Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8546 8546: Conception _1

A burst of white light suddenly flashed, and Cheng Wanchun along with his companions materialized within a cavern. This cavern stretched out in vast openness. Innumerable tiny alcoves dotted the walls on either side. Still, Cheng Wanchun and the rest lacked the moment to examine the cavern's surroundings. Instead, every one of them found themselves drawn irresistibly toward a lone figure.

In the heart of the cavern stood an individual. He remained motionless there in silence. His robes gleamed crimson like fresh-spilled blood. His frame wasn't particularly imposing in height. Not even the slightest ripple of magical energy emanated from him. Yet, his mere presence commanded attention without effort.

This figure faced away from them, apparently inspecting the opposite cavern wall, oblivious to the arrivals at his back. Leading the way, Zhu Yong came to a halt and signaled to Cheng Wanchun and the group. They too stopped short, holding their breaths to avoid any noise. But their gazes fixed intently on him with burning anticipation. They had already surmised who he might be.

Zhao Hai held the position of top Pro-disciple in the Blood Slaughter Sect and across the Blood Sea Realm. He now served as the sect's leader and commanded the Ghostwind Bandits. Even prior to ascending to head the Blood Slaughter Sect, his name had woven into legends. This very renown fueled the fervent admiration Cheng Wanchun and his fellows directed toward Zhao Hai.

Just then, Zhao Hai's voice rang out. "Zhu Yong, you've arrived with the group. Impressive—more than I anticipated." As he spoke, Zhao Hai turned around. His gaze settled on Zhu Yong and Cheng Wanchun. Calmness filled his eyes, accompanied by a soft smile. No hint of haughtiness appeared.

Zhu Yong promptly bowed low before Zhao Hai and replied, "Yes, Young Master. We've gathered them all. Some agreed to join the experiment, while the rest declined. As per your instructions, we've set them free." Zhu Yong spoke with deep respect. Though his rank remained elevated within the Blood Slaughter Sect, he showed no trace of presumption in Zhao Hai's presence. After all, his power had surged to the pinnacle of the Refinement Realm, teetering on the edge of Island Lord status. Yet he knew full well that Zhao Hai had granted him every bit of that strength.

  Gou'zi, that one, had advanced even swifter in cultivation than Zhu Yong himself. He now stood as an Island Lord-level powerhouse, though he secluded himself to solidify his foundation, keeping away from Zhao Hai's side. Zhu Yong bore heavier burdens of duty, which slowed his progress compared to Gou'zi's.

Zhao Hai gave a nod. He swept his eyes over Cheng Wanchun and the others, then declared, "Fine work—all of you possess remarkable talent. I've pondered this experiment extensively. At first, gathering random participants would have sufficed. But with the Blood Slaughter Sect absorbing so many from rival sects, their varied cultivation methods complicate things. Ultimately, this approach emerged. Rest assured, no risks come with it."

The group acknowledged his words. Zhao Hai regarded them steadily and pressed on, "Previously, you served as my honorary disciples. Now, by committing to this trial, you advance to official status under me. Excel in it, and true discipleship awaits. Enough from me. Here's a cultivation method for each. Study it well. Then enter those side alcoves to temper your killing aura. Heed this: should unease or murderous urges arise, exit at once." With a flick of his wrist, Zhao Hai sent a dozen jade slips tumbling into the grasp of Cheng Wanchun and his companions. Exactly one per person, without excess or shortage.

They caught the jade slips and dropped to their knees before Zhao Hai, hailing him as Master. Zhao Hai gestured dismissively, and a soft energy buoyed them upright. He continued, "Enough with the ceremonies. Begin studying the method." They assented and clutched their jade slips. Channeling spiritual power into them, they delved into the recorded technique, absorbing its essence in quiet focus.

Within the cultivation world, a common adage held that in-name disciples fell short of true ones. Certain traditions enforced even harsher distinctions, barring in-name pupils from uttering 'Master.' Unfamiliar with local customs, Cheng Wanchun and the others had hesitated to address Zhao Hai so before. But his acceptance as official disciples now granted them that privilege.

Zhao Hai observed them briefly without comment, simply biding his time as they immersed in study. Over the past three years, beyond his personal cultivation, Zhao Hai had mulled ways to elevate the Blood Slaughter Sect's forces in the realm. Eventually, he pinpointed a potential lever: magical artifacts.

Delving deep into the dynamics of cultivation sects, Zhao Hai drew a striking insight. Among those with ancient lineages boasting immense power, superior techniques, and robust sects, elite disciples shunned hoarding artifacts. They emphasized purity above all.

In contrast, lesser sects with middling might and inferior inherited methods relied on a jumble of artifacts. Their members wielded diverse tools—some a handful, others dozens. Outwardly, this offered versatility against varied foes. Zhao Hai, however, rejected such scattershot reliance.

Mortal limits bound a cultivator's focus. Lacking a space farm and myriad bio-brains like his own, average practitioners fared best channeling efforts into a single pursuit. Spreading thin led to mediocrity in all. This principle extended to techniques and spiritual tools alike.

Nurturing a cultivator's signature artifact demanded immersion in the primordial spirit, tempered by soul force and mana over time. Prolonged care amplified its might. Take the Blood Slaughter Sect's God-Slaying Saber, forged through generations of devotion to its current potency.

Yet primordial spirit and mana remained finite. One artifact claimed full nourishment from those reserves. Split across two, each received half the benefit—like a single bowl of rice shared between feasters, leaving both wanting. Thus, typical cultivators bound one lifelong artifact, forgoing extras.

Small-sect disciples might claim one such core piece but amass others for situational use. On the surface, a sound strategy. In truth, it sowed profound flaws.

A bound artifact required constant communion to grasp its every nuance and unleash its peak. Battles served best for this, honing both user and tool through trial, forging ever-greater strength.

What purpose served a bound treasure if sidelined, untouched in combat, while lesser arms took the fray? Mere emergency safeguard? Better then to redirect that nurturing vigor and mana straight to personal cultivation, surging power higher. In clashes, no mere survival—utter dominance.

Hence, major sect heirs typically wielded but one artifact. Even without spirit-binding, they kept it close, seldom drawing alternatives. For them, a single tool sufficed, echoing sword cultivators' mantra of one blade shattering all spells. Their solitary artifact achieved the same: an unstoppable force.

This revelation sparked Zhao Hai's innovation. Through exhaustive trials, he birthed a novel artifact form—an embryo awaiting the user's personal forging to completion. This final refinement involved layering restrictions, deepening the bond for flawless future command. In essence, a seamless extension of self.

Zhao Hai had embedded numerous formations within these embryos. They not only drew in Blood Sea Qi but purified it too. Crucially, an array spirit dwelled inside. As refinement progressed, this spirit evolved into the user's devoted weapon soul, linked soul-to-soul. During practice, they channeled refined killing aura into it. Such infusion heightened the artifact's ferocity. Remarkably, the array spirit shrugged off killing aura's taint. Zhao Hai's formations neutralized and harnessed it, shielding the spirit from corruption and enabling full exploitation.

Picture the array spirit as a mortal and killing aura as venom: an untreated one would succumb swiftly, twisted into a berserk killer spirit, potentially turning on its wielder if unchecked. Zhao Hai's designs, however, armed the spirit with refining and suppressing arrays—like an innate antidote. Immune to poison, it could wield it freely. Only by mastering and purging such toxins could one truly harness them. This formed the core of Zhao Hai's vision.