Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8527: The great battle (1)
Previously on Living In Another World With A Farm...
Wen Butong's expression brightened upon hearing the Withered Leaf Master's statement. He glanced at the assembled group and declared, “It looks like those fellows are asking for it. In that case, there's no reason for us to hold back. Conveniently, the disciples from each sect are positioned at the former island owners' locations. We've essentially encircled them already. No need for courtesy now—we strike at once. Encircle every one of them completely. Ensure none slips away.”
The group replied with a resounding “bang,” and a spark of thrill showed on their faces. Though they had battled in their earlier days, they were cultivators at heart. Fear of combat was absent; excitement even bubbled within. Thus, following Wen Butong's command, they swiftly began their preparations.
Soon enough, the Xuan Qing Sect's disciples from the various islands assembled. Led by their sect masters and elders, they plunged into the Blood Sea, charging directly toward Zhao Hai and his companions. Wen Butong and his allies also soared from Xuan Qing Island, making a beeline for Zhao Hai's group.
Zhao Hai sensed their approach. He promptly assembled his people and unleashed the Xenomorphs. Abandoning the boat, they formed ranks outside it. The vessel morphed into the bronze men, trailing Zhao Hai who clutched the ghost flag.
Mounted on the alien's back, Zhao Hai gripped the black sword. He strode before the formation like a commander inspecting his troops. Once he passed through, he wheeled around and announced, “The foes approach shortly. This clash pits us against the Blood River Sea's united forces. Victory here claims the Blood River Sea for us—every resource within becomes ours. Hence, this fight holds utmost significance. All experts at island lord level or higher, advance with me. We target their counterparts at that rank. Their sole guide is the bronze man. Strike wherever the bronze man's flag points. No retreating, no lagging. Clear?”
The assembly affirmed loudly. Zhao Hai nodded, then instructed Chang Jun and the rest, “All island lord-level cultivators, form up around me. Bronze man, lead the others!” Silently, the bronze statue positioned itself ahead of the remaining forces. Chang Jun along with the other island lord experts clustered near Zhao Hai. Silence enveloped the entire contingent.
Moments ticked by slowly. After four hours, the Blood River Sea alliance reached Zhao Hai's position. They hemmed in Zhao Hai's forces from every direction, yet remained motionless. They stood in stillness. This quietude built into an oppressive force that gradually extended outward.
The Blood River Sea disciples encircling them gradually hushed as well. They gazed in astonishment at the serene opposing lineup. Silence reigned, though some among the Blood River Sea disciples betrayed hints of dread in their gazes.
Just then, Wen Butong and his group emerged from the throng. They eyed the lineup gravely, but refrained from instant assault. Adhering to tradition, they readied a few words for Zhao Hai's side prior to engagement. Such pre-battle declarations had become routine; not all waged war without announcement.
Gazing at Zhao Hai positioned at the forefront, Wen Butong murmured lowly, “Are you Zou Xiao of the Ghostwind Bandits? Zou Xiao, what brings you to stir chaos in our Blood River Sea? Do you truly believe no one here can challenge you?” His features had turned fully somber as he anticipated Zhao Hai's reply.
Zhao Hai met Wen Butong's stare and chuckled, “We're the Ghostwind Bandits. Must we seek your leave to raid wherever we please? If permission were required, we wouldn't qualify as Ghostwind Bandits. You chatter excessively, yet combat is inevitable. Come on, show me what you've got.”
Wen Butong paused at Zhao Hai's retort, staring at him before responding, “What brazen Ghostwind Bandits. Today, I'll witness exactly what makes you so overconfident!” With that, he gestured, summoning a book-like magical artifact into his grasp. His voice boomed like thunder as he bellowed, “Kill!” Instantly, he lunged ahead. Innumerable glyphs erupted from his tome, coalescing into a massive golden glyph that barreled toward Zhao Hai. This golden glyph brimmed with infinite righteous Qi—the Righteous Sect's signature move, the Song of Righteousness!
The Song of Righteousness stood as the Confucian Sect's distinctive method. It formed a peculiar cultivation art. Its heavenly tools might take the form of brush, book, painting, or inkstone, yet all bore the Song of Righteousness inscribed. Cultivators perused it daily during practice to foster the righteous Qi within. This righteous Qi differed markedly from standard energies, akin to Buddhism's wish power. It aided cultivation yet resembled faith power more closely.
Faith power bolstered cultivation, offense, and defense. Still, deploying it against adversaries demanded Dharma power integration. Similarly, righteous Qi, Buddhist will power, and Daoist carefree Dharma operated thus. Dark sects' killing Qi or death Qi paralleled faith power. Carefree power, killing intent, or death Qi arose via secret arts, exerting influence on targets. Righteous Qi cultivators, for instance, upheld their core convictions—acting rightly. Deviating weakened their righteous Qi.
Will power followed suit. A grand vow pursued but abandoned midway scattered the amassed will power. Other powers behaved analogously. Demonic sects' killing intent or death Qi impacted users profoundly—not just risking dissipation, but warping temperament with deeper repercussions.
Faith power, devoid of such drawbacks, ranked as the mightiest and most versatile energy. Consequently, it dominated mainstream cultivation. Island lord-level masters universally harnessed it. Pairing righteous Qi with faith power amplified effects through synergy.
The Song of Righteousness ranked as a cornerstone technique for the scholarly faction, vital for nurturing their righteous Qi. In the Cloud Sea Realm, it held paramount status, and Wen Butong now wielded it. Towering ten feet, the immense golden glyphs derived from the Song, infused with vast righteous Qi alongside potent magic and faith power, all surging at Zhao Hai.
Zhao Hai scoffed deeply, “Think I'm intimidated? Taste my blade!” He surged forward, slashing with his longsword. A dark sword ray lanced from the weapon, bisecting the golden glyph. The ray cleaved several more before fading.
This initial clash ignited the fray. Zhao Hai's allies roared and pursued him toward Wen Butong's group. Wen Butong's side reciprocated the charge. The lower-tier Ghostwind Bandits, sans island lord status, also advanced, with the bronze man spearheading their rush.
The confrontation erupted fully. Zhao Hai flourished his black flexible sword, unleashing rays that pierced ahead. Wen Butong's cohort proved formidable; glyphs streamed from his book to counter the sword rays. Other Blood River Sea sect masters and island lords joined, targeting Zhao Hai's forces. Chang Jun and his peers countered fiercely, engaging the assaults.
Amid the chaos, Zhao Hai's group drew the sharpest focus. Zhao Hai single-handedly stalled Wen Butong, Withered Leaf Master, and several sect heads—the enemy's top eight. His black sword writhed serpentine, exuding chilling sword intent laced with death Qi, rendering each blow devastating. Coupled with his Xenomorph mount, immense strain bore down on Wen Butong and allies.
Wen Butong's group had anticipated swift victory over Zhao Hai. Yet, their combined efforts yielded naught against him; overwhelming pressure mounted instead, thwarting any dominance.
Shock gripped Wen Butong and his companions. They hadn't foreseen Zhao Hai's prowess. Even as an island lord, they figured him novice, easily subdued. Reality proved otherwise.
More astonishingly, Zhao Hai's flank boasted over 200 island lord experts. Such might rivaled the Righteous Sect itself—a revelation beyond Wen Butong's calculations.
Even greater astonishment stemmed from Zhao Hai's mounts: unseen demonic beasts. Certain Blood River Sea sect masters and island lords aimed to fell these rides for triumph. Quickly, they discovered the tactic futile.