Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8292 - 269-stirring up trouble (1)

Li Ruohai completely ignored his rambling. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Zhao Hai and demanded, "Zhao Hai, I want to understand how you realized there was an issue here. How did you figure it out?" This was the primary source of Li Ruohai's curiosity; he was desperate to know the method Zhao Hai used to detect the anomaly.

Zhao Hai met Li Ruohai's eyes with a faint smile. "I have heard that Senior Disciple Li has breached several of this island’s restricted zones and secured some treasures. If that is true, you must have also acquired the cultivation techniques of the Spiritual Array Sect, correct? You should understand why they were given that name," Zhao Hai stated in a low, serious voice.

Li Ruohai was momentarily taken aback by Zhao Hai’s words. After a brief pause, he looked at Zhao Hai, nodded, and replied, "A ghost entering the array. Honestly, the founding sect master of the Spiritual Array Sect was a true genius to conceive such a cultivation path. I find it quite remarkable. However, what does that have to do with my question?"

"If the Spiritual Array Sect utilized that method to construct their formations, wouldn't their mountain-protecting array be built on the same principles?" Zhao Hai questioned deeply. "Furthermore, the entire territory of the Spiritual Array Sect is a massive formation, and this grand array is governed by a primary array eye. Naturally, a ghost resides within that main array eye to control it, meaning the formation itself is alive. You cannot view this array as a static object; it is a living entity. If you sense it carefully, you can feel its fluctuations. This formation appeared to be dormant, but upon waking, it began watching us with a malicious intent. Naturally, trouble was bound to follow."

Hearing Zhao Hai’s explanation, Li Ruohai let out a heavy sigh. He spoke in a grave tone, "Impressive. Truly impressive. You managed to deduce so much. It is no wonder you identified the Spiritual Array Sect’s magical array and struck back at us. It was all because of this. Very well. Remarkable."

Zhao Hai remained silent, simply watching him. Li Ruohai paused for a moment before looking back at Zhao Hai. "How long can we defend this position? Is there still a way for us to escape?" Li Ruohai had a specific reason for asking. If escape was impossible and they couldn't hold out, he would have to take drastic measures. At the very worst, he would have to trigger his demonic seed, which would allow him to break free, though it would likely mean his own destruction.

Zhao Hai replied solemnly, "We should be able to hold our ground. Our confidence grows with our numbers. Once the others arrive, we can instruct them to pour their power into the magic formation when necessary. I will then manage the formation and direct all that Dharma power into your battle corpse. Your battle corpse hasn't reached its full potential yet. By channeling everyone's strength into it, it will be able to exert its maximum power. Simultaneously, I will set up a minor magic array adjacent to the Spiritual Array Sect’s mountain-protecting array. This smaller array can create a significant opening, allowing us to depart safely. However, this plan requires everyone to work together. I suspect only you have the status required to unite everyone and move the earth as one. Therefore, I will need you to step forward when the time comes."

Upon hearing this, Li Ruohai nodded in agreement. "If the situation demands it, I will certainly take charge. Do not worry about that. As long as you can maintain our defense here, it will be fine. To be honest, leaving this place wouldn't be difficult for me personally, but if I were to flee alone, it would cause immense trouble for the Corpse Demon Sect. Thus, I prefer to leave alongside everyone else."

Zhao Hai nodded. "Then I must thank Senior Disciple Li. You can rest easy; as long as we act in unison, I am confident we can repel those attacks. I will leave the defense of this area to the formation disk for now while I finish the spell formation. We can only leave once it is complete. If I fail, we are truly finished."

Li Ruohai nodded once more. "Very well, as long as we can exit this place in one piece, that is all that matters. I will do everything in my power to assist you during this time, but I warn you not to deceive me. If you do, I will take your life. Do not assume that because you intercepted our previous strike, you can always stop me. If I unleash my full strength, you will not be able to hold me back."

"I understand perfectly. Have no fear, Senior Li. I know my role," Zhao Hai answered with a grin. He was well aware of what Li Ruohai implied. If the demonic seed were activated, Li Ruohai's power would skyrocket, potentially even drawing the attention of the Corpse Demon Sect’s leader. At that level, Zhao Hai would be no match for him, which was the basis of Li Ruohai's threat.

Li Ruohai looked at Zhao Hai, nodded, and said firmly, "It is good that you understand." Having said his piece, he stood up and headed for the exit. However, upon reaching the door, he stopped and asked in a low voice, "How did you discover the specific cultivation technique I am practicing?" He did not turn around, and his voice sounded indifferent, as if the answer didn't truly matter to him. Yet, by keeping his back turned, it was clear his internal state was far from calm.

Zhao Hai looked at Li Ruohai's back and replied steadily, "I once came across records of the Devil-Planting Art in an ancient text. The outward signs of that cultivation method are quite distinct. The Yin Qi within your body and several other traits align perfectly with the descriptions of the Devil-Planting Art. Combined with certain rumors I'd heard, I decided to test my theory."

"So, you weren't certain at the time?" Li Ruohai’s voice remained level, yet Zhao Hai detected a slight, unnatural raspiness—a hoarseness that shouldn't have been there.

Zhao Hai immediately considered a frightening possibility. He spoke quickly and firmly, "Correct, I wasn't certain then, so I was merely probing for a reaction." Naturally, Zhao Hai wouldn't reveal the full truth, especially if he was actually speaking to the demon seed rather than Li Ruohai himself. Li Ruohai said nothing more; he simply pushed open the door and departed. Once he was gone, Zhao Hai wiped cold sweat from his brow. He was genuinely shaken; the Demonic Great Law was incredibly eerie, and the encounter left him with a lingering sense of dread.

Zhao Hai eventually exited the room as well. By now, more people had arrived at the manor. Yan Bei was handling the newcomers, so there was no immediate cause for concern. It was clear that the others weren't fools; they recognized this manor as the safest refuge since it had the fewest restrictive spells. Even without the manor itself, this location was the most defensible. If they could hold out against the assaults, they could leave once the time limit expired.

Coming out, Zhao Hai noted that nearly 300 cultivators had gathered in the manor. While not a massive force, it was a significant number. The manor was spacious enough to house them for now, but if more arrived, space would become an issue, potentially forcing some to stay outside the walls.

Li Ruohai had regained his composure. When Zhao Hai overheard him speaking to others, the hint of desperation in his voice had vanished. Zhao Hai felt a sense of relief; with Li Ruohai present, the group remained stable. The newcomers were behaving themselves, as Li Ruohai had made it clear that they must follow his orders or face the consequences.

None of the members from the various sects dared to challenge him. Li Ruohai didn't just use threats, however; he strategically gathered and allied with members of the ten major sects. With their backing, no one else could oppose his authority. Thus, Li Ruohai easily established control over everyone present.

Among the crowd, Zhao Hai spotted a few members of the Blood Murder Sect. Out of the hundred who had entered the area, fewer than ten were here. They were huddled together, whispering. Zhao Hai ignored them and checked on his allies. Fortunately, they were unharmed. Zhao Wuji had also appeared and was assisting Yan Bei in welcoming the new arrivals.

As Zhao Hai walked into the open, Li Ruohai acknowledged him with a simple nod but said nothing. Zhao Hai returned the nod with a smile and joined Yan Bei and Zhao Wuji. The two weren't doing anything complicated; they were simply directing people to resting areas within the manor and avoiding other involvements.

Just then, a few more people reached the manor. Yan Bei ushered them inside. At that moment, the group from the Blood Murder Sect suddenly blocked Zhao Hai's path. Zhao Hai looked at them with confusion but maintained a polite smile, cupping his fists. "Is something the matter, Senior Brothers?"

The leader of their group glared at Zhao Hai and demanded, "Zhao Hai, I want to know: when exactly did you construct this manor? What was your reason for building it? Why here of all places? How did you know the Spiritual Array Sect would manifest here, allowing you to prepare in advance? Are you perhaps involved in what is happening here?"

Zhao Hai was stunned by the accusation, and his expression darkened. He hadn't expected someone from the Blood Murder Sect to be so foolish. To ask such questions now was clearly an attempt to sabotage his reputation. What was the point? Didn't he realize that such accusations would only turn the crowd against them? By acting this way, he was essentially throwing everyone into the fire.

Frowning, Zhao Hai looked directly at the man who had spoken. "Senior Brother Wu, what are you implying? Is something wrong? Was I wrong to provide you a place of safety? If you believe I have some hidden agenda, you are free to leave. I am not forcing you to stay here."