Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8390: The big arena (1)

While Zhao Hai and his group were busy reconstructing the western defensive line, Dao Qianzhan and his allies sprang into action as well. They publicly declared that the assault by the 13 Family Alliance on the Blood Slaughter Sect represented the gravest insult yet to the sect. In response, the Blood Slaughter Sect vowed to exact vengeance, effectively launching a declaration of war against the entire 13 Family Alliance.

In reaction to the Blood Slaughter Sect's firm stance, members of the 13 Family Alliance wasted no time in replying. Instead of issuing formal declarations, they promptly summoned the Corpse Demon Sect and additional sects to step in and broker peace. This approach aligned perfectly with longstanding customs in the Blood Sea Realm, where larger sects often intervened to resolve clashes among smaller ones. Naturally, without sufficient power, even gaining an audience with these giants proved impossible, let alone seeking their aid. On this occasion, the 13 Family Alliance had successfully enlisted the five premier sects, spearheaded by the Corpse Demon Sect, to facilitate talks—a move that carried immense prestige.

This intervention also served as a subtle signal from the five major sects. Through it, they aimed to warn the Blood Slaughter Sect that they had orchestrated the 13 Family Alliance's earlier aggression. Any attempt to strike back would provoke their direct opposition. Hence, they positioned themselves as mediators in the conflict.

The Blood Slaughter Sect's position remained straightforward. Mediation between the conflicting sides could proceed, but the undeniable reality of the 13 families uniting to invade their territory demanded consequences. Subsequently, the Blood Slaughter Sect presented a detailed demand for reparations. Beyond assorted resources, it included several islands owned by the 13 families, among them a perpetual island. Unlike islands that materialized solely upon a cultivator ascending to Island Lord status, this was a longstanding landmass in the Blood Sea Realm. Such islands ranked as priceless assets, and no sect would relinquish one without fierce resistance.

Naturally, neither the 13 Family Alliance nor the accompanying seven families accepted these terms. Yet, they struggled to mount a solid counterargument. The Blood Slaughter Sect had meticulously documented every detriment inflicted by the 13 Family Alliance—from casualties and puppet destructions to resource depletions and crystal expenditures for rebuilding—leaving no room for denial.

Representatives from the 13 Family Alliance and the seven major sects never anticipated such a calculated maneuver from the Blood Slaughter Sect. Historically, sect disputes ended through mediation alone, without delving into itemized claims that silenced objections. Confronted with this unprecedented tactic, they found themselves at a loss for words, facing a scenario entirely outside their experience.

That said, the seven great sects and the 13 Family Alliance refused to yield easily. They deemed the demands unacceptable and adopted an ironclad refusal, implying that pressing the issue would ignite full-scale war.

Observing the opponents ' unyielding response, Dao Qianzhan and his companions held back further arguments. In truth, their own resolve had softened somewhat from its initial intensity. They swiftly suggested establishing a grand disciple tournament right within the Blood Slaughter Sect's domain. Challengers from the 13 Family Alliance and the seven major sects would face off against Blood Slaughter Sect disciples, capped at 1000 per side, under a defending arena format to determine the ultimate victor. Should the 13 Family Alliance and seven major sects prevail, the Blood Slaughter Sect would abandon all retribution against the alliance and drop compensation talks, treating the incident as erased. Victory for the Blood Slaughter Sect, however, meant forgoing reparations and launching an unhindered assault on the 13 Family Alliance, with the seven major sects barred from meddling.

This defending arena format diverged sharply from standard tournaments. Typical events tallied victories based on the number of contenders dispatched by each side, with the heavier losses declaring defeat—for instance, if seven fighters per side clashed and one lost four, even three subsequent wins couldn't salvage the outcome. The defending arena operated differently: losers forfeited further participation, continuing until one side exhausted all eligible combatants. Take seven per side again: if one team downed six opponents but only felled three in return, their final warrior would confront four foes. Yet, triumphing over all four would secure victory for their side. That defined the defending arena system.

The 13 Family Alliance and seven major sects were caught off guard by the Blood Slaughter Sect's bold proposal. They hadn't foreseen resolving the feud through such a contest, especially one limited to legacy disciples—meaning no participant could surpass the Dharma idol refinement realm in cultivation.

While arena setups had occurred in the cultivation world, they remained rare. Smaller families or sects typically hosted them for recruitment or miscellaneous goals, not dispute resolution. Major sects seldom bothered with such events. Thus, the Blood Slaughter Sect's offer left the 13 Family Alliance and seven major sects momentarily stunned, unable to respond promptly.

They quickly recovered, however. Far from naive, they had gathered intelligence on Zhao Hai's formidable prowess. Crucially, he commanded vast puppet forces, including a colossal bronze warrior whose might terrified all. To them, the Blood Slaughter Sect clearly intended Zhao Hai as the anchor defender to crush their challengers, paving the way for an unchallenged offensive on the 13 Family Alliance. The catch? Even recognizing the scheme, rejection wasn't feasible—it would tarnish their sects' honor, painting them as cowering before the Blood Slaughter Sect. For these powerhouses, prestige often outweighed survival itself.

As a result, every major sect consented. Still, they imposed a stipulation: no puppets could assist in combat, relying solely on personal abilities. Battle corpses and spirit beasts were likewise forbidden. This demand baffled the Blood Slaughter Sect's representatives.

The restriction appeared aimed squarely at Zhao Hai, given his reliance on battle corpses and puppets; barring them would slash his effectiveness dramatically. Yet, it equally hampered the Corpse Demon Sect and Poisonous Insect Valley. Though the former boasted diverse techniques, corpse manipulation formed its core legacy, just as bug control defined the latter's fighters. Prohibiting these staples left them wondering how to compete fairly.

Ultimately, the Blood Slaughter Sect acquiesced to the rule. When consulting Zhao Hai on the arena idea, they had excluded puppets and battle corpses from the plan. Including them would render even Dharma cultivation realm elders from rival sects helpless against him, legacy disciples notwithstanding.

With the Blood Slaughter Sect's approval secured, the other sects swiftly contested the venue choice. They flatly rejected hosting it there, viewing it as far too hazardous and untrustworthy for their peace of mind.

Conversely, the Blood Slaughter Sect distrusted the proposed alternative, situated perilously near the Yin-Yang Sect's territory. They harbored no illusions about their rivals' treachery; those sects could resort to any underhanded ploy. Battling so close to Yin-Yang influence was out of the question.

The two sides bickered endlessly over the battlefield's location, dragging the debate for almost a month without resolution. At last, the Blood Slaughter Sect floated a compromise: though billed as an arena, disciples could soar freely through the skies, making the exact spot irrelevant. They settled on a remote void zone, distant from all sects, barren of islands or structures, where both teams would arrive with their fighters and clash amid emptiness.

Everyone endorsed this neutral ground, born of mutual suspicion. Once settled, sentinels from each faction arrived to secure the site against sabotage. Concurrently, they finalized the tournament's guidelines. This event promised unusual openness: spectators from both camps, other sects, and lone cultivators alike could observe, promoting transparency. Any covert foul play would shatter the perpetrator's standing across the Blood Sea Realm.

Moreover, bans extended to puppets, spirit beasts, battle corpses, and external aids; only personal magical artifacts and innate cultivator skills permitted. These provisions went public for universal awareness. Both factions also disclosed their rosters: 1000 from the Blood Slaughter Sect versus 1000 from the 13 Family Alliance and seven major sects combined. Undoubtedly, the opponents' lineup boasted superior caliber, drawing from elite legacy disciples across multiple powers. The Blood Slaughter Sect, lacking such a deep talent pool, couldn't field its best entirely—effectively pitting them against the collective might of seven giants and a coalition of mid-tier sects like the 13 Family Alliance.

Word of the impending arena battle exploded across the Blood Sea Realm, stunning lone cultivators and non-combatants alike. No one had imagined settling the grudge via such a spectacle. Learning it welcomed all onlookers only fueled the frenzy, particularly among independents who flocked in droves. These wanderers rarely witnessed elite sect clashes; this chance to behold big-sect disciples in action felt like a golden opportunity. Thus, countless solo cultivators and small-sect members rushed ahead, staking out prime vantage points to savor the grand showdown. To them, it was an epochal event not to be squandered.