Bringing The Farm To Live In Another World Chapter 2277: Being Ruthless
Previously on Bringing The Farm To Live In Another World...
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Zhao Hai reached the mountainside when he suddenly halted. Five individuals stood in his way, all disciples from the Forbidden Path Sect. Among them, one towered at two meters with rippling muscles, resembling a champion weightlifter.
Yet, to Zhao Hai, these types posed the smallest danger. He observed that despite their body cultivator appearance, they ranked among the weakest. Their intimidating muscles failed to harness power surpassing Zhao Hai's own. In truth, advanced body cultivation transformed muscles into something far from ordinary—supple and streamlined, no longer swollen. At that stage, strength derived not just from muscles but from the synergy of flesh and bones.
Still, these inferior body cultivators gazed at Zhao Hai with haughty looks. Undeterred, Zhao Hai clasped his fists and inquired, “Brothers, what brings you to block my path?”
The leader eyed Zhao Hai and demanded, “Kid, are you a descendant of Elder Guo? Why did he escort you here himself and assign you a room?”
Zhao Hai offered a slight smile and explained, “So that's the reason for your visit, Brother. I'm no descendant of Elder Guo. I joined the Forbidden Path Sect through the standard process. Elder Guo merely passed by and decided to bring me along.”
Upon hearing this, the man glanced at Zhao Hai with bewilderment. Then he ordered, “Show me your identity token.”
Zhao Hai gave a faint smile before producing his token and passing it over. The man gawked at the token, noting it was merely a provisional one, far from official. A sneer crept across his face as he flung it back to Zhao Hai and sneered, “Kid, you're not even a formal disciple. Who are you to occupy a spot in the Strength Courtyard? Don't you realize only prodigies reside there?”
Zhao Hai caught the token, displaying a puzzled look as he replied, “I'm truly unaware. Elder Guo personally placed me in that courtyard. Does Elder Brother have some guidance?”
The man let out a cold huff and retorted, “Kid, you think invoking Elder Guo's name will intimidate me? You're wrong. While others might fear him, I do not. Staying in the Strength Courtyard isn't out of reach, but you'll pay a hundred jade essences daily.”
Zhao Hai maintained his faint smile and countered, “Elder Guo assured me that lodging in the courtyard requires no payment, nor does dining. Why should I contribute? Is this a sect regulation?”
“This isn't a sect rule—it's Long Fei's rule! What, you lack the courage?” Long Fei displayed an indignant glare toward Zhao Hai.
Zhao Hai shot back, “If it's not the sect's decree, I refuse to pay. Your personal rules mean nothing to me.”
Long Fei's face darkened at Zhao Hai's words. His tone grew icy as he warned, “Kid, you've invited this fate. Out of respect for Elder Guo, I'll merely shatter your knees. Rest easy—I'll keep it mild, ensuring you can't walk for just a week.” With that, he signaled his four companions to lunge at Zhao Hai.
The disturbance drew nearby cultivators, but spotting Long Fei confronting Zhao Hai, they swiftly retreated. Clearly, they dreaded Long Fei greatly.
As the four charged, Zhao Hai snorted disdainfully and declared, “You overestimate your abilities!” His figure blurred into motion, claws slicing through the air toward the assailants. Sharp cracks echoed, followed by agonized cries, as the four felt their arms dangle limply like soggy strands. Their bones had snapped clean.
Long Fei hadn't anticipated Zhao Hai's ferocity or raw power. His face drained of color. He realized his own might matched the four at best, yet they fell effortlessly to Zhao Hai. This implied he stood no chance. For the first time, terror flickered in his eyes.
Zhao Hai fixed a chilly grin on Long Fei before advancing steadily. Long Fei's complexion whitened further as he backed away, shouting, “Kid, dare you? Are you aware of the sect's prohibitions?”
Zhao Hai's faint smile persisted as he replied, “Sect prohibitions? I'm unfamiliar with them. But when you planned to strike me, why didn't the rules concern you? Since you aimed only to wound, it must fall within bounds. So long as I spare your life, there should be no issue, right?”
Long Fei gaped, his features twisting unpleasantly. He'd hoped to bluff the rule-ignorant Zhao Hai. Conflicts between disciples could resolve privately without fatalities. Thus, as long as Zhao Hai refrained from killing, all was permissible.
This policy tied closely to the Forbidden Path Sect's body cultivation techniques. Their path fostered immense vitality, rendering disciples prone to fiery tempers. The private resolution clause allowed venting of frustrations, preventing inner demons from derailing their practice.
Moreover, their methods aided recovery. Body cultivators mended wounds swiftly. With elixirs and remedies, injuries posed little threat to sect members.
Hence, the sect permitted personal clashes freely, barring death.
Long Fei never imagined Zhao Hai deducing the rules from his intent. His scowl deepened. Yet, he held one final ploy. Staring at Zhao Hai, he threatened, “Go ahead and strike, but don't cross me. My brother is Long Batian, among the Inner Sect's top ten. He's primed for core disciple status. Harm me, and face death—apologize now, and I may spare you.”
Zhao Hai's grin broadened at this. “So you're mere riffraff who preys on the weak. I never thought the Forbidden Path Sect tolerated your kind unpunished. Fine, then I'll discipline you in their stead. Remember, true intimidation demands real strength.” Zhao Hai blurred forward, wrenching both of Long Fei's arms. A resounding snap rang out, followed by Long Fei's anguished wail. He collapsed unconscious from the agony.
Zhao Hai released Long Fei, casting a disdainful glance and muttering, “Trash remains trash.” Without further regard, he resumed his descent.
Zhao Hai's harsh handling of Long Fei stemmed from understanding the sect's nature—unlike the united Tyrant Blade Sect, where no open bullying occurred among peers, though harmony wasn't absolute.
The Forbidden Path Sect, being demonic, embraced survival of the fittest. Might made right. Showing mercy here signaled vulnerability, inviting abuse. Low profiles marked easy marks, and lacking ferocity could brand one as talentless, halting further support.
Thus, facing Long Fei's aggression, Zhao Hai struck decisively to forge his notoriety. He aimed to instill fear throughout the sect.
As Zhao Hai pressed onward down the slope, footsteps echoed behind. Sensing no malice from the pursuer, he kept walking without glancing back.
“Junior Brother, hold on a second.” The voice requested Zhao Hai to pause. He furrowed his brow and turned. Spotting the newcomer, Zhao Hai blinked in surprise. Such a figure seemed out of place in the Forbidden Path Sect.
In other sects, this man might blend in ordinarily. But here, his form stood out sharply—not due to striking traits, but his physique.
He was plump! Zhao Hai nearly dubbed him 'Fatty' on sight. Shorter than two meters, yet weighing near 400 jin.
Elsewhere, he might draw passing stares, but in the Forbidden Path Sect, his build appeared bizarre. Body cultivation shaped disciples into lean, muscular powerhouses with scant fat. The practice drained bodily reserves relentlessly, especially energy, melting away excess while forging sinew. Hence, body cultivators often stayed slim, channeling all vitality into muscle growth.
Overweight individuals were anomalies in such sects. Fat squandered potential for muscular enhancement and impeded mobility. Thus, practitioners strived to eliminate every ounce of unnecessary bulk.
Zhao Hai stared at the plump man in astonishment—a reaction the latter handled routinely. He hurried up, clasped his fists, and introduced, “Brother, I'm Zhou Feng, an outer disciple. May I ask your name?”
Zhao Hai returned the gesture and stated, “I'm Zhao Ling, here to enlist in the sect.”
The plump man arched an eyebrow and queried, “Enlisting? You're not yet a disciple?”
Zhao Hai smiled lightly and clarified, “I possess a Bloodless Command Token, granting entry. But after elder evaluation, they suggested I tackle the Heart Refining Road. Success would make me an official or even Inner Sect disciple. That's why I carry only a temporary token.”
Zhou Feng's eyes widened at Zhao Hai's words, his face shifting as he exclaimed, “Heart Refining Road? Isn't that reserved for Inner Disciples to conquer? Passing it would elevate you straight to Inner Sect?”
Zhao Hai shook his head and admitted, “The sect's customs elude me. Why did Brother Zhou approach me back there?”
Zhou Feng snapped back, recalling his purpose. He urged quickly, “Brother, seek Elder Guo at once. He could safeguard your life. If he insists on the Heart Refining Road, he'd surely protect you too.”
“Safeguard me?” Zhao Hai puzzled, “I'm healthy—why the need? Isn't it Long Fei's brother you mean?”
Zhou Feng affirmed with a nod, “Long Fei may be worthless, but Long Batian is a true prodigy. He claimed a top ten Inner Sect spot young, a mighty Teleportation Stage Expert. His flaw? Fierce loyalty to Long Fei, letting the fool wreak havoc in the Outer Sect unchecked. None touch Long Fei without incurring Long Batian's wrath. Hurry to Elder Guo, or peril awaits. Wounding Long Fei seals your doom with Long Batian.”
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