Chapter 19: Distress Signal

Upon hearing this, the crowd immediately gathered around Song Changsheng, holding their magical tools in a defensive stance. Their expressions betrayed a hint of tension; after all, they had been in the forest for several hours, and this was the first time they had seen Song Changsheng look so solemn.

Holding a precious gourd in his hand, Song Changsheng spoke calmly toward the front, "I am Song Changsheng. Which friend is there, and what is your business?"

Two figures clad in beast-hide armor emerged from the distant bushes—one young and one middle-aged. Both were stained with significant amounts of blood, looking quite fierce.

Song Changsheng narrowed his eyes. One was at the Great Perfection of Qi Refinement, and the other was at the seventh level of Qi Refinement. These cultivation levels were quite respectable in this region, but he did not know who they were.

"So it is a disciple of the main family. I am Shangguan Jian, the leader of a demon hunting squad. Greetings to you all," the young man at the seventh level of Qi Refinement said with a smile, cupping his hands.

Song Changsheng raised an eyebrow. A demon hunting squad?

"Such a young leader, and surnamed Shangguan... could your father be Shangguan Tieying?" Song Changsheng suddenly remembered someone.

During the great war with the Blazing Sun Sect, the clan had conscripted demon hunting squads to participate. Among them was a Foundation Establishment cultivator named Shangguan Tieying, who had died heroically at the foot of Cangmang Peak.

Could this person be a descendant of Shangguan Tieying?

Shangguan Jian nodded with a somber expression. "He is indeed my father."

Song Changsheng understood immediately and signaled for the others to relax. "So it is Leader Shangguan. Weren't you responsible for clearing the demonic beasts to the north? Why have you come to our trial zone?"

Shangguan Jian nodded. "The two of us were pursuing a high-grade first-tier chameleon. We had just arrived when we saw you kill it with such thunderous methods. We originally intended to leave, but we didn't expect our movements to be detected by you. Rest assured, we harbor no ill will."

"I see. Then we shall continue our journey. Leader Shangguan, until we meet again." Song Changsheng remained vigilant in his heart. He cupped his hands and led the three others away.

Watching their retreating backs, the middle-aged man beside Shangguan Jian whispered, "This person has already reached the eighth level of Qi Refinement at such a young age. His combat style is experienced, and his divine sense is very sharp. He must be the clan leader's grandson."

Shangguan Jian nodded. "His name is Song Changsheng. I observed that his aura is contained, his spiritual power is profound, and his magical tools are extremely powerful. Uncle Zhang, if you were to face him, what would be your chances of winning?"

The middle-aged man, addressed as Uncle Zhang, fell silent for a moment before saying, "Less than a thirty percent certainty."

A flash of surprise crossed Shangguan Jian's eyes. Uncle Zhang was a cultivator at the Great Perfection of Qi Refinement, yet even he only had a thirty percent chance?

"As expected of the top-tier genius of the Song Clan, truly extraordinary. It seems we will have many dealings with him in the future," Shangguan Jian murmured softly, looking in the direction where Song Changsheng and the others had departed.

...

"Clan Brother, why is that leader so young? Aren't demon hunting squads ruled by strength?" On the road, someone asked Song Changsheng inquisitively.

While keeping an eye on their surroundings, Song Changsheng replied, "His father was the previous leader of the squad, a Foundation Establishment leader trained by the clan, who died in battle during the clan's mobilization. To honor his achievements, the clan specially appointed his son to the position. Didn't you see the middle-aged man beside him? He is a Great Perfection Qi Refinement cultivator, yet he is very respectful to him. With such support, Shangguan Jian's position is naturally as stable as Mount Tai."

"I see."

Suddenly, a massive roar erupted, startling the birds in the sky. Startled, Song Changsheng looked toward the source of the noise and frowned. "That's over by the Third Elder. It seems a second-tier demonic beast has appeared."

"A second-tier beast? Can the Third Elder withstand it?" someone asked worriedly.

"That is not for us to worry about. Keep moving," Song Changsheng said, shaking his head.

"Understood."

However, before they could walk much further, the communication jade pendant at Song Changsheng's waist began to vibrate. He hurriedly took it out and activated it with a burst of spiritual power. A panicked voice came from within: "The Earth Fire Sect is here! Send reinforcements immediately!"

A cold light flashed in Song Changsheng's eyes. Why were the people of the Earth Fire Sect appearing here? Could this anomaly be related to them?

Without time for deep thought, Song Changsheng and the others immediately rushed toward the direction of Song Changhu and the others...

On the other side, Song Changhu and the four others were in a standoff with a group of people dressed in crimson robes.

There were about a dozen opponents, ranging from old to young, surrounding a tall youth holding a folding fan. The youth had narrow eyes, a pointed chin, and thin lips; his gaze toward Song Changhu and the others was filled with disdain.

"Chang Tianhua, what is the meaning of this? This is the territory of the Song Clan!" Song Changhu pointed at the surrounded youth and demanded, his face looking very grim.

"Oh, don't be angry. This Young Master was just taking a casual stroll. Why? Is this interfering with the Song Clan's business?" Chang Tianhua snapped his folding fan open with a *clack* and spoke with a mocking smile.

"Strolling? Aren't you afraid of staying here forever!" Song Changhu retorted angrily.

Chang Tianhua narrowed his eyes and said in an unfriendly tone, "Teach them a lesson. Just don't kill them."

"Understood."

Upon receiving the order, the men beside him lunged toward Song Changhu and the others with sinister smiles.

"Hold your ground and wait for reinforcements!" Song Changhu's expression tightened. The group immediately contracted their defensive circle and soon fell into a fierce battle with the Earth Fire Sect disciples.

Song Changsheng and his group sprinted all the way. By the time they arrived, Song Changhu and the others were lying on the ground, barely clinging to life.

The newcomers from the Earth Fire Sect were all mid-to-late stage Qi Refinement cultivators; the group had no means to resist them.

"Earth Fire Sect, how dare you!" Song Changsheng roared in fury.

"Finally, someone decent has arrived. You must be Song Changsheng. I know you; I've long heard you are the most talented of this generation of the Song Clan. Seeing you now, you indeed possess some strength."

Chang Tianhua licked his crimson lips, looking at him like a novel prey.

"Chang Tianhua, bullying the many against the few, preying on the weak—is this the style of your Earth Fire Sect?" Song Changsheng said coldly.

"They were insolent toward this Young Master; this is merely a slight punishment. Don't worry, they can still breathe," Chang Tianhua's tone exuded an air of supreme arrogance.

"When did it become your place to dictate terms to the members of my Song Clan? Your Earth Fire Sect does not have that qualification!" Killing intent surged in Song Changsheng's eyes.

Chang Tianhua suddenly clutched his stomach and began to laugh exaggeratedly. While laughing like a madman, he looked at the people around him and said, "Did you hear that? He said this Young Master has no qualification. Oh, it's so funny I'm almost in tears. I haven't heard such a cold joke in a long time."

He feigned wiping away tears, but as he lowered his hand, a strange smile appeared on his face. "It seems you haven't grasped the current situation. You'll find out very soon whether this Young Master has the qualification or not. Break one of his legs!"

"Yes!"

Several Earth Fire Sect disciples surrounded Song Changsheng with cold sneers.

"Run... run quickly... there are too many of them," Song Changhu said weakly from the ground, his face covered in blood.

"Don't worry, they can't do anything to me." Song Changsheng's expression remained as calm as a still pool, showing no regard for the four men closing in on him...

(End of Chapter)