"No matter how great the peril, I will not give up!" Long Yi declared, "The Dragon Roar Sword is a legacy of my dragon race, and I must obtain it."
"Indeed, the five swords are indispensable when combined!"
Ye Shisan urged, "Village Chief, please make arrangements quickly."
"Esteemed guests have traveled far, there is no need to rush."
The old village chief smiled, "I have already sent people to prepare food. Tonight, we will celebrate, and when our spirits are high tomorrow, I will lead you to the Eye of the Northern Sea!"
"Since that is the case, we humbly accept your offer!"
Lu Fan cupped his fists slightly. Although he wished to obtain the Dragon Roar Sword as soon as possible, he was well aware that the Dragon Roar Sword was no ordinary item and would require passing through layers of trials to acquire.
Long Yi had sustained minor injuries during her earlier combat outside, and it would be unwise for her to proceed to the Eye of the Northern Sea in such a state.
Upon hearing of outsiders arriving, many in the Northern Sea Village gathered, and the villagers busied themselves slaughtering chickens and sheep, their faces beaming with smiles.
For thousands of years, no outsiders had ever visited the Northern Sea Village. Even when ten thousand people had arrived at the peak of the Northern Sea, they were all blocked outside the village. Only members of the Five Great Ancient Clans were permitted entry, a rule established in the ancient times.
Legends had it that in ancient times, the ancestors of the Northern Sea Village shared a deep bond with the Five Great Ancient Clans and had fought together against the Ghost Hall. Now, after thousands of years, this friendship was naturally meant to continue.
Crab finished his tasks and, after a careful inspection, approached Long Yi, smiling earnestly, "I apologize if I was too heavy-handed earlier. Please do not take offense, young lady. I did not realize you were from the Five Great Ancient Clans, or I would not have acted that way."
"I naturally wouldn't take offense!"
Long Yi waved her hand, "However, I didn't expect there to be such a master in the Northern Sea Village. You look like an ordinary person, but your movements are incredibly sharp when you fight."
"This is the peak of the Northern Sea, unlike other places!"
Crab stated directly, "Those born in the Northern Sea Village possess immense strength from childhood. As they grow, they gain mysterious powers that are not easily dealt with by ordinary people. It is said to be due to the spirits of our ancestors, though I do not know if it is true."
"Perhaps it is true!"
Long Yi shrugged slightly, not paying it too much mind. Her current concern was the Dragon Roar Sword. If she could obtain it, her strength would undoubtedly increase significantly, which was of utmost importance to her.
As the inheritor of the dragon race's legacy, possibly the only remaining bloodline, she would not allow the dragon race to perish.
Once the food and drinks were all laid out, everyone gathered around the bonfire, dancing merrily, creating quite a lively atmosphere.
Observing the scene before him, Lu Fan also smiled, drinking the unique fruit wine of the Northern Sea Village, feeling quite relaxed.
If this place were called a paradise, it would not be an exaggeration. It appeared quite comfortable, and the people were simple and honest. If not for their mission, Lu Fan would truly have wished to reside here permanently.
"This fruit wine is called Orange Wine. It is sweet upon the palate!"
The old village chief chuckled, "I wonder if it suits everyone's taste?"
"This Orange Wine is indeed excellent!"
Long Yi smiled, "I truly didn't expect to be able to taste such fine wine here at the peak of the Northern Sea."
"Besides fine wine, there is also fine food!"
Crab held up a large leg, "This is from a mutated rhinoceros. Consuming this meat not only replenishes strength but can even enhance one's cultivation."
"Indeed, the meat of this mutated rhinoceros is also quite good!"
The old village chief nodded in satisfaction, "Under normal circumstances, we might not get to eat this. Da Yu and the others went hunting today and happened to encounter it."
"It seems we are in for a treat today!"
Lu Fan rejoiced, eating the beef and drinking the wine without any reservations. After days of traveling day and night, such delicious food was quite tempting.
Meanwhile, not far from the Northern Sea Village, a group of figures in black robes stood, their gazes fixed on the village, their eyes filled with a sinister aura.
"Captain, why don't we just enter the Northern Sea Village directly?"
A black-robed man asked, "This way, we can directly snatch the Dragon Roar Sword. Wouldn't that be faster?"
"Do not underestimate the enemy!"
The leader of the black-robed men said coldly, "They are not ordinary people, and besides them, the Northern Sea Village itself is very strange. If we enter rashly, it will surely cause trouble."
The black-robed men nodded, feeling somewhat helpless. As members of the Ghost Hall, they were accustomed to swift and decisive action, but they had never before found themselves hiding and lurking like this.
After all, the Ghost Hall had been capable of deterring all forces in ancient times, instilling a great sense of dominance in its members, who would not deign to regard others with respect.
The purpose of this Ghost Hall team's arrival at the peak of the Northern Sea was to seize the Dragon Roar Sword. Any failure in this endeavor would be no small matter for them.
The bonfire party continued late into the night. Lu Fan and the others were not only well-fed and watered but also felt their spirits revitalized.
"Old Village Chief, could you tell us what happened in ancient times?"
Lin Ke asked, "I am very curious about this."
"In ancient times, there were countless sects and numerous powerful individuals vying for supremacy!"
The old village chief stated, "That era was a time of flourishing. The most dazzling were the Five Great Ancient Clans. To be among the Five Great Ancient Clans, one must possess extraordinary qualities."
"It seems you have some knowledge of the Five Great Ancient Clans!"
Ye Shisan closed his eyes, "Even within the scripture pavilion of my Ye Clan, there are few records pertaining to the Five Great Ancient Clans."
"The Northern Sea Village has passed down its knowledge from generation to generation, so I do have some understanding of ancient events."
The old village chief said directly, "In ancient times, the Lord of the Ghost Hall, in his pursuit of increased power, did not hesitate to devour countless lives, which provoked the wrath of the ancient sects and ignited a great battle."
"In that conflict, the forces led by the Five Great Ancient Clans advanced with unstoppable momentum, gradually suppressing the Ghost Hall and its numerous allied factions. This led to the present era."
"So that's how it was!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly, "So, the Ghost Hall was not fighting alone; it had many allies?"
"Naturally!"
The old village chief nodded slightly, "Just as the Five Great Ancient Clans and the Ghost Hall had their respective ancient sects, the stronger side would depend on the overall strength of the Ghost Hall!"
"I am enlightened!"
Lu Fan cupped his fists slightly, showing a respectful demeanor. The old village chief was knowledgeable, and after hearing his words, Lu Fan understood the events of ancient times in considerable detail.
As the night deepened, everyone retired to their rooms. They were to head to the Eye of the Northern Sea tomorrow, so they naturally did not wish to delay.
The old village chief returned to his room and did not immediately fall asleep. Instead, he gazed in a certain direction of the Northern Sea peak, his eyes becoming sharp, as if he had sensed something, his expression filled with great displeasure.