Chapter Nineteen: The Sword of the Mysterious Heavens

At this moment, Li Sibai began to understand. Within his body, there had always been a small portion of true qi and a great deal of battle qi. His ability to swiftly break through to the second level of the Phoenix Initiation Realm at such a young age was likely connected to that innate trace of true qi. Yet, the abundance of battle qi in his body had hindered him from further cultivating Xuantian Arts to refine more true qi. Thus, while he had quickly advanced to the second level, he found himself utterly unable to break through to the third. With Caiyao's help, he succeeded in reaching the third and fourth levels, and with the assistance of the ancient tree spirit, even the increase in his battle qi cultivation allowed him to ascend to the fifth level—a development that puzzled him, though he believed all would become clear in time.

Just then, the old tree spirit produced a wooden box from who knows where. The box was rectangular and slender, its surface rough and unadorned, bearing the blackened marks of age. Despite its appearance, the wood was of exceptional quality.

The ancient tree spirit slowly presented the box to Li Sibai.
"Young man, take it. This now belongs to you."

"My possession?" Li Sibai was once more bewildered. Supporting the box with both hands, he felt its surprising weight—so much so that he nearly lost his grip and hurriedly placed it on the ground. Lifting the lid, his eyes fell upon a sword, utterly black, its length over three feet. The blade was entirely without luster, starkly different from the immortal swords wielded by He Tianshu and the others.

Li Sibai tried to lift it with one hand, but it would not budge. He quietly summoned the internal energy of his Xuantian Arts, exerted himself, and only then managed to raise it. He was secretly astonished: this black sword was exceedingly heavy. Though he did not know its exact weight, he was certain that, had he not reached the fifth level of the Phoenix Initiation Realm just days ago, he would never have been able to lift it.

"This is…?"

The old tree spirit winked excitedly. "This is the Xuantian Sword. It has rested with me for many years. I once thought it would never again appear in this world—until I met you today." As he spoke, the old tree spirit seemed overcome by emotion, his expression one of disbelief. "That man was truly extraordinary, able to foresee even this. I admire him with all my heart!"

"The Xuantian Sword?!" Li Sibai's mouth dropped open in shock; he could scarcely believe what he had just heard.

The old tree spirit paused, then continued, "Yes, the Xuantian Sword. Though you are only an outer disciple of the Xuantian Sword Sect, you must have heard of it. This sword was left for you. In this world, only you can wield it. Go on, try channeling your true qi into it."

Li Sibai, without hesitation, poured his Xuantian Arts' true qi into the pitch-black sword. Yet, after a long moment, nothing happened.

The old tree spirit smiled and guided him, "Try mixing in some of your innate true qi as you channel it."

Li Sibai blushed, answered affirmatively, and immediately set to work. As his innate true qi entered the Xuantian Sword, the once coal-black blade began to emit a faint golden light.

"Now, drip a little of your blood onto the blade," instructed the old tree spirit.

Li Sibai extended his left arm and lightly drew it across the sword, opening a small wound. Fresh blood flowed down the blade, seeping into its surface. The golden light dimmed, replaced by a faint red hue. In the darkness, he could just make out fine lines etched into the blade, as if they held some hidden meaning, though he could not discern them clearly.

As more of Li Sibai's blood was absorbed, bathing nearly the entire sword, the golden light flared again, a ray beaming directly onto his wounded arm. In an instant, the cut was healed.

Now, the Xuantian Sword had fully absorbed his blood. The golden radiance returned, the red vanished, and the fine lines faded away. The sword seemed to come alive, trembling in Li Sibai's hand, as if eager to speak—rejoicing at finding a new master after so many years of silence.

"Very good. The Xuantian Sword has now bonded with you. As long as you live, it will remain loyal to you alone," the old tree spirit explained earnestly.

"It is said that the Xuantian Sword was forged from a piece of black iron by your sect's founder, Yu Xuzi. The secrets it holds are yours to discover. It has been hidden from the world for so long that all have forgotten it. In truth, that's for the best—at least until you have fully mastered it, and thus avoid unnecessary trouble."

"Though it may seem unremarkable, it can only be activated by your innate true qi. The stronger your true qi, the more powerful the sword becomes. But remember, your innate true qi is limited. Though the sword consumes little with each use, unless you can refine true qi of the same caliber, you will never unleash its full potential."

Li Sibai nodded. "I understand, elder. Thank you for bestowing this divine sword upon me. I will wield it to its utmost, using it to vanquish demons and evil, and never betray your trust!"

The old tree spirit could not help but laugh and cry at once. Though a tree spirit, he was not fond of many of the demon and fiendish ways. In current circumstances, he was simply fulfilling a request. What would ultimately come of it was not his to decide.

"Enough, enough. These are truths you must comprehend for yourself… And besides, I acted at another’s behest. I suspect you can guess who that was, so there’s no need to press me further."

Li Sibai nodded thoughtfully. The old tree spirit had made himself clear; it would be foolish to ask more. He had long known that the sect’s name, Xuantian Sword Sect, was not merely for the sword techniques but for this very Xuantian Sword, forged personally by their founder, Yu Xuzi. It was the sect’s most prized divine weapon, lost since Yu Xuzi’s ascension. To think it had been here with the old tree spirit all along! As for who had entrusted it to him, it could be none other than Yu Xuzi himself. The more Li Sibai pondered, the more exhilarated he became, his joy shining unmistakably on his face.