"We must leave, or it will be too late," Ye Tian said.
The two bowed hastily to Ye Tian and turned to leave.
Kang Qian tried to stop them, but the two Daoists had already vanished, leaving him stunned. After a moment, he realized, Earth Immortals?
He turned to look at Ye Tian, fear gradually dawning in his eyes, and asked, "Are you an Earth Immortal?"
Zhang Longsheng sneered, "Kang Qian, why aren't you kneeling?"
Kang Qian gritted his teeth and said sternly, "So what if you're an Earth Immortal! Half the people in Wudong listen to me. Guards, attack!"
But at this moment, the people behind him, and those who were sitting, all lowered their heads. Not a single one moved. What a joke. Two powerful Human Immortals had been scared away; what were they compared to that? Standing out now would be suicidal.
Seeing that no one obeyed him, Kang Qian knew the tide had turned. He sighed and said, "Kill me or flay me, as you please!"
"Please let the Saintess decide!" Ye Tian said.
The Saintess looked at Kang Qian coldly and said, "Kang Qian, you are treasonous. According to Wudong's rules, you shall be executed by fire!"
Kang Qian showed no fear and said, "If I die, I die. Give me a quick end!"
Zhang Longsheng said, "Saintess, this Kang Qian is a wealthy merchant from Miaojiang. His ancestors followed Zhang Xianzhong in rebellion and amassed a vast fortune. Later, they acquired a lot of land in two provinces, becoming the largest landlord in the southwest at that time. The Kang family has been managing their affairs for generations and possesses immense wealth. I think we can let him contribute a large portion of this money and spare his life."
Kang Qian sneered, "You want to confiscate my property? No way! Kill me if you want, but even if I die, the foundation of my Kang family will not be shaken!"
Ye Tian walked up to Kang Qian and placed a hand on him. Kang Qian's eyes became vacant. Ye Tian recited an incantation and then pricked him with a few needles. Kang Qian's eyes regained clarity.
Ye Tian had used his medical skills to control Kang Qian's consciousness. He said calmly, "Kang Qian, I will not kill you today, but you must obey me from now on."
Kang Qian knelt on the ground and said, "Yes."
The Saintess was somewhat surprised and asked, "Chief Protector, will Kang Qian obey you from now on? Will he betray Wudong again?"
"Saintess, rest assured, he will not," Ye Tian replied.
The Saintess nodded slightly. "Thank you for your trouble, Chief Protector."
Ye Tian suddenly said, "Saintess, Kang Qian just mentioned that becoming Chief Protector requires the recognition of the Wuzu. Where is the Wuzu?"
The Saintess froze and looked at Zhang Longsheng, who quickly said, "Chief Protector, there is no need for that. The Saintess's appointment is sufficient."
Ye Tian said, "Since there are rules, they must be followed. I cannot be an exception."
The Saintess did not know Ye Tian very well. Hearing him say this, she immediately replied, "Very well. The Wuzu is a statue located within Wudong. As long as the Chief Protector can stand before the statue for more than fifteen minutes without being affected, it will be considered recognition by the Wuzu."
Ye Tian was very interested. He was led to the entrance of Wudong by the Saintess and Zhang Longsheng. After walking a distance inside, they entered a large space, like a palace, with a height of over five meters.
In this space, a three-meter-tall statue stood in the center. In front of the statue was a long table, on which were placed incense, candles, and offerings. It appeared that people had been making offerings to the statue year-round.
Upon reaching the statue, Zhang Longsheng and the Saintess both paid their respects.
"Is this the Wuzu statue?" Ye Tian asked.
The Saintess nodded. "Yes. The Wuzu was the first person to discover Wudong and achieved the greatest accomplishments. When the Wuzu reached the age of eight hundred, he transformed into this statue, standing here forever to guard Wudong."
Ye Tian raised an eyebrow. The first person to enter Wudong, and he transformed into a statue?
As he was about to observe it closely, the Saintess and Zhang Longsheng had already retreated, seemingly afraid to stay near the statue for too long.
Ye Tian's heart stirred. He looked up at the statue's eyes. They were lifelike and exceptionally vivid, emitting a faint yellow light in the dim space.
Seeing these eyes, Ye Tian felt they were very similar to the eyes of that toad. His heart moved, and he took a step forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Greetings, Mountain God!"