Chapter 17: The Family Trial
Clang…
Accompanied by the deep toll of a bell, the family’s coming-of-age ceremony officially began.
As before, the patriarch was absent. Of the five elders, only three attended, with the ceremony presided over by the Grand Elder, Song Xianyun.
Standing atop the high platform with his back to the crowd, Song Xianyun solemnly bowed before the Soul Lamp Hall, where over a thousand soul lamps now lay extinguished.
“Song Xianyun, of the fourth generation of the Song Clan, reports to the honored ancestors.
Today, fourteen juniors of the family have come of age and are about to descend the mountain to serve the clan. I beseech the valiant spirits of our forebears to watch over the sons of the Song Clan, may their fortune flourish and their pursuit of the Dao endure forever!”
“May the ancestors bless us!”
Everyone present bowed deeply, their voices soaring skyward.
Song Qingxing remained motionless amid the crowd, but was forcefully pressed down by Song Qingxi beside him.
After the third collective chant, Song Xianyun solemnly retrieved a scroll, the ancestral edict left behind by Ancestor Song Taiyi.
Channeling his spiritual power, Song Xianyun recited with ringing clarity:
“All children of the Song Clan shall uphold filial piety and familial harmony. Fathers must be kind, sons dutiful; elder brothers affectionate, younger brothers respectful. There shall be no internecine strife. One must honor the elderly and revere the virtuous, strengthen kinship ties, and uphold harmony within the clan. Acts of rebellion and insubordination shall not be tolerated…”
The declaration continued for thousands of words. When it concluded, the fourteen cultivators, including Song Changsheng, stepped onto the platform.
Elders Song Luzhou and Song Luohuai then distributed the items for their coming-of-age Ceremony:
A standard-issue mid-grade first-rank flying sword, two sets of clan robes, a communication jade slip, and one portion of cultivation resources.
This would be the final batch of resources they received free of charge from the clan. From this point forward, apart from their annual stipend, they would have to earn all further resources through personal contribution.
With this stage concluded, the event proceeded to its highlight: the Dao lectures by the Foundation Establishment Elders. This happened only once a year, making it a rare and precious opportunity. The three elders took turns imparting their insights on cultivation.
After the crowd dispersed, Song Xianyun turned to face Song Changsheng and the others.
“Children, from this moment on, you are adults. Soon, you will venture out to serve the clan. But before that, we have arranged a trial to assess the fruits of your cultivation within the clan over the years.”
“Grand Elder, just tell us what kind of trial it is,” Song Changhu couldn’t help stepping forward impatiently.
Song Xianyun replied slowly, “This trial will involve assisting the clan’s demon-hunting squad in eliminating beasts.”
“Eliminating demon beasts?” Song Changsheng raised a brow. This was one of the more dangerous tasks, but also the best for honing real combat experience.
“And where will this mission take place?” a tall young woman asked.
Song Changsheng recognized her, Song Changxiu. Though she wasn’t considered a seed for Foundation Establishment due to her three-spirit-root constitution, her cultivation speed was exceptional, on par with Song Changhu. Both were at the sixth layer of Qi Refinement, second only to Song Changsheng.
“The location is the outskirts of the clan’s mundane territories,” Song Xianyun answered. “Recently, Fifth Elder reported frequent appearances of demon beasts there, endangering the lives of our people.
Thus, the clan has decided to send you out to eliminate them. But do not feel too pressured, you won’t be alone. Two demon-hunting squads from the affiliated families and our clan’s law enforcement team will also participate.
If you encounter beasts beyond your ability, use your communication jade slip to call for aid.
Additionally, Fifth Elder and Third Elder will oversee the operation. Should a second-rank demon beast appear, alert them immediately.
Above all, prioritize your own safety. Do not act rashly. Do not grow arrogant. Understood?”
He swept a stern gaze across them. Though the family trials were rarely life-threatening, Foundation Establishment elders always ensured safety from the shadows.
Still, there were always a few fools who overestimated themselves and paid the price. Song Xianyun was especially watchful of Song Changhu who was known for his reckless nature.
Hearing that so many forces would be involved, Song Changsheng instantly understood, they were merely there to make up the numbers. The true fighting force lay elsewhere.
And it made sense. Among them, only Song Changsheng had reached the late stage of Qi Refinement. Sending them out alone would be nothing more than delivering snacks to the demon beasts.
“Rest well tonight. At the Si Hour (9–11 am) tomorrow, depart with the law enforcement team.”
“Understood!”
…
At dawn the next day, Song Changsheng rose early, absorbed the essence of the sun as usual, then made his way to the rendezvous point.
Song Changhu and the others had arrived early. When they saw Song Changsheng, they immediately came over to greet him, leaving the once-popular pair, Song Changhu and Song Changxiu, momentarily ignored.
“Hmph!” Song Changhu scowled inwardly, but he knew full well that the gap between him and Song Changsheng couldn’t be closed with mere defiance.
“Third Elder is here,” Song Changxiu, usually quiet, suddenly announced.
In the distance, a group of cultivators clad in black uniforms approached, encircling a female cultivator at the center. Everyone quickly stepped forward to pay respects.
At the center of this group, like the moon among stars was none other than Third Elder Song Luoyao, a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator who oversaw the clan’s Law Enforcement Hall.
The law enforcement team under her command was known as the clan’s most elite force, composed entirely of cultivators aged eighteen to sixty, all at least at mid-stage Qi Refinement and highly experienced in combat.
They were a common sight at important events, and this demon-purging mission was no exception, they were the true core. Song Changsheng and his peers were merely along for the ride.
This time, two squads had been mobilized, totaling twenty people.
“Since everyone’s here, let’s move out,” Song Luoyao said coldly.
Her presence brought a palpable pressure. Wherever she went, silence followed.
Over thirty people began the journey on foot toward the mundane world. Along the way, whenever they encountered a demon beast, Song Luoyao would send Song Changsheng and the others to subdue it, treating it as a warm-up before the real battle.
They passed once more through the battlefield where Song Changsheng had fought the demonic cultivators before. Returning to this place stirred a wave of emotion in his heart.
If he’d had his current cultivation back then, the outcome might have been very different.
But alas, there are no ifs in this world…
Just as the Grand Elder had said, the outskirts of the mundane world were indeed swarming with demon beasts. Song Changsheng and the others could hear their roars now and then.
This was highly unusual. These lands had once been thoroughly purged, with the demon-hunting teams patrolling regularly.
By all rights, such a concentration of demon beasts shouldn’t exist.
Where there’s anomaly, there’s danger. Song Changsheng grew more cautious, his heart quietly on guard.
When they arrived outside the city, they did not enter. Song Luoyao ordered them to set up camp, then personally went to meet Xia Yunxue and the leaders of the two demon-hunting squads.
(Chapter End)