323: The final word!

East Dipper City.

Zou Xiang and the other high-ranking officials all looked curiously at Xiang Zizhen, who had summoned them.

Xiang Zizhen glanced around at everyone.

Seeing that everyone was present, he looked at Xiao Shi, who was standing beside him.

Xiao Shi nodded.

Continuing to speak on behalf of Xiang Zizhen, he addressed the crowd.

“The reason I’ve gathered you all here today is to deliver some good news.”

“That is…”

“Instructor Xiang plans to begin establishing a saint statue on East Island!”

As soon as he spoke,

Zou Xiang and the others were all startled.

Zou Xiang, in particular, frowned immediately and said in a deep voice,

“This isn’t appropriate…”

It wasn’t that he hadn’t considered Xiang Zizhen replacing Rong Sufei and erecting a new statue.

He knew.

As long as Xiang Zizhen wanted to take control of East Island, he would inevitably erect a statue of himself on East Island.

However, the establishment of a statue itself required an immense amount of resources.

At the same time, the construction period was extremely long.

Most importantly,

only one such statue could exist in a given area.

In other words,

if Xiang Zizhen wanted to erect a statue, he would first have to destroy Rong Sufei’s statue!

Although Zou Xiang knew this was bound to happen eventually, he hadn’t expected… that the other party would want to destroy Rong Sufei’s statue so quickly!

This matter not only concerned his own interests,

but would also have a huge impact on all the martial artists of East Island.

It wasn’t just Zou Xiang who disagreed.

Most of the martial artists on East Island would not agree.

If Xiang Zizhen insisted, it would inevitably cause unrest on East Island.

Even if Xiang Zizhen had offered generous gifts before, it wasn’t enough to support him in doing this.

Regarding Zou Xiang’s reaction,

both Xiang Zizhen and Xiao Shi had anticipated it.

“City Lord Zou must have misheard, perhaps? What I said was a saint statue, not a mere statue.”

Xiao Shi calmly re-emphasized.

“A saint… saint statue?”

Zou Xiang was stunned.

When he heard Xiao Shi’s words just now, he had indeed subconsciously assumed it was a statue.

Now, after Xiao Shi’s emphasis,

he finally realized… what the other party intended to establish was a saint statue, not a mere statue.

A so-called saint statue was a statue of a saint.

Typically, only when one had completed the refinement of an area and become a saint, would the statue erected in that area transform into a saint statue!

For example, if Rong Sufei could successfully refine the Nan Dou Region and become the saint of the Nan Dou Region, then the statue he had erected would transform into a saint statue.

The difference between a saint statue and a mere statue was immense; they were completely incomparable.

However, what Zou Xiang couldn’t understand was… how could Xiang Zizhen establish a saint statue?

One must know that saint statues could usually only be established by saints.

Moreover, each saint could only establish one saint statue.

Xiang Zizhen himself had not yet reached the saint realm.

Under normal circumstances, he would certainly not be able to establish a saint statue.

This was also the main reason why Zou Xiang had subconsciously assumed Xiao Shi was referring to a statue earlier, and hadn’t considered a saint statue.

“Precisely, it’s a saint statue.”

Xiao Shi looked at the bewildered group of people, led by Zou Xiang.

He explained seriously,

“Currently, Instructor Xiang possesses a remnant saint statue, and we intend to establish this remnant saint statue on East Island.”

“I imagine… no one would object, right?”

The moment Xiao Shi’s voice fell,

the entire hall immediately fell into a dead silence.

Everyone’s eyes widened, wearing expressions as if they had seen a ghost.

They all realized… the saint statue in Xiang Zizhen’s possession was a saint statue of a saint who had already perished in the past!

Most of these saint statues were incomplete.

And because these saints had all died, their power and efficacy were considerably inferior to that of a complete saint statue.

But even so,

it was still a saint statue!!

It was far beyond what an ordinary statue could compare to.

Especially if the saint statue in Xiang Zizhen’s possession was from a distant era… it might even possess some special effects not found in the current era!

However, such saint statues were extremely rare.

They could often only be found in some hidden ancient ruins.

Zou Xiang and the others had no idea that Xiang Zizhen possessed such a rare and precious remnant saint statue!

But when they recalled Xiang Zizhen’s deeds,

they all realized… the remnant saint statue in his possession was very likely from the Demigod Land that sealed the eye of imperial judgment!

As a Demigod Land, it was not strange for a remnant saint statue to exist within it.

Thinking of this,

their gazes towards Xiang Zizhen immediately became fervent.

If Xiang Zizhen could establish a remnant saint statue there… this would be an indescribably immense fortune for their entire East Island!

The benefits a saint statue could bring them were absolutely incomparable to Rong Sufei’s statue.

At this moment,

no one objected anymore.

Even Zou Xiang, who had maintained a wait-and-see attitude, immediately decided to change his stance after learning that Xiang Zizhen actually possessed such a remnant saint statue.

Henceforth, he would fully support Xiang Zizhen.

“Then, I ask City Lord Zou to make the announcement. We will establish the saint statue on East Island three days from now!”

Xiao Shi said.

“Understood!”

Zou Xiang nodded excitedly.

At this moment, it wasn’t just them who were excited.

Xiang Zizhen, who stood beside them with a calm expression, as if everything was under his control, was no less excited than Zou Xiang and the others.

Previously, his main concern had been the inability to resolve the statue issue.

He hadn’t expected that Xiao Shi… actually possessed such a powerful trump card!

As long as Rong Sufei’s statue was destroyed, he would be able to refine the earth veins here and thus control East Island!

Furthermore,

this saint statue had another significant purpose: it could win over all those who had remained on the fence, undecided!

If the initial gifts had only garnered less than ten percent of the people’s support,

then the current saint statue,

would surely cause over ninety percent of the martial artists here to shift their allegiance to him!

It was no exaggeration to say that

the saint statue Xiao Shi had presented now could directly serve as a decisive factor!

This saint statue was one of the items that Xiao Shi had dropped when he killed a Martial Demon Realm sea beast in the sea region earlier.

When Xiao Shi first saw this item,

he had already realized that it was a crucial item that could change the situation on East Island.

However, he hadn’t revealed it immediately.

He considered whether rashly revealing this item would cause a significant stir.

After all, something like a saint statue… let alone in the Imperial Domain,

was extremely rare even on the entire Tianwu Continent.

It was very likely to attract the attention and inquiries of the high-ranking officials of the Great Wu Dynasty.

However, Xiao Shi felt that most people, upon seeing them produce this saint statue, would assume it originated from the Demigod Land that sealed the eye of imperial judgment!

Including the many treasures he had presented earlier,

all could be attributed to that Demigod Land.

No one knew exactly what existed within that Demigod Land; they only knew that it was a very high-level and powerful Demigod Land.

It could be said that attributing any treasure gains to this Demigod Land was reasonable.

Furthermore, Xiao Shi had given all these treasures to Xiang Zizhen in advance, and Xiang Zizhen had personally presented them.

At the same time, in everyone’s eyes, the person who had entered the Demigod Land was also Xiang Zizhen.

Therefore, no one would pay attention to Xiao Shi.

Even if there were inquiries from high-ranking officials of the Great Wu Dynasty, they would question Xiang Zizhen.

And Xiang Zizhen would naturally attribute the origin of the saint statue to the Demigod Land.

After all, Xiang Zizhen now also believed that the many treasures Xiao Shi had presented this time, including the saint statue, all originated from that Demigod Land.

For a time,

when Zou Xiang announced Xiang Zizhen’s plan to establish a saint statue on East Island,

the entire East Island erupted in celebration.

The gifts Xiao Shi had given a few days ago had already stirred and excited the martial artists of East Island.

Now, with the news of the saint statue’s establishment,

every martial artist on East Island was filled with excitement and ecstasy.

They deeply understood the significance of a saint statue!

This was absolutely incomparable to Rong Sufei’s statue.

At this point, no one could possibly object.

In fact, if anyone dared to object, they would surely be ostracized by all the martial artists of East Island!

Now, everyone was eagerly anticipating.

As soon as Xiang Zizhen established the saint statue, they would immediately change their stance and fully support him!

…Meanwhile,

Rong Sufei, located on West Island, was like a clay sculpture at this moment, completely devoid of vitality and spirit.

When he learned that Xiang Zizhen was going to establish a saint statue on East Island,

he was completely stunned.

His greatest confidence and reliance was the statue he had erected on East Island.

As long as that statue stood,

he would always hold the advantage.

But he never would have imagined… that Xiang Zizhen’s gains from that Demigod Land, in addition to numerous treasures, also included a saint statue!!

Now that this saint statue was revealed,

all his plans, all his advantages, completely collapsed!

He could imagine… once Xiang Zizhen established a saint statue on East Island,

the hearts of all the people on East Island would undoubtedly lean towards Xiang Zizhen.

Even West Island would be greatly affected.

At that time, the martial artists on West Island would also choose this ruler who possessed numerous treasures and could even produce a saint statue.

No one would choose Rong Sufei.

“I… I lost.”

Rong Sufei hung his head low.

In his eyes, this should have been a situation where victory was certain.

He had never expected Xiang Zizhen to reverse the situation so easily!

His fists clenched.

A strong sense of unwillingness and bitterness rose in his heart.

He had originally been preparing to implement countermeasures against the gifts Xiang Zizhen had offered, to prevent the martial artists of East Island from changing their allegiance.

However, before he could act… Xiang Zizhen immediately made an even greater move!

At this point,

Rong Sufei knew that he alone could not contend with Xiang Zizhen.

After taking a deep breath,

he took out a sound-transmitting jade slip.

He reported the current situation in detail to his master, the Pavilion Master of Martial Pavilion.

He knew.

Now, only his master had the ability to help him reverse the situation.

Relying on himself alone would certainly not be enough… When Cheng Riyou received Rong Sufei’s sound transmission,

his brows also furrowed.

He hadn’t expected… Xiang Zizhen to have such immense gains in the Demigod Land!

He could even produce a rare item like a saint statue.

“This matter is indeed a bit troublesome…”

Cheng Riyou pondered.

He felt that, given the current situation, it was indeed very difficult to reverse it anymore.

After all, even their Martial Pavilion couldn’t produce something like a saint statue.

Trying to reverse the situation by offering even better items was no longer feasible.

“Now, there is only one way to change the situation!”

A sharp glint flashed in Cheng Riyou’s eyes.

At that time, the Great Wu Crown Prince had set a rule.

In the current competition between Xiang Zizhen and Rong Sufei, those whose cultivation was above the Martial Demon Realm were not allowed to participate.

Now, if he wanted to reverse the situation… Cheng Riyou would have to personally step in!

Thinking of this,

Cheng Riyou immediately went to seek an audience with the Great Wu Crown Prince.

He believed that, given the Great Wu Crown Prince’s stance, there might be a chance for him to agree to his participation.

After all, what the Great Wu Crown Prince wanted to see was Rong Sufei advancing to a saint, not Xiang Zizhen.

However, his participation this time

must be done discreetly.

It must not be detected by the Four Symbols Divine Martial Sect… Three days later.

Xiang Zizhen and Xiao Shi stood beneath Rong Sufei’s massive statue.

Behind them stood a multitude of East Island martial artists.

All these East Island martial artists looked at Xiang Zizhen with intense anticipation and eagerness.

Before this,

Rong Sufei’s statue had been like a sacred object in their eyes.

Whoever dared to touch this statue,

they would fight to the death with them!

However, now they found this statue incredibly an eyesore.

They even hoped that Xiang Zizhen could destroy this statue sooner, so that the saint statue could be established as early as possible.

“I said, within ten days, I would make this statue disappear!”

Xiao Shi stood beside Xiang Zizhen and said softly.

These were the words he had spoken when he first arrived in the Nan Dou Region.

Xiang Zizhen nodded.

His heart was greatly shaken.

Although he had never doubted Xiao Shi’s abilities, he hadn’t expected the other party to actually enable him to destroy Rong Sufei’s statue in such a short time.

As soon as this statue fell,

the entire East Island would basically be in his hands.

Even West Island would be significantly affected.

It could be said that he had almost won half the battle!

Xiang Zizhen took a deep breath.

Under everyone’s gaze,

Swish!

His figure moved.

He soared directly into the air.

And the moment he ascended into the sky,

a long spear suddenly appeared in his hand.

He raised the long spear.

With a 'puff' sound,

it pierced directly into the center of Rong Sufei’s statue’s forehead.

Immediately, cracks, visible to the naked eye, spread from the center of Rong Sufei’s statue’s forehead, extending and diffusing across the entire statue.

Then, with a loud 'boom',

the entire statue shattered and collapsed.

With Xiang Zizhen’s strength, destroying this statue was not difficult.

The difficulty lay in gaining the consent of these East Island martial artists.

And now, not a single East Island martial artist who witnessed this felt regret at the shattering of Rong Sufei’s statue.

There was only a chorus of cheers.

Whoosh!

After Xiang Zizhen destroyed Rong Sufei’s statue,

he then flipped his hand.

He directly produced a brand new statue!