Not long after, the Zhou family's Old Ancestor appeared before Ning Beichen and immediately had people invite Ning Beichen and his companions inside.
"Young friend, I thought you had already..."
The Zhou family's Old Ancestor was utterly astonished to see Ning Beichen appear before him, full of life and vigor.
"You thought I died in there."
Ning Beichen sneered at him.
"Young friend, please forgive me. I had no such intention," the Zhou family's Old Ancestor quickly denied.
"Enough. I'm not here to talk about this. Where is Yang Qianrou?" Ning Beichen asked him.
The Zhou family's Old Ancestor shook his head. Before he could speak, he found himself locked in by a terrifying killing intent, making him feel as if he had fallen into an abyss.
Sweatdrops, as large as beans, dripped from his forehead. He hurriedly spoke to Ning Beichen, explaining.
"Wait, young friend, you've misunderstood. Miss Yang is fine. Let me explain in detail..."
"Speak."
Ning Beichen did not withdraw his killing intent. Instead, he stared intently at the Zhou family's Old Ancestor, showing no sign of politeness.
Time rewound to over three months ago. After they retreated from the misty sea, the two began waiting at the designated spot for Ning Beichen's return.
However, they waited for two full months, and Ning Beichen never returned, causing them immense worry.
After some more time, the Old Ancestor assumed Ning Beichen was dead and would not return. He then persuaded Yang Qianrou to leave with him.
But Yang Qianrou firmly believed Ning Beichen was not dead and insisted on waiting for his return here.
The Zhou family's Old Ancestor had no choice but to wait with her.
However, just a few days later, a large number of fierce beasts suddenly attacked them, and a powerful bird demon even appeared.
The Zhou family's Old Ancestor and Yang Qianrou were no match for the bird demon, and they quickly fled.
In the chaos, the Zhou family's Old Ancestor and Yang Qianrou were separated. The Old Ancestor, evading the bird demon's pursuit, fled. When he finally managed to shake off the demon, he discovered that Yang Qianrou had long since vanished.
Later, the Zhou family's Old Ancestor successfully escaped the mountain range. He then led people back into the mountains to search for Yang Qianrou's whereabouts, but they found nothing.
That's how things unfolded. What the Zhou family's Old Ancestor never expected was that Ning Beichen not only survived but had also returned, which left him feeling rather awkward.
After all, he had promised Ning Beichen that he would protect Yang Qianrou well, yet he had lost her. This was why he felt so guilty upon seeing Ning Beichen.
After hearing his explanation, Ning Beichen's icy eyes fixed on the Zhou family's Old Ancestor, as if looking at a dead man.
Although it sounded as though the incident was not his fault, and it was an accident that he did not intend, this was only if Ning Beichen were willing to reason with him.
"I apologize, young friend. I failed to protect Miss Liu," the Zhou family's Old Ancestor apologized to Ning Beichen.
Despite being an Old Ancestor, he knew very well that he was no match for Ning Beichen.
"Since you know it's your fault, why don't you just die!" Ning Beichen cared not whether he was the Zhou family's Old Ancestor. If Yang Qianrou were dead, then he would accompany her in death!
The Zhou family's Old Ancestor's eyelids twitched wildly. Seeing that Ning Beichen was not joking and truly intended to kill him, he panicked and quickly said.
"Young friend, please don't be hasty. I have already inquired about the whereabouts of that bird demon. Perhaps Miss Yang is not dead, but was simply captured by it."
"Heh, are you sure the bird demon captured Yang Qianrou to take as a wife, not as food?" Ning Beichen looked at him as if he were joking.
"If it were any other demon, Miss Yang would have no chance of survival. However, that bird demon has a master," the Zhou family's Old Ancestor quickly explained to Ning Beichen.
He seemed afraid that if he spoke too late, Ning Beichen would kill him with a single move, and he would truly die with regrets.
"You're saying that bird demon has a master? It's not a wild bird demon. Even if Yang Qianrou was captured by the bird demon, she might not be dead?" Ning Beichen asked him.
"That's right. I never gave up searching for Miss Yang's whereabouts, and I only found out about the bird demon's master these past few days," the Zhou family's Old Ancestor said with a hint of grievance in his tone.
"Good. Tell me who the bird demon's master is, and where he is. If what you say is true, I will not trouble you further," Ning Beichen told the Zhou family's Old Ancestor.
"The master of that bird demon is the Ruthless Iron Old Demon," the Zhou family's Old Ancestor whispered to Ning Beichen.
"Where is the Ruthless Iron Old Demon?" Ning Beichen frowned slightly. He was not from this place and knew nothing of this Ruthless Iron Old Demon, but the name suggested he was no good.
"The Ruthless Iron Old Demon lives on Mount Xu Feng. Young friend, the Ruthless Iron Old Demon has a very eccentric personality and is incredibly powerful, with a bird demon as his subordinate. He doesn't even give face to our three major families or the sect. If you intend to seek him out, you must be extremely careful," the Zhou family's Old Ancestor warned Ning Beichen.
"Thank you for the reminder. But I need someone to take me to Mount Xu Feng, preferably with an airship. Can you arrange that?" Ning Beichen asked him.
"No problem. However, young friend, the Ruthless Iron Old Demon is very strong. Dealing with him requires thorough preparation. Though our Zhou family is not capable, we are willing to confront the Ruthless Iron Old Demon with you. It would be best to also bring in the other two families and the Heavenly Sword Sect. With more people, our chances of dealing with the Ruthless Iron Old Demon will be greater," the Zhou family's Old Ancestor suggested to Ning Beichen.
"No need. You just need to provide me with an airship and a guide," Ning Beichen dismissed the idea of the Ruthless Iron Old Demon, unless his power surpassed that of a divine dragon.
"Then... alright." The Zhou family's Old Ancestor saw that Ning Beichen had made up his mind and could only agree.
However, he internally doubted that Ning Beichen alone could handle the Ruthless Iron Old Demon, even with the two delicate women behind him.
In the Central Continent, while the three major families and the Heavenly Sword Sect were colossal powers that no one dared to offend, this was only their collective might. There were still many independent super-experts in this world, and the Ruthless Iron Old Demon was one of them.
People like the Ruthless Iron Old Demon possessed immense personal strength, and with a bird demon by his side, whose power was comparable to that of any family's Old Ancestor, even the three major families were reluctant to provoke him.
Even the Heavenly Sword Sect did not wish to provoke such a reclusive expert, unless they possessed the ability to kill him in one blow. Otherwise, even the Heavenly Sword Sect could not withstand the Ruthless Iron Old Demon's retaliation.
If he were to retaliate from the shadows, all the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect would likely perish at his hands. It would be as if the Heavenly Sword Sect disciples could never descend the mountain, confined only to their sect.
Even if they hid within the sect, who could guarantee that the Ruthless Iron Old Demon wouldn't break in?