Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8312: 289 sneaking into _1

Upon spotting the brilliant rainbow streak, the Xenomorphs retracted their barbed tails and dissolved into a dark mist. Meanwhile, Zhao Hai plummeted toward the churning blood sea. Just as he was about to strike the surface, the radiant rainbow arrived, enveloping him in a protective sphere of air.

Zhao Hai appeared to be in critical condition, with a gaping puncture in his left chest through which blood flowed freely. The approaching cultivator felt a surge of panic at the sight. Zhao Hai recognized the newcomer as Senior Brother Zheng. Supporting Zhao Hai against his chest, Zheng’s expression paled when he saw the severity of the wound. However, sensing a faint breath, he felt a spark of relief and immediately funneled a strand of mana into Zhao Hai’s body.

Though Zhao Hai was feigning unconsciousness, he acted as if the surge of dharmic powers had roused him. He managed to wheeze out the words, "Life-extending golden pill!" before his head slumped and he drifted off again. Senior Brother Zheng was momentarily confused, but the realization soon hit him. Given such trauma, Zhao Hai should have perished instantly; his survival was clearly due to a Life-extending golden pill. He recalled rumors that Wu Hao possessed such a treasure, and it seemed he had consumed it in desperation.

Zheng did not dally, realizing that Zhao Hai’s life hung by a thread. He needed to get him back to the island so the Sect Masters could intervene. He remained entirely unaware that this was Zhao Hai; in his mind, he was rescuing Wu Hao.

Zheng sped toward the island with Zhao Hai in tow. Before they reached the shore, several figures ascended from the island to intercept them. Zheng’s anxiety turned to hope when he recognized the leader. "Elder Wu, come quickly!" he shouted as he closed the distance. "It is Senior Brother Wu Hao!"

The man rushed forward. He was a cultivator in his fifties, characterized by a dark complexion, a goatee, and piercing round eyes that commanded respect. Reaching Zheng’s side, he stared at the mangled body of Zhao Hai—who he believed to be Wu Hao. "What happened here?" he demanded sternly.

“Elder Wu, let us speak while we move,” Zheng replied, continuing his flight toward the island. Elder Wu, prioritizing the rescue, followed closely as the rest of the group trailed behind. As they flew, Zheng explained, "Earlier today, Senior Brother Wu noticed that Wu Ming’s life plate had shattered. He led us out to investigate. We confirmed Wu Ming’s death at the hands of a Blood Cloud Beast. Senior Brother Wu ordered us to scour the area, hoping to track and perhaps tame the creature."

He glanced back at Zhao Hai before continuing: "While searching his sector, Senior Brother Wu sent out a distress signal. We arrived to see several Blood Cloud Beasts surrounding him. One of their tails had already pierced his chest. Senior Brother Wu swallowed a pill just before the beasts fled at our approach. When I reached him, he was like this, yet still clinging to life. I stabilized him with magic power, and he mentioned the 'Life-extending golden pill' before losing consciousness again."

The dark-faced Elder spoke with a heavy voice, "Hao’er indeed carried a Life-extending golden pill. It is the only reason he survives. It likely preserved his spark even as his life tablet shattered, which is why we came to investigate. Quickly, we must take him to Elder Jin." He accelerated his pace. Zheng followed obediently, knowing Wu Hong was a powerful figure within the Wu family and Wu Hao’s uncle. The "Elder Jin" he referred to was Jin Yongchang, the third disciple of the Island Master, Bai Xin, and Wu Hao’s direct master.

The party soon arrived at a grand courtyard. Wu Hong took charge of the rescue, and a servant ushered him and the wounded man inside while barring the others. Senior Brother Zheng and his companions lingered for a moment before departing.

Inside the rear residence, Wu Hong entered a quiet room where a thin, black-haired cultivator in his fifties sat upon a futon. He had been studying a Jade slip, which he set aside as he observed the floating, mangled body of Wu Hao. Frowning, he remarked, "The damage is severe. Had Hao’er’s heart not been situated on the right side of his chest since birth, he would be a corpse. His quick thinking with the Life-extending golden pill saved him, though the trauma was enough to break his life plate. It is well that he was returned swiftly. Here, take this Black Spirit Life Glue for the wound and administer ten drops of Active Blood. Follow up with one drop daily. He should mend within a month. Go now."

Wu Hong bowed and took Zhao Hai to a private room. He administered the liquid medicine and applied the precious black ointment from Jin Yongchang’s jade box to the chest wound. After settling Zhao Hai onto a bed and appointing a guard, Wu Hong went to attend to other matters.

The brilliance of Zhao Hai’s scheme lay in his passivity; others were drawing all the conclusions for him. Even the broken life Jade didn't raise eyebrows, as the near-fatal wound provided a perfect explanation. Every anomaly was being rationalized by the Sect members themselves, making his disguise as Wu Hao virtually impenetrable—even to Jin Yongchang.

Jin Yongchang’s detached behavior was typical for an expert of his level. High-ranking Island Masters often viewed disciples with such stoicism. In truth, providing the Black Spirit Life Glue—a priceless treasure that could not be bought with Jingshi—showed he actually favored Wu Hao. Seeing that the boy would survive, he saw no need for further display of emotion.

Furthermore, because the injuries were attributed to a Blood Cloud Beast rather than a rival cultivator, there was no immediate need for a vendetta. This lack of urgency was normal; few mentors possessed the fierce protectiveness that Lei Gang showed toward Zhao Hai. Most were more like Jin Yongchang or Lei Gang’s previous treatment of Shen Nanzheng.

While "recovering," Zhao Hai was secretly active. Although his wounds were a facade maintained through his transcendent state, he needed to play the part of a convalescent. He used this time to integrate a sample of Wu Hao’s blood into his own system, ensuring that even a bloodline test would confirm his false identity.

More importantly, he began thoroughly assimilating Wu Hao’s memories. He needed to master every detail of the man's life to ensure that once he "woke up," no one would notice a change in personality. He was becoming Wu Hao in every sense.

While Zhao Hai focused on his internal mimicry, Wu Hong mobilized the cultivators allied with the Wu family to hunt the Blood Cloud Beasts. The men were eager, knowing the immense value of capturing such a creature.

The Xenomorphs didn't vanish immediately. Following Zhao Hai’s plan, they lingered near the island for a few days, even killing a few scouts to draw out the island's top experts before finally retreating. This calculated move removed any lingering doubt about the cause of Wu Hao's injuries.

On the third day, Zhao Hai "regained consciousness." He had timed this perfectly, calculating the expected recovery rate based on Wu Hao’s Cultivation foundation and the potency of the medicines he had been given.

Opening his eyes, he saw a young cultivator watching over him. The man’s face brightened with joy. "Young Master, you’re finally awake! This is wonderful! I must tell Uncle Hong at once!" He bolted out of the room. Zhao Hai watched him go with a hidden, wry smile. He recognized the man from Wu Hao's memories as Wu Zongtong. Though he shared the family name, he was essentially a high-ranked servant. He lacked the cunning of the deceased Wu Ming and was somewhat slow-witted, which was why the original Wu Hao had disliked him. However, his loyalty made him the perfect attendant for Zhao Hai's current needs.

Wu Hong arrived shortly after, hurrying to the bedside. He looked down at the patient and asked, "Hao’er, how are you feeling?" As a senior kinsman, his familiar tone was expected, and Zhao Hai reacted with appropriate recognition.

Looking up at Wu Hong, Zhao Hai replied weakly, "Uncle Hong... I feel much improved. I truly believed my path ended there. It is a miracle I survived. Tell me, have those wretched Blood Cloud Beasts been found yet?" Zhao Hai made sure to sound spiteful and arrogant, perfectly mimicking Wu Hao’s vengeful nature. Asking for the "dead end" of his attackers was exactly what the real Young Master would have done.