True Heir of Chaos: From Villainess to Empress

Many of those who came to watch the duel had done so for one reason: to see the power of the Mó Yuè Zhǎn. Once wielded by the renowned Mó Mèi Zhūnzhǔ, the weapon had contributed greatly to the Heavenly Demon Palace in its glory days. After the Zhūnzhǔ's mysterious disappearance, the fate of the artifact became a long-standing mystery. Now that it had resurfaced, everyone wanted to witness whether its strength remained undiminished.

Jian Dan had no intention of disappointing them. This battle was her declaration of strength. With the Mó Yuè Zhǎn bound to her spirit and her powerful divine sense amplifying her control, every slash of the blade mirrored her intent.

As the countless crescent blades danced through the air, each strike landed with uncanny precision, hammering repeatedly on the same spot of Tang Jian's heavy sword. He didn't notice at first. When he finally did, he tried to adjust his technique to avoid the targeted area. But it was too late. Jian Dan closed in with steady, deliberate steps, as if each footfall pressed on the center of his chest.

Cornered and growing frantic, Tang Jian realized the danger. If this continued, his heavy sword—his lifebound weapon—would suffer permanent damage. That wasn't just an inconvenience. A wound to the sword was a wound to himself.

With no options left, he funneled all his remaining magic into the blade. Its dark glow surged anew, forming a massive sword shadow that crashed toward Jian Dan like a falling mountain.

Jian Dan lifted her sleeve.

The Mó Yuè Zhǎn instantly reformed into its original form, meeting the strike head-on. Their weapons clashed with a thunderous crack—

Crack!

The blade shadow shattered. A long fracture snaked down the edge of Tang Jian's sword. In a panic, he tried to withdraw it, but the Mó Yuè Zhǎn was already on its return arc.

It sliced clean through his weapon.

The sword broke.

Tang Jian spat a mouthful of blood. His body was flung out of the battle ring and slammed against the protective barrier, which bounced him back into place.

Jian Dan stepped forward.

The Mó Yuè Zhǎn hovered at Tang Jian's throat, spinning slowly along his carotid. He didn't even dare raise a hand to wipe the blood from his mouth. Trembling, he struggled to stay on his feet.

With a casual motion, Jian Dan plucked the golden bell from his sleeve and slipped it into her storage ring.

"Peak Lord Tang, do you concede?"

Tang Jian had no pride left to salvage. His voice was bitter.

"I concede."

The arena's protective barrier dissipated, signaling the end of the match.

Jian Dan flicked her wrist. The Mó Yuè Zhǎn vanished. Tang Jian steadied himself but still looked dazed.

"You should count yourself lucky we were transported straight to the arena," Jian Dan remarked.

Just then, Mó Qǐ Jūnshàng approached. The two women stood side by side, black and red robes forming a sharp contrast. Both had slender, graceful frames. Standing together, their beauty was blinding.

"I am Fèi Qǐwén, Peak Lord of Mó Qǐ Peak. We should spar sometime."

Jian Dan met her blazing gaze and found it difficult to refuse. She had just defeated a mid-stage Divine Transformation cultivator and didn't want to appear too arrogant.

"I appreciate your recognition, Peak Lord. But I only barely won that match and suffered some injuries. I may not be in shape for another challenge right away."

"No rush. We don't need to fight to the death. Just a friendly match."

Jian Dan saw that dodging the request wouldn't work. She gave a gracious smile.

"Then I, Mó Yuè, accept. When the time is right, we'll have our match."

Just a few exchanged words, and the two women had reached a mutual understanding. Even Mó Yì off to the side felt moved by the moment.

Meanwhile, Pān Yuànyuàn had sensed her connection to the bell vanish completely. Her heart skipped. That bell had been her hidden ace. How could it have been severed? Yet with Tang Jian injured and surrounded by high-ranking peak lords, she couldn't openly ask. She simply stepped forward and silently supported him away from the arena.

Everyone noticed. No one commented. A mid-stage Divine Transformation cultivator had lost to someone who had just entered the same realm. And worse, he was a peak lord. It wasn't a proud moment for anyone.

As the duel ended, the water mirrors on the high platforms gradually faded.

The top elders of the Heavenly Demon Palace were more than satisfied. The Mó Yuè Zhǎn had proven its might once more, and its current wielder had shown great control. With time, her power would grow, and the blade would surely return to its peak.

Those harboring selfish ambitions reined in their thoughts. It was clear: Jian Dan hadn't fought with all her strength.

She had claimed injury only to save face for the others. After all, they were all peak lords. When one falls, it casts doubt on the strength of the rest. Had she gone all out with the Mó Yuè Zhǎn, the outcome would have been even more decisive.

As for those stronger than Jian Dan, few would stoop to bullying a junior. And the presence of Mó Yàn Zhēnzhūn, who had personally granted Jian Dan the title of Mó Yuè, meant she was publicly acknowledged as the blade's rightful master.

With this duel, Jian Dan had carved her place within the Heavenly Demon Palace.

After exchanging communication talismans with the other peak lords, she accepted Mó Qǐ Jūnshàng's invitation to visit Caixia Peak in a few days, and the crowd dispersed.

She returned to her quarters with Mó Sù and Mó Yì in the same eye-catching golden carriage.

"Sister Mó Yuè, your performance was flawless. But why did you get hit near the end?"

Mó Yì raised his question. Mó Sù also glanced over curiously.

Jian Dan sighed. Her face was grim.

"Don't ask. Trust me, you don't want to know the emotional damage I suffered."

She clutched her chest for emphasis.

That only made Mó Yì more curious. First-hand gossip was his only vice.

"Did Tang Jian pull a dirty trick? Is that why you got hurt?"

"Worse. So much worse. If this wasn't an official duel, I would have killed him on the spot."

"It was that bad?"

Even Mó Sù looked intrigued now.

"I'll tell you, but this stays between us. Leak it, and I'll disown you both as senior brothers."

"Understood! Out with it already."

"Words can't do it justice. Just watch."

Jian Dan formed a water mirror before them, her eyes flashing blue. The mirror shimmered.

And there it was: Tang Jian—barely clothed, striking provocative poses, slowly peeling off the last veil of modesty.

"Pffft!"

Mó Sù sprayed his spirit tea all over Mó Yì, who wore a look of utter constipation.

Finally, Mó Yì managed to squeeze out a single line:

"He tried to seduce you? Has he never looked in a mirror?"