Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8412 - 389-praise _1

Inside a modest hall, Zhao Hai and Lei Xuan took their seats. This hall wasn't located on Blood Skull Island but existed within the inner realm of the bronze figure. The entire 10,000-strong Bloodsucker Squad had also gathered in this vast inner space. Spanning a huge area, it offered plenty of room and a cozy environment for dwelling, which made the squad members quite accustomed to staying there.

Lei Xuan relaxed in his spot, sipping on spiritual tea. Zhao Hai joined him nearby, keeping company. Once he'd finished a cup, Lei Xuan faced Zhao Hai and remarked, "Little Hai, about the great elder's summons to the main hall assembly, what's your take?" His expression remained serious as he eyed Zhao Hai, treating the matter like a major event.

Zhao Hai paused in surprise at Lei Xuan's question. Then, with a puzzled tone, he replied to Lei Xuan, "Martial Uncle, what is there to think about? As the leader of the Bloodsucker Squad, I naturally must join this pre-battle gathering. Why? From your words, is there some other motive for my attendance?"

Lei Xuan gave a faint smile. "You're not seeing the full picture yet. Your recent showings have impressed greatly, particularly during the arena fights. The great elder approves of your efforts. He's using this chance to highlight you publicly. By having you at the meeting, he'll signal to the other island masters that you're a key figure under his watch, someone he's grooming intently. Given your standing, you'll command respect wherever you venture ahead."

Zhao Hai froze briefly before grinning and responding, "That's what you meant, Martial Uncle. It's no big issue. Status means little to me. True power is what counts. Strength brings status on its own. Without it, even if they named me head elder today, I couldn't manage it. I'd fail to win over the crowd."

Lei Xuan agreed with a nod. "You're spot on, yet you shouldn't dismiss status entirely. A elevated position aids your path in cultivation. Higher rank means the sect provides more supplies. With abundant resources, advancing in practice becomes far smoother."

Pausing there, Lei Xuan went on, "I held back on mentioning this earlier, but our sect splits into groups. The sect leader, great elder, and my master form the dominant one. The remaining elders have banded into two others. Once there were three such groups, but with Elder Bai and his allies wiped out, that's no longer valid. Now just two persist, and you align with the sect leader's side naturally."

"The sect has all these divisions?" Zhao Hai queried, baffled. "I never saw that coming. How do these groups form?" Zhao Hai truly lacked insight into faction splits. Were they just based on close ties? Surely it wasn't that straightforward.

In a grave tone, Lei Xuan explained, "This sect arose from various legacies," the man stated. "We hold several traditions, the most renowned being saber arts. Yet the core one remains the Octagon Bloody Battle Technique, our sect's enduring pillar. Beyond that, other methods persist, handed down by past sect elders. Though potent in their own right, these legacies birthed the branches of the Blood Slaughter Sect today. The elders represent these lines, leading to the factions' emergence."

Halting briefly, Lei Xuan added, "Our grandmaster's era still boasts numerous elders. Some shun worldly affairs, retreating solely for cultivation, so they're out of sight for now. We of the middle generation serve as the Blood Slaughter Sect's mainstay. Like the seniors, we've split into factions following their lead. The same holds for your cohort."

Zhao Hai acknowledged with a nod. Factions inevitably arose in any sect, unity being unattainable. Take his own Sea Exploration Sect from the lower planes—outwardly cohesive, yet internally divided. Those nearest to him, like Wen Wenhai and Ding Chunming, led their own groups. Each had followers vying for gains. Such rivalry, kept in check, sparked healthy drive. Properly managed competition fueled a power's growth.

Lei Xuan eyed Zhao Hai and murmured lowly, "From the looks of things, the sect master and great elder aim to elevate you as the top disciple leader in our faction for your generation. That way, granting you extra authority or supplies draws no objections. It benefits our group too. Get my drift?"

Zhao Hai grasped it fully, of course. Having navigated myriad realms and built vast organizations, such politics were familiar. That's why the revelation didn't shock him much. He saw Lei Xuan's point clearly: shine brightly to ensure his ascent by the sect and great elder faced no pushback.

Gazing at Zhao Hai, Lei Xuan urged, "Little Hai, give it your all. Excel, and a seat among the six great elders awaits you down the line. Even sect master isn't out of reach. You're the prime true disciple now. Reach Island Lord mastery later, and a influential elder role is yours. Clear?"

Zhao Hai nodded his understanding. He'd encountered this dynamic endlessly before. How could he miss it? He'd aimed for obscurity initially, but events thrust him forward. With his genius label widespread, hiding was futile. If high profile it was, then he'd embrace it fully.

Exhaling deeply, Zhao Hai stated firmly, "Rest easy, Martial Uncle. I know how to handle it. Still, striking the Thirteen Families Alliance won't drag on long. Those foes can't pose much threat, so no need for concern."

Lei Xuan nodded in agreement. "I figure the same. Absent sect meddling, crushing the thirteen-family union proves simple for us. But what of the captured islands? To the Blood Slaughter Sect, they're like drifting territories. Managing them poses a challenge."

With a smile, Zhao Hai replied, "It won't prove too tough. Post-battle, certain peak Refinement Realm elders should ascend to Island Lord status. For new domains, they can establish in the West Sea or Northwest Sea regions. Employ the island fusion method to absorb all thirteen-alliance isles. Thus, those lands integrate straight into our West Sea holdings. No issues there."

Lei Xuan nodded once more. "That appears the sole path. Hopefully, more Refinement Realm cultivators break through to Island Lord. It'd replenish our sect's powerhouses. Lacking that, troubles loom." Worry lingered in Lei Xuan's voice.

Zhao Hai nodded silently, offering no further words. This scenario didn't trouble him greatly. Truth be told, he puzzled over the Blood Sea Realm's island setup. Since merging was feasible, why not consolidate all sect isles into a single landmass? That would eliminate drift risks, simplify assaults and defenses, and avoid scattering forces. The current fragmented state brought no advantages.

Truthfully, Zhao Hai remained unaware that unifying every island bordered on impossible. Island Lords obeyed sect commands, yet ruled their domains as overlords. Sect oversight there stayed lax. Merging all would strip Island Lords of their sway, something no owner would accept.

No island master favored consolidation. Forcing it via the sects would only fracture them internally. Across the Blood Sea Realm, every sect faced this bind, preventing any from succeeding.

Yet Zhao Hai hadn't uncovered this yet, so he held his questions. The Blood Sea Realm had endured this way for ages. With his present power and role, altering it lay beyond reach, so he let it drop. Lei Xuan shared a bit more with Zhao Hai before retreating to his quiet chamber for rest. Zhao Hai exited the bronze figure's form and settled into the sect-provided quarters, awaiting directives.

Clearly invested in the mission, Du Wansha and his circle acted swiftly, soon delivering Zhao Hai the sect's command. Straightforward in nature, it directed an assault on one of the Thirteen Families Alliance's islands. Defenders there were sparse, featuring just the Island Lord among experts. Its isolated spot meant scant reinforcements too. Evidently, the sect continued shielding Zhao Hai.

Examining the jade slip clutched in his hand, Zhao Hai noted its sealed state upon arrival. Only his spiritual sense could unseal it; tampering would trigger an explosion. Details inside proved thorough. Beyond Breeze Island's coordinates, it detailed the terrain, the lord's background, original troop counts, and defensive formation specs. All stood plainly outlined. This depth astonished Zhao Hai. He'd never anticipated the Blood Slaughter Sect's such meticulous groundwork.