Ambush on the Return Journey

Shadows of trees swayed, streams murmured, and the roars of wild beasts rang out from time to time, filling this dense forest with the wildness of a primeval jungle.

But this land of Ling Province was far more than a mere primeval forest. Large carnivorous beasts, ranked demon beasts, and cultivated spirits were spread throughout it.

Not to mention mortals—even cultivators risked losing their lives when traveling through it.

Song Luding and the others did not wish to waste too much time on the road, so they moved swiftly without stopping for even a moment.

Yet amid the swaying shadows of the trees, black-robed figures had already formed a pocket, intending to swallow them whole in a single bite!

Song Changsheng seemed to sense something. Frowning, he glanced around and said to Song Luding beside him, "Clan Uncle, I have a bad feeling. It seems as though eyes are watching us."

"Is that so?" Song Luding's heart suddenly sank. A cultivator's intuition was often accurate. Though he had yet to discover anything unusual, he was still willing to trust Song Changsheng.

He quietly took a yellowed talisman from his Universe Bag and said softly to Song Changsheng, "If anything happens later, immediately take the children and leave. We'll hold them off."

"No. How could Song Clan Disciples flee in the face of battle? I want to fight shoulder to shoulder with you." Song Changsheng refused without hesitation. He could not be a deserter.

"Fool! These juniors are the family's hope for the future. You must bring them safely back to the family. This is an order!" Song Luding roared, his face grim.

Song Changsheng's expression shifted several times before he finally agreed abruptly.

Only then was Song Luding satisfied. There was something else he had not said aloud: Song Changsheng was the most important among them. So long as he could return safely, this old bag of bones could be thrown away.

Beneath the gloomy tree shadows, a sinister cold laugh appeared at the corner of the Masked Person's mouth as he shouted, "Attack!"

Boom!

In an instant, Song Changsheng and the others were enveloped by a swath of blood-red light, like a Blood Sea hanging upside down overhead, Sha Qi swirling thickly within it.

Break!

Song Luding had long been prepared. At the first opportunity, he activated the talisman in his hand. The yellowed talisman paper turned to ash in an instant, and a dazzling sword light burst forth, cleaving the Blood Sea overhead in two and reducing it to nothingness.

"A Second-Tier Low-Grade Heaven Sword Talisman. That old bastard actually carries such a treasure on him." Seeing his carefully prepared move broken, the Masked Person's face immediately darkened with rage.

Since the ambush had failed, they could only come at them head-on!

Black-robed figures emerged from every direction, the Blood Fiend Qi emanating from their bodies startling flocks of forest birds into flight.

"Demonic cultivators." As he watched the black-robed figures slowly approach, Song Luding's heart sank to the bottom.

There were ten of them in total. Four alone were cultivators in the Qi Condensation Stage, Late Phase, while the masked black-robed man had reached Qi Condensation Great Perfection. They were simply no match for them.

They had already discussed matters among themselves, so they were not flustered now. Only the children huddled together in fear. How could they ever have seen such a scene before?

"Clan Brother, what do we do now?" Song Luzi took out a longsword and asked with a grim face.

"We've already sent a plea for aid to the Fifth Elder. We'll hold these demonic cultivators back later and let Changsheng take the children away first."

Song Luzi did not respond, merely nodding with a grim expression.

Changjiu and Changying exchanged a glance, each seeing the panic in the other's eyes. But at a time like this, they had no other choice.

"You bold demonic cultivators! A Song Clan Foundation Establishment Elder is only two hundred li away. Are you tired of living?" Song Luding shouted.

"What the hell is the Song Clan?" The Masked Person waved a hand disdainfully.

"Kill!"

The black-robed figures pounced like tigers descending the mountain, spells and magic artifacts blotting out the sky.

Song Changsheng immediately brought out the Water-Fire Treasure Gourd, spraying forth blazing flames that forced several people blocking the path to retreat.

"Changsheng, do not get entangled in battle. Leave at once!" Song Luding held a Great Cauldron over his head, blocking the Masked Person while shouting.

Song Changsheng gave the battlefield an unwilling glance. With a sweep of his sleeve, he wrapped more than ten children in spiritual power and fled at top speed through the gap that had just opened.

The Masked Person immediately shouted, "Capture them and bring them back!"

Five black-robed figures immediately abandoned their siege of Song Luzi and the others, pursuing them in the direction they had fled.

"Not good, stop them!" Song Luding cried out in alarm.

But they were already at a disadvantage. How could they possibly stop these demonic cultivators? Song Luzi could only risk his life to hold back one cultivator at the Qi Condensation Eighth Layer, and in the end could only watch helplessly as the remaining four pursued them.

Song Luding was both shocked and enraged, wanting to break away from the battle, but the Masked Person's moves were vicious and relentless, leaving him hard-pressed to cope and unable to get away...

Song Changsheng sped through the forest with the others. He only hated himself for not being strong enough. On his first trip down the mountain, he had already been chased like a stray dog.

Seeing the pursuers draw closer and closer, Song Changsheng understood that this could not continue. With so many people in tow, he held no advantage in speed at all.

"One at the Qi Condensation Ninth Layer, one at the Qi Condensation Eighth Layer, and two at the Qi Condensation Fourth Layer. They really think highly of me." Song Changsheng's face was unsightly.

Splash.

Song Changsheng took out the talismans he had exchanged before leaving and hurled them at the demonic cultivators behind him in a storm.

He did not expect these talismans to do much to them. It would be enough if they merely delayed their steps.

Sure enough, the dozen or so talismans threw them into disorder for a moment. Song Changsheng seized the chance to use a Speed Talisman, widening the distance between himself and the demonic cultivators.

The scenery around him streaked backward at high speed. Song Changsheng's thoughts raced, and he finally decided to make a last stand with his back to the water. So long as he could arrange a formation, he might not be unable to fight them.

His divine sense swept out, and he finally discovered a cave. He hurried over, placed all fourteen children inside, and said sternly, "No matter what happens, do not come out of here. Do not make a sound. Understand?"

He left behind all the food and drinking water on him, then took out formation flags and swiftly arranged a First-Tier High-Grade Concealment Formation at the cave entrance.

No one below Qi Condensation Great Perfection would be able to detect it. He only needed to hold on for a little longer, and his mother would arrive. Then they would be safe.

After finishing all this, Song Changsheng immediately ran in the opposite direction. As expected, the demonic cultivators soon discovered his trail.

"Brat, you can really run. Tell me, where did you hide those children?" the demonic cultivator at the Qi Condensation Ninth Layer asked in a sinister tone.

"Hmph, no comment!" Song Changsheng swept his sleeve, throwing out twelve formation flags. Following an arcane pattern, the flags swiftly merged into the ground around him.

He held his breath and focused. With every step he took, a formation pattern Flashed and Disappeared on the ground.

"Not good, he's arranging a formation. Kill him first!" The lead demonic cultivator wielded a pitch-black chain. With a hard flick, it transformed into a nimble venomous snake and shot straight at Song Changsheng's face.

The others also brought out their magic artifacts, striking toward Song Changsheng's vital points.

Facing the swift attacks, he took out a small silver-white shield to protect himself. It was a First-Tier Mid-Grade magic artifact, the Water Element Shield. Once activated, it transformed into an enormous water shield with extremely strong defensive power, blocking all their attacks.

Song Changsheng brought out the Treasure Gourd again, spewing blazing fire that turned the surroundings into a sea of flames and left the group in a sorry state.

His footsteps remained steady. As his body shifted, formation patterns gradually linked all the formation flags together. He then took out ten spirit stones and swiftly tossed them into designated positions.

With a burst of dazzling light, the First-Tier High-Grade Blazing Sun Formation was complete!