Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8548 8548: Hearing the Dao.1

Cheng Wanchun sat in stillness within the cave, diligently refining the killing intent embedded in his instrument. As the barrier between his spirit and the artifact dissolved, he perceived subtle shifts within it; the killing intent permeated the object, intertwining with his own Dharma power, which seemed to awaken dormant energy lines that linked every array together.

He realized these conduits had existed within the artifact all along. His previous inability to detect them simply stemmed from the instrument's lower rank. However, after three months of dedicated cultivation, his power had reached the Dharma-refinement realm, allowing him at last to sense these hidden strands.

With these energy lines visible, Cheng Wanchun possessed much greater command over both the artifact and the Dharma power contained within. He even sensed that with sufficient effort, he could reshape the artifact entirely—an instinctual realization rather than one born of guidance.

Eventually, Cheng Wanchun exhaled deeply and ceased his practice. Adhering to Zhao Hai’s established routine, he dedicated eight hours to refining the killing intent and another eight to grounding it within his weapon, leaving the remaining time for rest and self-cultivation. He remained a man burdened with many tasks, including mastering the precise manipulation of his ruler.

The cavern was spacious enough to house over a dozen residents without issue. Their shared life of endless cultivation was monotonous, yet they often found solace in conversation. Occasionally, Zhu Yong would bring spirit wine alongside their rations, providing a welcome opportunity to socialize and strengthen their bonds.

Once Cheng Wanchun concluded his daily regimen, he checked on his companions, who had similarly finished. They gathered quickly; as the senior and most potent among them, Cheng Wanchun’s ascent was remarkable. In just three months, he had ascended to the fifth level of the transcendence realm, skipping the art essence phase entirely to land in the fifth level of the art refinement realm—a truly astonishing rate of progress.

Cheng Wanchun could not fully explain his sudden surge. Whether it was a natural affinity for the zhenci’s attributes or a perfect harmony with the cultivation technique, his progress had accelerated at a rocket-like pace that left him feeling somewhat unsettled.

This rapid growth established his clear superiority, and his peers naturally addressed him as Eldest Senior Brother. Watching the small group gather, Cheng Wanchun smiled and offered encouragement. "You’ve all shown great progress. Keep at it. We have been granted an ideal environment and immense opportunities by Master; it would be a shame to emerge from seclusion without notable achievements."

The group nodded in agreement until one asked, "Eldest Senior Brother, when shall we be permitted to fly the banner of the Blood Slaughter Sect? We are forced to identify as Ghostwind Bandits and hide our true lineage, which is incredibly frustrating." The others murmured in support. Despite their recent induction, they served Zhao Hai, the Grandmaster of the Blood Slaughter Sect, and viewed themselves as direct disciples—a status that surely entitled them to positions of significant influence later.

Although they had been out of practice since joining the Sect, they were seasoned wanderers. The Blood Slaughter Sect had remained deep in the shadows since its supposed destruction, leaving no trace for outsiders to follow. Even in the spatial zone, they had maintained their facade as Ghostwind Bandits, highlighting just how deeply the Sect had buried its identity.

Feeling the weight of this anonymity, they struggled with the shame of not being able to claim their own heritage. Cheng Wanchun’s expression hardened immediately. "Enough. Master has his own designs." When the speaker faltered, Cheng Wanchun addressed them more sternly. "Do not let your recent strength blind you. Compared to true Island Lord-level experts, we are still infants. Consider the tens of thousands of experts and entities even stronger who were annihilated by the upper realm practitioners. Our current power is sufficient to dominate the Blood Sea realm, but our true threat remains that Almighty from the higher dimension. Do you truly believe Master lacks the desire to unveil our name? Any premature exposure invites their wrath upon us all."

Silence fell. Cheng Wanchun pressed on, "As direct disciples, we exist to share Master’s burdens and follow his lead. The Blood Slaughter Sect shall rise again, and those who dare oppose us will meet a grim fate."

They nodded, pride swelling in their chests at being the privileged few under Zhao Hai’s wing. Suddenly, a voice resonated through the space: "Well said. Rest assured, the Blood Slaughter Sect will return to the Blood Sea, and our enemies shall not go unpunished."

Surprised, they turned to see Zhu Yong standing there. They rose instantly and bowed. "Brother Zhu, you have arrived." They acknowledged Zhu’s status—as Zhao Hai’s most trusted servant, his influence surpassed their own.

Zhu Yong waved off the formality. "No need for that. I have brought food and wine for you all today. Rest well; tomorrow is the day the Young Master conducts his lecture. You all should attend, especially you, Wan Chun. Your speed of advancement is truly unexpected."

Cheng Wanchun and the others were delighted. After months of absence, they were eager to hear Zhao Hai’s teachings once more.

The following day, Zhu Yong guided them to the lecture hall. Zhao Hai limited his audience to a thousand people at a time, specifically targeting those on the cusp of a breakthrough or within the refinement realm. Such sessions were highly potent, often providing the final spark needed for profound growth.

Zhao Hai strictly adhered to a bi-annual lecture schedule to prevent the dilution of his teachings. Once settled, Zhu Yong took a seat, hoping to capitalize on the wisdom to facilitate his own breakthrough.

Zhao Hai appeared and began speaking on the fundamental laws of the Great Dao. While the subject was abstract, his insights were so enlightening that they consistently triggered breakthroughs in his audience. Cheng Wanchun and his fellows, initially restless, were soon completely absorbed. Cheng Wanchun felt his own Dharma powers surging uncontrollably as his ruler began to refine the remaining dormant killing intent within it, undergoing a silent, tectonic transformation.