True Heir of Chaos: From Villainess to Empress

"She must have stalled the enemy so Qi Hua could escape in time."

"Never underestimate a cultivator's intuition. It's the escape route granted by the Heavenly Dao. Qi Hua was clever enough to follow Shan Yunzu's instructions. If not, even if Shan Yunzu had held them off for a while, she would have been caught in the end."

"You mean…"

"Shan Yunzu is in demon territory now, and she's already a Divine Transformation cultivator. To force her to show herself, the enemy must be stronger than her."

"So she revealed her identity to hold them back. Since they were on Heavenly Demon Palace's turf, the opponent would hesitate. That's what bought Qi Hua time to flee."

"Yes."

"There's something I still don't understand," Jian Ning said. "How did Shan Yunzu reach the Divine Transformation stage as a demon cultivator? And her protective artifact… it seems she holds a very special status within the Heavenly Demon Palace."

Taking the opportunity, Jian Ning finally voiced the question that had long lingered in her mind.

Jian Li wasn't surprised at all. Staring down at the jade slip in his hand, he replied calmly, "Cultivation itself is defying the heavens. Every cultivator carries their own secrets. There's no need to dig into everything, as long as we know she poses no threat to our Heavenly Sword Sect. Helping Qi Hua escape this time is more than proof of that."

"Yes, Zhūnzūn. I understand. About the 'Ming Valley' Shan Yunzu mentioned?"

"That's a guardian assignment from the demon sect. It's not our concern."

Jian Li paused for a moment before continuing.

"It looks like this matter in Huan Le City is bigger than expected. Take my token and post a mission to the Shadow Division. The task must be completed by a Divine Soul stage cultivator. Have the chosen one rendezvous with Jian Sheng as soon as possible. I'm worried he won't be able to handle it alone."

Jian Ning immediately straightened up, nodded in acknowledgment, and left to carry out the order. Before leaving, she erased the final line of the jade slip and had a Disciplinary Hall disciple deliver it to Cao Chenfeng.

Cao Chenfeng was surprised when he received it. He had thought that female demon cultivator might visit the Heavenly Sword Sect herself. Instead, she had entrusted the sect with a message revealing the exact location of the True Dragon Blood within the Orange Glaze Secret Realm—a tremendous gift that would greatly aid his cultivation.

Silently storing the jade slip, Cao Chenfeng took out his newly refined spiritual sword. It had already evolved from a mere artifact to a high-grade spiritual treasure, thanks to the inclusion of a piece of Heavenly Meteorite.

His sharp, angular features remained unreadable. Holding the sword in one hand, he resumed his daily sword practice within his cave dwelling, silent as ever.

Heavenly Demon Palace

After the four returned together to the palace, Jian Dan cupped her hands to the others and said, "I need to deliver something precious to Peak Lord Tang. I won't be going with you."

Mo Qi's eyes twinkled. "Want some company?"

"Senior Sister, you just want to see Peak Lord Tang make a fool of himself."

Mo Qi laughed. "Naturally."

Jian Dan smiled faintly and shook her head. "Male cultivators have thin skin. Best not to provoke him too much. I'll tell you all the details when I get back."

"Fine, I won't push you. The day after tomorrow, let's head to Rainbow Cloud Peak to watch the sunset."

"Alright." Jian Dan turned away. The smile faded from her face instantly. With a flicker of movement, she arrived outside Mo Yun Peak. The guards barely registered the flash of her figure before a cold voice rang out.

"Inform your Peak Lord. Tell him Mo Yue has come."

The guards' faces paled. Wasn't this the same Mo Yue Jūnshàng who had recently humiliated their Peak Lord? And now she was here, looking ready to tear down the entire mountain?

Shivering, one of them immediately stepped forward. "Greetings, Mo Yue Jūnshàng. Please wait a moment while I announce you."

"No need. I don't have the patience. You're coming with me to Tang Jiàn's cave."

Jian Dan didn't waste words. With a wave of her sleeve, she lifted the nearest Foundation Establishment disciple into the air, and in three breaths, the two of them had landed outside Tang Jiàn's cave dwelling.

"Go inform him."

She flicked her sleeve lightly, composed and unhurried.

Still pale, Tang Ning rushed to knock at the door.

"Reporting to Peak Lord. The Peak Lord of Mo Ying Peak, Mo Yue Jūnshàng, is here to see you."

Inside, Tang Jiàn had been sitting in his meditation chamber all afternoon, unable to focus. He'd wanted to invite Pan Yuanyuan over to ease his mind, but she had said she'd returned to her family and was not on the mountain.

Now, hearing this announcement, his eyelid twitched. What was Mo Yue doing here? Chasing him down?

"Tell her I'm in seclusion. I won't see her."

Tang Ning froze in place. He had no idea how to relay that.

Outside, Jian Dan spoke gently, "Tang Peak Lord, I suggest you see me today. If not, tomorrow I'll visit you again, but in the great hall of Tian Mo Peak instead. If you embarrass yourself then, don't say I didn't give you a chance."

That soft, almost sweet voice made Tang Jiàn's scalp tingle. He knew nothing good was coming out of this. Gritting his teeth, he replied, "Junior Sister Mo Yue, what a rare visit to my humble peak. Please, come in."

The restrictions on the cave lifted. Jian Dan handed Tang Ning a mid-grade spirit stone before stepping inside without hesitation.

Tang Ning stared at the glowing stone in his hand. "Heavens… Mo Yue Jūnshàng is so generous." Still stunned, he saw the restriction fall back into place. Realizing something big was about to go down, he quickly pocketed the spirit stone and scurried back to his post. The drama of higher realms wasn't for him.

Inside the luxurious cave, Jian Dan took a slow glance around. Her gaze finally landed on Tang Jiàn, who wore plain white robes. She looked him up and down, making him feel increasingly uncomfortable.

Just as he was about to speak, she walked over and sat down gracefully on a chair carved from thousand-year purple sandalwood.

Then she said calmly, "Tang Peak Lord, I don't care how you favor your concubines, but I want to know—how many lives did you give her to dare scheme against me, Mo Yue?"

Tang Jiàn's brows twitched. "Junior Sister Mo Yue, what do you mean by that?"

"See for yourself."

Without ceremony, she tossed a jade slip his way.

Tang Jiàn caught it and sent his spiritual sense into it. As he read its contents, his expression darkened. Veins bulged on his hand as the jade slip shattered with a crack.

Jian Dan glanced sideways at him but said nothing. Tang Jiàn's bloodshot eyes locked on her, as if waiting for an explanation.

"Hmph. I came to speak with you alone out of respect for our shared sect. A plaything isn't worth ruining that. So tell me—is this because you lost to me in the arena? Did you put her up to it?"

"I, Tang Jiàn, may have lost, but I'm not that petty. I had no part in this," he said through gritted teeth.

"Good. I'll believe you."

Jian Dan didn't linger. "That means she acted on her own. She and the Ma family tried to cripple my cultivation."

Tang Jiàn was left speechless.

"Enough. She's your person. You ask her yourself."

With a flick of her sleeve, a figure rolled out across the floor.