Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8723: Hanyan centipede (1)

The Rahu sect master observed the swirling blood mist with a grave countenance. He perceived the mist as an exceptionally formidable adversary, yet he proceeded to activate the formation, unleashing energy weapons against it. He was certain others were employing similar tactics. He surmised that if Zhao Hai intended to utilize the blood mist, he would need to expend his own personal power. This would effectively mean pitting the combined might of several individuals against Zhao Hai, making the outcome uncertain.

Despite their collaborative efforts to subdue Zhao Hai, the group was acutely aware of the significant energy expenditure incurred by their simultaneous assault. In contrast, Zhao Hai was employing a Dharma artifact, which presumably consumed less mana. Their own reliance on a formation, however, demanded substantial mana reserves. Yet, if multiple cultivators were to jointly attack Zhao Hai’s blood mist Dharma artifact, Zhao Hai would be forced to deplete his mana more rapidly. This dynamic made it difficult to predict who would falter first. Nevertheless, he held faith that their numbers would guarantee their endurance.

He was confident in their ability to outlast Zhao Hai, knowing that the latter was ensnared within the operating formation, its constant suppression relentlessly grinding him down. Most critically, the formation continued to siphon Zhao Hai's energy. The duration of Zhao Hai’s resilience under the combined strain of these factors was anybody’s guess. It was precisely this conviction that fueled his certainty of their eventual victory over Zhao Hai.

However, unbeknownst to him, the onslaught from the magic circle inflicted minimal harm upon Zhao Hai. Zhao Hai’s physique possessed extraordinary resilience. The formation's grinding effect proved utterly ineffective against him; it even served to stimulate the bloodline energy within his body to a degree, enhancing its potency. As for the depletion of Dharma power, it was practically impossible. His Dharma power was unfathomably profound. Furthermore, while the blood mist magical weapon appeared immense, its capacity for self-absorption of energy meant it required minimal mana expenditure from him, necessitating only his command.

Consequently, Sect Master Rahu’s initial strategy of attempting to wear Zhao Hai down was fundamentally flawed from the outset. Zhao Hai could have extricated himself from the formation at any moment but chose not to. He had discovered that the formation offered significant benefits for tempering his physical body, which was the very reason for his continued presence within it.

Despite his intention to exhaust Zhao Hai, Sect Master Rahu remained acutely vigilant. He discreetly produced an invisible needle in one hand, poised to counter any unforeseen turn of events. Concurrently, his other hand ceaselessly funneled dharmic powers into the formation, ensuring its uninterrupted operation.

At that precise instant, a crimson, fist-shaped projectile suddenly hurtled towards him. Sect Master Rahu was not taken aback; it would have been unfathomable if Zhao Hai were incapable of retaliating with the red mist weapon. Thus, Zhao Hai’s offensive maneuver fell well within his expectations. He promptly activated the array, and an energy weapon, manifesting as a sweeping scimitar, slashed through the air towards Zhao Hai. The scimitar was colossal. Upon impact with the fist, a resounding explosion occurred. The fist disintegrated, and the energy scimitar vanished. However, the surrounding blood mist churned violently, and the situation reverted to its previous state.

Witnessing this, Sect Master Rahu’s expression hardened. He understood that this was merely the initial wave of assault. He had never anticipated the crimson fist to possess such formidable power; it had vastly exceeded his projections. His energy scimitar had been obliterated alongside the fist, a clear testament to the fist’s overwhelming strength.

Just as Sect Master Rahu had foreseen, the fist attacked once more. This time, it was not a solitary projectile but a pair of fists. Observing this development, Sect Master Rahu’s demeanor shifted. Yet, he maintained his composure, instead intensifying the infusion of mana into the array. Following this, a massive, obsidian scimitar shot forth, aimed at the dual fists. This scimitar moved with uncanny agility, as though guided by an unseen hand.

With two concussive booms, the two fists exploded, leaving behind a fleeting spectral image of the scimitar. However, at this juncture, a colossal, blood-red hand materialized and seized the scimitar. Subsequently, the monolithic hand exerted immense force, crushing the scimitar into nothingness.

Sect Master Rahu’s body shuddered, and a fleeting pallor washed over his face. Nevertheless, it vanished swiftly. At this moment, the red fist assault recommenced. This time, a multitude of fists rained down. Each individual fist was merely the size of a typical human’s, yet their collective impact was far from trivial, hurtling directly towards Sect Master Rahu.

Sect Master Rahu's countenance shifted drastically upon witnessing this. Gritting his teeth, he raised his left hand, unleashing an invisible energy. This energy unerringly targeted the area where Zhao Hai was ensnared. Clearly, he intended to seize this precise moment to eliminate Zhao Hai with the hidden needle. If successful, it would spell the end of everything. There was a possibility, however, that the invisible needle might shatter the energy trapping Zhao Hai, thereby freeing him. It was precisely this risk that had prevented him from attacking Zhao Hai with it earlier. Nevertheless, he felt he had no alternative now.

Wu Kai's chest pierced the crimson mist, hurtling directly towards Zhao Hai. Zhao Hai, who appeared utterly immobilized, extended his hand, intercepting the invisible needle between two fingers. A laugh escaped him as he declared, "Very well, I've had my fill of this amusement. It's time to make my move." With those words, his body vibrated subtly, accompanied by a resonant rumble. The surrounding space warped, and then, a series of sharp cracking sounds erupted as numerous talismans within the formation combusted.

Zhao Hai stretched his limbs and then commanded with resolute authority, "Attack!" Having spoken, he ceased paying any further attention to Sect Master Rahu and the others. The invisible needle remained clutched in Zhao Hai's hand throughout. Despite its incessant trembling, as if desperately straining to escape, it could not break free from his unwavering grip.

The very instant Zhao Hai uttered the command to "attack," Yama Ling, stationed with the Bloody Massacre Sect's army, received the directive. As a member of the undead race, he was intrinsically attuned to Zhao Hai's orders. Consequently, he bellowed, "Attack! The Sect Master has given the order to advance!" He then marshaled the army, which had been poised for action, and led them in a direct assault against the Rahu Sect. Though the others were unaware of the precise circumstances, they understood that in Zhao Hai's absence, Yama Ling was their commander. His pronouncement of an attack was therefore unquestionable, and they followed suit with unwavering obedience.

At this critical juncture, Sect Master Rahu's expression contorted with alarm. The array formation beneath his feet had been decisively broken. He perceived the imminent collapse of the grand formation. Simultaneously, he felt the insidious constraint upon his invisible needle, a realization that twisted his features into an exceedingly grim visage. Yet, he swiftly flipped his hand, drawing forth a dagger.

This dagger, extending over a foot in length, possessed a peculiar aesthetic. Its entirety shimmered with a cerulean hue, resembling flawless blue crystal. It was nearly entirely translucent, save for two characters etched upon its surface: Hanyan. This was none other than the Rahu Sect's third sacred protective artifact, the Cold Smoke Dagger.

The Cold Smoke Dagger served as the armament of a Rahu Sect Elder from ten millennia past. The origins of its material remained a mystery, but its potency was undeniable. Not only was it exceptionally sharp, but it also harbored an ice attribute of extraordinary caliber. This was no common frost; it possessed a formidable power that could instantly freeze a cultivator of lesser strength upon mere contact. It was, in essence, a magical weapon capable of petrifying with a touch, its efficacy unparalleled.

The reason behind its appellation, the Cold Smoke 'Gu' (referring to a type of magical entity in Chinese folklore), stemmed from its unique secondary ability: evaporation. Indeed, it possessed the power to dissipate into vapor. When wielded with a specialized technique, the entire dagger would seemingly vanish, transforming into a wisp of white mist. Adrift in the air, it would be mistaken for a fleeting cloud, its true nature as a magical tool remaining concealed. Crucially, this transformation did not signify a permanent loss of its form; the dagger could be resolidified, its formidable power undiminished. This implies that the artifact possessed the extraordinary ability to shift between a tangible and an ethereal state, a trait exceedingly uncommon.

It is important to note that beings of the Shadow Realm are inherently capable of transitioning between the void and reality. Likewise, Blood Cloud Beasts possess this innate ability to phase between illusion and tangibility. However, these are living entities. The number of magical tools capable of such transmutations between the void and the real is remarkably scarce.

Consider, for instance, the blood cloud conjured by Zhao Hai. While it appeared capable of shifting between illusory and tangible states, this was not the case. It perpetually existed in an illusory form; the tangibility observed was merely a manifestation of the latent power within the cloud, not a true physical presence.

The Cold Smoke Gu, however, presented a distinct paradigm. This entity truly possessed a corporeal form. Only when invoked with a specific incantation did it assume an ethereal state. Thus, it represented a fundamentally different phenomenon. From this distinction alone, the immense value and rarity of the Cold Smoke Gu could be readily appreciated.