C40 Cardioverter!
Lu Yu took cover behind a massive boulder, piecing together the unfolding events with keen intuition.
The man in the black robe was known as the cardioverter, likely the Demonic Cultivator who had taken up residence in Skydome Mountain.
The woman in white, Meng Zhuyun, was in pursuit of the cardioverter. Yet, she had unwittingly walked right into his ambush.
Meng Zhuyun's presence was undeniably more formidable than that of the cardioverter, but she found herself ensnared by his Feng Shui Grand Formation, rendering her momentarily unable to retaliate.
"Hehe, this Mei Rou Powder is famed for its ability to manipulate the soul, and it set me back ten million spirit stones. But to use it on the esteemed daughter of Profound Zhou Academy, it's well worth the price!" The cardioverter gloated, his gaze lasciviously scanning Meng Zhuyun's shapely figure while his jar released a stream of pink mist.
"Your vile tricks won't work on me!" Meng Zhuyun's eyes narrowed, her longsword slicing through the air with ferocity.
With a swish, her blade emitted a brilliant white light, and a surge of sword energy spiraled around her, forcefully dispersing the encroaching pink fog.
"Haha, did you really think I'd spend a fortune on mere medicinal powder?" The cardioverter remained unperturbed by her display.
As if on cue with his taunting words, the pink mist seemed to dodge Meng Zhuyun's sword energy and continued its relentless advance.
The cardioverter's laughter grew wilder. "This is a soul poison. Your sword, no matter its power, cannot deter the Mei Rou Powder. It will gradually infiltrate your soul and erode your intellect! Hehe, surrender and become my devoted slave!"
The pink fog was inches from claiming Meng Zhuyun.
A glint of defiance flashed in her eyes. Without a moment's hesitation, she crushed the pendant hanging before her.
A resonating buzz filled the air as the shattered pendant erupted with intense white light.
From within the glow, the faint sound of chanting emerged, and a profound and righteous energy permeated the cave.
"An artifact of the ancients!"
Cardioverter's heart raced with alarm, and he swiftly conjured a massive shield with his Spiritual Energy, positioning it defensively before him.
The radiance was intense, yet it served only to scatter the pink mist hovering around Meng Zhuyun. Upon reaching the formation's boundary, the light abruptly halted.
Witnessing this, Cardioverter burst into laughter. "Hahaha, Meng Zhuyun, if you dare, shatter this formation! Once the dragon vein collapses, the deaths of countless mortals will be on your hands. The weight of that karma will ensure that you're struck by heavenly lightning, utterly obliterated!"
Despite his taunts, Cardioverter remained vigilant, keeping the shield of Spiritual Energy firmly in place.
His threat had its intended effect.
With a rustling sound, the overwhelming white light began to fade, revealing Meng Zhuyun's ashen face.
As expected, Meng Zhuyun lacked the courage to breach the formidable formation.
"Hehe, I had intended to subdue you with a potion, but it seems I'll have to exert some effort. No matter, now that you're ensnared, I can afford to take my time with you."
Cardioverter sneered menacingly, reaching his hand into the adjacent abyss.
With a mournful wail, hearts strung together were hoisted from the depths.
The cave was immediately shrouded in dense blood qi, the air filled with the wails of countless tormented souls.
A flash of crimson illuminated the abyss.
Below, a ghastly pile of corpses lay heaped, their hearts gruesomely extracted, their blood forming rivers—a sight that chilled to the bone.
"You monster, how many lives have you taken!?" Meng Zhuyun's gaze bore into the scene, her eyes glinting with icy resolve.
"Merely mortals. Their deaths are inconsequential."
A sinister, bloodthirsty gleam surfaced in Cardioverter's eyes. "With this blood qi, I will gradually sap your Spiritual Energy. Eventually, you'll be drained dry. Meng Zhuyun, once you're in my grasp, escape is but a futile dream!"
