Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8386: Excited (1)

Because of the stance taken by the different sects, the Blood Slaughter Sect's reclamation of the Western Defense Line proceeded with remarkable ease. The leftover dozens of islands proved utterly defenseless against the Blood Slaughter Sect's vanguard forces. As the other powerful sects continued arguing about whether to send reinforcements to the Western Defense Line for a final stand against the Blood Slaughter Sect, that very sect had already sliced through the defenses as if they were nothing. They had seized 40 out of the final 80 islands. Such progress was downright staggering.

The major sects wavered on whether to bolster their forces at the Western Defense Line. A key factor in their hesitation was the puppets. Their aim in capturing the Blood Slaughter Sect's Western Defense Line was twofold: first, to tarnish the Blood Slaughter Sect's standing, which mattered greatly; second, to eliminate as many of the Blood Slaughter Sect's disciples as possible. Everyone knew the Blood Slaughter Sect had suffered heavy losses among its lower-level members. The big sects hoped to exploit this by wiping out more of those disciples, leaving the Blood Slaughter Sect short on successors down the line. That would make it simple to crush them later.

Yet the Blood Slaughter Sect's puppets had utterly disrupted the sects' strategies. They understood that in clashing with the Blood Slaughter Sect, the initial threat wouldn't come from its disciples, but from those puppets. While they could smash the puppets, they couldn't inflict serious harm on the Blood Slaughter Sect's actual followers. This proved fatal. Their own disciples had already taken devastating hits in the fight. If few Blood Slaughter Sect disciples fell while many of theirs perished to the puppets, their plan to decimate the enemy's low-rank members would fail. Continuing the struggle at the Western Defense Line would then serve no purpose.

All the great sects recognized that wiping out the Blood Slaughter Sect in a single strike was impossible. With the Blood Slaughter Blade in play, destroying the sect would never be straightforward. The blade's might was overwhelming. Adding the God-slaying Blade made it even more fearsome. So they had hoped for a quick victory, but upon seeing the Blood Slaughter Sect commit fully, they backed off at once. Instead, they plotted a gradual approach. Now realizing even that wouldn't work, pressing on against the Blood Slaughter Sect seemed pointless.

The top ten sects of the Blood Sea Realm had endured for countless years. Deep-seated enmities bound them all. Given an opening, none would spare the others. Without one, though, they avoided forcing conflicts, knowing it would only aid rivals. This wisdom, forged in rivers of blood by the Blood Sea Realm's sects, guided them. Thus, the elite sects abandoned plans against the Blood Slaughter Sect.

This reluctance meant scant support for the Western Defense Line. Their posture shaped the frontline's fate. Led by Zhao Hai and Yan Bei, the offensive never paused. Seeing the tide turn, the sects pulled back their disciples entirely. This sped the Blood Slaughter Sect's advance. Halting their momentum became impossible.

Two months after the assault on Zhao Hai, the Blood Slaughter Sect claimed the final island of its Western Defense Line: Blood Mountain Island. This spot marked the last holdout of the 13 Family Alliance. From that instant, the Blood Slaughter Sect had fully restored its Western Defense Line.

As Zhao Hai and his team secured Blood Mountain Island, joyous shouts filled the air. The Western Defense Line had seen turmoil over the past year. For cultivators, a year meant little. But for the Blood Slaughter Sect's disciples, it had been a rollercoaster of trials. They faced ambushes, betrayals, and island after island slipping away. Retreats dragged on. Then came the counteroffensive, culminating in this victory. The last major island was theirs, securing the Western Defense Line at last.

Zhao Hai gazed at the jubilant group and grinned. Then he called out, "Everyone, prepare yourselves. Rebuild the island's protective formation as quickly as possible. Only then will this place truly be ours—forever ours."

His words sparked eager cheers. The disciples moved like freshly oiled gears, dashing about with urgency. They cleared every rune from the island in record time. Following Zhao Hai's directions, they smoothed the terrain swiftly. They carved pits for the runes, embedded them, and let Zhao Hai fine-tune the setup. At last, the formation hummed to life. Fresh roars of triumph echoed across the island.

Zhao Hai beamed at the group and chuckled. Skipping a formal gathering, he boomed, "Today, we've reclaimed Blood Mountain Island for good. The Western Defense Line stands as the Blood Slaughter Sect's eternal domain. Let's celebrate properly. Soon, I'll have spiritual wine delivered. We drink till we drop!"

Thunderous applause erupted. Excitement surged through them. Wine was essential now—how could they celebrate without it? Hearing Zhao Hai promise the spiritual wine only amplified their joy. He watched them with a smile, then messaged Zhu Yong and Gou'zi to deliver the wine. Spiritual food was needed too—no meat, but plenty of dishes. Next, he informed the clan leader, first elder, Ha Jing, and Neng Lei Gang. Only then did he guide Yan Bei and the others to an intact hall on the island.

Yan Bei and his comrades buzzed with thrill. Even inside the hall, their faces glowed with elation. Zhao Hai eyed them and cleared his throat softly. "Enough rejoicing for now. Don't act like the folks outside. Remember, a vital task lies ahead."

His reminder caught them off guard. Seriousness settled over their features as they turned to him, awaiting commands. Zhao Hai met their gazes with a smile, then spoke gravely, "We've reclaimed the Western Defense Line, but that's merely the start. As Western Defense Line commander, I vowed to the sect master not just recovery, but vengeance on our attackers. So now, we gear up to strike the 13 Family Alliance!"

Zhao Hai's declaration ignited sparks of eagerness in their eyes. They grasped that assaulting the 13 Family Alliance meant massive growth. Their deeds would echo through history, etched in the Blood Slaughter Sect's annals. What an honor.

Zhao Hai scanned them and continued, "Still, hitting the 13 Family Alliance won't be simple this time. It'll outstrip the Western Defense Line clashes in hardship. They'll resist with everything they've got—Island Lord-level experts and all. Sect powerhouses will join the fray too. Steel yourselves for that."

A resounding affirmation came from the group. Yet their faces stayed lighthearted. This dimmed Zhao Hai's mood, hardening his expression. He bellowed, "Pay attention! Our next foes are no pushovers. Slack off at your peril. As leaders, your attitudes sway the ranks below. If they mirror your nonchalance toward the enemy, disaster strikes!"

His sharp tone jolted them. Spotting his stern look, their pulses raced. They knew Zhao Hai's affable smile hid a ruthless edge—disobey at your own risk, and he'd strike without pity. Facing his ire, they straightened up, faces grave.

Zhao Hai huffed at them. "What's the glee for? We regained the Western Defense Line, but we lost those islands on our watch. This is just reclaiming our own—nothing to crow about. Plus, as our turf, the enemy grabbed it casually and won't die defending it. But invading the 13 Family Alliance? That's their turf. We're the outsiders. Recall how we handled them before. They'll have terrain edge and Island Lord backing. And you still dare belittle them? Courting death?"

Their hearts quaked. Memories flooded back of the 13 Family Alliance's initial push on the Western Defense Line. Despite Zhao Hai's retreats, they'd itched to charge and slaughter. That fire lingered. If the Alliance mirrored it now, the fight ahead would be brutal.

Zhao Hai eyed them and snorted, "The Blood Slaughter Sect faces a dire lack of low-level disciples right now. We shouldn't launch against the 13 Family Alliance—we could've stopped at reclaiming the Western Defense Line. But we can't. As one of the ten great sects, mere recovery without payback on our assailants would ruin our prestige. Who'd fear the Blood Slaughter Sect then? So we must strike the 13 Family Alliance. Yet if you assume they'll just wait for slaughter, you're deluded. That mindset guarantees defeat—and stains the Blood Slaughter Sect's honor forever. You'd be its eternal villains!"