Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8677 8677: Sudden change (1)

"What? What's happening? Where did this poison originate from?" Upon hearing the cultivator's words, Li Ruohai's expression drastically changed. It must be known that the total number of soldiers they had mobilized for this campaign was roughly one million. Yet, a staggering 600,000 of them were now afflicted by poison. How could this be possible? Who was responsible for such a treacherous act?

The cultivator, sweat beading on his forehead as he faced Li Ruohai, spoke with a deep and serious tone. "Reporting to Alliance Master, our scouts just investigated and discovered that Wei Zhen's contingent, whom we observed earlier, has vanished entirely. Their massive magical artifacts are all empty. Therefore, we can surmise that Wei Zhen's group might be the ones who administered the poison."

Hearing this, Li Ruohai was momentarily stunned. Then, clenching his teeth, he spat, "Damn it! As a cultivator, I am actually aiding those from the Shadow Realm! If I ever lay eyes on you again, I will tear you limb from limb! Pass down the order: everyone immediately boards the large magical artifacts and we shall make a retreat!"

Before the man could even acknowledge the command, the resounding beat of drums filled the air. Following the percussive assault, formations of Shadow Realm soldiers emerged from the swirling gray fog. Leading these troops was a distinguished contingent of shadow generals, mounted atop colossal pythons. Numbering approximately ten thousand, this vanguard advanced with remarkable precision, positioning themselves at the forefront of the entire Shadow Realm army.

Witnessing this unfolding spectacle, Li Ruohai's face contorted in alarm. He swiftly commanded, "All those who are not poisoned shall remain to defend the rear. Those overcome by the poison, retreat with all haste!" No sooner had the order been issued than a clamor erupted from within the ranks. Li Ruohai looked up in shock to see several of the large magical artifacts retreating without his command, their speed increasing exponentially. It appeared the enemy was poised to flee.

A pounding resonated in Li Ruohai's head. He understood with absolute clarity that while the army maintained its cohesive formation, a contingent remained to cover the rear, ensuring those poisoned had a chance to escape. Once they regrouped and potentially discovered an antidote, all would be well. However, if anyone initiated a retreat now, the formation would shatter, offering the enemy an immediate opportunity to strike. In such a scenario, their defeat would be absolute.

He had harbored fears of such a possibility, but he hadn't anticipated it would actually transpire. Gazing at the fleeing large Dharma artifacts with eyes burning red, he bellowed, "Who is it? Who ordered the retreat? Who dares to withdraw without my command?" Li Ruohai felt on the verge of madness. He knew all too well that if even one individual retreated, the others would surely follow, rendering any semblance of control over the army utterly impossible.

At that critical juncture, an individual beside him interjected, "Sect Master, it is the people from the Rahu sect." Each sect possessed unique large-scale magical weapons, and their distinctive characteristics were readily apparent to anyone knowledgeable. Li Ruohai, caught in the heat of the moment, had simply failed to notice.

Upon identifying the perpetrators as belonging to the Rahu sect, Li Ruohai could only roar towards the heavens, "You are incapable of achieving anything substantial, yet you excel at ruining everything! Rahu sect, you are truly unworthy of the title of 'son'!" His fury was so immense that words failed him, especially as he observed other large magical artifacts from different sects also beginning to retreat in the wake of the Rahu sect's defection.

Suddenly, a rapid drumbeat echoed through the battlefield. Li Ruohai turned his head to witness the Shadow Realm army reform their ranks and commence a charge, guided by the insistent drumming. Though their numbers were less than 200,000, their formation was impeccably disciplined. At the vanguard, the shadow generals astride their giant pythons, approximately ten thousand strong, led the charge.

The Shadow Realm forces advanced with breathtaking speed. With the opposing forces not positioned very far away, the Shadow Realm army swiftly reached the Allied forces' defensive perimeter. However, this newly established line of defense was clearly unprepared. Numerous sections of the hastily constructed defenses remained unactivated. Moreover, with the majority already focused on escape, any will to fight had dissipated. Consequently, the defense line proved virtually ineffective.

Adding to the mounting frustration, the activation of nearly all the grand celestial artifacts required a significant warm-up period. This meant their initial velocity was agonizingly slow. Before they could even gain momentum, the Shadow Realm's forces descended. A multitude of these magnificent artifacts became ensnared in direct assaults. At this critical juncture, the resistance offered by some artifacts was virtually nonexistent. With a scarcity of individuals within their confines not succumbing to the poison, their capability was reduced to mere activation, rendering any substantial defense impossible.

The vanguard of the shadow generals paid no heed to these struggling contraptions. They surged onward, leaving the immobilized celestial devices to the pursuing shadow soldiers. Their sole objective: the grand artifacts that had already managed to accelerate.

Witnessing this devastation, Li Ruohai's eyes blazed with fury. He let out a cold snort and commanded in a deep, resonant voice, "Pass down my decree! All major Dharma artifacts of the Corpse Demon Sect are to commence withdrawal. Those unaffected by the poison are to converge near the Demon King's Coffin; we shall defend the rear. The poisoned are to evacuate immediately on other large-scale Dharma artifacts. Make haste!" His command was directed towards an Elder of the Corpse Demon Sect standing nearby, who acknowledged it and promptly turned to relay the order.

Swiftly, the large ritual implements of the Corpse Demon Sect began to shift. Those unpoisoned disembarked and moved to gather around the Demon King's Coffin. Concurrently, the other major ritual implements initiated a slow retreat. Senior Elders and experts of Island Lord level from the Corpse Demon Sect positioned themselves, forming a protective circle around Li Ruohai.

This tactical maneuver did not go unnoticed by the Shadow Realm's army. Their forces immediately redirected towards Li Ruohai's contingent. Even the shadow generals, who had been in pursuit of the accelerating artifacts, altered their course to converge on this location. By this point, fewer than 100,000 individuals remained gathered around Li Ruohai; the vast majority had fallen victim to the poison.

Seeing that nearly two-thirds of his forces had been lost, Li Ruohai's expression grew even more grim. Gazing at the encircling Shadow Realm forces, he bellowed, "All members of the Corpse Demon Sect, heed my words! Launch an assault on their Shadow General Formation!" With that declaration, he ascended into the air, his hand flipping over to reveal the Yin-Yang Death Mirror. The yin-yang symbol on the mirror began to spin, unleashing twin beams of dark light that struck the Shadow General Formation. The remaining disciples of the Corpse Demon Sect joined the fray, unleashing a barrage of various ritual implements at the formation. Simultaneously, the Demon King's Coffin stirred, turning slowly in a different direction. It began to accelerate, aiming to crash into the Shadow General Formation. However, having just been activated, the coffin's speed remained disappointingly slow.

At this critical moment, an immense volume of gray mist materialized, enveloping Li Ruohai and his companions. Li Ruohai felt the death light he had unleashed vanish into the swirling mist as if swallowed by the depths, leaving no trace of its impact. He then realized with growing dread that tendrils of this gray fog were coiling around the Demon King's Coffin like grasping tentacles. Despite its struggles, the colossal coffin found itself rigidly immobilized.

A chilling premonition coursed through Li Ruohai. A terrifying possibility dawned upon him: this pervasive gray fog might, in fact, be a celestial artifact itself – an unimaginably vast and bizarre one. If this hypothesis held true, their situation had become exceedingly perilous, and an immediate escape was paramount.

Without hesitation, discarding all other concerns, he commanded urgently, "Corpse Demon Sect, listen! Break through the encirclement this instant! This gray fog is a powerful magic weapon. Flee with all your might, as many as can escape!" As he spoke, the Death Mirror in his hand projected streams of death light. Where this light met the gray fog, it carved a temporary passage. However, the mist quickly resealed the breach. This fleeting opening was their only chance. The fog had only just enveloped them; a timely escape was still conceivable. Should the gray fog expand any further, their chances of survival would dwindle to nothing.

The other members of the Corpse Demon Sect detected Li Ruohai's cry and immediately sensed that something was amiss. Their expressions contorted in alarm, and they charged into the swirling gray fog without hesitation, fleeing as they attacked. By sheer luck, the dense gray fog had only just enveloped them, and they managed to escape its reach, having traveled no more than ten miles. Upon breaking free, they glanced back to see the ominous gray fog rolling relentlessly onward. Terrified, they didn't dare linger and bolted directly ahead. Some even plunged into the crimson mist, perhaps hoping it would serve as a shield against the encroaching gray or at least obscure them from pursuers, thereby increasing their odds of survival.

Li Ruohai, too, had plunged into the sea of blood. He couldn't spare a thought for anything else; his sole focus was escape. Having just been granted a second chance at life, he desperately wished to avoid perishing here. Survival was his only goal, and he ran with all his might, disregarding the Allied forces, the disciples of the Corpse Demon Sect, and everything else. His entire being was consumed by the need to flee.

After an indeterminate period, even Li Ruohai, possessing a formidable cultivation, began to feel the strain. He finally broke free from the bloody expanse. Looking around, he found himself enveloped by the vast, unyielding blood sea. There was nothing in sight, rendering direction impossible to discern. However, the terrifying gray fog was no longer visible.

Li Ruohai exhaled a shaky breath, but his relief was short-lived, replaced by a grim expression. Although he had miraculously survived, he was utterly alone. He had no knowledge of the Allied forces' fate, how many had escaped, or the condition of the Corpse Demon Sect members. Had all the Elders managed to flee? Their defeat this time had been swift and devastating, a reality no one had foreseen. This crushing loss felt like a blade twisting in Li Ruohai's heart.