Seeing the situation, Ethan Changsun quickly spoke up: "Everyone, don't panic! The enemy may be strong, but we have three thousand experts who've condensed immortal bodies. Plus, our village's newly upgraded formation is more than enough to block an Earth Immortal's attack!"
After hearing this, quite a few people calmed down.
Just then, that group finally arrived at the village gate, each one clad in gleaming silver immortal armor, wielding immortal weapons, and riding tall, sturdy immortal horses.
"Heavens, they've all condensed immortal bodies, and they're even wearing immortal armor and wielding immortal weapons—how could we possibly stand against them?"
Someone cried out. As for how they could tell at a glance that these people had condensed immortal bodies, it's because those who've done so emit a unique aura.
"They all seem to be late-stage Human Immortal experts!"
Someone added.
In an instant, panic spread rapidly. Five thousand late-stage Human Immortals with immortal bodies—if the formation couldn't hold, even if the whole village fought together, they'd still be no match.
"Don't panic, everyone. I'll go ask what their intentions are!"
Ethan Changsun spoke again, then took two people with him and headed for the village gate.
Seeing this, Ian Song could only shake his head inwardly. Losing their nerve before the fight even started—these Giantwild villagers really had poor mental fortitude.
At this moment, village chief Ethan Changsun had already arrived at the village gate with two others. Standing behind the formation, he called out, "Sirs, I am Ethan Changsun, chief of Giantwild Village. May I ask why you three have come to Giantwild with so many troops?"
Felix Duanmu sneered, "Listen up, old codger! We're from Silver Wolf Stronghold. I'm the second chief, that's my big brother, and that's my third brother. If you know what's good for you, hand over one hundred million immortal stones—otherwise, we'll wipe Giantwild Village off the map!"
"Silver Wolf Stronghold!"
As soon as Ethan Changsun heard the name, his face turned extremely grim. Silver Wolf Stronghold was the most powerful bandit force under Whitecrest City's rule, and rumor had it all three of their chiefs were Earth Immortal–level experts.
When the villagers heard the name Silver Wolf Stronghold, many instantly fell into despair. Five thousand late-stage Human Immortal troops were terrifying enough—now they realized the leaders were three Earth Immortals. Even with the village's newly upgraded formation able to block an Earth Immortal, there was no way it could stop all three working together.
Taking a deep breath, Ethan Changsun forced himself to stay calm and said, "Second Chief, Giantwild Village is just an ordinary place—there's no way we could produce one hundred million immortal stones. Please, I beg you to reconsider!"
Felix Duanmu let out a strange laugh. "Heh, you old codger still dare to lie? Believe it or not, once we break your formation, we'll slaughter every last one of you!"
Ethan Changsun put on a bitter face. "Second Chief, I'm truly not lying. Our village really can't come up with that many immortal stones. How about we offer a million immortal stones as tribute? Please, I beg you three chiefs to show mercy and spare Giantwild Village!"
"Hmph, you really don't know what's good for you!"
Aoki Wolf spoke up: "Over the past few months, your Giantwild Village has sold more than three million immortal beasts and earned over one hundred million immortal stones. You spent just six million to condense three thousand immortal bodies—so where did the rest of the stones go? Hand over one hundred million immortal stones right now and we'll leave. Otherwise, we'll wipe Giantwild Village out!"
Faced with Aoki Wolf's words, Ethan Changsun was left speechless. After a long silence, he finally said, "Would the three chiefs allow us to discuss this among ourselves?"
Aoki Wolf, full of confidence, replied, "Fine. I'll give you half a quarter-hour to discuss. When time's up, if you don't hand over the immortal stones, we'll break your village. Don't get any ideas—your broken formation can't stop me!"
"Yes, yes!" Ethan Changsun hurriedly agreed, then quickly made his way to the martial training ground.
"Everyone heard what was just said. What are your thoughts?" Ethan Changsun asked the crowd.
"Chief, there's no way we can come up with one hundred million immortal stones. Why not fight them instead?" Toren Tong suggested.
"That's right! These bandits have gone too far. We can't give in—if worst comes to worst, we'll fight to the death!" Ingrid Cui chimed in.
"Fight with what?"
Someone sneered, "All three of their chiefs are Earth Immortal experts, and they've got five thousand well-equipped late-stage Human Immortals. Even if we all go at them, it'd just be suicide!"
Another person said, "Exactly. Immortal stones are just external possessions—if we lose them, we can always earn more later, can't we?"
Tyler Huang, that's easy for you to say—one hundred million immortal stones is a huge sum! How could we possibly come up with that?" Ingrid Cui retorted, staring at him.
We can't, but Ian Song can! He took over seventy million immortal stones from the beast sales—he's one of us, and now that the village is in trouble, he should use his stones to save everyone!" Tyler Huang said, looking at Ian.
Tyler Huang was also a hunting squad captain. He knew that killing so many immortal beasts was all thanks to Ian Song, but the fact that Ian took over seventy million stones for himself made Tyler extremely uncomfortable.
But his words carried little weight, and his objections were repeatedly ignored. He could only keep silent, though he held a grudge against Ian Song. Now, given the chance, he seized on the situation to force Ian to cough up all his immortal stones.
That's right! Immortal stones are precious, but everyone's lives matter more. Ian, we hope you'll take out your stones and save us all!" called out one of Tyler Huang's subordinates.
Seeing this, Toren Tong and Ingrid Cui were furious.
But more and more people joined in, hoping Ian Song would take out his immortal stones to save Giantwild Village.
In the end, even village chief Ethan Changsun spoke up: "Ian, if you take out your stones and save everyone, the whole village will remember your kindness!"
Fine! I can take out the stones! But are you sure handing them over will make the bandits leave? Mountain bandits aren't exactly known for keeping promises," Ian Song said calmly. He'd seen through these people's true colors: when you bring them benefits, they worship you; when disaster strikes, they sell you out without hesitation.
If he'd known they'd treat him like this, he wouldn't have helped them in the first place!
"Ian, maybe you should think it over!" Toren Tong tried to persuade.
"What do you mean by that, Toren? Would you only be satisfied if the whole village died?" Tyler Huang shouted.
"Yeah! Toren, are you even one of us anymore?" others echoed.
"Pah! Selfish scum like you deserve to be kicked out!" someone spat.
In an instant, Toren Tong became the target of everyone's blame.
"Everyone, quiet!" Ian Song commanded.
Ian Song shouted, forcing everyone to quiet down for the moment: "You all know my formation skills are pretty good. If you trust me, I can set up arrays in the village and lead you in battle—there's still hope we can drive the bandits off!"
"Pah! I think you're just making excuses because you don't want to hand over your stones. There are three Earth Immortals—do you really think your formations can stop them?" Tyler Huang sneered.
"Enough talk, just hand over the stones already!" someone urged impatiently.
Seeing this, Ian Song was completely disappointed in them. He took out a Storage Ring and tossed it to Ethan Changsun: "All the immortal stones are here!"