True Heir of Chaos: From Villainess to Empress

After leaving the Yin-Yang Sect, Du Yanran hid in a secluded location she had scoped out long ago. Once her cave dwelling was sealed and all precautions set, she entered the space within her magnolia pendant.

Since it was damaged during the spatial rift incident, Du Yanran had tried every method she knew to repair it. While she managed to restore the pendant's exterior, a deep rupture still lingered inside the space itself. Only after placing the Earth Spirit Pearl she obtained from Bao Junshang did the space stabilize.

Even now, she remembered the look of arrogant charity on Bao Junshang's face when he handed her the pearl. That treasure should have rightfully been hers, yet she had been "rewarded" with it instead. Swallowing her rage back then had taken everything she had. That was the moment she decided to leak news of Bao Junshang's discovery and vanish into hiding.

In Du Yanran's eyes, there were no eternal friendships in the cultivation world, only eternal interests. When the stakes were high enough, even sect mates would turn on one another. She had always seen through the essence of the cultivation world.

Sure enough, not long after she disappeared, rumors began to circulate within the Yin-Yang Sect. Bao Junshang became the target of growing suspicion. No matter where he went within the sect, he felt eyes on him. Enraged, he hadn't expected to be betrayed from within. But facing the covert probing from his fellow disciples, he eventually chose to enter seclusion.

That decision only made things worse, confirming his guilt in the eyes of many. After all, how tempting was a treasure trove with no witnesses left alive? His fate was already sealed.

Inside her private space, Du Yanran cultivated a small spiritual field and planted every high-grade herb she could find. A palm-sized pool of spiritual spring water had already formed, enough for her immediate needs. When everything was ready, she began preparing to form her Yuányīng.

Knowing the spiritual energy here was insufficient for breakthrough, she poured all her spirit stones into the space and kept a Condensation Pill she had secretly exchanged for at the sect within reach. Swallowing a mouthful of spring water, she began refining her chaotic spiritual energy.

In the past, in her desperation to climb the ranks, she had dual cultivated with several Golden Core male disciples in the Yin-Yang Sect, draining their cultivation before killing them to erase all evidence. The gains had been sweet. Her cultivation quickly rose to late Golden Core.

But the sect had started to notice. Investigations followed. She didn't want trouble, especially after what happened with Bao Junshang. So she took on a mission and left the sect under official pretenses, vanishing from its mountain range entirely.

Now, during the breakthrough, the instability of her stolen cultivation began to surface. These powers were not her own and refused to integrate cleanly.

"Ugh—!" A mouthful of blood sprayed from her lips. Her meridians had once again been struck by the foreign force surging inside.

The more this happened, the deeper her hatred grew—for herself, for Bao Junshang, and especially for Jian Dan, who now stood high above her. Black qi gathered heavily at her brow. She knew that if this continued, her attempt to form a Yuányīng would fail entirely.

After stabilizing herself, Du Yanran exited the pendant's space. She decided to head to a larger cultivation city in search of a solution.

The moment she left the space, a powerful pulse rippled through the air. She turned, eyes locking on the largest city nearby.

From its center, a massive force erupted outward, tearing through half the city like a tidal wave.

Heavenly Demon Palace, Mo Qi Peak

That day, Jian Dan was visiting Mo Qi Peak at the invitation of its Peak Lord. Other Peak Lords had also been invited to build camaraderie.

This time, Tang Jian had learned his lesson and arrived alone. He didn't bring Pan Yuanyuan.

Mo Su came on behalf of the Mo Lian Peak. This was the most complete gathering of Peak Lords in recent memory.

"Peak Lord Jian Dan, the jade slip you sent last time helped me a great deal," rumbled a towering, dark-skinned demon cultivator from Mo Lian Peak. "I managed to clear a long-standing threat from my peak. I, Mo Lian, owe you one."

Jian Dan smiled. "You're too kind, Peak Lord Mo. I'm still new to this position and have much to learn. I hope you'll guide me in the future."

Just then, Tang Jian, unable to hold his tongue, said, "Since we're all gathered here, shouldn't we send Jian Dan off early with some gifts for her upcoming partner ceremony?"

His words stirred the air. The other Peak Lords immediately turned to look, while Moqi's expression darkened. She had invited everyone to strengthen ties, not to mock Jian Dan. Could Tang Jian be any more tactless?

Jian Dan lifted her hand to brush the tear-shaped mole by her eye, her upturned gaze brushing over him casually.

"You're so thoughtful, Peak Lord Tang. What gift have you prepared for my ceremony?"

Tang Jian stiffened. He had only intended to provoke her, to imply her promotion had been unstable. He hadn't expected her to throw it back at him.

"If you miss me so much," she continued with a playful smile, "you could always invite me over for a private visit. We could… exchange insights again."

Before he could react, Mó Yuè Zhǎn emerged from her dantian. The demonic blade crackled with energy and sliced cleanly through Tang Jian's sleeve, then returned to her core without fanfare.

The air fell silent.

Fan in hand, Jian Dan glided gracefully toward him. "I'm not fond of words. If you have a problem with me, send a formal challenge. We can fight again. But next time, sign a life-or-death pact. That way, I can kill you properly."

Tang Jian's face twisted with fury. "Don't get cocky, Jian Dan! There are other Peak Lords here!"

"Enough, Tang Jian," Mo Qi snapped. "You were given that jade slip by Jian Dan, and instead of showing gratitude, you come here with sarcasm? Your brain's been rotted by your concubine. Don't end up like Ma Feijun."

Mo Qi made her position clear, and even threw another jab for good measure.

"You—you all…"

None of the other Peak Lords spoke up. Their silence spoke volumes.

Suddenly, all of them turned sharply toward the southwest. The demonic energy in that direction surged violently, out of control and spreading rapidly.

Jian Dan narrowed her eyes and scanned the horizon. A faint smile appeared on her lips.

Mo Qi immediately summoned an attendant to investigate. The other Peak Lords sent out message talismans. Jian Dan calmly sent word to Gong Yi back at her own peak.

But instead of a reply, they received a visitor.

Mo Yi arrived at the mountain's base and, after verifying his identity, blinked directly to the summit.

"Mo Yi greets all Peak Lords."

"Mo Yi, your ears are always sharp. What just happened?" Mo Lian asked.

Mo Yi glanced once at Jian Dan before answering. "Ma Chengjun somehow detonated both his demon Yuányīng and soul, nearly dragging down the new Ma clan leader with him. Only the demon Yuányīng managed to escape. The elders of the clan suffered severe casualties."