Hunting Hour

The Monster Hunting Teams were affiliated forces of the lineage. They pledged loyalty to the Song Clan and made their living hunting Demon Beasts within Song territory.

Each year, they had to offer a certain amount of resources to the Song Clan and accept its deployment. In return, they received the Song Clan's protection and sales channels.

The Song Clan's industries primarily revolved around various mineral veins and artifact refining, so it purchased all Demon Beast materials hunted by the Monster Hunting Teams at market prices.

They could choose Spirit Stones or Contribution Points. The Contribution Points earned by the Monster Hunting Teams held the same value as those of Song Clan Members and could be exchanged in the Song Clan's Treasure Vault for all kinds of Cultivation Resources.

In theory, as long as one had enough Contribution Points, even a Foundation Establishment Pill could be exchanged for. There had been precedents for this before, and it was their primary goal.

However, ever since the Song Clan had gone through that great battle, it had lost quite a few Foundation Establishment Cultivators. The Foundation Establishment Pills it obtained were limited as well; there were not even enough for the main clan, so how could any be spared for them?

As a result, fewer and fewer Monster Hunting Teams remained attached to the Song Clan, dwindling from more than a dozen to only two.

Though these two Monster Hunting Teams were not particularly strong, they were utterly loyal to the lineage. They had fought desperately in the great battle over a decade ago and remained steadfast even now.

Thus, whenever there was something to be gained, while the lineage ate meat, it would also let them come along for a share of the broth.

Song Changsheng and the others waited for roughly half an hour before Song Luyao returned to the temporary camp. She gathered everyone and said, "We will now assign the areas for the sweep.

"First is the trial area. The area under your responsibility lies in the east. There are only a small number of Demon Beasts there, so the difficulty is not high. You only need to kill or drive away every Demon Beast there to complete the trial.

"Remember, during the trial, attacking fellow clan members is strictly forbidden, and no one is permitted to act alone. Violators will be severely punished without exception. Is that understood?"

Song Luyao's tone was extremely cold. She was in charge of the lineage's punishments and was famed for being impartial as iron, cold and ruthless. Once someone fell into her hands, there was no room for sentiment.

Everyone's hearts tightened, and they repeatedly voiced their assent.

Song Luyao then looked at the Enforcement Team and said, "You will clear the west, where the pressure is greatest. The Monster Hunting Teams will cooperate with you in the north, while I will oversee the overall situation. If a Second-Tier Demonic Beast appears, I will intervene.

"If anything happens and I cannot get away, seek aid from the Fifth Elder. Remember, the Fifth Elder's task is to hold the city. He cannot act lightly. Understood?"

"Yes!" The Enforcement Team answered in a thunderous chorus, their imposing presence inspiring awe.

"Good. The clearing operation begins now. Set out separately." After Song Luyao finished speaking, she immediately rode her sword, turning into a streak of rainbow light as she departed.

The Enforcement Team was disciplined and well-trained. Upon receiving the order, they immediately split into ten two-person groups and headed toward their assigned areas.

In contrast, Song Changsheng and the others remained On the Spot For a Moment, looking at each other.

Everyone's eyes turned toward Song Changsheng. After all, his cultivation was the highest among Everyone Present, so he naturally became their Pillar of Strength.

Song Changsheng did not demur and said directly, "Everyone, our cultivation levels vary greatly. If we act together, our efficiency will be too low. I intend to divide the team into three groups.

"Changhu, Changxiu, and I will each lead one group and conduct a net-like sweep in three separate directions. What do you think?"

Everyone Present exchanged glances and all expressed their agreement. Even Song Changhu, who held some grievances against him, did not step out to make a fool of himself.

Seeing that everyone approved of his proposal, Song Changsheng immediately began assigning groups. According To everyone's strength, he tried to distribute them as evenly as possible.

In the end, his own group had only four people, three of whom were in Early Qi Condensation.

The other two groups each had five people, with two in mid-stage and three in early-stage Qi Condensation. Compared to the Enforcement Team, they indeed looked somewhat shabby.

"Good, prepare to set out. Keep in contact through the Communication Jade Slip at all times, and do not let the distance between our groups become too great. Send a signal if anything happens.

"And as I said before, leaving the team and acting on your own is strictly forbidden," Song Changsheng warned sternly.

Many among them were going down the mountain for the first time. It would be easy for them to do something idiotic. Song Changsheng had to make them keep clear heads; he had no desire to attend any of their funerals.

"How many times have we heard this already? Stop dragging it out. We're leaving first." Song Changhu was the most impatient of them all. With an irritated look, he led his group away.

Song Changxiu nodded to Song Changsheng in acknowledgment, then chose a direction and set off as well.

"Stay close behind me." Song Changsheng called out to the three people behind him, then quickly entered the Dense Forest.

Within the forest, a battered Golden-Headed Striped Leopard was enjoying its spoils. It was a First-Tier Mid-Grade Tusked Wild Boar, and more than half of it had already been eaten.

Song Changsheng and the others hid in a nearby thicket. He lowered his voice and said to those Around Him, "This is an injured First-Tier Mid-Grade Demon Beast. You are more than capable of handling it. I will stand guard from the side for you."

The few of them understood that Song Changsheng was once again arranging a chance for them to hone themselves. They immediately gave him grateful looks, then briefly discussed a tactic before quietly closing in on the Striped Leopard.

The Striped Leopard seemed to sense something. It immediately stopped feeding and assumed an attacking stance.

Knowing they had been exposed, the three immediately pincer-attacked the Striped Leopard, two in front and one behind. Before long, three people and one beast were locked in battle.

The three Song Clan Disciples were all at Third-Level Qi Condensation and lacked actual combat experience. They fought somewhat timidly and cautiously, and For a Moment could not take down the injured Striped Leopard.

Song Changsheng stood nearby observing the Battle Situation, with no intention of intervening. This was a rare training opportunity for them, but it presented no challenge at all to Song Changsheng. He only needed to ensure that no one was injured.

The Song Clan Disciples were indeed no ordinary people. Though they lacked experience, both their Magic Artifacts and techniques were exceptionally fine. Before long, they suppressed the Striped Leopard.

Right In as they were about to take it down, Song Changsheng keenly detected an unusual aura.

His Divine Sense immediately spread out like heaven and earth blanketing all around, and he quickly discovered a Twin-Tailed Chameleon that had blended into the surface of a large tree.

"Vile beast, you dare hide in the shadows and harm others!" Song Changsheng shouted. His hands immediately formed a seal, and he launched a Fire Arrow Technique.

The Chameleon was First-Tier High-Grade. Realizing it had been exposed, it immediately leaped onto another tree. In the next instant, the tree where it had been perched was pierced through by the fiery arrow.

The Chameleon was greatly alarmed and immediately prepared to flee, but Song Changsheng gave it no chance. He directly produced the Treasure Gourd. A powerful suction burst from its mouth and drew in the terrified Chameleon.

Song Changsheng immediately sealed the stopper and activated the Bone-Eroding Array within the gourd to refine the Chameleon. Very quickly, the First-Tier High-Grade Chameleon turned into a pool of blood, which Song Changsheng then burned to nothing with flames.

Fortunately, the compartment holding the wine was separate. Otherwise, good wine would have been ruined.

At this time, the other three had also dealt with the Striped Leopard and began cutting up the materials from its body. This was also a source of income for them.

They had witnessed Song Changsheng's swift and decisive elimination of the Chameleon, and their reverence for him deepened further.

"Clan Brother, this Beast Skin is not very complete, but it is still worth some Spirit Stones. Please accept it." One of them handed over the freshly skinned hide.

They understood very clearly that their journey had gone so smoothly only because of Song Changsheng. Thus, whenever they killed a Demon Beast, they consciously set aside a share for him.

"These are your spoils. Keep them yourselves." As always, Song Changsheng refused.

Just as the other party was about to say something more, Song Changsheng's Eyes narrowed. He immediately looked into the distance and said, "Something is happening. Stay alert!"