Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8701 8701: The traitor (1)

"If the absolute worst occurs, what steps should be taken? Are warriors of the Blood Sea Realm capable of repelling an attack? Such a supreme expert hails from an upper realm. If they were to assault us, would we not be utterly annihilated? What, then, is the purpose of all our current endeavors?" Situ Jingyu’s expression was grim as he addressed Cheng Wanchun. For individuals of their standing, a profound dread of the higher realms was deeply ingrained. This fear fueled his question.

Cheng Wanchun regarded Situ Jingyu and responded, "Do you believe the Blood Slaughter Sect would manifest in the Blood Sea Realm without absolute confidence? I am certain each of you is aware of how the Blood Slaughter Sect was annihilated previously, correct? If we lacked assurance, would we dare to reveal ourselves in the Blood Sea Realm, risking annihilation by Forefather Corpse Demon once more?" "Since we have the audacity to appear in the Blood Sea Realm, it naturally follows that we possess the means to counter any Almighty from the higher realms. In truth, the two seas within our Blood Sea Realm have already forged an alliance with the sea belonging to the Giant Demon Sect. The formidable magical formations of our Three Seas have been united, coalescing into a colossal Three Talents Formation. This formation, I assure you, is fully capable of repelling the assaults from any Almighty of the upper realm. This is not mere conjecture; our conviction stems from my master having once obtained a finger from the Corpse Demon Patriarch. From this relic, we gained insight into the true power of an upper realm Almighty. Consequently, our formation was meticulously engineered to withstand such formidable beings. In the face of this elaborate defense, it would be truly astonishing if the six great sects' Alliance could even scratch its surface."

A momentary stupor washed over Situ Jingyu, quickly followed by a spark of enlightenment in his eyes. While they had swiftly pledged allegiance upon learning of the six major sects' assault on the Blood Slaughter Sect, they had diligently gathered intelligence. They knew that the forces of the six major sects had been utterly routed before they even glimpsed the Blood Slaughter Sect or its island sanctuary, suffering the loss of nearly half their disciples. The situation had been so dire that they were compelled to provoke the Corpse Ancestor of the Corpse Demon Sect into action, a desperate measure that barely facilitated their escape. This harrowing account was sufficient testament to the sheer might of the Blood Slaughter Sect's arrays.

If the defensive formations of the Blood Slaughter Sect were indeed engineered to counter entities from the higher realms, then all the perplexing details suddenly aligned. Concurrently, a novel concept began to form in Situ Jingyu's mind. He turned his gaze back to Cheng Wanchun and posed the question, "In that case, might it be possible to interlink the magical formation of our Blood Sea Alliance with your own? This would subsequently transform it into a formation capable of fending off an Almighty from the upper realm, would it not?"

A Knowing smile played on Cheng Wanchun's lips; he had anticipated this very inquiry. Nodding, he replied, "Did I not convey this possibility earlier? If you place your genuine trust in us, we can indeed enhance the formations within your main hall, elevating them to a level that would be impenetrable even to the combined might of the six gates. Once these formations are refined, they can be seamlessly integrated with the existing formations of the Blood Slaughter Sect. This transformation will expand our Three Talents Formation into a Four Symbols Formation, thereby amplifying its power exponentially. However, the success of this endeavor rests entirely upon Alliance Leader Situ and the rest of your esteemed colleagues. I must reiterate my previous statement: the ultimate decision lies within your hands."

A heavy silence descended upon Situ Jingyu and his companions. Cheng Wanchun's words had placed them in a precarious predicament, leaving them struggling to arrive at a decision within such a constricted timeframe. Recalling himself, Situ Jingyu managed a strained smile and addressed Cheng Wanchun, "Esteemed Daoist Cheng, it appears we must request your patience for a short while. Might I suggest you take this opportunity to rest? We shall convene to deliberate this matter. Once our discussions conclude, we shall furnish you with our answer. Rest assured, it will not be long."

Cheng Wanchun inclined his head in agreement and rose to depart. He offered a respectful salute to all present before exiting the chamber. He understood the intricate workings of an alliance all too well. Despite the presence of an Alliance Leader, the ultimate authority did not solely reside with them; crucial decisions necessitated consultation and consensus among the members. While this approach ostensibly honored the collective will of the majority, he mused that it could, at times, prove to be a considerable drain on valuable time.

Following Cheng Wanchun's departure, Situ Jingyu turned his attention to the assembled individuals and inquired, "Let us speak plainly. What are your individual assessments of this proposal? Do you believe Cheng Wanchun's account holds true? Assuming their claims are accurate, what course of action should we pursue? Conversely, if their assertions are fabricated, what then? I implore each of you to voice your perspectives openly. We must reach a decisive resolution with utmost expediency."

A ripple of uncertainty passed through the attendants as they exchanged looks, genuinely unsure how to address the situation or even if the claims held any water. After a considerable pause, a sect leader finally voiced his thoughts. "I believe the assertions from the Blood Massacre Sect may indeed hold truth," he stated. "The recent occurrences have been exceedingly peculiar. The conduct of the six major sects deviates significantly from their established norms. Most critically, the Almighty beings from the upper realms have remained conspicuously inactive. This is highly unusual, considering their typically overbearing nature; even during the Blood Massacre Sect's zenith, the Corpse Demon Patriarch alone could have annihilated them. Yet, the Blood Massacre Sect has resurfaced, eradicating two sects in swift succession, and still, those Almighty beings from the upper realm have not intervened. Is this not profoundly strange? If their claims are not the explanation, I cannot conceive of any other."

Others murmured in agreement, but one individual furrowed his brow and declared with gravity, "Then, have any of you considered an alternative perspective? Namely, that the Blood Massacre Sect might be the very traitors of the Shadow Realm we oppose. While they have long been locked in conflict with the Shadow Realm, achieving considerable success, the inexplicable nature of their recent actions remains. They reappeared, and before the six major sects could fully mobilize, the Shadow Realm forces invaded. Though the Blood Massacre Sect was the first to issue a declaration, recall that they only joined the fray later than the six major sects. Furthermore, the six major sects sustained heavy losses from the outset, yet consistently achieved victory. Does this not seem irrational? Can we truly believe the Blood Massacre Sect possesses such superior strength compared to the six major sects? I find that difficult to accept."

His words cast a hush over the entire hall, leaving everyone staring in astonishment. This particular angle had not crossed their minds. However, upon hearing his reasoning, they began to perceive how the apparent advantages the Blood Massacre Sect initially displayed could, in fact, be interpreted as incriminating evidence. This left them in a state of profound confusion.

At this juncture, another sect leader turned his gaze to the speaker and countered, "I find your suggestion that the Blood Massacre Sect is in league with the Shadow Realm unbelievable. Would the people of the Shadow Realm truly sacrifice hundreds of thousands of their own to enable the Blood Massacre Sect to gain our trust? The Shadow Realm is hardly known for such generosity."

"And why not?" the first speaker retorted, refusing to yield. "Losing over a hundred thousand individuals in exchange for control of our entire Blood Sea Realm is a price they would undoubtedly deem worthwhile. Why would the Shadow Realm refrain from such a play?" he challenged, his voice rising. The tension within the hall palpably escalated.

Suddenly, a fierce tiger's roar echoed through the chamber, stunning everyone. Before they could comprehend the source of the sound, a Bronze Tiger descended from above, launching itself directly at the individual who had accused the Blood Massacre Sect of colluding with the Shadow Realm. The tiger, though small, no more than half a meter in length, appearing almost toy-like and exquisitely formed, possessed considerable might. Its pounce was reminiscent of a ferocious predator attacking its prey.

The man, caught off guard by the sudden assault, remained composed and attempted to strike the tiger with his fist. However, just as his blow was about to connect, the tiger inexplicably split into two smaller versions of itself, both lunging at him. These smaller tigers then dissolved, transforming into a substance akin to molten bronze, which enveloped the man's body and immobilized him completely. He found himself utterly unable to move.

At that moment, a booming laugh resonated from beyond the doorway. "Hahaha, I never imagined I'd encounter a spy from the Shadow Realm here! How intriguing, most intriguing. This journey has certainly proven fruitful!" Cheng Wanchun strode into the hall, his laughter echoing.

Upon witnessing Cheng Wanchun alongside the sealed Sect Master, Situ Jingyu's demeanor shifted dramatically. He abruptly rose, fixing Cheng Wanchun with an icy glare. "Cheng Wanchun, what is the meaning of this? Are you suggesting that someone has accused the Bloody Massacre Sect of being a spy within the Shadow Realm? Do you possess any evidence to substantiate such a claim? Do not forget, this is the Blood Sea Alliance's domain, not that of the Bloody Massacre Sect. You cannot expect us to blindly believe your baseless accusations. If you cannot provide a justifiable explanation, do not hold me accountable for my subsequent actions."

Cheng Wanchun met Situ Jingyu's gaze. "Alliance Master Situ, I currently lack concrete evidence. However, I am prepared to wager my own life on this matter. I propose that you immediately seal my cultivation and then conduct a soul search. If this individual is indeed a spy dispatched by the Shadow Realm, then we can discuss cooperation. If, however, he is innocent, I shall willingly forfeit my life. What are your thoughts on this proposal?"

Cheng Wanchun's audacious declaration stemmed from his unshakeable conviction regarding the man's treachery. While some might have entertained the notion of the Bloody Massacre Sect colluding with the Shadow Realm, Cheng Wanchun felt a surge of satisfaction. The Shadow Realm's spies were not infallible; they carried tell-tale imperfections, numerous in fact. A hereditary bloodline seal, a form of restriction passed down through generations, served as their control mechanism. Without such measures, how could the Shadow Realm manage their operatives? This peculiar restriction bore resemblance to a curse, or perhaps more accurately, an incomplete one. Zhao Hai, deeply knowledgeable in the arts of curses, had ingeniously incorporated both curse arrays and anti-curse arrays into the artifacts he crafted for Cheng Wanchun and his associates. These artifacts possessed the capability to detect and counteract the curse afflicting individuals. As long as the suspected spy remained in Cheng Wanchun's proximity, the artifact would signal its discovery. Cheng Wanchun had indeed detected traces of this curse upon the individual in question, solidifying his certainty. He firmly believed that within the entirety of the Blood Sea Realm, only Zhao Hai possessed the arcane knowledge of curses. Consequently, the presence of such a curse pointed to a singular conclusion: this person was undeniably a spy from the Shadow Realm.