Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8348: Token-1

Zhao Hai’s strategy was not without its flaws. In fact, a significant vulnerability existed: if they focused solely on the Dark Ghost Sect, how would other sects react? There was a high probability that rival sects might simply stand aside, watching the two powers exhaust themselves in a relentless conflict only to swoop in and weaken them both. This was a very realistic concern.

Yet, this outcome was exactly what Zhao Hai anticipated. If external sects attempted to exploit the friction between them, the two rivals might actually find common ground. In the complex world of the top ten sects, such a shift was entirely possible; no enmity was truly permanent. While the Dark Ghost Sect and the Blood Massacre Sect shared a long-standing grudge, it didn't prevent them from tactical alliances. A similar situation had occurred at the Bloodshed Forest—when other sects sent assassins to cull the low-level disciples of both groups, they immediately joined forces to deceive their common enemies.

Should the other major sects remain indifferent to the Blood Massacre Sect’s offensive against the Dark Ghost Sect, the two might once again form a pact to trap the outsiders. Such an alliance could potentially include the Giant Demon Sect and the Sharp Sword Sect, given their existing ties. If these four entities united, the remaining sects would likely have no choice but to withdraw.

Zhao Hai shared these layers of his plan with the Grandmaster and the other leaders. Upon hearing his explanation, they finally grasped the depth of his foresight and could not help but admire his strategic mind. They realized that his scheme had a high chance of success, as partnering with the Dark Ghost Sect against external threats was a very plausible move.

Once Zhao Hai finished his explanation, the Sect Master nodded in approval. "Excellent, it is a solid plan. We will proceed this way. Regardless of whether we can pull the Sharp Sword Sect in through the Dark Ghost Sect, a trio consisting of us, the Dark Ghost Sect, and the Giant Devil Sect will be enough to force the others to back down. They won't dare a direct confrontation. Now, moving on—the upcoming conflict will center on the Western Defense Line, where your island is located. We intend to unify all disciples on that front under a single Supreme Commander. Are you willing to take that role?"

The Sect Master and the Elders had discussed this previously, recognizing that Zhao Hai’s intellect would be wasted if he weren't in command. They believed he was the ideal candidate for the position.

However, Zhao Hai shook his head. "Sect Master, Elders, I must decline the command. First, my Cultivation is insufficient; I am only at the Power Essence Realm. Leading a war that involves many in the Power Refinement Realm would be difficult. My lack of strength would fail to command respect. If the disciples and Elders refuse to accept my authority, I cannot lead effectively, which would jeopardize the war effort."

The leadership was momentarily stunned by his refusal, falling into a thoughtful silence. Zhao Hai continued, "Sect Master, Elders, you haven't revealed that I am the creator of the puppets, correct? To the world, I am merely a disciple in the profound Qi realm. By what right would I command an Elder in the Refinement Realm? Even if they followed orders superficially, they would likely ignore me behind my back."

The Sect Master and the others remained quiet, acknowledging the truth in his words. If subordinates were insubordinate, the campaign would fail. Furthermore, they had to keep Zhao Hai’s puppet-making skills a secret. If other sects discovered his talent, they would stop at nothing to assassinate him or seize Blood Gale Island to steal his methods. They could not risk the puppet-making secrets falling into enemy hands.

Recognizing the logic, the Sect Master finally spoke. "Very well. You won't be the official commander, but I will grant you a token. If you identify tactical opportunities or errors in their deployments, you are to speak up. If they ignore you, use this token to command them. I will appoint another as the formal leader, but I will instruct them to heed your counsel. Does this work?"

Zhao Hai realized that further refusal would be disrespectful to the Sect Master. "Yes, Sect Master, that is acceptable," he replied. He understood that such a token provided significant advantages without the burden of a formal title.

The Grandmaster nodded and flicked a jade token toward Zhao Hai. Examining it, Zhao Hai saw it was deceptively simple: the word 'Lord' was inscribed on the front, with a blood saber on the reverse. Despite its plain appearance, it represented the authority of the Grandmaster himself. Holding it was equivalent to the Grandmaster being present in person.

Fully aware of the token's weight, Zhao Hai expressed his gratitude. The Sect Master waved it off, saying, "I know you seek to join this war to temper your Cultivation. This is commendable; no one becomes a true expert without the heat of battle. I won't stop you, but remember: survival is the priority. If a Cultivator dies, everything is lost."

"I understand," Zhao Hai answered. He had heard this advice many times and took it to heart. While he wasn't yet a match for an Island Lord, he could always retreat into the Space if needed. Against standard Refinement Realm experts, however, he was confident that his full array of skills would allow him to prevail.

For this campaign, Zhao Hai had prepared two formidable guardians. The first was the battle corpse obtained from Li Ruohai, which possessed combat power rivaling a master in the Dharma Refinement Realm. Unlike Li Ruohai, who had to use complex spells to control it, Zhao Hai had refined it within his Space, granting it a level of intelligence that allowed it to fight autonomously and more effectively.

The second was the bronze statue derived from the Bronze Palace. Under the guidance of Laura and the others, it had been re-refined with rare materials and intricate arrays. It functioned similarly to his Liquid Silver artifact, capable of shifting its form and casting various spells. Though it remained massive—now capable of transforming into a nine-story copper tower—its strength was enough to challenge those in the Dharma Cultivation Realm.

Additionally, Zhao Hai prepared a detachment of the Undead Race. Since arriving in the upper realm, they had yet to see combat. He intended to use this war as their official debut within the Blood Sea Realm.

He also prepared smaller, two-meter-tall armored puppets armed with massive sabers. These were possessed by ghosts, granting them incredible combat prowess. Zhao Hai had optimized these units for maximum defense, strength, and speed, while their weapons were enchanted for extreme sharpness. These were essentially the prototypes for the second-generation metal puppets he intended for the Blood Massacre Sect. Though difficult to manufacture, he had completed twelve of them for his personal use.

With these preparations, Zhao Hai felt ready. Even if he encountered an Island Lord, he was certain he could escape without revealing his deepest secrets. This confidence fueled his desire to join the front lines.

In the past, he might have avoided such a conflict due to his vast experience, but he needed a real battlefield to perfect his self-created Golden Lotus Nine Transformations Scripture. The technique was still incomplete and required the pressure of life-and-death combat to reach perfection.

After leaving the meeting, Zhao Hai returned to Blood Gale Island. Shortly after his arrival, Yan Bei joined him. Although Zhao Hai had declined the role of Supreme Commander, he still looked out for his allies. Yan Bei was strong for a disciple in the profound cultivation realm, but the scale of this war was dangerous. Zhao Hai planned to gather his friends and the disciples from Blood Drop Island under his wing, ensuring their safety rather than leaving their lives in the hands of a commander he didn't trust.