I was in my room, lost in thought, wondering why I had never had a proper conversation with my mother. I knew now why she was so obsessed with strength—why she tried so hard to suppress me. Maybe... if we just talked, everything would be resolved.
Suddenly, a massive explosion shook the entire manor.
I froze.
My servant burst through the door. "Second Young Master! We're under attack! We need to leave!"
I followed him as we ran through the corridors toward the main hall. The sounds of shouting and clashing steel echoed from all sides.
A guard intercepted us, covered in blood. "We've been attacked from both the front and back gates! The battle is intense—please head west! That side is still secured!"
We turned toward the library wing, sprinting past burning gardens and fallen bodies.
On the east side of the manor, inside my father's room—
My brother Sima Lianzhen was locked in combat with two First-Class warriors. He had just reached First-Class himself, but it was clear he lacked combat experience. He stood between the invaders and our father, who was seated behind him, qi completely depleted.
One of the female warriors sneered, "This brat's got some skill, but he's green."
Her partner grinned. "He's pretty. And the man behind him isn't bad either. What do you say we enjoy ourselves?"
The other one laughed. "Then the older one is mine."
She dashed forward, attempting to grab our father by the hair. Lianzhen tried to intercept, but the other warrior blocked him.
"Sorry, young man. You're mine."
As the invader dragged our father toward the back room, the door burst open—
A blinding slash of white light cut through the air.
The attacker's head fell to the floor.
Standing in the doorway was my mother, blade gleaming with killing intent.
"Supreme Crane Sword Style: Crane Slash!" she roared.
In a blink, she reached the second warrior and cleaved her in half, her movements effortless and precise—a display of Master Stage might.
She ran to Father and helped him up. "Are you hurt?"
Tears fell down his cheeks as he clutched her. "You came…"
Then, a cold laugh echoed through the hall.
A tall woman in a black robe, wielding a long sword, entered.
Mother's eyes narrowed. "Lianzhen, take your father and leave. That woman… she's Peak Master Stage."
Lianzhen hesitated. "But—"
Father pushed him. "Please. Find your brother. Protect him."
With reluctance, Lianzhen nodded and ran.
At the door, he turned. "Mother… please win. Rin and I are waiting for you."
Mother stepped forward. "Why are you attacking our clan? We have no grudge."
The woman chuckled. "Defeat me, and I'll give you your answer."
Mother lunged. "Supreme Crane Sword Art – Crane Slash!"
The woman blocked. "Mystic Sword Art – Repel!"
A circular field of sword energy appeared around her, deflecting mother's strike.
"This is my ultimate defense," she smirked. "Your level is too low to break it."
Meanwhile, I reached the library, guarded by the Fourth Elder and ten elite First-Class warriors. They let us in and began preparing the scrolls and artifacts for defense.
On the backside of the manor, Sima Lianzhen arrived where Fifth Elder, Sixth Elder, and a group of Sima warriors were already engaged in a brutal battle. Two Master Stage warriors led the enemy assault.
Without hesitation, Lianzhen joined the fray.
At the front gate, a full-scale war had erupted. Hundreds of warriors clashed, blood staining the stone courtyard.
The enemy was led by a tall, axe-wielding woman with terrifying aura—Mid Grandmaster Stage.
Standing against her were my grandmother, Supreme Elder Sima Ruyan, the Second and Third Elders, and my eldest sister Qianlan.
My grandmother called out, "Why are you attacking us? We have no debts with your sect!"
The axe-wielding woman grinned. "I am Xun Ziyan, Vice Leader of the Crimson Axe Sect. Long ago, your clan destroyed the Evil Serpent Sect, even after they had agreed to become a branch of the Hundred Weapon Sect. We have a copy of the contract. We are here to collect your blood debt."
My grandmother's eyes widened. "How do you know that?! That contract was destroyed!"
Second Elder said grimly, "The First Elder… she led that mission back then. Could it be... betrayal?"
Grandmother's voice thundered. "SIMA JINHAI!!!"
She turned back. "We are still willing to negotiate. Let us compensate—"
Xun Ziyan laughed. "Compensate with your lives. Surrender, and we'll make your deaths painless."
Grandmother's gaze hardened. "Don't underestimate the Sima Clan! By your blood, we will show the world our strength!"
A guard rushed in, bleeding. "Supreme Elder! The back gate is overwhelmed! East wall has collapsed—there's heavy fighting inside the manor!"
My grandfather stepped forward. "We don't have time."
"Launch the Supreme Crane Sword Formation!" my grandmother commanded.
Thirty elite First-Class warriors, the Second and Third Elders, and Grandmother at the center, took formation.
The air changed.
Enemy warriors were cut down like grass.
Xun Ziyan shouted, "Greater Axe Formation—now!"
The battlefield split into two massive formations clashing.
My grandmother shouted, "Third Form – Supreme Crane Sword Art: Hundred Feather Sword!"
She released her sword qi—it split into a hundred feather-like blades, sweeping across the battlefield.
Xun Ziyan summoned her Axe Qi, shielding her warriors, but the Crane Formation multiplied the attack power thirtyfold. Their formation crumbled.
As Xuan Ziyan trying to regroup the formation
"Switch to offense!" Grandmother commanded. "Second Form – Crane Strike!"
The formation released a storm of feather waves, cutting through the remaining enemy lines.
Just as the final feather wave shot toward Xun Ziyan—a majestic figure dropped from the sky.
A seven-foot-tall woman, cloaked in black, landed between the wave and Xun Ziyan.
With one swing of her giant axe, she deflected the entire wave.
She smirked. "So... your ancient formation could break ours. Expected, when fighting an ancient clan."
My grandmother's expression darkened.
Her voice trembled. "Be careful…
She's an Unrestrained Stage warrior."