The skies above Azure Hollow grew darker as the hours passed. Fen Tian and Fen Lao rushed to the village's main hall, where the elders had gathered to discuss the alarming report from the injured scout.
"We must act quickly! If the attackers reach this village, we'll be defenseless," one elder said, his voice filled with worry.
Fen Lao raised his hand, urging everyone to remain calm. "We cannot act recklessly. The enemy might have anticipated our moves. I'll lead part of our forces to investigate the border. Tian, you stay here."
But Fen Tian couldn't just wait idly. "Grandfather, I can't just sit and wait. If this village is truly their target, I must defend it."
Fen Lao's eyes narrowed as he looked at his grandson. "You're not ready, Tian. But if you're determined to help, go to the clan's storage and retrieve the ancestral weapon. It will be your best defense if things go awry."
Fen Tian nodded and quickly made his way to the old storage house on the edge of the village. The building was dusty and appeared nearly forgotten, but the ancient energy radiating from it sent shivers down Fen Tian's spine. He pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped inside.
Inside, various old artifacts lined the shelves. However, something in the corner of the room caught Fen Tian's attention—a spear with a blade that seemed to shimmer like black crystal, standing upright and wrapped in a tattered cloth.
When Fen Tian touched it, a cold energy surged through his body. The spear felt like an extension of himself, as though it had been waiting for him all along. "This... this must be it," he whispered.
Before he could fully contemplate his discovery, the sound of warning horns echoed through the village. The attack had begun.
Fen Tian sprinted out of the storage house, the spear gripped tightly in his hand. The village was already in chaos. The guards and young men prepared to fight, while women and children sought shelter.
From the distance, a group of attackers emerged. They wore black cloaks adorned with strange symbols on their chests. One of them stepped forward—a large man with a sly grin. "So, this is the little village protecting a fragment of the Primordial Bone? Is this all the resistance you can muster?"
Fen Tian stepped forward, his eyes burning with resolve. He raised his spear and declared, "If you want the fragment, you'll have to go through me first!"