Chapter Twenty-One: Breaking the Siege

At that critical moment, changes occurred beneath Li Sibai’s feet. Several tree vines quietly burrowed into the soil below him, channeling a considerable amount of battle energy into his body. This energy deliberately concealed its green attribute, but it was clearly the aid of the ancient tree spirit.

Li Sibai was about to be struck by lightning and, with nowhere left to retreat, intended to block the blow with the Xuantian Sword. Suddenly, he sensed a faint coolness rising from beneath his feet, swiftly spreading through him and conducting straight to his dantian. His true energy had just been depleted, but the innate battle energy within him was stirred up by that cool sensation.

The ancient tree spirit’s battle energy arrived just in time, mobilizing all the battle energy within Li Sibai. He immediately channeled it into the Xuantian Sword; the red glow faded, replaced by flickering white light. With a loud shout, Li Sibai cried, “Open!”

In an instant, the lightning struck the Xuantian Sword. With a thunderous roar, Li Sibai staggered backward three steps and still couldn’t steady himself, landing heavily on the ground. Yet the force of the lightning was dispelled by the Xuantian Sword, and Li Sibai felt unscathed. Caiyao, watching from behind, saw all this clearly and secretly broke into a cold sweat for him.

“This…” The Azure Luan Bird was baffled. Who was this youth before it? Such a young man, yet able to withstand two full-force attacks. The first strike being nullified could be understood, but the second clearly hit him and he remained unharmed, merely forced back three steps. With a sharp intake of breath, the Azure Luan Bird realized that today’s events might prove troublesome.

Li Sibai, feeling unhurt, saw the Azure Luan Bird hesitate and quickly stood up, fearing a third attack. Though his true energy was spent and the Xuantian technique’s absorption and refinement of pure energy couldn’t keep up, the thought of the ancient tree spirit’s battle energy assisting gave him a measure of confidence.

Li Sibai bowed slightly, composed, and addressed the Azure Luan Bird: “Thank you, divine bird, for showing mercy. I have learned much from your attacks.”

“Young man, are you truly an outer disciple of the Xuantian Sword Sect?” Suspicion colored the Azure Luan Bird’s face. Even the best outer disciples of the Xuantian Sword Sect were only capable of hunting profound-grade beasts; no divine beast would pay them any mind. Yet this youth was extraordinary, able to endure three consecutive blows. The Azure Luan Bird now regarded him with new respect.

“Yes, I am Li Sibai, an outer disciple of the Xuantian Sword Sect at Jade Void Peak. Perhaps this year I will have a chance to enter the inner sect,” Li Sibai replied with a chuckle, knowing his adversary had begun to value him. Now there was room for negotiation. If a desperate fight broke out, he would not have the upper hand. Having demonstrated his true abilities by withstanding three attacks, he saw this as a perfect opportunity to renegotiate—a successful outcome would spare much bloodshed and sacrifice.

“Oh? A few days ago, several Xuantian Sword Sect youths injured me. Do you know them?” The Azure Luan Bird recalled its recent injury and still felt some lingering fear.

Li Sibai’s face flushed. He wanted to deny it but feared his lack of honesty would be exposed and destroy the budding trust, leaving nothing to discuss. He could only admit it.

“Divine Azure Luan, it was I and several senior brothers and sisters who entered this Dark Forest on a beast-hunting mission that day and accidentally encountered you and Caiyao. I was the one you captured.”

“Oh?” Hearing this, the Azure Luan Bird scrutinized the young man before it. Though his features were refined, he was far from outstanding, clad in a gray Xuantian Sword Sect robe, not yet broad-shouldered, with only bright eyes to set him apart. To speak so frankly took either foolishness or absolute confidence—how interesting.

Yet, he seemed an ordinary youth, showing no signs of anything extraordinary. The Azure Luan Bird examined the black sword in his hand; its golden light was fading, and the previous red or white glow had vanished. The sword appeared heavy but nothing else remarkable.

Studying the young man further, the Azure Luan Bird seemed to recall something.

“So that’s how it is. That day, your senior brothers and sisters grievously wounded me. That debt remains unsettled. Today you want to mediate between me and Caiyao; first, settle that debt and we’ll talk.”

Li Sibai frowned upon hearing this. That day, He Tianshu and the others, desperate to save him, had unleashed three magical swords that struck the Azure Luan Bird. Now, recovered from its wounds, it had returned to seek trouble with Caiyao and would not easily let matters rest.

“Divine Azure Luan, this matter began because of me. I will bear full responsibility. As for my sister Caiyao and your dispute, I hope you can show us a path forward. If you can tell me what would make you let her go, I will do everything in my power to fulfill it.”

Li Sibai could think of no other way and could only speak thus, hoping the Azure Luan Bird would spare him. Otherwise, he would have to fight. While getting up earlier, he had secretly consumed a Xuantian Jade Pure Pill, rapidly restoring his true energy; with time, he could recover even more, giving him greater confidence should battle resume.

Meanwhile, the Azure Luan Bird weighed its options. Its conflict with Caiyao was a personal grievance of little consequence. The Xuantian Sword Sect resided atop Jade Void Peak and was closely connected to the Celestial Primordial Lord above… Yet to retreat voluntarily and cease troubling Caiyao would leave it dissatisfied, fearing that Caiyao would spread tales and damage its reputation among the spirit beasts. It hesitated, unable to answer immediately.

Li Sibai grew anxious, sensing the Azure Luan Bird’s indecision. At that moment, Caiyao stepped forward. She had already seen through the Azure Luan Bird’s wavering, knowing only she could break the deadlock.

“Brother Azure Luan, with my brother’s help, I have cultivated a true form. I am deeply grateful for all he has done for me. I have decided to stay with him and will not return to the Ninefold Heavens. I hope you can spare us. If I ever break today’s promise, you may dispose of me as you see fit. Would this satisfy you?”

For the Azure Luan Bird, this was a middle-ground solution. Originally, it had wanted to kill Caiyao to prevent her from competing for favor. Now Caiyao herself promised never to return to the Ninefold Heavens. Though her words might not be entirely trustworthy, Li Sibai posed a challenge, and the Azure Luan Bird could do nothing for the moment. It had also sensed someone secretly aiding them.

After a moment’s hesitation, the Azure Luan Bird agreed to Caiyao’s request.

“Very well, Caiyao. Remember what you said today. We shall part ways, never to meet again!”

With that, the Azure Luan Bird’s wings trembled, and in the blink of an eye it soared into the boundless sky…