Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8501: Sect leader (1)
Previously on Living In Another World With A Farm...
Zhao Hai proceeded forward slowly through the air. A sensation told him that the God-slaying saber was nearby. He sensed it distinctly. The cause remained unclear, yet it might stem from his practice of the blood sea god-slaying scripture, the perfect match for the God-slaying saber. Or it could be due to his extended time with the bronze man housing the God-slaying saber, as that figure once served as the bronze palace safeguarding the weapon for ages. A faint aura of the God-slaying saber lingered on the bronze man still.
Regardless of the cause, Zhao Hai trusted his intuition. He believed the God-slaying blade lay just ahead, prompting him to search with greater caution, lest he overlook it. After two hours, the sensation intensified. Composing himself, Zhao Hai let his instincts guide him onward. Fifteen minutes more passed before he abruptly widened his eyes, fixing his gaze ahead. Roughly thirty meters away stood a blood-red longsword embedded in the earth.
The sword's point pierced deep into a stone below. Its crimson surface brimmed with murderous aura. Though subdued amid the blood sea, Zhao Hai perceived its immense power clearly. It resembled a steadfast fighter, one enduring on a field stained with gore. Unwavering, it defied defeat, battling fiercely even unto death.
Zhao Hai regarded the God-slaying saber intently. The weapon quivered as if aware of his presence. A smile crossed Zhao Hai's face as he reached out. The God-slaying saber leaped from the rock and into his grasp. Caressing its edge, he whispered, "God-slaying saber, such a mighty title. One day, you'll feast on the blood of the upper realm's deities, honoring your legendary name!"
A subtle vibration ran through the God-slaying saber's blade, seemingly echoing Zhao Hai's words. He gazed at it and burst into laughter. Then, stowing the God-slaying saber, he stepped into the blood lotus. Instantly, he materialized within the secret realm. With a flick of his wrist, the blood lotus rematerialized in his palm.
The sight of Zhao Hai's return to the secret realm lifted everyone's spirits. He served as their pillar of strength now. Without him, their fate would be sealed. Though Chang Jun and his companions ranked as island master experts, the destruction of Blood Gale Island had left them gravely wounded. Only Zhao Hai's swift transport into the space for healing had saved them.
Their injuries had mended, preserving their island master prowess, yet they ranked as weaker among such elites. Future cultivation advances seemed unlikely for them too. The loss of their islands explained this, a fact Chang Jun and the rest acknowledged fully. They realized relying solely on their group couldn't secure the Blood Slaughter Sect's future. Zhao Hai alone held that key.
Chang Jun, Wen Yuming, and Xu Gang hurried to Zhao Hai's side, offering salutes in unison. Zhao Hai glanced at them and nodded simply. "How goes it now?" he inquired. He sought updates on the secret realm's conditions. Though not vast, it housed over ten thousand souls. Resources abounded, but prolonged confinement tested even cultivators' resolve. Fresh from calamity, emotional fragility loomed large, hence his question.
Chang Jun spoke first. "Morale holds steady. All focus on regaining power. Yet a few on the verge of island master breakthrough have stalled abruptly. You'll need to examine them. Also, we've conferred and urge you to claim the sect leader role outright, rebuilding the Blood Slaughter Sect. Please accept, Island Lord." With that, Chang Jun dropped to his knees before Zhao Hai.
Wen Yuming and Xu Gang followed suit, kneeling as well. Zhao Hai eyed the trio and nodded. "Very well, I see. I've assumed the island lord position. No need for concern. Rise, all of you. Xu Gang, update me on the Ghostwind Bandits. Are they set to join the Blood Slaughter Sect?"
Joy lit their faces as the three rose. Xu Gang responded promptly to Zhao Hai. "Rest assured, sir. No dissent exists. All consent to merging with the Blood Slaughter Sect. Despite this blow to our ranks, your presence instills faith. So, worry not."
Zhao Hai nodded without delay. "Excellent. Assemble everyone. I have words to share!" They acknowledged and dispersed to rally the group. Soon, Ghostwind Bandits, Bloodspirit Unit, and Divine Arms Battalion assembled fully. All eyes turned to Zhao Hai, curiosity mounting over his intent.
Zhao Hai surveyed the thirteen thousand before him and declared gravely. "The Blood Slaughter Sect faces dire straits. Divine retribution has struck, wiping us out. From that once-mighty, radiant legacy, only we remain. We're the final embers of the Blood Slaughter Sect. The sacred duty of its continuation rests upon us. Duty it is, yet fortune too. Reviving its splendor will etch our names eternally in its annals. Let other sects witness that while one of us breathes, the Blood Slaughter Sect endures unbroken. Our heritage persists!"
Zhao Hai's words rang with power. By the close, passion surged, stirring every soul deeply. Excitement swelled uncontrollably; eyes gleamed as they beheld him. Zhao Hai addressed them solemnly. "I've secured the Blood Slaughter Sect's famed relic, the God-slaying saber. The Sinister Wind Ghost Flag remains ours, alongside our united force. Through diligence, the Blood Slaughter Sect will reclaim its spot among the blood sea realm's top ten. Vengeance for this purge may yet come. From this day, I, Zhao Hai, declare myself sect leader, guiding you to restore our glory. Any objections?" As he concluded, Zhao Hai drew the God-slaying saber, gripping it firmly and hoisting it aloft.
His proclamation drew no resistance; instead, fervor ignited every face. They stared at Zhao Hai and his wielded God-slaying saber. Then Chang Jun, Wen Yuming, and Xu Gang knelt, proclaiming loudly, "Hail, sect master. Long live the sect master!"
The rest swiftly joined, dropping to their knees in chorus. "Hail, sect master. Long live the sect master!" Over ten thousand voices unified, all prostrating. The Ghostwind Bandits, naturally, voiced no protest. Recalling the fate of Zhao Hai's foes—all perished—they held firm. New to the Blood Slaughter Sect, loyalty was nascent, yet they valued its prestige as a blood sea realm titan. For that legacy's sake, they committed fully. Thus, unity prevailed.
Emotions ran hotter for the Bloodspirit Unit and Divine Arms Battalion, a whirlwind of thrill and depth. Born and bred in the Blood Slaughter Sect, they knew no other home. Though trailing Zhao Hai later, he too belonged to its fold, demanding obedience. Admiration and pragmatism bound them to him. Hence, his lead they embraced.
The sect's fall had plunged them into apocalyptic gloom. Survival and Zhao Hai's companionship offered scant solace; despair gnawed relentlessly. No path forward appeared, only huddled existence in this hidden space, clinging to survival's edge. Such shadows haunted their cores.
Yet Zhao Hai's speech kindled their warrior spirits, igniting hope anew. To them, solely he merited the sect leader mantle. Chang Jun's group outpowered him perhaps, but the Bloodspirit Unit deemed none fit to supplant Zhao Hai. He alone was their authentic guide, the sole heir worthy of the Blood Slaughter Sect's throne.
Zhao Hai beheld the assembly and gradually lowered the God-slaying saber. "Times demand brevity, so we'll forgo elaborate rites. Henceforth, I lead the Blood Slaughter Sect as sect master. Rise, all." He sheathed the God-slaying saber upon finishing. Slowly, the crowd stood, gazes fixed on Zhao Hai with eager anticipation for his next moves.
Zhao Hai faced them and intoned deeply. "Our current frailty concerns us little. Patience is key; we advance steadily. Safety envelops us here, unlike the perils without. Know this: the nine great sects plus myriad lesser ones encircle our former domain. Venturing out spells utmost peril now. Thus, we remain, honing our skills. More island master experts among us will bolster our might immensely. Emerging then, no foe daunts us. Personally, I'll enter seclusion shortly, striving for island master attainment."
News of Zhao Hai's impending island master breakthrough sparked jubilant cheers. His power marked their sole vulnerability. All recognized no refinement realm rival could best him—earning his title as blood sea realm's premier core disciple. Still, absent that milestone, unease lingered. The leap from refinement to island master defined true mastery in the blood sea realm. Given Zhao Hai's foundations, his ascent promised staggering might, unfathomable yet assuredly formidable. Paired with the God-slaying saber and Sinister Wind Ghost Flag, the Blood Slaughter Sect's return would undoubtedly awe the realm.