True Heir of Chaos: From Villainess to Empress

Du Yanran gritted her teeth against the searing pain in her soul and reached toward the floating magnolia pendant. But she was a moment too late.

A pale, jade-like hand stretched out from the swirling black vortex, clasped the pendant, and slowly withdrew into the darkness. The vortex then vanished without a trace.

"No!"

With a startled cry, Du Yanran opened her eyes. Her face was pale with terror as she gasped for air, hand instinctively flying to her chest. Her fingers touched the familiar shape of the magnolia pendant. It was still hanging safely around her neck.

'What just happened?'

She immediately extended her spiritual sense into the pendant. Everything inside was intact, nothing had changed.

'Was it just a hallucination? Or some kind of subliminal suggestion?'

Her grip on the pendant tightened. The more she thought about it, the more certain she became that the hand had belonged to Jian Dan.

If Jian Dan had also been reborn, then she must know the pendant's secret.

"But now that it belongs to me, no one can take it away!"

With that thought, a ruthless glint flashed in Du Yanran's eyes. The most important thing right now was to raise her cultivation. She needed enough power to protect her fortune. If she had used Jian Dan as a stepping stone in her past life, then she could certainly do it again in this one.

After firming up her resolve, Du Yanran gripped a mid-grade spirit stone and entered cultivation.

On a flying vessel in the sky, Jian Dan sipped spiritual tea with Mo Su, enjoying a rare moment of leisure and calm.

Before leaving Huanle City, Jian Dan had easily located Du Yanran among the curious onlookers. She had used her Dreaming Eye to plant a nightmare—one that only Du Yanran could experience. This psychological suggestion was part of a long-laid trap, aligned with the countermeasures Jian Dan had left in the nether realm. It would gradually grow into an inner demon within Du Yanran.

To destroy someone, one must first drive them mad.

"Daoist, help!"

Miao Yunrong poked her head out from the cabin and called to the two Jūnshàng.

"Jūnshàng, there's a group of cultivators chasing a male cultivator. They're headed in our direction."

"Then why don't you go check it out?"

Jian Dan and Mo Su had already noticed the disturbance with their spiritual senses. But it wasn't worth their attention. Since Miao Yunrong loved a good show, they let her investigate.

Seeing that neither Jūnshàng looked concerned, Miao Yunrong understood the situation wasn't dangerous. She called Uncle Miao and flew ahead to observe.

"Jian Daoyou, since you're heading to the Heavenly Demon Palace, have you considered joining our sect?"

"Mo Su Daoyou, I'm only going to fulfill my late master's last wish. As for joining the Heavenly Demon Palace, I'll need time to consider."

"Haha, perhaps I was too hasty. It's just that your master, the Demon Enchantress Venerable, and my master are both disciples of Mo Yan Zhēnzūn. I imagine our grandmaster wouldn't want his descendant wandering alone outside."

"I appreciate your concern. It's just that I've always been a Loose Cultivator, used to my freedom."

"Hah! That's what you were worried about? No need. With your current cultivation, you're already ranked among the best in the cultivation world. As the Demon Enchantress's disciple, you'd enter the sect as a core disciple. Your resources and starting point would be leagues above the rest. Those rules wouldn't apply to you anyway."

"In that case, I'm relieved."

Jian Dan responded with a radiant smile.

"Jian Jūnshàng, look who I brought."

As Miao Yunrong spoke, she stepped aboard the vessel. Behind her came Uncle Miao, supporting a staggering man.

The man's aura was unstable, clearly drained of spiritual energy. His robes were slightly torn. When he raised his head, Jian Dan's lips curved with amusement, while Mo Su's brows furrowed slightly. Miao Yunrong, meanwhile, stood at the side, clearly ready to watch a good show.

Before the man could speak, Uncle Miao let go of him. He stiffened slightly, then straightened his robes and stood before the two Jūnshàng. He performed a formal salute.

"Thank you for saving me, seniors. I am Canghai, and I greet you both with respect."

He lifted his head, presenting what he believed was his most attractive side to Jian Dan.

This male cultivator's appearance, clothing, and even aura bore a striking resemblance to Cao Chenfeng of the Heavenly Sword Sect. Given his demeanor, it was clear to everyone on board what this was. He was playing the role of a beauty saved by heroes, shamelessly offering himself up in hopes of seduction.

Jian Dan calmly took a sip of tea and smiled as she asked Miao Yunrong, "Where did you pick up such a character?"

Canghai's face turned several shades in an instant, but he eventually returned to his composed, aloof expression.

"I thought it was amusing," Miao Yunrong replied lightly. "Jūnshàng, you didn't have anyone serving tea. He reminded me of Cao Daoyou, so I brought him along."

"An inferior imitation," Jian Dan remarked.

"My apologies for disturbing you all. I only wished to express my gratitude. There's no need for this Daoyou to escort me further."

Canghai remained composed and courteous despite Jian Dan's ridicule. He bowed again and made to leave the flying vessel. But only he knew how bitter and furious he felt inside.

"Leaving now might be a little late."

Before the words had even faded, a willow branch lashed out, coiling around Canghai and tightening slowly, as if preparing to pierce his flesh. His eyes widened in shock. He hadn't expected to be restrained.

Jian Dan casually flicked a petal of fire into the air. It pierced his dantian in a flash, and she reached forward, plucking a black beetle from between his brows. Mo Su, already prepared, opened a black box and stored the insect inside.

Canghai aged and died instantly. His body hadn't even hit the floor before Miao Yunrong swiftly disposed of it. She wouldn't allow anything to dirty their flying vessel.

In the distance, hidden cultivators who had been observing the scene realized something was wrong. They immediately used every escape technique they had. Uncle Miao, who had been standing to the side, had already vanished without a trace.

Mo Su waved his hand lazily toward Miao Yunrong.

"Keep moving."

This time, Miao Yunrong obediently resumed steering the vessel.

"Apologies for the trouble, Mo Su Daoyou," Jian Dan said. "It seems these things really will take every opportunity they can get. The way they pass along information is impressive."

"It's nothing. Let's just call it an amusing detour."

The vessel continued steadily through the skies. Half an hour later, Uncle Miao returned and reported to Mo Su:

"Jūnshàng, only one of the group managed to escape using a ten-thousand-mile teleportation talisman. The rest have been captured. How shall we deal with them?"

"Kill those who need killing. Release those who should be released. And don't go soft when it comes to collecting what's owed."

"Yes, Jūnshàng."

Miao Yunrong poked her head out again and gave Jian Dan a flattering smile.

"Jūnshàng, I really did think he resembled Cao Daoyou. I didn't expect him to be controlled by a black beetle. It was my oversight."

"Hmph. If his target hadn't been Jian Daoyou, do you think I would have tolerated your recklessness?"

"But we had Uncle Miao with us!"

"Yunrong, relying on others is never as reliable as relying on yourself. What will you do if no one is there to protect you someday?"

Jian Dan lifted her gaze, and just as Miao Yunrong looked back at her, a flash of blue light flickered in Jian Dan's eyes. Miao Yunrong's expression went blank. She stood there, dazed.

Mo Su's hand paused briefly on his teacup, but he said nothing. He simply continued the conversation with Jian Dan where they had left off.

At that very moment, far away in Huanle City, a brutal hunt was unfolding.