Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8479: Annihilate the enemy (1)

The cultivators nearby had noticed Zhao Hai's formidable power. Timid loose cultivators were already gearing up to flee, yet the bolder ones pressed on with their ascent. Witnessing this, Zhao Hai let out a cold sneer, "Divine Secrets Finger, Seamless Knife Array!" As he spoke, he thrust a finger forward. That finger dissolved in an instant. Suddenly, the encircling cultivators sensed a shift in their surroundings. Zhao Hai vanished from sight, and they materialized in an immense void. Thirty-six pillars rose within this domain. Guarding each pillar were four colossal Metal Men, positioned to face all four cardinal directions. Standing roughly ten feet high, every one clutched a massive blade. This weapon stretched two meters in length and spanned as broad as a gateway. The Metal Men's eyes glared with rage, giving them a wildly savage and horrifying appearance.

The moment confusion gripped the cultivators, the Metal Men sprang into action. They hoisted their enormous sabers high and brought them crashing down. Every Metal Man struck nearly simultaneously. As they did so, the cultivators realized their arena was engulfed in saber light. Yet, regardless of where they dodged, a blade would come slicing toward them. Escape routes were nowhere to be found.

These were all loose cultivators with no prior experience of such a tactic. Panic seized them as they scrambled to fend off the Metal Men's assault. But their disarray only worsened their defense against the onslaught. The Metal Men's might proved overwhelming; even celestial devices shattered instantly upon blocking the strikes. A few managed to parry the initial slash, only to fall to the follow-up sweep. In mere moments, the whole area became a slaughterhouse, where hundreds perished under the Metal Men's blades.

With the final cultivator collapsing, the void faded away, and Zhao Hai reemerged. He glanced at the fallen foes and murmured, "My grasp of the Divine Secrets Finger has advanced yet again. Indeed, real battles offer the quickest path to gaining insight and honing skills."

A flick of his wrist summoned a large banner into his grasp—the Sinister Wind Ghost Flag. Another wave sent a mass of dark Qi surging from the flag, swallowing up every slain cultivator. Then, Zhao Hai stowed the flag and chuckled softly, "Wiped out hundreds in one fell swoop. Hehe, soon enough, this Sinister Wind Ghost Flag will boast a full legion of ghost soldiers."

Suddenly, a mass of dark Qi hurtled from the distant horizon. Zhao Hai detected it right away. He shot a look at the approaching darkness and scoffed, "Dark Ghost Sect, your persistence knows no bounds. Chasing me solo like this? You're an easy mark, of course. Very well, I'll end you today and see what the Dark Ghost Sect can do about it." He remained still, standing calmly as he awaited the pursuer's arrival.

Soon enough, the dark Qi halted before Zhao Hai. It pulled back, unveiling the figure within—Leng Feng, his prior opponent. Flag in hand, Leng Feng eyed Zhao Hai intently. He sniffed the air twice and scanned the vicinity. Nothing caught his eye amid the pervasive blood mist. Still, he fixed his gaze on Zhao Hai and remarked, "You just battled someone? The blood stench is overpowering."

Zhao Hai met Leng Feng's stare with a laugh. "Those rogue cultivators—they wouldn't heed good advice. I warned them I knew zilch about the Ghostwind Bandits' treasure and urged them to leave me be, but they kept coming at me. You as well, Leng Feng. I spared you back at the ghost market not out of fear, but to show respect to the Dark Ghost Sect. Do you truly believe I'm scared of you?"

Leng Feng eyed Zhao Hai and let out a snort. "Such arrogance. Let's see if your power matches your bold words." He swung his flag, unleashing a dark cloud that enveloped him. From within, several enormous pythons burst forth, lunging straight at Zhao Hai.

Zhao Hai gave a cold huff, then jabbed a finger outward. "Divine Secrets Finger, Pear Blossom in the Storm!" At his command, countless radiant specks erupted skyward, hurtling toward Leng Feng. The specks collided with the pythons, producing a barrage of sizzling noises. Innumerable punctures riddled the pythons' forms. As if sensing agony, the serpents bellowed fiercely and charged at Zhao Hai.

"Hmph, last time I couldn't deploy the Guiluo Smoke from my black flag, letting you slip away. Otherwise, did you think your little schemes could evade me? These pythons arise from Guiluo Smoke—half-tangible, half-ethereal. They're the perfect counter to your techniques. Show me how you'll dodge this round!" Leng Feng's voice echoed from the dark cloud, icy and brimming with venom.

His fury was understandable. Previously, Zhao Hai had slain several of his junior brothers right before his eyes with a single finger strike. As the group's leader then, the sect would surely blame him for their deaths. Punishment awaited, light though it might be given his rank—it would still tarnish his reputation. Thus, he loathed Zhao Hai utterly and burned to eliminate him.

Seeing his technique fail to faze Leng Feng, Zhao Hai showed no shock. He grinned instead and declared, "Guiluo Smoke is impressive, but its myriad forms make it ideal for ensnaring foes rather than slaying them outright. Fine, behold this: Divine Secrets Finger, Raging Flames Burning the Heavens!" He pointed once more. A finger image shot out, transforming abruptly into a blazing inferno. The flames surged ahead. Upon clashing with the dark smoke, they ignited like a spark on tinder. With a thunderous roar, the blaze intensified and accelerated, barreling toward the dark cloud!

"No, this can't be! What flame is that? How does it pierce my Guiluo Smoke?" Leng Feng's panicked shriek pierced from the cloud. He acted as if facing a nightmare. Never had he imagined fire capable of consuming his Guiluo Smoke. That substance was pure yin essence—how could any blaze touch it?

As his cries of dread rang out, the flames engulfed the entire Guiluo Smoke. They blazed skyward, and a piercing wail erupted from the heart of the fire. The scream faded gradually. When the blaze extinguished, Leng Feng's spot lay barren. His body, his celestial device, his spirit—all reduced to ash by the relentless fire.

Zhao Hai surveyed the void and sighed regretfully. "What a shame. That Guiluo Smoke was valuable. And all his yin souls lost too—such a waste. I won't let opportunities like this slip next time." He turned toward the ghost market's direction and snorted. "Dark Ghost Sect, I sought no quarrel this round. But you've struck at me, so I'll hold nothing back." With a gesture, the Sinister Wind Ghost Flag materialized in his grip. He brandished it, causing it to billow fiercely without breeze. Then, Zhao Hai gazed upward with a roar. Clutching the flag, he charged directly for the ghost market.

Zhao Hai wasn't far from the ghost market at all. Though operated by the Dark Ghost Sect and positioned on the sect's fringes, it didn't hug the outermost edge. Several Dark Ghost Sect islands dotted the periphery. This setup kept the ghost market's defenses relatively lax. Only Leng Feng and a handful of core disciples watched over it. An island lord presided, but such high-level experts rarely lingered permanently. How could they tolerate being tied to a mere market? Hence, security remained modest.

Prior to now, the area had enjoyed great peace. No one, no matter how audacious, would lightly challenge one of the top ten sects. Sure, some reckless souls had tried, but they all met grim ends at the sects' hands. Thus, none dared provoke the top ten anymore.

This very complacency left the ghost market's barriers weak. A protective array encircled the island, yet it hadn't activated in years. To the Dark Ghost Sect, the ghost market served mainly as a trade hub. It held little strategic worth in their eyes, so they paid scant attention to fortifying it.

That oversight handed Zhao Hai his chance. When he showed up outside the ghost market, flag in tow, the inhabitants inside remained clueless. Most had never laid eyes on him. Even those familiar with his face stared in bewilderment, uncertain of his intent.

Zhao Hai beheld the ghost market and burst into laughter. "Weren't you all hunting me? Well, Zou Xiao has arrived!" He swung the mighty flag, and abruptly, a chilling gale howled forth. Invisible in hue, this wind was pitch black. Myriad spectral forms danced within the blackness, accompanied by eerie wails.

At last, the ghost market's cultivators snapped to attention. They grasped that Zhao Hai came not in friendship, but for war. Zou Xiao's name had stirred some thrill, yet the Sinister Wind Ghost Flag's onslaught left them stunned. None had foreseen such madness—assailing the Dark Ghost Sect's own market. Shock rooted them, erasing any impulse to respond.

"Hahahaha..." Zhao Hai's wild laughter boomed skyward as he proclaimed, "Didn't you all wonder if I held secrets to the Ghostwind Bandits' treasure? Hear this: their Sinister Wind Ghost Flag is mine now. Henceforth, I, Zou Xiao, lead the new Ghostwind Bandits. Witness my power!" He flourished the flag with greater force. The yin wind whipped fiercer, the ghostly shrieks swelled. Bearing vengeful spirits, the gale plunged into the ghost market, assailing all within. Amid the chaos of cries, the entire market descended into pandemonium, like the apocalypse unfolding.