Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8720: Means (1)

Zhao Hai observed the agitated crowd with a steady gaze. He then retrieved a delicate Jade plate from the table. This plate bore resemblance to a magical array, intricate and peculiar in its design. Strangely, as Zhao Hai lifted it, the plate's warm white hue rapidly transformed into black, a change occurring almost instantaneously.

The onlookers watched Zhao Hai, their faces etched with bewilderment. He addressed them calmly, "Observe this Jade slip. Do you see its color? This Jade plate is not mere decoration; its sole function is to detect and absorb poison. Should anyone deploy poison upon this platform, it will be detected and drawn into the Jade plate, preventing further contamination. Upon successful detection and absorption of poison, the plate turns black. Therefore, when I announced the sealing of your cultivation, someone had poisoned this platform."

Setting the Jade plate down, Zhao Hai surveyed the crowd. "Do you all comprehend my meaning?" Understanding dawned upon them. They realized Zhao Hai was implying a spy from the Shadow Realm was present on the platform, likely fearing the forfeiture of their cultivation. A wave of shock coursed through them as they looked at the black Jade plate in Zhao Hai's hand, rendering them momentarily speechless.

Zhao Hai's lips curved into a smile as he continued, "There are spies from the Shadow Realm among you. This validates my prior suspicions. I care not for your reasons for defecting to the Shadow Realm and becoming their informants; I offer you a chance. I can dismantle the restrictions imposed by the Shadow Realm. Moreover, the Shadow Realm's forces are no match for us. You have witnessed individuals from the Corpse Demon Sect, the Heaven Crippling Sect, and the Sick Man Sect. They were previously subjected to the Shadow Realm's restrictions, yet they are unharmed now. This suggests the Shadow Realm did not apply their enchantments to them. In truth, the restrictions upon your persons have already been lifted. Thus, I extend this opportunity: Reveal yourselves as Shadow Realm spies and the individuals who administered the poison. I shall grant you pardon and lift any remaining restrictions, allowing you to remain as our fellow Daoists of the Blood Sea Realm. Should you refuse and retain the intent to harm me, so be it. I will proceed to seal everyone's cultivation, rendering you powerless. Subsequently, we shall decimate the Sharp Sword Sect, the Poisonous Insect Valley, and even the Rahu Sect and the Shadow Realm's Army. At that point, the restrictions on your bodies will remain, and you will perish. Does anyone wish to speak?"

Upon hearing Zhao Hai's words, members of the Severe Sword Sect and those who had escaped the Poisonous Insect Valley exchanged glances. They had never anticipated such a turn of events. While they had initially perceived Zhao Hai's sealing of their cultivation as a personal affront, the revelation of actual poisoning confirmed the presence of a Shadow Realm spy. Zhao Hai's assessment held true. To oppose him now would inevitably cast suspicion upon themselves, a prospect they wished to avoid. With these thoughts, they remained silent.

Observing the continued silence, Zhao Hai couldn't suppress a hint of disappointment. "Will no one step forward? A pity. Very well, you may continue to deliberate. However, if you perish due to the Shadow Realm's restrictions, do not hold me accountable, for I have already extended my hand."

"Wait, Sect Leader Zhao Hai. I confess to you, I am a spy dispatched by the Shadow Realm. To ensure my compliance, they imposed not only the seal you have already removed but an additional one. I implore Sect Leader Zhao Hai to remove this final seal. I was also the one who administered the poison." An expert of Island Lord level from the Poisonous Bug Valley stood and declared to Zhao Hai.

Zhao Hai regarded the Island Lord level expert from the Poisonous Bug Valley with a smile. "Excellent, your confession is appreciated. Come, I shall remove the seal upon you." With a gesture, he signaled the man forward. The expert hesitated for a moment before complying and approaching Zhao Hai. Zhao Hai smiled, reached out, and pressed upon several vital acupoints on the man's body. He then placed a hand on the man's back, delivering a slap. The man abruptly expelled a mouthful of blood. Upon contact with the ground, the blood hissed ominously and emitted black smoke, clearly indicating its toxic nature.

Zhao Hai regarded the man and chuckled, "Alright, I’ve removed the restriction on you, but your cultivation must still be sealed. You weren't the only one who poisoned me; several others did as well, but they remained silent. Therefore, your cultivation will be sealed. However, rest assured, even with your cultivation sealed, no one will treat you poorly, provided we win this war against the Shadow Realm. After our victory, I will release the seal on your mana. By then, it won't matter who the spy was, as we will have already defeated the Shadow Realm's army."

The members of the Poisonous Bug Valley and the Severe Sword Sect who had surrendered remained silent, their gazes fixed on the individual Zhao Hai had detoxified. A flicker of resentment could be seen in some of their eyes, yet no words were spoken. They had not anticipated that Zhao Hai would offer them no leeway.

Observing them, Zhao Hai smiled. With a sweep of his hand, a grand formation materialized on the platform, encompassing everyone. Then, a flash of white light ensued, and the formation vanished. Astonished, everyone exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of Zhao Hai's intent.

Zhao Hai addressed the assembled group in a grave tone, "Now, all individuals from the Poisonous Insect Valley and the Sharp Sword Sect have had their powers restricted by me. You are unable to utilize your magical power; it will remain sealed until the conclusion of the war. The rest of you will not be affected, so have no fear."

Upon hearing Zhao Hai’s declaration, a collective sigh of relief swept through the crowd. Zhao Hai then rose and turned to face them, "Very well, all matters are settled. You may all return now. Those whose cultivation levels have been sealed will be escorted back to the Bloody Massacre Sect for immediate rest. As for the rest, prepare yourselves at once; we are marching to attack the Harsh Sword Sect."

The crowd responded with a resounding affirmation. Subsequently, those whose cultivation was not sealed departed swiftly. The disciples of the Bloody Massacre Sect immediately approached those with sealed cultivation and escorted them to a designated area on the platform. Upon their arrival, a sudden flash of white light enveloped them, and they vanished.

Once those individuals had disappeared, Zhao Hai surveyed the platform where everyone had been seated and mused, "How intriguing. I never expected such staunch loyalty to the Shadow Realm. Do they truly believe we are no match for them? Heh, it seems the Shadow Realm must have promised them something. But what could they have shown them to inspire such unwavering faith?"

With that thought, Zhao Hai stood and gazed toward the distant Harsh Sword Sect, murmuring, "No matter how confident you are, you cannot alter the Shadow Realm's destiny. Heh, you have never understood that while a cultivator's individual strength is crucial, the art of formations is even more potent."

This situation had caused a slight delay for the Bloody Slaughter Sect, but it was brief. Very quickly, the sect was prepared. The Bloody Slaughter Sect's army advanced directly towards the Fierce Sword Sect. They employed no elaborate tactics, nor did they announce an attack on the main hall of the Fierce Sword Sect; they simply marched forward openly. Wherever the army passed, the islands belonging to the Fierce Sword Sect either surrendered or were utterly demolished. Not a single island could withstand the onslaught of the Bloody Slaughter Sect's forces. The Sharp Sword Sect finally comprehended the terrifying might of the Bloody Massacre Sect's army.

While the Bloody Slaughter Sect's army was subjugating the Sharp Sword Sect, the gray fog of the Shadow Realm continued its relentless spread. Though it did not advance towards the defensive lines of the Bloody Slaughter Sect and the Blood Sea Alliance, it expanded with remarkable speed on the other two fronts. The territory it consumed was now over ten times its original size, nearly matching the current expanse of the Bloody Slaughter Sect. It is important to note that the area of the Bloody Slaughter Sect mentioned here includes not only its original territory but also the combined sea regions of the Yin Yang Sect, Yin Ghost Sect, Sick Man Sect, Heaven Crippling Sect, Corpse Demon Sect, and others. In essence, the area engulfed by the Shadow Realm's gray fog was equivalent to the total territory of the five major sects.

Their actions had instilled a sense of dread throughout the entire Blood Sea Realm. It was a common belief within the Blood Sea Realm that any territory encroached upon by the Shadow Realm's grey fog would be permanently annexed. Reclaiming such lands was deemed an impossibility. The Bloody Massacre Sect, despite suffering no losses against the Shadow Realm Army, hesitated to venture into the grey fog, even with their mobile island. This demonstrated the sheer terror associated with the Shadow Realm's ominous mist.

The grey fog originating from the Shadow Realm had already consumed the sea regions belonging to five sects, a truly alarming expansion. If the Shadow Realm utilized this territory as a staging ground for a protracted conflict, expelling them from the Blood Sea Realm would become an insurmountable challenge. Amidst these escalating concerns, a question arose from within the Blood Sea Alliance: 'Why doesn't the Bloody Massacre Sect mobilize all its forces to drive the Shadow Realm invaders out of the Blood Sea Realm first?' The pursuit of the six major sects seemed like a misguided priority, an inversion of logical strategy.

Yet, Zhao Hai remained unfazed, offering no explanations as he steadfastly adhered to his predetermined course. He advanced relentlessly, swiftly reaching the main hall of the Fierce Sword Sect. The Sect Master of the Fierce Sword Sect emerged, wielding the sect's treasured artifact, to confront Zhao Hai. However, he was ultimately slain before the formation by Zhao Hai, wielding the God Slaying Saber. Following this, Zhao Hai's forces launched an assault, effortlessly conquering the Fierce Sword Sect. This time, Zhao Hai showed no mercy, issuing a brutal command for a massacre. Anyone who dared to resist was ruthlessly eliminated. This act served as a stark demonstration of Zhao Hai's sanguinary methods to the inhabitants of the Blood Sea Realm.