Chapter Seventy-Four: The Sprint

Li Sibai listened intently and carefully to the cultivation method, quickly committing it to memory. He found it rather strange—the method for cultivating battle energy was entirely different from that of true energy. Both involved absorbing the pure essence of heaven and earth, but in the cultivation of true energy, the focus was on refinement. One had to purify the essence, refining true energy of the highest purity for one's use, which required consuming vast quantities of essence, all to store it within the body and then call upon it during combat.

Battle energy, however, though also absorbing essence for cultivation, was far less convoluted. It seemed unconcerned with purity and instead prioritized speed. The essence of heaven and earth was absorbed and converted into battle energy at an astonishing pace. This process inevitably left much of the essence only partially transformed, sometimes even allowing the turbid airs of heaven and earth to be absorbed. Yet this did not matter; what mattered was the sheer speed of conversion, which left Li Sibai astounded. The energy could be released for use almost immediately after absorption. Though not as potent as true energy, such efficiency could prove invaluable in battle.

Li Sibai marveled at the wonders of battle energy, a sense of secret delight blossoming in his heart. Surely, few in this world knew the secrets of both true energy and battle energy, and even fewer could cultivate both. If these two energies could coexist harmoniously within him, they could compensate for each other's shortcomings in combat, accelerating his growth in strength by leaps and bounds.

"May I ask, senior, what is the name of this battle energy cultivation method?" Li Sibai inquired.

"Ah, to be honest, this method is unique to our Treant Clan. It is called the Art of Guiding Qi. It may not be as effective as the methods of the Demon Clan, but it is much gentler. Much of the baleful energy is filtered out, which is a greater benefit for you."

Li Sibai frowned. "Senior, what happens if one absorbs too much baleful energy?"

The old treant sighed heavily and replied, "Excessive absorption of baleful energy leads to loss of control and falling into the way of the demons."

After a pause, he added, "But you have little to worry about. On one hand, the Art of Guiding Qi does not pursue maximum efficiency, allowing you to filter out some of the baleful energy. On the other hand, you have the protective true energy of the Xuantian Art within you, which also helps to ward off some of it. When you are able to fully master both energies within you, only then can you be said to have truly entered the path."

Li Sibai suddenly understood. Although battle energy had saved his life, it could also doom him to the path of demons; the Xuantian true energy, in turn, could delay this process. The two energies complemented each other, both indispensable.

Li Sibai thanked the old treant once more and said, "Senior, I have some sect-upgrading pills with me. I wish to use this place to break through the first level of the Lyric Heart Realm. May I?"

He did not mention Guo Jian as the old treant had, feeling that while it was not a good matter, it was an internal affair of the Xuantian Sword Sect and not something to be shared with outsiders.

The old treant nodded. "You may, young one. How many days do you require?"

"About five days. Is that alright?"

"Very well. I shall protect you during this time."

"I want to help too," Caiyao chimed in from the side.

"Alright, the two of us together then."

Li Sibai chuckled. With these two present, he felt at ease. He had waited long for this moment. Although Caiyao lacked offensive power, with the old treant here, he was absolutely safe within the Dark Forest.

Li Sibai ate a little, then took out the peacock-blue tourmaline vial.

The old treant was startled when he saw the vial, his thoughts clearly churning, but he said nothing.

Li Sibai's attention was focused entirely on the coming cultivation and did not notice the old treant's reaction.

He took out some Xuantian Jade Purity Pills and quickly entered a state of cultivation.

Though he had over a hundred pills, he was uncertain if that would suffice. Under such circumstances, Li Sibai absorbed them with particular care, taking his time to digest every pill, striving to waste not a shred of their efficacy, polishing and refining his strength within as much as possible.

Three days passed in this way. Li Sibai had absorbed seventy Jade Purity Pills, but his pace was slowing. It seemed his body had reached its limit, growing increasingly weary of this external energy.

Still, Li Sibai refused to give up. He knew that the process of absorption was itself a form of training, constantly pushing his limits, constantly striving for breakthrough. This was no less valuable than the training gained through battle.

Li Sibai persisted for another day and managed to absorb twenty more Jade Purity Pills. Several times, he nearly reached his breaking point, but then his innate battle energy would surge through him, bringing a wave of cool, comfortable sensation that buoyed him onward.

On the fifth day, Li Sibai seemed to break through an ultimate threshold, absorbing twenty-five Jade Purity Pills. But by then, his consciousness was fading, his gaze turning blank, his mouth murmuring incoherently.

The old treant and Caiyao debated whether to intervene. The five days were up, and although he had not finished absorbing all the pills, he seemed on the verge of collapse.

The old treant had not been idle these days. On one hand, he maintained strict vigilance, ensuring no one disturbed Li Sibai from without. On the other, he constantly checked on Li Sibai's progress, sensing he was drawing ever closer to his breakthrough.

Thus, he was torn—unsure how much longer Li Sibai could endure, yet unwilling to interrupt him at such a critical moment.

Li Sibai, meanwhile, began to hallucinate. Before him appeared a man in blue Daoist robes, patiently instructing him to mind his breathing and rhythm. Though these were but minor adjustments, when Li Sibai followed them, the effects were remarkable.

His breathing lost its previous urgency, becoming calm and even. The sweat on his brow diminished, and his face grew rosy.

The old treant was perplexed—how had this youth managed to break through his limits yet again? Truly, his fortune and fate were extraordinary. Little did he know that even in dreams, Li Sibai was guided by a master. It seemed this young man’s breakthrough was imminent.

The old treant could not help but burst out laughing.