Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8489: Land-based (1)

Zhao Hai gazed at the group and declared, “I plan to proceed to a different region of the dark ghost sect. Next, we'll seize control of yet another dark ghost sect island. Following that, we'll take a solid break. Once the buzz fades, we'll plan our following steps. If nobody objects, prepare to depart.”

“Yes, boss!” The entire crew chorused in agreement. Naturally, no one raised any dissent. They wouldn't dream of it. Fear gripped them that voicing opposition might lead Zhao Hai to handle them harshly on the spot. Thus, they all showed utmost compliance. Zhao Hai's brutal methods had truly instilled terror in their hearts.

With a nod, Zhao Hai drew forth the cold wind Ghost flag. He swung it vigorously and bellowed, “Shen Ji, quicksand escape!” As his command echoed, the earth under their feet transformed into shifting sands. It grew incredibly yielding, pulling with immense force. Moments later, darkness enveloped their sight. Then, a hazy yellow glow emerged, bathing the surroundings in a yellowish hue.

Curiosity drove them to scan their environment, revealing a vast subterranean cavern. Various types of earth and rock were visible encircling the space. When they tilted their heads upward in wonder, astonishment struck. It appeared they had plunged into an immense pit. A faint light shimmered overhead, encircled by crimson fog. Beyond that pinpoint... lay the blood sea, and they positioned directly beneath it. Shockingly, they resided underground, buried at least a thousand meters down.

“Cease the distractions and concentrate right away. We're currently five thousand feet below the surface. Enemy spiritual awareness can't detect us, yet my magical energy won't hold out forever. Everyone, channel your magical power to bolster me.” Zhao Hai's directive rang out abruptly. The group froze at his words, then snapped into action without delay. They understood full well the necessity of their contribution at this juncture. Any slight error could trap them inescapably.

Zhao Hai's voice resounded once more: “Spot the black mist ahead? Those willing to fuel the flag, step into it. If not, stay back. This stems from the flag's enhanced state. You can contribute power or opt out. Decide now.” No sooner had he concluded than a dark fog materialized before them. This left the assembly in stunned silence.

Xu Gang eyed the obscuring vapor and strode inside. The rest followed suit promptly. They suspected Zhao Hai had conjured the mist as a loyalty trial. Refusing entry might signal disloyalty, inviting severe repercussions if he chose to punish them.

Truthfully, they'd misread the situation entirely. As Zhao Hai delved deeper into the cold wind Ghost flag's secrets, its myriad capabilities came into focus. He alone had summoned this dark fog. Its primary purpose was to sustain the flag's prowess in prolonged engagements. From the prior clash, Zhao Hai realized that confronting a prefecture island's barrier or an island Lord tier foe didn't demand a full thousand participants. Simultaneous assaults from all would squander vast amounts of energy. Dividing the thousand into three rotating squads, however, allowed him to shatter the island's defenses and neutralize the island Lord expert efficiently. Crucially, these squads could feed energy to the cold wind Ghost flag in sequence. While one squad replenished the flag, the others recuperated. When fatigue hit one group, the remaining pairs could step up seamlessly. This rotation vastly extended the cold wind Ghost flag's endurance in combat, fulfilling Zhao Hai's precise requirements.

Yet Zhao Hai kept silent on the matter. Observing all enter the black mist, he discerned their suspicions. He dismissed it without concern. Their assumption suited him fine. After all, endless warfare lay ahead. Explanations could wait for later.

Soon enough, the Ghostwind bandits noticed that channeling their mana into the cold wind Ghost flag caused the overhead light to expand steadily. They initially believed they were ascending, but that proved false. Rather, the enclosing space was broadening. The visible expanse above them widened accordingly. This revelation hit them instantly.

Previously confined like frogs peering from a well, they now stood in an open courtyard, gazing at the starry expanse. The shift felt worlds apart. But before deeper reflections could form, motion stirred them onward. Their pace surged remarkably swift. The surrounding soil yielded effortlessly, carving a tunnel before them. This thrilling novelty sparked excitement throughout.

While they marveled at the ceiling above, a band of black-clad figures materialized overhead. Roughly two thousand strong, the pair at the forefront emanated the formidable presence of netherworld ghost kings. Swirling black Qi cloaked their forms, and the encircling red haze recoiled from their advance. At a glance, their superiority over island Lord level was evident.

The sight of these intruders jolted everyone. The black garments marked them as dark ghost sect disciples. Moreover, their patrol screamed a hunt for Zhao Hai's crew. How could shock not seize them? Discovery by the dark ghost sect spelled inevitable massive conflict. Undoubtedly, those dark ghost sect members possessed communication methods. Engaging here would summon reinforcements swiftly. Encirclement by dark ghost sect elites would doom them all to capture or worse.

Just then, Zhao Hai's calm voice cut through: “Stay composed, all. At five thousand feet deep, detection is impossible for them. Relax. As long as we remain below and minimize spiritual Qi disturbances, we'll stay hidden.” By then, they'd already slipped past the dark ghost sect patrol. True to his word, the dark ghost sect overlooked them entirely.

In reality, this subterranean transit stemmed chiefly from the divine design technique's potency. The cold wind Ghost flag played a supporting role. If any link existed, it lay in the technique's amplification through the flag, enabling Zhao Hai to transport such a large party undetected below ground.

Whether Zhao Hai spoke true or not, caution ruled them utterly. Above all, they stifled every noise. Even with his assurance against major spiritual Qi ripples, they proceeded with utmost silence.

Zhao Hai cast a glance their way and held his tongue. Their wariness prevented mishaps, which suited him. He had contingencies ready regardless. Should any stir trouble, he could swiftly suppress their spiritual Qi signatures, evading dark ghost sect notice. Worry evaded him thus.

In this manner, they journeyed beneath the earth for three full days. Across that span, fourteen yin Army sect squads crossed their path, all scouring for Zhao Hai's group. None succeeded. Throughout, Zhao Hai divided them into three shifts, alternating energy infusions to the cold wind Ghost flag. This kept their velocity steady, even accelerating over time.

Three days on, they pressed another full day underground. No further dark ghost sect patrols appeared. Zhao Hai sensed they'd cleared the dark ghost sect's peril zone. With a mental command, the cold wind Ghost flag unfurled, propelling them surfacing. They then soared at maximum velocity across the blood sea.

Though their subsurface travel held impressive speed, it paled against blood sea transit. Emerged now, their pace quickened dramatically. As Zhao Hai anticipated, no additional dark ghost sect forces intercepted them.

They continued flight for a solid month. Unceasingly, they streaked onward. The three squads rotated duties without pause. In this interval, the Ghostwind bandits fully assimilated the absorbed medicinal essence into spirit Qi. That spirit Qi then forged into mana. The month's relentless trek honed this mana, granting fluid circulation. Their collective power surged noticeably. Joy swelled among them.

As rogue cultivators, they grasped their stagnation's roots keenly. Lacking superior techniques and elixirs had stalled progress. Armed now with both, advancement flowed naturally.

Time barred technique overhauls, however. They advanced solely through mana refinement. Though gains came gradually, satisfaction abounded. After a month's ceaseless shifts, infusing the cold wind Ghost flag felt second nature. This familiarity promised edges in forthcoming clashes.

Over the past month, Zhao Hai scrutinized the cold wind Ghost flag intently. He recognized its inner realm, yet its confines remained cramped. Likely due to incomplete restoration, the space stayed sealed. Full activation would not only amplify battle might but also shelter the entire group within. Mobility would sharpen immensely.

Through a month's probing, Zhao Hai grasped the flag's demonic essence. Reviving its full might proved straightforward. Endless slaughter and soul refinement awaited. Absorbing ample soul and blood essence alone could reclaim its peak. Thus, to unlock the flag's inner space, Zhao Hai must persist in relentless killing!