Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8488: Rest (1)

"Good," Zhao Hai uttered in a grave tone. "It's wise that you've comprehended this. Now, we'll proceed to allocate the supplies." Upon finishing, he swept his hand, unleashing a multitude of slender filaments from the Yin Wind Ghost Flag. Those filaments sorted the scattered resources across the floor into numerous heaps. Afterward, the filaments shifted, depositing every heap right in front of each member.

With all members securing their allocations, Zhao Hai pivoted to address the group. "Very well, store your items now. We'll pause here to recuperate briefly. Make use of these resources for your cultivation without hesitation. No concern over depletion—recall that if they run out, we can simply plunder more."

The group chorused a resounding "Yes." Zhao Hai paid them no further mind, settling into a cross-legged position to commence his gradual cultivation. Concurrently, he monitored the evolving properties of the Yin Wind Ghost Flag alongside Shen Ji's transformations. Moreover, Zhao Hai pondered ways to weave these developments into his Nine Cycles Golden Lotus Sutra.

The rest observed Zhao Hai's demeanor yet remained silent, promptly diving into their own cultivation sessions. From the distributions received that day, they recognized Zhao Hai's sincerity. Each had acquired substantial valuable items—likely surpassing their gains over several prior years. With Zhao Hai bestowing such treasures upon them, excitement surged through their veins.

Certainly, some items among the haul held no immediate value, like spirit stones. They had no use for spirit stones at present, relying instead on elixirs for the tournament. Cultivation demanded elixirs alone. Though spirit stones brimmed with spiritual Qi, its intensity proved overwhelming. Absorption required meticulous control, followed by painstaking refinement—a process demanding extensive time.

Elixirs, however, avoided such drawbacks. Those enhancing cultivation dissolved into pristine spiritual energy upon ingestion. Refining this into mana proved swift, free from absorption rate constraints, expedited processing, and devoid of risks.

Thus, all now cultivated via elixirs, shunning spirit stones entirely. Naturally, they preserved those stones for future exchanges. Beyond crystals, various other items appeared, with celestial artifacts standing paramount. Their raid on the Dark Ghost Sect yielded abundant celestial artifacts, yet most proved unusable due to heavy Yin Qi infusion. These clashed with their practiced techniques. While operable, they couldn't harness full potential. Critically, deploying numerous Yin-attuned tools would expose their origins instantly— a severe liability.

Yet, this rendered the artifacts wholly worthless. Future utility awaited. In dire straits, hurling them to detonate could serve as a vital escape tactic. Furthermore, as former rogue cultivators, they appreciated the superior quality of sect-sourced magic tools, often surpassing their own possessions. They vowed to safeguard these treasures meticulously.

Though select items offered scant current benefit or immediate usability, plentiful others proved invaluable. Hence, each committed to diligent cultivation. Simultaneously, they resolved to exert greater vigor in forthcoming assaults, securing richer hauls to accelerate their progress.

Undoubtedly, they recognized the raid's true gems lay not in elixirs, crystals, or celestial devices, but in cultivation methods. Every island boasted a scripture repository, scaled to the island master's amassed tomes. For rogue cultivators, what proved most elusive? Cultivation methods alone. Major sects guarded these fiercely, beyond common reckoning. Acquiring advanced techniques bordered on impossibility for independents.

This plunder from Ghost Island netted vast troves of cultivation methods, including numerous high-tier ones. Some directly suited their needs. Possession of such elevated techniques opened paths to greater realms. Thus, these scrolls represented unparalleled prizes.

Zhao Hai disregarded the others' cultivation pursuits, immersing himself in contemplation. Through recent clashes, he discerned Shen Ji's exceptional nature as a cultivation technique. He aimed to fuse it seamlessly with his Golden Lotus Nine Transformations Scripture, adaptable even to any method or weapon. Yet, success hinged on ample prior exposure—mastery of diverse techniques, executed with proficiency. Absent this foundation, integration remained unattainable.

Following three days of deep meditation, Zhao Hai rose steadily. Though the Ghostwind Bandits hadn't ceaselessly cultivated over those days, they restrained any excessive noise during breaks, avoiding disturbance to Zhao Hai. All proceeded with utmost caution.

As Zhao Hai rose, the others mirrored him promptly. In truth, prolonged cultivation sessions proved unnecessary, even with elixirs. While pill-derived spiritual Qi excelled in quality, it differed from self-generated essence. Excessive intake risked blending impurities within, tainting mana's purity. Impure mana invited dire repercussions.

Precisely for this reason, post-elixir consumption demanded intervals for self-forged spiritual energy consolidation. Only thus could medicinal essence truly convert to personal mana, forging genuine power. Over the three days, beyond initial pill intake and meditation on day one, the subsequent pair focused on refining their mana—a task spanning far beyond mere hours.

Cultivation oft lacked shortcuts. Overreliance on pills eroded foundation, yielding fragile prowess akin to a paper tiger—impressive in appearance yet crumbling under clash with true dharma power. Hence, none pursued such folly. All preferred extended efforts to hone mana purity, paving strides toward elevation. Entangled mana barred ascent to Island Lord stature.

Noting the group's rise, Zhao Hai offered no words, merely nodding solemnly before intoning deeply, "You've all recuperated over these days. Now, we advance to the subsequent phase. Striking a Dark Ghost Sect island here marks us as prime targets for their scrutiny. Lingering invites detection, plunging us into peril. Our current might cannot withstand their focused assault."

The assembly attended in silence, fully aware of Zhao Hai's logic. Should the Dark Ghost Sect mobilize against them, peril loomed inescapably. Vigilance remained essential. Recall the Ghostwind Bandits of a millennium past—more infamous, more potent—yet annihilated by the Sharp Sword Sect. The Dark Ghost Sect rivaled that foe in might; how could they prevail?

Zhao Hai surveyed them intently, then continued gravely, "Hence, departure from this site is imperative. Yet, I intend no full withdrawal from Dark Ghost Sect domain. Their expanse is vast; disruptions here may draw scant notice elsewhere. We'll relocate and strike anew. Plundering a colossal sect like theirs yields far richer spoils than minor factions."

Hearing Zhao Hai, eyes gleamed across the group. His reasoning resonated deeply. Though this single island raid brimmed with bounty, repeating elsewhere promised cultivation sustenance for years ahead.

Zhao Hai regarded the assembly, withholding one detail. Within himself, he detected no trace of Yin Wuchang's presence across proximate islands—indicating the elder's absence. Thus, relocation suited perfectly. By voicing this to the bandits, despite his command, he averted resentment. Brutal suppression might quell unrest temporarily, but fairness in dealings—clear explanations fostering valued inclusion—ensured loyalty and diminished future opposition. Such was his approach to leading underlings.

Naturally, none fathomed Zhao Hai's calculations. Truthfully, their sentiment toward him held pure reverence, devoid of grudge. Though he'd slain several, they dismissed it lightly. Those victims bore no ties—neither kin nor comrades. Moreover, their hoarding of shared spoils invited consequence; smaller portions bred no ire. As rogue cultivators, even formidable ones lacked security—death at a superior's hand ever loomed. Indifferent to mortality, they harbored no animosity toward Zhao Hai.