True Heir of Chaos: From Villainess to Empress

Enforcement Hall, Heavenly Sword Sect

"Zhūnzhǔ, I've already led the disciples who completed the extermination mission back safely. However, Jian Sheng left a few elites behind with him in Huanle City. They went into hiding after receiving some intelligence during the return."

Jian Ning handed over a jade slip. Jian Lì Zhūnzhǔ scanned its contents, his expression unchanged. He asked plainly, "What did Jian Sheng say?"

"He said that while hunting cultivators parasitized by black beetles, he encountered members of the Hua clan. They were quickly eliminated. At the same time, outer sect disciples discovered signs of high-level cultivators passing through the Hua clan's ancestral grounds."

"He suspects someone from the Hua clan returned briefly. Jian Sheng then sent Nascent Soul disciples from the Enforcement Hall to investigate. They found traces of spatial tearing. The intruder's cultivation is likely in the Divine Soul stage."

"You think the Hua clan is hiding in Huanle City?"

"Yes, the possibility is high. I also received another lead. The Kong family has been communicating frequently with another clan, secretive and cautious. Most likely, it's the Hua clan. It's said they crossed paths during the beetle hunt, right near the Hua clan's territory."

"I see. What do you intend to do?"

"Track them closely. If necessary, we'll eliminate them completely."

"Very well. You and Jian Sheng decide how to proceed. But keep these things in mind."

"I await your guidance, Zhūnzhǔ."

"Back then, they severed their ties and abandoned those within their own ranks just to survive. The Hua clan's old ancestor is clearly shrewd and calculating. Don't push too hard."

"Second, any clan needs cultivators to develop. If they survive, they'll seek revenge. Their alliance with the Kong family will bring no good."

"Not that we fear them. But remember, it's the low-level disciples who suffer most in retaliation. Those are losses we cannot afford."

"Lastly, if the Kong family could betray them once, they'll do it again. Let the Hua clan know that their exposure was thanks to the Kong family. Frame it as a show of goodwill toward us."

Jian Ning listened carefully, cupped her fists, and said, "Understood. I'll send a sword message to Senior Brother Jian Sheng."

Jian Lì nodded. Then he asked, "Still no word from Jian Jun Shīxiōng?"

"None. Not from him, or anyone from the other sects that ventured in."

"Is the spatial barrier still stable?"

"There's a Zhēnzhūn from the Purple Sky Sect stationed there. No signs of instability."

"I sense that Jian Wù's Divine Transformation tribulation is nearing. Perhaps within a few years."

"I believe in him," Jian Ning said softly, a confident smile on her face.

Medicine Peak

Since returning from the Purple Sky Sect, Yue Liang had remained in deep cultivation. She was undergoing a breakthrough, and the spiritual pressure surrounding her continued to rise. Every breath she took seemed aligned with the natural rhythm of the world. Her fur shimmered faintly, and her cultivation advanced steadily.

Tao Chengfeng of the Formation Peak visited occasionally to check on her progress. Seeing that all was well, he returned to his duties with the Enforcement Hall, focused on strengthening his own cultivation.

Tianyue Peak

As usual, Lü Se arrived at Shan Yunzu Zhēnjūn's secluded dwelling. After casting the Cloud Rain Technique, he carefully tended the spirit fields at the entrance. He harvested mature spirit herbs and planted a batch of fourth-grade seedlings, which his uncle Lü Mingyi had recently helped him acquire.

His uncle, stationed at the Huanle City liaison point, had sent back a vital report in time, which played a key role in the black beetle extermination. For this, he was rewarded with a rare opportunity to cultivate in the Advancement Hall—a steady step forward in his own path.

As for Shan Zhēnjūn, no one knew what mission she had taken. Nearly thirty years had passed without her return. Lü Se was starting to worry. When his uncle returned, he'd asked about it, only to be told: as long as the sect hadn't reclaimed Shan Zhēnjūn's dwelling, he remained its caretaker. His duty was to stay the course.

His uncle also offered him resources, but Lü Se refused. Shan Zhēnjūn had left him plenty before she departed. Upon hearing this, his uncle had laughed heartily and said:

"Don't worry about your Zhēnjūn. The fact she left you well-stocked means she's doing just fine. She knew she wouldn't be back for a while and made arrangements. Just do your job, strengthen your cultivation. If she returns one day as a Zūnzhě, and you haven't kept up, you might not even qualify to be her steward anymore."

With that reassurance, Lü Se felt his heart settle. He continued his daily sect duties and devoted the rest of his time to cultivation. After fulfilling his Enforcement Hall quota, he entered closed-door training and reached the late Foundation Establishment stage.

Since emerging, he began taking outside assignments: hunting spirit beasts, harvesting herbs, joining exploration teams. His progress was steady. No matter how busy he became, though, he always tended to Shan Zhēnjūn's dwelling personally, never cutting corners.

Jianming Peak

After completing the Huanle City mission, Cao Chenfeng returned to the sect with the other disciples and was summoned by Jian Ning for questioning.

He greeted Jian Lì Zhūnzhǔ with due respect and recounted his entire experience without withholding anything. At the end, he hesitated for a moment, then presented the piece of meteorite ore the female demon cultivator had given him.

Jian Lì waved his hand and said, "It was a gift. Since you agreed to retrieve 'True Dragon Essence Blood' from the secret realm, the transaction is complete. You may keep it."

"Yes, Zhūnzhǔ."

Cao Chenfeng put the item away. After a brief pause, he asked, as if steeling himself, "Zhūnzhǔ… is she one of our sect's disciples?"

"You already know the answer. Why ask me?"

"Yes."

A brief flicker of surprise crossed his sharp features, but he quickly composed himself, bowed again, and left the hall.

Jian Ning, standing nearby, smiled and asked, "Zhūnzhǔ, would you say Shan Yunzu's disguise was a success?"

"Naturally. Otherwise, where do you think all that intelligence from Huanle City came from?"

"You mean she used her high-profile display of affection toward Cao Chenfeng to probe the city, while distracting attention from her true goal?"

"Cultivators are as fond of gossip as anyone else. A powerful demon cultivator openly expressing affection toward a righteous sect disciple? Of course it drew every eye. Her illusionary flower technique was the perfect cover for her reconnaissance. Some may grow suspicious after the fact, but suspicion alone won't hold up."

"I've learned a lot from this. But there's been no word from her since."

"It doesn't matter. Unless it's a life-and-death situation, don't try to contact her."