True Heir of Chaos: From Villainess to Empress

"Yunrong, why didn't you visit your aunt first? You came straight back and ran off to your own little courtyard."

Miao Yanli's eyes glinted with calculation, but her tone remained soft and affectionate, like a doting elder concerned for her niece.

Miao Yunrong, ever the expert in acting cute, rushed up and wrapped her arm around Miao Yanli's, pouting sweetly.

"Auntie! You know I sneaked out this time. If Father starts looking for me, I need to hide for a few days. If I stay at your place, I'll be found right away."

Miao Yanli covered her mouth and laughed softly. She tapped Yunrong's forehead with a finger. "So clever. But if you knew you'd be punished, why sneak out at all? Was it for that Senior Brother Mo Su of yours?"

"Auntie, you already know. Why ask again? I condensed my Yuányīng a bit hastily this time. I need to stabilize my cultivation... and mostly, I need to hide from Father. You won't sell me out, right?"

Miao Yanli had originally planned to probe Yunrong for more details. Understanding the opponent was key to achieving her goals. She still harbored a lingering sense of threat toward that woman named Jian Dan.

Though her own cultivation was a level higher, someone like Jian Dan—born a commoner and forced to fight her way up as a Loose Cultivator—was far more dangerous in a real fight. If it ever came down to it, Miao Yanli wasn't sure she would come out on top.

But clearly, Yunrong was in a hurry to enter seclusion. She was trying to avoid facing the wrath of Mo Lie Zhūnzhǔ. Miao Yanli couldn't hold her back, so she simply gave her a few words of concern, passed along some cultivation resources, and left the courtyard with her attendants.

Watching her aunt walk away, a flicker of complex emotion flashed through Miao Yunrong's eyes before vanishing. She turned and stepped into her courtyard.

Waiting inside was Aunt Rong, who immediately stepped forward and bowed upon seeing her.

"Congratulations, Young Palace Mistress, on successfully advancing to the Nascent Soul realm. You may now be addressed as Zhēnjūn."

Aunt Rong, with her round face and equally round figure, had a way of saying exactly what Yunrong liked to hear. But this time, as Yunrong looked at her kindly face, all she saw was a mask—behind which a bloodthirsty maw slowly opened.

A flash of killing intent flickered in Yunrong's eyes but vanished just as quickly. Her tone remained sweet and coquettish.

"I always love listening to Aunt Rong speak. Now we'll see who dares mock me again." She smiled smugly and added, "I'll be going into seclusion for a few days. If Father sends anyone, just tell them I'm stabilizing my cultivation."

"Yes, Young Palace Mistress. Don't worry, I understand perfectly."

Over the years, whenever Miao Yunrong tried to avoid cultivation, it was Aunt Rong who covered for her. On the surface, it looked like loyalty, but in truth, it was slowly leading her down the path to ruin.

Meanwhile, Jian Dan was touring the Heavenly Demon Palace with Mo Su. The palace spanned over a hundred peaks, each standing tall in seemingly random arrangements. But Jian Dan quickly noticed a pattern—the imprint of the Tiangang Star Array.

It was a complex formation, capable of drawing on the power of the stars for both attack and defense. Nine peaks formed a small array, and nine of those made a greater array. Array within array, layer upon layer, it was a top-tier sect defense formation.

The overall architecture of the Heavenly Demon Palace was dominated by black tones, accented with spirit flora, artistically shaped stones, pavilions, and carved stone tables. It had a unique aesthetic.

Following Mo Lie Gōngzhǔ's instructions, Mo Su first visited the Heavenly Demon Hall to light a prayer lantern for Mó Mèi Zhūnzhǔ. Then he brought Jian Dan to the Core Disciples' Hall to register her identity and present her with a Heavenly Demon Token.

It was a three-centimeter-thick obsidian medallion, palm-sized and circular. On the front was an engraving of the palace's main hall, and on the back, the words "Heavenly Demon Palace." Five white beads were embedded around the edge, symbolizing her cultivation as a Divine Transformation Jūnshàng.

After receiving the token, Mo Su brought Jian Dan to Moyan Peak. From now on, the two were officially fellow disciples, and naturally, their caves would be on the same mountain.

Jian Dan knew she wouldn't stay here long, so she didn't bother decorating. She took out a storage ring and unpacked a cold jade bed draped with black curtains, along with a blood-jade and glass vanity. The black-and-red pairing looked elegant and refined, saving her much trouble.

On her first day in the Heavenly Demon Palace, Jian Dan didn't bother wandering around. Although she now held the official title of a Divine Transformation Jūnshàng, she knew how much of that identity was just smoke and mirrors. Staying low-key was best.

Later that night, a shadowy figure crept around the back of Moyan Peak and circled quietly to Jian Dan's cave. The person hesitated for a long time but didn't dare activate the cave's protective wards.

Watching the figure pacing outside through her divine sense, Jian Dan sighed to herself. What kind of bad habit was this—wandering around other people's cave entrances in the middle of the night?

"You may enter."

The wards opened with her voice, and this time the visitor didn't hesitate. In a flash, she slipped inside.

The intruder wore black nightclothes. Her hair was tied neatly at the back, and only an old, worn-out storage pouch hung at her waist.

"Well now. Off to steal something, are you?" Jian Dan sat cross-legged on the cold jade bed, gazing at Miao Yunrong. For once, Yunrong didn't argue back. She bowed respectfully.

"Forgive the intrusion, Jūnshàng. I came tonight because I have something I wish to ask."

"You could have come tomorrow in broad daylight. Why sneak around like this?"

Jian Dan's tone was light, unconcerned.

"I don't want anyone tracking my movements. And I don't know who I can trust."

"Oh? Yet instead of turning to your father, you came to me—a complete outsider. Isn't that a bit backward?"

"You're the only one who speaks to me honestly. You've never cared about my status."

"I suppose. I have no reason to lie to you. As for status, I've given it some thought. If I cared, I'd have crushed you the moment we met."

Hearing Jian Dan speak so offhandedly, Miao Yunrong felt as if smoke were about to pour from her ears. Then, just as quickly, she lowered her head in defeat.

"All right, enough of that gloomy look. This cave just got built, no housewarming gifts yet, and now the first guest shows up teary-eyed. Don't ruin the cave's feng shui."

"I'm not crying."

"Right. The wind blew something in your eye. Just get to the point."

"Jūnshàng... back on the flying ship, what you showed me... was it something that will really happen?"

"No. It was a trial dream, crafted based on your weaknesses."

"And if I had failed the trial?"

"You'd repeat it again and again. Either you pass... or your divine soul gets drained dry."

Yunrong patted her chest, relieved that she had made it through.

"Then... during my Nascent Soul tribulation, was that final vision also one of your illusions?"

"Thanks for the compliment, but I'd rather not get struck by lightning. That was a genuine tribulation sent by the Heavenly Dao. I'm not the Dao."

"Then what did I see?"

"That final bolt of lightning was a Heart Demon Tribulation. What you saw was the Dream of Forming a Yuányīng."

Yunrong's eyes widened. It was the first time she'd heard of it.

"The Dream of Forming a Yuányīng is a reward from the Heavenly Dao for passing your heart demon trial. It reveals the calamities you may face in the future."