The two Demon Race lords attacked without hesitation. The Blood Jiao let out a low growl as his already massive frame swelled outward by another ring. The visible surge of blood energy billowed around his body like crimson mist, rolling and churning like a tide.
He flickered forward and shot out like a cannonball, hurtling straight toward the Half Moon Mountain barrier.
The Demon Race was renowned for their physical prowess, and the Blood Jiao lord was a cut above even among them—born with an innately powerful body. This seemingly simple charge carried unimaginable destructive force.
As he tore through the air in his wake, a long arc of light trailed behind him, so hot that even the atmosphere ignited.
Boom…
The Blood Jiao's body slammed into the Half Moon Mountain barrier, and the entire mountain seemed to shudder. The layer of barrier light wrapped around it flickered violently, showing signs of imminent collapse.
A flash of delight crossed the Blood Jiao's face. He thought to himself that the Half Moon Mountain barrier was nothing special after all, and was just about to push harder and shatter it completely when a tremendous rebounding force surged from the other side—so wild and violent that it surpassed even his own charge.
The Blood Jiao had been caught off guard. By the time he reacted, it was already too late.
With a muffled grunt, his massive body was sent flying backward.
The assembled demon beasts exchanged stunned glances, their eyes filled with horror.
Fortunately, the Blood Jiao was tough-skinned and thick-fleshed. The rebounding force, though powerful, hadn't hurt him in the slightest—it had only left him looking rather disheveled.
He steadied himself and gave his head a shake, growling in a low voice: "There's some trick to this, alright."
Beside him, Thousand Eyes said with a solemn expression: "Legend has it that Half Moon Mountain was once half the body of an ancient Great Demon King. Naturally it's no ordinary place."
The Blood Jiao shot him an irritated look: "Save the commentary and lend a hand."
Thousand Eyes nodded and fell silent. A brilliant silver light erupted from his two silver eyes, condensing into solid form and taking the shape of two gleaming swords. With a slight tremor, they shot toward the barrier ahead like arrows loosed from a bow, swift as lightning.
The Blood Jiao didn't idle either. Coordinating with Thousand Eyes' secret art, he charged forward once more and swung his enormous fist down upon the Half Moon Mountain barrier.
The combined strike of two Demon Race lords was enough to rend heaven and earth.
When the attack landed, the barrier's light flickered even faster than before. This time, the Blood Jiao had been prepared and naturally wasn't knocked back by the rebounding force.
After the strike, the glow of the Half Moon Mountain barrier seemed to dim ever so slightly.
At the sight, both Thousand Eyes and the Blood Jiao's eyes lit up. The two lords had seen through the situation—they knew that if they kept up this kind of combined assault a few more times, the barrier would inevitably shatter. Once that happened, they could storm straight in and break into the Red Moon Palace. Under no circumstances could they let Red Moon peacefully absorb the power within the Mad Crocodile Demon King's Void Thought Crystal.
But before they could strike again, a long, drawn-out sigh drifted out from within Half Moon Mountain. The sigh itself was ordinary enough, yet it seemed to carry some mysterious power that penetrated straight into the hearts of every powerful being present, making them all shudder involuntarily.
The demon beasts who had been furiously attacking the barrier froze in their tracks, their faces filled with dread.
Even the Blood Jiao and Thousand Eyes adopted grave expressions, struggling to drive the unease from their hearts.
"Blood Jiao, Thousand Eyes, I am a pillar of the Demon Race just as you are. I have no wish for things to become too ugly. Leave now, and I will pretend none of this ever happened. Otherwise, you will most certainly pay the price!"
"Red Moon!" the Blood Jiao and Thousand Eyes called out simultaneously.
They were all Demon Race lords who had crossed paths many times before—Red Moon's voice was unmistakable. But this time, Red Moon gave them a very different feeling. Her words weren't harsh; they were almost calm, yet they filled one with a bone-deep terror, as though continuing down this path would truly exact a terrible cost.
Both Demon Race lords felt their hearts skip a beat and exchanged a glance.
Thousand Eyes gritted his teeth: "Playing ghost tricks, are we? If you've got the guts, drop the barrier and let me come in to speak with you face to face!"
"Exactly!" the Blood Jiao echoed from the side. "Red Moon, you know full well that we're all pillars of the Demon Race. I, the Blood Jiao, come here today with Brother Thousand Eyes, and you shut the door in our faces? What kind of logic is that? If you know what's good for you, open this barrier at once and let us in!"
"Further words are wasted. Live or die—it all hinges on a single thought from you two. I have exhausted my benevolence!" Red Moon's voice came again from within Half Moon Mountain, and then there was nothing more.
Beads of cold sweat appeared on the foreheads of both the Blood Jiao and Thousand Eyes as a vague premonition crept over them.
After a long while, Thousand Eyes turned to the Blood Jiao and said: "Brother Blood Jiao, you're not actually scared, are you?"
"I've never been afraid of anyone in my life," the Blood Jiao snorted coldly.
"Good to hear." Thousand Eyes nodded slightly and bared his teeth in a grin. "Then let's give it everything we've got."
The Blood Jiao's brow furrowed, as if hesitating, but in the end he clenched his teeth: "Fine!"
The moment those words left his lips, the demon essence within both Demon Race lords surged forth once more. Each unleashed their earth-shattering techniques and bombarded the Half Moon Mountain barrier.
"Stubborn fools!" Red Moon's furious voice rang out. The spiritual energy between heaven and earth trembled violently, and then, in the sky above, a colossal, elegant palm imprint materialized without warning.
The palm pressed down as though the sky itself were collapsing, bearing down upon the Blood Jiao and Thousand Eyes.