The Demonic Beast Mountain Range, serving as the primary territory where almost all demonic beasts in the entire Xia Feng Kingdom gathered, stretched continuously for thousands of miles. Its towering peaks and dense, wild forests rendered it almost isolated from the world.
Despite being filled with countless dangers, claiming the lives of tens of thousands every year, the high value derived from demonic beast flesh, hides, and spirit herbs had long attracted numerous adventurers, who braved the perils to enter this hazardous mountain range.
Consequently, prosperous human towns had developed outside the mountains, becoming bases for these risk-takers venturing into the Demonic Beast Mountain Range.
The most famous among them was Zhenyao City.
Zhenyao City, as its name implied, was a city meant to suppress demonic beasts, situated at the main exit of the Demonic Beast Mountain Range facing human territory.
Due to geographical necessity, over hundreds of years, it had gradually developed into the largest city in this thousand-mile stretch, hosting a large number of mercenary groups, merchants, and adventurers who resided there year-round.
Even a massive army of several hundred thousand elite soldiers was permanently stationed in Zhenyao City, precisely to guard against sudden demonic beast riots erupting from the mountain range, which could bring calamity upon humanity. The army could suppress such events at the first sign.
Historically, the Demonic Beast Mountain Range experienced large-scale demonic beast riots at almost regular intervals, wreaking havoc across thousands of miles, causing widespread damage and significant losses to the kingdom.
To prevent these riots, the Xia Feng Kingdom had no choice but to dispatch a heavy army of several hundred thousand to be stationed there long-term, strictly guarding against demonic beast uprisings.
However, under normal circumstances, the army of several hundred thousand served more as a deterrent, as demonic beast riots did not erupt frequently; sometimes, a century could pass peacefully.
Yet, on this night, terrifying roars of demonic beasts echoed from the usually quiet and silent Demonic Beast Mountain Range, accompanied by earth-shattering explosions. Terrifying waves of destructive energy continuously erupted, as if a demon god were running amok. From afar, one could feel the mountains and valleys trembling, startling everyone in the towns so thoroughly that none dared sleep. They fled in panic overnight.
For they all knew this must be the roar of a super demonic beast surpassing the Xiantian realm; otherwise, it wouldn't be so terrifying. They wondered who had provoked such a fearsome existence.
The terrifying fluctuations lasted an entire night. The tremendous sounds shook the heavens and the earth, while azure and crimson light illuminated the pitch-black night sky, exceptionally conspicuous.
That night, Zhenyao City was on high alert. The general stationed there did not dare neglect his duty. He immediately issued orders: the several hundred thousand heavy troops stationed there awoke from their slumber, stood ready for battle, and quickly assembled outside the Demonic Beast Mountain Range. They remained vigilant at all times, prepared to engage the enemy at the first moment to prevent the riot from spreading to human territory.
Furthermore, they dispatched trained, majestic Sky Eagles and ordered messengers to ride swift Silver Snow Steeds, delivering urgent messages post-haste over three thousand miles to the royal capital, requesting the king to send a Martial God realm supreme expert for support to withstand the disaster.
The reason for requesting Martial God realm reinforcements despite possessing several hundred thousand heavy troops was a deep understanding of the true terror of the Martial God realm.
The Martial God realm, superior to the Xiantian realm, was terrifying to an unimaginable degree once attained. History held no shortage of examples showcasing the formidable combat power of Martial Gods. They could obliterate a small city in an instant, slay hundreds or thousands of soldiers with a flip of their hand, and easily take an enemy commander's head amidst a sea of troops—effortless as if they were deities.
This realm was called Martial God not without reason, precisely because its power reached truly heaven-shaking levels. Hence, it was honored with the title "God," signifying the reverence and supreme strength of this realm.
Moreover, within the same realm, demonic beasts were often more fearsome than human cultivators. Once such a super demonic beast truly raged, it possessed truly destructive power. Victory was no longer a matter of sheer numbers.
For upon reaching the Martial God realm, one could mobilize the vast power of heaven and earth, possessing boundless magic power and terrifying destructive force. A single strike could annihilate hundreds or thousands of troops. Furthermore, they could soar into the sky—how could one truly fight them?
Outside Zhenyao City, facing the direction of the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, was not an easily defensible strategic pass. On the contrary, it was a vast, flawless plain.
Considering that demonic beasts lived in mountainous forests, adept at running through wooded terrain with agility and ease, their combat effectiveness would be greatly diminished on plains. Conversely, battles on plains often benefited humans, especially cavalry, which could play a crucial role. Therefore, even if it was originally mountainous terrain, it had been leveled into a plain.
On this vast plain, the three hundred thousand troops of the Xia Feng Kingdom stationed here were arrayed. The massive, dark mass of the army, wielding heavy weapons, formed a Great Wall stretching over ten miles, pointing towards the Demonic Beast Mountain Range. Everything was on high alert; at a single command, they could engage.
Similarly, mercenary groups and adventurers from various towns spontaneously organized themselves into armies to block the demonic beast riot.
Here, an atmosphere of solemn rigor prevailed.
In contrast to this calm, from the depths of the Demonic Beast Mountain Range came continuous, massive roars and explosions. The rumbling roar was unceasing, causing the vast mountainous area spanning hundreds of miles to tremble.
Strangely, however, the long-awaited demonic beast riot did not materialize. Aside from the terrifying roars, the towering, majestic Demonic Beast Mountain Range remained deathly silent.
Boom—
Suddenly, a supreme Dao might spread in all directions, causing hearts to tremble.
In the sky, at some unknown time, a figure appeared, standing in the void. Clad in resplendent armor, his entire body radiant, he resembled a legendary deity, exceptionally conspicuous. None dared meet his gaze.
Moreover, boundless pressure spread gradually, like a great stone pressing upon the shoulders of all, bearing immense weight, making it impossible to lift one's head.
Martial God!
The Martial God expert requested from the royal capital for support had finally arrived. The moment he appeared, the general of the Zhenyao City army led the three hundred thousand troops in immediately kneeling and saluting: "Subordinates pay respects to Martial God Changfeng!"
"We pay respects to Martial God Changfeng!"
Behind him, the three hundred thousand troops shouted in unison, their voices piercing the clouds, resonating through the mountains, exceptionally clear and loud.
Martial God Changfeng nodded indifferently, his divine light receding inward, and descended onto the plain.
This was an elder with white hair and beard, yet his physique was tall and robust, his eyes like copper bells, exuding great authority. Clad in battle armor, he was one of the few Martial God realm existences within the Xia Feng Kingdom, extremely powerful.
It was widely rumored that when this Martial God Changfeng made his move upon first advancing to the Martial God realm, he dealt with the bandit-plagued Nine Mountains and Eighteen Peaks of the eastern province. In a single night, he completely flattened the towering Nine Mountains and Eighteen Peaks, shattered the earth, and single-handedly exterminated thousands of bandits, turning the place into history and making his name known throughout the land.
That was already a century ago. A hundred years had passed since, and it was unknown to what extent this Martial God Changfeng had grown in strength.
Martial God Changfeng nodded towards the general of the three hundred thousand troops and said, "Now, report the situation."
"Reporting to the Martial God, the matter is as follows..." The general was a middle-aged man of some years. Commanding three hundred thousand troops naturally granted him high status and power, but he clearly understood the true capabilities of a Martial God realm existence and did not dare neglect. He respectfully relayed all key points so the Martial God could understand.
Martial God Changfeng nodded, having processed all the information. Then, a flicker of doubt crossed his expression as he gazed into the majestic Demonic Beast Mountain Range, somewhat puzzled: "A Martial God realm demonic beast is enraged, yet no demonic beast army has appeared. Could it not be a demonic beast riot?"
This situation was strange. It did not resemble the prelude to an imminent demonic beast riot. Historically, before every demonic beast riot, there would always be formidable super demonic beasts roaring and bellowing, gathering a large number of demonic beasts in preparation to charge into human settlements.
However, the super demonic beast within the Demonic Beast Mountain Range had not left the mountains to wreak havoc upon human territory. It had merely roared in fury for an entire night, nothing more.
Martial God Changfeng's expression suddenly changed: "Could it be related to that certain thing? No, this matter is of great consequence. I must enter the mountain range. It would be unfavorable if someone else got there first."
Boom—
The next moment, this Martial God, who had just arrived, suddenly left the military camp and charged into the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, leaving everyone behind filled with confusion.
That night, subsequent unusual movements within the Demonic Beast Mountain Range were significant, but ultimately, the night passed peacefully. Many speculated about what exactly had happened within the Demonic Beast Mountain Range to provoke such furious roars from the terrifying super demonic beast.
As the instigator, Ye Chen, holding the bone fragment, felt not the slightest tension due to Elder Yan's presence. On the contrary, he found a spot, built a campfire, and was roasting a freshly hunted Long-Tusked Spear Boar. Waves of fragrant meat aroma wafted out, making one's mouth water.
Golden juices dripped, carrying a mouth-watering meaty fragrance that stirred the heart.
Pat, pat, pat—
Suddenly, from the pitch-black forest, a tall figure emerged. His gaze fell upon the roasting boar over the campfire, and he said, "Little friend, I wonder if I might join you and partake in some of this meat."
Ye Chen's gaze shifted over. Looking at this heroic man, who, despite being covered in blood and his battle armor shattered, remained exceptionally outstanding and conspicuous, he suddenly smiled and said, "When a Martial God speaks, how could this junior dare refuse?"
This person was precisely the human Martial God who had just battled the Octagonal Azure Ox.