Otherwise, he would only know how to wield a sword and fight head-on. In the end, he's just a martial swordsman.

The autumn wind outside the window was becoming increasingly desolate, and ominous clouds had gathered unknowingly.

The sky darkened rapidly, and without candlelight in the hall, it was quite gloomy.

The autumn rain fell swiftly, with fine raindrops landing on the blue tiles of the hall's dome, creating a dense sound.

The rainwater gathered along the blue tiles and then fell from the eaves, forming lines of water at the hall's entrance.

Gao Xuan sat inside the hall, quietly watching the wind and rain outside, feeling a sense of tranquility within.

He was quite content with his current life—leisurely and joyful, sitting to watch falling leaves, lying down to listen to the wind and rain.

The road ahead is long, but there's no need to hurry forward.

Even if there are wolves and beasts around, they are merely part of the scenery. One can face them calmly.

Gao Xuan had experienced leisurely times before, but no matter how leisurely, there was always an urgent goal he sought to achieve.

Now, Gao Xuan still had goals, but there was no urgency. On a spiritual level, he was enjoying peace and leisure for the first time.

This feeling was very good.

To Gao Xuan's surprise, the autumn rain continued throughout the night and intensified the next day.

Though not torrential, the rain was continuous. The heavy clouds above showed no hint of daylight.

Seeing this, it's unclear how long the rain will last.

Rainfall in autumn is a normal weather pattern.

Gao Xuan originally didn't mind it, but looking at the oppressive cloud cover, there seemed to be a hint of ominous energy.

Has Ao Qiong arrived?

Gao Xuan was a bit puzzled. If Ao Qiong truly came, why not just act directly? What's the purpose of cloud formation and rainfall, trying to drown him?

If this torrential rain continued for ten days or so, Bai Cang River might flood. Could it be an attempt to drown the residents on both sides of the Bai Cang River?

Gao Xuan wasn't anxious; such a heavy rain would need several days to have any effect.

Besides, he could control Bai Cang River effortlessly with the Hongyi Sword, ensuring it wouldn't immediately get out of control.

Gao Xuan took out the Dragon Talisman from King Jinlin—he had been busy cultivating the Emperor's Nine Transformations Scripture and hadn't had time to deal with it.

Moreover, Gao Xuan wasn't keen on starting a war with the North Sea Dragon Palace.

Though King Jinlin deserved death, the North Sea Dragon Palace was a vast organization. Blaming them for lax oversight and condoning King Jinlin isn't fair.

The North Sea Dragon Palace is a collective of the Dragon Race; the Dragon Race wouldn't care about the life or death of the Human Race, nor would they restrain their subordinates.

Not just North Sea Dragon Palace, other divine beings are the same.

In the Immortal Realm, there are more humans, but there are also many demons, monsters, ghosts, and divine beings.

To the Human Race, demons and monsters are like fierce beasts, while divine beings are akin to natural disasters—inescapable.

Even the four Immortal Emperors above the Nine Heavens never considered eradicating all other races and creatures—it's simply beyond their capabilities.

Gao Xuan understood this well; he didn't believe he had that ability. Additionally, he saw no need for it.

As long as he could kill the demons and monsters causing havoc in Wuyuan Country, he'd fulfill his mission and uphold his responsibility.

Any other Celestial Master might not even eliminate two Great Demons, let alone control Hu Ji.

Therefore, Gao Xuan thought it best to coexist peacefully with the North Sea Dragon Palace. At the very least, not harboring hostility and preconceptions against the Dragon Race right off the bat.

Now it seemed the other party might not see it the same way.

Gao Xuan fiddled with the Dragon Talisman for a while—it was crafted by the Dragon Race and contained the Dragon Soul Mark, which he could easily decipher.

But there was no need for that.

He wanted to see what the other party intended to do.

After five days of continuous autumn rain, Gao Xuan remained calm, but National Preceptor Tao Jun couldn't hold his nerve and came to seek Gao Xuan.

"Celestial Master, this autumn rain is suspicious; it might be Ao Qiong of the North Sea Dragon Palace casting spells."

Tao Jun spoke worriedly: "If it continues like this, Wuyuan Country will become a floodland. Currently, in the royal city, rainwater has turned into rivers, and many households are flooded."

Gao Xuan initially didn't mind, but after Tao Jun's words, he realized that with Wuyuan Country's backward productivity, the city's drainage must be poor. After just a few days of rain, it couldn't withstand it.

He nodded and said, "That was my oversight."

Gao Xuan asked Tao Jun, "What do you think we should do?"

Tao Jun wanted to scratch his head; with Gao Xuan's prowess in slaying Great Demons, why not flex that power now instead of asking him.

However, with Wuyuan Country's survival at stake, Tao Jun couldn't just play dumb.

He could only sigh deeply: "I've heard that Ao Qiong is arrogant and looks down upon others. He's the Sixth Prince of the North Sea Dragon Palace, and we can't afford to offend him. Why not go together, pay homage to the Sixth Prince, offer substantial gifts, and sincerely apologize to resolve this."

Gao Xuan slightly shook his head: "King Jinlin wantonly ate people, my killing him was merely enforcing justice. What do I have to apologize for?"

Tao Jun wore a pained expression: "You have valid reasons, Celestial Master, but unfortunately, the Sixth Prince is unreasonable."

"You go talk to the Sixth Prince first."

Gao Xuan said: "Explain things clearly; if Ao Qiong insists on misbehaving, I'll go and reason with him."

Tao Jun was at a loss; why should he clean up Gao Xuan's mess?

He wanted to refuse, but facing Gao Xuan's calm, profound gaze made his heart tremble, and the words of refusal got stuck in his throat.

"National Preceptor, protecting Wuyuan Country is your duty. You are highly respected and have connections with the Dragon Race, so it's up to you."

Gao Xuan stated: "For the sake of millions in Wuyuan Country, the burden falls on you, National Preceptor."

Forced into a corner, Tao Jun reluctantly agreed: "Alright, I'll go inquire with the Sixth Prince."

Gao Xuan smiled and said: "With the urgency of the situation, it's best to depart quickly, National Preceptor."

Tao Jun could only stand and bow to Gao Xuan, "Celestial Master, await my news."

Gao Xuan rose to send Tao Jun to the entrance of the Celestial Master Temple's main hall. He said, "If there's any news, notify me promptly."

Tao Jun could only smile wryly; as he was about to speak, a loud shout from the distant sky was heard: "Is that Gao Xuan there!"

This fierce shout reverberated through the heavens and shook the land in all directions.

The dense clouds were blasted open into a massive void, with turbulent clouds rolling like waves in all directions. The rain exploded into countless water mist.

That single thunderous shout nearly scattered all the clouds and rain.

Tao Jun was so startled he shivered and instinctively looked up. A mass of fiery red clouds was flying from the west, atop which stood thousands of demons.

These demons had sinister faces and towering statures, all dressed in bright armor and wielding weapons.

Among the demons, there was a huge chariot. The chariot was assembled with the skulls of thousands, emitting a crimson evil glow.

The mouths of these skulls continually opened and closed, releasing eerie cries. Despite the earth-shattering shout and the distance, the sharp wails from the skull heads still couldn't be concealed.

Seated on the skeletal chariot was a massive demon.

This demon was over ten zhang tall even while seated, his enormous body like a small mountain, most striking were the pair of curved golden horns atop his head.

Even from afar, Tao Jun instinctively squinted his aged eyes as those golden horns felt particularly piercing. The intense demon Qi surrounding him seemed to scorch his Divine Soul.

"Golden Horn King!"

Though Tao Jun had never seen him before, he immediately recognized him.

After all, those golden horns were too eye-catching. Also, Iron Horn's supporter was Golden Horn—this fact wasn't a secret.

Tao Jun initially thought the matter with Iron Horn was over. After all, demons wouldn't dwell on sentiment.

Unexpectedly, months later, Golden Horn King personally arrived, and coincidentally Ao Qiong was causing trouble.

Tao Jun thought they might have coordinated to cause trouble together. He felt uneasy since Golden Horn King was one of the renowned top ten Demon Kings in Cyan Celestial Realm.

Though the title was somewhat superficial—given the vastness of Cyan Celestial Realm, who knew how many demons existed—the top ten Demon Kings was merely a boast by the Ten Thousand Demon Alliance.

Nonetheless, being labeled as a Demon King meant having transcended nine Thunder Tribulations, reaching the Human Immortal Level. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Tao Jun knew well the vast gap between him and a Demon King. A casual move from the other could pulverize him.

Let alone the Golden Horn King, even the tiger-headed Great Demon beside the Golden Horn King was likely beyond him.

That earlier shout came from the Tiger Demon.

Tao Jun almost wanted to cry; he came to discuss strategies with Gao Xuan, but was pushed to deal with Ao Qiong directly. Yet, before stepping out, he encountered the Golden Horn King.

This luck, it was beyond words.

Seeing Tao Jun's ashen face, Gao Xuan, the Spirit Immortal who had lived for two thousand years, couldn't conceal his true feelings.

Gao Xuan smiled and said: "No need to be alarmed, National Preceptor. You help me hold the line and watch me subdue demons and vanquish monsters…"