Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8489: Land-based (1)
Previously on Living In Another World With A Farm...
Zhao Hai gazed at the group and declared, “I plan to venture into a different region of the Dark Ghost Sect. Next, we'll conquer yet another Dark Ghost Sect island. Afterward, we'll take a solid break. Once the rumors settle, we'll plan our following steps. If nobody objects, prepare to depart.”
“Yes, boss!” The entire crew chorused in unison. Naturally, they held no dissent. They wouldn't dream of voicing any. Fear gripped them that any resistance might prompt Zhao Hai to eliminate them on the spot. Thus, they all acted exceedingly compliant. Indeed, Zhao Hai's brutal methods had thoroughly intimidated them.
Zhao Hai gave a nod and drew forth the Cold Wind Ghost Flag. With a flourish of the banner, he bellowed, “Shen Ji, quicksand escape!” As Zhao Hai's command echoed, the earth under their soles transformed into shifting sands. It grew incredibly yielding, pulling with immense force. Moments later, darkness swallowed their sight. Then, a hazy golden glow emerged, bathing the surroundings in a yellowish tint.
Curiosity drove them to scan their environs, revealing a vast subterranean cavern. Various earth and rock formations stood visible all around. Peering upward in wonder, shock struck them—they appeared trapped in a profound shaft. A faint gleam hovered overhead, encircled by crimson haze. Beyond that gleam lay... a blood sea, and they positioned directly beneath it. They lurked underground, buried at least a thousand meters down.
“Cease gawking, concentrate at once. We're buried five thousand feet below ground; enemy spiritual sense can't detect us, yet my magical energy won't endure forever. Channel your magical energies to bolster me without delay.” Zhao Hai's directive rang out abruptly. His words left the group momentarily dazed, but they swiftly complied. They grasped well that their roles demanded precision now. A single error could doom their getaway.
Zhao Hai's voice resounded again: “Spot the dark fog ahead? Those willing to fuel the flag, step into the dark fog. If not, stay clear. This stems from the flag's enhanced form. You may contribute energy to the flag or opt out. Choose wisely.” No sooner had Zhao Hai spoken than a veil of black fog materialized before them, leaving all astonished.
Xu Gang eyed the black fog and strode inside. The rest followed his lead. They figured Zhao Hai conjured the fog as a loyalty trial. Refusing entry would signal disloyalty to Zhao Hai. Should he demand retribution, dire consequences awaited.
Truth be told, they'd misconstrued entirely. As Zhao Hai delved deeper into the Cold Wind Ghost Flag's secrets, he uncovered its myriad marvels. He himself summoned this black fog. The primary purpose? To sustain the Cold Wind Ghost Flag's prowess in combat. From the prior clash, Zhao Hai learned he required no thousand souls to shatter a prefecture island's barrier or fell an Island Lord-tier foe. Unleashing a thousand at once squandered vast energies. Yet, splitting them into three squads allowed him to dismantle the island's defenses and vanquish the Island Lord expert. Crucially, these squads could feed energy to the Cold Wind Ghost Flag in rotations. Thus, while one squad replenished the flag, the others recuperated. When exhaustion claimed one, the others stepped up seamlessly. This extended the Cold Wind Ghost Flag's endurance in fights, fulfilling Zhao Hai's exact needs.
Yet Zhao Hai kept silent on the matter. Seeing all plunge into the black fog, he discerned their suspicions. He shrugged it off. Their mindset suited him fine. After all, no endless battles loomed; explanations could wait.
Soon enough, the Ghost Wind Bandits noted that channeling their mana into the Cold Wind Ghost Flag enlarged the overhead light speck steadily. They assumed ascent, but no—the surrounding void expanded instead. The canopy above sharpened into view, broadening too. Realization dawned on them instantly.
Once mere well-bottom frogs, they now stood in a sprawling courtyard, stargazing freely. The shift felt worlds apart. But before deeper musings, motion seized them. Their pace surged incredibly swift, barreling ahead. The enclosing soil yielded, carving a tunnel. This thrilling novelty sparked their exhilaration.
While they marveled at the overhead realm, a band of black-clad figures materialized above. Roughly two thousand strong, led by two exuding Netherworld Ghost King auras. Endless black Qi shrouded their forms, parting the red mist in their wake. At a glance, their Island Lord-surpassing might shone evident.
The sight of these intruders jolted everyone. Their black garb marked them as Dark Ghost Sect disciples. Clearly, they hunted Zhao Hai's group. Shock was inevitable—discovery spelled massive conflict. Moreover, the Dark Ghost Sect surely shared communications. Engaging here would summon reinforcements swiftly. Encircled by Dark Ghost Sect elites then, escape proved impossible for any.
Zhao Hai's calm voice cut through: “Stay composed, all. Five thousand feet underground renders us invisible to them. No need for alarm. As long as we remain below and curb spiritual Qi surges, detection's off the table.” By then, they'd zipped past the Dark Ghost Sect patrol. True to his word, the Dark Ghost Sect overlooked them entirely.
In truth, this subterranean transit owed much to the divine design technique, barely tied to the Cold Wind Ghost Flag. If any link existed, the flag amplified the technique's potency and reach. Without it, Zhao Hai couldn't ferry such numbers below ground.
Though unsure of Zhao Hai's claims, one caution they upheld: utter silence. Even with his assurance against major spiritual Qi ripples, they treaded warily, voiceless.
Zhao Hai observed them quietly, offering no remark. Their restraint pleased him—no disruptions arose. He'd prepped for mishaps anyway; should trouble brew, he'd seal spiritual Qi leaks instantly, evading Dark Ghost Sect notice. Worry eluded him.
Thus, they burrowed underground across three days. In that span, fourteen Dark Ghost Sect squads crossed their path, all scouring for Zhao Hai's band—yet none succeeded. Throughout, Zhao Hai divided them into three rotations, feeding the Cold Wind Ghost Flag in turns. This sustained their velocity, accelerating progressively.
Three days on, they pressed another full day. No further Dark Ghost Sect groups appeared. Zhao Hai sensed they'd cleared the Dark Ghost Sect's peril zone. With intent, the Cold Wind Ghost Flag unfurled, propelling the crew skyward. They then raced full throttle through the Blood Sea.
Though underground transit held speed, Blood Sea flight outpaced it handily. Surfacing boosted their momentum. As Zhao Hai foresaw, no Dark Ghost Sect hunters materialized.
Another month of nonstop flight ensued. The trios rotated ceaselessly. In this grind, the Ghost Wind Bandits fully transmuted absorbed pill essences into spiritual Qi. That Qi forged into mana. The month's marathon refined their mana, granting fluid circulation. Their powers surged noticeably, gladdening all.
As rogue cultivators, they knew stagnation had long plagued them. Lacking superior techniques and pills ranked chief culprits. Now armed with both, advancement flowed naturally.
Time barred technique swaps, so they honed mana via polish. Gains came gradual, yet thrilled them deeply. A month's relay had them masters at empowering the Cold Wind Ghost Flag— a boon for battles ahead.
The past month saw Zhao Hai probing the Cold Wind Ghost Flag intently. Its inner realm existed, though cramped. Likely due to incomplete recovery, the space stayed sealed. Full unveiling would amplify combat might and house the entire group within. Mobility would soar.
A month's scrutiny revealed the flag's demonic nature. Restoring its full might boiled down simply: endless slaughter, soul-refining, flesh-devouring. Saturating it with soul and blood essence alone promised revival. Thus, to unlock the flag's inner space, Zhao Hai must reap lives relentlessly!