Chapter Seventeen: The Family Trial

“Clang…”

With the deep, resonant toll of the bell, the clan’s coming-of-age ceremony officially began.

As before, the patriarch did not attend. Out of the five elders, three were present, with the ceremony presided over by Grand Elder Song Xianyun.

On the high platform, Song Xianyun stood with his back to the crowd, his expression solemn as he faced the thousands of extinguished soul lamps in the Hall of Souls and bowed deeply. “Song Xianyun of the fourth generation of the Song clan reports here to the ancestors. Today, fourteen juniors of the clan have come of age and are about to descend the mountain to serve the family. May the heroic spirits of our forebears bless the sons of Song, bring prosperity to our lineage, and keep our path ever flourishing!”

“May the ancestors bless us!” All those present bowed in unison, their voices soaring to the heavens.

Song Qingxing, who had been standing unmoved among the crowd, was forcibly pressed down by Song Qingxi.

After three calls, Song Xianyun solemnly produced a scroll—the very one bearing the ancestral precepts laid down by the founder, Song Taiyi.

Channeling his spiritual power, Song Xianyun recited in a ringing voice, “All descendants of Song must be filial sons to loving fathers, loyal brothers to kind siblings, and must never turn against one another. Honor your elders and respect the wise, foster kinship and harmony, and never act against authority or propriety…”

He spoke at length, thousands of words flowing eloquently. When he finished, the fourteen cultivators, including Song Changsheng, ascended the platform.

Elders Song Luzhou and Song Luhuai each presented them with the tokens of adulthood: a standard-issue first-grade mid-tier flying sword, two sets of clan robes, a communication jade token, and a parcel of cultivation resources.

This would be the last set of cultivation resources they would receive from the clan for free; from now on, aside from their annual stipend, the family would provide nothing further without merit. Any future needs would have to be exchanged for contribution points.

When this segment ended, the Foundation Establishment Elders each gave a discourse—a highlight of every ceremony. The three elders took turns to share their teachings, an opportunity that came but once a year, making it especially precious.

When the discourse concluded and others had dispersed, Song Xianyun looked at Song Changsheng and the others and said, “Children, from this day forth, you are adults. Soon, you will set out in all directions to serve the clan. But before that, the family has prepared a trial to assess the fruits of your years of cultivation.”

“Granduncle, what is this trial? Please tell us directly,” Song Changhu, unable to contain himself, stepped forward and asked.

Song Xianyun answered slowly, “This time, your trial is to assist the clan’s monster-hunting squad in eliminating the beasts.”

“Eliminating beasts?” Song Changsheng raised an eyebrow. This was considered a rather dangerous task, though it was also the best way to hone combat skills.

“Where is the destination this time?” a tall woman inquired.

Song Changsheng recognized her—her name was Song Changxiu, a cultivator with three spiritual roots. Though not a Foundation Establishment seed, she advanced rapidly, keeping pace with Song Changhu, both at the sixth level of Qi Refining. Besides Song Changsheng, they were the strongest among the group.

“The destination is the outskirts of the mortal realm under our clan’s domain. Recently, the Fifth Elder reported frequent sightings of beasts there, posing a threat to our people’s safety. So the clan has decided to send you to eliminate them. But don’t feel too much pressure; not only will you go, but two monster-hunting squads from our vassal families and the clan’s Enforcer Squad will participate as well. If you encounter a beast you cannot handle, use your communication jade to request support.

At the same time, the Fifth and Third Elders will oversee everything. Should a second-rank beast appear, seek help from them immediately. In short, your primary objective is to preserve yourselves—do not act rashly or arrogantly. Understood?”

Song Xianyun looked at them sternly. The difficulty of these clan trials was not particularly high, and the Foundation Establishment elders guaranteed their safety. Yet, every now and then, some arrogant fool would pay dearly for their recklessness, so he felt compelled to warn them in advance—especially Song Changhu, whose impulsiveness was notorious and warranted special attention.

Hearing how many people would be involved, Song Changsheng immediately understood—they were merely there to make up the numbers; the real main force was not them.

But it made sense. Among them, only Song Changsheng was in the late stage of Qi Refining. Sending them alone would be nothing more than feeding the beasts.

“Rest well tonight. Tomorrow at mid-morning, set out with the Enforcer Squad.”

“Yes, sir!”

…

At dawn the next day, Song Changsheng rose early, absorbed the essence of the sun as usual, then headed to the meeting point to join the others.

Song Changhu and the rest had arrived ahead of time. When Song Changsheng appeared, they all greeted him, leaving the formerly most popular Song Changhu and Song Changxiu off to the side.

“Hmph!” Song Changhu felt a bit disgruntled, but he knew in his heart that the gap between him and Song Changsheng could not be bridged by mere dissatisfaction.

“The Third Elder is here,” Song Changxiu, usually quiet, suddenly announced.

In the distance, a small group of cultivators in black fitted attire escorted a female cultivator. Immediately, everyone gathered to pay their respects.

At the center, surrounded like a star among moons, stood Third Elder Song Luyao—a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator in charge of the clan’s Hall of Enforcement, overseeing all matters of discipline, patrol, and security.

The Enforcer Squad under her command was the clan’s most elite force, composed entirely of cultivators between eighteen and sixty years old, at least mid-stage Qi Refining, and seasoned in combat. They appeared at every significant event, and this beast-clearing mission was no exception. In truth, they were the main force; Song Changsheng and the others were mere bystanders.

This time, two squads were dispatched, totaling twenty people.

“Since everyone is here, let’s descend the mountain,” Song Luyao said coldly. Her presence always brought a sense of oppression.

A group of more than thirty set out on foot for the mortal realm. Along the way, whenever they encountered a beast, Song Luyao sent Song Changsheng and the others to subdue it—serving as a warm-up before the real battle.

Once again, they passed the site of the previous battle with the demonic cultivators. Returning to this place, Song Changsheng was filled with emotion; if he had possessed his current cultivation back then, the outcome might have been different.

But alas, there are no ifs in this world.

Just as the Grand Elder had said, the outskirts of the mortal realm were now inexplicably teeming with beasts. The roars of monsters echoed frequently in their ears—a highly unusual phenomenon, considering this area’s monsters had once been exterminated, with hunting squads monitoring it closely every year. Logically, so many beasts should not exist here.

Where there is anomaly, there must be something amiss. Song Changsheng grew even more vigilant.

Upon reaching the city’s outskirts, they did not enter but set up camp under Song Luyao’s orders. She then went herself to meet with Xia Yunxue and the two heads of the monster-hunting squads.

…