The Speedrun Begins with Choosing Hunter

The Divine Mansion Sect, which had sealed its mountain for a year, opened its gates once more.

Those with good intel had long known that the true masters of Huanglong Prefecture had returned.

The Divine Mansion Sect outlasted the General, forced out the Prefect, and unexpectedly became the final winner of this struggle.

The Divine Mansion Sect’s thousand-year history wasn’t always smooth sailing. Although it had faced several calamities that nearly destroyed it, the sect had always survived, emerging stronger after each ordeal.

The people of Huanglong Prefecture were once again convinced that the Divine Mansion Sect was an everlasting power.

...

At the foot of Shenfu Mountain.

"We’re finally back."

Ruan Xiuluan and the others gazed at the familiar mountain forests, no longer able to suppress their excitement.

They originally thought it would take another ten years to return to Shenfu Mountain, but Bai Yuan had done it in just one.

The scenes of that night’s chaos were still vivid in their minds. The whole thing felt as unreal as a dream, and they couldn’t help but feel grateful they had chosen Bai Yuan as the new Sect Leader.

As it turned out, their choice had been the right one.

Ouyang Hua had gathered over a thousand members from the main peak to wait at the mountain gate early on.

He was so excited his hands were trembling. No one in the Divine Mansion Sect was more loyal than him; otherwise, he would have never been able to endure such humiliation.

Ouyang Hua knelt on the ground with a THUD. "Ouyang Hua, Peak Master of Luotian Peak, respectfully welcomes the Sect Leader."

As Ouyang Hua finished speaking, the voices of the thousand-plus disciples behind him roared like a tsunami, "We respectfully welcome the Sect Leader!"

Bai Yuan’s voice slowly rang out: "Those who trespass against our sect shall be slain, no matter how far they flee!"

Seeing the faces of the Divine Mansion Sect’s disciples and Elders flush with excitement, he had to admit that the famous line from his past life was incredibly effective.

Now that he was the Sect Leader of the Divine Mansion Sect, it was no longer appropriate for him to live on Wan Jun Peak. Ouyang Hua had already taken the initiative to vacate the Sect Leader Hall.

Bai Yuan didn’t stand on ceremony and moved into the Sect Leader Hall.

After that calamity, the most vital locations on the main peak, like the Instructor Hall and the Herb Hall, had all been put to the torch by Ji Chang. The Divine Mansion Sect was now in ruins and in dire need of rebuilding.

Fortunately, those who remained with the Divine Mansion Sect after that night were exceptionally united, and Shenfu Mountain was filled with a vibrant, flourishing atmosphere.

Murong Tian had been secretly brought back to Shenfu Mountain by Bai Yuan.

Although Jiang Changping and the Divine Mansion Sect were now allies, Murong Tian’s very existence was a sensitive matter for the sect. And since he was long considered missing by the outside world, there was no need to reveal he was still alive. Consequently, only a handful of people even within the Divine Mansion Sect knew about his situation.

He was deeply gratified by what he saw.

After a thousand years, the Divine Mansion Sect had actually become thoroughly corrupt from within.

When he was still Sect Leader, he had intended to use Dong Wanjun to clean out this deep-seated corruption, but his efforts had been largely ineffective. Now, everything was completely renewed. Stubborn, thousand-year-old afflictions like the Shi Family had been washed away in the catastrophe.

"Sect Leader Murong."

Ouyang Hua looked at the incredibly aged Murong Tian, tears streaming down his old face.

He and Murong Tian shared the deepest of bonds; otherwise, he would never have been willing to suffer worldwide infamy by becoming a puppet Sect Leader.

Although he had already learned of Murong Tian’s condition from Bai Yuan, seeing his appearance today still broke his heart.

He knew better than anyone how dazzling Murong Tian had once been, yet now he was reduced to such a state.

Murong Tian smiled faintly. "Ouyang, it is all fate. It cannot be forced. Under Nephew Bai’s leadership, the Divine Mansion Sect will only do better than I did."

Ouyang Hua nodded heavily.

If it weren’t for Bai Yuan, the Divine Mansion Sect would likely have been wiped out in the calamity, never surviving to see this day.

Bai Yuan said, "Elder Murong, there’s no need to lose heart. Perhaps I can find a way in the future."

A small smile played on Murong Tian’s lips; he simply assumed Bai Yuan was trying to comfort him.

Although his martial skills were gone, his knowledge and experience were still profound. He knew all too well the extent of his injuries—his condition was irreversible.

Bai Yuan didn’t explain further.

What he said just now was no empty boast. An upgraded Spirit Cooker could bring the dead back to life and restore flesh to bone. It was entirely possible for Murong Tian to return to his peak.

Murong Tian looked at Bai Yuan. "Sect Leader Bai, what are your plans now?"

He had consciously taken on the role of a Supreme Elder.

Bai Yuan said, "The Demon Sect is causing chaos throughout the land. Once Ling Province falls, Huanglong Prefecture will inevitably be affected. I plan to lead troops to help Ling Province quell the rebellion."

Murong Tian nodded. He had been thinking the same thing.

Bai Yuan had already killed almost all of their enemies in Ling Province. Since the Divine Mansion Sect was a major sect, it needed to act with the magnanimity befitting one.

Although the Divine Mansion Sect was not as powerful as it once was, it still retained sixty percent of its strength. In Ling Province, it was still a top-three sect. If Dong Wanjun were to return, it wouldn’t be impossible to challenge and defeat the Longevity Palace.

「Three days later.」

Bai Yuan led ten battalions of the Divine Mansion Army out of Huanglong Prefecture.

The principle that if Ling Province fell, Huanglong Prefecture would be next was only part of his motivation. A greater reason was his deal with the new Prefect, Jiang Changping; helping Ling Province quell the rebellion was one of the conditions of their alliance.

Not to mention, quelling rebellions was the fastest way for Bai Yuan to level up.

Of course, he had no reason to refuse.

...

In just ten days, the Demon Sect uprising in Ling Province showed signs of being quelled.

The newly appointed Prefect Jiang was originally a General and had come to Ling Province with his own forces. His five hundred Demon Riders charging in formation struck fear even into the hearts of the Demon Sect’s experts.

With the full support of the Divine Mansion Sect, the results were naturally outstanding.

Of course, there were voices of dissent in Ling Province. The outcome was predictable: families that needed to be ransacked were ransacked, and sects that needed to be wiped out were wiped out.

The Lingzhou People finally recognized the new Prefect’s iron-fisted methods.

After the previous Prefect was demoted, the Longevity Palace had once again retreated into seclusion. The Seven Star Sect alone was no match for the combined forces of the Prefecture Magistrate’s Office and the Divine Mansion Sect. They could only be coerced into sending troops to help the Prefecture quell the demonic rebellion.

Peace returned to Ling Province.

The common people naturally applauded, feeling that Ling Province had gained a savior in their new, righteous lord.

With this achievement, Jiang Changping had established a firm foothold in Ling Province, and his title of Prefect was finally well-deserved.

With this single move, the Divine Mansion Sect brought Huanglong Prefecture completely under its control once more.

Jiang Changping’s decision to cooperate with the Divine Mansion Sect had proven to be an extremely wise one.

...

A troop of cavalry slowly entered Huanglong Prefecture.

The fluttering black and gold banners bearing the word "Shenfu" revealed the cavalry’s identity: the Divine Mansion Army!

Many people heard the news and gathered in the streets just to catch a glimpse of the young Sect Leader of the Divine Mansion Sect.

The Divine Mansion Sect had played a major role in how quickly Ling Province had been able to quell the demonic chaos.

At a table overlooking the street in a tavern, a man’s boastful voice rang out.

"Sect Leader Bai and I once drank three hundred cups together, and then he picked up his saber and went to kill demons. I could tell even back then that he had the makings of a Sect Leader."

A circle of young Demon Slayer Guards was gathered around Li Kang’s table.

They all looked at Li Kang with envy.

It was no secret that Bai Yuan had known Li Kang back when he was just an Outer Disciple. So after Bai Yuan became the Sect Leader, the young Demon Slayer Guards loved to come to Li the Ten Households to hear some inside scoops.

The drinking was true, and so was the demon slaying. But coming from Li Kang’s mouth, the tale took on the flavor of the famous hero Wu Erlang from a story Bai Yuan knew from his past life. Luckily for Bai Yuan, he didn’t have an older brother, unlike the unfortunate sibling in that classic tale.

As for seeing the makings of a Sect Leader in him, that was, of course, complete bullshit.

At the time, Bai Yuan becoming a True Disciple was already considered a dark horse victory, let alone the position of Sect Leader.

Just as Li Kang’s face was flushed red from drinking, a young man walked up to the table. "Brother Li, it’s been a while."

Li Kang and the group of young Demon Slayer Guards stared with wide, disbelieving eyes.

Because the young man before them was none other than the new Sect Leader of the Divine Mansion Sect, Bai Yuan, whom they had just seen riding a magnificent Demon Horse down the street.

The young Demon Slayer Guards all turned their heads in unison to look at Li Kang.

So it turned out their Li the Ten Households wasn’t just bragging after all; he really was acquainted with Sect Leader Bai. The greeting "Brother Li" was the best proof.

Li Kang chuckled and stood up. "Younger Brother Bai, if you have time, remember to come visit. My wife will definitely make her stewed goose for you."

Bai Yuan replied, "Next time for sure."

The two chatted for a bit longer before Bai Yuan took his leave.

Since becoming Sect Leader, he had been very busy. Being able to take the time to meet with Li Kang was a sufficient gesture of their friendship.

Watching Bai Yuan depart with such an air of confidence, Li Kang couldn’t help but feel a pang of melancholy.

After the incident with the Divine Mansion Sect, the two hadn’t seen each other again.

When they met again, Bai Yuan had gone from a lowly Divine Mansion Sect disciple to its Sect Leader, while he was still just a minor Ten Households.

This was often the case on the Martial Dao. Living a long life, besides getting to eat a few extra bowls of rice, served little purpose.

"Old monster" was a title for those above the level of Sensing Grandmaster; other Martial Artists would only grow weaker with age.

It was just as the saying goes: a fist fears the young and strong.

...

Bai Yuan didn’t leave the tavern, but instead went straight up to the third floor.

The tavern’s third floor had only two rooms in total.

When he reached the top of the stairs, the door to one room was wide open. Lu Yu was looking at Bai Yuan with that same cheeky grin, and sitting inside the room was a gentle-looking woman—none other than Lu Shanshan.

Bai Yuan walked into the private room.

"Lu Xiaoyu, what do you want from me?"

He had just returned from battle, and Lu Yu had urgently summoned him over.

Lu Yu chuckled. "To throw you a victory banquet, of course."

Bai Yuan sneered, "Cut the crap. Spit it out, I’m busy."

He knew Lu Yu’s opportunistic nature all too well; the man wouldn’t lift a finger without a reason. He didn’t believe for a second that this was purely a victory celebration.

Lu Yu gave a dry cough. "Well, there is a small matter."

Lu Shanshan also rose slowly to her feet.

Clearly, this "small matter" Lu Yu spoke of concerned her as well.

Lu Yu said, "Brother Bai, I need your help to destroy the Lu Family."

"..."

Those four words, "destroy the Lu Family," sounded strange coming from a member of the Lu Family, even though Bai Yuan knew Lu Yu didn’t have much affection for them.

Before his death in battle, General Lu had always employed a "Gu-rearing" strategy within the Lu Family—pitting members against each other until only the strongest survived. As a result, the family’s internal strife could only be described as blood-soaked.

Lu Shanshan spoke slowly, "Sect Leader Bai, my eldest brother has already sent Lu Family experts to Huanglong Prefecture to assassinate the two of us. I and... Brother Jiu can’t just sit here and wait to be killed."

Bai Yuan said, "I understand."

These kinds of family feuds were often crueler than conflicts with outsiders, always demanding a life-or-death resolution.

Before, the towering figure of Lu Xiao kept everyone in line. Now that he was dead, the Lu Family had naturally fallen into disarray.

That eldest legitimate son of the Lu Family, who held great power but had mediocre strength, would of course try every means possible to eliminate anyone who could threaten his title of Uncle Yongzhuang—namely, his own brothers and sisters.

What a "devoted and filial" family the Lu Family was.