True Heir of Chaos: From Villainess to Empress

A female cultivator in a flowing white palace dress stood at the entrance of the sect's grand gate. She smiled brightly as she welcomed the party into the palace. Yet when her gaze landed on Jian Dan, especially the black robe embroidered with a Manjushahua pattern, her expression briefly froze.

Their eyes met. Jian Dan's expression carried a subtle, mocking smile. The woman felt a flicker of unease deep in her chest, though not a trace of it showed on her face. Her smile remained flawless.

This brief moment, however, gave Miao Yunrong just enough time to steady her breath. When she raised her head again, she had returned to her usual proud self. She addressed the woman.

"Auntie, aren't you even a little worried about me?"

"How could I not be worried? I originally wanted to send Aunt Rong to find you. But once I heard you were with Mo Su, I saw no need to interfere."

As she spoke, she glanced at Mo Su and winked. Miao Yunrong immediately understood.

"Oh, Auntie, you're teasing me again. Let's head inside and talk properly."

She playfully took Mo Lie's arm, pretending to be shy, and led the way into the palace. Miao Yanli shook her head in mild exasperation, then gestured for Mo Su and Jian Dan to follow, leading them into the guest hall of the Heavenly Demon Palace.

After the group sat down, they exchanged a few pleasantries before getting to the heart of the visit. Miao Yunrong excused herself, claiming she was tired, and Miao Yanli tactfully followed her, planning to coax out some details.

Mo Lie turned to Jian Dan.

"Palace Master Mo Lie, I came with Mo Su today for two reasons. First, to fulfill a few instructions from my late master. Second, due to Mo Su Daoyou's generous invitation, to consider joining the Heavenly Demon Palace."

"Ha! Jian Shizhi, your joining us is like adding wings to a tiger. As for the matters instructed by my junior sister Mo Mei, I'll have Mo Su assist you. You may speak freely."

"I thank the Palace Master. First, my master asked me to bring her remains back to the Heavenly Demon Palace. Second, she wished for me to return the cultivation method I now practice to the sect. And third, whether I join the palace is for me to decide after meeting Mo Yan Zhēnzūn."

Mo Lie tapped the armrest lightly, then responded.

"The first two matters pose no issue. As for meeting Mo Yan Zhēnzūn, I will have to report that request."

"There's no rush. I understand that Palace Lord is busy with daily affairs. I wouldn't want to cause inconvenience over a small matter."

With that, Jian Dan waved her hand. A jade slip and a jade box appeared before them. She gently pushed them toward Mo Su, gesturing for him to pass them to Mo Lie.

"These are my master's remains. I entrust them to you for proper arrangements. This jade slip contains the Heavenly Demon Art I currently practice. Please deliver it to Mo Yan Zhēnzūn. As for how it is handled, I leave that to the Zhēnzūn's judgment. One more thing, I ask that the Palace Lord pass on a final message from my master."

Mo Lie examined both items. Finding no issues, he nodded and stored them away, then motioned for Jian Dan to continue.

This time, Jian Dan wiped all emotion from her face, stood up solemnly, and bowed toward an unseen place in the air.

"Master, I have no regrets."

Mo Lie and Mo Su exchanged a glance. Just as Jian Dan finished speaking, Mo Lie heard a voice in his ear. It was Mo Yan Zhēnzūn.

"Handle Mo Mei's remains with care. Store the Heavenly Demon Art in the Scripture Vault. Officially record Jian Dan as a disciple of the Heavenly Demon Palace, under my lineage. Grant her the title Mó Yuè."

Mo Lie hadn't expected Zhēnzūn to value Jian Dan so highly. He immediately responded.

"Yes, Master."

Meanwhile, Jian Dan sat quietly to the side, eyes lowered, awaiting the response.

From the moment she entered the hall, she had sensed an extremely faint ripple of spiritual power. Clearly, her arrival had drawn the attention of certain figures.

So she had revealed her full hand. Mo Mei's remains had long been set aside separately. Returning them to the Heavenly Demon Palace was a way to sever her final connection.

In her past life, she had been hunted by demon cultivators from this palace because of the Ice-Skin Jade-Bone Demon Body Art. This time, she acted preemptively, offering the technique first. If Du Yanran still had any ties to that old demonic cultivator, she had ways to crush her.

This cultivation method served as her stepping stone into the palace. If she had nothing to offer, her status would be diminished.

Moreover, the method came with numerous limitations. Not everyone could practice it. To fully harness its power, one also needed the Ice-Skin Jade-Bone Demon Body Art, which had yet to appear in this era.

That was why Jian Dan chose to hand over the technique.

As for that final sentence, it had truly come from Mo Mei's heart. Even in death, she had never once regretted her choices.

"Mo Su, take Jian Shizhi to the Demon Hall to pay respects to your Shimei, Mo Mei. After that, arrange her identity tablet and register her under Mo Yan Zhēnzūn's lineage. From now on, she will be your junior sister. The Zhēnzūn has already granted her the title 'Mó Yuè.'"

A flicker of surprise crossed Mo Su's eyes. He had brought Jian Dan into the Heavenly Demon Palace not just because of her strength, but also due to the demonic weapon, Mó Yuè Zhǎn.

The disappearance of Shishu Mo Mei had always weighed on their grandmaster's heart. She had possessed a rare dark spiritual root, making her the most suitable candidate to inherit demonic cultivation. Mo Yan Zhēnzūn had once seen her as the future of the sect.

Truthfully, Mo Su respected and appreciated Jian Dan. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was another reason behind his own eagerness to bring her in.

"Yes, Master."

Those thoughts lasted only a moment. Mo Su then led Jian Dan away from the reception hall and into the true heart of the Heavenly Demon Palace.

Mo Lie vanished instantly, his figure reappearing outside a restricted area. A portal of light shimmered open before him, and he stepped inside. The scene shifted, and he arrived at Mo Yan Zhēnzūn's cultivation ground.

At the peak of an obsidian mountain stood a wooden house. A fence surrounded it, with several rare spiritual plants growing nearby. A bloodthirsty beast vine loomed on one side, casting the house in shadow. It swayed gently, and below it lay Mo Yan Zhēnzūn, reclining in silence.

"Master, these are what Jian Shizhi brought."

Mo Lie retrieved the jade slip and the jade box. Mo Yan did not reach out, only swept them with divine sense before speaking.

"They are indeed Mo Mei's. The cultivation method is genuine. It's an ancient demonic art. She must have found it while exploring a legacy site."

"An ancient demonic art? Should it be stored separately?"

"No need. Place it in the Scripture Vault. Let those who want to read it go see it for themselves."

"Yes."

"This time, Yunrong has done well. She gained experience and increased her cultivation."

"Well..."

"What is it?"

"She didn't leave on my orders. She sneaked out with a few people to find Mo Su."

"She has initiative. Let her explore the world more. Don't raise her like some delicate flower. Our Heavenly Demon Palace's strength is no weaker than the Heavenly Sword Sect's."

"I will remember your teachings, Master."

"You're busy lately. Let Mo Su assist you. And don't let Miao Yanli interfere in palace matters anymore."

"Yes." Mo Lie's heart skipped a beat for no reason. He looked up at his master, whose eyes remained closed, then quickly lowered his gaze and replied.

At that moment, Miao Yunrong, who had just returned to her courtyard, was blocked at the door by Miao Yanli.