True Heir of Chaos: From Villainess to Empress

The Enforcement Hall of the Heavenly Sword Sect had a branch office stationed in Huancheng.

Lü Mingyi Zhēnrén was leisurely sipping spirit wine in a small tavern, poring over an old, tattered map. Rumor had it the map pointed to a long-lost treasure. With nothing better to do, he'd taken to studying it for clues.

Suddenly, the sword pendant at his waist trembled slightly. Startled, Lü Mingyi immediately pressed his palm against the Pendant.

A surge of information flickered across the surface. Without a moment's hesitation, Lü Mingyi leapt to his feet. He hadn't expected such crucial intelligence to come through while he was in this lawless neutral zone.

He used a secret transmission array exclusive to the Enforcement Hall to send the information back to the sect. Then he waited anxiously in the shop.

The source of the message reassured him—it had been transmitted directly into his sword pendant using a covert method exclusive to the Hall's "Shadow Division."

He didn't even know who had sent it. But the phantom image of a black jade sword seal at the end confirmed it: this was from someone on the inside.

The jade slip eventually reached the desk of Jian Li Zhēnzūn. After reading its contents, a rare smile tugged at the usually stern master's lips. Seated beside him, Jian Ning Zhēnjūn couldn't help but grow curious at the sight.

After all, messages sent through such a rapid and secretive channel were never trivial.

"It's from Shan Yunzu," Jian Li said as he handed the jade slip over.

Jian Ning's usually warm and composed expression shifted to one of restrained excitement after reading it.

"Zhēnzūn, please issue the order."

"No need to rush. I've summoned Jian Sheng."

"Yes, understood."

Within moments, Jian Sheng arrived at the hall. He noticed Jian Ning already present but showed no surprise. He gave Jian Li a respectful salute.

"Zhēnzūn, is there an urgent mission?"

Jian Li glanced at Jian Ning, who passed the jade slip to Jian Sheng.

After reading it, Jian Sheng—normally stoic and unflinching—allowed the smallest trace of expression to show.

"Zhēnzūn, who provided this intelligence?"

"Shan Yunzu. Do you find it questionable?"

"It's... too precise."

"You mean it's not credible?"

Jian Ning spoke up this time. Within the Enforcement Hall, Jian Sheng was widely regarded as the sharpest mind when it came to intelligence. He personally oversaw the entire "Signal Division."

"It's highly credible. The accuracy leaves no room for fabrication."

"In that case," Jian Li said, "filter out all Dao cultivator-related details and forward the rest to the leading figures of the demon and beastkin factions tasked with purging the alien black beetles. Notify them that we will take action in three days."

"Yes, I will handle it at once."

"Zhēnzūn, I request to lead the task force personally," Jian Ning volunteered.

"Very well. You've been itching for action. Take the last group of Enforcement Hall disciples with you. Jian Sheng will accompany you. I'll have Jian Jin travel with your team as support."

"Yes.""Yes."

The two responded in unison and swiftly departed.

On the other side, leaders from the Heavenly Demon Palace, Demonic Sound Sect, Life-Death Pavilion, Nine Fiends Hall, and Crimson Blood Manor convened to compare the intelligence they had received.

After cross-checking, they found that half of the names listed matched their own surveillance data. Some were already being watched, some were under suspicion, and some hadn't been flagged at all.

Still, that left no room for hesitation. All listed demon cultivators would be detained and investigated. Better to act first than let any slip away.

The demon sects had always been ruthless in their methods. Plans were made immediately to coordinate with the Dao sects on the third day. Too early and they risked alerting their targets, too late and they would lose initiative.

The beast clans, for their part, had no doubt about the intel's authenticity. Dao cultivators were known for playing fair and had little reason to manipulate such information.

Fewer beast cultivators had been compromised compared to those from the Dao and demon sects. And among those in Huancheng, their numbers were limited.

Still, the beast clans dispatched their finest warriors: the ferocious Moonhowl Wolf Clan, along with the swift Peregrine and Cheetah Clans. They too would move on the third day.

Over the next few days, Huancheng remained as lively as ever, though under the surface, elite cultivators from across the realm were quietly converging.

Those who had already arrived began closing in on their targets. Some posed as wanderers, others as merchants, all laying their traps.

Two hundred li outside Huancheng, Cao Chenfeng and Qi Hua remained hidden inside a flying vessel.

"Junior Brother, why didn't they let us join this operation? Got me all excited for nothing."

"Sister, we've already shown our faces in Huancheng. Going back now would only draw attention."

"That's true. You've become quite the celebrity in the cultivation world."

Qi Hua chuckled without concern.

Cao Chenfeng sighed and rubbed his forehead. She would probably be teasing him about that until the day she ascended.

Still, he had a feeling this operation was somehow connected to that demon cultivator, Jian Jūnshàng. There was a strange familiarity he couldn't shake. But with no solid proof, all he could do was keep his suspicions to himself.

Elsewhere, Bao Junshang of the Yin Yang Sect received the message from his sect. A cold gleam flickered in his eyes.

He had only come to Huancheng for the auction, bringing along a concubine. He had planned to leave the next day. But now the sect had ordered him to oversee the upcoming operation, citing his presence in the city. He would need to help lead the assault against cultivators controlled by the alien black beetles.

He was clearly displeased. Still, he'd taken the sect's offerings and owed them that much. At least they would send additional support. His role would be more symbolic than tactical. At midnight on the third day, a piercing cry from a peregrine falcon signaled the beginning of Huancheng's hunt.

Nine Divine Transformation cultivators stationed throughout the city simultaneously activated a grand net array, locking down the entire city. No one could enter, and more importantly, no one could escape. The moment the net was deployed, the marked cultivators sensed danger and began fleeing with every technique they could muster.

"By order of the sects: black beetle eradication in progress. All unaffiliated cultivators must stand down!"

A voice of authority echoed across Huancheng, sparking chaos. Those who understood what was happening immediately began setting up defensive arrays. Shops triggered their wards. Inside a guesthouse, Du Yanran opened her eyes at the sound of a Divine Transformation cultivator's voice.

She checked her transmission tokens. None had lit up. Clearly, Bao Junshang had no intention of bringing her along. A flash of resentment crossed her eyes. She returned to her room, stashed the magnolia pendant into the corner of her bed, then vanished into it, using the spatial artifact as a refuge.

Elsewhere, Jin Liuli of the Heavenly Sword Sect soared just along the edge of the array barrier on her flying sword. As she moved, she dropped white pellets down onto the streets below.

Each pellet exploded upon landing, releasing thick white mist that blanketed the area, rendering movement nearly impossible.

Half the city was soon veiled in fog. Escape became difficult. Those truly trying to flee had already been marked by multiple sects and were now being relentlessly pursued.

"Wei Zhengrong, strike now!" Jin Liuli transmitted mentally to her sectmate hidden in the alley nearby.