True Heir of Chaos: From Villainess to Empress

Ma Feijun froze for a breath. Then, a flicker of blue light passed through his eyes, and without realizing it, he began to dance. Not just any dance, but the "Celestial Maiden in Flight," a popular choreography currently circulating in the Cultivation Realm. All the while, he beamed foolishly at Jian Dan.

The blue gleam in Jian Dan's eyes swirled continuously. Her chair rocked gently at first, but as that color deepened, she eventually stilled.

A mid-stage Divine Transformation cultivator, dancing like a fool under her gaze. And to think, she had been one of his potential concubines. Did he truly think she was a powerless Loose Cultivator, so lacking in background and experience that she would grovel to gain favor?

What truly sobered her thoughts was a glimpse of a familiar face in the man's dreamscape. Among the many women clinging to him in his fantasy was someone from her previous life—a female cultivator from the Jian clan.

That woman, her body clearly depleted from being harvested of her essence, had once entrusted her infant to Jian Dan without a word before charging into her pursuers and detonating herself in a desperate bid for mutual destruction.

The child, born without a spiritual root and thus unable to cultivate, had been returned to the mortal world by Jian Dan. There, she swapped the baby with one that had died at birth, giving the girl a new life in a loving family.

The only clue to the woman's origins had been an identity jade slip tucked into the child's swaddling cloth. Misled by Du Yanran, Jian Dan never returned to the Jian clan to acknowledge her heritage. But now, it seemed fate was offering her a chance to uncover the truth.

"Mo Yue, what kind of performance is this?"

The voice belonged to Mo Su, who had arrived alongside Mo Yi. Clearly, the latter had encouraged the former to meet this new cultivator, freshly accepted by Mo Yan Zhēnzūn.

Jian Dan rose smoothly. With a flick of her round fan, she put away the rocking chair and summoned a round table made of millennia-old ironwood. Three matching stools appeared, and she poured a glowing violet spirit wine—her own brew—into white jade cups.

"Please, the two of you are welcome."

Neither Mo Su nor Mo Yi stood on ceremony. They joined her at the table, exchanged names, and began conversing in a friendly atmosphere. Only Ma Feijun, still twirling gracelessly nearby, ruined the mood.

"That's enough," Mo Su murmured. "His father is patriarch of the Ma clan, a Void Refinement cultivator. Mediocre, but politically useful."

Seeing Ma Feijun still going, he lowered his voice. Jian Dan responded with a grin.

"Can you blame me? In his eyes, I'm trying my best to win him over with a dance."

She chuckled. Mo Yi, always one to stir trouble, whipped out a recording jade and captured every cringeworthy moment.

With a casual sweep of her fan, Jian Dan dispelled the illusion cast by her Dreaming Eye. The glow in Ma Feijun's eyes faded. He blinked rapidly as clarity returned.

When he saw the trio seated opposite him, understanding hit. He'd been manipulated. And not just by anyone, but by the seemingly powerless newcomer he had planned to lure into his harem.

His handsome face twisted in fury. A flicker of venom flashed in his eyes.

"You filthy little wench. How dare you toy with me."

"Filthy wench? Who do you think you're insulting?" Jian Dan fired back instantly, sipping her wine with complete composure. She knew full well he wouldn't dare attack her here.

In his mind, Ma Feijun conjured a thousand ways to torment her. But he was outnumbered. Mo Su had clearly brought her in. Mo Yi, his long-time rival, was not to be trifled with. Ma Feijun had no choice but to swallow the humiliation.

"Where did you find this woman, Mo Su? Are we letting just anyone into the Heavenly Demon Palace now? What if she causes trouble? Will you take the blame?"

"You need not concern yourself, Senior Brother Ma. My Master will decide."

Jian Dan smiled sweetly. "Since you harbor such vile thoughts, why not be straightforward? Let's settle it with a duel. If you win, I'll do whatever you say. If you lose, I want your fortune and your life. Deal?"

The earlier part was lighthearted, but her final words were laced with killing intent. Her eyes gleamed with menace. The killing aura she released made Ma Feijun's skin crawl.

She wasn't just clever. She was deadly.

He scoffed, trying to maintain his pride. "I am a dignified Divine Transformation cultivator. You think I lack for admirers? Don't flatter yourself."

With a dramatic flick of his sleeve, he took to the air and vanished.

"What a pity," Mo Yi commented, finally putting his wine down.

Jian Dan poured another round. "Nothing to pity. Some people just never learn."

Mo Su, ever calm, offered a rare warning. "He's a hypocrite. Be wary. One mistake and you might regret it."

"I know. Thank you." She glanced at Mo Su with sincerity. The three of them drank together until the sun set, then parted ways.

That day, Jian Dan learned the latest rumors about herself within the Heavenly Demon Palace. Mo Yi got a clearer sense of her personality—elegant in speech, ruthless in action.

As she flew back to her residence on Mo Yan Peak, Shi Ci followed nervously behind. Sweat soaked his palms.

He remembered what Ma Feijun had told him: if he helped subdue Mo Yue Jūnshàng, Ma Feijun would reward him with a Condensing Yuányīng Pill and boost his family's standing in the sect.

Tempting. Almost irresistible. But Shi Ci knew better. Around Mo Yue Jūnshàng, there were no secrets. She had only warned him last time. If he betrayed her again, and failed, it would mean his death.

Once back in her residence, Jian Dan said nothing. Shi Ci stepped forward, knelt, and spoke first.

"Jūnshàng, as you ordered, I picked several blood plum blossoms. But I was stopped by Lord Ma. He offered me a deal. If I drugged you with this, he'd give me a Condensing Yuányīng Pill and support my clan in the sect. I didn't dare anger him, so I accepted it."

He presented a black bottle with both hands.

Jian Dan raised her hand and brushed the tear-shaped mole by her eye. Her gaze turned cold, like one peering at a corpse. She already knew. The poison wasn't the pill in the bottle. It was the bottle itself.

"Heh. Shame the one pill this world lacks is a regret pill. Just make sure you don't regret what you did today."

Shi Ci's heart trembled. He looked up, only to meet a pair of glowing blue eyes. Then, everything went black.

Jian Dan waved her hand and stored the bottle in her space ring. She sealed Cotton Candy in a separate jade box. Then, she collapsed the blood-jade vanity in the corner of her chamber and threw herself to the floor.

A ripple spread across space. A tear opened in her residence. A shriveled hand reached out and dragged her in.