Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8401: Crafty scheme (1)

A grand palace towered before them. Its entrance bore the eerie face of a specter, one half twisted in a grin while the other snarled in rage. This was the Senluo Treasure Palace. Deep within one of its chambers, an elderly figure with flowing white hair and a matching beard reclined. He appeared ancient in years, yet his flushed skin showed no signs of aging lines. Bursting with vigor, he perched upon a simple mat, lids sealed over his eyes, evoking the image of an enlightened sage.

Flanking the elder on either side sat over a dozen individuals. Their faces displayed varied emotions, yet all eyes fixed upon him intently. Moments later, the one seated to his left spoke up, "Alliance leader, the Blood Slaughter Sect’s arena has stood for five full days now. During this time, losses have mounted on both sides. Still, overall, the Blood Slaughter Sect has endured fewer deaths. Moreover, rival sects have hurled nearly a hundred challenges at Zhao Hai, yet none have triumphed. Each fell to his might. If things persist like this, I fear the other sects stand no chance against the Blood Slaughter Sect in the arena fights. Should they fail to overcome the Blood Slaughter Sect, those fiends will turn their blades on us. And they can't offer us open aid either. This spells disaster for our cause. Shall we proceed with our scheme?"

His statement drew gazes from the rest toward the elder, all awaiting his verdict. This venerable man was the Alliance head of the 13 Family Alliance, patriarch of the Yu family, Yu Fengbo. Yu Fengbo scanned the group with a grave expression and declared solemnly, "I had no intention of deploying this strategy initially. Activating it would reveal our possession of a Senluo Palace duplicate. Thereafter, we couldn't wield it against the Blood Slaughter Sect or any foes. Yet circumstances force our hand now. Relay orders to the others—prepare to move. We delay no further."

"Yes, sir!" came the chorus from the assembly. They rose promptly, offered bows to the elder, and departed. The old man watched their retreating forms and let out a quiet sigh. Their devised plot wasn't some genius masterstroke. Success here would still incense the Blood Slaughter Sect. It might also provoke the other sects' wrath. But options were scarce. To safeguard the 13 Family Alliance's enduring heritage, this path alone remained.

The arena clashes had raged for five days straight. Across those days, challengers from the opposition had targeted Zhao Hai close to a hundred times, only to meet utter defeat each round. Put another way, the tally of elite disciples he'd vanquished had surpassed a hundred. Such dominance stunned all onlookers.

By now, members of the assorted sects grasped Zhao Hai's formidable prowess. Though he'd employed the incantation gesture, it seemed far from his peak effort. Relying solely on the ghost claw, he prevailed. This revelation deepened the dread other sects harbored toward Zhao Hai.

Yet Zhao Hai remained unperturbed by the turmoil. With Ha Jing's presence, rivals from other sects lacked the power to harass him. He dismissed their threats entirely. He realized this event would draw intense scrutiny from the other sects henceforth. Greater perils might loom ahead, but he shrugged them off. Even if an Island Lord powerhouse sought to confront him, he'd face it without much fear—mere others posed no real threat.

On that particular day, Zhao Hai and his comrades wrapped up yet another round of contests. The skirmishes over recent days had unfolded at a brisk pace. As true disciples clashed, they unleashed lethal techniques right away. Fights often concluded in mere exchanges. Roughly fifty bouts filled each day, with nearly twenty aimed at Zhao Hai. This turned him into the most harried figure among them.

Post-contest, Zhao Hai and the group lounged in repose beyond the Blood Buddha Temple. The throng of cultivators lingering outside had thinned out markedly. Certain disciples had perished to enemy strikes, others bore wounds and retreated to their sects for healing, while some emerged unscathed but defeated. A few chose to linger and observe, but many had already withdrawn to their homes. Thus, the crowd around the temple had dwindled.

Zhao Hai sat in meditative trance. None dared interrupt his focus. In the days since, the core disciples of the Blood Slaughter Sect had witnessed his overwhelming might firsthand. His power far outstripped their wildest expectations. This revelation cemented their absolute faith in his command. Zhao Hai had risen as their undisputed guide.

While immersed in meditation, Zhao Hai sensed a sudden glow from a compass within his spatial realm. Startled, he sprang to his feet. With a swift gesture, he produced a verdant jade compass. Unlike his prior one, this version brimmed with intricate designs. The compass's fierce illumination soured Zhao Hai's features. He dashed forward to the Blood Buddha Temple's entrance and boomed, "Disciple Zhao Hai seeks audience with Grandmaster!"

Zhao Hai's abrupt move jolted the onlookers. Puzzled stares turned his way. They couldn't fathom his agitation. What crisis had gripped him? Curiosity surged, and all eyes locked onto him.

"Enter," echoed Ha Jing's command. Zhao Hai acknowledged and shoved the doors wide. He strode briskly into the grand hall. Ha Jing and his attendants remained there. For beings of their cultivation caliber, rest proved unnecessary. Amid the flurry of recent duties, they'd meditated in the hall to handle any surprises swiftly.

Upon Zhao Hai's arrival, Ha Jing eyed him and queried, "What's troubling you, little Hai? Speak your mind." Genuine intrigue colored Ha Jing's tone; Zhao Hai typically exuded composure. Such haste signaled dire news indeed.

"Grandmaster, the Western defense line faces assault. Blood Mountain Island endures attack at this very moment!" Zhao Hai blurted urgently. This revelation fueled his panic. The Western line's breach targeted Blood Mountain Island specifically. Though he knew the island would hold, worry gnawed at him fiercely.

Ha Jing froze at Zhao Hai's report, then his visage darkened as he demanded gravely, "From whence comes this intelligence? Can we trust its veracity?" Shock rippled through Ha Jing. He hadn't anticipated such boldness against the Western line now. Was this a grand ploy by the major sects? Luring them here to strike Blood Mountain Island? Absurd— with so many assembled, and the Blood Slaughter Sect's forces unmoved. What scheme unfolded?

Zhao Hai's palm flipped, revealing a labyrinthine compass. He addressed Ha Jing, "Grandmaster, this serves as a secondary device linked to the Western Defense line's core controls. I keep it on hand to monitor developments anytime. Please observe—this rune signifies Blood Mountain Island. Its glow indicates active assault. Nearby runes blaze too, signaling the onslaught's intensity as it draws power from adjacent isles. Yet this demands utmost caution."

Ha Jing scrutinized the compass Zhao Hai held. After a beat, he huffed and rose sharply, "Those wretched seven major sects—daring to dupe the Blood Slaughter Sect? Rally all hands; we march on the Senluo Temple immediately. I'll force those cowards to justify themselves. Do they truly believe our sect so meek?"

"Grandmaster, hold your temper," Zhao Hai interjected swiftly. "Perhaps a misunderstanding brews. Why not probe them first? Your thoughts?" Zhao Hai suspected the seven major sects shunned fresh strife with the Blood Slaughter Sect now. Their actions struck him as off-kilter.

Ha Jing paused at Zhao Hai's counsel, then regarded him quizzically, "What scheme do you propose?" Eager for insight, Ha Jing leaned on Zhao Hai's famed cunning within the Blood Slaughter Sect. He held the youth's judgment in high esteem.

Zhao Hai replied gravely, "I wager this stems from the 13 Family Alliance's machinations. Witnessing our edge in the arena, they foresee our victory leading to reprisals against them. With the seven major sects barred from overt support, defeat looms for the Alliance. Thus, they plot our downfall. If true, the assailants on Blood Mountain Island hail from the 13 Family Alliance, harboring deeper designs. A rash strike on the Senluo Temple now grants them mere words. Instead, let's test their mettle. Grandmaster, toll the bell and summon Senior Jietian."

Ha Jing's face shifted subtly at Zhao Hai's analysis. He nodded firmly, "Very well, we'll follow your lead. I'll uncover their game." With that, Ha Jing's intent stirred, and a resonant bell tolled afar. Its peal pierced the midnight hush, carrying to all ears. Not just Blood Slaughter Sect disciples, but the seven major sects' coalition and spectators alike caught the sound. Bewilderment spread. What prompted the bell's midnight cry from the Blood Slaughter Sect? Stirring unrest?

In that instant, witnesses spotted a silhouette materializing overhead the Blood Buddha Temple. It was Ha Jing once more. Hovering in the firmament, he bellowed, "Jie Tian, you old fox, show yourself!" His roar thundered clear to every soul. Stunned silence gripped the crowd.

Jie Tian held elder status in the Corpse Demon Sect, his rank rivaling Ha Jing's own. Ha Jing had always treated him with courtesy in meetings. Why this nocturnal barrage of insults? What madness seized him? Was he unhinged?

"Hmph!" A frosty grunt resounded. Then, a form soared from the Senluo Temple. Jie Tian it was. He halted mid-air, glaring at Ha Jing with a frosted glare. His tone dripped chill as he snapped, "Ha Jing, have you lost your mind? Why this midnight racket?"