Soon, scientists in various countries discovered a strange active hormone in the samples—a very peculiar element. It was impossible to say whether it possessed life, but it did have a significant impact on Earth's organisms. Large-scale experiments began, and countless gas samples were shipped to Earth. Very quickly, scientists found that this new element could cause many existing Earth creatures to mutate, or rather, to evolve.

Evolution—a fascinating word. Ever since humans developed desires, they have longed for evolution, and today they finally discovered this precious key. This element was named "Zhi Yuan Su" (Intelligence Source Element).

At first, a large number of experiments were conducted only on mice and monkeys. Each surprising result excited the world, and soon countless volunteers were willing to participate in human trials.

Although some conservative human organizations protested and demonstrated daily, they could not stop the now nearly frenzied scientists and governments. With such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity before them, who could resist? In a sense, scientists are the greatest madmen—their obsession with human research drives them to find all sorts of excuses for human experimentation.

All of this was just on the surface. Underground experiments were even crazier, involving powerful criminal organizations and terrorist groups. Zhi Yuan Su could indeed cause mutations in human genes, but the results of mutation could be the acquisition of powerful or bizarre abilities, or it could mean insanity, idiocy, or death. The latter occurred in more than eighty percent of cases. But the one thing Earth has in abundance is people, so this problem was trivial and could not stop their progress.

At this time, something happened that shocked everyone on Earth: the laboratory animals collectively rebelled. They killed the scientists and guards, broke out of the labs, and took large quantities of Zhi Yuan Su with them. It had to be admitted that more primitive animals and even plants could absorb Zhi Yuan Su more easily. Once these former playthings of humans gained intelligence and power, they began to rescue their companions and fight for territory, making war inevitable.

This was a war that swept the globe. Humanity formed a global war alliance and was even forced to use many ultimate weapons, causing immense damage to the mutant creatures, the Earth, and humanity itself. Some said this was because humans had meddled in God's domain and that God was now punishing them, so this war was called the Apocalypse War. Some religious people believed the mutated animals were created by demons and called them "magical beasts." Over time, this term spread and was accepted by most people.

The result of the war was mutual destruction. Fortunately, relying on humanity's superior reproductive ability and centuries of accumulated wisdom, humans eventually gained the upper hand. However, these mutated species had already taken root. The magical beasts that survived became even stronger, some even more cunning than humans, making them nearly impossible to eradicate.

In the end, the two sides had no choice but to negotiate. At this point, the strength of all nations had been greatly weakened, and due to the effects of the war, power was now in the hands of the wartime-established War League. At this moment, they had already renamed themselves the United Earth Directorate.

The result of the negotiations was to designate some remote or heavily nuclear-contaminated areas on each continent—places unsuitable for human habitation—as habitats for the magical beasts. Their vitality was strong, so it didn't matter to them. In fact, they were already quite satisfied to be recognized by humans. Victory was not worthwhile for these newly born races; although they were powerful, they needed more time to think, to reflect, to reproduce. Now, time was the most precious thing for them.

One of the largest territories was in the frigid northernmost part of the Eurasian continent, where most of the magical beasts gathered. Using the special abilities of plant-based magical beasts, they quickly grew vast forests in those remote areas, forming their own world. Humans called it the "Magical Beast Forest," designated it as forbidden territory, and stationed heavy troops to guard it. After all, humans are naturally good at defense. Although there was a treaty, regardless of whether the magical beasts would abide by it, some magical beasts with very low intelligence would still escape, so defense was necessary.

After this war, humanity was severely weakened. The power of national governments was greatly diminished, and most wartime authority was now controlled by the United Earth Directorate. The political landscape of Earth was once again redrawn. In the fifth year after the war ended, the United Earth Directorate was officially established, changing the calendar from the Common Era to the first year of the New Era, marking humanity's entry into a new age.

Before the Apocalypse War, due to Zhi Yuan Su, a considerable number of people experienced physical mutations. During the war, in order to fight the mutated magical beasts, many people used large doses of Zhi Yuan Su to forcibly transform themselves. Of course, only a very small number succeeded, but their abilities became extraordinarily powerful and played a huge role in the war.