Bringing The Farm To Live In Another World Chapter 2277: Being Ruthless

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Zhao Hai reached the mountainside when he suddenly halted. Five individuals stood in his path, blocking the route. They were all disciples from the Forbidden Path Sect. Among them, one towered at two meters with muscles that bulged prominently. He resembled a champion weightlifter.

Yet, to Zhao Hai, folks like this posed the smallest danger. As far as he observed, though they appeared as body cultivators, they ranked among the weakest kind. Their muscles seemed intimidating, yet they failed to harness them more effectively than Zhao Hai could. In contrast, when body cultivation advanced to a higher stage, the muscles transformed entirely, differing greatly from typical human forms. They grew more flexible and ceased to protrude. At that point, strength derived not just from muscles but from a synergy of muscles and bones.

Still, these inferior body cultivators gazed at Zhao Hai with haughty looks. Even so, Zhao Hai politely cupped his fists and asked, “Brothers, could you tell me why you're obstructing my path?”

The leader eyed Zhao Hai and demanded, “Kid, are you Elder Guo’s descendant? Why did he escort you here himself and assign you a room?”

Zhao Hai gave a slight smile and replied, “So that's why Brother is here. I'm not Elder Guo's descendant. I joined the Forbidden Path Sect through the standard process. Elder Guo was simply passing by, so he brought me along.”

Upon hearing this, the man glanced at Zhao Hai with puzzled eyes. Then he stated, “Show me your identity token.”

Zhao Hai offered a faint smile before pulling out his identity token and passing it over. The man gawked at the token. It was merely a temporary one, far from official status. A sneer crept across his face. He flung it back to Zhao Hai and sneered, “Kid, you're not even an official disciple. Who are you to occupy a spot in the Strength Courtyard? Don't you realize only geniuses reside there?”

Zhao Hai caught the token, displaying a puzzled look as he answered, “I truly had no idea. Elder Guo set up my quarters in the courtyard himself. Does Elder Brother have some guidance?”

The man let out a cold snort and declared, “Kid, you think you can invoke Elder Guo's name to intimidate me? You've miscalculated. Others might fear Elder Guo, but not me. Staying in the Strength Courtyard isn't out of the question for you, but you'll need to fork over a hundred jade essences each day.”

Zhao Hai kept his faint smile and responded, “Elder Guo mentioned I wouldn't owe anything for lodging in the courtyard. Meals are covered too, without cost. So why should I pay? Is this a sect regulation?”

“This isn't a sect rule—it's Long Fei's rule! What, you backing down?” Long Fei displayed a mocking look toward Zhao Hai.

Zhao Hai shot back, “If it's not the sect's rule, then I refuse to pay. Your personal rules? They mean nothing to me.”

At Zhao Hai's words, Long Fei's face darkened. His tone grew icy as he warned, “Kid, you've asked for this. Out of respect for Elder Guo, I'll just shatter your knees. Rest easy, I'll go easy—enough to keep you off your feet for a week.” With that, he gestured, sending the four behind him lunging at Zhao Hai.

The disturbance drew nearby cultivators, but spotting Long Fei confronting Zhao Hai, they spun away and vanished. Clearly, they dreaded Long Fei intensely.

As the four charged, Zhao Hai snorted coldly and muttered, “You overestimate yourselves!” His figure blurred into motion, hands striking like claws that sliced through the assailants. Sharp cracks echoed, followed by agonized cries. The four felt their arms dangle limply like soggy noodles—their bones had snapped.

Long Fei hadn't anticipated Zhao Hai's ferocity or raw power. His face twisted in shock. He realized his own abilities matched those four at best. Yet even united, they couldn't touch Zhao Hai. This proved he stood no chance. Fear flickered in his eyes for the first time.

Zhao Hai fixed his gaze on Long Fei, a chill smile forming. He advanced slowly. Long Fei's complexion drained white as he backed away. Simultaneously, he cautioned, “Kid, you wouldn't dare? Are you aware of the sect's rules?”

Zhao Hai's faint smile returned as he said, “Sect rules? I'm afraid I don't know them. But when you planned to strike me, why didn't the rules concern you? Since you're content to just wound me, it must fall within bounds. As long as I spare your life, there should be no issue, right?”

Long Fei blinked in surprise, his features contorting unpleasantly. He'd only aimed to bluff Zhao Hai, unfamiliar with sect customs. Rumor held that disciples could resolve disputes privately, provided no deaths occurred. Thus, if Zhao Hai refrained from killing him, all was well.

This regulation tied closely to the Forbidden Path Sect's cultivation techniques. The sect focused on body cultivation, granting its members immense vitality. Such practitioners easily flared with temper. The private resolution policy allowed disciples to release frustrations mutually. It prevented inner demons from forming, averting madness in cultivation.

Additionally, their methods played a role. Body cultivators possessed remarkable physiques. Wounds healed swiftly. With elixirs and other aids, injuries posed little threat to sect members.

For these reasons, the sect permitted personal clashes. No deaths meant no violations.

Long Fei never imagined Zhao Hai would deduce the rules from his behavior. His expression soured further. Yet he wasn't entirely cornered. He held one more trump card. Staring at Zhao Hai, he threatened, “Kid, strike if you must, but don't cross me. My brother is Long Batian, among the Inner Sect's top ten disciples. They're the prime candidates for core disciple status. If you value your life, apologize now—I might spare you.”

Zhao Hai's grin broadened at this. “So you're mere scum who preys on the weak. I never thought the Forbidden Path Sect would tolerate your kind without repercussions. Fine, then. Allow me to discipline you in their stead. Remember, to threaten others, you must first possess real ability.” Zhao Hai's form darted forward, wrenching both of Long Fei's arms. A resounding crack rang out, and Long Fei wailed in misery before collapsing unconscious from agony.

Zhao Hai released Long Fei, casting a disdainful glance. “Scum remains scum.” Without another thought, he resumed his descent down the mountain.

Zhao Hai employed harsh tactics against Long Fei, knowing this wasn't the united Tyrant Blade Sect. There, no one openly oppressed fellow disciples. Harmony wasn't universal, but overt bullying stayed absent.

The Forbidden Path Sect differed starkly. As a demonic path, it embraced survival of the fittest. Might made right. Thus, showing insufficient ferocity invited exploitation. Staying subdued marked you as easy prey. Without displaying brutality, the sect might deem you lacking promise and abandon your growth.

Hence, facing Long Fei's aggression, Zhao Hai struck hard. He aimed to forge his notoriety. He wanted the sect to recognize him as formidable.

As Zhao Hai pressed onward down the slope, footsteps echoed from behind. Sensing no malice from the follower, Zhao Hai didn't glance back and kept moving.

“Junior Brother, hold on a second.” The voice called out to Zhao Hai. He frowned slightly and pivoted. Spotting the newcomer, Zhao Hai's eyes widened. He hadn't foreseen such an individual in the Forbidden Path Sect.

In another sect, this figure might blend in ordinarily. But here, in the Forbidden Path Sect, he stood out sharply. Not due to striking traits, but his physique.

He was plump! The sight prompted Zhao Hai to inwardly dub him 'Fatty.' Shorter than two meters, yet weighing near 400 jin.

Elsewhere, he might draw passing glances, but in the Forbidden Path Sect, his form appeared odd. The sect pursued body cultivation, turning disciples into lean, muscular powerhouses with scant fat. Such practice drained the body heavily, particularly in energy. Constant fat-burning defined body cultivation. That's why most body cultivators stayed slender—their vitality fueled muscle growth.

Overweight individuals were virtually unheard of in body cultivation sects. Excess fat squandered energy better spent refining muscles. It also impeded movement. Consequently, body cultivators strived to minimize body fat.

Zhao Hai stared at the plump man in astonishment—a reaction the man had grown accustomed to. He hurried to Zhao Hai's side and cupped his fists. “Brother, I'm Zhou Feng, an outer disciple. Might I ask your name?”

Zhao Hai returned the gesture. “I'm Zhao Ling. I've come to enlist in the sect.”

The plump man arched an eyebrow. “Joining now? You're not a disciple yet?”

Zhao Hai smiled lightly. “I hold a Bloodless Command Token, granting entry. But the elders evaluated me and suggested the Heart Refining Road. Success there means official disciple status, possibly Inner Sect. That's why I carry only a temporary token.”

Zhou Feng gaped at Zhao Hai's words, his face shifting. “Heart Refining Road? Isn't that reserved for Inner Disciples to conquer? Passing it would make you an Inner Disciple straight away?”

Zhao Hai shook his head. “The sect's ways aren't clear to me. Why did Brother Zhou approach me back there?”

Zhou Feng snapped back, recalling his purpose. He replied swiftly, “Brother, seek out Elder Guo at once. He could perhaps safeguard your life. If he insists on the Heart Refining Road for you, he ought to protect you too.”

“Safeguard me?” Zhao Hai puzzled. “I'm healthy—why the need? Isn't it Long Fei's brother?”

Zhou Feng affirmed with a nod. “Long Fei may be worthless, but his sibling Long Batian is a true prodigy. He climbed to Inner Sect top ten young. A mighty Teleportation Stage Expert. His flaw? Fierce loyalty to Long Fei. It lets Long Fei wreak havoc in the Outer Sect unchecked. No one touches Long Fei without facing Long Batian's wrath. Hurry to Elder Guo, or you're at risk. Wounding Long Fei seals it—Long Batian won't forgive you.”

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