Chapter Eight: Return

Li Sibai briefly recounted his ordeal to He Xueqing. Yao Xueqing's face was filled with astonishment, but this quickly turned to delight upon learning that he had escaped danger. When she asked about the whereabouts of the colorful bird, Li Sibai felt a persistent pain in his chest, as if something sharp were stabbing him. He immediately understood that the bird did not want him to reveal the truth. So he could only offer a vague answer, saying the bird had flown away.

Yao Xueqing did not doubt him, her sole concern at that moment being her junior brother’s safety. “Xiaobai, go back and rest quickly. I’ll go report to the sect leader so everyone can return.” With that, she left. Li Sibai stood there dazed for a moment before remembering Uncle Cai Da and headed toward the kitchen.

Earlier, Uncle Cai Da had nearly fainted when he heard the news from He Tianshu. His heart was heavy, yet he could not voice his sorrow. Seeing the sect leader send search parties out through the night, he had intended to go as well, but lacking sufficient cultivation and with the dangers of the night, he was persuaded to stay behind. He spent a sleepless night, his mind filled with memories of Li Sibai growing up and shedding silent tears countless times.

Suddenly, he heard someone call, “Uncle Da!” He sprang to his feet and looked outside—who else could it be but Li Sibai! At that moment, he could no longer hold back his tears. “You rascal, you’re finally back!” he cried, embracing Li Sibai fiercely.

Li Sibai, exhausted as he was, found the hug somewhat painful but dared not protest aloud. He only said softly, “Easy, Uncle Da, I’m back now!” His words were filled with gratitude and affection.

Uncle Cai Da wiped his tears and invited Li Sibai to sit, then asked in detail about his experiences, sighing repeatedly. “I heard from the sect leader about the great green bird you encountered—it must have been the divine Azure Luan. As for the colorful bird, I’ve no idea whether it’s a sacred beast or a demon. You must have been lucky this time. In the future, you must train diligently and spare me further worry.”

Li Sibai nodded in agreement. He knew that if he had any kin left in this world, it was Uncle Cai Da, the one who cared most about him.

“You must be starving, Xiaobai. Wait a moment, I’ll go to the kitchen and make you something good. Tell me what you’d like to eat, and after you’ve finished, go get some rest.”

Li Sibai was about to refuse, but his stomach betrayed him with a loud rumble.

Chef Cai chuckled, “Looks like I was right. How about this: I’ll make your favorite Dongpo pork and a few side dishes. You wait here—it’ll be ready in no time!” With that, he left for the kitchen.

Li Sibai smiled knowingly and thanked him, his heart brimming with happiness. The joy of escaping death was intoxicating.

At that moment, the colorful bird hidden in his chest poked out her head. She had been awake for some time, merely unwilling to show herself, and had been listening in from the folds of Li Sibai’s robe. Hearing there would be meat, she fluttered her wings excitedly, and Li Sibai felt it at once.

“You’re hungry too, little one! I knew you loved meat. Just wait—you’ll be in for a treat. Chef Cai’s cooking is second to none.”

The bird seemed thrilled by his words, hopping about with sparkling eyes.

Li Sibai asked, “But you don’t want anyone to know you’re here, do you?”

The bird nodded obediently.

“All right, then. After I finish eating, I’ll pack some up and bring it to you in my room. You’ll just have to watch me for now.” Li Sibai grinned mischievously.

The bird rolled her eyes, wanting to be annoyed, but remembering Uncle Cai was still present, she let it pass. Li Sibai thought he saw a very human expression on the bird’s face, but on closer look, it was gone—perhaps he was just too tired.

He gave her a little water, and she slipped quietly back inside his shirt.

In no time, Chef Cai returned with four side dishes and a plate of braised pork, along with some rice wine. Li Sibai did not stand on ceremony and ate with him, but he barely touched the pork. Chef Cai eyed him with curiosity.

“Xiaobai, why aren’t you eating your favorite braised pork today?”

Li Sibai blushed. “Uncle Da, I’ve only just recovered. I shouldn’t eat too much meat. How about I take some with me and eat it later if I get hungry?”

Uncle Cai Da thought his explanation reasonable and didn’t press further. The little bird, overhearing this, was delighted—“At least you have some decency and didn’t let me down…”

After the meal, Li Sibai prepared to return to his room to rest when He Tianshu came in.

“Xiaobai, I’m so glad you’re all right!”

Li Sibai quickly stood and bowed. “Thank you, Senior Brother He, for saving me and worrying on my account!”

“Don’t mention it. If I hadn’t been careless, you wouldn’t have fallen into danger,” He Tianshu replied, his face flushed with guilt.

After returning, he had reported everything to the sect leader, Master Yunfeng, who took the matter very seriously. Upon hearing the description of the green bird, he concluded it was the divine Azure Luan. Yet the Azure Luan, being a sacred beast, should have resided in the Divine Realm, not appeared in the Dark Forest, and certainly not abducted a disciple while chasing a small colorful bird.

Though the puzzle remained unsolved, the search had to go on—the longer they delayed, the greater the danger to Li Sibai.

Master Yunfeng first helped He Tianshu and Gong Degang purge the remaining venom of the Crimson Phosphor Twin-Tailed Snake, then ordered the three great elders to each lead a search party into the Dark Forest to look for Li Sibai. Though he had intended for the poisoned two to rest, they insisted on joining the search, as did Ye Chunqiao; each joined a different team.

Each search team consisted of eight members, led by an elder who had reached the fourth level, the Solar Radiance Stage. The disciples assigned were all elite inner-sect disciples, most of whom had reached the third level, the Cloud Soaring Stage. They could all fly on their magical artifacts, making the search faster and more efficient.

They searched the entire night, but the darkness and the sheer size of the forest yielded nothing. At dawn, their magic power waned, making flight impossible. They landed, took turns meditating and eating, intending to resume the search after regaining their strength, only to find that Li Sibai had returned on his own.

Upon receiving the news from Yao Xueqing, Master Yunfeng used a special communication method to recall the search parties, and they all returned.

He Tianshu questioned Li Sibai again, who repeated to him the same story he had told He Xueqing, once again saying the colorful bird had flown away.

“So long as you’re well, that’s all that matters. Go get some rest,” said He Tianshu.

After thanking him repeatedly and bidding farewell to Uncle Cai Da, Li Sibai returned to his room alone.