Chapter Thirteen: The Ancient Tree Spirit

As Li Sibai was at a loss, he suddenly heard a rustling sound approaching rapidly from the ground. Startled, he thought a demon beast—perhaps a serpent—was about to attack him. Without time to ponder, Li Sibai leapt up, aiming for the nearby large tree, but whatever was behind him gave chase, soaring after him. Glancing back, he was shocked—it was no beast, but a vine, reaching for him.

His heart sank. Gathering his inner energy to his arms, eyes narrowed, he seized the moment and lunged to grab the incoming vine.

A sharp slap resounded as the vine struck his arm.

The pain forced a hiss from Li Sibai; he’d missed his grasp. Judging by the force of the blow, the vine possessed formidable power.

Another vine lashed toward him.

“Enough!” Li Sibai gritted his teeth, sprang up, drew the short sword at his waist, and launched a counterattack.

He dodged the strike, channeled his Xuantian energy into the blade, and slashed downward. With a booming crash, the sword severed the vine, which, deprived of control, tumbled to the ground, writhing like a serpent.

Just as relief washed over him, a barrage of rustling sounds filled the air. A dozen vines flew at him from all directions. Escape was now impossible. Amidst a cacophony of thuds and his own cries, Li Sibai was securely bound.

A chill gripped his heart. This was the end—last time luck had saved him, but now he had fallen into the clutches of this tree demon. He still had so many dreams unfulfilled, questions about his parents unanswered, and debts to his sect unpaid. He was loath to die like this, and his heart ached with regret.

Bound by the vines, he was dragged across the ground to the thickest pine in the area. The ancient tree towered skyward, its roots intertwined deeply, its canopy lush and vibrant, far surpassing its neighbors. Upon its massive trunk, faint traces of human features could be discerned.

“Who are you, and what are you doing here?” The tree demon’s voice was deep, yet carried an undeniable authority.

Li Sibai steadied himself, searching for words that might earn his release—he had no desire to die here.

“Honorable tree demon, I am a humble disciple of the Xuantian Sword Sect in Jade Void Mountain. I came to the Dark Forest today to gather medicinal herbs and lost my way, accidentally wandering here. Please allow me to return.”

“Oh?” The tree demon seemed dubious. How could an ordinary disciple venture alone into this place, the heart of the Dark Forest, teeming with powerful demon beasts? Few dared approach his domain, and the youth before him seemed neither gifted nor strong. How had he arrived here?

“Release you? Ha! Do you not know I eat meat?” The tree demon burst into wild laughter.

“You call me a tree demon? Then so be it. I enjoy meat. How about you become my meal?”

Li Sibai nearly fainted with terror. He’d read the “Compendium of Strange Creatures,” but nowhere had it mentioned tree demons devouring humans. “What am I to do?” he fretted, growing incoherent.

Just then, the brocade box at his chest stirred as if something awakened. A tiny bird’s head peeked out, eyes still closed from a comfortable slumber, then extended two wings shimmering with all seven colors—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. She stretched languidly, her face annoyed. “Who’s disturbing my sleep? How annoying!”

Now fully awake, the rainbow bird Caiyao looked up at Li Sibai, then at the towering tree.

“So it’s you, old tree spirit.”

“Eh? Brother Bai, how did you end up here?”

“I...” Li Sibai struggled for words, but Caiyao seemed to know the tree demon; perhaps she could help him.

The ancient tree, whom Caiyao addressed as “old tree spirit,” looked incredulous. He recognized the rainbow bird, but was baffled by her calling this youth “Brother Bai.”

“Caiyao, why are you only now returning? I’ve waited days for you! And who is this boy—why do you have a brother? Tell me everything!”

Caiyao, seeing the tree demon’s eagerness, couldn’t help but laugh. Glancing at her bound brother, she frowned and addressed the tree demon sternly, “Old tree spirit, will you release my brother first? Is this how you treat your friends?”

The old tree spirit seemed embarrassed; the bark on his trunk flushed faintly, perhaps genuinely blushing. He hurriedly withdrew the vines binding Li Sibai; they retreated and quickly merged back into his body, indistinguishable from ordinary branches—a wonder to behold.

Freed at last, Li Sibai felt light; he stretched his numb limbs, then sat on the ground to recover.

Caiyao fluttered out, perched on a branch of the old tree spirit, and began chattering about her adventures with Li Sibai.

The old tree spirit listened intently, his expressions shifting with the tale.

Li Sibai watched silently, amused; the ancient tree seemed like an old child.

Upon hearing that Li Sibai had rescued Caiyao, the old tree spirit’s demeanor softened, his face kind and gentle.

“So that’s how it is! Caiyao, you had me worried these past few days.”

Caiyao grinned at him, then at Li Sibai sitting on the ground.

“Well, all’s well now. I’ve gained a brother—worth it, I’d say!”