Chapter 656 Zhou Zi Jian

All eyes turned to the Zhou family patriarch. Uninformed, they believed he had gifted the priceless Demon Soul Sword to Ning Beichen.

The patriarch's face cycled through shades of red, green, and white, his expression more complex than a kaleidoscope.

Gifted it? Who would be foolish enough to give away such a treasure? Yet, he had no idea how it had happened.

He had drawn the Demon Soul Sword to attack Ning Beichen, followed by a gust of demonic wind, and then this bizarre scene unfolded.

"Zhou Zijian, come back here!"

The Zhou family patriarch commanded the Demon Soul Sword, his expression like a jilted wife.

But Zhou Zijian completely ignored him. In Ning Beichen's hand, it moved actively, swaying and seemingly seeking to ingratiate itself with Ning Beichen.

While Soul Swords and Demon Soul Swords were potent artifacts, they had a drawback: they weren't always under the master's complete control, especially the demon souls.

Beast souls were more manageable; as long as the master's strength wasn't too weak, there were usually no issues.

Demon souls, however, were different. Demons were inherently powerful. Sealing one within a sword required immense strength to suppress, otherwise, the sword could easily backfire.

The Zhou family patriarch's strength had been considerable, sufficient to suppress the Demon Soul Sword. But fate had it that he encountered Ning Beichen, who was even more powerful.

To make matters worse, Ning Beichen's cultivation technique, "Crossing the Sea of Bitterness," specifically countered demon souls, ensuring the patriarch's misfortune.

He had intended to use the Demon Soul Sword against Ning Beichen, but the plan backfired spectacularly. The patriarch couldn't withstand the shock, spitting out a mouthful of blood and fainting from rage.

"Not good, the patriarch has fainted."

The Zhou family descended into chaos, scrambling to carry their patriarch inside.

A strange silence fell over the onlookers. They had guessed the beginning correctly, but the process and the ending were entirely unexpected.

Regardless of whether Ning Beichen could escape unscathed today, one thing was certain: his name would echo throughout the Central Continent, and no one would dare to underestimate him again.

"The boss is so amazing!"

Several individuals who had previously followed Ning Beichen excitedly clenched their fists, roaring internally. They even regretted leaving him.

Their boss had the strength to take on the entire Zhou family, yet they had gone looking elsewhere – utter foolishness.

Look at Yang Qianrou; she hadn't left and had remained by her boss's side. Her strength and cultivation must have improved immensely.

Of course, they weren't the only ones regretting their decisions. Even Cao Shuo, who had joined the Heavenly Sword Sect, felt remorse.

His current standing, his entry into the Heavenly Sword Sect, owed much to Ning Beichen's help. It could be said that without Ning Beichen, there would be no Cao Shuo today.

Just then, a powerful aura surged from the west of Zhou City, forming a vast expanse of dark clouds in the sky.

Dark clouds overhead!

It was the Zhou family's ancestor!

A voice cried out from the crowd, and everyone turned towards the west.

Even Ning Beichen was drawn to the phenomenon. He immediately dispersed his spiritual sense, which covered three thousand miles, and his expression changed drastically.

He saw no Zhou family ancestor. Instead, he saw a horde of ferocious beasts, like a surging tide, moving towards the city.

"Move, quickly, it's a beast tide!"

Ning Beichen shouted urgently.

However, the clamor of the crowd drowned out his voice, and most of those present didn't hear him. Some did, but they simply didn't believe him.

Ning Beichen repeated his warning several times, even using his amplified voice, but to no avail.

At that moment, the ground began to tremble. Only then did the city's inhabitants sense that something was wrong, but it was already too late.

The tide of beasts breached the city walls in an instant, causing heavy casualties among the city's cultivators.

Many perished not by the beasts' claws but in the ensuing chaos, trampled and injured by their own people.

In this pandemonium, whether ordinary civilians or cultivators, everyone was equally vulnerable. The destined to die, died; the destined to be injured, were injured.

"Don't panic!"

"Calm down, everyone, calm down!"

"Calm down, for crying out loud! Look behind you."

The man turned and saw a massive tiger demon with its jaws agape. He managed only a scream before being devoured by the tiger demon.

This was no ordinary beast tide. Ning Beichen detected not just one tiger demon but multiple demon beasts.

One demon was colossal, towering above the city walls, its single stomp reducing a building to rubble.

The scene devolved into utter chaos, with casualties mounting. Without Ning Beichen's intervention, the Zhou family was likely doomed.

"Quick, invite the ancestor!"

The Zhou family members frantically called out.

While many onlookers had come for entertainment, the majority were Zhou family members themselves, along with the elderly, women, and children who lacked strength.

In the past, beast attacks were common, perhaps one or two beast kings, posing no significant threat.

But today, demons had appeared, and not just one, causing the Zhou family to collectively despair.

As Ning Beichen pondered whether to intervene, he saw the Zhou family cultivators engaging the beasts, but they were powerless against the formidable demons.

The onlookers, who had come merely to spectate, were forced to join the fight. Even Cao Shuo and the Heavenly Sword Sect disciples were no exception.

While they could handle the beasts, they were outmatched by the demons.

Just as the Zhou family city was on the brink of destruction, a radiant red light emanated from the east, and sword energy sliced through the air, repelling one of the demons.

Then, an elder with white eyebrows and a long beard appeared, wielding a red sword wheel.

"Ancestor, it's the ancestor! We are saved."

Upon the appearance of the white-browed, long-bearded elder, the Zhou family members present cried out in excitement.

The elder said nothing, leaping forward to stand before a demon. He pointed a finger at it, and a red sword wheel flew towards the creature.

With a thunderous roar, the Zhou family ancestor engaged the demon.

After a few exchanges, the Zhou family ancestor forced the demon back with his sword wheel, but he himself seemed weary. He had been struck by the demon's tail, nearly crushing him.

However, there were more than just one demon present; there were three, along with a multitude of ferocious beasts wreaking havoc.

"Retreat, leave Zhou City."

The Zhou family ancestor, while fending off the demons' coordinated attack, urged the Zhou family to evacuate, as Zhou City could no longer be defended.