In the understanding of many, the demon race and the beast race were originally the same, as there were many demonic beasts in the mortal world.
But in truth, this was not the case.
The demon race referred to demonic beasts. This type of demonic beast would develop considerable sentience very early on and grow increasingly intelligent as their cultivation increased. Furthermore, once the demonic beast race reached a certain realm, the vast majority would choose to transform into human form, interacting and cultivating with humans, and some would even intermarry.
This was the demon race.
But the beast race was a broader term referring to ancient beasts and ferocious beasts. Although they also possessed intelligence, it was inferior to that of the demon race. Moreover, this race mostly maintained their original forms and were more savage than the demon race.
It could be said that the demon and beast races were distinguished precisely by this.
The sudden intervention of the beast race had already caused the human Saints to pale. Now, with the arrival of the demon race, came another threat no weaker than the beast race.
"Azure Dragon, we humans are contending with the beast race for the treasure. What right does your demon race have to come?" the Sovereign of Hua Guo snorted coldly.
Azure Dragon Great Saint was majestic and imposing, hailed as the Azure Dragon, though naturally he was not a True Dragon. He was a green flood dragon who had once obtained a great opportunity, acquiring a portion of True Dragon blood, evolving further towards the True Dragon form. He also bore the title of Azure Dragon Great Saint and was an extremely powerful figure even among Saint Lords.
Wearing an Azure Dragon treasure crown, he sneered coldly, "If the human race and beast race can contend for the treasure, why can't my demon race?"
A tripartite standoff ensued, with each side confronting the others. Yet, none dared to be the first to set foot into the Hundred Battles Mountain Range, for they would bear the brunt of the attack.
In the end, the Saints of all three sides actually set up camp outside the Hundred Battles Mountain Range, with none entering.
This greatly vexed the human Saints.
The three-day period originally agreed upon by the human Saints was clearly no longer applicable. With the unexpected arrival of the Saint-level powerhouses from the demon and beast races, some high-ranking Saint Lord-level figures deliberated and decided to charge in stealthily that very night.
Although the blood-tainted aura of the Hundred Battles Mountain Range would grow somewhat stronger after nightfall, it had not yet erupted.
The timing of the Saint Lords' discussion naturally could not escape Ye Chen's keen perception. He too was waiting, and waiting for certain individuals.
He speculated that with the appearance of the Chaos Supreme Treasure, the powerhouses from the Ancient Divine Continent would likely know it was the Human Sovereign Pagoda and would come to contend for it.
But as time passed bit by bit, he did not detect their presence, which disappointed him.
He was also very curious about the current situation of the various Heavenly Kings from the Ancient Divine Continent—whether they had all been received into the so-called Divine Realm.
That night, before the demon and beast races could react, the human Saints suddenly charged towards the Hundred Battles Mountain Range.
Even though they set off early, the commotion was still extremely grand, immediately alerting the powerhouses of the other two races. They were somewhat stunned but quickly paled.
"Charge forward, don't let the humans be first!"
The Saints of the other two races also charged over.
Finally, whether human, demon, or beast race, the numerous powerhouses from all three sides charged into the Hundred Battles Mountain Range. Pillars of divine radiance, blood energy, or demonic aura shot into the sky, tearing apart a section of heaven and earth as they almost simultaneously charged in.
The Hundred Battles Mountain Range was vast and majestic, spanning ten thousand li, with numerous blood-colored desolate mountains standing tall. Most had collapsed, yet they still appeared grand.
Under the night sky, it emanated an unprecedented eeriness.
Normally, although blood-tainted aura permeated this place, it flowed calmly and did not affect the outside world.
But now, the powerhouses of the three great races forcefully charged in, and not just one or two individuals—each side had dozens to hundreds, all at least Saints. With so many powerhouses charging in, they immediately disrupted the tranquility of the Hundred Battles Mountain Range.
Boom—
Suddenly, the blood-colored, tainted aura of the Hundred Battles Mountain Range surged into the sky. Vast, ferocious might emerged, and strands of supremely powerful, infinitely complex Dao marks intertwined with each other, giving birth to myriad terrifying phenomena. The tainted aura shot skyward, tearing heaven and splitting earth.
This situation was as if the most fearsome evil spirit lurking within the Hundred Battles Mountain Range was awakening, wanting to destroy heaven and earth, immeasurably terrifying.
If it weren't for the fact that the Hundred Battles Mountain Range had later been inscribed with astonishing array patterns by a peerless existence, blocking the tainted aura from encroaching upon the human Domain, merely this fluctuation would have been enough to destroy everything within a thousand li, annihilating all living beings, leaving nothing behind.
Roar— Roar—
Visible to the naked eye, that blood-tainted aura actually transformed into terrifying blood-colored phantoms—humans, demons, beasts, all three races were represented, and all were super-powerful experts who had once battled here.
At the very least, they were Saints from various regions, and there was no lack of overlords and Saint Lords among them. Their Imprints, remnant traces of laws, combined with the special blood-tainted aura of the Hundred Battles Mountain Range, were akin to being reborn, roaring and attacking.
In an instant, the entire Hundred Battles Mountain Range seemed about to explode. The blood-tainted aura blotted out the sky, completely obscuring the Bright Moon in the heavens.
"Disaster!"
The Saints paled!
The powerhouses of the three great races had miscalculated. They had thought entering collectively was best, never expecting it would immediately cause the tainted aura of the Hundred Battles Mountain Range to erupt into chaos, producing so many terrifying phantoms, all excessively powerful, causing the powerhouses of the three races to pale one after another.
However, being powerhouses from across the world, at least Saints, they were skilled and bold, fearless.
The powerhouses took action. Divine might shook heaven and earth, immediately destroying swathes of blood-colored phantoms. They were merely illusory remnants and lacked corresponding sentience. In truth, they were naturally far from being as difficult to kill as real powerhouses.
Swathes of blood-colored desolate mountains collapsed, dust and smoke billowed into the sky, and the earth split endlessly.
But the Hundred Battles Mountain Range was, after all, extraordinary. First, ancient Divine Spirits had dueled here; later, generations of super-powerful experts had dueled here, staining the entire mountain range with blood. It had long become extraordinary, forming a special realm of its own, difficult to destroy.
Precisely because of this, all fluctuations were restricted within this Hundred Battles Mountain Range, not affecting the outside world.
The battle was intense. The Saints were confronting the blood-colored Saint Phantoms within the Hundred Battles Mountain Range—human, beast, or demon—all excessively powerful, yet enhanced by remnant law traces, they charged over.
Moreover, the three sides were merely acting for their own masters, having been at odds since ancient times. It was impossible for them to join forces and attack together; they could even start fighting among themselves.
Boom—
Not long after, someone was killed. Whether human, demon, or beast race, none were spared. A situation of casualties emerged, with blood light bursting forth, reflecting the blood-red color of the Hundred Battles Mountain Range, appearing exceptionally terrifying.
But soon, the powerhouses of the three sides discovered a terrifying scene: the fallen Saints of the three races, under the eerie influence of the Hundred Battles Mountain Range, immediately transformed into blood-colored Saint Phantoms, instead attacking the powerhouses of the three races.
Azure Dragon Great Saint shouted, "Humans, beast race, our three races must immediately cease internal strife and first resolve the enemies within the Hundred Battles Mountain Range. Otherwise, our fallen will become enemies within the Hundred Battles Mountain Range."
For the first time, the three races reached a unanimous decision, taking the lead in launching an expedition against the blood-colored Saint Phantoms within the Hundred Battles Mountain Range.