Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8672: Rumors (1)

Chapter 8672: Rumors (1)

When Zhao Hai announced they should get ready, he wasn't referring to battle preparations, but rather to bracing for impending rumors. The two statements they had previously made had placed the Corpse Demon Sect in a rather disadvantageous position. Zhao Hai anticipated that the members of the Corpse Demon Sect would seize this opportunity with full force, intending to suppress the Blood Kill Sect upon the deployment of their troops.

While it appeared that the Blood Kill Sect and the Corpse Demon Sect possessed comparable strength, this was not the reality. The Corpse Demon Sect commanded significantly greater renown throughout the Blood Sea Realm compared to the Blood Kill Sect. Furthermore, the Corpse Demon Sect had been instrumental in the destruction of the Blood Kill Sect during a previous conflict, amplifying their prestige. With the backing of several other sects, the resources available to the Corpse Demon Sect within the Blood Sea Realm actually surpassed those accessible to Zhao Hai and his allies.

It was precisely this disparity that led Zhao Hai to confidently predict that the Corpse Demon Sect would move to suppress the Blood Slaughter Sect the moment their forces were mobilized. Their ultimate objective was to curtail the power of the Blood Slaughter Sect. If this were not the case, the Corpse Demon Sect and their allied sects would not have been so quick to deploy their troops. Consequently, when Zhao Hai advised them to be prepared, he was, in essence, urging them to brace themselves mentally.

"Yes," came the unified reply. They grasped Zhao Hai's implication. After all, Zhao Hai had foreseen this scenario and had already apprised everyone of its potential. Thus, they immediately understood his meaning. Zhao Hai surveyed the assembled group and declared with gravitas, "The second piece of news is that individuals from the Shadow Realm have divided their forces to assault multiple sects, resulting in their complete subjugation. Most crucially, they did not annihilate all the inhabitants of these sects this time; instead, they took some captive. Do you all comprehend the significance of this?"

Upon hearing Zhao Hai's words, a wave of astonishment swept through everyone. They exchanged bewildered glances. To be candid, they genuinely failed to grasp Zhao Hai's point. The fact that the Shadow Realm's forces had dispersed, overthrown several sects, and apprehended their people seemed unrelated to their current situation.

Observing their confusion, Zhao Hai could only offer a wry smile. He continued, "Do you not understand? They dismantled those sects but spared the lives of many, taking them as prisoners instead. If these individuals genuinely pledge allegiance to them, then they will have an army of cultivators at their disposal. What does this signify? It signifies their intent to permanently occupy the Blood Sea Realm, a stark contrast to their previous actions of merely raiding the Blood Slaughter Sect for kills. Do you comprehend now?"

Zhao Hai's explanation struck them with such force that their expressions shifted dramatically. This was a development they had not remotely considered. Now, with Zhao Hai's clarification, the implication became chillingly clear. The Shadow Realm's forces were not executing their captives but holding them. Should these prisoners ultimately yield to the Shadow Realm, the latter would possess an army composed of cultivators. Such an army would enable them to establish a lasting dominion over the Blood Sea Realm.

Previously, the Shadow Realm lacked the capacity for prolonged occupation because they eradicated all cultivators, who in turn, fought with their very lives. However, by eschewing wholesale slaughter and instead taking captives, the dynamic had irrevocably shifted. In the future, when the Shadow Realm launched assaults on sects, those sects might choose capitulation rather than a fight to the death if resistance proved futile. This would lead to an ever-expanding force for the Shadow Realm, while the opposition from the Blood Sea Realm would progressively diminish. This represented the most perilous aspect of the new strategy.

It could be asserted that this maneuver by the Shadow Realm was exceptionally insidious. It targeted a fundamental vulnerability inherent in cultivators: their profound attachment to life. Cultivators deeply valued their existence, often preferring subjugation and servitude over the finality of death. This was because even in servitude, a glimmer of hope for a different future persisted; death, however, extinguished all possibilities.

Conversely, the Shadow Realm maintained a formidable level of strength. The fierce resistance previously exhibited by the inhabitants of the Blood Sea Realm stemmed from the knowledge that defiance offered a chance of survival, while surrender meant certain death. Now, however, the Shadow Realm had presented an alternative: surrender would spare their lives, while resistance would inevitably lead to their demise. Faced with such a grim choice, it was uncertain how many would remain steadfast in their opposition to the forces of the Shadow Realm.

Zhao Hai addressed the assembled group with gravity, "The recent developments in the Shadow Realm are exceedingly detrimental to us. Simultaneously, their resolute intent to annihilate us has been made unmistakably clear. Therefore, we must brace ourselves for an extensive and arduous conflict. The adversaries emerging from the Shadow Realm this time will undoubtedly prove formidable."

A chorus of assent arose from the group, their gazes alight with martial fervor. Despite the challenging circumstances, a conviction burned within them – they would not falter. They believed, with unwavering certainty, that they could vanquish the encroaching forces from the Shadow Realm, just as they had always thwarted previous attempts to gain an advantage. This time would be no different.

Observing the determination etched on their faces, Zhao Hai offered a smile. "Excellent, truly excellent. This is the very spirit I desired to see. Remember this: regardless of the enemy's strength or the methods they employ, we shall meet them head-on and annihilate them. For this is our domain; we are the rightful masters here!"

The crowd responded with a resounding affirmation. Zhao Hai then declared in a firm tone, "Very well, return and make your preparations. Regardless of the actions or readiness of the Corpse Demon Sect, our own strategy remains unchanged. We will strike only when the opportune moment arrives. During this interim, your sole focus must be on rigorous training and the mastery of battle formations. Any missteps on the battlefield will be met with unflinching resolve."

A tremor of apprehension ran through the assembled individuals, yet they quickly responded with a unified, "Yes!" Standing, they bowed to Zhao Hai before departing. Once they had all dispersed, Zhao Hai retreated to the rear courtyard, retiring to his chambers. He harbored no illusions; the arrival of the Shadow Realm forces was fraught with malice, demanding his utmost vigilance.

Over the subsequent ten days, the Blood Sea Realm experienced a period of gradual tranquility. However, an unspoken understanding permeated the realm: this calm was ephemeral. The Corpse Demon Sect and several allied sects were diligently marshaling their forces. The purpose behind this mobilization was universally acknowledged – to confront the encroaching Shadow Realm. Should their efforts be directed elsewhere, not towards the Shadow Realm's threat, but towards the Bloody Massacre Sect, such an act would be deemed unforgivable, branding them as traitors for millennia.

Concurrently, the forces of the Shadow Realm were also on the offensive, systematically subjugating smaller and mid-sized sects across the Blood Sea Realm. It was evident that, save for the eight major sects, no other sect lay outside their aggressive reach. This impending danger prompted many sects with significant backing to seek refuge within the citadels of the major powers. Those without such protective affiliations, or those who delayed their escape, found themselves compelled to surrender, as the Shadow Realm readily accepted capitulation.

This pragmatic approach by the Shadow Realm proved effective. By refraining from indiscriminate slaughter within the Blood Sea Realm, they swayed the populace away from resistance. The people of the Blood Sea Realm were now beginning to embrace surrender as a viable option. This trend boded ill for the Blood Sea Realm, as each surrender bolstered the Shadow Realm's strength while diminishing their own. This was precisely the predicament that caused Zhao Hai the greatest unease.

Yet, faced with this unfolding reality, Zhao Hai recognized his limited ability to alter the course of events. He could not preemptively engage the Shadow Realm forces due to this burgeoning situation, lest they face a calamitous defeat. He was acutely aware that a premature, uncoordinated assault would yield no benefit to their cause.

While Zhao Hai could afford to wait, others could not. The Alliance Army, a coalition forged by the Corpse Demon Sect and several other factions, found themselves unable to remain passive. Their objective was to repel the Shadow Realm and, by extension, counter the threat posed to the Bloody Massacre Sect. With the Shadow Realm forces growing increasingly audacious, how could they possibly endure such provocation? Consequently, once their unified army was assembled, they immediately marched towards the Shadow Realm's encampment.

The Shadow Realm's current operational theater was centered around the vicinity of the erstwhile Lone Island Market. However, the territory they now controlled far surpassed the maritime expanse of any single major sect, having absorbed the surrounding waters of numerous smaller and mid-sized sects. In terms of sheer sea area, their occupied domain was now larger than that of an average major sect, placing it within the top three of the ten most formidable sects.

Yet, the territory now under the Shadow Realm Army's occupation was enveloped in a somber gray fog. Following the departure of the Corpse Demon Sect and other major sects towards the Shadow Realm Army's domain, the Shadow Realm had withdrawn all its outward-facing teams. Every soldier of the Shadow Realm retreated into the gray fog, maintaining a silent vigil, much like a predator patiently awaiting its unsuspecting prey to wander into its trap.

While the combined forces of the Corpse Demon Sect and several other sects advanced, their progress was marked by extreme caution and a measured pace. At this deliberate speed, it was estimated that they would require at least five full days to reach the Shadow Realm Army's current location. Throughout their journey, their actions were not directed at the Shadow Realm Army. Instead, their focus was exclusively on the Bloody Massacre Sect.

As their army pushed forward, disturbing whispers began to circulate throughout the Blood Sea Realm. These rumors suggested that only the Allied army, spearheaded by the Corpse Demon Sect, genuinely prioritized the well-being of the Blood Sea Realm and harbored sincere intentions of confronting the Shadow Realm Army. Conversely, it was insinuated that the Bloody Massacre Sect harbored no true desire to engage the Shadow Realm's forces, and their prior declarations were merely a ploy to win popular favor.

A segment of the populace readily accepted these fabrications. A number of the rogue cultivators who had previously pledged allegiance to the Bloody Massacre Sect began to defect. These insidious words also began to sow seeds of doubt among certain disciples of the Bloody Massacre Sect. They started to question whether their sect truly intended to confront the Shadow Realm. Naturally, these wavering disciples were primarily those from smaller sects who had only recently joined the Bloody Massacre Sect, and their faith in the sect remained fragile. They were also unfamiliar with the true nature of Zhao Hai.

The influential members of the Bloody Massacre Sect chose not to offer any rebuttal or clarification in response to this unfolding situation. They continued their established operations as usual, completely unfazed. This was because Zhao Hai had foreseen this exact scenario. He had already conferred with the leadership of the Bloody Massacre Sect regarding such possibilities. Consequently, these baseless rumors held no sway over the seasoned disciples of the Bloody Massacre Sect.