Chapter Nineteen: The Distress Signal

At his words, everyone immediately gathered around Song Changsheng, clutching their magical implements and assuming a guarded stance. Their faces betrayed a hint of anxiety; after all, though they had spent several hours in the forest, this was the first time they had seen such gravity on Song Changsheng’s face.

Song Changsheng held the precious gourd in his palm and called out calmly toward the front, “I am Song Changsheng. To whichever friend is present, what business brings you here?”

From the distant thicket emerged two men clad in beast-hide armor, one young and one middle-aged. Their bodies were spattered with blood, giving them a fierce and menacing appearance.

Song Changsheng narrowed his eyes. One of them had reached the peak of Qi Refinement, the other stood at the seventh level. Such cultivation was considered formidable in this region, though their identities remained unclear.

“So it’s members of the main family. I am Shangguan Jian, headhunter of the Monster Hunting Squad. Greetings to you all,” said the young man at the seventh level of Qi Refinement, offering a courteous bow with a smile.

Song Changsheng arched an eyebrow. Monster Hunting Squad?

“Such a young headhunter with the surname Shangguan... Could your father be Shangguan Tieying?” Song Changsheng suddenly recalled someone.

Back during the war with the Lieyang Sect, the family had summoned the Monster Hunting Squad to join the fight. Among them was a Foundation Establishment cultivator named Shangguan Tieying, who responded to the call and ultimately fell heroically at the foot of Vast Peak.

Could this young man be his descendant?

Shangguan Jian’s expression dimmed as he nodded. “He was indeed my father.”

Song Changsheng immediately understood and gestured for the others to relax. “So it is Head Hunter Shangguan. Weren’t you tasked with clearing the beasts to the north? What brings you to our trial area?”

Shangguan Jian nodded. “The two of us were in pursuit of a first-rank, top-grade chameleon. We arrived just in time to see you dispatch it with thunderous skill. We were about to leave, but did not expect to be discovered. Rest assured, we harbor no ill intentions.”

“I see. Then we shall be on our way. Head Hunter Shangguan, until we meet again.” Song Changsheng, still wary, bowed and led his companions away.

As their figures disappeared, the middle-aged man beside Shangguan Jian murmured, “This young man, at such an age, has already reached the eighth level of Qi Refinement. His combat skills are seasoned, and his spiritual awareness is acute. He must be the clan leader’s grandson.”

Shangguan Jian nodded. “He is called Song Changsheng. His aura is reserved, his spiritual power deep, and his magical implements formidable. Uncle Zhang, if you were to face him, what chance of victory would you have?”

The man addressed as Uncle Zhang was silent for a moment before replying, “Less than thirty percent.”

Shangguan Jian’s eyes flashed with surprise. Uncle Zhang was a peak Qi Refinement cultivator—yet even he had less than a thirty percent chance?

“No wonder he’s regarded as the leading talent of the Song family’s first echelon. Truly remarkable. It seems we shall have many dealings with him in the future.” Shangguan Jian gazed in the direction Song Changsheng had left, murmuring softly.

…

As they walked, someone voiced their doubt to Song Changsheng, “Cousin, why is that headhunter so young? Isn’t the Monster Hunting Squad supposed to be all about strength?”

Song Changsheng, alert to his surroundings, replied, “His father was the previous headhunter—a Foundation Establishment cultivator trained by the family, who fell in battle answering the family’s summons. To honor his sacrifice, his son was appointed headhunter. Didn’t you notice the middle-aged man beside him? He’s a peak Qi Refinement cultivator, but treats him with great respect. With such support, Shangguan Jian’s position is unshakable.”

“I see.”

Suddenly, a great rumbling resounded, startling countless birds into flight. Song Changsheng’s heart skipped as he glanced toward the source of the commotion, frowning. “That’s from the Third Elder’s location. It seems a second-rank beast has appeared.”

“A second-rank beast? Can the Third Elder handle it?” someone asked, worry evident in their voice.

“That’s not for us to ponder. Keep moving,” Song Changsheng said, shaking his head.

“Yes, sir.”

But before they had gone far, the communication jade at Song Changsheng’s waist vibrated. He quickly took it, infused a bit of spiritual power to activate it, and a panicked voice came through: “People from the Earthfire Sect are here! We need backup, now!”

A cold glint flashed in Song Changsheng’s eyes. Why would the Earthfire Sect appear here? Could the recent anomalies be their doing?

There was no time to reflect. Song Changsheng and his group immediately hurried toward Song Changhu’s location…

Elsewhere, Song Changhu and four others faced off against a group clad in red robes. There were more than a dozen of them, old and young alike, surrounding a tall youth wielding a folding fan. The youth’s eyes were narrow, his chin sharp, lips thin—he looked on Song Changhu and the others with utter disdain.

“Chang Tianhua, what’s the meaning of this? This is Song family territory,” Song Changhu demanded angrily, pointing at the youth in the center.

“Oh, don’t get so worked up. I’m just taking a casual stroll. Why, does that offend the Song family?” With a snap, Chang Tianhua opened his fan, a mocking smile on his face.

“A stroll? Aren’t you afraid you’ll never leave?” Song Changhu shot back furiously.

Chang Tianhua narrowed his eyes, his tone turning icy. “Teach them a lesson. Just don’t kill them.”

“Yes, sir.”

At his command, several of his companions lunged at Song Changhu and the others with sinister grins.

“Hold your ground and wait for help!” Song Changhu barked, and his group quickly tightened their defensive circle, soon clashing fiercely with the disciples of the Earthfire Sect…

Song Changsheng and his group raced at full speed. By the time they arrived, Song Changhu and his companions lay on the ground, barely clinging to life. Their assailants, all at the mid-to-late stages of Qi Refinement, had left them utterly powerless to resist.

“Earthfire Sect, how dare you!” Song Changsheng roared.

“At last, someone worthy appears. You must be Song Changsheng—I’ve heard you’re the most gifted of your generation in the Song family, and now I see you do possess some strength.” Chang Tianhua licked his blood-red lips, eyeing Song Changsheng as if he were an intriguing new prey.

“Chang Tianhua, bullying the weak with numbers—so this is the Earthfire Sect’s way?” Song Changsheng said coldly.

“They were insolent to me. This is merely a lesson. Don’t worry, they’re all still breathing.” Chang Tianhua’s voice oozed arrogance, as though he stood above all others.

“Since when does the Song family answer to you? The Earthfire Sect has no such authority!” Murder gleamed in Song Changsheng’s eyes.

Chang Tianhua suddenly clutched his belly and let out a theatrical, manic laugh. As he laughed, he looked around at his followers. “Did you all hear that? He says I have no authority! Oh, that’s the coldest joke I’ve heard in ages—it’s almost bringing tears to my eyes!”

He wiped away imaginary tears, then dropped his hand to reveal a sinister smile. “Seems you haven’t recognized the reality of your situation. You’ll find out soon enough. Break one of his legs!”

“Yes, sir!”

Several Earthfire Sect disciples sneered as they closed in on Song Changsheng.

“Go…go, quickly…there are too many of them,” Song Changhu, his face covered in blood, weakly urged from the ground.

“Don’t worry. They cannot touch me,” Song Changsheng replied, his face calm as still water, utterly unfazed by the four men surrounding him…