Chapter Eighty-Nine: The Decision

After carefully circling the area and observing it for quite some time, Li Sibai found that, perhaps because dusk was falling, there was indeed nothing more of value to be gleaned besides the traces of a struggle, just as Le Chen had said.

Yet Li Sibai did not give up. He sent pure true energy into his eyes, and his Violet Radiant Divine Sight activated.

Now that he had broken through into the Harp Heart realm, the true energy within him had a far more pronounced effect on his state of mind. The Violet Radiant Divine Sight, being a skill of the spirit, had also improved considerably.

The Phoenix Origin realm was the first stage in a cultivator’s journey, focused chiefly on tempering the body. The Harp Heart realm, by contrast, placed its emphasis on cultivating the state of mind. An advancement in mental cultivation was immensely useful, both for practice and for battle.

"What is this...?"

Under the Violet Radiant Divine Sight, the details that had previously been obscured by the light now stood out clearly before his eyes.

The footprints on the ground were deep in some places and shallow in others. At first they had been hard to make out, but now Li Sibai could see that they were distinctly larger than those of an ordinary person. He frowned and continued looking, discovering some beast fur scattered nearby. Yet no matter how hard he searched, he found no trace of any human struggle, not even any suitable human footprints.

Li Sibai thought it over and said, "This footprint is somewhat larger than that of an ordinary person. I suspect it belongs to a beast, but there is only one print, and I cannot find a second. It should have been fighting a flying beast. The varying depth of the prints can also prove that. As for these tufts of fur, they ought to be from the beast on the ground, which means it did not gain the upper hand."

Upon hearing this, Clan Chief Zhang kept nodding. "Young Hero Li has eyes like torches; your observations are clear and your analysis precise. I am truly impressed."

Li Sibai waved a hand and continued, "Clan Chief, do beasts of this sort often move about near the village?"

Clan Chief Zhang shook his head. "There are beasts around the village, but they are only small animals. A footprint this large... to be honest, this is the first time I have ever seen one."

Elder Chen, who had been listening to their conversation from the side, had already changed color. "Clan Chief, could these footprints be...?"

At this point, Clan Chief Zhang also paled. "Elder Chen, are you talking about that thing?"

Elder Chen looked at Clan Chief Zhang and nodded. "Exactly."

"Hiss..." Clan Chief Zhang drew in a sharp breath.

Seeing them speak in riddles, Li Sibai grew anxious. "Clan Chief, what are you talking about? If you have any information, please tell me so I can make proper preparations."

Clan Chief Zhang gave a bitter smile. "Young Hero Li, I suspect this footprint belongs to the demonic beast that I told you about before, the one that has plagued our Black Tortoise Village. Is that what you mean, Elder Chen?"

Elder Chen nodded. "Yes, Clan Chief. Although the warning left by our ancestors only said that one must not enter this bamboo grove lightly, and that there was danger here, it did not specify what kind of danger it was. Just now, when I went closer to inspect the footprint, I actually felt a kind of murderous aura that made me fear it. You know that I have dealt with many beasts, and for such a feeling to arise in me, it must surely be a demonic beast without question. But whether it is the same demonic beast that once ravaged Black Tortoise Village, I cannot be certain. After all, the records left behind are pitifully few." With that, Elder Chen shook his head helplessly and sighed.

After hearing this, Clan Chief Zhang explained to Li Sibai, "Elder Chen is skilled at taming beasts. Some of the smaller spirit beasts around here are on friendly terms with him, so I trust his judgment regarding demonic beasts."

There were many kinds of beasts across the continent. The most ordinary ones possessed no intelligence and were called savage beasts. Later, depending on different opportunities, some learned true energy cultivation methods and became spirit beasts; the more powerful among them could become divine beasts, faithful companions of the human race and the gods. Of course, there were also those who practiced battle qi methods; these would become demonic beasts, and the stronger among them would transform into devil beasts.

After hearing Elder Chen’s words, Li Sibai quickly moved closer to inspect the footprints. Indeed, as Elder Chen had said, a faint and familiar murderous aura was lingering there, exactly the same as his innate battle qi.

"Young Hero Li, what should we do now?" Clan Chief Zhang asked.

Li Sibai’s brows were tightly knitted. With his current strength, he could not yet discern the other side’s power from these auras. But this concerned a great matter for Bamboo Creek Village. The villagers had shown him kindness, and the prophecy had named him the savior. On this alone, he could not stand aside. More importantly, although there was no direct proof, Li Sibai had the strong feeling that this had something to do with Cai Yao. After all, Cai Yao had entered this wondrous world with him, and to this point these were the only unusual clues they had found. Since the village was not large, this clue had to be seized.

Having sorted out his thoughts, Li Sibai cupped his hands to Clan Chief Zhang and the four elders. "Everyone, I have made up my mind. I will follow these footprints into the bamboo grove and search within. If this truly is a demonic beast, I will do everything in my power to kill it and eliminate future trouble!"

The villagers around them were stirred to excitement as well. They all looked to Li Sibai as though he were their savior, believing that once this Young Hero Li made a move, the nightmare that had bound their village for sixty years would finally be lifted.

For a full sixty years, none of them had ever been able to go out. The number of people in the village had grown fewer and fewer, and no one knew how much longer they could endure. They had once considered escaping together, but those few who had entered the bamboo grove had vanished without a trace. Coupled with the legends left by their ancestors, they had never had the courage to step outside.

But today was different. The Young Hero Li chosen by the clan chief, a disciple of the Heavenfall Sword Sect, would surely help them slay this demonic beast, even if it might be the very one that had once ravaged Black Tortoise Village.

At that moment, however, Elder Chen wore a face full of worry. "Clan Chief, if it really is the same demonic beast that once brought ruin to Black Tortoise Village, I’m afraid Young Hero Li alone may not be enough. Shouldn’t we go together?"

Elder Ma also said, "Yes, Clan Chief. That thing was already stronger than us before. Although Young Hero Li is a disciple of the Heavenfall Sword Sect, his strength is not much different from ours. I also think we should send more experts."

"This..." Hearing the two elders, Clan Chief Zhang hesitated. He had not failed to consider these things before, but after being stirred by Li Sibai’s heroic words, he had become resolute. Now that he thought about it, the elders were right.

Turning to Li Sibai, he said, "Young Hero Li, that beast is formidable. We are willing to go with you and slay it. I wonder what you think?"

The four elders and several villagers likewise spoke up one after another, saying they were willing to go too.

Seeing everyone so enthusiastic, Li Sibai could not help but feel a little overwhelmed.