Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8652: 629-mirror-1
Previously on Living In Another World With A Farm...
Within his chamber, Li Ruohai surveyed the gathered individuals. A recent influx into the Corpse Demon Sect, their ambitions were evident, and their gazes towards the youthful Li Ruohai held no warmth.
Unbeknownst to them, Li Ruohai was in fact the old demonic corpse man himself, having just emerged from his closed-door cultivation. He had refined the Yin-Yang Mirror, now calling it the Yin-Yang Death Mirror. This artifact could project a death light, rapidly draining vitality and drawing victims into a Yin-Yang illusion, with the potential for fatal consequences.
Upon concluding his seclusion, Li Ruohai had declared himself the designated successor of the old demonic corpse man. While old members of the Corpse Demon Sect would have understood, these newer adherents only knew him by reputation as a direct descendant. Their dislike stemmed from his perceived inaction during the recent conflict with the Giant Demon Sect, a fact reflected in their unfriendly expressions.
Naturally, Li Ruohai could not reveal his true identity as the old demonic corpse man; they would never believe him. Furthermore, this possession had quelled his inner demons, restoring him to the old demonic corpse man's persona, allowing him to discern their schemes with ease.
However, he recognized the necessity of abandoning the name 'old demonic corpse man.' From this point forward, he would be known solely as Li Ruohai, both to insiders and outsiders. Revealing his body possession was out of the question. While some within the Corpse Demon Sect might suspect, without his admission, they could do nothing. Thus, 'Li Ruohai' it had to be, not 'old demonic corpse man.'
Li Ruohai's gaze swept over the assembly. "Does anyone object to my ancestor appointing me to lead you in this time of crisis?" his voice boomed. "If you harbor any objections, speak them now, for this is your sole opportunity. Should I discover dissent after this moment, do not blame me for showing no mercy." His eyes, like daggers, raked across the crowd as he unleashed a palpable, awe-inspiring aura.
In truth, Li Ruohai wielded but 80% of the old demonic corpse man's formidable power. Yet, even this fraction was immense. The old demonic corpse man was legendary as the foremost expert in the Blood Sea Realm, his strength not to be trifled with. Eighty percent of his might was nearly comparable to the power of a sect master from another major sect.
As Li Ruohai's gaze passed over them, many felt as if impaled, compelled to lower their heads and avert their eyes. However, a few influential figures stood their ground, meeting his gaze directly.
Li Ruohai focused on them. "What is it? Do you have objections?" he questioned deeply. His intention today was to assert his authority, fully aware that he needed to command their obedience for his subsequent plans. Li Ruohai's strategy was straightforward: first, consolidate these forces, then negotiate with the Grand Elder and the others. If they agreed, the Corpse Demon Sect would be unified. If they refused, he would act decisively. Unification was paramount; division invited peril.
Li Ruohai understood that in the absence of prior threats, internal divisions were manageable. But now, their greatest adversary, the Blood Slaughter Sect, had emerged. The Blood Slaughter Sect was currently assaulting the Yin-Yang Sect, and in Li Ruohai's estimation, the Yin-Yang Sect might not hold. If they fell, the Blood Slaughter Sect would gain significant momentum and rapidly recover its strength, perhaps even surpassing its former might. At that point, the Blood Slaughter Sect would undoubtedly turn their attention to the Corpse Demon Sect. If they remained fractured then, they would face dire consequences. Therefore, unification of the Corpse Demon Sect before the Blood Slaughter Sect's inevitable advance was crucial. This endeavor, however, required time. Currently, his sole hope was that the Yin-Yang Sect could hold the Blood Slaughter Sect at bay long enough for him to achieve the unification of the Corpse Demon Sect.
However, prerequisite for all of this was complete mastery over the power at hand. Only with absolute command would they possess the leverage to negotiate with the great elder and his ilk. Thus, the swiftest unification of the Corpse Demon Sect could perhaps be achieved.
As Li Ruohai’s thoughts swirled, a voice suddenly cut through the silence. "I simply wish to ask, Sect Master, by what merit do you lead us? Is it merely because you are of the Sect Master's bloodline that you can command us? I am unconvinced! Sect Master, please come forth and provide an explanation!" Following this outburst, several other voices chimed in, "Indeed! We are not convinced either. We implore the Sect Master to explain clearly: on what grounds are we to follow a mere fledgling? We refuse to accept this!"
Observing the dissenters, Li Ruohai sneered. "Unconvinced? Do not forget your place. This is the Corpse Demon Sect, and upon entering, you must adhere to its rules. If you cannot abide by them, then do not blame me for my lack of leniency. I was personally appointed by the Ancestor. Do you dare defy me? What value do you place on the Ancestor's decree? You are unconvinced? Very well, I shall grant you an opportunity. Let us duel. If any among you can escape my grasp, I shall relinquish the position of Sect Master. Do you accept this challenge?"
Upon hearing Li Ruohai's words, the faces of the individuals changed. They were not intimidated by Li Ruohai himself, but rather enraged. To suggest a one-on-one confrontation against all of them, with the condition of escape determining an offering of the Sect Master position, was a clear display of contempt. How could they possibly tolerate such an insult? One among them suddenly stepped forward and declared loudly, "There is no need for anyone else to intervene. I alone shall handle you. Let us commence."
Li Ruohai regarded him with a cold snort. "You? Ye Pei, face this!" With his pronouncement, his figure flickered, appearing instantly before the group. He then extended his hand, conjuring a dark mirror. The mirror erupted with a black radiance that enveloped the individuals. Their forms seemed to turn translucent, becoming ethereal.
Witnessing Li Ruohai's display, the group was taken aback. They immediately moved to resist, but to their shock, they found themselves transported to an unfamiliar realm, surrounded only by an oppressive darkness. Bewildered, they began lashing out at their surroundings, attempting to shatter this confining space.
As seasoned cultivators, they recognized the nature of their predicament—they had fallen into some form of illusion. Their immediate goal was to break free by dispelling this illusion. Yet, their continuous assaults yielded little effect; the darkness seemed to possess no focal point, and their attacks vanished without a trace, like stones cast into a fathomless sea. This futility only deepened their surprise.
Suddenly, a voice cried out, "This is not good! There is something aberrant about this space. I feel my life force draining away at an alarming rate! What is happening?" As he spoke, he gazed around in terror. His words drew the attention of the others, prompting them to examine their own bodies.
It must be understood that these individuals had all reached the cultivation level of Island Lords or higher, making them acutely sensitive to bodily changes. Their vitality was directly linked to their longevity and cultivation prowess. It was precisely this sensitivity that allowed them to immediately perceive the alarming alterations occurring within them.
Discovering that their life force was indeed rapidly depleting, they were thrown into a state of shock. They surged upwards simultaneously, desperate to breach the dark enclosure. Their relentless attacks and diverse methods proved utterly ineffective. This escalating desperation was soon compounded by the disconcerting realization that their offensive capabilities were diminishing.
A collective gasp of horror ensued. They immediately focused on their physical forms, only to find their once smooth hands now deeply wrinkled. Their hands had aged drastically, as if several centuries had passed in mere moments. Concurrently, they felt their bodily functions deteriorating, even their spiritual energy waning, a realization that amplified their shock.
One among them suddenly grasped the situation and cried out urgently, "Sect Master! We were mistaken! We understand our error now. Please, show mercy and spare us!" Upon hearing this plea, the others immediately comprehended the gravity of their situation. They recognized this as Li Ruohai's doing and understood that refusal would likely lead to their demise. Thus, they too began to beg Li Ruohai for his mercy and a chance to live.
Yet, how could Li Ruohai possibly permit their escape? His objective was to forge his authority using them, thus their departure was out of the question. He diligently began to activate the Yin-Yang Mirror, ceaselessly siphoning the life force from these individuals. The mirror transmuted the majority of this extracted vitality into a potent death energy, amplifying its own might. The residual life force, however, flowed into Li Ruohai's being, fortifying his own vitality to an even greater degree. This revelation sent waves of elation through him. While Li Ruohai was engrossed in refining the Yin-Yang Mirror, he had never anticipated its formidable capability to channel the opponent's life essence directly into his own body. With this inexhaustible supply of vitality, his lifespan would undoubtedly extend. This prospect was an immensely positive development for him, naturally filling him with profound joy.