The Speedrun Begins with Choosing Hunter

Chapter 317: Chapter 309: Blood Radiance Iron

The cool moonlight spilled over the Old Ape’s body, giving it a somewhat sacred air.

If an ordinary person were to see this, they would surely mistake it for a Mountain God.

Most legends of Mountain Gods in the world are actually about demons that have gained sentience.

Gentle demons became good gods worshipped by mountain villagers, while violent and ferocious ones became evil demons passed down in oral tradition.

Bai Yuan was surprised.

’This Old Ape certainly has some skill.’

He had killed not ten thousand, but at least eight thousand demons, yet this was the first time he had encountered one like the Old Ape that cultivated Taoist Skills.

The cultivation system of demons was vastly different from that of humans; the techniques of a Daoist Sect shouldn’t be applicable to them.

The Old Ape’s movements were natural and fluid, a clear sign it had been practicing for many years.

Beside them, Liu Zhengwen was also watching intently.

"This Old Ape must have been enlightened by an expert to be like this."

"Enlightened?"

Liu Zhengwen nodded.

"A Tier Seven Demon’s intelligence is much higher than that of an ordinary human. I’ve heard that if they live among humans long enough, they can even attempt to practice human Cultivation Techniques. Although such cases are rare, they have occurred."

"Legend has it that a hundred years ago, a Cat Demon practiced a bloodthirsty Demon Technique and brought chaos to Jiangnan. If not for the intervention of a Celestial Master from the Dragon Tiger Sect, it would have undoubtedly caused a shocking massacre."

Ma Hong looked at Liu Zhengwen with some surprise.

Initially, he hadn’t paid much mind to these two men who claimed to be retainers of the Prefect. He never expected them to be so capable. His reverence for Bai Yuan deepened a little more.

’Only a true expert can gather a group of talented people around them.’

Judging from Liu Zhengwen’s aura and speech, it was clear he was no ordinary man.

Bai Yuan frowned. "Then what should we do?"

Liu Zhengwen discreetly glanced at the Qingming Stone in his sleeve. There was no change.

The Qingming Stone would change color if a devil seed appeared within a one-li radius.

Since the Qingming Stone wasn’t reacting, it meant this matter was unrelated to devil seeds.

Liu Zhengwen said, "I will leave the decision to Lord Bai."

Bai Yuan understood immediately. This matter was likely unrelated to devil seeds.

The presence of Liu Zhengwen and Fang Yong was just a coincidence.

Just as he was about to speak, Ma Hong, who was beside him, suddenly exclaimed, "Look!"

Bai Yuan and Liu Zhengwen both looked over.

Beneath the moonlight, the center of the massive rock the Old Ape was sitting on was emitting a demonic, bloody glow.

Seeing this, Liu Zhengwen’s eyes lit up. "Blood Radiance Iron!"

Hearing the words "Blood Radiance Iron," Ma Hong’s face flushed with excitement.

Seeing Bai Yuan’s puzzled expression, Ma Hong lowered his voice to explain, "Lord Bai, the Jingyang Mine is rich in minerals, mostly common black iron. But sometimes, rare ores are found. I, your humble subordinate, have only read about this Blood Radiance Iron in the local gazette. A hundred years ago, a Prefect discovered some and sent it to the palace as tribute. I heard the Late Emperor was so pleased that he bestowed the four words ’Heaven-sent Auspicious Omen’ upon him."

Bai Yuan raised an eyebrow.

’Emperor Xuanyang has seen every treasure imaginable. For Blood Radiance Iron to receive such high praise, it must truly be extraordinary.’

Liu Zhengwen said, "It seems this Old Ape was drawn here by the Blood Radiance Iron. Blood Radiance Iron naturally contains abundant blood qi, which demons love most."

Bai Yuan nodded.

’Now I have a complete grasp of the situation at Jingyang Mine.’

Ma Hong said, "Lord Bai, I’ll go down the mountain now and call for men to encircle and annihilate these monsters."

Now that he understood the situation, he was itching to bring in his men and eliminate this grave threat.

Every extra day these demons spent at the mine, he had no idea how much silver he would lose.

Bai Yuan stopped Ma Hong and shook his head.

Ma Hong was confused. "My lord, you want to wait longer?"

Bai Yuan shook his head again. "No. The three of us are enough."

"..."

Ma Hong was speechless.

Rumors about the Lord Lingzhou General instantly flooded his mind—he seemed to have a particular fondness for killing with his own hands.

At this thought, Ma Hong couldn’t help but shiver.

Bai Yuan said, "The round trip would take an hour. No need for such trouble. Wait here a moment for me. I’ll be right back."

Under the astonished gazes of Liu Zhengwen and Ma Hong, Bai Yuan slipped into the dense woods nearby.

The time it takes for an incense stick to burn later, Bai Yuan reappeared before them.

Although both Liu Zhengwen and Ma Hong were extremely curious about what Bai Yuan had done, they were worried about prying into his secrets, so they both tacitly remained silent.

"Let’s make our move."

Bai Yuan said in a low voice, a smile playing on his lips.

To Ma Hong, the sight looked utterly morbid.

...

Atop a pile of scattered ore, the Old Ape sat cross-legged on a massive boulder.

The other demons were scattered around it, surrounding it in the center. Some were sitting, some were walking...

The Old Ape’s breathing was long and even, and its posture was even more standard than that of most Daoists in the world.

Just as the Old Ape was meditating, a commotion suddenly erupted among the group of demons.

The Old Ape’s eyes snapped open.

It then saw two humans in the distance, fighting with its subordinate demons.

One of them was the same person it had defeated last time, who had then fled in a sorry state.

’This time, he’s obviously brought help.’

The Old Ape snorted coldly and glanced at the powerful leopard beside it.

The Leopard Demon bared its fangs, leaped forward, and charged into the fray.

Just as the Old Ape was about to join the battle, it suddenly felt a chill on its back. Its powerful combat instincts told it not to turn around; instead, it threw itself into a roll to the side.

"You have some skill, I’ll give you that."

A human voice rang out.

The Old Ape rolled off the giant boulder and onto the ground. Looking up, it saw an unfamiliar human face.

Bai Yuan watched the Old Ape with great interest.

’This Old Ape is very strong, not even weaker than Yang Fangyu’s second uncle, Yang Jiuyan. A demon this powerful is a rare sight in Ling Province.’

No wonder Ma Hong was no match for this Old Ape.

Bai Yuan’s figure drifted down from the boulder like a falling leaf, his right hand formed into a blade as he chopped down toward the Old Ape’s head.

The Old Ape looked at the hand-blade, its heart filled with terror.

’That human’s right hand looks like a hand, but in my eyes, it’s clearly an unparalleled blade!’

’I can’t block it head-on!’

For a rare change, the Old Ape chose not to meet the attack directly and instead dodged aside.

Just as it barely dodged Bai Yuan’s hand-blade strike, a chorus of wretched screams suddenly rose up from all around.

In its peripheral vision, the Old Ape saw its subordinates collapsing one after another, their faces contorted in agony, melting into pools of blood in a mere instant.

Seeing this, the Old Ape was so enraged its eyes could have split.

"Despicable! You used poison!"

It spat out human words.

’Humans truly are the most vicious things in this world!’

But the Old Ape was even more shocked by Bai Yuan’s poisoning methods; even it hadn’t sensed a thing.

’Such methods are simply too terrifying!’

Bai Yuan smiled faintly. This time, he attacked with both hands.

His blade techniques and poison attacks were distinct, coming from left and right, yet they were perfectly blended.

The Old Ape felt as if it were fighting two opponents at once, completely unable to parry.

After just ten moves, the Old Ape was struck by Bai Yuan’s Poison Palm and reduced to a pool of blood.

Bai Yuan finished off the Old Ape.

Then he turned and joined Liu Zhengwen and Fang Yong in their battle against the Leopard Demon.

Three breaths later, not a single living demon remained on the pile of ore!

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