Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8481 8481: Recruitment (1)

"Moon in the sea!" The rugged fellow roared loudly. He seized the spearhead from his hammer's end and lashed out toward Zhao Hai. Yet right then, the blade in Zhao Hai's grip stirred, as he declared, "Shen Ji, heavenly net!" With his words, Zhao Hai's form vanished in an instant. In its stead rose a colossal net from below. The rugged fellow struck the net successfully, yet it bent with remarkable elasticity. To him, it seemed like clutching a spear of ten thousand pounds' weight. He couldn't shift it even slightly. Compelled to pause, his visage grew flushed with strain.

Just then, the vast net surged forward, coiling around him like an immense snare that ensnared his frame completely. The rugged man sensed numbness flooding his limbs. A potent energy sealed every crucial acupoint within him, rendering him completely immobile.

Right at that instant, Zhao Hai materialized next to the rugged fellow. He shot a quick look at the man and smirked, "I'll let you live for the moment, but I'll settle with you soon." Having spoken, Zhao Hai pivoted to face the group below and issued a chilly snort. He wielded his flexible sword with a flourish, thrusting it toward those individuals. Concurrently, he bellowed, "Seamless saber array!" As his command rang out, the loose cultivators beneath experienced a thunderous explosion. Their surroundings warped abruptly, transporting them into a vast expanse. Within this domain stood thirty-six towering pillars. Before each one, four Iron Men positioned themselves, each oriented toward a different cardinal point. Every Iron Man gripped a massive blade. Moments later, the Iron Men activated, brandishing their enormous blades in sweeping arcs.

A radiant blade glow swiftly blanketed the whole area. The loose cultivators panicked, deploying their various techniques against the Iron Men. A series of explosive crashes followed as the blade formation shattered. Still, by the time the array concluded, almost half of the loose cultivators lay slain.

On the prior occasion when Zhao Hai deployed the seamless saber array, it had wiped out every loose cultivator pursuing him. This time around, though, it merely felled close to half. The survivors had shattered the assault and fled. Evidently, this bunch surpassed the strength of the previous foes.

Yet Zhao Hai refrained from launching another strike. He remained poised with sword drawn, eyeing those who had just escaped the formation. A grin played on his lips as he intoned deeply, "What do you all make of my divine weapon? I'll offer you one final opportunity. If you refuse to yield, then don't fault me for showing no mercy."

The loose cultivators lingered in stunned disbelief. Zhao Hai had employed just two and a half techniques thus far, with one and a half aimed at the hammer-wielding brute. Against them, he'd used only a single move, yet it had claimed half their numbers. Though the remaining half ranked as the weaker ones, Zhao Hai's methods struck as utterly bizarre. That seamless saber array defied all logic from every angle; it was genuinely a formation. Escape required breaking free of it. Without doing so, the technique might have persisted indefinitely. Such an odd tactic had never crossed their minds. Now, a hint of dread gripped them.

The rogue cultivators huddled closely, staring up at Zhao Hai. He met their gazes steadily and spoke in an icy tone, "Well? I've handed you your chance. If you toss it aside, don't hold it against me for getting ruthless. So, will you submit?" Zhao Hai held his ground, sword at the ready, his features radiating lethal intent.

The independent cultivators hesitated, fear creeping in. Zhao Hai's earlier display proved overwhelmingly fearsome, shaking them to the core. Furthermore, he'd subdued the hammer-wielding brute in merely one and a half actions. Capturing someone alive always demanded more effort than slaying them outright. Achieving that feat so swiftly marked Zhao Hai as exceptionally formidable. Confronting such might left them uneasy. Already, some prepared to bow in submission.

As rogue cultivators, reaching their current level had proven far tougher than for sect disciples. Death held no appeal for them, fueling their trepidation. Suddenly, a brilliant white gleam erupted from the throng, vanishing skyward in a flash. It was a message spell.

"You're courting death!" Zhao Hai's shout erupted abruptly. He swung his sword in a forward jab. At the same time, he growled deeply, "Shen Ji, cloud piercing arrow!" With that, a streak of sword radiance burst from his blade at blinding velocity. It wasn't aimed to slay the sender but to intercept the dispatch spell. The sword light raced after the glowing orb, striking it down swiftly.

Zhao Hai then directed his sword straight into the midst of the group and yelled, "Shen Ji, cloud piercing arrow!" As the thrust extended, a sword beam lanced into the crowd. The assembly scattered in panic, dashing every which way. But the moment they stirred, a cry pierced the air. One cultivator's neck got run through by Zhao Hai's sword.

Gazing at the scattering loose cultivators, Zhao Hai let out a disdainful huff. He'd unleashed the Buddha's lion roar. Every loose cultivator felt like thunder detonated inside their skulls. Their frames shuddered, halting them in place. Their faces twisted in horror. They'd never imagined Zhao Hai's prowess extended this far. A mere snort sufficed to disrupt their spiritual powers. His strength overwhelmed them.

Zhao Hai eyed the rogue cultivators and sneered, "You fools, how bold to challenge me? Even if you outmatch me, even with the Sinister Wind Ghost Flag in hand, what good does it do? Are you unaware of the Sinister Wind Ghost Flag's might? Don't you grasp how vital this is to the major sects? Would those sect disciples simply stand by while you claim the flag? The instant you seize the Sinister Wind Ghost Flag marks your doom at their hands. Rather than perish as shades beneath their blades, why not join me? Though I'm merely at the refinement realm, with the Sinister Wind Ghost Flag, I can confront Island Lord-level experts. The Sinister Wind Ghost Flag boasts yet another power: uniting all our strengths. Once we merge our forces, we'll handle not just Island Lord-tier foes. We'll shatter island defense formations with ease. Then, we'll rampage across the realm like the Ghostwind Bandits. Treasures beyond count will be ours. What fears hold you back?"

Zhao Hai's speech left everyone dumbfounded. Soon, their gazes sparked with excitement. Truth be told, as rogue cultivators rather than major sect heirs, they lacked the deep-seated loathing toward the Ghostwind Bandits that sect scions harbored. Instead, they admired them, even idolized them, for the Ghostwind Bandits embodied rogue cultivator ideals. They symbolized the burning desire in these hearts: to defy the great sects, to shatter every yoke of tyranny.

Countless times had these folks dreamed of wielding power to emulate the Ghostwind Bandits, conquering the world at will. In that vision, every desire became reality: cultivation methods, artifacts, spirit stones, exotic rarities—all theirs for the taking.

Zhao Hai scanned them and declared solemnly, "Friends, unite with me, and the world shall be ours someday. What say you? Will you stand with me?" His eyes burned with fervor as he regarded the assembly. He realized going solo made him too conspicuous a mark. Rallying allies would redirect scrutiny toward the Ghostwind Bandits as a whole, away from him alone.

He trusted no one would readily uncover his true self, yet caution remained essential. He'd never dismiss the prowess of those grand sects. They weren't dimwitted. His emergence as Zou Xiao aligned precisely with Zhao Hai's retreat into seclusion. Should the sects link those dots, they might deduce his secret.

In that scenario, better to escalate the chaos and reveal his role boldly. He aimed to fix all eyes on him as the Ghostwind Bandits' inaugural leader, deterring probes into his past. Thus, his cover stayed intact more securely. That drove Zhao Hai to enlist followers.

"Chief, count me in—I'll trail you! To hell with those smug sect brats; I've endured them long enough. I'm ready to charge alongside you into epic strife. Even death would make this life worthwhile—I'd have lived it fully!" A gravelly shout broke the silence abruptly.

All turned toward the voice's origin, spotting the hammer-swinging brute who'd first assaulted Zhao Hai. Though bound by Zhao Hai's hold, speech remained possible. He bellowed with wild enthusiasm, his face alight as if eager to dash off with Zhao Hai and slaughter all foes.

Zhao Hai regarded the brute and inwardly marveled. Despite his rough exterior, the man proved cunning. Seeing capture inevitable, he'd pledged allegiance first to ensure survival. This forced Zhao Hai's hand in freeing him. A sharp mind indeed.

Still, Zhao Hai felt pleased. The display heightened his respect. He nodded, gesturing to lift the brute's bindings. Then, addressing him, he said, "Fine, from this day, you're with me. What's your name?"

The brute dropped to his knees before Zhao Hai and rumbled deeply, "Chief, call me Xu Gang!" Xu Gang recognized escape as futile now, so allying with Zhao Hai offered benefits. Without it, his current method had already pushed him to this point—a feat in itself. Advancing further demanded superior techniques and ample supplies, both beyond his grasp alone. Trailing Zhao Hai promised access to them. That mattered immensely. Thus, he chose alliance. Better a glorious end in battle than fading away obscurely!