Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8490: Betrayal (1)

If a typical cultivator obtained that flag, they would surely start slaughtering others to gain strength. Once too many lives were taken, the thrill of killing would consume them. Beyond that, the flag possessed a hidden power: it could draw in the essence of souls, blood, and flesh from victims, converting them into Dharma power and blood Qi to bolster the one wielding it. Should the cultivator's resolve prove weak, they would surrender to the ecstasy of bloodshed. Persisting in drawing strength from the sinister Wind Ghost flag would inevitably twist them into frenzied killers.

A heavenly treasure such as the cold wind Ghost flag was undoubtedly a demonic artifact, ranking among the most formidable of its kind. Zhao Hai even wondered if its creator had fallen victim to the very device they forged. While the flag could skyrocket a bearer's cultivation in mere moments, it carried a grave flaw. As one reveled in the rush of surging power, the embedded killing intent would subtly corrupt them, fostering an insatiable bloodlust. Furthermore, since this Dharma power and blood Qi came straight from the sinister Wind Ghost flag rather than personal effort, extensive refinement and practice were required. Without it, though the impure energies might boost strength temporarily, progress would stall completely at some point. Worse, it could trigger outright Qi deviation.

Yet for Zhao Hai, such issues held no sway. The Dharma power and blood Qi flowing from the sinister Wind Ghost flag first filtered through his own Dharma power. Acting like a forge, Zhao Hai's energy purified everything automatically. It then reshaped them into pure, primal essence that integrated seamlessly into his body. This process accelerated his cultivation dramatically without clouding his thoughts.

Concerning the killing intent's influence on Zhao Hai, the outcome was even clearer. To him, it served merely as an extra boost, something he dismissed entirely. That's how he could harness the flag's full might. In anyone else's grasp, madness and Qi deviation would soon follow, turning them into uncontrollable murderers.

Naturally, Zhao Hai had noticed another trick: he could channel the flag's qi and blood power outward, sharing it across the entire Ghostwind bandits group. Thus, the burden that once fell solely on him now spread among a thousand souls. The killing intent, too, divided among them. Naturally, this lessened the toll on him greatly. True, distributing the qi and blood this way slowed the overall growth rate somewhat, but it drastically reduced the risks to the flag's master.

Still, this approach would turn those thousand others into raging bloodthirsters, derailing their cultivation paths severely. In time, Qi deviation might claim them all. It offered mere postponement, akin to sipping venom to ease thirst—a poor substitute for Zhao Hai's superior handling.

Zhao Hai couldn't help but ponder: Who crafted the sinister Wind Ghost flag? What drove them to forge such a perilous tool? Were they ignorant of its dangers, or did they wield it knowingly? If the latter, then the creator must have been utterly deranged.

But Zhao Hai pushed those thoughts aside for now. With a flick of the flag, he halted their advance. Touching down on solid ground, he faced the group. "Alright, we'll pause here and catch our breath. I'll scout ahead to check for any dark ghost sect islands close by. I'll find a fitting one for us to strike. The dark wind Ghost flag stays planted here. Cultivate inside the barrier, all of you."

With those words, Zhao Hai drove the flag into the earth and vanished in an instant, abandoning the Ghostwind bandits to their thoughts. They never imagined he'd pull a stunt like this. After all, everyone had witnessed the flag's terrifying might. By leaving it behind, what if someone snatched and claimed it?

That notion shifted gazes toward the flag, igniting blazing avarice in their eyes. Some even gulped air raggedly. The temptation proved overwhelming. Securing the flag meant dominating the Ghostwind bandits themselves. They'd wield Zhao Hai's level of authority—slaying foes effortlessly and reaping boundless cultivation treasures. Plus, with a tool rivaling the sect's pinnacle artifacts, their prospects gleamed endlessly.

Even so, a shred of reason held them back. Fear of Zhao Hai loomed large. Leaving such a prize unguarded showed his utter confidence. Without that assurance, why risk it? This caution kept them from lunging forward.

Greed, though, devours all restraint. At last, one couldn't resist. A refinement realm cultivator stepped up—only those at that level dared challenge. Weaker ones, despite their desires, lacked the nerve.

This was Gu mengfei, a man who kept a low profile, always deferring to Zhao Hai with utmost respect. No one foresaw him striking first now. He lunged body-first toward the cold wind Ghost flag. His robust power placed him near enough that he nearly touched it in a blur.

But then, a ferocious Qi blast struck from behind. Its force was immense. Grabbing the flag meant taking the hit full-on, likely fatal or crippling at best.

Gu mengfei's face twisted. He twisted away, evading the assault. A thunderous crash followed as a massive hammer phantom smashed his former spot. Had he lingered, it would have crushed him. Glaring darkly at Xu Gang, he growled deeply, "Xu Gang, what's your game? You aiming to clash with me?"

Xu Gang eyed Gu mengfei with a icy smirk. "I've never liked you. You're a sly viper, lurking in shadows until the perfect strike. Gu mengfei, what's your angle? The boss is out scouting, and you eye the cold wind Ghost flag? Planning to turn on him?"

"Hmph, turn on him? Zou Xiao forced us into the Ghostwind bandits. Quitting meant death. I just refuse his chains. Why stay a lone cultivator so long? He leans on that cold wind Ghost flag alone. Once it's mine, I'll surge in power, and Zou Xiao can't touch me. With the cold wind Ghost flag's aid, I'll rise to Island Lord rank, free from his whims." Gu mengfei flashed an wicked grin at Xu Gang.

Xu Gang snorted at Gu mengfei. "The boss has been fair to us all. He shares every plunder without holding back. I'm no scholar, but even I see how he favors us. If you seized his spot, we'd all suffer under you. Gu mengfei, better straighten up quick, or don't fault my rudeness."

"Xu Gang, don't play the hero. Some fear you, but not me. If you crave being Zou Xiao's lackey, fine. I won't. Truth is, plenty here share my view—no more groveling to Zou Xiao. You might block me, but everyone? With Zou Xiao gone, grabbing the flag hands us the world. We choose our path. Join in, all of you." Gu mengfei urged the rest abruptly.

Exchanges of glances rippled through the group, stirring unrest. Xu Gang's face darkened at the sight. He huffed, "Gu mengfei, enough lies. We all know the boss's generosity. Plus, think you'd thrive after splitting? Our faces might be known already. Fleeing now spells doom."

"Cut the crap, Xu Gang," Ye Mo cut in. "No one recognizes us. We lurk in the blood sea, shielded by ghost soldiers in battles—faces hidden. They spot only Zou Xiao, not us. To him, we're mere muscle. He's claimed the prime rewards. What's prime? The cold wind Ghost flag—that's it. Claim the Yin wind Ghost flag, and Island Lord status awaits. Any faction would elevate you with it. That's true gain. Our scraps? Mere crumbs. You call that kindness? Step aside, Xu Gang, or face my wrath." Gu mengfei drew his arms now—weapons unlike any other: twin curved blades, slender and quivering faintly in his grip, screaming sharpness. Odd tools, indeed.

Suddenly, several figures broke ranks, weapons drawn, encircling Xu Gang. His features hardened at the betrayal's scale against Zhao Hai.