The Zhou family members heard the old ancestor's voice and immediately opened the east gate, filing out.
It wasn't that they were cowardly. With demons appearing, and three of them at that, they were simply no match for them. Staying would not only be unhelpful but would also make them a burden, leading to the entire Zhou family being wiped from the map by the demons.
However, what no one expected was that there were more than three demons. One was also ambushed at the east gate. The Zhou family cultivators who had just fled through the east gate were instantly slaughtered by the demon.
Some managed to escape, but their strength was utterly useless against the demons. Although they attacked the demons in a frenzy, their anger could not breach the demons' defenses, let alone kill them.
With a casual strike, a demon could bring down swaths of cultivators. These cultivators were not just from the Zhou family but also from various other forces.
Cao Shuo and the people from the Heavenly Sword Sect were among them. Although the Heavenly Sword Sect was the foremost sect in the Central Continent, far more powerful than ordinary forces, they were still no match for the demons.
At this level, only old ancestor-level powerhouses could contend with demons. Even elders, sect masters, and clan leaders were no exception.
If there were only one or two demons, perhaps there would be a chance of victory through a combined assault. But with four demons now, it was beyond their capabilities.
Fortunately, the Zhou family's old ancestor single-handedly resisted the attacks of three demons. Otherwise, Zhou City would have already been massacred.
But there was only one Zhou family old ancestor. Resisting three demons was already immensely difficult, and he likely wouldn't last long. Once the Zhou family old ancestor fell, this place would likely become a sea of corpses.
At this point, no one cared why the demons were attacking Zhou City. For demons and beasts, their nature was their nature. If you tried to fathom the minds of demons and beasts with human logic, you would be mistaken.
In the eyes of demons and beasts, humans were prey. Expecting them to show mercy to humans was a grave error.
Ning Beichen, who had originally come to challenge the Zhou family and draw out their old ancestor, was stunned by the unfolding events.
What in the world was going on?
Were these things trying to steal his business, Ning Yanwang's?
Did they not want to live!
Thus, Ning Yanwang became enraged, thoroughly enraged. If the Zhou family was destroyed, what old ancestor would he find?
Would he have to challenge the Wang family or the Chen family again?
He, Ning Beichen, might be idle, but he wasn't foolish. To continue challenging the Wang and Chen families would be to disrespect them. These great families had endured and stood firm for so long; their reputations were certainly not undeserved.
No matter how powerful Ning Beichen was, could he kill everyone in the Central Continent?
"The Zhou family's old ancestor cannot die!"
Ning Beichen quickly reached a conclusion. Not only could the Zhou family's old ancestor not die, but he also had to help him, preferably in a way that would make the old ancestor owe him a favor.
With this thought, Ning Beichen stopped watching and drew his ancient bronze sword. He leaped into the air, unleashing his full power from the start, and with a single sword strike, he beheaded a demon.
Before he even landed, he lunged at another demon, his sword slashing out again.
With a *pfft*, the ancient bronze sword pierced the demon's head.
Only then did Ning Beichen land, his sword a blur as he cleaved the headless demon in two.
With two fewer demons to contend with, the Zhou family's old ancestor's pressure significantly eased. After repelling a demon with a palm strike, that demon, instead of attacking the old ancestor, charged at Ning Beichen with reckless abandon.
Who could have foreseen that this fellow would instantly kill two of its companions? Thus, its greatest hatred was not for the Zhou family's old ancestor, but for Ning Beichen.
"Die!"
This demon, blinded by hatred, abandoned the Zhou family's old ancestor and charged at Ning Beichen with all its might.
However, its mind was clouded by vengeance. Since Ning Beichen could easily kill two demons, why would he hesitate to kill one more?
Thus, this demon met a tragic end. Before it could even get close to Ning Beichen, Ning Beichen raised his hand and sword, instantly disemboweling it. It fell to the ground, its eyes wide with disbelief.
It wasn't that the demon was too weak, but that Ning Beichen was too strong, especially after his realm had improved. His current cultivation was on an entirely different level from before.
In the blink of an eye, Ning Beichen had slain three demons, thoroughly astonishing the Zhou family's old ancestor, let alone the others.
Soon, the ferocious beasts that had been besieging Zhou City retreated in terror. Even the demon at the east gate fled, unwilling to believe it had the capability to avenge its three fallen companions.
What was initially an event of annihilation was thus resolved. However, the Zhou family members could not rejoice, for their savior was the very enemy they had been humiliated by.
The Zhou family's old ancestor, his expression complex, approached Ning Beichen and, on behalf of the Zhou family, offered their thanks. After all, had Ning Beichen not intervened, the Zhou family's annihilation would have been a foregone conclusion today.
"You are mistaken. I did not act to save the Zhou family, but to save you. My challenge to the Zhou family was merely to meet you."
Ning Beichen said to the Zhou family's old ancestor.
He did not want this favor to be attributed to the Zhou family; he wanted the Zhou family's old ancestor to be indebted to him.
The Zhou family's old ancestor gave a wry smile and could only cup his hands towards Ning Beichen, asking with bitterness,
"May I know, young friend, what qualities have I, an old man, that you would deem worthy of your attention?"
"Nothing else, I merely wish to ask you some questions."
Ning Beichen stated directly.
"Oh? May I know what matter it is?"
The Zhou family's old ancestor never dreamed that Ning Beichen was here for him.
"I wish to know all information regarding the Ancestral Court."
Ning Beichen did not beat around the bush, stating his objective directly.
"Young friend merely wishes to know about the Ancestral Court?"
The Zhou family's old ancestor was astonished once more.
"That's right. I only want you to tell me all the information you have about the Ancestral Court."
Ning Beichen said.
"Information about the Ancestral Court cannot be spoken, lest disaster befall you."
The Zhou family's old ancestor said, fixing his gaze on Ning Beichen.
Ning Beichen frowned, wondering if the Ancestral Court was truly that ominous.
"What if I insist you tell me?"
Ning Beichen did not believe in any such disasters; he only believed in his own strength.
This time, it was the Zhou family's old ancestor who frowned. In countless years, Ning Beichen was likely the first person to dare threaten an old ancestor.
"The Ancestral Court cannot be spoken of, but I can take you there. However, can you spare the Zhou family?"
The Zhou family's old ancestor dared not gamble. Ning Beichen was a powerhouse capable of slaying demons, and killing him, an old ancestor, would be no problem, let alone the Zhou family.
"Agreed."
Ning Beichen had no intention of dealing with the Zhou family. His sole purpose was the Zhou family's old ancestor. Since his objective had been achieved, he would not trouble the Zhou family further.
And Ning Beichen believed that the Zhou family would not dare to seek trouble with him, unless they wished for their own annihilation.
As the events concluded, the news of the three demons being slain spread throughout the Central Continent. Ning Beichen's name shone brilliantly at this moment.