True Heir of Chaos: From Villainess to Empress

One could only say that fate worked in mysterious ways. Everything seemed to be quietly connected beneath the surface, a web woven by unseen threads.

Hua Qingshan had been dragged into disaster by his younger kin. After losing half his clan, he led the survivors to Huancheng. With his mid–Divine Soul cultivation, he quickly established a foothold. But he no longer had the shelter of the Heavenly Sword Sect. Everything had to start from scratch.

Fortunately, Huancheng was a lawless zone. Hidden in the shadows, he steadily gathered strength and used the area's special terrain to anchor his clan. The survivors who followed him were all from his own branch, so unity remained.

A few days ago, a Divine Soul expert from the Kong Clan approached him with a proposal to join forces. After all, the Kong Clan had also been involved in that incident. Although the Heavenly Sword Sect had not acted against them directly, they had made use of Kong Qiankun to drive a wedge between the two clans. Other families, seeing the shift in wind, took the opportunity to trip them up behind the scenes.

When Kong Qiankun perished thirty years ago, that karmic thread was severed. Now, the Kong Clan was making a move toward reconciliation.

To show his sincerity, Hua Qingshan personally traveled to the agreed location. As fate would have it, the very day he left was also the day Mo Su and Jian Dan entered Huancheng together, both having recently reached the Divine Transformation stage.

Zhang Xuefeng had gone to the Hua clan territory on a routine patrol. If Hua Qingshan hadn't received the flying sword message about the Huancheng attack and torn open space to flee, he likely would have killed Zhang Xuefeng the moment he stepped into the estate.

In the end, the two parties missed each other perfectly. If not, the outcome would have been entirely different.

In just three days, Mo Su and Jian Dan had crossed into Heavenly Demon Palace territory. Mo Su, never one for subtlety, once again summoned his moving mountain. The group traveled leisurely, heading toward the palace.

Miao Yunrong was placed at the top of the mountain beneath a tree. She had been in a daze for three days now. Uncle Miao, somewhat anxious, kept glancing back and forth between Mo Su and Jian Dan.

The two were playing a game of chess beneath the tree. Jian Dan, considering her next move, didn't even lift her head as she said, "Find a spot suitable for tribulation. While you're at it, prepare a few defensive artifacts for your little princess."

Uncle Miao blinked in surprise. Mo Su also lifted his head and gave Yunrong a glance before nodding toward Uncle Miao.

He immediately flew off the mountain peak. After a brief search, he located an open space in a stone forest, set up a defensive array, then returned to the summit.

Only then did he sense the surge of demonic qi from Yunrong. It grew stronger with each passing moment. Half an hour later, the light returned to her eyes. She blinked, spotted the two beneath the tree still playing chess, stomped her foot, and opened her mouth to tattle on Mo Su.

Jian Dan cut her off with a glance and said calmly, "You have to take the first wave of lightning with your body. No defensive gear. Try to take the second wave bare as well, and only use your defenses if absolutely necessary."

Yunrong froze. In that moment, she could clearly feel the thunder tribulation locking onto her. Panic struck her.

Seeing Mo Su's nod, she understood there was no escape. Gritting her teeth, she leapt off the mountaintop. If she stayed any longer, she might drag both Jūnshàngs into the tribulation, and if that happened, she was dead for sure.

She landed at the tribulation site Uncle Miao had chosen. Before she could even catch her breath, the first wave struck. Nine bolts of lightning, one after another.

"Jian Daoyou, that was a solid push you gave her. If the Palace Master knew, I'm sure he'd thank you personally. Yunrong's always been a bit lazy with her cultivation. We couldn't force her," Uncle Miao remarked.

Jian Dan only smiled. "Your little princess is sharp. She was raised on rare herbs and divine treasures. Her foundation's been solid for a long time. She just needed a trigger. This was her moment."

As they chatted, Yunrong's tribulation entered its final stages. Despite being scorched and screaming from the pain, she endured the first two waves with her bare body. Only when the third wave came did she activate a defensive artifact to block part of it, and she held on until the last bolt fell.

Jian Dan looked up. "A heart demon lightning tribulation."

That final bolt made no sound. It didn't harm Yunrong's body in the slightest. But it left her frozen in place. Her demonic qi fluctuated wildly, and the newly formed demon Yuányīng inside her began to unravel.

Mo Su rose to his feet, frowning as he stared at the center of the shattered stone forest.

"Don't worry. I believe she'll pull through."

For five days, Miao Yunrong lingered in a delicate state—her demon Yuányīng neither fully formed nor fully dissipated. The chaotic qi around her gradually calmed. Finally, on the fifth morning, her core began to solidify once more.

Spiritual energy from all directions surged toward her. Uncle Miao quickly activated a spirit-gathering array and fed it with spirit stones nonstop to support her breakthrough.

At last, the tribulation clouds dispersed. Miao Yunrong had successfully formed her Yuányīng. Heavenly rain fell, blessing the land.

She opened her eyes. They were clear and bright again. After a moment's confusion, she let out a long roar and launched herself back to the mountain peak with one swift step.

Facing Jian Dan, she offered a solemn bow. "Yunrong thanks Jūnshàng for the guidance. I will never forget this favor and will repay it one day."

"No need to be so formal. Go stabilize your realm first," Jian Dan replied. She could sense that the heart demon lightning had forced Yunrong to grow up all at once.

Mo Su seemed to notice it too, but neither commented. Some things were meant to be understood, not questioned.

Ten days later, the group finally reached the gates of the Heavenly Demon Palace.

The gates stood wide open. Black-robed cultivators lined both sides to welcome the two Divine Transformation Jūnshàngs home.

"What a grand reception. I'm flattered," Jian Dan said, walking beside Mo Su up the steps of the palace gate. Behind them were Miao Yunrong and Uncle Miao, followed by the escort of black-cloaked warriors.

"We have good reason to be grand. Two new Divine Transformation elders for the Heavenly Demon Palace, and the long-lost wielder of the Mó Yuè Zhǎn has returned. This is a celebration."

A deep voice rang out, and a black-robed youth stepped forward.

"Father, did you come to greet me?"

Yunrong's eyes lit up. She instantly teleported to the young man's side and clung to his arm like a spoiled child.

This man was none other than the current Palace Master of the Heavenly Demon Palace—Mo Lie Zhūnzhǔ, now in mid–Void Refinement stage.

"You really should act more composed. You're a Nascent Soul cultivator now."

Though Mo Lie scolded her, his eyes revealed his pride. He had clearly noticed her recent breakthrough.

Jian Dan, however, quietly rolled her eyes. "So much for welcoming Mo Su and me. Anyone with eyes can see you rushed here for your daughter."

Still, she maintained her manners and bowed. "Jian Dan greets Palace Master Mo Lie. Forgive the intrusion. I came to fulfill a few final tasks left to me by my late master. I fear it may trouble you."

"It's no trouble at all. You are always welcome in the Heavenly Demon Palace."

A gentle, clear voice sounded from behind Mo Lie. "Big Brother, enough greetings. You should let Mo Su and Jian Daoyou inside for a proper talk."

The woman's voice was soft and beautiful. But hearing it, the glow on Yunrong's face vanished. Her fists clenched, her gaze lowered, and her breath became unsteady.