Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8537: High-pressure _1

Zhao Hai had always dealt firmly with such individuals. Killing didn't frighten him at all. Indeed, no disciple from the Blood Slaughter Sect feared taking lives. Moreover, Zhao Hai had executed them in a particularly clever manner. He seized everyone plotting to defect and forced the surrendered sects to eliminate them. Anyone refusing to comply faced death themselves. Consequently, the disciples' hands were now covered in blood.

Following that, Zhao Hai enforced an even harsher regime. Should a single person attempt betrayal, he'd slaughter 100 from that person's group. For 10 betrayers, one death per offender. If 100 sought to turn coat, 10,000 would perish. When over 1,000 in a sect plotted against him, Zhao Hai deemed their existence pointless. He'd erase the entire sect from existence, sparing neither Island Lord nor common cultivator alike.

In the ensuing days, tension gripped the air sharply. Surrendered sect members lived in constant dread. Plenty cursed those who'd pushed for rebellion. Did they truly believe this resembled their old sects? Punishment awaited even there for such acts, much less in their current dire straits.

After three months under this crushing strain, a single authority echoed through the Origin Space: Zhao Hai's. All understood that defiance meant certain death. Precisely this outcome pleased Zhao Hai above all.

Three months on, the intense pressure lifted. Zhao Hai started rewarding them. He picked select disciples from the sects, assigning them to the Blood Slaughter Sect's reserve force. This announcement thrilled the realm's inhabitants. They recognized the perks of joining the Blood Slaughter Sect's reserves. Joy spread widely as a result.

Island Lord experts who'd attended Zhao Hai's Dao lecture promptly urged splitting up the disciples for fresh oversight. They declared unwillingness to handle disciple affairs anymore, preferring to devote time to cultivation.

Zhao Hai approved heartily of their approach. He swiftly elevated them to Elders and endorsed their proposal. Sect members then set about restructuring. Laura and her group dispersed the disciples into new units. These units occupied various mountains, undergoing distinct trainings. Overseers came from mixed sects. Thus, old rivalries between teams became a thing of the past.

Yet Laura went further. She proclaimed ongoing competitions among these battle teams, occurring monthly. Focus would lie on personal fighting skills and team coordination. Top performers would claim extra resources from underachievers, boosting the victors' share.

This shift crushed any lingering urges to clique up among sect disciples. They channeled efforts into their own squads. Poor showing meant hardship for the whole team. Bearing blame for team setbacks guaranteed rough treatment from comrades. Within months, teams stood fully autonomous, thriving in constructive rivalry.

Other Island Lord experts grasped this as Zhao Hai's core aim. He sought to purge sect influences from the Blood River Sea's space, making disciples forsake old loyalties. In their hearts, only Zhao Hai would remain.

These Island Lords knew their role clearly. Regret gnawed at them already. They viewed Zhao Hai's moves as a stark caution. Failure to comply promised dire repercussions. Recall the recent slaughter of 100,000, just months prior.

Spurred by such fears, Island Lord experts acted decisively. They approached Zhao Hai, requesting dissolution of their sect's disciple groups. They implored him to reform and oversee the disciples anew, allowing them undisturbed cultivation.

Zhao Hai consented. Still, his demeanor toward them cooled compared to the initial Island Masters who'd volunteered for disciple disbandment and reorganization. Those early ones had joined Zhao Hai's guests, earning warmer regard. Months of scrutiny convinced Zhao Hai of their loyalty. Eased, he resolved to converse openly with them.

With decision made, Zhao Hai tasked Chang Jun with scheduling their visit to the Dao-teaching cave. The group knew the spot well, having heard Zhao Hai's teachings there once. Seeing the arrangement, they anticipated another Dao session. Excitement bubbled up.

Soon, Zhao Hai entered the cave. Upon sighting him, all rose and paid respects. “My Lord!” Though ignorant of his true identity and seeing him as a mere bandit, cultivator customs demanded respect. They avoided terms like boss or leader, opting for Lord to avoid bandit connotations.

Zhao Hai surveyed them, smiling as he gestured. “Sit down, everyone. No need for such formality.” He claimed a seat. The others murmured agreement and followed suit. Eyes fixed on him expectantly, they yearned for a lecture.

Spotting their anticipation, Zhao Hai smiled. “I haven't gathered you for a Dao lecture today, but for another matter.” He paused, scanning their faces. Disappointment flickered briefly before they composed themselves, gazing intently. Zhao Hai nodded inwardly, pleased—their submission was total, or they wouldn't react so.

Gazing upon them gravely, he declared, “You've long assumed we were the Ghostwind Bandits. This perception bred disdain for our status. Some even scorned us. Isn't that so?” Zhao Hai's tone stayed even as he eyed the group.

His words struck; faces paled. They sprang up hastily. “We wouldn't dare!” Terror gripped them truly, for Zhao Hai voiced their past sentiments accurately. They'd once deemed him and his crew mere thieves, however mighty—repugnant. Those notions had vanished, but his accusation terrified. Zhao Hai's wrath could spell doom.

Zhao Hai chuckled softly. “Relax, I hold no grudge. Your views were understandable. Banditry carries no honor, after all. That's why I've summoned you—to address this.” Pausing, he met their eyes solemnly. “You may know of the Ghostwind Bandits. They once raided two Dark Ghost Sect islands. Back then, our power was limited, our numbers few. We took one island fully, but its lord fled. The second we left intact; the lord escaped with many followers. But afterward…” When we entered the Blood River Sea, our might surged, letting us conquer it swiftly. Though weaker than the Dark Ghost Sect, the Blood River Sea proved no easy mark—yet we triumphed due to rapid growth. Why the swift rise? Attacking the Dark Ghost Sect, we numbered barely over a thousand. By the Blood River assault, we boasted over ten thousand, all formidable. Whence came these warriors? Surely you've wondered, as has the entire Blood Sea Realm?”

All nodded agreement. This mystery had long baffled them. By Ghostwind Bandits' early feats, such power seemed impossible. Their current dominance shattered all forecasts, fueling endless questions.

“Has anyone pondered events in the Blood Sea Realm during our strikes on the Dark Ghost Sect and Blood River waters?” Zhao Hai probed deeply, scanning faces. He offered a subtle cue, testing their insight.

Heads bowed in contemplation. Moments later, one's eyes gleamed, face shifting. Zhao Hai noted him. “Qiu Yu, you've grasped it. Speak.” He recognized the man—from a minor sect versed in Daoist ways, gentle and just, though small in numbers. Early surrenderers, they'd shone in loyalty and wit.

Qiu Yu drew a steadying breath at Zhao Hai's prompt. Facing him, he ventured, “It's the annihilation of the Blood Slaughter Sect. Between your Dark Ghost Sect raid and Blood River conquest, the Blood Sea Realm saw one cataclysm: the Blood Slaughter Sect's destruction.” As he spoke, Qiu Yu studied Zhao Hai's features for clues, but found none. Zhao Hai smiled enigmatically, thoughts unreadable.