True Heir of Chaos: From Villainess to Empress

Jian Dan returned to her cave residence in a cheerful mood, her smile barely concealed. Sharing that horrifyingly eye-searing illusion with others had strangely lifted her spirits.

Only later did Mo Su and Mo Yi realize they had been tricked by her. Their expressions darkened as they fell silent.

"Don't be angry, Senior Brothers," Jian Dan said with a grin. "I truly couldn't explain it with words, and you insisted on knowing, so I had no choice but to show you. Let's go see some real beauties another day and cleanse our eyes, how about it?"

As far as she was concerned, if even she, a woman, wasn't making a fuss, what were they afraid of as men?

Mo Su cleared his throat. "Alright, but let's keep this to ourselves. I still can't believe Tang Jian would stoop to such a tactic."

"He wouldn't. His advisor would. It's a hallucinatory spiritual artifact. I have no idea what it based that illusion on."

As she spoke, she retrieved the golden bell from her storage.

The bell quivered in her palm, trying to escape.

"Hmph." With a cold snort, Jian Dan enveloped it in her spiritual sense. A faint trace of consciousness was immediately discovered and erased without mercy.

Meanwhile, in Tang Jian's cave on Mo Yun Peak, Pan Yuanyuan suddenly clutched her head in pain and collapsed onto her bed. After struggling for a while, she finally climbed back up, only to feel the complete loss of her connection with the phantom bell. Rage and panic surged through her. She slumped back down and passed out cold, sending Mo Yun Peak into chaos.

Mo Su and Mo Yi gave the golden bell a glance. Clearly a spiritual artifact made for a woman. Neither of them was interested, and they steered the conversation back to the duel.

"Now that Tang Jian lost, he'll likely keep a low profile for a while. At least until his injuries recover. As for the forces behind him, be careful. The jade slips I sorted for you on Mo Su's request have all the relevant details."

"Thank you. I'll be cautious."

"Here, your winnings."

Mo Su handed her a simple storage ring. Jian Dan scanned it with her spiritual sense. Inside were ten million mid-grade spirit stones and five hundred thousand high-grade ones. She nodded, satisfied.

Mo Yi laughed broadly. "Not many bet on you, since no one knew your strength. Apart from Mo Su and me—and you betting on yourself—there were only seven or eight in total. But those who did bet made a fortune."

"I'm just glad I didn't let you down. If you'd lost spirit stones because of me, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself."

As Jian Dan spoke cheerfully, a flying sword messenger arrived, unfolding midair before her:

"Come to the side hall of the Heavenly Demon Hall at once. The Palace Master summons you."

The three of them paused and exchanged glances. Jian Dan reached up and touched the tear-shaped birthmark at the corner of her right eye. From the silver-armored insect's reports, she already knew Tang Jian was in seclusion, nursing his wounds, and Pan Yuanyuan was also in recovery after Jian Dan forcibly severed her bond with the bell.

Mo Yi shook his head. They had only just returned to Mo Yan Peak and hadn't received any updates.

"I won't keep you, Senior Brothers. Time to meet with the Palace Master and see what this is about."

Mo Su nodded, watching her leave, his gaze steady and focused on Tian Mo Peak. Mo Yi stood with arms crossed beside him and said:

"It seems our Junior Sister Mo Yue has made quite the splash. She's caught the eyes of certain figures. I have a feeling a storm is coming."

Mo Su nodded again. A cultivator's intuition was rarely wrong. Tied to the Dao itself, it allowed one to catch the faintest whisper of fate at critical moments.

Jian Dan headed alone to the side hall of the Heavenly Demon Hall. The black-robed guards at the entrance bowed respectfully and escorted her inside. The hall was arranged with a host and guest seat. At the head sat the Palace Master Mo Lie, alongside Mo Zhang Zhěnzhě.

"Mo Yue greets Palace Master, greets Mo Zhang Zhěnzhě."

"You're here, Mo Yue. Come, have a seat," Mo Lie said warmly, motioning to a chair beside him.

"Thank you, Uncle Master."

Jian Dan bowed and took a graceful seat.

"Might I ask why you summoned me, Uncle Master?"

"Your victory over Tang Jian in the duel brought great honor to our lineage."

"I would never dare tarnish our Master's name."

"I know you returned with Mo Su to join the Heavenly Demon Palace, fulfilling your master Mo Mei's final wish. I had no intention of dragging you into sect politics..."

Mo Lie sighed.

"I understand. But sometimes, the tree wishes for stillness, yet the wind does not cease. You need not blame yourself, Uncle Master. If there's something I can do, simply say so. I'll do my best."

From his tone, Jian Dan had already guessed what was coming. In a sect as large as this, such matters were inevitable.

Mo Lie chuckled. "You see things more clearly than I do."

He exchanged a glance with Mo Zhang, then said after a moment:

"I have two options for you. The choice is yours."

"Please, I'm listening."

"First, take over Mo Ying Peak as Peak Lord, replacing Ma Feijun. Second, join the Black Robe Guard and assist Mo Zhang with covert sect matters."

Jian Dan frowned slightly. Neither option seemed beneficial on the surface, but both would grant her access to core information.

Feigning thoughtfulness, she asked:

"From what I've learned from Senior Brother Mo Su, the title of an inner peak lord matches their mountain's name. Why was Ma Feijun never addressed as Mo Ying Junshàng?"

"You're sharp. Two reasons. First, Ma Feijun hasn't reached late Divine Transformation, so though he is Peak Lord in name, he's not entitled to the title. Second, it's a compromise between the sect and his family. He leads the peak to develop his clan while still contributing to the sect."

Jian Dan nodded. No wonder people referred to him simply as Ma Junshàng, and Tang Jian from Mo Yun Peak was also called Tang Junshàng. Neither had reached the qualifications to claim the mountain's title, meaning they were still in the probationary phase.

"Palace Master, I know you're often bound by circumstances. You've already shown great respect to Mo Mei Zhūnzhǔ by inviting me here privately, and I am grateful."

Mo Lie's satisfaction showed. Jian Dan was clearly someone who understood the situation.

"If there's something I should do, I won't refuse. However, as someone newly joined, there are sect protocols I'm unfamiliar with. I hope the Palace Master can offer me some convenience."

"Seems like you've made up your mind. What do you need? Let's see if Mo Zhang and I can open a door or two for you."

"I'm willing to take over Mo Ying Peak and serve as acting Peak Lord. But I ask the Palace Master to lend me a few capable and trustworthy aides. If the Black Robe Guard needs my cooperation, I can assist privately as well."