Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8412 - 389-praise _1

Zhao Hai and Lei Xuan occupied seats within a modest hall. Rather than residing on Bloodmountain Island, this hall lay inside the bronze man's inner space. The full 10,000 warriors of the Bloodsucker Team dwelled in that same inner space. Immense in size and airy, this inner space provided exceptional comfort for dwelling, so the Bloodsucker Team's members had grown entirely accustomed to staying there.

Lei Xuan relaxed in his spot, savoring his spiritual tea. Zhao Hai remained at his side, keeping him company. Upon finishing one cup, Lei Xuan shifted toward Zhao Hai and asked, "Little Hai, what do you make of the great elder's call for a gathering in the main hall?" His face held a solemn expression, as though the issue carried immense weight.

Zhao Hai paused in surprise at Lei Xuan's question. Then, with a puzzled tone, he replied to Lei Xuan, "Martial Uncle, what is there for me to think? As the Bloodsucker Team's commander, I naturally must join this pre-battle assembly. Why? From your words, it sounds like my attendance might serve some other purpose?"

Lei Xuan offered a faint smile. "You're still not seeing the full picture. Your recent showings have impressed greatly, particularly in the arena fights. The great elder holds your efforts in high regard. He's using this chance to highlight your achievements. By having you at the meeting, he aims to signal to the other island owners that you're a key figure under his watch, one he's grooming with special focus. Such standing will earn you respect wherever you venture in the future."

Zhao Hai lingered in momentary surprise before grinning and responding, "Ah, so that's the angle, Martial Uncle. It's no big issue. I don't mind it. Status can only go so far; true power defines everything. Build strength, and status follows naturally. Without it, even if they named me head elder today, I couldn't hold the role or win over the crowd."

Lei Xuan gave a nod. "That's spot on, yet you shouldn't dismiss status entirely. Elevated position aids your cultivation path. Higher rank means the sect allocates more resources your way. With those extras, advancing in cultivation becomes far smoother."

Here, Lei Xuan halted briefly before adding, "I held back on mentioning this earlier, but the sect actually splits into various factions. The sect leader, great elder, and my master form one group, the most dominant of them all. The remaining elders have banded into two other factions. There used to be three in total, but with Elder Bai and his allies wiped out, that one no longer counts. Now just two factions remain, and you, of course, align with the sect leader's side."

"The sect has all these factions?" Zhao Hai queried, clearly baffled. "I never saw that coming. How exactly do these groups form?" Zhao Hai truly lacked insight into faction divisions. Were they just based on close ties? Surely it couldn't be that straightforward.

Lei Xuan spoke gravely, "This sect arose from distinct inheritances." The man continued, "We possess several lineages, though the saber arts stand out most famously. The core one remains the Octagon Bloody Battle Technique, our sect's enduring cornerstone. Beyond that, various other methods exist, passed down from past sect elders. Though potent in their own right, these legacies shaped the current branches of the Blood Slaughter Sect. The elders represent these lines, naturally birthing the factions."

Pausing once more, Lei Xuan went on, "Plenty of elders from our grandmaster's era still linger. Some shun worldly affairs entirely, immersing solely in secluded cultivation, so spotting them proves impossible now. Our cohort forms the Blood Slaughter Sect's vital core. Yet we've inevitably trailed the elders' paths, splintering into factions. The same holds for your generation of disciples."

Zhao Hai nodded in agreement. Every sect harbored internal groups; total unity proved unattainable. Take Zhao Hai's own Sea Exploration Sect from the lower realm—it appeared cohesive, yet factions lurked within. Those nearest to him, like Wen Wenhai and Ding Chunming, each backed their own circles. They commanded followers, and those followers vied for gains. Such rivalry, when kept in check, sparked healthy drive. Properly managed competition fueled a force's growth.

Lei Xuan eyed Zhao Hai and murmured lowly, "Given the present dynamics, the sect master and great elder plan to elevate you as the leading figure among your peers in our faction. That way, granting you extra authority or supplies draws no objections. It benefits our group too. Get my drift?"

Zhao Hai grasped it fully, of course. Having navigated endless realms and built myriad powers, how could he miss such nuances? Precisely for that reason, the revelation didn't shock him much. He also caught Lei Xuan's underlying aim. The intent rang clear: shine brightly to ensure the sect and great elder's backing faced no pushback.

Lei Xuan regarded Zhao Hai and urged, "Little Hai, give it your all. Excel, and a seat among the six great elders awaits you down the line. Even the sect master role isn't out of reach. You're already the top true disciple. Reach island lord mastery someday, and a powerful elder post is yours for sure. Clear?"

Zhao Hai nodded. He got it completely. He'd weathered these scenarios countless times; ignorance wasn't possible. He'd aimed for discretion at first, but events thrust him into the spotlight. With his genius label now widespread, hiding proved futile. If high profile it was, then he'd embrace it boldly.

Zhao Hai exhaled deeply and stated firmly, "Rest easy, Martial Uncle. I know how to handle it. Still, I doubt the assault on the Thirteen Families Alliance drags on long. Those foes from the alliance can't mount much resistance against us, so no need for concern."

Lei Xuan nodded. "I figure the same. Absent interference from other sects, crushing the Thirteen Families Alliance falls easily within reach. But what of the captured islands? To the Blood Slaughter Sect, they resemble floating territories. Managing them poses a real challenge."

Zhao Hai grinned and replied, "It won't prove overly tough. Post-battle, several refinement realm peak elders ought to ascend to island lord status. For fresh islands, they could establish them in the West Sea or Northwest Sea regions. Then apply the island merging technique to fold in all the Thirteen Clans Alliance's islands. That shifts them straight into our West Sea domain. Nothing to fret over."

Lei Xuan nodded. "Looks like that's our best path. Fingers crossed a handful more refinement realm cultivators hit island lord level. It would bolster the sect's expert ranks. Lacking that, trouble brews." Lei Xuan still harbored some unease.

Zhao Hai nodded without further comment. This scenario didn't trouble him greatly. Truth be told, he puzzled over the Blood Sea Realm's island setup. Since merging islands worked, why not consolidate every sect island into a single continent? That would eliminate disbandment worries. Offense and defense alike would simplify greatly. No more scattered holdings. The current divided state offered zero advantages.

In truth, Zhao Hai remained unaware that fusing all islands bordered on impossible. Island lords obeyed sect commands, yet ruled their domains like tyrants. Sect oversight on those isles stayed feeble. Uniting everything would strip island lords of their sway, something no owner would accept.

No island lord favored total merger. Forcing it through would fracture the sects themselves. Across the Blood Sea Realm, every sect faced this bind. Thus, none achieved such unity.

Yet Zhao Hai hadn't uncovered this truth, so he held his questions. The Blood Sea Realm had endured this way for ages. With his present power and role, altering it lay beyond reach, so he let it drop. Lei Xuan shared a few more thoughts with Zhao Hai before retreating to the quiet room for rest. Zhao Hai exited the bronze man's form and settled into the sect-provided quarters, awaiting directives.

Du Wan Sha and his group clearly prioritized this mission, as Zhao Hai soon received the sect's command. Simple in nature, it directed an assault on one of the Thirteen Families Alliance's islands. The target hosted few powerhouses; beyond the island lord, no others stood out. Its isolated spot meant scant defenses too. Clearly, the sect extended consideration to Zhao Hai.

Zhao Hai examined the jade slip clutched in his hand. Delivered sealed, only his spiritual force could unseal it. Tampering would trigger an explosion. The slip's details proved thorough. Beyond Breeze Island's coordinates, it outlined the isle's full profile. Coverage spanned terrain descriptions, the lord's background, original troop counts, and defensive formation specs. All stood plainly recorded. Zhao Hai marveled at this. He hadn't anticipated the Blood Slaughter Sect's such meticulous groundwork.