Chapter Seventy-One: The Best Choice

Li Sibai had received over thirty Xuantian Yuqing Pills from Uncle Cai Da, and another hundred from Yao Xueqing, making him suddenly wealthy. Now, he was troubled only by where to absorb all these pills. To completely refine them would take about five days. Initially, with only thirty-some pills, Li Sibai had planned to absorb them all within the inner sect of the Xuantian Sword Sect before heading to the Dark Forest at Yuxu Peak to find Caiyao and the Old Tree Spirit. But after listening to Yao Xueqing’s advice and realizing he would probably find no peace in the inner sect, he changed his mind.

Though the inner sect was absolutely safe—no matter how arrogant Guo Jian and his cronies might be, they would never dare lay hands on a fellow Xuantian Sword Sect disciple within inner sect grounds, lest the rules expel them—there was still the threat of underhanded tricks, of constant harassment disrupting his cultivation. That was what Li Sibai loathed most. He needed time to advance quickly, without disturbance.

After much consideration, Li Sibai decided to set out immediately for the Dark Forest, which was now the best option for him. Having just returned to the inner sect, he took advantage of the fact that news of his return had not yet spread, and slipped away to hide before Guo Jian and the others realized and came looking for trouble.

He did not choose to absorb the pills with Uncle Cai Da in the outer sect either, since that was still within the Xuantian Sword Sect's sphere of influence, bustling with people and gossip. There, no secret could be kept for long.

Instead, if he slipped away deep into the Dark Forest to the Old Tree Spirit’s domain, he was confident he could hide for ten days or even half a month without being discovered. The forest was vast; even if someone searched, it would take time, and the Old Tree Spirit’s territory was so deep in the woods that ordinary disciples could not reach it.

Having made up his mind, Li Sibai did not even return to his room, but left the sect directly and descended the mountain.

...

Meanwhile, just as Li Sibai had expected, in a residence within the inner sect of Xuantian Sword Sect, Guo Jian, upon hearing of Li Sibai's return, immediately gathered people to plot trouble for him, hoping to vent his anger and, ideally, expel him from the inner sect.

On the summit of Jade Pearl Peak, Yan Jie and Xie Bing had been seriously injured by the Stone Demon, something that had nothing to do with Li Sibai and his group; they were victims themselves. Yet every time Guo Jian recalled how he had been chased by mysterious figures after secretly picking the Ice Spirit Herb, a sense of humiliation surged within him. It had not been easy for him to escape; no one knew how much he had suffered, and he never spoke of it.

He wanted to make trouble for He Tianshu and the others, but could not admit to his own humiliation, so he publicly claimed he sought justice for Xie Bing and Yan Jie. Thus, when He Tianshu sought out Guo Jian for the reward of five hundred Xuantian Yuqing Pills the previous day, Guo Jian’s face darkened and he immediately denied having ever made such a promise, even asserting that the matter of Xie Bing and Yan Jie was not settled and that he would make things difficult for He Tianshu’s group. He Tianshu, faced with such shamelessness, broke into open conflict with Guo Jian, denouncing him on the spot, but to no avail.

Such matters were mere verbal agreements; now that Guo Jian denied them, He Tianshu had no evidence. Even if the dispute reached the elders, both sides would argue their case and nothing would be resolved. The grudge between them, however, was now thoroughly set.

But even within He Tianshu’s own group, unity was lacking. After Gong Degang and Ye Chunjiao returned, they grew distant from He Tianshu, disgruntled because he had concealed the existence of a fourth-grade spellbook. Only after He Tianshu offered Gong Degang a hundred Xuantian Yuqing Pills and checked on his injuries did Gong Degang say a few words to him.

Of course, Guo Jian was no fool either. He mulled over He Tianshu’s group and realized that all but Li Sibai had powerful backers. Li Sibai, newly admitted to the inner sect and without even a master, had once openly contradicted Guo Jian in class. That memory still made Guo Jian grit his teeth in anger. He decided that when Li Sibai returned, he would teach this arrogant upstart a lesson, vent his own frustrations, and, if possible, drive him out of the inner sect.

After arguing with Guo Jian the day before, He Tianshu had discussed the matter with Yao Xueqing, giving her a hundred Xuantian Yuqing Pills and urging her to be careful. Though he did not fear Guo Jian himself, he had not expected Guo Jian’s target to be Li Sibai; his only concern had been for Yao Xueqing.

Fortunately, Yao Xueqing warned Li Sibai in time. By the time Guo Jian’s associates came to Li Sibai’s residence to cause trouble, Li Sibai was already at the outer sect with Uncle Cai Da.

He stocked up on provisions with Uncle Cai Da, told him he would be training in the Dark Forest for a while, and asked him to keep it secret from everyone. He did not mention the inner sect troubles, not wanting Uncle Cai Da to worry, and said he planned to return in about half a month.

In truth, he was unsure whether he could advance to the first stage of Qinxin Realm within half a month, but he could not say he would be gone longer, lest Uncle Cai Da fret.

Having made all his preparations, Li Sibai set off for the Dark Forest. By the time Guo Jian and his people heard that Li Sibai had appeared at the outer sect and rushed over, night was already falling. By then, Li Sibai had entered the forest, breathing in the fresh, damp air, feeling especially elated.

Perhaps it was the absence of the sect’s strictures and worries, or maybe it was the dense woodlands themselves. Ever since he had visited the depths of the Dark Forest, met the Old Tree Spirit and little Caiyao, each return brought him a sense of intimacy, especially when looking at the trees—kin to the Old Tree Spirit, and in a way, his companions too.

As he had expected, the moment he entered the forest, the Old Tree Spirit was informed. Li Sibai had asked for this arrangement: whenever he arrived, if he wished, he would be guided to the Old Tree Spirit’s abode.

Were it left to Li Sibai alone, he could never reach the forest’s deepest heart. The trees themselves could shift into countless labyrinths, ensuring anyone would be lost within, unless they flew in from above, or, as during his first visit, stumbled through by pure luck.

Thanks to the subtle guidance of the trees, and under their protection, Li Sibai encountered few high-level beasts along the way and advanced smoothly. After the sun had completely set, he safely arrived at the forest’s heart and saw Caiyao, whom he had not seen for so long.

Caiyao, overjoyed to see him, had been unable to sit still ever since the Old Tree Spirit informed her of Li Sibai’s coming. Now, in human form, she threw herself into his arms the moment she saw him, holding him tightly.

“Brother, you’re finally back! I’ve missed you so much—it’s been so hard!”

Li Sibai blushed, standing there awkwardly, not knowing what to do.