioritize his own survival.

However, this large vortex of demonic energy was too conspicuous, so he had no choice but to reluctantly abandon it.

He forcibly suppressed his anger and resentment, and took out a treasure called "Hidden Demon Veil," which could conceal his figure and aura, and he valued it highly.

Without hesitation, he unleashed it, and a thin gray veil opened, concealing a small portion of his core demonic energy, making it invisible.

Under the cover of the Demon-Invisible Veil, the demon, like a ghost, silently fled the battlefield.

But he was still filled with resentment and secretly vowed that he would avenge himself one day.

He wanted to let this female cultivator know that the mere Heavenly Dao could not protect them at all, and that this place would eventually become a blood and flesh altar for the demon race!

Chu Lengyu remained standing in place, noticing that the aura of the demonic cloud opposite her suddenly weakened, and vaguely sensed that the demon had been frightened away by the thunder. However, she pretended not to notice and continued to confront the menacing demonic cloud.

Firstly, she had almost exhausted her spiritual energy and urgently needed time to recover.

Secondly, the capital city is not a suitable battlefield. She needs that demon to escape far away to prevent innocent civilians from suffering collateral damage again.

However, once he's far away, he'll probably realize he's been tricked.

"Click."

Lightning flashed and thunder roared in the sky.

The continuous drizzle fell to the ground.

This was an ordinary thunderstorm, brought about by strong winds.

Chu Lengyu was merely using illusion magic to simulate the aura of the tribulation lightning, temporarily frightening the demon into retreating. This deception wouldn't last long.

The demon's consciousness was stronger than hers; ordinary illusions couldn't fool him. She took advantage of the thunder and rain, which was also a risky move.

"Sigh." She sighed wearily.

One villain is manageable, but if several more come along, it will be a real headache.

The vortex of demonic energy left behind by the demon was just an empty shell, but it dutifully played its role, once again extending slender tentacles of demonic energy, weaving into a net, its eerie demonic aura pressing towards her.

Chu Lengyu dodged and weaved, this time not in such a hurry.

Without the support and manipulation of a demon, this demonic cloud was nothing more than an inflexible target. Chu Lengyu unleashed a sword strike, easily tearing its swollen body apart piece by piece.

the other side.

Under the dark sky, the demon, protected by the "Demon-Hidden Veil," had already silently fled over a hundred miles away.

It was only then that he belatedly realized something was wrong.

After thinking it over carefully, he suddenly realized that he had been deceived!

That was not lightning generated by the Heavenly Dao at all!

He had preconceived notions that he might attract the attention of Heaven, but he didn't seriously discern the truth.

He never expected that he would be tricked by a mere illusion technique by a human female cultivator. This humiliation enraged him beyond measure.

"Hmph, you mere ants, how dare you fool me!" the demon roared, his crimson eyes filled with rage.

If this woman is not torn to pieces, his hatred will not be appeased!

So, disregarding his unhealed injuries, he transformed into an almost imperceptible, dim shadow under the cover of the Demon-Concealing Veil and swiftly returned.

When he returned to the battlefield, he saw that the raging and violent vortex of demonic energy had been shattered into pieces.

Upon seeing Chu Lengyu meditating and regulating her breathing, the demon immediately recalled how he had just been fooled and cursed inwardly, "What a cunning female cultivator!"

He secretly released one after another jet-black magic butterflies.

These Heart-Eating Butterflies are demonic creatures he carefully cultivated. They can silently erode a person's mind, plunging them into despair and madness. Even cultivators find it difficult to resist them.

He would repay her tenfold, making her experience true despair and pain.

He commanded the demonic butterflies to fly away invisibly, and he himself transformed into a dim shadow, silently approaching.

Chu Lengyu was doing her best to recover her spiritual power when she suddenly sensed a strange atmosphere around her, as if countless eyes were watching her from the shadows.

"Oh no!" She felt a chill run down her spine and immediately realized that she had been tricked by that devil.

She had thought that the seemingly cautious and cowardly demon would retreat temporarily even if he realized he had been deceived by her illusion, but she did not expect him to make a comeback so quickly.

Without a second thought, she immediately activated her Lone Sword, transforming it into a beam of light that slashed outwards.

However, these Heart-Eating Butterflies seemed to have no physical form, and the sword light could not effectively kill them. For a time, Chu Lengyu was entangled by these demonic butterflies and could not break free.

"Hmph, let's see how long you can hold out!" The demon sneered, revealing his silver curved sword magic weapon once more, preparing to launch a sneak attack.

At that moment, thunder roared again in the sky.

The demon was like a frightened bird, his mind unsettled, and he almost revealed his whereabouts.

He glanced at the dim sky, then turned and stared fiercely at Chu Lengyu, thinking to himself: This time, I won't be fooled!

_______________________

Note: The verb "冲" (chōng) is borrowed from Goncharov's "Ordinary Stories." This verb is so fitting that I'm using it here, and I'm giving this special mention.