Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8603: Mouth (1)

Yama Ling gazed upon the trio and declared in a grave tone, “I’m sure you three are aware of the Ghost Shadow Group’s situation. They possess immense strength and excel in assassinations. Frankly, even surrounded by over a hundred guards, I feel no security. Remember the ruthless methods they unleashed on the Tang family—those people perished without a single response. If they deploy that poison, what recourse do we have? Wouldn’t we fall completely under their control? Therefore, we must act. We cannot permit this to drag on.”

Lin Dong and the other two nodded in agreement. During the past two months, the four had collaborated closely while vigilantly assessing one another. Through this extended scrutiny, Lin Dong and his allies conceded their misjudgment. They had previously dismissed Yama Ling as a sinister, vulnerable target easy to exploit. However, direct dealings exposed the vast power he commanded, far eclipsing their own. Clearly, he was a sly veteran skilled in patient endurance.

Thus, Lin Dong and the others no longer underestimated Yama Ling like before. Instead, they started treating him with genuine respect as the sect leader and gradually embraced his authority. Naturally, with the Ghost Shadow Group involved, they approached the issue with heightened seriousness.

Lin Dong pondered briefly before responding solemnly, “Dealing with the Ghost Shadow Group won’t be simple. Their members seldom encounter us directly, shrouded in utmost secrecy. To this day, their base remains unknown, along with their numbers. How exactly do we confront them? Failing to eradicate them outright invites devastating retaliation, plunging us into greater peril.”

Yama Ling and the rest nodded solemnly. Lin Dong spoke true—the Ghost Shadow Group’s enigma proved maddening. Their lair’s location eluded everyone, as did the identities of its members. This vexed all in the Blood Sea Realm. Rumors even swirled that the group wasn’t a unified faction but a coalition of Island Lord-level experts and elders from diverse sects. Outwardly, they maintained separate personas, donning assassin guises only for missions. Many endorsed this theory, including some from major sects. Without it, the group’s origins defied explanation.

Yama Ling eyed them intently and stated deeply, “I plan to tamper with the communication circle they provided us. We’ll track them via that device. Once their hideout is located, annihilation follows. I refuse to believe they surpass us in might.”

Hearing Yama Ling’s proposal, Lin Dong and companions furrowed their brows. Lin Dong remarked, “The idea holds merit, yet if rumors hold—that the Ghost Shadow Group comprises sect affiliates—uncovering their lair changes nothing. Sect Master, perhaps summon Yu Qing for questioning?”

Lin Dong recalled Yu Qing once more. He’d kept tabs on her throughout, given her pivotal role in the Ghost Shadow Group’s initial outreach. Thus, he remained deeply invested in Yu Qing and yearned to confirm if her ties were mere partnership.

Yet surveillance yielded disappointment; she’d retreated to her island, shunning outsiders and focusing solely on cultivation daily. Her routine appeared utterly ordinary, sowing doubt in Lin Dong. Now, post-rebellion, tackling the Ghost Shadow demanded intel, rendering Yu Qing their sole lead.

Yama Ling assented. “Yes, summon Yu Qing and interrogate her. Should she withhold truth, soul search becomes necessary. Elder Lin, you’re not hesitant, are you?” As he spoke, Yama Ling fixed on Lin Dong. Aware of Yu Qing’s allegiance to him, he sought consent first, lest relations chill anew—something he wished to avoid.

Lin Dong shook his head, words forming, when an abrupt voice interjected, “No need for such hassle. I’ve delivered him. Question him directly, or address me instead. What say you?” The voice materialized from nowhere, stunning the room’s quartet. They turned toward it, spotting two figures in the shadows: Yu Qing and Zhao Hai. They knew Zhao Hai only as Phantom.

Spotting Zhao Hai and Yu Qing, the four noted Yu Qing’s darkened visage, realizing their discussion had been overheard. Yet Yama Ling stayed composed, glaring icily at Zhao Hai. “Phantom, your audacity astonishes. I warned you last time: this is Dark Ghost Sect territory, not for casual visits. Yet you return. Do you truly believe I won’t slay you?”

Zhao Hai regarded Yama Ling and grinned suddenly. “What’s this, Sect Master Yama? Slaying the helpful beast once spent? We aided Yin Ghost Sect in quelling rebellion and confronting Yin Yang Sect. Now secure, you turn hostile? Never imagined such pettiness from a sect leader.”

“Hmph, spare me the dramatics. ‘Slaying the beast’? You’re mere assassins—what right have you to our level? Phantom, hear this plainly: stay away from Dark Ghost Sect henceforth. Trespass again, and face my wrath.” Yama Ling stared coldly at Zhao Hai.

“Hahahaha, how amusing. Yama Ling, think my courtesy stems from fear? Or that four against two daunts me? Hilarious. Avoid Dark Ghost Sect? Impossible—I’ll visit often.” Here, Zhao Hai’s gaze sharpened, sweeping Lin Dong and the three elders before deepening. “Believe I aided your reclamation and Yin Yang Sect strike solely for vengeance or fame? Think I crave such titles? You underestimate me gravely.”

With that, Zhao Hai advanced leisurely. All eyes tracked him. Reaching the room’s center, he surveyed them with a smile. “I sense your Qi flowing, poised to attack. But futile—it won’t happen. Circulate Qi freely, yet your bodies remain immobile. Your heads turn only because I permit it; else, even eyes stay fixed.”

Continuing, Zhao Hai neared Yama Ling, clapping his shoulder. Yama Ling strained to react, finding mana surged normally but body petrified, unyielding. Shock surged as eyes, neck, and voice failed too—like a statue brimming with power and mind.

Zhao Hai chuckled at Yama Ling. “Terrified immobile? Killing you would be effortless, yet I abstain. Your insolence irks me, demanding discipline.” Gaze turning frigid, he slapped Yama Ling’s face repeatedly—ten stinging blows—before halting.

Turning to sidelined Yu Qing, Zhao Hai commanded deeply, “Yu Qing, deliver ten slaps to each of those three. Fairness demands it.” Yu Qing jolted from stupor, eyes wide with dread toward Zhao Hai. He grasped how such humiliation scorched high-status figures like Yama Ling worse than death. Yet defiance was unthinkable; he obeyed, approaching Lin Dong and the duo. Amid their blazing glares, he administered ten slaps apiece.

Now centering the room, Zhao Hai acted—Yama Ling regained speech, though body stayed locked, head alone mobile. He glowered at Zhao Hai, growling, “You lack the nerve to kill me. Doing so brands you Blood Sea Realm’s foe. None tolerate a life-taker lurking. Even other Nine Major Sects’ leaders share this view.”

Zhao Hai smiled at Yama Ling. “Wrong. I’d kill you without qualm—what then? Ghost Shadow Group disbands; a new guise emerges—who identifies me? Curious about your paralysis? It blends prohibition and poison. Wondering when? Simple: the heads of Jing Changtian and others. You handled them extensively, inhaling poison unwittingly. Not just you—every Dark Ghost Sect cultivator who touched those heads is tainted. Enjoyable, no?”