Chapter Forty-Seven: The Test of Battle

At the beginning of their cultivation, Yao Xueqing, relying on her third stage mastery of the Heart of the Zither realm, trained Li Sibai to the brink of exhaustion. The divine sword Tianya in Yao Xueqing’s hand was itself an immortal blade; combined with her graceful movement techniques, she was among the elite of disciples at this level even without using any celestial arts.

However, as Li Sibai gradually grew accustomed to her fighting style, he began to counter her with the powerful, heavy strikes of the Xuantian Sword, no longer losing ground. In close combat, Li Sibai feared no one; nor did Yao Xueqing shy away from him. Her cultivation at the third stage gave her a true energy shield much thicker than the flimsy veil of the first stage. Moreover, as a young woman, and given that their sparring was meant for practice, Li Sibai could not truly fight with life-or-death ferocity. Relying on her more exquisite posture and footwork, their bouts grew ever more intense, each proving themselves a worthy opponent.

Yet, Li Sibai was ultimately a man wielding the famed heavy sword Xuantian. As the duel dragged on, Yao Xueqing grew weary, unwilling to continue, while Li Sibai seemed unaffected—she wondered what on earth he ate to possess such stamina.

It was in this moment that He Tianshu happened to pass by and witness the scene. He frowned slightly, but quickly replaced it with a smile as he approached.

“Well, look who it is—Junior Brother Bai and Junior Sister Xueqing. You two are truly diligent.”

Yao Xueqing perked up at He Tianshu’s arrival, perhaps realizing it was unbecoming to remain seated, so she stood and respectfully greeted him with a fist salute. “Senior Brother He, I am here accompanying Junior Brother Bai in his training.”

Li Sibai quickly followed suit. “Senior Brother He.”

He Tianshu nodded. “Oh? How is Junior Brother Bai’s swordsmanship these days? Tell me.”

“He’s… well, his technique is rather mediocre, but it seems he has endless strength. He’s worn me out, yet acts as if nothing happened. Senior Brother, you’ve come at just the right time—why don’t you help me guide him?”

Li Sibai’s face flushed red and pale in turn, as if Yao Xueqing was complaining to He Tianshu. He wanted to explain himself, but He Tianshu gave him no chance.

“Is that so? Junior Brother Bai is now so skilled that even Junior Sister Xueqing praises him so highly. I must truly experience a few moves for myself. What do you say, Junior Bai?”

Li Sibai eagerly welcomed the opportunity. He had long hoped for guidance from He Tianshu, but the senior brother was always too busy to indulge him. Now, with He Tianshu offering a duel, Li Sibai had no objection.

What Li Sibai did not know was that He Tianshu, a cultivator of the fourth stage of the Heart of the Zither realm, had previously declined because he found it beneath him. Yet seeing Yao Xueqing sparring with Li Sibai today, he suddenly felt compelled to test Li Sibai himself.

“Very well, Senior Brother. Please go easy on me,” Li Sibai replied, his face alight with anticipation—such opportunities were rare indeed.

He Tianshu also smiled broadly. “Let me see just how strong you have become. Please!” He gestured invitingly, but his sword, the Carefree Sword, remained sheathed, and his energy shield was not activated. Clearly, he did not believe Li Sibai posed any serious threat, given their vast difference in strength.

Li Sibai, however, wore a solemn expression. He regarded this match as a matter of life and death, determined not to waste such a precious opportunity.

“Forgive me, Senior Brother.” As soon as the words left his mouth, Li Sibai channeled his true energy into the Xuantian Sword, executing a move called ‘White Rainbow Piercing the Sun’—a favorite technique of his. This move could be either feinted or real, depending on the opponent’s reaction, with follow-ups ready for any shift. If the opponent chose to contest him in raw strength, all the better—he could unleash eighty percent of his power. If the opponent dodged, Li Sibai had further strategies to force them into a contest of strength. Should the opponent repeatedly evade, they would lose morale, and with Li Sibai holding the initiative, their position would only grow more precarious. This was precisely how he had defeated Shi Tou in the tournament.

He Tianshu had observed that bout from the sidelines, noting every detail. Now, faced with the same choice, he had already decided not to evade. Not only would retreating cede momentum, allowing Li Sibai to keep pressing the attack, but it would also be a blow to his dignity—how could he continue the match if he dodged the very first strike?

With this thought, He Tianshu rapidly circulated his Xuantian Technique true energy, infusing it into the scabbard of the Carefree Sword, which then glowed with a vibrant blue light—a manifestation of genuine Xuantian Technique energy.

He raised the scabbard high and shouted, “Open!”

A sharp metallic crash rang out, clear and crisp.

Li Sibai staggered back five steps before he barely managed to steady himself, his hands numb from the force. He Tianshu also did not escape unscathed; after retreating three steps, he glanced at his Carefree Sword, noting the blue light had dimmed.

He Tianshu was shocked—such fierce power, such a domineering sword! The sheer weight and force were overwhelming.

Though his Carefree Sword had not left its scabbard, He Tianshu had relied on his cultivated true energy—long and resilient, pouring a great deal into the scabbard. Yet even so, Li Sibai’s strike had driven him back three steps.

That sword, which appeared to be made of wood, rang out with the clear sound of metal upon collision. Clearly, some cunning illusion concealed its true nature, which only deepened He Tianshu’s surprise.

Li Sibai, meanwhile, was deeply impressed by He Tianshu. So this was the prowess of a senior at the fourth stage of the Heart of the Zither realm—his sword did not even leave its sheath, yet he caught eighty percent of Li Sibai’s full strength with ease. His power was certainly equal to Li Sibai’s own.

The greatest advantage of a heavy sword like the Xuantian Sword was in close combat, forging ahead relentlessly and intimidating opponents into avoiding direct confrontation. This secured the initiative, allowing continuous pressure and forcing opponents to follow his rhythm. Only then did Li Sibai have a sliver of hope against opponents more powerful than himself.

With this in mind, Li Sibai immediately launched a second round of attacks. Attack—only relentless attack could give Li Sibai that glimmer of hope.

Having underestimated Li Sibai in the first exchange, He Tianshu now took him seriously. With a clear clang, the Carefree Sword flashed from its scabbard, ready to meet Li Sibai’s coming blow.