Chapter 83: A Swift and Decisive Battle

Zhao Han, the grandson of Elder Zhao, was considered one of the most outstanding young men in the village. He had always admired Zilin, but unfortunately, she was engrossed in her studies of medicine and showed little interest in him. He had never been too concerned about it, convinced that none of the other young people in the village could compare to him and that Zilin would become his sooner or later.

Who could have foreseen that this outsider, Li Sibai, would suddenly be hailed as a savior, even attracting Zilin’s attention? The thought that Zilin had been caring for Li Sibai these past few days only made Zhao Han angrier. Thus, he decided to challenge Li Sibai; if he succeeded, his reputation would reach its peak, and it wasn’t out of the question that he could become the next clan chief.

Sizing up his opponent, who was only at the sixth level of the Initial Phoenix Realm and had just recently been injured, Zhao Han felt confident in his decision. Opportunities like this were few and far between in life—when one appeared, it was worth fighting for, he thought.

Elder Zhao, standing on the platform, was torn. He supported the clan chief’s trust in Li Sibai, but he hadn’t expected his own grandson to challenge this young hero. After much deliberation, he couldn’t bring himself to hinder his grandson. Besides, Li Sibai’s cultivation wasn’t high; if his grandson succeeded, it would bring great honor to their family.

Since Li Sibai had just agreed so readily, when the clan chief quietly sought the opinions of the other elders, they felt little burden and quickly gave their consent. Thus, no one stepped forward to stop or dissuade the challenge.

In truth, the three other elders wished to use this opportunity to gauge Li Sibai’s abilities and see if he truly had the potential to lead them out of the bamboo forest. Elder Zhao, meanwhile, had his own personal motives.

And so, this seemingly illogical contest came to be.

At this moment, Zilin felt indignant. She hadn’t expected Zhao Han to challenge Li Sibai, especially when Li Sibai had only just regained consciousness an hour ago. He had barely been able to stand when he first woke, nearly collapsing. Thinking of this, she stepped forward and said, “Clan Chief, Elders, this young hero Li has only just awoken from unconsciousness and hasn’t recovered his strength. Would it not be fairer to postpone the match until tomorrow?”

The clan chief nodded, thinking she made a good point and was about to speak, when Li Sibai interrupted, “Thank you for your kindness, Miss Zilin, but I am anxious to save my sister and would prefer to compete with Brother Zhao today, if the clan chief permits.”

Zilin hadn’t expected Li Sibai to refuse her offer, but recalling his urgency to rescue his sister, she understood. Admiring his determination yet worried for him, she glanced at him with concern, knowing full well Zhao Han’s strength—he was one of the outstanding youths of Creek Bamboo Village. With a sigh, she said no more.

In truth, Li Sibai knew he was at a disadvantage in his current state, but he had no choice. He had been unconscious for three days and had no idea how Caiyao was faring; he could not afford to wait another day. If the clan chief hadn’t already sent someone to search for her, and if these people hadn’t saved him, he would never have lingered here.

Clan Chief Zhang, seeing that everyone had made up their minds, declared, “Very well, let us move to the plaza, where there is more space for you both to perform.”

The small plaza of Creek Bamboo Village was usually used for village meetings, and sometimes as a playground for children. Today, it was crowded with people. Word had spread over the past few days about a young stranger’s sudden arrival. Everyone had also heard the prophecy that had circulated in the clan, but knew that the newcomer had been unconscious and receiving treatment from Elder Yuan.

Who could have guessed that upon finally waking, he would face the village’s most promising young man, Zhao Han, in a contest of arms!

On stage stood two young men facing each other: one in a pale blue robe, handsome and elegant, wielding a long sword; the other in white Daoist robes, holding a black iron sword he could barely lift, forced to rest it on the ground.

The crowd below murmured in confusion, unable to remain calm.

“So this is the disciple of the Xuantian Sword Sect? He can’t even lift his sword. Is he really that weak?”

“You don’t understand—this young hero Li has only just woken after being unconscious for three days. Perhaps he’s conserving his strength.”

“But I heard his cultivation is only at the sixth level of the Initial Phoenix Realm. Is someone like that truly the one foretold to save us?”

“It’s been sixty years since an outsider came here. Even if he isn’t, shouldn’t we at least give it a try? What if he is the one?”

“But they say we’re supposed to hand over our secret formation to him. Is it really worth the risk?”

“That’s why the Zhao boy is testing his strength. We’ll all see if he’s up to the task.”

Unconcerned with the chatter below, the two young men on stage remained at ease.

“Brother Zhao, I’ve only just recovered from illness. Please go easy on me,” Li Sibai said with a cheerful smile.

“Don’t worry, young hero Li, I’ll make it quick so you won’t suffer,” Zhao Han replied readily. He was convinced that Li Sibai was no match for him and believed Li’s plea for mercy was a sign of weakness. If they were equals, even injured, Li Sibai was a disciple of the Xuantian Sword Sect—why would he beg a mere rogue cultivator for leniency?

This thought filled Zhao Han with smug satisfaction.

At that moment, Clan Chief Zhang stood and announced the rules: “Ladies and gentlemen, today Li Sibai and Zhao Han will compete here. The match will end when one side admits defeat, or if I and the elders decide to stop it. This is a friendly contest—show restraint. Do you both understand?”

Li Sibai and Zhao Han nodded in agreement.

“Very well, let us begin,” said the clan chief.

The two made a polite gesture of invitation toward each other. Before Li Sibai could move, Zhao Han sprang forward, launching a thrust with his sword.

Li Sibai thought, So he really wants a quick victory—very well, I’ll grant him his wish.

The black iron sword in his hand glowed with golden light. He dodged Zhao Han’s strike with a flash of movement, and brought his sword down toward Zhao Han’s shoulder.

Seeing his initial thrust miss its mark, Zhao Han turned the real attack into a feint, meeting the black iron sword head-on. Though he had seen the elders handle the sword earlier and knew it was heavy, youthful arrogance prevented him from backing down. So what if it was heavy? He wanted to see just how strong Li Sibai was. He wasn’t weak himself, and with Li Sibai’s recent illness, his strength couldn’t have fully returned—so Zhao Han dared to meet the blow directly.

Li Sibai hadn’t expected him to take such a direct approach. He thought Zhao Han, knowing the sword’s weight, would use a more cunning, evasive tactic. Instead, seeing Zhao Han meet force with force, Li Sibai was delighted and cried out, “Good!”

With a clash and a shower of sparks, Zhao Han was unable to withstand the impact, forced to stagger back five steps before barely regaining his footing. Li Sibai, meanwhile, stood calmly in place, smiling at him.

Zhao Han was taken aback—he hadn’t expected this young man, barely recovered from illness, to possess such strength. Realizing he had underestimated his opponent, Zhao Han resolved not to meet force with force again, and the two youths resumed their battle.