At his words, everyone immediately gathered around Song Changsheng, readying their Magical Artifacts and standing guard. A hint of nervousness was on all their faces; after all, they had been in the woods for several hours, and this was the first time they had seen such a solemn expression on him.
Song Changsheng held the Treasure Gourd in his palm and called out calmly, "I am Song Changsheng. May I know which friend is there, and what your business is with us?"
Two men in Beast Hide Armor emerged from a distant thicket. One was young, the other middle-aged, and both were stained with a good deal of blood, giving them a ferocious appearance.
Song Changsheng's eyes narrowed slightly. 'One at Qi Refining Great Perfection, the other at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer. A cultivation base like that is impressive in this region. I just don't know who they are.'
"Ah, so you are disciples from the ruling clan," the young man with the Qi Refining Seventh Layer cultivation said with a smile, cupping his fists. "I am Shangguan Sword, a Hunter from the Demon Hunting Team. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Song Changsheng raised an eyebrow. 'A Demon Hunting Team?'
"A Hunter this young, with the surname Shangguan... could your father be Shangguan Tieying?" Song Changsheng suddenly recalled someone.
During the great war with the Lieyang Sect, the clan had conscripted Demon Hunting Teams to join the fight. A Foundation Establishment Cultivator named Shangguan Tieying had answered the call and ultimately died a heroic death at the foot of Vast Mist Peak.
'Could this man be Shangguan Tieying's descendant?'
Shangguan Sword's expression dimmed as he nodded. "He was my father."
Understanding dawned on Song Changsheng. He gestured for his companions to relax and said, "So it is Hunter Shangguan. Aren't you responsible for clearing out the Demon Beasts to the north? What brings you to our Trial Area?"
Shangguan Sword nodded. "The two of us came here in pursuit of a Tier One High-Grade Chameleon. We had just arrived when we saw you, fellow Daoist, slay it with a thunderous blow.
"We were originally planning to leave, but we didn't expect you to discover us. Please, rest assured. We mean you no harm."
"I see," Song Changsheng said, though he remained inwardly vigilant. "In that case, we'll continue on our way. Hunter Shangguan, we shall meet again." He cupped his fists and led his three companions away.
Watching their retreating figures, the middle-aged man beside Shangguan Sword said in a low voice, "To have reached the Qi Refining Eighth Layer at such a young age... and his techniques in Magical Combat are so seasoned and ruthless. His Divine Sense is also incredibly sharp. He must be the Clan Leader's grandson."
Shangguan Sword nodded. "His name is Song Changsheng. I could tell his aura was contained, his Spiritual Power is profound, and his Magical Artifact is incredibly powerful. If you were to face him, Uncle Zhang, what do you think your chances of victory would be?"
The middle-aged man, addressed as Uncle Zhang, fell silent for a moment before replying, "Less than a thirty percent chance."
A flash of surprise appeared in Shangguan Sword's eyes. 'Uncle Zhang is a Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivator, yet even he has less than a thirty percent chance?'
"A top-tier genius of the Song Clan lives up to his name. Truly extraordinary," Shangguan Sword muttered softly, gazing in the direction Song Changsheng and his group had disappeared. "It seems we'll be dealing with him quite a bit in the future."
...
"Brother Changsheng," one of the clan members asked as they walked, "how is that Hunter so young? Don't Demon Hunting Teams value strength above all else?"
Keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings, Song Changsheng explained, "His father was the previous leader of the Demon Hunting Team, a Foundation Establishment Stage Hunter cultivated by the clan. He answered the clan's call to arms and died in battle.
"To honor his father's service, the clan made a special arrangement for his son to take over the position of Hunter. Didn't you see the middle-aged man with him? He's a Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivator, but he was very respectful toward him. With that man's support, Shangguan Sword's position is as solid as a rock."
"Oh, I see."
Suddenly, a massive ROAR echoed through the forest, startling countless birds into the sky. Song Changsheng was shocked. He looked toward the source of the commotion and frowned. "That's coming from Third Elder's position. It seems a Tier Two Demon Beast has appeared."
"A Tier Two Demon Beast? Can Third Elder defeat it?" one of them asked, filled with worry.
"That's not our concern," Song Changsheng said, shaking his head. "Keep moving."
"Understood."
But they hadn't gotten far when the Communication Jade Token at Song Changsheng's waist suddenly began to vibrate. He quickly removed it, infusing it with a trace of Spiritual Power. A panicked voice transmitted from it, "The Earth Fire Sect is here! We need reinforcements, quickly!"
A cold glint flashed in Song Changsheng's eyes. 'Why would the Earth Fire Sect be here? Could this whole anomaly be their doing?'
With no time to think, Song Changsheng and his group immediately rushed toward Song Changhu's location...
Meanwhile, Song Changhu and his four companions were in a standoff with a group of people dressed in crimson robes.
There were more than a dozen of them, a mix of old and young, all clustered around a tall young man holding a folding fan. The young man had narrow eyes, a sharp chin, and thin lips, and the way he looked at Song Changhu's group was filled with utter disdain.
"Chang Tianhua, what is the meaning of this? This is Song Clan territory!" Song Changhu demanded, his expression grim as he pointed at the young man at the center of the group.
"My, my, don't be so angry," Chang Tianhua said with a mocking smile, snapping open his fan with a crisp THWAP. "This Young Master is just taking a casual stroll. Surely that's not a problem for the Song Clan, is it?"
"A stroll? Aren't you afraid we'll make you stay here forever!" Song Changhu retorted furiously.
Chang Tianhua narrowed his eyes, his tone menacing. "Teach them a lesson. Just don't kill them."
"Yes, Young Master."
Upon receiving their orders, several men beside him rushed toward Song Changhu's group with sinister grins.
"Hold your positions and wait for reinforcements!" Song Changhu's expression hardened. His group immediately tightened their defensive formation and were soon locked in combat with the Earth Fire Sect disciples...
Song Changsheng led his small group in a frantic sprint. By the time they arrived, Song Changhu and his companions were already lying on the ground, barely conscious.
The attackers from the Earth Fire Sect were all cultivators in the middle or late stages of Qi Cultivation; Song Changhu's group never stood a chance.
"Earth Fire Sect! You have some nerve!" Song Changsheng roared.
"Finally, someone decent arrives. You must be Song Changsheng," Chang Tianhua said. "This Young Master has heard of you. They say you're the most talented of the Song Clan's current generation. Seeing you now, I suppose you do have some strength."
Chang Tianhua licked his crimson lips, his eyes sizing Song Changsheng up like a novel piece of prey.
"Chang Tianhua, ganging up on the few, the strong bullying the weak... is this the way of the Earth Fire Sect?" Song Changsheng said coldly.
"They were insolent to this Young Master. This was merely a light punishment. Don't worry, they're all still breathing," Chang Tianhua said, his tone dripping with condescension.
"Since when was it your place to lecture my Song Clan Members? The Earth Fire Sect does not have that right!" Killing intent radiated from Song Changsheng's eyes.
Chang Tianhua suddenly clutched his stomach and burst into exaggerated laughter. Laughing like a madman, he looked at his followers and said, "Did you hear that? He said this Young Master isn't qualified! Oh, my, I'm laughing so hard I'm crying! It's been so long since I heard such a terrible joke."
He made a show of wiping away a tear, but when he lowered his hand, his face was twisted into a strange smile. "It seems you still haven't grasped the situation."
"You're about to find out whether this Young Master is qualified or not. Break one of his legs!"
"Yes, Young Master!"
Several Earth Fire Sect disciples closed in on Song Changsheng, sneering coldly.
"Quick... run..." Song Changhu rasped from the ground, his face a mask of blood. "There are too many of them..."
"Don't worry," Song Changsheng said, his expression as calm as still water. "They can't do anything to me." He paid no mind to the four men closing in on him...