Invincible Divine Sword Chapter 3 - 3 The Sister Gets Hit

Yang Xiaotian's hands balled into tight fists as the news reached him.

The blatant favoritism displayed by his grandfather was almost impossible to process. Not only had the old man diverted Yang Xiaotian's entire allotment of Foundation Building Spiritual Liquid to fuel Yang Zhong's cultivation, but he had also stripped his father of the family silk business, handing control over to his eldest uncle.

Was all of this punishment for awakening a mere Tortoise Martial Soul? Was it because he had supposedly shamed the family throughout Xingyue City, causing even his father to suffer the consequences of his perceived failure?

Returning to his quarters, Yang Xiaotian threw himself back into his cultivation.

Since his grandfather had gifted his portion of the Foundation Building Spiritual Liquid to Yang Zhong, he would prove to everyone in the Yang Family Manor that he didn't need medicine to surpass his cousin.

While Yang Xiaotian immersed himself in his work, Yang Ming stood in Yang Zhong’s courtyard, watching his grandson with a look of deep pride. Yang Zhong had proven his worth; after consuming two doses of the Foundation Building Spiritual Liquid the previous night, his progress had surpassed all expectations.

The Green Phoenix truly possessed the prestigious power of a Divine Beast’s lineage.

“How are you feeling?” Yang Ming inquired, his voice full of affection.

Yang Zhong beamed with arrogance. “Grandfather, have no fear. I will definitely break through and reach the level of a first-order martial artist before the month is out, just in time for the family’s annual meeting!”

A single month to reach the first order!

Yang Ming’s eyes widened with delight, and he let out a booming laugh. “Excellent! If you can achieve a first-order breakthrough before the annual meeting, I will see to it that you are rewarded handsomely!”

Reaching the first order in a mere thirty days would shatter the existing records of Xingyue City. It would be a sensation that would make him the crown jewel of the entire region, not just the city.

As the days blurred together, Yang Ming visited Yang Zhong's courtyard daily to provide personal guidance. His joy grew as he witnessed his grandson’s rapid advancement; it seemed Yang Zhong might not even need the full month to reach his goal.

Meanwhile, Yang Xiaotian remained secluded, focusing every ounce of his will on his cultivation.

One evening, while he was deep in the process of absorbing the world's spiritual energy, a sound like a silkworm snapping its cocoon echoed from within his body.

A surge of joy washed over him.

In just four days of intense effort, he had successfully broken through to the second order.

In the Martial Soul World, even the most gifted geniuses with level-ten Martial Souls usually required three or four months to reach the second order. He had accomplished the feat in four days!

Yang Xiaotian struggled to contain his thrill.

He wasn't sure if such a rapid breakthrough had ever occurred in the wider world, but he was certain no one in the Divine Sea Country had ever achieved it.

When morning light broke, Yang Xiaotian ceased his meditation. He felt incredibly sharp, his body overflowing with a new, tireless energy.

Stepping into the yard, he began to perform the Taiji Scripture. His movements were fluid and effortless, resembling drifting clouds or running water, while a visible current of air began to spiral around his form.

Following his breakthrough to the second order, he could feel his internal strength had reached a new level of maturity.

However, his practice was interrupted when his younger sister, Yang Ling’er, came running toward him in tears.

Sensing something was wrong, Yang Xiaotian moved to comfort her, but he froze when he saw a vivid red handprint on her small face. Her entire left cheek was painfully swollen.

The sight of his sister’s injury caused a wave of fury to rise within him. “Who did this to you?”

Yang Ling’er sobbed, shaking her head and refusing to answer.

Noticing that the handprint was small—clearly from a child—Yang Xiaotian asked through gritted teeth, “Was it Yang Zhong?”

Though she continued to cry and shake her head, her flinch at the mention of Yang Zhong’s name confirmed his suspicions. Yang Xiaotian’s temper flared. “Come with me. I’m going to settle this debt with him right now!” He grabbed her hand to lead her away.

But as he pulled her along, she cried out in pain. Confused, Yang Xiaotian rolled up her sleeves, only to find her arms covered in brutal whip marks.

They weren't bleeding, but they looked agonizing.

His rage reached a breaking point. “Yang Zhong used a whip on you as well?”

Tearing up, Yang Ling’er finally nodded. “Yang Zhong called you a ‘tortoise,’ and I couldn't stand it, so I called him a name back.”

The rest was obvious.

Livid, Yang Xiaotian marched his sister out of the yard to find his cousin. They hadn't gone far before they encountered Yang Zhong strolling with the sons of several manor stewards. They were laughing together, holding whips in their hands.

“Yang Zhong! Did you lay a hand on my sister?” Yang Xiaotian shouted as he charged toward them.

Yang Zhong saw his cousin's fury but didn't care. He laughed mockingly. “That’s right, I hit her. What are you going to do about it? Is the ‘tortoise’ trying to act like a big brother?”

Before the words had even fully left his mouth, Yang Xiaotian lunged forward, his hand flying in a sharp arc.

Thanks to his Taiji Scripture training, Yang Xiaotian was incredibly fast. Yang Zhong had no time to react before a heavy slap connected with his left cheek.

Smack!

The sound was sharp and clear. Yang Zhong stumbled backward, nearly collapsing.

Stunned and with his ears ringing, Yang Zhong stared in disbelief. Ever since his Martial Soul awakened, he had been the golden child of the Yang Family Manor. His grandfather treated him like a fragile treasure. He couldn't believe Yang Xiaotian actually hit him!

A failure with a second-grade Martial Soul had actually struck him!

“You actually hit me!” Yang Zhong screamed, clutching his face. He turned to the other boys. “What are you waiting for? Kill him!”

The other children moved to surround Yang Xiaotian, but they were no match for him. With a series of quick, precise movements, Yang Xiaotian knocked every one of them to the dirt.

Seeing his lackeys fall, Yang Zhong swung his whip toward Yang Xiaotian’s face. It was a vicious strike, but Yang Xiaotian dodged it easily. He snatched the whip out of the air, yanked it away, and lashed back at Yang Zhong.

The whip caught Yang Zhong’s arm, sending him into a fit of screaming and crying. “Yang Xiaotian! Just wait until I rank up! I’ll destroy you at the end-of-year clan gathering!”

The annual gathering?

Suddenly, the sound of many footsteps approached. Yang Zhong’s loud wailing had finally drawn the attention of the manor’s adults.

Yang Hai was the first to arrive, finding his son in a state of hysterical tears.

Seeing his father, Yang Zhong pointed a trembling finger at Yang Xiaotian. “Father, Yang Xiaotian slapped me!” He pulled back his sleeve to show the injury. “He whipped me too!”

When Yang Hai saw his son’s bruised face and the marks on his arm, his fury exploded. Without seeking the truth, he barked at Yang Xiaotian, “You are so young yet so malicious. Since your parents clearly haven't disciplined you, I will do it myself!” He raised his hand to strike the boy.

“Brother, stop!” Yang Chao shouted as he ran toward them, his voice filled with panic.

Yang Hai paused at his brother's arrival, ready to argue, but then he noticed that their father, Yang Ming, had also reached the scene.

“What is happening here?” Yang Ming demanded from a distance.

“Father, Xiaotian attacked Zhong’er. He slapped his face and used a whip on him,” Yang Hai reported immediately. “Look at his face; it’s horribly swollen.”

“What?!” Yang Ming’s expression darkened instantly. He hurried over and saw that his favorite grandson’s face was indeed badly bruised.