The battlefield was chaos, flames consuming the once-proud halls of the Crimson Feather Sect, warriors clashing in a deadly dance of steel, and betrayal staining the air like a thick, suffocating fog. But amidst the bloodshed, Ji Ren's focus wavered as a small, metallic orb zipped toward him, stopping mere inches from his chest.
A message talisman.
He knew before even opening it that this would change everything.
The talisman glowed, unraveling into a stream of golden light. A voice followed, deep and commanding voice Ji Ren had spent his whole life obeying.
"Ji Ren. Return immediately. The Bai Clan has declared war on the Crimson Feather Sect. Your allegiance is expected."
His breath caught. His family, the Bai Clan, one of the most powerful martial families in the empire, had officially declared war on the sect he now stood beside.
His fingers tightened into a fist, crushing the remnants of the talisman in his palm. The energy dissolved into embers, but the weight of the message remained, pressing down on him like an iron shackle.
Behind him, Xiao Lian was still fighting, her movements precise, ruthless, and unyielding. Blood flecked her robes, her blade a streak of silver as she cut down yet another enemy.
He had sworn to protect her.
But now, he had to choose.
A low chime echoed in his mind as SIS activated, its voice smooth and emotionless.
> > Alert: New information detected.
The Bai Clan has covert ties to the celestial faction orchestrating the sect war.
Ji Ren's blood ran cold.
"What?" he thought, his pulse hammering.
> > Confirming data...
The Bai Clan has been in contact with celestial forces for over a century. Their primary goal: to eliminate potential threats to celestial rule.
A sharp exhale left him. He had always known his family was powerful, but celestial ties? That was something else entirely. It explained their wealth, their influence, their unshakable dominance in the empire.
And now, he was standing on the wrong side of their war.
A part of him had always known this day would come. The Bai Clan valued strength, control, and absolute loyalty. He had been raised on their principles, trained to believe that the family's will was absolute.
But standing here, watching Xiao Lian carve through the battlefield choosing to fight for her instead of his bloodline, it was the first time he truly felt like his fate was his own.
A sharp pain lanced through his ribs, an enemy's blade nearly found its mark, and he barely dodged in time.
"Ji Ren!" Xiao Lian's voice cut through the chaos, sharp and demanding. "Focus!"
He exhaled heavily, shaking himself from his thoughts. Now was not the time for hesitation. He turned just in time to parry another incoming strike, his sword clashing against an enemy's spear. But even as he fought, his mind raced.
What should he do?
Going back to the Bai Clan meant betraying Xiao Lian, aligning himself with the celestial forces, and abandoning everything he had fought for.
Defying them meant making enemies of his own family.
There would be no going back.
"Ji Ren!" Xiao Lian's voice came again, this time more urgent. He turned just in time to see her standing over a fallen disciple, blocking three attackers at once. "If you're hesitating—"
"I'm not." His voice was firm, certain. And in that moment, he made his choice.
Ji Ren stepped forward, not backward.
Not toward his family. Not toward duty. But toward Xiao Lian.
He moved without hesitation, slicing through the nearest enemy with lethal precision. Then, with a surge of energy, he launched himself toward Xiao Lian, cutting down one of her attackers in a single, clean strike.
Their eyes met for the briefest second, hers filled with unspoken questions, his filled with the answer.
"I'm not leaving."
Her brows furrowed slightly, but she didn't question him. She simply nodded once before returning to the fight.
Ji Ren's fate was sealed.
He had chosen.
And he knew, without a doubt, his family would never forgive him.