The Black Dragon Clan

This underground space has a feel reminiscent of the Peach Blossom Spring.

It was perfectly harmonious and peaceful.

It's just that many things are rather simple.

The dwellings were almost all made of piled stones.

The other facilities are mostly made of wood.

There is no shortage of timber in the forest.

It seemed that no outsiders had set foot here for many years, so the residents were very curious and came out to look at Chen Ning.

His attire was simple, and he was an even more honest and simple person.

Everyone had a friendly smile on their face.

He eagerly inquired about the outside world from Chen Ning.

"Young master, are there really the pavilions, manors, temples, and golden palaces you described outside?"

"Yes, the closest city is Gold and Iron City, which is very lively."

Chen Ning smiled and replied.

"Young master, what are these agate, pearl, silver notes, and gold notes you mentioned? Why can they be exchanged for so many of my stone artifacts?"

A man in his fifties scratched his head in confusion, somewhat puzzled.

With nothing to do here, he would concentrate on studying stone tools and create many practical tools.

Why is it that these painstakingly crafted stone tools can be traded for a single pearl in the outside world?

"Uncle Shi, don't ask yet, I still need to introduce this guest to Grandpa."

The round-faced boy stepped forward to help Chen Ning out of the predicament, saying something.

Chen Ning immediately felt relieved.

They have too many problems.

It's as if they've been living in seclusion for hundreds or even thousands of years.

Some questions are too complicated to answer.

The round-faced boy said they were from the Black Dragon Clan.

Because in High Antiquity times, a black dragon saved their village, they worshipped the black dragon and named their village after it.

At this moment, an elderly man with white hair and beard walked over unsteadily. Upon seeing Chen Ning, he showed no airs of an elder, but instead smiled kindly and said, "I've heard from Xiao Yuan that you've come here to explore. You're truly brave young people! However, getting lost in this forest can be very dangerous. If you're not in a hurry, why not rest here for a few days?"

Xiao Yuan is the name of the round-faced boy.

"No need for that. We have too many people and we don't want to bother everyone."

Chen Ning said politely.

The old man shook his head and smiled, "It's no trouble at all. We also enjoy the hustle and bustle, but if you're really in a hurry to leave, Xiao Yuan will escort you out tomorrow."

"Very well, thank you, Elder Long."

Chen Ning really couldn't refuse.

The people here are so welcoming.

As for titles, according to Xiao Yuan, all the people here are surnamed Long, and this Elder Long, who is his grandfather, is the most respected and is over a hundred years old.

Hearing that Chen Ning wasn't in a hurry to leave, the Black Dragon Clan members were immediately delighted.

Many people shyly approached Chen Ning again and began to talk about what was happening outside.

Xiao Yuan then went out to inform the hundred disciples waiting outside the cave entrance.

Chen Ning hoped they would come in quickly.

This way, someone will share the burden of your stress.

Instead of letting an old socially anxious person like myself ramble on and on.

But it is indeed quite fulfilling, no matter what I say.

There was a group of people listening very attentively.

He even looked at him with admiration.

What a lovely group of people...

According to Elder Long, their Black Dragon Clan now has less than a thousand members, and women, children, and the elderly make up about a third of them.

What remains are the young and middle-aged.

There were more than 500 young and middle-aged men.

Because of their loneliness, they could only cultivate. Relying on the High Antiquity breathing techniques and the monotonous environment, they produced many exceptionally talented individuals in martial arts.

What surprised Chen Ning the most was...

They were not hoarding their knowledge, but rather extremely friendly and generous, wanting to teach Chen Ning the breathing techniques of their own clan.

Chen Ning smiled and politely declined.

These people are truly simple and lovely.

Some of them are even heartbreaking.

The reason Xiao Yuan was afraid when he saw himself and his disciples was because he was worried about being captured.

Earlier, when they encountered people who were lost in the forest, they would lead them out of the forest, but some people would simply kill the members of the Black Dragon Clan on the spot.

Or they could be used as bait to lure carnivorous spirit beasts.

Many members of the clan were never heard from again as a result.

Even so, Xiao Yuan still chose to believe and wanted to help Chen Ning and his group get out of the forest.

Chen Ning suddenly felt a little guilty.

Faced with this naive kindness, he had previously suspected that the person had ulterior motives.

However, the cultivation level of the Black Dragon Clan truly surprised Chen Ning for a moment.

Among these five hundred able-bodied men...

There were actually three hundred people with the strength of the Spirit Martial Realm.

The strongest among them has already reached the Ninth Heaven of the Spirit Martial Realm.

To reach the same level as oneself.

Even in the outside world, someone at the Spirit Martial Realm is considered a minor expert.

They are also the backbone and mainstay of all sects and schools.

Such a group of three hundred Spirit Martial Realm cultivators would be an extremely powerful force in Spirit Province.

You could even directly establish a sect.

Three days ago, we encountered the Hurricane Hunters' Alliance. Among that team of over a thousand people, there were only a dozen or so Spirit Martial Realm experts.

The rest were mostly martial artists at the Human Martial Realm.

Even so, this is still the largest Hunters' Alliance in the Great Yan Imperial Dynasty.

This clearly demonstrates that if this force of three hundred Spirit Martial Realm experts were deployed outside, everyone would be wary of them.

Like the killing formation formed by the soldiers under the command of the Marquis Who Guards the North.

Its power is astonishing.

It can kill even a powerful expert at the Spirit Martial Realm.

If a hundred Spirit Martial Realm experts were to form an array, its power would increase several times over.

Even back then, before Chen Ning reached his current level and obtained the Star-Picking Finger, he couldn't withstand it.

Chen Ning couldn't help but ask curiously, "Since you yearn for the outside world so much and know the way, why don't you leave this Forest of the Dead?"

This question was asked.

Many members of the Black Dragon Clan fell silent.

A look of fear appeared on some people's faces.

"Let me explain."

Elder Long walked over with a smile, surrounded by his clansmen. The group of the Spirit Martial Realm experts looked like children seeking protection.

"The Forest of the Dead has existed for thousands of years..."

Elder Long revealed a look of reminiscence and began to recount. "The great war thousands of years ago raged, darkening the sky and obscuring the sun and moon. Countless powerful warriors perished, adding endless carnage to the land. But the blood and sin did not wither this land; instead, they made the Forest of the Dead even more lush, turning it into fertile soil..."

Chen Ning listened quietly to Elder Long's story.

But the old man paused for a moment after saying this.

Then he continued, "Eight hundred years ago, my Black Dragon Clan fled here to escape a natural disaster. We inadvertently provoked the spirits of powerful warriors who died in battle, and were Curse by them. No one in my Black Dragon Clan lineage may ever set foot outside this forest..."

"Is there really such a thing as a ghost?"

Chen Ning frowned, his gaze filled with doubt.

Elder Long nodded wistfully. "For eight hundred years, this wandering soul has been absorbing the life force of my Black Dragon Clan, attempting to resurrect the dead and overturn the balance of Yin and Yang..."

Seeing the disappointed look on Elder Long's face.

Chen Ning was moved.

Such kind and simple people have to suffer this Curse.

He was trapped in the Forest of the Dead for the rest of his life.

It's truly heartbreaking.