The Speedrun Begins with Choosing Hunter

The vast, surging Xuanjiang flowed for thousands of miles, emptying into the East Sea.

A line of carriages appeared on the banks of the Xuanjiang.

A dozen or so people stepped down from the carriages.

These people were all clad in Xuan Yang official robes. The styles varied, indicating their different ranks.

"This is the Xuanjiang. The Xuanjiang Water Court is just three li upriver."

Fanghua said, gazing at the churning waters of the Xuanjiang.

The roar of the river was deafening, but fortunately, they were all masters of the Martial Dao and were able to hear him clearly.

Bai Yuan nodded.

The Xuanjiang Water Court was the domain of the Xuanjiang Aquatic Race. It was their equivalent of an Imperial Palace, a place of utmost sanctity that, in the hearts of the Aquatic Race, was no less revered than the Imperial City.

As the department of the Xuan Yang Court responsible for managing the Demon Races of the realm, the Ministry of Rites was naturally well-informed about the Xuanjiang Aquatic Race.

This time, in addition to Fanghua, the Ministry of Justice and the Demon Slayer Guard had also sent many of their finest.

After Bai Yuan told Elder Pei about the Xuanjiang Aquatic Race, the elder simply instructed him to go to the Xuanjiang alone, showing no intention of coming in person.

Bai Yuan suspected that Elder Pei had once again deployed one of his avatars.

Elder Pei truly lived up to his reputation as one of the two surviving Grand Celestial Masters of the Dragon Tiger Sect. Bai Yuan was incredibly envious of both his Palm Thunder technique and his ability to create avatars.

With a practiced motion, Fanghua retrieved several translucent purple pearls from his robes.

"These are Water-Repelling Pearls. Carry one on your person, and you can move through water unimpeded."

He handed one to each person as he spoke.

The Ministry of Rites supervised all Demon Races in the realm, which naturally included Water Demons. For the sake of convenience in their duties, they had collected a fair number of Water-Repelling Pearls.

Bai Yuan accepted the Water-Repelling Pearl.

He felt the Water-Repelling Pearl with curiosity.

Other than its unique color, it looked and felt no different from an ordinary piece of jade.

Seeing that everyone had donned the pearls, Fanghua spoke. "Let's go."

With that, he took the lead and strode into the river's waters.

A peculiar sight unfolded. It was as if an invisible barrier had formed around Fanghua; the river water parted, unable to get near him. Even his hair and clothes remained perfectly dry.

The sight left Bai Yuan clicking his tongue in amazement.

'The Central Plains truly are the most prosperous region in the Xuan Yang Dynasty. A treasure like this Water-Repelling Pearl is completely unheard of in Ling Province.'

Following Fanghua's example, Bai Yuan stepped into the river.

Sure enough, the river water parted about three inches from his body.

Before long, the group had walked to the river's center.

The sensation of walking on the riverbed was marvelous. River fish would occasionally swim past Bai Yuan.

The group walked for about an hour before a magnificent structure, radiating a brilliant golden light, came into view.

Bai Yuan's heart stirred.

'That must be the Xuanjiang Water Court.'

The Xuanjiang Water Court was home to the most prosperous of the Demon Races, and their power was clearly not to be underestimated. The mere sight of this underwater palace, constructed from countless pearls, was enough to leave one in awe.

The Water Court was no strange sight to Fanghua. He led the group swiftly to its gates.

Only when they stood beneath the palace of pearl did they truly appreciate its breathtaking, otherworldly craftsmanship.

Like Bai Yuan, the officials visiting the Water Court for the first time all wore expressions of astonishment.

This sight made the Aquatic Race guards watching over the Water Court rather smug for a moment.

Bai Yuan gazed at the two guards from the Aquatic Race.

The two Water Demons had human upper bodies and fish-like lower bodies—a curious sight indeed.

This appearance wasn't because they were Demons, but because they were members of the Merfolk Race.

Fanghua seemed to be quite familiar with the two merfolk guards.

They didn't even need to present any official documents; the group entered the Water Court with ease.

As they walked, Fanghua whispered to Bai Yuan, "Back then, the chieftain of the Merfolk Race signed a pact with our dynasty's Grand Ancestor Emperor. The Merfolk Race would govern the vast waters of the Xuanjiang, and the Court promised not to take military action against them."

Bai Yuan listened in silence.

He had heard of the Merfolk Race before.

The Merfolk Race had a long and storied history that could be traced back to the Ancient Era. They were the oldest surviving power, possessing an incredibly deep heritage.

The Jue Emperor of that era had shown incredible foresight by choosing to support Grand Ancestor Emperor Xuanyang, which is why the two sides signed the pact.

The Merfolk Race profited greatly from this. Not only did they gain control over the vast Xuanjiang, but they also became the leaders of all the Aquatic Races in the realm.

A merfolk soldier led the way, soon bringing the group to a magnificent room.

The room's furnishings were not much different from those in a human dwelling, complete with chairs and stools. The only difference was that everything was crafted from pearl and was thus priceless.

Not long after Bai Yuan and the others had taken their seats, a handsome merman appeared at the door.

"Lord Fang, it has been a while."

Upon seeing the merman, Fanghua rose with a cheerful smile. "Seventh Prince, my apologies for the intrusion."

Upon hearing that this merman was the Seventh Prince of the Merfolk, the other officials couldn't help but stare a little longer.

Unlike the Xuanyang Royal Family, which had seen twenty generations of rulers, Demon Races had long lifespans. Therefore, the very same Jue Emperor who had once assisted the Grand Ancestor Emperor was still alive.

And the Seventh Prince before them was a descendant of that Old Jue Emperor.

By age, he was already a full thousand years old.

One could not judge seniority among the Demon Race by age alone, which was why Fanghua addressed him by his royal title.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the Seventh Prince of the Merfolk, Fanghua got straight to the point.

"Seventh Prince, we have come today for a remnant of the Demon Sect named Mr. Yuan. Do your people happen to know of his whereabouts?"

As Fanghua spoke, his eyes remained fixed on the Seventh Prince, as if trying to peer into the Water Demon's very mind.

The Seventh Prince of the Merfolk thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I have heard of this man by reputation, but as for his whereabouts, I am not aware."

When Grand Ancestor Emperor Xuanyang founded the dynasty, he didn't just overthrow the previous one. The most critical part of his victory was defeating the Demon Sect.

The Jue Emperor himself had rendered no small service in that very war.

Fanghua said, "To be frank, that Elder Demon Yuan has snuck into the lands of Xuan Yang and is very likely lurking in the Xuanjiang. We hope that if the Merfolk Race uncovers any clues, you will inform us promptly."

The Seventh Prince of the Merfolk cupped his fist. "Of course."

Seeing that he would not get any more information, Fanghua did not linger.

He then led the group out of the Water Court.

Just after the party from Xuan Yang had left, the Seventh Prince of the Merfolk issued a command to a merfolk Commander: "Keep a close watch on those human officials."

"Yes!"

The merfolk Commander immediately accepted the order.

The Seventh Prince of the Merfolk waited until the Commander had left the Water Court with the Water Demon soldiers.

Only then did he turn and walk into the depths of the Water Court.

The passing members of the Merfolk Race and other Water Demons all bowed respectfully upon seeing him.

After several thousand years of development, the Xuanjiang Aquatic Race had become a behemoth. With a population of over ten thousand demons, they were a force not to be underestimated.

The Seventh Prince of the Merfolk walked until he reached a magnificent palace.

This was the residence of the Jue Emperor.

However, he did not enter the main hall, instead heading to a side hall.

As he stepped through the doors of the side hall, he saw an elderly, black-robed scholar calmly watching him.

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