Similarly, how could the Prime Minister not recognize these two figures?

Both sides confirmed through eye contact, but remained in bewildered uncertainty.

For a moment, it felt as though the air had solidified.

Under usual circumstances, the Sacrificial Bear King would have directly charged at the Prime Minister, but the Prime Minister had returned via the Incense and Candle Path, leaving the Bear King unsure of how to act.

The Purple-tailed Flood Dragon Monarch, however, reacted with exceptional speed. She suddenly picked up three sticks of incense, descended the steps, and silently presented them before Yan Fujing.

Yan Fujing looked at the three sticks of incense, accepted them directly, moved forward to light them with the red candle, then closed his eyes... and prayed.

The Purple-tailed Flood Dragon Monarch let out a sigh of relief.

Shejular curiously asked, "Who is he?"

The Sacrificial Bear King replied blankly, "He is the Prime Minister of the Great Yin."

Shejular was shocked, "So the Prime Minister of the Great Yin also believes in the Buddha? Then why does he want to eradicate the Yu Sect at Lingbo Mansion?"

Not far away, Yan Fujing could only hear this with the corners of his mouth twitching...

However, it seemed like the rain had really lessened.

The howling gusts of wind, which had been blowing from the east a moment ago, were now heading east.

The myriad trees on the mountainside, which had been leaning to the west a moment ago, were now bending towards the east.

A sense of mental exhaustion surged within Yan Fujing’s body; as the national minister, he had already guessed the general idea: those praying were combating this natural disaster.

...

Li Xuan carried the unconscious raccoon cat spirit.

The tsunami had already subsided.

He was also utterly exhausted.

Many piranhas had receded back into the sea with the tides.

The remaining armored soldiers could hardly believe it.

Li Xuan dispelled the demonic blood of the "Black Mountain Tuo" and "Mist Concealing Devious Leopard," transforming back into the appearance of the Buddha, then turned into a rainbow and appeared at the Xinci Temple.

With a wave of his hand, the golden, radiant world vanished, and the seated headless giant Buddha disappeared without a trace.

All around, the people fell to their knees in worship.

Outside the temple, the rain also stopped.

The ominous clouds dispersed, and the long-lost sunlight broke through the dark clouds, transforming into slanting beams of light that poured over the mountain temple.

Puddles sparkled, countless pools shimmered in the gentle breeze, and the overflowing rivers and lakes glistened brightly.

Li Xuan walked out, carrying the raccoon cat spirit, glancing at the Cyan Wood Province citizens in the courtyard.

He knew... he couldn’t hide it anymore.

Yet, having tasted the sweetness of the public’s prayers and incense offerings, he was somewhat reluctant to give it up.

How powerful is the strength of incense offerings? Although it couldn’t directly help him slay demons and monsters, it offered the utmost convenience, transforming him from a "slightly stronger human" to a "deity with omnipotent powers, covering a domain."

He was reluctant to part with this power.

And this power could also protect his hometown.

As the saying goes, "worship a local deity, maintain the peace of the land," and so it was.

Therefore, he directly looked at Yan Fujing in the courtyard and said, "Come with me."

Yan Fujing looked at the unfamiliar man and the raccoon cat spirit he held.

The clothing of the raccoon cat was of a style neither from Great Yin nor from anywhere in Great Yong...

He was never a stubborn person, so before the Sacrificial Bear King and others could reprimand him, he followed along.

The two of them, one after the other, quickly arrived at the inner hall.

Li Xuan turned around, standing beneath the great Buddha statue, and said, "The sea demons have left, but they might only be the vanguard."

Yan Fujing paused in astonishment.

This Demon Buddha seemed quite reliable.

He took a few steps back, bowed deeply, and said, "With the clouds departing and the rain ceasing, it is the Buddha’s merit, and for this bow, this old man ought to give it."

Li Xuan said, "I wish to protect the living beings of this place."

Wise people speak concisely.

Yan Fujing said, "Buddha, do you wish to become the Buddha King?"

The Buddha King is both a religious and political leader, being both the Buddha and the sovereign.

And this... was always what the Yu Sect was doing.

Li Xuan said, "I only wish to protect Cyan Wood Province."

Yan Fujing bowed deeply and said, "I will do my utmost for it."

Li Xuan said, "The Sovereign of the Great Yin will certainly be unwilling, ultimately, it will still need to be settled with real results. Ask him how he wants to compare."

Yan Fujing said, "I understand."

Li Xuan said, "Before that, the incense offerings in Cyan Wood Province must not be interrupted."