The Speedrun Begins with Choosing Hunter

Chapter 376: Chapter 370: Elder Pei

Bai Mansion.

"How is Situ’s swordsmanship now?"

Yue Xiaobai had heard that Bai Yuan had crossed swords with Situ Nan, so he immediately came looking for him.

Bai Yuan said, "He struck with his sword, I countered with a kick, and that was the end of it."

This only made Yue Xiaobai more intrigued.

"Come, take a sword strike from me. Use the same kick you used back then."

Both he and Situ Nan were masters of the Sword Dao. However, Situ Nan walked a completely different path—that of the Confucian Family’s swordsmanship. A year ago, Yue Xiaobai had even gone to challenge Situ Nan, but unfortunately, he had been refused.

Sparring with Bai Yuan now was as good as crossing swords with Situ Nan.

This was a rare opportunity to test his sword, and he was certain to gain some insight. His Sword Intent might even improve.

When it came to practicing martial arts, working in isolation was ultimately not the way. Drawing parallels from other sources was a much faster way to improve.

Bai Yuan was happy to oblige. He also wanted to test the power of his White Ape Smashes the Mountain, now enhanced by the Dragon and Tiger Strength.

Yue Xiaobai drew his Bamboo Sword.

Situ Nan had used a straight thrust, so he chose to do the same this time.

A powerful sword strike thrust straight toward Bai Yuan.

Bai Yuan twisted his right ankle—it was the same familiar kick.

After the single exchange, Yue Xiaobai stood in place, sword in hand, lost in thought.

"You were hiding the true strength of your body hardening technique before?"

He had already experienced the formidability of Bai Yuan’s body hardening technique before. Less than a month had passed, and body hardening was a slow, grinding process, so he could only assume Bai Yuan had been hiding his true strength.

He had also witnessed Bai Yuan’s leg techniques back in Ling Province.

But today, the same leg technique, enhanced by the body hardening, had become even more terrifying.

’Fusing two Cultivation Techniques... that’s actually a good idea.’

’It’s just too risky.’

The Martial Dao had existed for ten thousand years, so naturally, there had been unconventional predecessors who had tried this path. However, they later discovered that practicing two Cultivation Techniques simultaneously was already difficult, and one also had to face the risk of the techniques being incompatible. It was far more practical to specialize in one, so gradually, no one made such an attempt anymore.

Bai Yuan was an exception, and a successful one at that.

With two Cultivation Techniques stacked, the power was naturally far greater than that of an ordinary martial art.

Bai Yuan said, "I recently tried to integrate my leg technique and my body hardening technique, and it just so happened to work."

He had no intention of revealing the secret of his Divine Mansion Technique.

Yue Xiaobai looked as if he had expected as much.

"How do I compare to Situ Nan?"

Bai Yuan carefully recalled Yue Xiaobai’s strike just now, then thought back to Situ Nan’s. He said seriously, "Your swordsmanship is faster than his, but... not as direct."

Yue Xiaobai frowned. "Direct?"

"Situ Nan’s sword is purer, his moves more concise."

Yue Xiaobai fell into deep thought.

After a long while, a bright light bloomed in his eyes.

Bai Yuan was a little surprised.

’What terrifying comprehension.’

He had only offered a few abstract words about his impressions of Situ Nan’s swordsmanship, but he hadn’t expected Yue Xiaobai to actually have an epiphany.

Yue Xiaobai was already eager to enter seclusion, and he turned and headed back to his room.

...

「Several more days passed.」

A visitor arrived at the Bai Mansion.

Fanghua, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

Ever since Bai Yuan had done the Ministry of Rites a huge favor, it had become the second of the six ministries to hold a favorable attitude toward him.

Bai Yuan was already on good terms with the Fang Family. With this connection, he and Fanghua were naturally considered allies in the officialdom.

After Fanghua sat down, he took a sip of tea.

"Lord Bai, the Ministry of Justice recently interrogated that Six-tailed Fox and obtained some important information. I thought you should know."

Bai Yuan was slightly surprised.

He had rarely inquired about the matter since the Six-tailed Fox was sent to the Demon Prison.

Fanghua said, "An expert from the Ministry of Justice managed to glimpse a shred of the Six-tailed Fox’s memories. The Demon Fox’s ability to steal the nation’s fortune and conceal its aura is connected to a powerful figure from the Demon Sect. The world knows him as Mr. Yuan."

Hearing the two words "Mr. Yuan," Bai Yuan’s pupils couldn’t help but contract slightly.

He had thought the Six-tailed Fox’s actions felt familiar.

’To think it’s really connected to that mysterious Mr. Yuan.’

Fanghua continued, "This Mr. Yuan is a man of incredible means. You’ve spent time in Ling Province, so perhaps you’ve crossed paths with him."

Bai Yuan shook his head. "I’ve only ever heard of his name. I’ve never met him."

Fanghua’s expression grew grim. "Minister Zhou suspects that Mr. Yuan may have infiltrated Xuan Yang to stir up trouble. You’ve ruined his grand plans this time, so Minister Zhou ordered me to come and remind you to be extra careful."

"Thank you."

Bai Yuan cupped his fist.

The news Fanghua brought was indeed very important to him.

It wasn’t that he was worried Mr. Yuan would retaliate over the Six-tailed Fox incident. Rather, he feared that Mr. Yuan probably still thought he was a Demon Seed.

’He probably won’t make a move against me, but if the Court finds out I might be a Demon Seed, things will get really messy.’

’But Mr. Yuan doesn’t seem like a fool. He probably wouldn’t do something like that.’

After seeing Fanghua off, Bai Yuan sat in the main hall, lost in thought.

Just then, Xiao Qiaoniang walked in and gently massaged Bai Yuan’s shoulders.

Breathing in her refreshing fragrance, Bai Yuan’s mind relaxed considerably.

"Sister Qiao, did my parents ever mention if there were any strange omens when I was born?"

He remembered that when his parents were still alive, they had treated Sister Qiao well. They would tell her things they wouldn’t tell him.

’Could it be that my predecessor was really a Demon Seed?’

’If that’s the case, I’ve really hit the jackpot for transmigrator perks.’

Sister Qiao let out a giggle. "Mother did once say that on the day you were born, a big rooster stood at our front door and crowed for the longest time. They couldn’t even shoo it away."

Bai Yuan stroked his chin, looking dead serious.

’Looks like when I get a chance to go to the Dragon Tiger Sect, I’ll have to ask Elder Pei to help me check if a crowing rooster is one of the omens for a Demon Seed’s birth.’

He had heard before that when the Grand Ancestor Emperor was born, a giant crimson-gold serpent had appeared nearby. Later Warlocks considered it a symbol of a true dragon’s destiny.

Although Bai Yuan was more inclined to believe it was just a fabricated story, or perhaps a mountain villager had simply happened upon a unique species of snake.

Anyone who has spent time in the countryside knows that such rumors pop up almost every day.

If cameras existed in this era, there would probably be far fewer rumors.

Bai Yuan stopped letting his thoughts run wild.

’Whether I’m a Demon Seed or not is completely unimportant. As long as I’m strong enough, a Demon Seed can become a holy child. The world is always tolerant of the strong.’

On this day.

Bai Yuan was sparring with Yue Xiaobai in the courtyard.

This had more or less become their daily routine.

He had to admit, Yue Xiaobai’s talent for the sword was terrifying. In just three days, he had already grasped a sliver of the essence of Situ Nan’s style.

And this was just from hearing a few of Bai Yuan’s brief remarks. If he could have faced Situ Nan in person, he probably would have learned thirty percent of his true skills.

’Perhaps Situ Nan should be thankful he never crossed swords with this Sword Dao fanatic.’

Just as the two had exchanged thirty moves, they both suddenly stopped.

Yue Xiaobai looked toward the gate with a wary expression.

Bai Yuan, in contrast, broke into a delighted smile.

A figure had appeared outside the Bai Mansion’s gate—an old Daoist dressed in a tattered Daoist Robe.

It was none other than the long-vanished Purple Gold Great Heavenly Master of the Dragon Tiger Sect, Elder Pei!

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