CHAPTER 367: CHAPTER 326 HOLY LAND

The Taiyi Daoist Temple of Eternal Spring is a renowned sect in An Province City. It has over a thousand disciples and countless faithful followers.

At this moment, everyone from Lingyang Daoist onward in the main hall of the Changchun Daoist Temple is kneeling on the ground.

Lingyang Daoist knows very well that when facing a Sword Immortal like Gao Xuan, no matter how many disciples they have, it’s of no use.

If the opponent sends his Flying Sword over, they will die immediately. There is no resistance.

Gao Xuan also did not overly trouble Lingyang Daoist and the others, as he had no need to engage in mass killing.

He simply took the Taiyi Thunder Venerable Curse, the Taiyi Scripture, and a Taiyi Celestial Venerable Painting, which were the treasures of the Changchun Daoist Temple.

Gao Xuan was quite reasonable, only taking the original Secret Technique, leaving Lingyang Daoist and the others with copies.

When Gao Xuan left, Lingyang Daoist and the others knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly. The sect treasures were taken, which was truly a great humiliation.

However, no one dared to mention revenge.

To find a powerful force capable of matching Gao Xuan and take action, they don’t know how much it would cost. If revenge fails, their ending will be even worse.

Although Gao Xuan’s actions were excessive, they could only grit their teeth and endure it.

There are many disciples in the Changchun Daoist Temple, so when such a major event occurred, the news quickly spread throughout An Province City.

Now, all the celebrities in An Province City knew that Gao Xuan from Cyan Cloud Daoist Temple was a Sword Immortal, with immeasurable cultivation.

The Governor reacted the fastest, knowing, as the official of a province, how important a Sword Immortal is.

The reaction of the Changchun Daoist Temple further verified Gao Xuan’s prowess.

This Lord Governor brought generous gifts to the Cyan Cloud Daoist Temple that very afternoon.

In the hall of the Cyan Cloud Daoist Temple, several worshipers were praying and burning incense, and the old temple priest stood aside chanting.

When the Lord Governor brought a large entourage into the hall, it startled the old temple priest.

He had been a temple priest for so many years and had never seen such an imposing scene.

The group of government officials wore official uniforms, wielded swords, and had solemn expressions. Although the Lord Governor in the center didn’t wear an official uniform, his presence was unmistakably grand.

Several worshipers were also frightened, standing up hastily and moving to the side.

The Chief Constable originally wanted to step forward and speak but was stopped by the Lord Governor with a raised hand.

The Lord Governor smilingly approached the old temple priest: "I am Li Yunchuan, the Governor of this province, here to pay respects to Master Gao Xuan. Please announce my visit."

The old temple priest, although never having seen the Governor, at least knew the name of the highest official of the province.

Faced with such a high-ranking official, he was somewhat excited, yet also a bit flustered.

However, upon seeing the Governor appear amiable and humble, referring to Gao Xuan as Master,

The old temple priest barely calmed himself, forced a smile and said: "I will go and announce your visit immediately, please wait for a moment."

The old temple priest hurried to the back, stumbling over the threshold as he went out. His panicked appearance made Li Yunchuan smile in amusement.

Evidently, it was a small and inexperienced establishment, and it gave him a sense of confidence.

The Chief Constable showed disdain, whispering to the Governor: "Lord, you actually don’t need to visit personally. Sending an invitation card already grants the other party enough face."

"After all, it’s a Sword Immortal."

The Governor shook his head: "Etiquette must be maintained."

The Chief Constable frowned slightly; he was a Martial Dao expert, with strong energy and firm will, and looked down on mystical cultivators.

Cultivators indeed have methods to deal with demons and spirits, but when it comes to massive power, it’s not necessarily impressive.

The Chief Constable had also captured and killed many evil cultivators; the power of magic is considerable but when calculative and unconcerned, cultivators are just mortal beings.

One strike can behead them, and they die just as any other.

A mere young Daoist, even if possessing some strange skills, what can he do?

A grand army surrounding, any magic or Flying Sword is but a jest.

Lord Governor read too many books and believed in the tales of Sword Immortals.

The Chief Constable naturally didn’t dare challenge the Governor, but he harbored some discontent towards Gao Xuan. When meeting him later, he wanted to see what skills Gao Xuan really possessed.

The old temple priest soon ran back, nodding and greeting the Governor: "Lord, please come inside. Master Gao is waiting for you inside."

The Chief Constable frowned again; the attitude of Gao Xuan was overly grand. The Governor personally visited, and he did not come out to greet.

The Governor was slightly surprised, but as one who grew up in the Capital City and seen true masters, he knew how fearsome cultivators could be at certain levels.

The other being so arrogant surely possesses real skills. If he doesn’t have such prowess yet acts boastfully, he will suffer consequences naturally.

Li Yunchuan smiled slightly: "Lead the way ahead."

The old temple priest was also relieved; Gao Xuan’s failure to greet made him uneasy, fearing the Governor might take offense.

The old temple priest led the Governor and several others to the rear hall, where he opened the door and invited the Governor inside.

Li Yunchuan gestured to the others not to follow, only the Chief Constable stayed behind him.

The rear hall had only a painting of the Supreme Celestial Monarch and two meditation cushions on the floor. There was nothing else.

The whole room appeared very simple.

Governor Li Yunchuan did not dare to underestimate because Gao Xuan sat cross-legged on a cushion, with a serene and transcendent aura. He truly had the demeanor of an Immortal.

"Governor Li Yunchuan pays respects to Master Gao."

Li Yunchuan was able to set aside his authority, deeply bowed with fists clasped, maintaining a respectful posture.

Gao Xuan returned the salute with a single hand gesture: "Lord Li, you are too kind, please sit."

Seeing Gao Xuan still sitting without moving, the Chief Constable couldn’t help but feel agitated. His face flushed red, his entire body’s energy surged intensely, his gaze cold and piercing like lightning.

The Chief Constable’s stirring Inner Strength was almost palpable, subtly coalescing into a smoke-like form above his head.

It is precisely when Martial Arts reach the Innate Realm, presenting the external manifestation of Five Qi Chaoyuan.

The Chief Constable merely gestures, and the room’s temperature suddenly rises, sweeping away the chill of the spring rain.

Governor Li Yunchuan feels a rush of dry heat straight to his scalp, as if the moisture on his body evaporates in an instant. He feels as though he stands next to a steel furnace, his mouth parched, desperately wishing for a sip of cold water to relieve the heat.

Li Yunchuan remains silent, wanting to see how Gao Xuan will respond.

Gao Xuan neither speaks nor makes any movement.

A fierce and unmatched Sword Intent descends from the sky, directly falling upon the Chief Constable.

The Chief Constable senses something amiss, his Inner Strength surging all around him. But the Formless Sword Intent carries the might of ten thousand pounds, extinguishing the scorching blood and Inner Strength of the Chief Constable.

The absolute disparity in power leaves the Chief Constable in utter despair and fear, with only one thought in his mind: "I’m going to die!"

Yet the lethal Sword Intent transforms into the formless, causing no harm to the Chief Constable.

Such seamless transformation from hard to soft bears not a trace of smoke or fire.

Li Yunchuan, observing, does not perceive anything unusual, only sees the Chief Constable’s face, fierce like fire, suddenly turn pale as paper, his once glowing eyes filled with terror.

The change in demeanor is as pronounced and intense as a mighty tiger suddenly becoming a dead dog.

Though Li Yunchuan doesn’t know what happened, he knows the Chief Constable has learned a lesson.

He feels both proud and relieved.

Proud for not choosing the wrong person, relieved for being cautious enough to avoid mistakes.

The Chief Constable, momentarily stunned, awakens to find himself alive. He looks at the poised and unmoving Gao Xuan with deep awe in his eyes.

The brief confrontation reveals the strength of Gao Xuan’s power to him, killing him would be as easy as crushing an ant.

Narrowly escaping death, the Chief Constable’s arrogance is shattered by Gao Xuan Sword Intent. He prostrates himself: "I was blind, I plead for the True Master’s pardon."

Seeing Gao Xuan remain silent, Li Yunchuan gestures for the Chief Constable to leave.

Once the Chief Constable departs, the door closes, Li Yunchuan deeply bows again, "True Master above, Li Yunchuan pays respect..."

Gao Xuan waves his sleeve, "Lord Li, no need for formality, please sit."

Li Yunchuan cautiously sits down, sighing, "Demons run rampant, bringing harm to my people. An Province has eight counties and twenty-nine villages, with millions of common folk..."

Li Yunchuan naturally doesn’t mention Zhang Dongcheng, instead pours out his woes to Gao Xuan, saying demons wreak havoc all around, and he can only maintain with great effort.

He hopes Gao Xuan will take action to exorcise demons and restore peace.

If not for the plea, Li Yunchuan would not be so servile toward Gao Xuan.

Gao Xuan contemplates for a moment and agrees, saying he will act when needed.

Receiving Gao Xuan’s promise, Li Yunchuan is greatly pleased, offering generous gifts on the spot...

News quickly spreads about Li Yunchuan visiting Cyan Cloud Daoist Temple, prompting a group of nobility to rush to Cyan Cloud Daoist Temple, presenting a large sum of incense money.

In no time, the threshold of Cyan Cloud Daoist Temple is nearly worn down by the visiting nobles.

Gao Xuan meets no others. These nobles are not upset, instead finding Gao Xuan’s demeanor to be fitting of an Immortal.

Since Cyan Cloud Daoist Temple accepted their gifts, they will not be troubled intentionally.

However, afterward, Gao Xuan kills several nobles causing harm in the region, and posts warnings to many nobles, urging them to abide by the law.

The nobles in An Province City are annoyed with Gao Xuan, yet dare not voice their displeasure.

For a time, An Province City becomes harmonious, a marked change in atmosphere.

Gao Xuan refrains from deliberately troubling noble scions. Wealthy nobles, despite exploiting extensively, are indeed pillars of society upholding social order.

Killing off these wealthy nobles will quickly usher in a new batch of nobles.

Mass killings change nothing and only breed more chaos.

This Mythical World runs deep, unfit for Gao Xuan’s wanton acts.

He knows he is but a passerby here.

Xiaolian, is sent by Gao Xuan to Yunxian Daoist Temple, to train under a female Daoist.

A year later, a Thousand-Year Tree Demon emerges in Anda Village, massacring thousands of villagers.

The Government repeatedly dispatches troops, suffering heavy losses. The Thousand-Year Tree Demon becomes increasingly arrogant.

With no recourse, Li Yunchuan personally seeks Gao Xuan’s aid.

Gao Xuan nods in agreement. That day, the Thousand-Year Tree Demon is slain by Celestial Sword Light.

From then on, Gao Xuan Sword Immortal’s name spreads throughout An Province, become well-known to all.

Thereafter, numerous Great Demons appear, all slain by Gao Xuan with Flying Sword.

Over a decade, demon plagues in An Province City are nearly eradicated. Millions of households worship Sword Immortal Gao Xuan.

As Gao Xuan regularly goes to observe the water by Anlong Lake, often sitting for several days undisturbed.

Over time, this habit becomes known to others.

Li Yunchuan and other nobles, eager to win over Gao Xuan, build a waterside pavilion overnight where Gao Xuan resides.

When Gao Xuan visits again, he finds the stone pavilion completed. The pavilion is very simple, with only one seat facing Anlong Lake. It doesn’t even have a table.

After pondering, Gao Xuan leaves two characters inscribed with Sword Qi on the large lake-facing pillar: Wenshui.

Each day, villagers trek hundreds of miles to burn incense and pray from afar.

Wenshui Pavilion, from then on, has a constant stream of incense, becoming the Holy Land of An Province.

(Apologies for the delay. Mentioned before, updates may be unstable at this time. Please pardon. If unable to update, I will take leave. An additional update will come later~)