The battlefield was a storm of chaos and steel.
As the Unrestrained master scanned the devastation, her voice rang out, calm and cold. "What a mess... I shouldn't have taken the Sima Clan so lightly."
She turned to Xun Ziyan, the Vice Leader of the Crimson Axe Sect. "We've already taken the east side. The back will fall soon. Go to the west. I'll handle the front."
Xun Ziyan bowed. "My apologies, Leader. I will ensure no one in the Sima Clan sees the morning sun."
As she departed, my grandmother's expression hardened. "She's not just any Unrestrained master… She is Guan Tieqin, the Evil Axe Queen and leader of the Crimson Axe Sect. One of the ten strongest unorthodox martial artists in the world."
Guan Tieqin smirked. "Famous, am I? Then let me show you a reward."
She picked up a random steel axe, casually. "I'll only use this. And just the initial level of my Unrestrained Stage strength."
Grandmother spoke with urgency. "Everyone, focus your energy into me!"
The entire formation began to glow. All warriors within the Supreme Crane Sword Formation channeled their energy into the center—into her.
"Fifth Form – Supreme Crane Sword Art: One Hundred Cranes Descend!"
Grandmother lifted her sword high. The sky responded.
A hundred ethereal cranes formed from internal energy, their wings glowing like moonlight. With a wave of her sword, they dove toward Guan Tieqin.
The Evil Axe Queen raised a glowing energy shield.
The cranes exploded upon impact—
BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.
Smoke and dust enveloped the battlefield.
Then a voice echoed from within:
"Not bad. Not bad at all."
As the smoke cleared, Guan Tieqin stood, completely unharmed.
"Not even a scratch," my grandmother whispered.
"If Xun Ziyan were in my place," Guan Tieqin said, "she'd be in serious trouble. But now... it's my turn."
"Second Form – Explosion Axe Technique: Earth Burst!"
She slammed her axe into the ground. A massive boulder erupted beneath the formation, exploding with tremendous force.
The entire formation shattered.
Warriors were hurled through the air like leaves in a storm.
My grandmother was blasted back—crashing into the treasury wall, right next to a massive, black sword chained to stone.
Guan Tieqin's axe glowed with enhanced qi. She began slicing through our warriors—one after another—like a chef cutting vegetables.
She reached my sister, Qianlan, whose legs trembled beneath her. The aura of an Unrestrained master loomed like a demon.
She wanted to move, but her body froze.
Suddenly, Second Elder and Third Elder jumped between her and Guan Tieqin.
"Run, Young Lady! You are our clan's last hope!" they shouted, swords drawn.
Qianlan took a step back. Just as she found her courage—
Guan Tieqin swung her axe.
SPLASH.
Both elders were cut in half.
Qianlan screamed.
Guan Tieqin raised her axe again—
But it was blocked.
A black sword clanged against the axe.
Standing in front of my sister was Grandmother—her hand clutching the Dark Empress Sword. But her veins had turned black, the curse beginning to take hold.
"Qianlan," she said, her voice trembling. "This sword is cursed. It will devour me. Take this scroll. The location marked is our only hope. Go. I'll buy you time."
"But Grandmother—"
"GO! I am already dead. Find your brother. Survive."
Qianlan ran, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Guan Tieqin's eyes glinted. "So, you broke through to Peak Grandmaster Stage.
But you couldn't block my attack with your strength. That sword… is it the Black Empress Sword? The one great leader wants?"
She grinned. "You know it's cursed. Only the rightful heir can wield it without losing their mind."
Grandmother answered with steel in her voice. "To fight someone like you… I must embrace death."
Guan Tieqin laughed. "Then let's have fun."
Meanwhile, inside the manor—
My mother was battling the black-robed woman.
Their fight was brutal. Both had cuts and blood on their bodies.
But my mother, at Mid Master Stage, was starting to tire. Her opponent was Peak Master Stage.
Mother gathered her qi for a final strike.
"Second Form – Supreme Crane Sword Arts: Ten Feather Sword!"
Her martial essence turned into ten glowing feathers that sliced through the air like blades.
"Mystic Sword Style – Repel!"
A sword domain deflected the attack.
The black-robed woman smirked and released her essence.
"First Form – Hidden Sword Art: Flying Sword!"
A long, glowing sword shot forward.
Mother tried to block, but the impact sent her flying into the wall.
Blood dripped from her mouth as she tried to stand.
"First Form – Hidden Sword Art: Flying Sword!" she repeated.
Another glowing blade raced toward my mother.
Suddenly—
Father appeared.
He threw himself in front of the blade—
It pierced his chest.
He collapsed into mother's arms.
"Yulan…" she screamed.
He coughed, blood staining his lips. "It's… been a long time since you said my name."
"Please don't die!" she sobbed.
He smiled weakly. "I just wanted you to… rely on me a little."
He passed away.
Mother stood slowly. Her aura began to darken.
The enemy flinched.
"Y-you've broken through to Peak Master Stage?!"
Dark qi began to swirl. Her inner demon had awakened.
"Second Form – Hidden Sword Art: Twin Flying Swords!" the attacker shouted.
Two swords flew forward.
Mother released her sword qi, deflecting both.
black women say-"Impossible! Sword qi at Master Stage? You're using your lifeforce?!"
Mother's eyes glowed with fury.
"Third Form – Supreme Crane Sword Art: Hundred Feathers!"
Feathers surged forward like a tidal wave.
enemy use Second form-Mystic Sword Arts : Double Repel!"
A double-layer sword barrier formed.
The feathers clashed, deflected—but the shield shattered.
The enemy was gasping, weakened.
Mother stood before her, sword raised.
The woman pleaded, "Wait! I'll tell you everything—who we are, why we attacked—"
Mother's voice was hollow. "No need."
SLASH.
The enemy's head fell.
Mother staggered to Father's body.
She knelt, tears in her eyes.
"Yulan… you were the only light in my life… after my brother. Without you… how can I live?"
She pressed her forehead to his.
"I'm sorry. You deserved someone who could protect you."
She closed her eyes.
And took her last breath.
At the west side, I saw Grandfather.
I ran and hugged him. "Thank god you're safe!"
"I'm fine. What about you?"
"I'm okay."
But suddenly—
A terrifying killing intent flooded the air.
From the smoke emerged a woman wielding an axe.
It was none other than Xun Ziyan.