Chapter Seventy-Six: Where Is This Place?

Although he had suspected earlier that the Tourmaline Bottle might be a divine artifact, Li Sibai was still astonished when he learned it was indeed true. He never expected that Uncle Da's tourmaline bottle was genuinely a divine artifact.

“This doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a divine artifact,” the Old Tree Spirit remarked nearby. “All we know for now is that the fine markings bear the seal of the Divine Clan. Such seals are typically used to imprison demonic treasures, restraining their power to some extent. So... be careful!”

But before the Old Tree Spirit could finish speaking, Caiyao was already in trouble. The warning was barely uttered when Caiyao was sucked into the narrow crack. Li Sibai, reacting quickly, grabbed her arm and was pulled in alongside her.

By the time the Old Tree Spirit tried to respond, it was too late. His extended branch was firmly blocked by the seal on the crack, and even scorched by the fiery spell woven into it. A burnt smell spread through the air.

“The Nine Heavens Flame Curse is on it!” the Old Tree Spirit exclaimed in shock. But there was nothing he could do now except fret helplessly. He regretted not warning Caiyao in time, allowing both of them to be sucked in.

Meanwhile, Caiyao and Li Sibai were swallowed into the narrow gap. Li Sibai felt dizzy, spinning endlessly. In the haze, he glimpsed golden light beside him, but his head grew heavier until everything faded to black.

When Li Sibai finally regained consciousness, he found himself lying beside a small stream. The water flowed gently, his clothes soaked through, but Caiyao was nowhere to be seen.

Anxious, Li Sibai hurried to stand and search for Caiyao, hoping she was nearby.

But as he rose, a sharp pain coursed through his body. Looking closely, he discovered several wounds, none too serious—likely scratches from falling into the water.

Such injuries were hardly a concern for a cultivator like Li Sibai. He attempted to circulate his innate battle energy to heal them rapidly, a function he had discovered during previous battles.

“Hm?!” Li Sibai tried several times, but could not summon his innate battle energy.

What was happening? Doubt gnawed at him.

No matter—he could endure the pain for now. The wounds weren't too grave; finding Caiyao was far more urgent.

With this resolve, Li Sibai endured the discomfort and began searching for Caiyao.

The stream before him wasn’t wide—perhaps over ten meters across—with slow-moving water, likely near the lower reaches. He scanned the area for dozens of meters; nothing blocked his view, yet Caiyao was nowhere to be found.

Li Sibai grew increasingly worried.

He only knew he was inside the tourmaline bottle now, and that Caiyao had used her unique divine energy to unlock the divine seal, which allowed them to be drawn in.

But what kind of world lay within the tourmaline bottle? What dangers might lurk? He had no idea.

Though Caiyao was a divine bird, her offensive power was nearly negligible, which made Li Sibai all the more anxious.

“Caiyao weighs less than I do. Since I was carried here by the stream, if she too was swept along, she must be farther downstream.” Li Sibai muttered to himself.

With that, he followed the stream toward its lower reaches.

The banks teemed with lush, unfamiliar flowers and plants, unlike anything Li Sibai had seen in his world. He became more cautious, unconsciously gripping the Xuantian Sword. Circulating his internal energy, he was relieved to find his Xuantian cultivation energy still present.

After all, he hadn’t absorbed much from the newly practiced Qi Drawing Technique, and his innate battle energy was inexplicably unusable. If danger struck, what would he do? At least the Xuantian energy remained, offering some defense.

Li Sibai pressed on downstream. The stream narrowed, water shallowed, and his wounds, though not prominent, began to feel increasingly severe.

Still, Caiyao was nowhere to be found. Anxiety overwhelmed him, and he collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness.

...

When Li Sibai awoke again, he was lying on a bamboo bed. The small room was simple, but exceptionally clean and tidy—one bed, a tea table, a chair, all made of bamboo, imparting a comfortable feeling. His wounds had been fully bandaged; clearly, he had encountered someone kind.

Li Sibai tried to speak, only to find his throat dry and hoarse, unable to raise his voice, barely managing a low groan:

“Water... water... water...”

Someone outside seemed to hear him. The curtain was lifted, and a young woman in purple, about his age, entered.

She saw Li Sibai’s gesture. “You’re awake? Do you need water?”

Li Sibai nodded quickly.

The young woman poured a cup from the teapot on the table, approached the bed, and tried to help Li Sibai sit up to drink.

Li Sibai felt embarrassed, wanting to sit up himself, but failed several times.

“What’s wrong with me?” he asked quietly.

“Nothing serious. Your wounds soaked in water too long, causing a bit of fever. The fever’s receded now; you should be well in a couple of days,” she replied, helping him up and feeding him a little water.

As the water soothed his throat, Li Sibai felt much better, the pain lessening.

“Thank you, miss!”

“You’re welcome. Rest well. If you need anything, just call me.” With that, the young woman turned to leave.

Li Sibai hurriedly asked, “May I ask where this place is? Where am I now?”

She smiled. “Young master, please rest for now. Though your fever is gone, your wounds are not fully healed. Once you recover, someone will tell you everything.”

Li Sibai’s heart was troubled—not for himself, but for Caiyao’s safety.

It was fine for him to rest and recover, but time was slipping away. Who knew what dangers Caiyao might face in the meantime?

“Miss, thank you for saving me, but I have a companion who is still missing. Have you heard any news of her?”