DONG...
With the deep toll of a bell, the clan's coming-of-age ceremony officially began.
The Clan Leader was absent once again. Of the five Elders, three were in attendance, and the one presiding was the Grand Elder, Song Xianyun.
On the high platform, Song Xianyun stood with his back to the crowd. With a solemn expression, he faced the thousands of extinguished Soul Lamps in the Soul Lamp Hall and bowed. "Song Xianyun, a fourth-generation descendant of the Song Clan, hereby reports to the ancestors."
"Today, fourteen of the clan's younger generation have come of age. They will soon descend the mountain to serve the clan. We ask the spirits of our heroic ancestors in heaven to watch over these children of the Song Clan, grant them great immortal fate, and may their pursuit of the Dao be evergreen!"
"We ask the ancestors for their blessing!" everyone present bowed in unison, their voices soaring to the heavens.
Song Qingxing, who had been standing unmoved in the crowd, was forcefully pushed down into a bow by Song Qingxi.
After three such shouts, Song Xianyun solemnly took out a scroll. Inscribed upon it were the ancestral teachings established by the Taiyi Ancestor.
Song Xianyun circulated his Spiritual Power and recited in a powerful, resonant voice, "All disciples of the Song Clan must be filial and kind, their brotherhood respectful and harmonious; they must not turn on each other. They must revere the old and respect the worthy, cherish their kin and live in harmony with the clan; they must not act in defiance or insubordination..."
The several thousand words flowed on and on. When the recitation was finished, the fourteen Cultivators, including Song Changsheng, ascended the high platform.
The two Elders, Song Luzhou and Song Luhuai, presented them with their coming-of-age gifts in turn.
These included a standard-issue Tier One Middle Grade Flying Sword, two Standard Daoist Robes, a Communication Jade Token, and a share of cultivation resources.
This would be the last batch of cultivation resources they would receive from the clan for free. From now on, aside from their annual stipend, the clan would no longer provide them with any free cultivation resources.
If they needed anything in the future, they would have to exchange their own Contribution Points for it.
After this segment was the sermon by the Foundation Establishment Elders. This was the main event of every ceremony. The three Foundation Establishment Elders took turns speaking, and it was the only such occasion all year, making it an incredibly rare opportunity.
Once the sermon concluded and everyone else had departed, Song Xianyun looked at Song Changsheng and the others. "Children, from this moment on, you are adults. Soon, you will venture out to serve the clan."
"But before that, the clan has prepared a trial for you to test the results of your years of cultivation in the clan."
"Grand Elder, just tell us what the trial is," Song Changhu said, stepping forward, unable to contain his impatience.
Song Xianyun said slowly, "The content of this trial is to coordinate with the clan's Demon Hunting Squads to eliminate Demon Beasts."
"Eliminate Demon Beasts?" Song Changsheng raised an eyebrow. 'This is a relatively dangerous mission, but it's also a better way to train one's practical combat skills.'
"And where is our destination this time?" a tall woman asked.
Song Changsheng had some impression of her. Her name was Song Changxiu, and she had Three Spirit Roots. She wasn't a Foundation Establishment Seed, but her cultivation speed was fast, on par with Song Changhu's. She was also at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.
Aside from Song Changsheng, the two of them had the highest cultivation.
"The destination this time is the periphery of the clan's Mortal World territory. The Fifth Elder reported some time ago that Demon Beasts have been appearing frequently on the outskirts, threatening the safety of our clan members."
"Therefore, the clan has decided to send you to eliminate those Demon Beasts. Don't feel too much pressure. It won't just be you this time; two Demon Hunting Squads from our vassal families and the Clan Law Enforcement Team will be participating as well."
"If you encounter a Demon Beast you can't defeat, you can use your Communication Jade Token to call for backup."
"At the same time, the Fifth Elder and the Third Elder will be overseeing the entire operation. If a Tier Two Demon Beast appears, request assistance from the two Elders immediately."
"In short, your own survival is the top priority. Don't be rash, and don't be arrogant. Do you understand?"
Song Xianyun looked at the group with utmost seriousness. The difficulty of the clan's trials was never actually high, and Foundation Establishment Elders were always there to ensure their safety.
But occasionally, there would be one or two self-important fools who paid the price for their arrogance and recklessness, so he had to give them a warning shot first.
This was especially true for Song Changhu, who was the most reckless of the bunch and a person of particular concern.
Hearing that so many others would be there, Song Changsheng instantly understood. 'We're just here to make up the numbers. We aren't the main force at all.'
'Then again, that makes sense. Among us, I'm the only one in the Late-stage Qi Refining realm. Sending us alone would be like serving ourselves up as a free meal for the Demon Beasts, wouldn't it?'
"Rest well tonight. You will depart with the Law Enforcement Team tomorrow at 9:00 AM."
"Yes!"
...
The next morning, Song Changsheng rose early. After his usual routine of absorbing Sun Essence Qi, he headed to the departure point to meet the others.
Song Changhu and the others had arrived early. When they saw Song Changsheng, they all came over to greet him, leaving Song Changhu and Song Changxiu, who had been the center of attention, off to the side.
"Hmph!" Song Changhu was inwardly displeased, but he also understood that the gap between him and Song Changsheng wasn't something his dissatisfaction could bridge.
"The Third Elder is here," said the usually quiet Song Changxiu, suddenly speaking up.
In the distance, a squad of Cultivators in tight-fitting black uniforms approached, surrounding a female Cultivator. The group immediately gathered around to bow.
The female Cultivator in the center, like the moon surrounded by stars, was the Song Clan's Third Elder, Song Luyao. She was a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator who presided over the clan's Law Enforcement Hall, overseeing matters of punishment, patrol, and defense.
The Law Enforcement Team, subordinate to the Law Enforcement Hall, was considered the clan's most elite force. It was composed entirely of Cultivators between the ages of eighteen and sixty, all at Mid-stage Qi Refining or higher, and all with extensive experience in Magical Combat.
They could be seen at many important occasions, and this Demon Beast extermination was no exception. They were the true main force; Song Changsheng and the others were just tagging along.
Two squads were dispatched this time, a total of twenty people.
"Since everyone's here, let's head down the mountain." Song Luyao was a very cold and serious person; her presence always created a somewhat oppressive atmosphere.
The group of over thirty people headed toward the Mortal World on foot. Whenever they encountered any Demon Beasts along the way, Song Luyao would dispatch Song Changsheng's group to eliminate them as a pre-battle warm-up.
They once again passed the site of the previous great battle with the Demon Cultivators. Returning to this familiar place, Song Changsheng was filled with emotion. 'If I had my current cultivation back then, the outcome would have definitely been different.'
'Unfortunately, in this world, there are no 'what ifs'...'
Just as the Grand Elder had said, many Demon Beasts had inexplicably appeared on the outskirts of the Mortal World. From time to time, Song Changsheng and the others could hear their roars.
This was a highly unusual phenomenon. The Demon Beasts in this region had been completely wiped out in the past, and the Demon Hunting Teams paid special attention to this area every year.
Logically speaking, it should have been impossible for so many Demon Beasts to appear here.
'When things are this abnormal, something sinister must be at play.' Song Changsheng secretly raised his guard.
After arriving outside the city, they did not enter. Song Luyao had them make camp where they were, then went personally to meet with Xia Yunxue and the leaders of the two Demon Hunting Teams.
...