Distress Signal

Hearing this, everyone immediately gathered around Song Changsheng. They gripped their magic artifacts and went on guard, a trace of tension showing on their faces. 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 before us, and what brings you here?"

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

Song Changsheng narrowed his eyes. One was at Qi Condensation Great Perfection, the other at the Qi Condensation Seventh Layer. Such cultivation was not bad in this region, but he 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 immediately smiled and offered a cupped fist salute.

Song Changsheng raised his brows. A Monster Hunting Team?

"So young, yet already a 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 had been a Foundation Establishment Cultivator named Shangguan Tieying, who had answered the summons. In the end, he had died in battle beneath Vast Peak, a truly heroic death.

Could this man be Shangguan Tieying's descendant?

Shangguan Jian's expression darkened as he nodded. "That is indeed my father."

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

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

"We had originally planned to leave at once, but we did not expect you to discover our whereabouts. Rest assured, everyone, we mean no harm."

"I see. Then we shall continue onward. Hunter Captain Shangguan, until we meet again." Song Changsheng remained wary in his heart. He cupped his fists, then led the other three away.

Watching their departing backs, the Middle-aged Man beside Shangguan Jian said in a low voice, "At such a young age, he already has the cultivation of the Qi Condensation Eighth Layer. His moves in battle were seasoned, and his Divine Sense is keen as well. He must be that grandson of the Patriarch's."

Shangguan Jian nodded. "His name is Song Changsheng. His aura is restrained, his Spiritual Power profound, and his magic artifacts are formidable as well. Uncle Zhang, if you faced him, how certain would you be of victory?"

The Middle-aged Man known as Uncle Zhang fell silent for a moment before saying, "Less than thirty percent."

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 truly is extraordinary. It seems we will have many dealings with one another 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? Aren't Monster Hunting Teams supposed to operate on the principle that strength is respected?" someone asked Song Changsheng along the way.

While keeping watch on their surroundings, Song Changsheng replied, "His father was the previous Hunter Captain of the Monster Hunting Team, a Foundation Establishment Realm Hunter Captain raised by the lineage. Back then, he answered the lineage's summons and died in battle.

"To commend his achievements, the lineage allowed his son to take over as Hunter Captain. Did you not see the Middle-aged Man beside him? He is a Qi Condensation Great Perfection Cultivator, yet he treats Shangguan Jian with great respect. With his support, Shangguan Jian's position is naturally as steady as Mount Tai."

"So that was it."

Suddenly, a tremendous rumble erupted, startling flocks of flying birds into the sky. Song Changsheng was startled. Looking toward the source of the disturbance, 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 worriedly.

"That is not something we should be considering. Keep moving." Song Changsheng shook his head.

"Yes."

But before they had gone 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?

Before he had time to think further, Song Changsheng and the others immediately rushed toward Song Changhu's group...

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

There were more than ten 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. The way he looked at Song Changhu and the others was filled with utter disdain.

"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 an answer.

"Oh, don't be angry. This Young Master was merely taking a stroll. What, does even that hinder your Song Clan?" With a snap, Chang Tianhua opened his folding fan, his smile teasing.

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

Chang Tianhua narrowed his eyes, his tone turning hostile. "Teach them a lesson. Just make sure not to beat them to death."

"Yes."

The people beside him received the order and immediately pounced on Song Changhu and the others with savage grins.

"Hold the line and await reinforcements!" Song Changhu's expression hardened. The group immediately tightened their defensive formation and soon clashed with the Earth Fire Sect Disciples...

Song Changsheng led the others in a mad dash. By the time they arrived, Song Changhu and the others were 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 capital whatsoever to contend against them.

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

"At last, someone worthwhile has come. You are Song Changsheng, aren't you? This Young Master knows of you. I had long heard that you were the most gifted of the Song Clan's generation. Now that I see you, you truly have some skill."

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

"Chang Tianhua, ganging up on the weak and bullying others with your strength—is this the way 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." Every word in Chang Tianhua's tone carried an air of looking down from on high.

"When did Song Clan Members become yours to point fingers at? Your Earth Fire Sect does not have that qualification!" Killing intent filled Song Changsheng's eyes.

Chang Tianhua suddenly clutched his stomach and began laughing exaggeratedly. As he laughed like a madman, he looked around at the people beside him. "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 theatrically wiped at his tears. Yet when he lowered his hand, a strange smile appeared on his face. "It seems you still have not seen the situation clearly.

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

"Yes!"

Several Earth Fire Sect Disciples immediately approached Song Changsheng with cold laughs.

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

"Rest assured, they cannot do anything to me." Song Changsheng's expression was as still as an ancient well, and he did not place the four people closing in on him in his eyes at all...