Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8524: Peeping (1)

Wen Butong voiced that thought because they had long harbored such a notion. They believed that given the terrain of the Blood River Sea region and their sects, uniting their forces could allow them to stand against the top ten sects. Even if those top ten sects aimed to crush them, it wouldn't be a simple task.

Yet, following the chaos stirred up by Zhao Hai and his group this time, Wen Butong gained a stark realization. He now understood that these folks stood no chance against the ten great sects. They couldn't even handle a single Ghostwind Bandit, much less the entire ten great sects. Naturally, only nine great sects remained now, but even if just one endured, they couldn't hold them off.

As soon as he uttered those words, the others froze in shock. Then, their faces shifted with concern. Being elders of influence in the righteous sects, they grasped the implications of Wen Butong's statement immediately. They were all remnants preserved by the righteous sects from that era. With the Millennium War looming, the nine great sects could strike at them anytime. Should they fail to endure the assault from those nine great sects, dire consequences awaited.

One elder inquired gravely, 'Sect master, what do we do next?' The thousand-year war is just around a hundred years away. Soon enough, I fear the nine great sects will scour the Blood Sea Realm completely. If they uncover us, we'll face real peril. We must preserve our orthodoxy. When the thousand-year war erupts, we can return to the Cloud Sea Realm, and safety will be ours.'

The group nodded in unison. That was precisely their strategy. They awaited the Millennium War. Once it ignited, they planned to find a path back to the Cloud Sea Realm and their sects there. At that point, security would be assured, freeing them from constant dread.

Still, they recognized that prior to the Millennium War, a major ordeal lay ahead: a cleansing by the nine great sects. In every Millennium War cycle, be it in the Blood Sea Realm or the Cloud Sea Realm, a comprehensive purge occurred right before the conflict. This stemmed from enemies lingering in their territories from previous wars. Failing to eliminate these threats beforehand could lead to annihilation during the war, as those foes might sabotage from behind, posing immense risk to any realm.

The inhabitants of the Blood Sea Realm hailed from orthodox sects. Those who remained here once figured they could repel the nine great sects' onslaught using the local environment and their present power. If they managed to fend off that attack, they could bide their time until the Millennium War. Ambitions weren't their drive; they clearly knew meddling in the Blood Sea Realm during the war was out of reach. Their sole aim was slipping back to the Cloud Sea Realm from the Blood Sea Realm amid the thousand-year conflict. That alone would suffice.

This incident, however, brought them immense frustration. They never anticipated that intruders would wreak such havoc upon entering the Blood River Sea area. Should more arrive, the devastation would be unimaginable. This shattered their faith in the Blood River Sea entirely.

Wen Butong declared solemnly, 'Let's initiate Plan B. We'll secure a hidden base, then relocate our people there when the moment arrives. If we can conceal ourselves until the Millennium War, victory is ours. Regardless, we absolutely must wipe out this band that ventured into the Blood River Sea.'

All agreed with nods. Whatever actions they took, eradicating this group was essential. Without success, advancing their scheme would prove impossible. With such a predator lurking nearby, escape would elude them. Moreover, should word of this place spread, catastrophe would strike before they could flee.

Wen Butong murmured lowly, 'Alert the others. Assemble every disciple. In three days, ready our forces for deployment. We'll annihilate them all. Move out.' The assembly acknowledged and sprang into action. They controlled over two hundred islands, so rallying all disciples wasn't straightforward. Beyond dispatching fighters against the Ghostwind Bandits, they needed to station sufficient guards on their islands. Thus, full mobilization demanded considerable time.

The three days flew by swiftly. During that span, over a dozen islands fell, and now more than a hundred had been breached. Almost one-tenth of their holdings were lost. This fueled even greater fury among the Blood River Sea dwellers.

On the third day, the Withered Leaf Grandmaster returned to Morality Island. Wen Butong had summoned all fellow sect leaders as well. With a joint operation underway, preparations were crucial. Then, the group turned to the Withered Leaf Grandmaster. He met their gazes, nodded, and settled cross-legged on the floor. Soft chants escaped his lips. As he intoned, a radiant golden glow emanated from his form. That glow gradually formed a massive Golden Eye. The eye rotated lazily in the sky, as though scanning distant scenes.

After some time, the eye fixed on a single bearing. The golden radiance intensified, then faded away. Master Withered Leaf gradually lifted his eyelids and addressed the gathering. 'They lie to the southeast, roughly one hundred and fifty thousand li from our position.'

Upon hearing this, the assembly rushed to the main hall on Morality Island. A vast island map adorned the space, detailing every island across the Blood River Sea region. Eyes turned southeastward. Spotting the area 150,000 li out, faces darkened. One sect master scoffed coldly, 'Excellent, they've encroached on my domain. Looks like they're gearing up to strike at us.'

The speaker was Shang Xuanzi, leader of the Xuan Qing Sect. His sect practiced orthodox Daoist methods and wielded considerable might, spanning nearly a hundred islands. Their location matched the 150,000 li distance from the Righteous Sect, aligning with the direction Master Withered Leaf indicated.

Wen Butong stated firmly, 'Very well, since they've infiltrated the Xuan Qing Sect's grounds, they're evidently plotting against it. We act without delay. Daoist Priest Shang Xuanzi, hasten back to your sect and locate every teleportation array available. We'll rally our disciples and transport them there at once. Upon arrival, we'll hunt those intruders down. We must root them all out and crush them within the Xuan Qing Sect's borders. No damage to the Xuan Qing Sect will be tolerated.'

The others concurred. Though originating from varied sects and cultivating distinct arts, their bond was strong. They realized disunity meant they couldn't survive a single day in the Blood Sea Realm; destruction would follow swiftly. Hence, cooperation was vital. Wen Butong, as the realm's alliance leader, ruled justly. This fostered their current harmony. At his command during crises, all sects mobilized seamlessly, with no dissent or critique.

The group assented and set to preparations. Wen Butong approached Master Withered Leaf and said, 'Master, your aid has been invaluable this time. You've expended much energy; I suggest you retire to recover. We'll handle the rest. Does that suit you?' He noted the master's pallid complexion and evident fatigue from the effort.

Master Withered Leaf declined with a headshake. 'This lot must be eradicated. I'll accompany you. Without my presence, should they flee, tracking them would prove arduous for you. We'll proceed as one. I'll dispatch word to my sect, and they'll send disciples to the Xuan Qing Sect. No need for concern, Alliance Leader.'

Wen Butong refrained from further protest, merely nodding. 'Fine then, I'll rely on you, Master. Shall we journey together?' He held deep respect for Master Withered Leaf, who naturally consented. The whole Blood River Sea sprang into motion, a vast net gradually ensnaring Zhao Hai and his companions.

Zhao Hai lounged in repose aboard the vessel. They'd plundered ample spoils, including numerous letter slaves. As anticipated, the Blood River Sea inhabitants hadn't disseminated the intelligence. No pleas for aid reached other sects. Thus, safety persisted here for now.

Suddenly, Zhao Hai sensed an intrusive gaze upon him. Alarm surged through him. He was within the boat's inner space—how could surveillance pierce there? Yet his expression grew grave. He knew this wasn't delusion. Someone had indeed probed them. Even if his form evaded detection, the boat must have been spotted.

With that realization, Zhao Hai rose abruptly. This roused Laura and the rest instantly. Laura eyed him, asking, 'What's the matter, Brother Hai? Can't you rest a bit longer?' The prior days brought relentless battles and high tension. Exhaustion gripped everyone, Zhao Hai included. Thus, all took a break, with him seizing the chance to unwind. But he'd barely settled before springing up again.

Zhao Hai replied gravely, 'Moments ago, I sensed someone spying on us. Likely, a covert technique has located our position. If so, an assault looms near. I'll command the subordinates to prepare. Laura, safeguard the boat. Conceal us as long as possible. But a single discovery means they'll find us again. Better to stay vigilant and hide a while. Let everyone recharge fully before confronting them!'