Chapter Sixty-Two: Reversal

The more Li Sibai thought about it, the more excited he became. He was not someone who easily conceded defeat, and the strength of the opponent before him filled him with exhilaration. With his companions watching from behind, he felt a surge of motivation.

With a loud shout, Li Sibai charged forward. He sensed a cool current stirring within him, as if ready to lend him strength. Ever since arriving at Jade Pearl Peak, the battle energy in his body had not ceased for a moment, as though awakened by something here, leaving him in a state of feverish excitement.

Now, at this decisive moment, after the woman unleashed her ice magic, Li Sibai felt the white battle energy in his body grow even more restless, rushing outward as if about to burst free. Yet, despite this, he still could not pierce the thick ice wall, and the massive ice ball continued to strike him.

Again and again, Li Sibai charged forward, only to be knocked down each time by the ice ball. Bruises multiplied across his body, and blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.

He wiped the blood from his lips and stood up once more, flashing a mischievous grin at the woman in green.

The woman frowned. “Li Sibai, why are you so stubborn? I’ve already knocked you down several times. If I hadn’t held back, your internal organs would be ruined by now. You should admit defeat and return, instead of forcing yourself to persist. Do you want me to be ruthless?”

Li Sibai remained unperturbed and replied cheerfully, “Miss, let’s try again. I promise I can dodge your ice ball this time!”

The woman was unimpressed, thinking Li Sibai was dazed from the blows and speaking nonsense. She replied coldly, “Then I won’t hold back. Be careful!”

Li Sibai nodded, once again employing the White Rainbow Pierces the Sun move from the Mysterious Sky Sword Technique. The woman, as before, summoned her ice wall to block his attack. But this time, as Li Sibai struck the ice wall, a series of cracking sounds erupted, and the wall suddenly split open with a thunderous crash.

Li Sibai passed through the shattered ice wall, his Mysterious Sky Sword aimed directly at the woman’s throat. Had this blow landed, her life would have surely ended.

At that critical moment, though the woman was momentarily stunned by the destruction of her ice wall, she quickly recovered. Without forming seals, she drew a circle in the air with her long sword, conjuring a small ice shield that blocked Li Sibai’s sword with a clang, though it shattered instantly.

Taking advantage of the opening, the woman leaped aside and assumed a non-combative stance. Her face had grown pale, evidently from excessive exertion.

She stared at Li Sibai in confusion, as if seeing him for the first time. “How did you break my ice wall? You clearly had no way to deal with it just moments ago.”

Li Sibai only smiled, offering no answer. He had no intention of revealing his secret, nor did he wish to be understood too easily.

This irritated the woman in green. Her sword trembled in her hand as she prepared to attack again.

But the elder behind her suddenly spoke: “Shan’er, come back. You’ve already lost.”

The woman looked at Li Sibai with defiance, then turned to the elder. “Master…”

Her tone was both petulant and dissatisfied. Returning to the elder’s side, she listened as he spoke quietly, too softly for Li Sibai to hear. At first, her expression was filled with discontent, but gradually, she began to smile, regaining the composure she had before the duel. The change was swift and mysterious; Li Sibai could only wonder what the elder had said.

Meanwhile, Li Sibai had no time to ponder. He returned straight to He Tianshu’s side, his body covered in bruises. During the life-and-death struggle, he had felt nothing, but now that he relaxed, pain coursed through his limbs, and he limped as he walked.

He Tianshu watched him with amusement, but restrained his laughter, nodding in approval. “Well done, Brother Li. You’ve upheld the honor of our Mysterious Sky Sword Sect. Go rest and tend to your wounds.”

Li Sibai nodded. “I’ll leave the rest to you, Senior Brother!” With that, he walked over to Yao Xueqing and the others.

He Tianshu glanced at Yao Xueqing, worried, and after a moment’s hesitation, addressed Guo Jian: “Brother Guo, with formidable foes before us, although Brother Li has won a round by luck, you and I still face four opponents. The prospects are bleak. Could you lend me the antidote so the two sisters can recover quickly and aid us?”

He Tianshu had wanted to request the antidote earlier, but the urgent situation left him no opportunity. Now, with Li Sibai’s victory, he seized the moment to ask Guo Jian.

Guo Jian frowned, surprised to find himself in such a predicament. No matter what he did, he felt uneasy, but his expression quickly masked his feelings, so no one could tell.

He took a small vial from his wrist guard and handed it to He Tianshu. “Have Li Sibai give them the medicine. They’ll recover in half an hour. Hurry back; you’re up next.”

He Tianshu accepted the vial, nodded, and swiftly chased after Li Sibai, stopping him to give a few instructions before hurrying back.

On the other side, a man dressed in black was already waiting for He Tianshu. The man stood eight feet tall, his face as dark as lacquer, wielding a spiked mace, looking as fierce as a demon.

He Tianshu’s heart skipped a beat. Earlier, he hadn’t gotten a clear look, as night had already fallen and he was far away—now, up close, he was startled by the man’s ferocious appearance.

Steeling himself, He Tianshu raised his Free and Easy Sword and declared, “I am He Tianshu, disciple of the Mysterious Sky Sword Sect under the seat of Yunfeng Town’s master. May I ask your name?”

The burly man snorted. “You are not worthy to know my name.”

With no further words, he swung his mace, and the two engaged in battle.

Meanwhile, Li Sibai gave the antidote to Yao Xueqing and Ye Chunqiao. Both, still suffering from poison, had retreated to the side to channel their energy and heal, with Gong Degang accompanying them. The three had no idea what was happening in the main arena.

After the antidote subdued the poison, Li Sibai briefly recounted the events to them.

The three were stunned, never expecting that only Guo Jian remained on his side. Thinking back on what that senior brother had done to them, they felt a measure of satisfaction.

But hearing that Senior Brother He had now allied with him, and that the opposing side seemed strong, the two women were at a loss about what to do next.

They stared at Gong Degang, hoping he would offer a solution.