Chapter Thirty-Six: Overslept

That night, Li Sibai drank a little too much. He only vaguely remembered that it was Mo Yun who brought him back to his room. After Mo Yun left, Caiyao, in her transformed state, seemed to have taken over and looked after him until he drifted off to sleep.

His dreams were filled with happiness; in them, he effortlessly triumphed over Stone, and everyone cheered for him.

Caiyao, on the other hand, had not had a moment’s rest. Even though Li Sibai was drunk, he hadn't brought her any food. When she saw him asleep, she slipped out to the kitchen to find something to eat. Fortunately, it was late enough that no one noticed a little bird like her.

The next morning, Li Sibai, still feeling the effects of the wine, woke up later than usual. Caiyao, having eaten so late and stayed up to care for him, was still fast asleep.

Upon waking and glancing at the time, Li Sibai realized with a jolt that the competition would soon begin. He was as anxious as a student running late for an exam.

He quickly dressed and washed up, knowing there was no time for breakfast.

Since Caiyao was still asleep, he decided not to wake her, recalling how tirelessly she had looked after him the previous night.

Just then, a young disciple hurried over, saying that Senior Brother Mo Yun had instructed him to check on Li Sibai and remind him to get to the martial arena for the contest.

By the time Li Sibai arrived, the arena was packed, a sea of people pressed close together.

He quickly called out for help, hoping those in front would let him through so he could squeeze his way inside.

"Who is that, pushing his way forward when he's late? Has he no manners? If you’re late, stay at the back," someone grumbled.

"Exactly! Since when does our Xuantian Sword Sect have people like him? Doesn't he know how to follow the rules?"

Someone nearby who recognized Li Sibai chuckled. "I suppose you two don’t know who he is?"

The two complainers shook their heads. "And who does he think he is, acting all high and mighty?"

With a mocking expression, the other replied, "That's Li Sibai, the so-called disgrace of the outer sect! The shame of the outer disciples! He’s one of the semifinalists today!"

"Ah!" gasped many of those nearby, mouths agape in astonishment.

"That's Li Sibai? My word, I've never seen him in person before."

"He certainly thinks he’s important—so weak, yet late enough to keep everyone waiting."

"I bet he’s scared and tried to sneak out of this. He only came because he had no choice," another murmured.

"Is he really that weak? How did he even make it to the semifinals? All the remaining contestants are tough," someone protested on Li Sibai’s behalf.

"Brother, you must have missed the last couple of days. He hasn’t fought at all—just had extraordinary luck and advanced without a match!"

"Really? I was out on a mission, but I heard he was strong in the first round—killed a high-tier Black-rank Poison Crocodile."

"You don’t know the half of it," someone else interjected. "I heard he cheated. The inner sect invigilator was an acquaintance of his and helped him kill the crocodile."

"Unbelievable!"

A wave of surprise rippled through the crowd. Many began calculating how to curry favor with inner sect seniors, hoping luck might carry them straight to the semifinals too.

Even in a year with many strong candidates, making the semifinals meant automatic promotion to the inner sect. Even this year, with fewer strong contestants, reaching the semifinals was something to boast about. It meant a better share of resources the following day—more than ordinary outer disciples received—benefiting one's cultivation.

By now, the match on the adjacent stage had already begun, drawing most of the elders there, since it featured this year’s strongest contender, Qin Feng.

Li Sibai struggled through the crowd to the front of the arena. The elder in charge of order and judgment today was Elder Yunli, known for his gentle temperament. Next to him stood several inner sect seniors, including Mo Yun, whom Li Sibai spotted immediately.

He hurried forward and bowed. "Elder Yunli, disciple Li Sibai reporting for the contest."

"Ehh?" Yunli glanced at him and smiled. "So, you are Li Sibai?"

"I am, Elder."

"Good, we’re about to begin. Your opponent seems to be getting impatient."

Elder Yunli was indeed easygoing. The same could not be said for Senior Brother Stone.

Stone had been waiting atop the arena for some time, apparently having arrived early.

Though he’d only recently joined the outer sect, he’d already heard some of Li Sibai’s stories. He found it puzzling—how could a sect as esteemed as Xuantian Sword Sect, even if only among the outer disciples, allow someone like this to exist, let alone reach the semifinals without a single fight? The rules themselves seemed laughable.

But as a new disciple, he had no right to question the sect’s system. He simply saw it as an advantage—facing such a weakling in the semifinals meant saving his strength and energy for the finals tomorrow. The thought put him in a good mood.

He had come early, hoping to finish quickly and watch Qin Feng’s match to prepare himself. Instead, he’d been left waiting nearly half an hour because the so-called disgrace of the outer sect, Li Sibai, hadn’t shown up.

He suspected Li Sibai was intimidated by his reputation or his matches and had lost his nerve.

Upon questioning Elder Yunli below, he was told someone had already been sent to fetch Li Sibai, who was just oversleeping, and that it hadn’t been half an hour yet—he couldn’t be disqualified for forfeiture, so Stone had to wait.

So he waited and waited, but Li Sibai still didn’t come. Just as the time for automatic forfeit was about to arrive, Li Sibai finally appeared.

This thought stoked an inexplicable fire of anger in Stone’s chest.

Li Sibai now stepped onto the stage, bowing. "Senior Brother Stone, I am Li Sibai. My apologies for keeping you waiting…"

Stone waved his hand dismissively, signaling Li Sibai to stop talking.

Li Sibai was left awkwardly at a loss.

The crowd below jeered, all eager to see him make a fool of himself.

Stone continued, "No need for words, Junior Brother Li. Let’s begin. You may make the first move."

He was so eager to finish that he dispensed even with the formal exchange of names and ranks, intent only on ending the match quickly.

Were it not for Li Sibai’s reputation as the outer sect’s disgrace, Stone would have kicked him off the platform without another word, for who had patience for such nonsense?

Li Sibai understood his meaning, but maintained his courtesy. He smiled, bowed again to Stone, and said, "Then forgive me, Senior Brother!"