"Fleeting Shadows... Come and go like the wind, swift as a startled rabbit. So it’s an Escape Technique." Song Changsheng looked pleasantly surprised after reading the contents recorded on the beast hide.

Escape techniques had always been a major weakness of his. He remembered back to his fight with the Earth Dragon—if his mastery of Escape Techniques hadn’t been so poor, how could he have let it get away the first time?

After returning, he reflected on the bitter experience and resolved to cultivate an Escape Technique to make up for this weakness. However, the clan’s Scripture Pavilion mostly contained Step Techniques, which weren’t what he was looking for.

There were a few Escape Techniques, but none were particularly exquisite—they were all rather mediocre.

Song Changsheng was not one to settle for mediocrity, so he hadn’t cultivated any of them. But now, he had finally obtained an incomparably exquisite Escape Technique!

’Although it’s a Secret Technique from the Ancient Era and differs greatly from modern ones, all paths lead to the same destination. It shouldn’t be an issue.

Once I cultivate this technique, it’ll be much more convenient for both pursuit and travel in the future.’ Song Changsheng looked at the beast hide in his hand, a smile he couldn’t suppress spreading across his face. ’One hundred Spirit Stones... it was an absolute steal!

Never mind the Profound Nether Crystal Essence from before; the beast hide recording Fleeting Shadows was itself no ordinary object. It had simply been perfectly disguised.

If Song Changsheng hadn’t cultivated the Insight Skill, he likely would have overlooked it as well, dismissing it as worthless trash.

If that old man knew that these two items—which he’d considered the junkiest of junk—were actually so valuable, wouldn’t he just cough up blood on the spot?

Song Changsheng put the beast hide away, not rushing to begin cultivation. He calculated the time; Song Luhuai’s party should have nearly completed their mission. They would likely be preparing to head back in the next few days, and it was only right for him to see them off.

Sure enough, Song Luhuai found him early the next morning.

"Changsheng, I plan to depart for the clan today. You must remember to be careful during your time here. Luoxia City is not like Ling Province; there is no shortage of powerful and extraordinary people," Song Luhuai said, looking at him with earnest gravity.

Song Changsheng nodded and smiled. "Don’t you worry, Twelfth Uncle. I’ll be sure to return in one piece."

"Mm. I’m confident in how you handle things, but you must remember to return home as soon as the Great City Lord’s birthday banquet is over. Do not delay," Song Luhuai said, his expression solemn.

Seeing his grave expression, Song Changsheng had a faint inkling. "Has something unexpected happened?"

Song Luhuai stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his brow deeply furrowed. "I’ve heard some whispers, but nothing has been confirmed. Still, judging by the City Lord’s Mansion’s recent movements, it’s almost certainly true."

He turned to face Song Changsheng and said in a low voice, "The Demon Beasts along the front from Black Water Marsh to Thundering Mountain have been making unusual movements lately. It’s very likely a sign they’re about to launch a large-scale invasion north!"

Song Changsheng’s pupils contracted. He sighed inwardly; it was just as he had suspected. It really was about the Demon Beasts.

He forced a smile. "You’re worrying too much. A war isn’t so easily started. I only have about a year left here; I probably won’t even be around for it. I’ll head back right after the banquet."

Song Luhuai looked at Song Changsheng, his face fraught with worry. He seemed to want to say more but held his tongue, finally letting out a sigh. "I hope you’re right. I’m leaving now."

"I’ll see you off."

——————

Outside Luoxia City, after the Flying Ship had vanished from view, Song Changsheng turned and stared deeply in the direction of the Hundred Thousand Mountains. That expanse of rolling peaks was home to tens of thousands of Demon Beasts, making it a forbidden zone for Human Race Cultivators. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

He could vaguely see an invisible layer of Evil Qi gathering in that direction, a chilling sight.

Recalling Song Luhuai’s parting words, Song Changsheng’s mood grew heavy. ’The storm is coming.’

"Young Clan Leader, the Elder and his party are long gone. We should head back," Song Qingluo said. He followed Song Changsheng’s gaze but saw nothing besides dark, heavy clouds, as thick as lead.

Song Changsheng nodded and then returned to the general store.

The moment he was back, he shut himself in his room and began cultivating Fleeting Shadows. He had a premonition that war was not far off and that he would be swept up in it. He had to seize every moment to increase his strength...

CREAK...

The wooden door, which had been shut for a long time, was slowly pushed open from the inside. Golden sunlight streamed in, causing Song Changsheng to squint.

His eyes quickly adjusted. He took a single step, and in the next instant, his figure appeared several yards away, giving the handyman sweeping leaves a terrible fright. The man’s broom clattered to the ground.

Song Changsheng gave the man an apologetic smile, then took a few more steps and vanished in the blink of an eye, as if he had never been there at all.

The handyman rubbed his eyes and stared at the spot where Song Changsheng had just stood, his own eyes filled with a mixture of confusion, shock, and utter disbelief.

Inside the general store, Song Qingluo was tidying the messy goods on the counter when his vision blurred. A figure in a green robe had appeared abruptly before him, startling him so badly he nearly launched a Fireball Technique.

"Young Clan Leader?" Fortunately, he recognized the person in time and averted a tragedy.

"How’s my speed?" Song Changsheng asked with a grin.

"You move without a shadow or a trace! You scared the life out of me just now," Song Qingluo complained.

"Hahaha! If this speed can startle you, it can startle my enemies just as well. Fleeting Shadows truly lives up to its name." Song Changsheng was very pleased with Song Qingluo’s reaction.