The Demon Hunting Teams were a vassal force of the clan, pledging allegiance to the Song Clan and making their living by hunting Demon Beasts within its territory.
Each year, they were required to offer a certain amount of resources as tribute to the Song Clan and accept their orders. In return, they received the Song Clan's protection and access to sales channels.
The Song Clan's main industries were various mineral veins and Artifact Refining, so they would purchase all the Demon Beast Materials hunted by the Demon Hunting Teams at market price.
They could choose to be paid in Spirit Stones or Contribution Points. The Contribution Points earned by the Demon Hunting Teams had the same value as those earned by Song Clan Members and could be used to exchange for all sorts of cultivation resources in the Song Clan's Treasure Vault.
Theoretically, as long as they had enough Contribution Points, they could even exchange them for a Foundation Establishment Pill. There had been precedents for this in the past, and it was their primary goal.
However, ever since the Song Clan experienced that great war, they had suffered considerable losses among their Foundation Establishment Cultivators. The number of Foundation Establishment Pills they acquired was limited, not even enough for the main clan, let alone for the vassal teams.
This led to a dwindling number of Demon Hunting Teams affiliated with the Song Clan, dropping from more than a dozen to the current two.
Although these two Demon Hunting Teams were not particularly strong, they were fiercely loyal to the clan. They had fought to the death for them in the great war over a decade ago and remained steadfastly loyal to this day.
Therefore, whenever the clan had a lucrative opportunity, they would make sure to cut them in on a share of the profits.
Song Changsheng and the others waited for about an hour before Song Luyao returned to the temporary camp. She gathered everyone and said, "We will now assign the clearing operation zones."
"First, the Trial Area. Your responsibility is the eastern section. There are only a few Demon Beasts there, so the difficulty isn't high. You just need to kill or drive out all those Demon Beasts to complete your trial."
"Remember, attacking fellow clan members during the trial is strictly forbidden, and you are not allowed to act alone. Violators will be severely punished without exception. Understood?"
Song Luyao's tone was icy. She was in charge of the clan's punishments and was famously impartial, cold, and ruthless. There was no room for leniency in her hands.
Everyone's hearts tightened, and they hastily agreed.
Song Luyao then looked at the Law Enforcement Team. "You will clear the western front, where the pressure is greatest. The Demon Hunting Team will support you from the north, and I will oversee the entire operation. I will personally handle any Tier Two Demon Beasts we encounter."
"If a situation arises and I am unable to get away, you are to request aid from the Fifth Elder. But remember, the Fifth Elder's task is to guard the city and cannot be mobilized easily. Do you understand?"
"Yes!" the Law Enforcement Team responded in a thunderous chorus, their aura imposing and formidable.
"Good. The clearing operation begins now. Move out." With that, Song Luyao rode her sword, transforming into a streak of light as she departed.
The Law Enforcement Team was highly disciplined and well-trained. Upon receiving the order, they immediately split into ten two-person teams and headed for their assigned area.
In contrast, Song Changsheng and the others remained where they were, looking at each other blankly.
Everyone's gaze fell upon Song Changsheng. After all, his Cultivation was the highest among them, so he was naturally seen as their leader.
Song Changsheng didn't shrink from the responsibility and spoke directly. "Everyone, our cultivation levels are uneven. It would be too inefficient to move as one group, so I propose we split into three teams."
"I, along with Changhu and Changxiu, will each lead a team. We will conduct a systematic sweep in three different directions. What do you all think?"
The others exchanged glances and all agreed. Even Song Changhu, who had some issues with him, didn't try to be clever and object.
Seeing that everyone agreed with his proposal, Song Changsheng immediately began dividing them into groups. He did his best to balance the teams based on everyone's strength.
In the end, his own group had only four people, three of whom were at the Early-stage of Qi Refining.
The other two groups each had five people, a combination of two at the Middle Stage and three at the Early Stage. Compared to the Law Enforcement Team, they certainly seemed rather meager.
"Alright, let's get ready to move out. Stay in contact using your Communication Jade Tokens at all times. Don't let the distance between our groups get too great. If anything happens, send a signal."
"And again, it is strictly forbidden to leave the team and act on your own," Song Changsheng warned sternly.
Many of them were leaving the safety of the clan for the first time and could easily make some idiotic mistakes. Song Changsheng had to make them understand the gravity of the situation; he had no desire to attend any of their funerals.
"We've heard this a hundred times. Stop nagging. We're leaving," Song Changhu, the most impatient of the lot, said with an annoyed look before leading his team away.
Song Changxiu nodded to Song Changsheng before also choosing a direction and setting off.
"Stay close to me," Song Changsheng said to the three people behind him before quickly entering the dense forest.
...
Deep in the jungle, a wounded Golden-headed Leopard was enjoying its kill—a Tusked Wild Boar of the Tier One Middle Grade, which was already more than half eaten.
Song Changsheng and his group were hidden in some nearby bushes. He whispered to the others, "This is a wounded Tier One Middle Grade Demon Beast. You all are more than capable of handling it. I'll stay nearby and watch your backs."
The three of them understood that Song Changsheng was giving them another opportunity to train. They shot him a grateful look, then briefly discussed tactics before creeping toward the Spotted Leopard.
The Spotted Leopard seemed to sense something. It immediately stopped eating and took an attack stance.
Knowing they were exposed, the three cultivators immediately launched a pincer attack on the Spotted Leopard. The three humans and one beast were soon locked in battle.
The three Song Clan members were all at the Qi Refining Third Layer, but they lacked actual combat experience and fought timidly. For a time, they were actually unable to take down the injured Spotted Leopard.
Song Changsheng stood nearby observing the battle with no intention of intervening. This was a rare training opportunity for them, but for him, it posed no challenge. He only needed to ensure no one got seriously injured.
Still, the disciples of the Song Clan were extraordinary. Despite their lack of experience, their Magical Artifacts and Magic were of superior quality, and they soon gained the upper hand against the Spotted Leopard.
Just as they were about to finish it off, Song Changsheng keenly detected an unusual aura.
His Divine Sense instantly blanketed the area, and he quickly discovered a Two-Tailed Chameleon blended perfectly into the bark of a large tree.
"Vile beast! How dare you hide in the shadows to launch a sneak attack!" Song Changsheng bellowed, forming a hand seal and launching a Rocket Technique.
The Chameleon was a Tier One High Grade beast. Realizing it had been exposed, it instantly leaped to another tree. An instant later, the Rocket Technique pierced through the spot where it had been.
The Chameleon was greatly alarmed and immediately prepared to flee, but Song Changsheng gave it no such chance. He summoned his Treasure Gourd, and a powerful suction force erupted from its mouth, pulling the terrified Chameleon inside.
Song Changsheng immediately sealed the stopper and activated the Bone-Eroding Array inside the gourd to dissolve the Chameleon. Soon, the Tier One High Grade beast was reduced to a pool of blood, which Song Changsheng then incinerated completely with flames.
'Fortunately, the space for holding wine is separate, or all that good wine would have been ruined.'
By this time, the other three had also finished off the Spotted Leopard and were beginning to carve it up for its materials. For them, this was a decent source of income.
They had witnessed the swift and decisive way Song Changsheng had dealt with the Chameleon, and they couldn't help but feel an even deeper sense of awe toward him.
"Brother Changsheng, this beast hide isn't entirely intact, but it's still worth some Spirit Stones. Please, you should take it," one of them said, handing over the freshly skinned hide.
They knew very well that their journey had only been this smooth thanks to Song Changsheng, so they conscientiously set aside a share for him after every kill.
"Those are your spoils. Keep them for yourselves," Song Changsheng refused, as always.
Just as the other was about to say more, Song Changsheng's gaze sharpened. He looked into the distance and said sharply, "Something's coming. On guard!"
...