Its power was immense, comparable to a human martial artist at the sixth level of the Xiantian realm.
Upon its appearance, the entire mountain forest fell into a state of frenzy, with countless creatures trampled into pulp.
At this moment, this terrifying flame mammoth roared to the sky, venting the fearsome energy within its body, leveling an area of more than ten li. Even Zhou Yan trembled under its feet.
"Run! The most terrifying fierce beast in history has descended!"
"This savage beast is going to eat people!"
Many surviving humans fled in terror, their faces ashen.
Savage beasts of this caliber were far beyond their imagination. They were defenseless and could only be slaughtered.
However, the flame mammoth did not pursue them.
The hundreds-of-meters-tall flame mammoth suddenly rotated its massive body, revealing a human-shaped black hole.
A burly man was thrown out of the black hole and fell to the ground.
The man's legs were broken, his mouth was full of blood, and he lay on the ground, groaning incessantly, looking extremely miserable.
This man was none other than Zhou Yan!
"Hiss~"
"He's still alive? What a tough life!"
"What's going on? He was clearly doomed just now!"
From afar, the crowd was shocked.
No one expected such a ferocious and terrifying savage beast to throw him away as food!
"Could it be..." Suddenly, a guess surfaced in their minds.
Everyone's eyes widened, filled with dread.
Rumor had it that some exotic beasts possessed intelligence and peculiar divine abilities.
Could it be that this savage beast had already developed intelligence?
This was almost unbelievable.
After all, if this flame mammoth possessed intelligence, it would undoubtedly become even more terrifying, and its combat power would increase by several times!
Rumble~
Suddenly, the flame mammoth took a step towards Zhou Yan. Its enormous body exuded an oppressive aura, making it difficult for the surrounding people to breathe.
Everyone was deathly silent, their gazes filled with tension.
If this terrifying fierce beast did anything to Zhou Yan, they would surely perish.
"Damn it!" Zhou Yan cursed inwardly.
This flame mammoth was too powerful. Just being close to it caused a suffocating and terrifying pressure, making his skin feel like it was about to split, piercingly painful.
"Little one! You should know that I can find you and take you away from here without harming you."
Just then, a gentle and kind voice suddenly came.
Upon hearing this, the flame mammoth stopped its advance and turned its head towards the source of the sound.
"Huh? This guy... looks quite like me?" Zhou Yan's eyes widened.
On the back of the flame mammoth, an old man was perched. His beard and hair were snow-white, he wore a tattered gray robe, and his figure was thin and hunched, appearing extremely ancient.
However, Zhou Yan could feel the terror of this old man.
This was because the old man's aura even surpassed that of the flame mammoth.
"Senior, you must have mistaken me for someone else," Zhou Yan coughed dryly and asked tentatively.
Although he felt that the old man in front of him bore a strong resemblance to him, under these circumstances, Zhou Yan dared not risk admitting it, for fear of the consequences.
"Heh heh, how could I mistake someone?"
The old man shook his head slightly, slowly stood up, and looked up at Zhou Yan. "Child, stop hiding. I have already seen you."
Hearing this, Zhou Yan couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.
"Since that's the case, why should we hide? Please sit, senior." Zhou Yan sighed, deciding to lay his cards on the table. He boldly sat down cross-legged, facing the old man openly.
Since he could no longer conceal it, he would be honest.
The old man stared at Zhou Yan for a long time, a gentle smile on his face, and said in a mild tone, "It's been a very, very long time since anyone dared to speak to me like this."
Zhou Yan smiled faintly. He didn't believe he could contend with this flame mammoth, and if he wasn't humble, he might be in serious trouble.
The old man got straight to the point. "My name is Zhou Heng, and I am the Emperor of the Zhou Dynasty."
"Someone from the royal family?" Zhou Yan frowned slightly.
Hadn't the royal family disappeared from the historical stage long ago?
"That's right."
Zhou Heng said solemnly, "You possess the 'Zhou Family Dragon Vein' and are a member of my royal family. However, due to an unforeseen event years ago, your parents met with misfortune and were forced to live among the commoners. I have searched for many years, and only now have I found you."
As he spoke, Zhou Heng placed his hand on Zhou Yan's shoulder, releasing a gentle force that nourished Zhou Yan's body.
Instantly, a warm sensation spread throughout his body.
Zhou Yan's spirits were immediately boosted, and he felt incredibly refreshed. The severe pain he had felt earlier vanished without a trace, and even the bones in his limbs healed.
"Senior, thank you for saving my life. May I ask what instructions you have for this junior?"
Having recovered his mobility, Zhou Yan quickly asked.
"Instructions are too much to ask. You are an orphan of the royal family and should receive royal training. However, I have pressing matters to attend to now, so I can only take you to the royal palace first," Zhou Heng said.
Zhou Yan breathed a sigh of relief.
So, this old man was here to take him as a disciple. He had thought the other party was going to seize his "Zhou Family Dragon Vein."
Immediately, Zhou Yan respectfully said, "I will obey senior's orders."
...
In the depths of the royal palace in Zhou City, amidst splendor and grandeur.
Zhou Yan followed Zhou Heng, walking along winding stone paths, passing through countless palatial buildings and pavilions. They moved unimpeded and soon reached the main gate of the royal palace.
The guards at the palace gate were all clad in heavy armor, exuding a formidable aura and possessing powerful cultivation.
"Greetings, Grand Martial Ancestor."
The guards bowed in unison.
This old man was none other than the highly respected Grand Martial Ancestor of the royal palace – Zhou Heng.
Zhou Yan's eyelids twitched.
In his memory, Zhou Heng seemed to be on his last leg, his lifespan nearing its end. How did he suddenly appear? Was he a zombie?
"Mm."
Zhou Heng waved his hand and said indifferently, "You guard the gate. I will take him into the palace. You may leave."
"Yes."
The guards responded to his command and dispersed.
Zhou Yan was speechless. Was this old man playing a trick on him? These guards were all at the Martial King level. Any one of them would be enough to suppress him.
"Child, let's go. Don't just stand there," Zhou Heng said, leading the way through the gate.
Zhou Yan hesitated for a moment before stepping into the royal palace.
"This is the royal palace where I once lived,"
Zhou Heng explained as they walked. "I was originally the second strongest in the kingdom. Later, I accidentally fell off a cliff and lost my memory, thus becoming a cripple."
Zhou Yan nodded.
The old man's strength was indeed unfathomable.
Zhou Yan was increasingly astonished. He never expected this old man to be a super expert at the Martial Ancestor realm. Such cultivation talent was simply monstrous and heaven-defying!
"The reason I summoned you here this time is actually about your background."
As he spoke, Zhou Heng entered a secluded courtyard.
"My background?"
Zhou Yan was momentarily stunned.
"Yes."