Chapter Thirty: Drawing Lots

The journey went rather smoothly, and at last, Yao Xueqing succeeded in leading Li Sibai out of the Doomsday Marsh. By then, the sun was already close to setting. Yao Xueqing intended to return to the sect together with Li Sibai to report their mission, but he excused himself, saying he still had matters to attend to, so she departed first.

Li Sibai could not set his mind at ease about Caiyao, fearing she would grow anxious waiting for him. By now, his wounds had nearly healed; ever since the ancient tree spirit had awakened his innate Qi, his injuries seemed to mend quickly. This surprised Li Sibai greatly, but no matter how he pondered, he could not fathom the reason—only that a cool sensation always spread through his wounds after every injury.

Though his wounds had healed, his true Qi had not fully recovered, so Li Sibai dared not venture deep into the Dark Forest. Instead, he walked only a few dozen meters in, found a sturdy-looking tree, and sat cross-legged beneath it to meditate and cultivate. Thus, he could quicken the recovery of his Qi while also awaiting Caiyao’s arrival.

Indeed, after the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Li Sibai felt a lightness on his shoulder, as if something had alighted there. Opening his eyes and turning his head, he saw his little sister, the Rainbow Mystic Bird, Caiyao.

Caiyao gazed at him with great concern, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Brother, how did the mission go? You’re not hurt, are you?”

Li Sibai quickly showed her his wounds. “Don’t worry, I’m all healed. I’ve completed the mission!”

“Really? That’s wonderful!” Caiyao was overjoyed, so much so that she forgot herself and lightly pecked his cheek and hand. Though she was still in bird form, Li Sibai’s face flushed red, but he soon regained his composure.

“Let’s go home!” he said.

Caiyao flew into Li Sibai’s arms, and together they swiftly returned to the Xuantian Sword Sect.

The rest of that day passed without incident. The outer disciples all returned to rest, awaiting the second round of the competition.

After the first day’s profound-level hunting mission, only fifteen disciples remained for the second round. In this round, the contestants would be divided into eight groups for one-on-one duels, each match to be held on a single arena. Whoever was forced out of the ring would lose, though surrendering was also permitted.

Early the next morning, Li Sibai was summoned to draw lots. The venue was the main hall of the inner sect. He arrived early, and the one overseeing the drawing was none other than He Tianshu, the disciple directly under the sect master of Xuantian Sword Sect, whom Li Sibai recognized.

When He Tianshu saw Li Sibai approach, he greeted him with a cheerful smile. “Xiaobai, you’re here! I heard from Xueqing how formidable you were yesterday. Show us your skills today.”

Li Sibai blushed. He was hardly accustomed to such treatment—in the past, he was often dismissed as a good-for-nothing.

“Senior Brother He, please don’t tease me. If not for Senior Sister Yao, I wouldn’t have made it out.”

He Tianshu chuckled at his response. “So you understand, then. Don’t go wandering off next time—that place is no joke.”

Li Sibai nodded awkwardly.

He Tianshu continued, “We’re still waiting for everyone. Once all are present, we’ll begin the drawing.”

“Yes, Senior Brother He.” Li Sibai saluted and waited quietly aside.

Soon, all the disciples participating in the draw arrived. Some were familiar to Li Sibai, others not. He Tianshu cleared his throat and addressed them, “Fellow disciples, there are fifteen of you in this second round. Here I have a wooden box containing sixteen spheres, each marked with a number. Each person will draw one sphere, and that will be your number.” As he spoke, he gestured to the right side of the hall, where a large, square, red wooden box stood, with an opening at the top just wide enough for an arm.

“After drawing, numbers one and sixteen will face off, two and fifteen, and so on. The winner between one and sixteen will then face the winner between two and fifteen, and this continues until a champion is decided. Is that clear?”

Everyone nodded in understanding. At that moment, an older disciple asked, “Senior Brother He, there are fifteen of us and sixteen spheres. Does that mean someone will get a bye in the first round?”

He Tianshu nodded. “Exactly. Whoever draws the unmatched number will receive a bye in the first round—a stroke of great luck.”

The hall erupted in murmurs. All hoped to draw the lucky sphere, for though it did not guarantee entry into the inner sect, it meant one less exhausting battle, conserving both strength and Qi—a clear advantage.

He Tianshu quieted the crowd. “Any other questions? If not, let’s proceed with the drawing. Once you have your number, bring it to me to register. As soon as we’re done, we will begin the first round—fifteen will become eight. Tomorrow, the eight will become four; the day after, four will become two; and on the final day, the champion will be crowned. The reward for the victor is rich indeed, but the sect master will reveal it on the last day.”

A buzz of excitement swept through the disciples at the mention of a reward, and all agreed at once to begin drawing lots.

Everyone’s eyes fixed on the wooden box as He Tianshu declared, “Step forward one at a time. After you draw, come to me to register your number.”

After some polite shuffling, the disciples lined up before the box. Li Sibai, who had been standing quietly in the corner, waited at the end of the line. Once considered a hopeless case among the outer disciples, few had met him, and he drew no special attention now.

By the time it was Li Sibai’s turn, only two spheres remained. He Tianshu smiled. “Xiaobai, let’s see how your luck fares.”

Li Sibai returned the smile and took one sphere at random. Since he was the last, He Tianshu took the remaining sphere and opened it—it was number fifteen.

Li Sibai opened his own sphere and found he held number two.

He Tianshu’s eyes widened. “Xiaobai, you’re number two?”

“Yes, Senior Brother He. Is there a problem?” Li Sibai, absorbed in his number, had not noticed He Tianshu’s reaction.

He Tianshu showed him the number fifteen sphere. Li Sibai was so astonished, he could hardly close his mouth, a rush of exhilaration washing over him.

By now, the other disciples had also reported their numbers, which He Tianshu recorded before quickly filling in their names on the match bracket posted at the entrance. The disciples immediately crowded around to see.

He Tianshu announced, “Prepare yourselves. In fifteen minutes, number one will face number sixteen, and number five will face number twelve. These will be the opening matches.”