Demon Race

Biodata

Background / History

In ancient times, the Demon Race existed in the Human Realm and competed with other races for supremacy. Human sages eventually drove them away and sealed them beyond the realm, leaving their existence concealed from most humans for generations. Remains of demons are discovered around an underground altar in Xiahe County Town, where the altar’s seal is threatened by those seeking to use martial artists’ blood. 164

The origins of the Demon Race are later revealed in the God Burial Ground. Images produced by Elder Tortoise’s shell show humans and demons alike being transformed by the power of the Ancient Deities. Later visions depict the two races once living and working together before shadowy forces manipulated their hatred into lasting conflict. 497 499

The Demon Realm is a harsh homeland saturated with violent primordial energy. Prolonged exposure can drive demons into bloodlust or reduce them to instinct-driven beasts, giving many demons a powerful incentive to seek entry into the Human Realm. Ancient seals and nodes were established to restrain this expansion. 506

Society and Hierarchy

• Tribes and clans — Demon society is divided among numerous tribes, including fox, tiger, lion, snake, rhino, and other demon lineages. Their attitudes toward humans vary widely. 542 551
• Demon cities — Demon cities maintain guarded gates, markets, taverns, information networks, and trade in rune-covered weapons, gems, maps, and ancient objects. 489 511 515
• Lesser demons and Demon Warriors — Common soldiers and lower-ranking combatants who form the bulk of demon armies. 378 451
• Great demons — Upper-middle-tier experts capable of claiming territory and ruling over lesser demons. 522
• Demon Kings / Great Demon Kings — Regional rulers and the core leadership of demon forces. A Great Demon King is comparable to a Human Grandmaster, while its natural body gives it an advantage over humans of the same realm. 466 467
• Demon Emperors — Ancient supreme figures with catastrophic power. Their return may require a Great Sacrifice of demons with special bloodlines. 519 520

Traits and Abilities

Demonic Physiology

Demon forms vary drastically, from humanoid creatures with horns, scales, wings, tails, or animal traits to colossal monsters. Their bodies are generally stronger than human bodies at comparable cultivation levels. 467 535 585

• Some demon lineages possess wings or the ability to fly. 497 535
• Certain demons can control elements, summon wind and rain, manipulate poison, or wield other specialized demonic arts. 486 497
• Powerful demons may possess extraordinary regeneration, though specialized formations and weapons can suppress such abilities. 451 585
• Demon Race script is distinct from human writing. 464

Demonic Energy

Demonic Energy is the race’s primary supernatural power source, used to empower bodies, arts, formations, barriers, and large-scale arrays. 451 487 535

• Demon formations can release destructive energy, confuse enemies, or support seal-breaking rituals. 451 487 535
• Demonic Energy can corrupt demons, beasts, and humans alike, producing puppets, demonized creatures, and uncontrollable Demonic Tides. 515 519 542
• The energy is not inherently safe for demons: the eruption from Myriad Demon Cave corrodes and controls Demon Race members, forcing rival Demon Kings to cooperate for survival. 515
• Sunwarm Crystal, the Nine-Yang Primordial Unity Formation, and the Spirit-Yang Harmony Talisman can be combined to restrain Demonic Energy and restore afflicted demons. 520

Transformation and Disguise

Some demons possess transformation abilities. Fang Yue acquires Illusionary Form Power by refining a Great Demon King’s essence, allowing him to imitate a demon’s appearance and aura closely enough to infiltrate demon armies and cities. 486 489

Conflicts with Humanity

• Ancient sealing — The race was expelled from the Human Realm and sealed away after ancient inter-racial conflict. 164
• Great Chu alliance — Great Chu formally allies with demons against Great Wei, enabling demon forces to participate in the border war. 451
• Seal-breaking plots — Prince Guangxin and multiple demon factions attempt to breach Demon Realm seals to bring a demon army into the Human Realm. 466 511 512
• Ancient Demon revival — Demon leaders repeatedly seek to awaken Ancient Demon Generals or channel Ancient Demon power through arrays. 487 500 535
• Emperor Youye’s invasion — After escaping his seal, Emperor Youye unifies the Demon Realm, establishes a disciplined Demon Army, and invades the Human Realm. 542 543
• Defeat and migration — Fang Yue kills Emperor Youye, collapsing demon morale. A Demon Race envoy subsequently requests refuge in the Human Realm to escape the Demonic Tide, agreeing to settle in Desolate Valley under human rules. 546

Relationships

• Human Race — Historical enemy and frequent military opponent; the two races are nevertheless shown to share an origin and a past of peaceful coexistence. 497 499
• Fang Yue — A major enemy of militant demon factions, but also an ally to rescued demons, the Fox Woman, Lei Bao, Cloud Dress Witch, and other civilians facing the Demonic Tide. 512 550 551
• Ancient Demons — A corrupting threat to both demons and humans; their Demonic Energy creates puppets, corrupted beasts, and widespread disaster in the Demon Realm. 515 519 521
• Emperor Youye — Demon Emperor who forcibly unifies the Demon Realm before his death at Fang Yue’s hands. 542 546
• Shadow Demon Society — A hostile force that provokes conflict between demons and humans, including during the Demon Race’s migration to Desolate Valley. 547

Story Role / Major Arcs

Rediscovery and Returning Threat

The Demon Race is initially believed to be mythical by ordinary humans until their ancient remains are uncovered beneath Xiahe County Town. As seals weaken, demons begin appearing in the Human Realm and the Demon Realm becomes accessible through hidden nodes. 164 374 378

Demon Realm Conflict

Fang Yue enters the Demon Realm, battles Demon Warriors and Great Demon Kings, infiltrates demon cities and armies, and becomes the subject of a race-wide bounty after disrupting plans to destroy the Demon Emperor’s seal. 378 486 514

Shared-Origin Revelation

Within the God Burial Ground, evidence of humanity’s and the Demon Race’s shared origin challenges the Venerable Lord’s doctrine of absolute racial enmity. Some demons hesitate rather than continue fighting Fang Yue after this revelation. 497 499

Demonic Tide and Cooperation

The eruption of Demonic Energy threatens the Demon Realm itself, forcing some Demon Kings and ordinary demons to consider cooperation with humans. Fang Yue later leads a mixed group of humans and demons against Demon Soldiers and the Demon Statue controlling a Demonic Tide. 515 550 551

Emperor Youye’s War and Desolate Valley Settlement

Emperor Youye’s unification of the Demon Realm leads to a full-scale invasion of the Human Realm. Following his defeat, surviving demons seek conditional shelter in Desolate Valley, where mistrust and provocations by the Shadow Demon Society threaten the fragile arrangement. 542 546 547