Clang...
Accompanied by a deep and solemn bell toll, the clan's coming-of-age ceremony officially began.
As with previous years, the clan leader did not attend. Of the five elders, three were present, with the ceremony presided over by the Grand Elder, Song Xianyun.
Standing atop the high platform, Song Xianyun faced away from the crowd, his expression grave as he bowed toward the extinguished soul lamps in the Soul Lamp Hall.
"Song Xianyun, a descendant of the fourth generation of the Song Clan, humbly reports to the ancestors.
Today, fourteen of our juniors have come of age and are about to descend the mountain to serve the clan. I pray the spirits of our honored ancestors to watch over them, bless the Song Clan with prosperity, and guide our children toward everlasting cultivation!"
"May the ancestors bless us!" everyone present bowed in unison, their voices echoing into the sky.
Song Qingxing stood still in the crowd, unmoved until Song Qingxi forcibly pushed him down to bow.
After the third chant had finished, Song Xianyun solemnly retrieved a scroll this was the ancestral decree left behind by Song Taiyi, the founding patriarch of the clan.
Circulating his spiritual power, Song Xianyun began to recite in a powerful and resonant voice:
"All descendants of the Song Clan must honor fatherly kindness and filial piety, maintain respect between elder and younger siblings, and must not engage in fraternal strife.
They must respect the elders, honor the virtuous, uphold kinship, and never commit acts of rebellion or insubordination..."
The decree went on for several thousand words. When it was finally over, the fourteen young cultivators Song Changsheng included ascended the platform.
Elders Song Luzhou and Song Luhuai then proceeded to present each of them with the coming-of-age gifts.
These included: a standard-issue mid-grade first-tier flying sword, two standard clan robes, a communication jade slip, and a set of cultivation resources.
This would be the last set of cultivation resources they received for free. From this point on, aside from their annual stipend, the clan would no longer provide them with any free resources.
If they needed anything else in the future, they would have to earn it through contribution points.
After this segment came the most anticipated event the Foundation Establishment elders' sermon. It was a rare opportunity; the three Foundation Establishment elders would take turns lecturing on the Dao, and it only happened once a year.
Once the sermons concluded and the crowd had dispersed, Song Xianyun turned to Song Changsheng and the others, saying,
"Children, from this moment on, you are adults. Soon, you'll be heading out into the world to contribute to the clan.
But before that, the clan has arranged a trial to test the fruits of your years of cultivation."
"Great Uncle, just tell us what the trial is already," Song Changhu, unable to contain himself, stepped forward impatiently.
Song Xianyun spoke slowly, "The content of this trial is to assist the clan's demon-hunting squads in clearing out rogue beasts."
"Clearing out beasts?" Song Changsheng raised an eyebrow. That kind of mission carried higher risks but it also offered the best real combat experience.
"And where will this take place?" asked a tall young woman.
Song Changsheng recognized her. Her name was Song Changxiu. A three-spirit-root cultivator, not considered a core talent for Foundation Establishment, but her cultivation speed was impressive. She was on par with Song Changhu, both at the sixth level of Qi Refining.
Aside from Song Changsheng, they were the two with the highest cultivation levels.
"The location this time is the outer perimeter of the clan's mortal domain," Song Xianyun explained. "Some time ago, the Fifth Elder reported frequent sightings of demonic beasts there, posing a threat to the safety of our people.
So the clan has decided to send you all to eliminate those beasts. Don't feel too pressured this time, you won't be acting alone. Two demon-hunting teams from our vassal families as well as the clan's Enforcement Squad will also be participating in the operation.
If you encounter a beast you cannot defeat, use your communication jade slip to request support.
Additionally, the Fifth and Third Elders will oversee the operation. If any second-tier demonic beasts appear, notify them immediately for backup.
Above all else preserve your lives. Do not act recklessly. Do not be arrogant. Understood?"
Song Xianyun looked at the group with a stern expression. The clan trials were never particularly difficult, and the Foundation Establishment elders always ensured safety.
However, there were always one or two fools who, thinking too highly of themselves, paid the price for their arrogance and recklessness. That's why he felt compelled to give them an early warning.
In particular, Song Changhu this guy was the most reckless of the bunch and needed to be watched closely.
Hearing that so many people would be participating, Song Changsheng immediately understood: that they were merely there to make up the numbers. The real fighting force wasn't them.
And it made sense. Among them, only Song Changsheng had reached the late stage of Qi Refining. If the group were sent out alone, wouldn't that just be serving up a meal to the beasts?
"Get a good night's rest. Tomorrow at the hour of Si, you'll depart with the Enforcement Squad."
"Yes, sir!"
…
At dawn the next day, Song Changsheng rose early. After his usual routine of absorbing solar essence, he made his way to the meeting point.
Song Changhu and the others had arrived earlier. When they saw Song Changsheng approach, they all came up to greet him, leaving the once-popular Song Changhu and Song Changxiu awkwardly standing aside.
"Hmph!" Song Changhu was displeased, but deep down, he knew the gap between him and Song Changsheng couldn't be bridged by simply refusing to accept it.
"The Third Elder has arrived," Song Changxiu suddenly said, breaking the silence.
Looking up, they saw a group of cultivators in black combat gear escorting a female cultivator toward them. The group quickly gathered and bowed in respect.
At the center of the group, the woman who stood out like the moon surrounded by stars was none other than the Song Clan's Third Elder, Song Luyao a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
She was in charge of the clan's Enforcement Hall, overseeing all matters of interrogation, patrol, and security.
The Enforcement Squad under her command was widely regarded as the clan's most elite force. Every member was between 18 and 60 years old, with a cultivation level of at least mid-stage Qi Refining, and possessed extensive combat experience.
They were often seen at critical events, and this beast-clearing mission was no exception. They were the true core force of this operation Song Changsheng and the others were just along for the ride.
Two squads had been mobilized this time, totaling twenty people.
"Since everyone's here, let's head down the mountain," Song Luyao said coldly. Her presence always carried a certain oppressive weight.
The group of over thirty people began their journey on foot toward the mortal world. Along the way, whenever they encountered any beasts, Song Luyao would send Song Changsheng and the others to deal with them serving as warm-up exercises before the real battle.
They passed once again through the site of the previous battle with the demonic cultivators. Revisiting the old battlefield stirred deep emotions in Song Changsheng's heart.
If he'd possessed his current cultivation level back then, things might have turned out very differently.
But alas, there are no "ifs" in this world...
Just as the Grand Elder had said, demonic beasts had inexplicably begun to appear in large numbers at the outskirts of the mortal domain.
Song Changsheng and the others frequently heard the howls of beasts echoing in the distance.
It was a strange and unnatural phenomenon. After all, the beasts in this region had long been hunted to near extinction, and the beast-hunting squads paid special attention to this area every year.
By all rights, so many beasts shouldn't be showing up here.
Where there's an anomaly, there's trouble, Song Changsheng thought, silently raising his guard.
When they reached the outskirts of the city, they did not enter. Song Luyao ordered them to set up camp on the spot, then personally went to meet with Xia Yunxue and the leaders of the two beast-hunting squads.