Distress Signal

Hearing this, everyone immediately gathered around Song Changsheng, gripping their magic artifacts as they went on guard. A trace of tension showed on every face. After all, they had been in the forest for several hours, yet this was the first time they had seen such a grave expression on Song Changsheng's face.

Holding the Treasure Gourd in his hand, Song Changsheng calmly called toward the front, "I am Song Changsheng. Which friend is there? What business do you have?"

Two people wearing beast-skin armor immediately emerged from the distant bushes, one young and one middle-aged. Both were stained with quite a bit of blood and looked exceptionally fierce.

Song Changsheng narrowed his eyes. One was at Qi Condensation Great Perfection, while the other was at the Qi Condensation Seventh Layer. Such cultivation could already be considered not bad in this area. He just did not know who they were.

"So it is disciples of the main family. I am Shangguan Jian, Hunter Captain of the Monster Hunting Team. Greetings, everyone," the young man at the Qi Condensation Seventh Layer said with a smile, cupping his fists.

Song Changsheng raised his brows. A Monster Hunting Team?

"Such a young Hunter Captain, and your surname is Shangguan... Could your father be Shangguan Tieying?" Song Changsheng suddenly recalled someone.

During the great battle against the Blazing Sun Sect, the lineage had summoned the Monster Hunting Teams to join the war. Among them was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator named Shangguan Tieying who had answered the call. In the end, he had died in battle beneath Vast Peak, a most heroic death.

Could this be one of Shangguan Tieying's descendants?

Shangguan Jian nodded gloomily. "That was indeed my father."

Song Changsheng immediately understood. He signaled for the others to relax and said, "So it is Hunter Captain Shangguan. Weren't you responsible for clearing out the demon beasts to the north? Why have you come to our trial area?"

Shangguan Jian nodded. "The two of us came here in pursuit of a First-Tier High-Grade chameleon. We had only just arrived when we saw you kill it with thunderous methods.

"We originally intended to leave then and there, but we did not expect you to discover our whereabouts. Rest assured, everyone, the two of us bear no ill intent."

"So that's how it is. Then we will continue onward. Hunter Captain Shangguan, until we meet again." Song Changsheng remained vigilant in his heart. After cupping his fists, he led the other three away.

Watching their retreating figures, the middle-aged man beside Shangguan Jian said in a low voice, "Despite being so young, he has already reached the Qi Condensation Eighth Layer. His attacks in battle were seasoned, and his divine sense was also keen. He must be the Patriarch's grandson."

Shangguan Jian nodded. "His name is Song Changsheng. I observed that his aura is restrained, his spiritual power profound, and his magic artifacts exceptionally formidable. Uncle Zhang, if you faced him, how likely would you be to win?"

After a moment of silence, the middle-aged man known as Uncle Zhang said, "Less than a thirty percent chance."

Surprise immediately appeared in Shangguan Jian's eyes. Uncle Zhang was a Qi Condensation Great Perfection cultivator, yet even he had only a thirty percent chance of winning?

"As expected of a genius from the Song Clan's First Echelon. He is indeed extraordinary. It seems we will have many dealings with him in the future." Shangguan Jian looked in the direction Song Changsheng and the others had gone and murmured softly.

"Clan brother, why is that Hunter Captain so young? Isn't strength respected in the Monster Hunting Team?" someone asked Song Changsheng along the way.

Song Changsheng kept watch on the movements around them as he said, "His father was the previous Hunter Captain of the Monster Hunting Team, a Foundation Establishment Realm Hunter Captain cultivated by the lineage. He died in battle when he answered the lineage's summons.

"To commend his achievements, the lineage specially allowed his son to become Hunter Captain. Did you not see the middle-aged man beside him? He is a Qi Condensation Great Perfection cultivator, yet he treats him with great respect. With that man supporting him, Shangguan Jian's position is naturally as steady as Mount Tai."

"So that's how it is."

Suddenly, a tremendous boom rang out, startling flocks of flying birds into the sky. Song Changsheng was startled. Looking in the direction from which the disturbance had come, he frowned and said, "It is from the Third Elder's side. It seems a Second-Tier Demonic Beast has appeared."

"A Second-Tier Demonic Beast? Can the Third Elder defeat it?" someone asked anxiously.

"That is not something we should be considering. Continue onward." Song Changsheng shook his head.

"Yes."

But before they had gone very far, the Communication Jade Slip at Song Changsheng's waist suddenly began to vibrate. He hurriedly removed it and sent in a thread of spiritual power to activate it. A panicked voice came from within: "The Earth Fire Sect is here! Send reinforcements at once!"

A cold light immediately flashed through Song Changsheng's eyes. Why were people from the Earth Fire Sect here? Could this abnormal situation be connected to them?

There was no time to think further. Song Changsheng and the others immediately rushed toward Song Changhu's group...

Elsewhere, Song Changhu and four others were confronting a group of people clad in crimson long robes.

There were more than a dozen of them, old and young alike, clustered around a tall young man holding a folding fan. The young man had narrow eyes, a pointed chin, and thin lips. His eyes were full of contempt as he looked at Song Changhu and the others.

"Chang Tianhua, what does your Earth Fire Sect mean by this? This is Song Clan territory." Song Changhu's face was extremely unsightly as he pointed at the surrounded young man and demanded.

"Oh, don't be angry. This Young Master merely came for a casual stroll. What, does even that get in the Song Clan's way?" With a snap, Chang Tianhua opened his folding fan and spoke with a teasing smile.

"A stroll? Aren't you afraid you'll stay here forever?" Song Changhu roared back.

Chang Tianhua narrowed his eyes, his tone turning unfriendly. "Teach them a lesson. Just don't beat them to death."

"Yes."

Having received the order, several people at his side immediately pounced at Song Changhu's group with savage grins.

"Hold the line and await reinforcements!" Song Changhu's expression hardened. The group immediately contracted their defensive perimeter, and before long they were locked in battle with the Earth Fire Sect Disciples...

Song Changsheng led the others in a mad dash. By the time they arrived, Song Changhu's group was already lying on the ground, barely clinging to life.

The Earth Fire Sect's people were all Mid-to-Late Qi Condensation cultivators. Song Changhu's group had no ability whatsoever to contend against them.

"Earth Fire Sect, you have some nerve!" Song Changsheng roared.

"Finally, someone respectable has arrived. You must be Song Changsheng. This Young Master knows of you. I heard long ago that you are the most talented of this generation of the Song Clan. Seeing you now, you do have some skill."

Chang Tianhua licked his scarlet lips as though he were looking at some novel prey.

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

"They spoke disrespectfully to this Young Master. This was merely a slight punishment. Don't worry, they can all still breathe." Chang Tianhua's tone radiated lofty superiority from every word.

"Since when did Song Clan Members need you to point fingers and wag your tongue? Your Earth Fire Sect does not have that qualification!" Killing intent spread through Song Changsheng's eyes.

Chang Tianhua suddenly clutched his stomach and burst into exaggerated laughter. Laughing like a madman, he looked around at those nearby and said, "Did you hear that? He said this Young Master is not qualified. Oh, I'm laughing so hard my tears are about to come out. It has been a long time since I heard such a cold joke."

He pretended to wipe away tears. Yet when he lowered his hand, a strange smile appeared on his face. "It seems you still have not seen the current situation clearly.

"Whether this Young Master is qualified or not, you will find out soon enough. Break one of his legs!"

"Yes!"

Several Earth Fire Sect Disciples immediately surrounded Song Changsheng with cold smiles.

"Run... quickly... There are too many of them." Song Changhu lay on the ground with blood all over his face, his voice weak.

"Rest assured. They cannot do anything to me." Song Changsheng's face remained still as an ancient well, and he did not take the four people surrounding him seriously at all...