Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8493: Grandmaster (1)

A massive palace rose before them, its architecture utterly bizarre. Eighteen towering pillars upheld it, each soaring to three hundred feet in height. The design of these pillars was equally odd, carved in the likeness of battle corpses with green visages and sharp fangs, exuding a savage and fearsome presence. Intricate runes adorned their forms. They stood rigidly, gazing far into the horizon.

What made them even more peculiar was how these three-hundred-foot battle corpses appeared truly alive. Astonishingly, they radiated the unmistakable aura of battle corpses. Far from mere stone carvings, they resembled warriors primed for combat at any instant.

In the hall's center sat an elderly figure, the sect master of the Corpse Demon Sect, known as the Corpse Demon Old Man. A modest altar occupied the middle of the space, bearing a bronze coffin etched with runes. Inside lay a battle corpse.

This battle corpse gleamed with a golden hue, yet it lacked the intimidating menace of its kin. It resembled an everyday individual, forged entirely from gold. Clad in golden armor and a golden mask, it rested peacefully, akin to a general taking a brief repose.

Before the altar stood a large black cauldron. Within it burned three thick incense sticks, each as wide as an arm. Though black in shade, their smoke released a subtle fragrance that filled the chamber, sharpening the mind and bringing clarity.

The Corpse Demon Old Man knelt calmly before the cauldron. At this hour each day, he offered reverence to the Corpse Ancestor. This golden battle corpse earned the title of Corpse Ancestor because it was the legacy left by the Corpse Demon Sect's founding master. After ascending to the Immortal Realm, the founder had bequeathed his battle corpse for two key purposes. First, to safeguard the Corpse Demon Sect's security, as he had personally crafted it long ago, elevating it to golden corpse status with formidable battle prowess. It paralleled the Blood Slaughter Blade and God-Slaying Blade of the Blood Slaughter Sect, both revered as sect-guarding treasures.

The second purpose involved the battle corpse housing a fragment of the founder's spiritual sense from the Corpse Demon Sect. Through it, he could reach out to the sect master and impart his Dao insights. Though not a daily occurrence, transmissions every few years brought boundless advantages to the sect's members. This very connection propelled the Corpse Demon Sect to lead the ten great sects. Unlike the Blood Slaughter Sect, which lacked a figure like the Blood Slaughter Patriarch yet surged ahead rapidly, the Corpse Demon Sect avoided near-annihilations that plagued others. From its inception, it steadily amassed power without external threats. The battle corpse and the founder's guidance were pivotal in this unyielding growth.

Thanks to this battle corpse, the Corpse Demon Sect's members possessed deeper knowledge of the upper realm than their counterparts in other sects. They uncovered secrets unknown to others. For instance, the Spiritual Array Sect's downfall stemmed from an upper realm Almighty who had ascended from the Cloud Sea Realm. Able to commune with the lower realm, he learned of the sect his own creation had suffered defeats against during the Millennium War. Enraged, that mighty entity obliterated the Spiritual Array Sect.

Thus, despite being the mightiest among the ten great sects, the Corpse Demon Sect refrained from rash assaults on the other nine. Its people understood that the founders of those sects lingered in the upper realm as formidable powers. Provoking their wrath could invite devastation the Corpse Demon Sect couldn't withstand.

That said, it wasn't effortless for upper realm powerhouses to strike at lower realm sects, bound by heavenly laws that demanded a toll. Yet, at times, that cost proved worthwhile to eliminate a foe.

This daily hour marked the Corpse Demon Old Man's tribute to the Corpse Ancestor, coinciding with the founder's potential outreach. Historically, the founder contacted the sect master then, establishing the tradition. The sect master honored the Corpse Ancestor without fail each day, barring extraordinary circumstances.

Today unfolded no differently. The Corpse Demon Old Man remained composed in his devotions to the Corpse Ancestor. The ancestor hadn't reached out in ages. He recognized the upper realm as no paradise, rife with fiercer conflicts. Thus, the absence of contact stirred no resentment; he persisted in his daily rites.

Suddenly, a soft golden glow emanated from the golden corpse. Joy surged through the Corpse Demon Old Man at the sight. He promptly knelt and bowed to it. "Disciple Shi Mo greets the Ancestral Master and awaits your commands respectfully!" With that, he pressed his forehead to the ground.

The golden corpse's radiance intensified steadily. At last, it rose to a sitting position. The eyes beneath the mask parted slowly, like one stirring after prolonged stillness. Yet, upon opening, twin beams of golden light pierced from them. He fixed his gaze on the Corpse Demon Old Man and spoke in a gravelly tone, "Corpse Demon, it's been ages since we've deployed battle corpses. Evidently, the Corpse Demon Sect thrives." His voice rasped low, akin to grinding metal, unsettling to the ear.

"Yes, the Corpse Demon Sect has long reigned supreme in the Blood Sea Realm. For years, none dared challenge us. Yet, I prove unworthy. I sought alliance with other sects to eradicate the Blood Slaughter Sect but faltered. Fearing the Blood Slaughter Patriarch, I held back my full might. Forgive me, Ancestral Master." The Corpse Demon Old Man concealed nothing from the patriarch. He knew disclosure now might spare blame, while external discovery could invite penalty. Secretly, he hoped the patriarch would intervene against the Blood Slaughter Sect.

"Hmph, Blood Slaughter Sect. These fools dare oppose my Corpse Demon Sect. Corpse Demon, rally the other sects and gear up to assault the Blood Slaughter Sect. This time, unleash everything. No restraint." The Corpse Ancestor's tone chilled instantly upon hearing the old man's account. The hall's air grew frigid, a tangible wave of murderous intent surging forth. His killing aura rivaled only Zhao Hai's in potency, though Zhao Hai concealed his, leaving it unknown.

"Yes, Ancestral Master," the Corpse Demon Old Man replied swiftly. "But Ancestral Master, a prodigious talent has arisen in the Blood Slaughter Sect. He's overhauled every defensive formation across their islands. Their barriers now stand impregnable. Even with the Corpse Ancestor's aid, breaching them swiftly seems unlikely. Ancestral Master, lend us your strength!" The Corpse Demon Old Man acted shrewdly. He sensed upper realm turmoil; otherwise, the Grandmaster wouldn't greenlight unchecked action against the Blood Slaughter Sect. The Blood Slaughter Patriarch loomed large up there, once instilling fear. In bygone days, the Grandmaster would merely absolve without further word. Yet now, he urged attack, astonishing the old man. Clearly, the Grandmaster harbored no qualms about the Blood Slaughter Patriarch anymore. Upper realm events had shifted.

"Very well, I'll aid in toppling the Blood Slaughter Sect's leader. Show no mercy to the Blood Slaughter Sect. The Blood Slaughter Patriarch and his sect's folk have all perished in combat. They pose no further threat, so strike without hesitation. Annihilate the Blood Slaughter Sect utterly this time, demonstrating the Corpse Demon Sect's might to deter any sect from insolence toward us!" The Corpse Ancestor's voice resounded.

Elation filled the Corpse Demon Old Man at these words. He bowed deeply and declared, "Yes, my deepest gratitude, Ancestral Master. This disciple shall exert every effort to let the Corpse Demon Sect rule the Blood Sea Realm!" He was convinced that dismantling the Blood Slaughter Sect would cow all rivals in the Blood Sea Realm. Even short of full unification, their dominance would ring loudest.

"Excellent, such ambition serves you well," the Corpse Ancestor intoned deeply. "The Millennium War approaches soon, doesn't it? If our Corpse Demon Sect claims true hegemony in the Blood Sea Realm by the thousand-year conflict, we'll reap vast rewards, ensuring the sect's eternal legacy. Proceed; I'll grant you one month to ready yourselves. In a month's time, I'll strike the Blood Slaughter Sect. Once I cease, launch your assault. Obliterate the Blood Slaughter Sect. Heed this: do not advance before I halt, lest it hinder you. Remember!" With that, the battle corpse eased back into the bronze coffin. Silence fell once more.

The Corpse Demon Old Man wasted no time, offering three bows to the Corpse Ancestor before rising and striding out. He swiftly convened the sect's elders, relaying the ancestor's decree. The elders voiced no objections, affirming their compliance at once. Then, envoys were dispatched to summon the sect masters of the other sects for talks with the Corpse Demon Old Man. This round excluded the Giant Demon Sect and Rahu Sect, but included all others—even the Dark Ghost Sect.