Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8698 8698: Alliance_1
Previously on Living In Another World With A Farm...
Surveying his surroundings, Cheng Wanchun found himself encircled by cultivators. While their individual cultivation levels might not have been particularly high, they displayed no deference towards him. Instead, their angry gazes made Cheng Wanchun feel rather uneasy. He was, after all, an Island Lord, a position that once commanded immense respect in the Blood Sea Realm. Never before had low-level cultivators dared to look at him with such insolence. Yet, these sect disciples seemed to harbor a deep animosity towards him.
However, Cheng Wanchun soon grasped the underlying reason. The actions of the six major sects had sown seeds of discontent, leading to widespread hatred for them throughout the Blood Sea Realm. More importantly, these events had eroded the common people's fear of the ten great sects. While this was beneficial for the Blood Sea Realm in some respects, it also presented a double-edged sword.
He considered it a positive development because the populace's diminished fear of the ten great sects might foster an environment conducive to growth. With such conditions, the Blood Sea Realm could potentially flourish. This flowering of opportunity would undoubtedly benefit the cultivation world within the realm, leading to the emergence of more profound cultivation techniques and a greater number of powerful cultivators.
Conversely, there was a downside. The Shadow Realm was currently posing an invasion threat, a critical juncture when the Blood Sea Realm desperately needed unity to repel the external enemy. At such a pivotal time, the formation of this alliance, and the subsequent friction with the six major sects, was far from ideal for the Blood Sea Realm's defense.
Nevertheless, Cheng Wanchun remained largely unconcerned. In his estimation, the alliance forged by these cultivators, while possessing some martial strength, was dwarfed by the might of the Blood Slaughter Sect. He was privy to Zhao Hai's strategic objectives: to identify the vulnerabilities of the Shadow Realm invaders. Once those invaders were neutralized, Zhao Hai would then turn his attention to the six major sects and this newly formed alliance, ultimately aiming to unify the Blood Sea Realm. Cheng Wanchun firmly believed in Zhao Hai's capability to achieve this grand vision, recognizing him as the only one who could orchestrate such a monumental undertaking within the Blood Sea Realm.
At that very moment, Cheng Wanchun observed the disciple who had initially escorted him returning. The disciple approached Cheng Wanchun, cupped his fists, and announced, "Daoist Cheng, please follow me." He then gestured for Cheng Wanchun to proceed. Unbothered by the mere title of "Fellow Daoist" instead of "Sir," Cheng Wanchun simply nodded and followed the disciple onto the island.
Their journey soon concluded before a grand hall. The disciple promptly entered to announce their arrival. Shortly thereafter, a voice emanated from within, stating, "Invite him in." The disciple then emerged and addressed Cheng Wanchun, "Fellow Daoist Cheng, please." With a nod, Cheng Wanchun stepped into the hall.
Upon entering the main hall, Cheng Wanchun recognized everyone seated within. He immediately addressed Situ Jingyu, who occupied the most prominent seat, "I am Cheng Wanchun, a disciple of the Blood Slaughter Sect. Greetings, Alliance Master Situ." He then offered a respectful bow to Situ Jingyu.
Situ Jingyu regarded Cheng Wanchun and replied, "Daoist Cheng, there is no need for such formality. Please take a seat." He gestured, and a disciple swiftly brought forth a chair for Cheng Wanchun. After expressing his gratitude, Cheng Wanchun sat down, with the two formidable metal puppets standing obediently behind him, resembling steadfast iron sentinels.
Gesturing towards the two puppets flanking Cheng Wanchun, Situ Jingyu then turned his attention back to him. "Friend Cheng, may I inquire about the purpose of your visit to my Blood Sea Alliance today?" Situ Jingyu felt that the Blood Sea Alliance was now a force to be reckoned with, on par with the Blood Slaughter Sect. Consequently, he saw no need for excessive politeness and opted for a direct approach.
Cheng Wanchun chuckled. "Indeed, I have come to the Blood Sea Alliance today for two matters. Firstly, I bear a message from my master, the Blood Slaughter Sect, extending congratulations on the establishment of the Blood Sea Alliance. Please accept this humble gift as a token of our respect." With that, he produced an interspatial bag. At that moment, a disciple approached Cheng Wanchun with a tray. Cheng Wanchun offered a smile and placed the interspatial bag upon it.
The disciple, holding the tray with both hands, presented it to Situ Jingyu. As he stood before Situ Jingyu and lifted the tray, Situ Jingyu took the interspatial bag and scanned it with his spiritual power. A subtle shift in his expression occurred. He then looked back at Cheng Wanchun and declared, "I am truly pleased with this gift. Many thanks, Sect Master Zhao."
Situ Jingyu offered a smile and continued, "Alliance Master Situ, there's no need for such formality. The second reason for my visit is based on my master's directive to confer with you, Alliance Master Situ. Both our Blood Slaughter Sect and the Giant Demon Sect are amenable to forging an alliance with the Blood Sea. We are curious about Alliance Master Situ's decision on this matter."
Cheng Wanchun's words left Situ Jingyu and his companions astonished. The prospect of Cheng Wanchun initiating discussions for an alliance was entirely unanticipated. They had never conceived that Cheng Wanchun would approach them with such an objective.
Situ Jingyu regarded Cheng Wanchun and inquired, "Does Sect Master Zhao genuinely wish to form an alliance with us? What is the underlying reason? Our Blood Sea Alliance has only recently been established, and we have already incurred the displeasure of the six major sects. At this juncture, it seems counterintuitive for the Blood Slaughter Sect to seek an alliance with us, wouldn't you agree?" Situ Jingyu harbored significant surprise and a deep desire to comprehend Zhao Hai's motivations for proposing an alliance.
Cheng Wanchun, addressing Situ Jingyu, explained, "My master's sentiment is that our Blood Sea Realm currently faces a perilous predicament. The Shadow Realm's invading army this time is no trifling force; it is spearheaded by a King, and their ranks swell to over a million elite soldiers. Should we fail to neutralize this threat swiftly, the Shadow Realm will undoubtedly seize the opportunity to dispatch further reinforcements into our Blood Sea Realm. The repercussions of such an event would be dire beyond imagination. Therefore, my master's intention is for us to consolidate all available forces capable of unification to confront the Shadow Realm's army collectively. We can even set aside our animosity towards the six major sects for the time being."
Situ Jingyu nodded, his gaze fixed on Cheng Wanchun. "Well articulated, Sect Master Zhao indeed possesses a magnanimous perspective. However, should we establish this alliance, how shall we strategize our engagement against the forces of the Shadow Realm? Are we to consolidate our forces in a single location?" Situ Jingyu was probing, keen to ascertain Cheng Wanchun's proposals. An affirmative response would imply the Blood Slaughter Sect's intent to command all their disciples, potentially treating them as expendable cannon fodder – a prospect Situ Jingyu would never countenance, harboring no trust in the Blood Slaughter Sect.
Cheng Wanchun countered, shaking his head. "No, my master's intent is not to gather all our forces for a decisive confrontation. Instead, while we must jointly address the Shadow Realm's army, there is no necessity for a complete consolidation of forces. My master proposes that the Blood Sea Alliance can deploy its troops independently. However, our respective armies shall engage in mutual intelligence sharing and provide reciprocal support. For instance, should the Shadow Realm's army launch a full-scale assault upon our Blood Slaughter Sect, we would request that you engage the Shadow Realm's forces from the flank, compelling them to divert their attention and return to your aid."
He continued, "Naturally, if the Shadow Realm's forces were to mount an overwhelming attack upon your region, we would likewise commit our full strength to engage the Shadow Realm's army and relieve your people from being besieged. The command structure for both our armies will remain independent. However, during engagements, we intend to coordinate our actions, ensuring the enemy gains no advantage by exploiting any potential breaches in our defenses."
Upon hearing this, Situ Jingyu paused, momentarily lost in thought. He then looked at Cheng Wanchun and stated, "This approach is not without merit. However, you must understand that our Alliance is nascent. Prior to this, we were subjected to incursions by the six major sects, leaving our resources considerably strained. Furthermore, we lack a fortified defensive line comparable to your sect's capabilities. Facing the Shadow Realm's army directly presents a significant challenge for us."
"My master has already anticipated this. Should your Alliance agree to this pact, the Blood Slaughter Sect is prepared to offer you one hundred array platforms gratuitously. These hundred array platforms would suffice for establishing a defensive perimeter. It is important to note, however, that these platforms are not as mobile as large magical artifacts; once erected, they cannot be relocated without dismantling and rebuilding. Nevertheless, they represent the current standard utilized by the Blood Slaughter Sect. What are your thoughts, Alliance Master Situ?"
Situ Jingyu remained silent. To be frank, the offer presented by the Blood Slaughter Sect was exceedingly generous, and he found himself tempted. However, he was still unable to commit to a decision, uncertain whether to accept the proposal. As an alliance, such a decision could not be made unilaterally. He turned to Cheng Wanchun and remarked, "Daoist Cheng, this matter requires deliberation before a decision can be rendered. Would it be amenable for Daoist Cheng to remain within our Blood Sea Alliance for a few days?"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Wanchun couldn't help but offer a smile. "No problem, but my stay can only extend to three days at most. With many pressing matters within the sect, especially during this critical juncture, I must return promptly. I trust Alliance Master Situ will have an answer for me by then."
Situ Jingyu nodded, his voice deep and resolute. "Three days is ample time. Esteemed Daoist, please rest assured, we shall certainly provide you with an answer. Someone, escort Daoist Cheng to his accommodations. Ensure he is settled comfortably and that all his needs are met, as he is our most honored guest." A disciple from the Azure Wind Sect stepped forward, responding to the call and approaching Cheng Wanchun. "Lord Cheng, this way, please."
A polite smile gracing his lips, Cheng Wanchun rose. He bowed to Situ Jingyu, stating, "Alliance Master Situ, I shall take my leave for now. I anticipate hearing favorable news within the next two days." Cheng Wanchun then offered salutes to the others present. Though they remained silent, Cheng Wanchun recognized them as leaders of mid-tier sects. Their standing and cultivation were not insignificant, necessitating his utmost courtesy from the outset. After all, he was the representative of the Bloody Massacre Sect, and any discourtesy shown here would undoubtedly tarnish the sect's esteemed reputation.
Exchanging courtesies, Cheng Wanchun departed the hall accompanied by the disciple.