Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8360: Prepared_1

Dao Qianzhan set the Jade slip down with a calm expression before looking up at the gathered Elders. Du Wan Sha turned toward the Sect Master and inquired, "Sect Master, did that Jade slip come from Zhao Hai? What does it say?" Du Wan Sha was well aware that the message was intended for Dao Qianzhan and felt a surge of curiosity. Having only recently met Zhao Hai, he wondered why the youth had contacted the Sect Master so quickly. Had something occurred? Was he already seeking the Sect Master's intervention again? If so, Du Wan Sha couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment.

Thousand Blade spoke with a heavy tone, "Zhao Hai mentioned he reviewed the Jade slip I provided, the one from Han Lei. It detailed the vulnerabilities in the defense formations of the islands. He discovered that these flaws were intentionally placed. This implies a traitor exists within our Formation Hall, and likely someone of high rank. To sabotage the formations without detection, it must be the individual who oversaw their construction. He has requested our assistance in investigating this. Furthermore, he warned that during the initial phase of the conflict with the Thirteen Family Alliance, we might lose nearly half the islands on the Western Defense Line. However, he urged us not to panic. Once his preparations are complete, he intends to spearhead a counterattack."

The faces of everyone present darkened upon hearing Dao Qianzhan's report. Identifying a mole in the Hall of Arrays would be manageable with a thorough investigation, but sacrificing half of the Western Defense Line was a staggering price to pay. The potential loss was immense. More dangerously, if Zhao Hai were secretly aligned with the Thirteen Family Alliance, losing those islands would essentially hand half their territory to the enemy on a silver platter. It was a terrifying prospect. If Zhao Hai truly belonged to the Alliance, the Sect would become a laughingstock. Everything now hinged on the depth of their trust in him.

Suddenly, a flash of white light appeared in Ha Jing's hand as a Jade slip manifested. Looking startled, he quickly scanned the contents with his spiritual sense. He then addressed the group solemnly, "This Jade slip is from Zhao Hai. He is asking for a group of loyal subordinates to assist him. He needs them to secure tighter control over the personnel at the Western Defense Line."

Moments later, a light flickered in Du Wan Sha's eyes as another Jade slip appeared in his grasp. As the others watched him, a faint smile touched his lips after reading the message. He announced in a deep voice, "One of my honorary disciples just reported that Zhao Hai has issued a new directive. He has strictly forbidden any disciple from deploying puppets. He has granted them permission to retreat or even fail in combat, and they are allowed to destroy their puppets if necessary. However, he has made it clear that no puppet is to fall into enemy hands. Anyone who allows their puppets to be captured will face execution."

The Sect Master was momentarily taken aback by Du Wan Sha’s words, but he soon broke into a smile. "Zhao Hai is certainly an interesting character. It appears he has a specific plan in motion. Very well, I shall place my trust in him until the end. I will support his requests. I am curious to see what he can achieve. If he fails to deliver, Hmph, I will hold him personally accountable. Ha Jing, dispatch the men he requested."

Ha Jing gave a nod of affirmation. The Sect Master then turned his attention to Du Wan Sha. "Wan Sha, I am charging you with the task of rooting out the traitor within the Dharma Array Hall," he commanded. "Ensure you track down every lead. I want to uncover exactly how many spies have infiltrated the Blood Massacre Sect." Du Wan Sha accepted the mission.

Looking at his subordinates, the Sect Master continued firmly, "We will leave the Western Defense Line in Zhao Hai’s hands, but the rest is up to us. Keep a vigilant eye on the major sects. Report any suspicious movements to me immediately. Though our Blood Slaughter Blade has been sheathed for a long time, it remains sharp. If they have forgotten its bite, we shall provide a reminder."

The group voiced their agreement. With a wave of the Sect Master's hand, everyone stood, bowed, and departed. Watching them leave, a smile lingered on the Sect Master's face as he whispered to himself, "Intriguing. This boy is truly fascinating. I hope you do not fail me." He then shut his eyes and fell into silence.

As the days passed, the Thirteen Family Alliance intensified their assault on the Western Defense Line, their strikes growing increasingly brutal. Meanwhile, members of the Blood Massacre Sect noted that cultivators from various other sects were embedded within the Alliance's ranks. This external support provided the Thirteen Family Alliance with the numbers needed to pressure the entire defensive line. Conversely, the Blood Massacre Sect was barred from using their metal puppets by Zhao Hai’s strict decree. This left them severely outnumbered and unable to match the enemy's strength. Consequently, they were forced into a constant retreat, lacking the means to mount a proper defense.

This turn of events deeply frustrated the cultivators of the Blood Massacre Sect. Despite the tension, Zhao Hai refused to budge on the puppet ban. A few cultivators tried to use them anyway, and when some of those puppets were seized by the enemy, Zhao Hai executed the offenders without mercy. Even experts at the Dharma Cultivation Realm were not spared, which finally silenced the dissenters.

When Ha Jing’s reinforcements arrived at the Western Defense Line, Zhao Hai immediately placed them in key leadership roles. He ruthlessly replaced many of the original commanders, sending them back to their home islands and banning them from the front. While these actions fueled resentment, they allowed Zhao Hai to consolidate absolute power over the Western Defense Line. It was clear to everyone that he would tolerate no opposition to his authority.

Beyond seizing command, Zhao Hai stayed busy by leading teams of array specialists to overhaul the island defenses. With the exception of the few islands he had personally fortified previously, every other island's formations were being rebuilt. This massive undertaking was the primary reason he had ordered the cultivators to hold back from active combat.

Two months flew by, during which the Blood Massacre Sect surrendered half of the islands in the Western Defense Line. Under the relentless pressure of the Thirteen Families, the sect's disciples were pushed back continuously, unable to retaliate. Though bitterness ran high, no one dared to speak out, as Zhao Hai now held the region in an iron grip. Some Refinement Realm disciples attempted to report his behavior to the sect headquarters, hoping for intervention. However, their messages vanished like stones dropped into the ocean. Those who complained were simply reassigned away from the front. Eventually, the reporting stopped; the cultivators were stuck, as they could not leave their posts without official sect orders.

The Thirteen Family Alliance grew incredibly arrogant during this period. They speculated that the Blood Massacre Sect had suffered such heavy casualties that they were preparing to abandon the Western Defense Line entirely. They assumed the sect was only maintaining a facade of resistance to save face while looking for a way out.

Such rumors permeated the entire Blood Sea Realm, reaching the ears of Thousand Blade and the other leaders. Although Zhao Hai had warned them about the loss of the islands, seeing it happen still filled them with secret anxiety. Had they not seen reports of Zhao Hai tirelessly constructing new defensive arrays, or if there had been any proof of betrayal, they would have arrested him long ago.

At that moment, Zhao Hai stood upon a small island situated right on the edge of the territory seized by the Thirteen Family Alliance. This island was modest in size and had previously been under the command of a Dharma Cultivation Realm practitioner. This practitioner was part of the group recently appointed by the Blood Massacre Sect to oversee these smaller islands.

Zhao Hai let out a long breath of relief as the magical formation was finally finished. He turned to the Refinement Realm cultivator standing nearby, who looked miserable. With a smile, Zhao Hai asked, "Island Lord Dong, why the long face? If something is bothering you, speak up. If it's within my power, I'll help you resolve it."

The man, Dong Wanqing, looked at Zhao Hai and replied, "Commander, we are far too close to the enemy territory of the Thirteen Family Alliance. Building a defensive array here seems futile. I believe we should abandon this plan. Why don't we move the people on this island to a safer location instead?"

Zhao Hai laughed softly at Dong Wanqing. "Island Lord Dong, you must be joking. We are just one step away from finishing the entire Western Defense Line. We cannot pull back now." As he spoke, Zhao Hai produced a large compass, nearly a meter wide. A Yin-Yang mirror sat at its center, surrounded by an Eight Trigrams diagram and symbols representing the heavens and earth. The surface was crowded with intricate runes.

Checking the compass, Zhao Hai saw many of the runes glowing. He nodded and turned back to Dong Wanqing. "Island Lord Dong, remember my instructions. That long sword serves as the heart of this island's defense; you must oversee it personally. I am returning to Blood Bone Island to synchronize the entire Western Defense Line's network. If the Thirteen Family Alliance attacks while I am gone, do not engage them directly. Simply focus on maintaining the defensive array. As long as you are diligent, I promise that no matter how many troops they send, they will never break through. Our counterattack is imminent, and you are at the very front of it. I will return in one to three days. If you cannot hold out for that short time, you might as well take your own life. Do not even think about fleeing; if you desert, I will hunt you down. Remember, you must hold this position."