Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8317: The situation (1)

While some are paralyzed by fear after sustaining injuries, others find themselves surged with adrenaline, their thirst for combat only intensifying. These individuals are the true lovers of conflict, often defying logic and common sense. Typical cultivators generally avoid such opponents, knowing they are the type to wage a battle to the death.

There is something inherently terrifying about a man who smiles through his wounds. Usually, fear strips a warrior of his morale, and once morale vanishes, a fighter can barely exert sixty percent of his true power. Currently, the large man and his companion were feeling that creeping dread. Their fighting spirit had withered, and they no longer possessed the will to face Zhao Hai. Under such circumstances, how could they possibly hope to be his equal?

Consequently, as Zhao Hai lunged toward them, the duo immediately shifted into a defensive posture, clearly shaken by his ferocity. Zhao Hai acted like a man possessed; his scimitar carved through the air in a relentless barrage of strikes. He appeared completely oblivious to the gashes on his skin. Even as blood soaked his clothes, he continued to roar about the joy of the fight, making his presence even more nightmarish.

Suddenly, the ringing of a bell echoed across the battlefield. Hearing this, the large man and the other cultivator looked visibly relieved. They unleashed a few desperate saber swings to force Zhao Hai back before retreating at high speed, vanishing from sight in an instant.

Zhao Hai was prepared to give chase, but Wu Jiang abruptly intercepted him. "Young Master Hao, stop the pursuit," Wu Jiang said in a low, firm voice. "They have retreated. Let us return; I will attend to your wounds once we are back." As he spoke, he surveyed Zhao Hai’s injuries, a spark of excitement in his eyes. Honestly, Zhao Hai’s blood-stained performance had impressed him. Men like Zhao Hai were born for the battlefield and were the type to see their Cultivation soar at an incredible pace.

It was only then that the wildness in Zhao Hai’s expression faded. He looked down at his bleeding body in silence, sheathed his scimitar, and flew back toward the island. Wu Jiang and the rest of the group followed close behind. The other cultivators stole glances at Zhao Hai, their gazes filled with a new level of scrutiny.

They were well aware of the prowess of the tall man and his partner, who were the two most formidable members of the opposing squad. Yet, they had been unable to overcome Zhao Hai. Although Zhao Hai was wounded, the damage wasn't critical, and his displayed strength was enough to leave them stunned.

Previously, they had dismissed Zhao Hai as a useless Young Master, but that perception had vanished. Seeing his scars and his grit, he had earned their genuine respect. Though they had suffered casualties, the losses would have been far worse without Zhao Hai’s intervention. Now, their feelings toward him were a mixture of reverence and dread.

Upon returning to the island, Zhao Hai retreated to his personal courtyard. Despite Wu Jiang’s offer to help, Zhao Hai declined. Once inside, he barred the door and placed a restriction over the area. He entered his room and began applying medicine to his wounds. Throughout the process, his face remained a mask of indifference, showing no sign of pain. Instead, his eyes were cold and filled with a lingering killing intent.

After finishing his treatment, Zhao Hai picked up his scimitar. He ran his fingers along the blade, his expression vacant. After a long silence, he rested the weapon horizontally across his knees, shut his eyes, and entered a state of quiet meditation. Because of the medicine, he had stripped down to a simple short robe. Sitting there with the blade on his lap, he exuded a powerful, valiant aura. Anyone seeing him would have mistaken him for a truly heroic warrior.

In reality, Zhao Hai was merely maintaining a facade. Unsure if he was being observed, he couldn't afford a single moment of relaxation. He had to embody the persona of Wu Hao completely, weighing every action against how the real Wu Hao would react before making a move.

Hours ticked by. After four hours of meditation, Zhao Hai slowly opened his eyes. Thanks to the potent medicine of the Blood Sea Realm, his wounds had already closed and scabbed over. The healing speed was truly remarkable.

Zhao Hai, however, wasn't particularly impressed. Had he not been playing the role of Wu Hao, he wouldn't have been hit at all. Even if he were, his natural physique would have healed the damage in seconds without any medicinal aid. He only followed these steps to ensure no one grew suspicious; he could not permit a single flaw in his disguise.

With his physical state stabilized, Zhao Hai took his scimitar and stepped into the small courtyard. He began to practice, his movements slow and deliberate. The momentum of his blade shifted gradually, as if he were contemplating the very essence of the technique as he moved. His pace was sluggish, but his focus was absolute.

After two hours of practice, he returned to his room to rest. Although another skirmish broke out during the night, Wu Jiang did not summon him. Zhao Hai understood that the Sect members couldn't be expected to fight every single battle, or they would collapse from exhaustion. Thus, he remained in his room and rested.

The following morning, Wu Jiang arrived at the courtyard. Zhao Hai invited him into the living area. Wu Jiang explained, "Young Master Hao, we are only required to join one engagement per day. There is no need for more, so you can rest easy. I will notify you when it is our turn to deploy."

Zhao Hai nodded, his voice deep. "I am here solely for the trial. You do not need to worry about me. I will follow your lead and your arrangements." Since he was there under the guise of training, he had no intention of interfering with the command structure, which would only breed resentment in Wu Jiang.

"Very well," Wu Jiang replied, feeling a sense of relief. He had been concerned that the notoriously arrogant Wu Hao would try to seize control. "Young Master Hao, my master learned of yesterday's clash. He was highly pleased with your conduct and intends to report your progress to your own master."

Zhao Hai gave a simple nod. "Let him do as he wishes. I am here to temper myself. After yesterday's fight, I feel my understanding of the Dao of the blade has reached a new level. This place is indeed a good training ground." Zhao Hai said this intentionally; he planned to "gradually" reveal his improving skills over the next three months so that everyone would accept his growth as natural, making his future movements easier.

"That is excellent," Wu Jiang said solemnly. "However, Young Master Hao, you must remain cautious. As the Young Master of the Wu family, the burden of revitalizing your clan rests on your shoulders. You cannot afford any mishaps." Wu Jiang spoke truthfully; while they were currently similar in status, Wu Hao’s superior talent meant he was the true future of the Wu family.

Little did he know that the real Wu Hao was gone, replaced by Zhao Hai—a man far more powerful who secretly sought the Wu family's downfall. Zhao Hai merely nodded, maintaining the act, and steered the conversation toward the status of the other families on the island.

Blood Lion Island housed disciples from various clans, but strict oversight from the higher-ups kept internal conflict in check. While these major families held significant sway within the Blood Sea Alliance, they lacked true top-tier martial power. Though many Island Lords had ties to these families or were sponsored by them, they weren't direct subordinates. An Island Lord was a powerhouse in their own right; the families could influence them, but they could not command them like servants.

For reasons no one understood, these families had failed to produce a single Island Lord from their own direct bloodlines for generations. Despite their resources, their homegrown geniuses always met with disaster—either dying in accidents or suffering a deviation in their Cultivation that destroyed their progress. It was a mystery that haunted the clans.

Nevertheless, the families continued their efforts, desperate to produce an Island Lord to secure genuine power. Perhaps if they had possessed such experts of their own, they might never have turned against the Blood Slaughter Sect.

While the families played a role in the betrayal of Bai Xin and the others, the primary driver was personal ambition. After Bai Xin obtained the Slaughter God Blade, his hunger for power grew. He coveted the position of Great Elder and even the Sect Master's seat. However, Du Wan Sha was always stronger. Without the Slaughter God Blade, Bai Xin was no match for him. This frustration led him to break away and form the Blood Sea Alliance, seeking the absolute authority he couldn't achieve within the Sect. With the backing of the disgruntled families, he succeeded in his rebellion, leading to the current state of war.