True Heir of Chaos: From Villainess to Empress

"Ah, what a shame."

Jian Dan's languid voice brought everyone back from their stunned silence.

Tang Jian was the first to react. "What are you talking about?"

"It's a shame I won't be receiving that bonding gift from you. But don't worry, maybe there will be another chance."

The other Peak Lords exchanged glances, some thoughtful, but none spoke. Only Mo Qi addressed Mo Yi.

"Is the information accurate?"

"It is. The message came from the contact point in Mo Rong City. Fortunately, the explosion happened in the southern district. The northern half was nearly flattened by the Divine Transformation cultivator's self-detonation. Most casualties were from the Ma clan."

"That tracks. They've been entrenched in the north for years. There's a demonic vein beneath that area. They nearly drove all the merchants and common folk out just to claim it. Now they have enough trouble to keep them busy." Mo Lian added with a snort.

While they were speaking, transmission talismans from each Peak began arriving. The Peak Lords quickly pieced together the events.

The new Ma clan head, Ma Wen, had returned to Mo Rong City with Ma Chengjun. Once there, he called a family meeting to solidify future plans and arrange a bonding ceremony between Ma Chengjun and the new Mo Ying Peak Lord, Jian Dan.

Arrogant as ever, one elder had scoffed, "A woman who just broke into Divine Transformation, what qualifications does she have to lead a Peak? This is clearly the Heavenly Demon Palace trying to strip our power. Once she joins our clan, we'll make sure she knows her place."

He turned to Ma Chengjun, who stood respectfully behind Ma Wen. "I heard this Mo Yue is still a virgin. Her cultivation will be a great boon to help you break through."

Ma Chengjun beamed. He had been the one to suggest this pairing to his grandfather.

His reasoning was simple. The Heavenly Demon Palace clearly wanted to curb the Ma clan's influence. Rather than resist head-on, they would offer an apparent concession. He would bond with Jian Dan, gain control of Mo Ying Peak from within, then strip her cultivation and reduce her to a puppet of the Ma clan.

They had a special pill for that purpose, administered during dual cultivation. It would make the target completely obedient. Once he absorbed her power, she would be discarded. As the future clan head, he would have no shortage of other women.

What he didn't expect was the moment his thoughts reached their peak, his body reacted violently. Blue light flashed in his eyes, demonic energy surged, and he began to self-detonate.

Ma Wen moved immediately, trying to stabilize him with his divine powers, but Ma Chengjun turned on him with the protective talisman Ma Wen had gifted him.

It all happened in an instant. Ma Wen tried to extract his grandson's soul, but Ma Chengjun detonated even that. The shockwave was immense. Only his Yuányīng escaped.

The other elders were less fortunate. Some managed to flee with injuries, but those caught in the blast died on the spot. No one knew why Ma Chengjun had done it.

Heavenly Demon Palace - Grand Hall

Mo Lie looked at the flying sword message in his hand, unsure what to say. So that was why Jian Dan had agreed so easily. She had already acted.

"Mo Zhang, what do you think?"

"What's done is done. It's an internal matter of the Ma clan. They destroyed half a city. We'll investigate according to protocol, but in the end, it's the Ma clan that owes us an explanation."

Mo Lie rubbed his forehead. "No one gives me peace."

Mo Zhang, more blunt, added, "You handed Jian Dan to them for the sect's interests. What, she wasn't allowed to retaliate? Besides, I guarantee not even the gods could find proof she tampered with anything."

Mo Lie's eyes sharpened. "How do you know that?"

"Because Jian Dan acted the moment she first met Ma Chengjun."

"What did he do to offend her?"

"First thing he did was use spiritual sight to scan her physique."

"No wonder. That Ma clan truly rots from the roots. Handle the rest. Once this is settled, I'll arrange for Jian Dan and Mo Su to enter Mo Lian Palace for training."

"Understood."

After a night of hearty drinking, Jian Dan flew back to her peak, a trail of light behind her.

Before leaving, the other Peak Lords had taken the initiative to exchange talismans with her, all smiles and goodwill. Tang Jian nearly burst from anger, gritting out three words before storming off. "You're ruthless."

Mo Qi, on the other hand, was genuinely delighted. She had come to admire Jian Dan. Strength, brains, and boldness. Jian Dan had removed a dangerous opponent at the root. With Ma Chengjun gone and the Ma clan badly wounded, they likely wouldn't have the strength to vie for the Peak Lord seat again.

When Jian Dan returned to her peak, she was greeted by her delighted attendants. She raised a brow.

"Your master has just lost a promising Dao companion. Shouldn't you be looking a little more sorrowful? Show some concern! No need to be so cheerful. Understand?"

"Yes, understood!"

The four attendants instantly corrected their expressions and looked at her with heartfelt concern.

Satisfied, Jian Dan waved them off. She was in a good mood today and planned to circulate her technique a few cycles.

Inside the training chamber atop the peak, Jian Dan activated the Heavenly Demon Art, absorbing dense demonic energy into her body. It circulated along the meridians into her dantian, where a tiny version of herself sat refining the energy repeatedly.

Once her dantian was full, she switched to cultivating the Ice-Skin Jade-Bone Demon Body, dispersing the energy into her bones.

Refining one's bones meant grinding them down and remaking them anew. Progress was slow, and she lacked the blood of high-tier beasts. She had just finished refining the bones in her left hand.

Just as she opened her eyes, a booming voice echoed in her ears.

"All Divine Transformation cultivators of the Heavenly Demon Palace, report to the Grand Hall immediately!"