Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8719: Breadth of mind (1)
Previously on Living In Another World With A Farm...
The fate of the Corpse Demon Sect was a precursor to events unfolding elsewhere, though the leaders of other sects remained oblivious. Those who were aware chose not to object, even initiating contact with the Blood Slaughter Sect. Prior grievances were disregarded; in the cultivation world, animosity was common, and dwelling on revenge would lead to an early demise. The paramount concern for these sect leaders was the continuation of their sect's inheritance. They were willing to humble themselves, even before adversaries like the Blood Slaughter Sect.
Three days vanished like a fleeting dream. On this day, the Blood Slaughter Sect's forces launched a direct assault upon the six major sects. Curiously, the six major sects exhibited an unusual lack of unified response. It wasn't that they entirely failed to muster their armies; the sect masters of the Rahu Sect, Poison Bug Valley Sect, and Sharp Sword Sect had indeed gathered some disciples. However, the Corpse Demon Sect, Heaven Crippling Sect, and Sick Man Sect remained conspicuous in their inaction, showing no inclination to engage in the conflict.
This inaction led to a widespread understanding within the Blood Sea Realm: the Alliance of the six major sects had likely crumbled. As for the Sick Man Sect, Heaven Crippling Sect, and Corpse Demon Sect, their ultimate allegiances remained uncertain. Despite all three having suffered at the hands of the Blood Slaughter Sect, their potential capitulation to their former tormentors would not raise eyebrows.
The seemingly pre-ordained reactions of these three sects did not elicit much surprise from the Rahu Sect and its allies. Their primary interest lay in observing the Blood Slaughter Sect's subsequent actions. At this juncture, the Blood Slaughter Sect's formidable army was advancing toward the Sick Man Sect.
Just as the Blood Slaughter Sect's forces drew near the Sick Man Sect's borders, the Sick Man Sect's leader formally announced their surrender to the Blood Slaughter Sect. This outcome was widely anticipated, thus eliciting no extraordinary reactions. The onlookers were merely curious about the Blood Slaughter Sect's methods of integration. However, Zhao Hai's subsequent actions left all cultivators in the Blood Sea Realm utterly astonished.
Zhao Hai promptly declared that the Sick Man Sect would henceforth be known as the Sick Man Hall of the Blood Slaughter Sect, with the former sect master appointed as its Hall Master. This unprecedented approach sent shockwaves through the other sects of the Blood Sea Realm. By doing so, the Blood Slaughter Sect effectively absorbed the Sick Man Sect while simultaneously granting it a remarkable degree of autonomy. The former sect master retained virtually the same level of authority as before—a development nobody had foreseen.
Even more astonishing was Zhao Hai's subsequent march towards the Heaven Crippling Sect. Upon their surrender, Zhao Hai implemented the exact same policy as with the Sick Man Sect, renaming it the Heaven Crippling Hall under the Blood Slaughter Sect's banner. The submission of two sects and the unexpected restoration of their former powers sent ripples of uproar throughout the Blood Sea Realm. No one had anticipated Zhao Hai possessing such formidable power or the audacity to return authority to the newly integrated sects.
As the Blood Slaughter Sect approached the Corpse Demon Sect, pockets of resistance emerged but were swiftly quashed. The Corpse Demon Sect ultimately surrendered to the Blood Slaughter Sect under the command of its Great Elder. The Blood Slaughter Sect then announced the establishment of the Corpse Demon Branch and appointed the Great Elder as its Hall Master.
Yet, the matter did not conclude there. Instead of immediately targeting the remaining three sects, Zhao Hai announced a grand ceremony at the Corpse Demon Sect to honor the fallen Li Ruohai. He personally commanded a thorough search for Li Ruohai's and the Corpse Ancestor's remains, ordered the construction of a large tomb on Corpse Demon Island, and decreed that Li Ruohai be posthumously bestowed the title of Blood Sea Realm Hero, to be revered by all future disciples of the Blood Slaughter Sect.
This decree profoundly shocked everyone present. No one had predicted such a gesture from Zhao Hai. The Corpse Demon Sect had previously annihilated a contingent of the Blood Slaughter Sect, yet Zhao Hai still chose to honor Li Ruohai in such a manner. This act defied all expectations. Given the history of enmity between the Blood Slaughter Sect and the Corpse Demon Sect, their animosity seemed irreconcilable. How could Li Ruohai be shown such profound respect? Yet, Zhao Hai had done precisely that.
Following that discovery, Zhao Hai located Li Ruohai's remains and also secured a portion of the Corpse Ancestor's essence. A grand tomb was then personally constructed by Zhao Hai within the Corpse Demon Sect for both Li Ruohai and the Corpse Ancestor. He inscribed it with the words "Tomb of the Blood Sea Hero" and paid his final respects to Li Ruohai.
Zhao Hai's remarkable actions sent ripples throughout the Blood Sea Realm, leading to an almost immediate silence. A collective realization dawned upon everyone: Zhao Hai of the Blood Slaughter Sect was indeed an individual of extraordinary caliber. Setting aside all other considerations, his sheer magnanimity and broad-mindedness were qualities unmatched by others. Such a gesture was unheard of.
The disciples of the Corpse Demon Sect were profoundly moved by Zhao Hai's conduct. Any prior resentment they harbored completely vanished, replaced by fervent loyalty. They became his most ardent supporters, willing to lay down their lives for him.
Furthermore, Zhao Hai's strategic maneuvers placed considerable pressure upon the other three major sects. A significant exodus of disciples, including some Island Lord-level experts, fled from these rival sects toward Zhao Hai's influence, instilling deep apprehension. It was then that the true magnitude of Zhao Hai's impact became apparent. His single act of reverence had not only captured the allegiance of the Corpse Demon Sect disciples but had also swayed the hearts of cultivators across the entire Blood Sea Realm. Simultaneously, it ignited a shared animosity towards the Shadow Realm Army among all Blood Sea Realm inhabitants. Consequently, the three major sects found themselves confronting immense internal and external pressures.
At this juncture, a piece of news erupted, electrifying the entire Blood Sea Realm. This announcement, disseminated with surprising swiftness by the Blood Slaughter Sect, was subsequently corroborated by the Blood Sea Alliance and other prominent sects. The Shadow Realm Army had commenced its offensive.
The movements of the Shadow Realm Army this time were notably aberrant. Rather than advancing upon the established defense lines of the Blood Slaughter Sect and the Blood Sea Alliance with their usual gray fog, they began to infiltrate other regions of the Blood Sea Realm from two distinct directions. Within a mere span of days, the territory they commanded more than doubled. This development stirred excitement among the Blood Sea Realm's populace, who finally sensed that the situation was escalating beyond mere skirmishes, suspecting an impending full-scale invasion by the Shadow Realm.
In response, the Blood Slaughter Sect's forces were mobilized once more, directly targeting Li Ruohai's previous location. Concurrently, internal turmoil erupted within the Fierce Sword Sect. Rank-and-file disciples sought refuge and joined the Blood Slaughter Sect, while some Island Lord-level cultivators attempted to assassinate their own Sect Master and lead the entire Fierce Sword Sect in a defection. However, their plot was thwarted, and those sect leaders who instigated the rebellion managed to escape to the Blood Slaughter Sect themselves. They swiftly integrated into the latter, vowing to launch a counter-offensive against the Fierce Sword Sect.
This dramatic turn of events left many astonished. A similar internal upheaval occurred within the Venomous Bug Valley. Although the Valley Master managed to regain control, a substantial number of disciples absconded and pledged their fealty to the Blood Slaughter Sect, becoming its new initiates.
Following their assimilation of these defectors, the Blood Slaughter Sect continued its advance towards the Fierce Sword Sect. After a ten-day march, they reached the outer reaches of the Fierce Sword Sect's oceanic territory. In accordance with Zhao Hai's directives, the Blood Slaughter Sect's army established a encampment just outside the Fierce Sword Sect's domain. Concurrently, array platforms were erected, and a defensive perimeter was secured.
Zhao Hai, at this moment, was situated on a massive magical artifact belonging to the Blood Slaughter Sect. This formidable vessel, a creation of the sect itself, bore a striking resemblance to an enlarged array platform. Its circular, unadorned design belied its formidable combat capabilities. The platform itself was devoid of any structures, containing only intricate arrays and an expansive open space.
This very space had been transformed into Zhao Hai's makeshift office. A simple futon and a desk were all that were present, serving as his workstation. He had convened a meeting of the high-ranking officials from the Blood Slaughter Sect, the Corpse Demon Sect, the Sick Man Sect, and the Heaven Crippling Sect. Additionally, the newly surrendered experts from the Fierce Sword Sect and the Venomous Bug Valley were also present, filling the vast expanse of the platform, which measured over a thousand meters in diameter, making it appear less desolate.
Zhao Hai observed the assembled crowd and declared, "Fellow cultivators, we now stand at the fringes of the Severe Sword Sect. Members of this sect are abundant in this area, and I trust you are all fully aware of the Severe Sword Sect's current standing. I am confident that we possess the capability to vanquish the Severe Sword Sect in a single, decisive blow. However, before we proceed, I must attend to a personal matter. I fear this action may cause some discontent, and for that, I humbly request your understanding."
A wave of confusion rippled through the ranks as they looked to Zhao Hai, puzzled by his intentions. Zhao Hai continued, his voice resonating with gravity, "To all who hail from the Severe Sword Sect and the Poisonous Bug Valley, it brings me great satisfaction that you have braved the hardships of your former affiliations to unite with my Bloody Massacre Sect in our crusade against the Shadow Realm. Nevertheless, the denizens of the Shadow Realm are notoriously insidious and cunning; their schemes know no bounds. Consequently, I must exercise extreme caution. While we engage the Severe Sword Sect, the Poisonous Bug Valley, and the Rahu Sect, I will temporarily seal your cultivation bases and confiscate your spatial teleportation artifacts. Furthermore, I will implement a system of mutual surveillance amongst you to preempt any infiltration by Shadow Realm spies, which have unfortunately disrupted our operations in the past. I must apologize for any inconvenience this may cause; please accept my sincerest apologies."
Instantly, the expressions of those present shifted dramatically. Then, one cultivator from the Severe Sword Sect rose indignantly, his gaze fixed on Zhao Hai. "Sect Leader Zhao Hai, what is the meaning of this? Are you suggesting that there are Shadow Realm spies among us? Had we been such traitors, we would never have fought our way out of our sects to join the Bloody Massacre Sect. Is this not an act of profound distrust on your part?"
"Precisely, precisely! Sect Leader Zhao Hai, are you not being overly disheartening with this course of action? We endured immense struggle to break free from our sects, and now you cast suspicion upon us? Is this not exceeding all reasonable bounds?" The other cultivators who had surrendered from the Severe Sword Sect and the Poisonous Bug Valley chimed in with their grievances, their collective dissatisfaction with Zhao Hai's decree palpable.