The Beast Hunting Squads were affiliated forces under the Song Clan. They pledged loyalty to the clan and made their living by hunting beasts within Song territory.
Every year, they were required to pay tribute to the clan and respond to its summons. In return, they received the protection of the Song Clan and access to its trade networks.
The Song Clan's industries were centered around mining and artifact crafting, so they would purchase all beast materials hunted by the squads at market price.
Hunters could choose to receive either spirit stones or contribution points. These points were equivalent in value to those earned by Song clan members and could be exchanged in the clan's treasure vault for a wide variety of cultivation resources.
In theory, with enough contribution points, even Foundation Establishment Pills could be exchanged a precedent that had indeed occurred in the past. That possibility remained the hunters' ultimate goal.
However, since the devastating battle years ago, the Song Clan has suffered major losses in Foundation Establishment cultivators. The few Foundation Pills they had obtained were insufficient even for their core family members, let alone for the hunters.
As a result, the number of beast-hunting squads under the Song Clan had steadily declined from over a dozen to just two.
Although the current two squads weren't particularly powerful, they were fiercely loyal. During the clan's great war years ago, they had risked their lives and remained committed ever since.
Therefore, whenever the clan had something to gain, they would always let the hunting squads share a piece of the pie.
Song Changsheng and the others waited for about half an hour before Song Luyao returned to the temporary camp. She gathered everyone and said, "Now we'll assign the regions for the clearing operation."
"First is the trial zone. Your designated area is in the east, where there are only a few scattered beasts. The difficulty level isn't high. Your task is to either slay or drive out all the beasts in that area. Once that's done, your trial is complete."
"Remember, during the trial, it is strictly forbidden to attack your fellow clan members or to act alone. Violators will be severely punished. Understood?"
Her voice was icy cold. As the one in charge of the clan's disciplinary hall, Song Luyao was famous for being impartial and ruthless. Anyone who ended up in her hands could expect no mercy.
Everyone felt a chill in their hearts and quickly responded in unison, "Understood!"
She then turned to the Enforcement Squad and said, "You'll be clearing the most dangerous area to the west. The Beast Hunting Squads will assist you from the north. I'll be overseeing the entire operation, and if we encounter any Tier-2 beasts, I will personally step in."
"If anything happens and I can't get there in time, seek help from the Fifth Elder. However, remember he must hold the line inside the city. He is not to move unless necessary. Got it?"
"Yes, ma'am!" the Enforcement Squad replied in unison, their unified roar exuding discipline and power that left a strong impression.
"Good. From now on, the beast-clearing operation begins. Move out."
With that, Song Luyao leaped into the air, riding her sword and streaking away like a rainbow across the sky.
The Enforcement Squad, well-trained and organized, immediately split into ten two-man teams and headed toward their assigned sectors.
In contrast, Song Changsheng and the rest of the trial participants stood there staring at each other.
Everyone's eyes turned to Song Changsheng after all, he had the highest cultivation among them and was naturally seen as the group's anchor.
Song Changsheng stepped up without hesitation and said, "Fellow clanmates, our levels of cultivation vary too much. If we all move as one group, we'll be inefficient. I propose splitting into three teams."
"I'll lead one, while Changhu and Changxiu lead the other two. We'll spread out in a sweeping pattern to clear the area. What do you all think?"
Everyone exchanged glances and eventually nodded in agreement. Even Song Changhu, who usually opposed him, didn't object this time.
Seeing everyone in agreement, Song Changsheng immediately began dividing the teams, trying to balance them as best he could based on their cultivation levels.
In the end, his team had only four people three of them at early-stage Qi Refining.
The other two teams had five people each, both made up of two mid-stage and three early-stage Qi Refining cultivators. Compared to the Enforcement Squad, they seemed rather weak.
"Alright then, let's move out. Keep your communication jades ready and stay within a reasonable distance of each other. Send a signal immediately if anything happens."
"And I'll say this again do not act alone under any circumstances." Song Changsheng gave this stern warning.
Many of these participants were leaving the mountain for the first time and were likely to make foolish decisions. He needed to make them fully aware he had no intention of attending any funerals.
"We've heard this a dozen times already! So naggy. We're going first." Song Changhu, always the impatient one, led his team away with a look of annoyance.
Song Changxiu nodded politely at Song Changsheng and then led his group in a different direction.
"You three, stay close to me," Song Changsheng instructed his teammates, then swiftly disappeared into the dense forest ahead.
....
Deep within the jungle, a wounded, gold-striped leopard was feasting on its prey a tusked wild boar of mid-tier, first-rank strength. The boar had already been half-devoured.
Hidden in a nearby thicket, Song Changsheng whispered to the others beside him, "This is a wounded, mid-tier first-rank beast. It's well within your capabilities. I'll stay nearby to cover you."
The others understood immediately Song Changsheng was giving them a chance to gain real combat experience. They looked at him gratefully, then quickly discussed a battle plan before creeping toward the leopard.
Sensing something amiss, the leopard stopped eating and immediately shifted into a defensive stance.
Now that they were exposed, the three attackers rushed the leopard from two sides and the rear, and soon man and beast were locked in fierce combat.
All three Song clan members were at the third level of Qi Refining and lacked real battle experience. Their attacks were hesitant and cautious, and even though the leopard was injured, they struggled to bring it down.
Song Changsheng stood not far away, observing the fight without intervening. This was a rare and valuable learning opportunity for them. As far as he was concerned, there was no challenge here; all he needed to do was ensure no one got hurt.
Despite their inexperience, the Song clan disciples had excellent magic tools and techniques. Before long, they had the leopard on the defensive.
Just as they were about to take it down, Song Changsheng suddenly sensed something out of place.
He immediately released his spiritual sense, sweeping the area. Within moments, he detected a twin-tailed chameleon camouflaged against the bark of a nearby tree.
"Vile beast, hiding in the shadows to ambush others!" Song Changsheng shouted, forming a hand seal and unleashing a Fire Arrow Technique.
The chameleon, a high-tier first-rank beast, leaped to another tree the moment it realized it had been discovered. A heartbeat later, the tree it had just been clinging to was pierced through by the fire arrow.
Startled, the chameleon tried to flee, but Song Changsheng gave it no chance. He summoned his treasured gourd, which released a powerful suction force, drawing the terrified beast inside.
He immediately sealed the gourd and activated the Bone-Eroding Array within it. The high-tier beast was quickly reduced to a pool of blood, which Song Changsheng then incinerated with fire.
Fortunately, the wine stored in the gourd was kept in a separate compartment otherwise, it would've ruined a good batch.
By this time, the other three had finished off the leopard and were cutting materials from the corpse. These would fetch a decent price and count as part of their earnings.
They had all witnessed Song Changsheng's swift and efficient takedown of the chameleon, and their respect for him grew even deeper.
"Cousin, the pelt's not in perfect condition, but it's still worth some spirit stones. Please take it," one of them said, handing him the freshly skinned hide.
They were well aware that their smooth progress so far was thanks entirely to Song Changsheng. Every time they killed a beast, they would voluntarily offer him a share.
"These are your spoils. Keep them for yourselves," Song Changsheng declined as always.
Just as the other was about to protest, Song Changsheng's expression sharpened. He looked into the distance and said, "Something's up. Stay alert!"