Frozen

As time passed, the massive demonic python gradually began to weaken.

Its originally swift movements became slower and slower, something every trial-taker surrounding it could clearly see.

The moment for the final strike had arrived.

A subtle change spread through the battlefield.

Everyone’s attacks slowed slightly.

Each person quietly began circulating their spiritual power, preparing their strongest techniques.

“Heh… it’s almost time.”

“When it comes to stealing the final strike, who could possibly compete with someone from the Soul Clan?”

The black-robed figure standing nearby let out a quiet laugh, filled with confidence.

Judging from the voice, the black-robed figure was a woman.

She was the same person who had stolen the treasure chest from Ziyun and Xuan Ye earlier.

And this time—

She intended to take the final blow against the demonic python.

She had already finished preparing.

In her mind, she silently counted down.

Three.

Two.

One.

“The final blow belongs to me.”

The Soul Clan cultivator chuckled softly.

Her body instantly transformed into a streak of black light as she rushed toward the demonic python.

Her speed was astonishing.

Only a faint afterimage remained behind her.

Of course, she was not the only one making a move.

Several people launched attacks at the same time.

But in terms of speed—

She was unquestionably the fastest.

However—

This time, she was destined to fail.

Just as she was about to reach the demonic python, something completely unexpected happened.

A clear and gentle voice suddenly echoed throughout the palace.

It sounded like a drop of water falling onto a perfectly calm lake.

“Freeze.”

Just two words.

But the moment those words sounded—

A brilliant cold light suddenly burst out from a certain spot inside the palace.

The icy radiance expanded instantly.

In the blink of an eye, it spread throughout the entire palace.

Wherever the cold light passed—

Everything froze.

The trial-takers inside the palace were instantly sealed in ice.

Their bodies rapidly crystallized as ice formed around them, locking them completely in place.

Even those who were midair were frozen where they stood.

No one had expected such an attack.

Ziyun and the others were also frozen.

“What kind of ice power is this?!”

Ziyun struggled desperately.

But it was useless.

The ice surrounding their bodies was unbelievably solid.

However—

She quickly realized who had released this power.

Because they were teammates, their positions had been relatively close.

And the earlier cold light had come from a short distance beside her.

About eight meters away—

Bai Lan stood there.

Her body was radiating divine light.

She looked like a brilliant full moon illuminating the entire palace.

At the same time, she had already activated her Frigid Moon Divine Radiance form.

Her hair had turned silver.

Her eyes glowed with cold blue light.

The transformation made her appear almost sacred.

After confirming that everyone had been frozen, Bai Lan raised the Hanpo Sword.

She stepped forward and thrust the blade toward the demonic python.

The python was also frozen in ice.

It had absolutely no chance to evade.

The sword pierced directly into its head.

The next moment—

Crack!

The ice surrounding the python shattered.

The demonic python disappeared.

In its place, ten large treasure chests appeared.

Bai Lan quickly calculated the remaining time.

She still had about ten seconds.

That was more than enough.

She immediately opened the treasure chests and stored everything inside.

The frozen trial-takers could only watch helplessly.

The silver-haired, blue-eyed woman calmly took away all the treasures.

“Damn it!”

“What kind of power is this?!”

“Why can’t I move?! Move!”

The frozen geniuses struggled wildly.

Some even activated their hidden bloodline powers.

But it was still useless.

No one present had a higher cultivation level than Bai Lan.

However—

A few cultivators with fire-type physiques or bloodlines began to crack the ice around them.

Even so—

Breaking free still required nearly ten seconds.

By the time they escaped, it would already be too late.

Bai Lan glanced calmly at the struggling crowd.

Then her figure blurred.

She transformed into an afterimage and disappeared from the palace.

---

Outside the palace, the battle between the two geniuses had already ended.

The youth from the Kong family had won.

The possessor of the Crimson Blood Demonic Body had been killed.

When Bai Lan exited the palace, she encountered the Kong family youth.

He was currently sitting and meditating to recover his strength.

Seeing Bai Lan suddenly appear, he was stunned.

Their eyes met for a brief moment.

“So beautiful…” the Kong family youth murmured unconsciously.

Bai Lan’s lips twitched slightly when she heard that.

Without stopping, she vanished instantly and left the secret realm.

At the same time—

The Frigid Moon Divine Radiance inside the palace began to dissipate.

Some cultivators with extreme yin physiques rushed out of the palace at top speed, hoping to chase Bai Lan.

But it was already too late.

When they emerged, they could only see a graceful figure disappearing at the edge of the secret realm.

The secret realm itself also began collapsing.

“Damn it!”

“What kind of power was that woman using?!”

“It actually froze my Blazing Sun Sacred Body!”

A red-haired youth roared angrily.

He had been the first to break free from the ice.

He possessed the Blazing Sun Sacred Body.

This physique represented the ultimate Yang attribute and ranked even higher than the Crimson Blood Demonic Body.

Even so—

Bai Lan’s Frigid Moon Divine Radiance had frozen him for nearly eight seconds.

Flames erupted from his body.

His red hair burned like fire.

This was the manifestation of his activated physique.

Soon after, other cultivators with powerful yang-type physiques also escaped.

But none of them could stay.

The secret realm was collapsing rapidly.

They had no choice but to leave.

What these people did not notice was that after Ziyun and the others left the palace, they quietly exchanged glances with one another before leaving the secret realm together.

They headed toward a specific location.

About three thousand meters away from the secret realm, behind a sand dune—

The five of them found Bai Lan already waiting there.

Earlier, when Bai Lan left the palace, she had secretly transmitted a message to them.

She had told them to meet her here.

“Sister Bai!”

The moment Ziyun saw her, she ran over happily.

The others quickly followed.

They already knew Bai Lan had taken all the treasures.

They were also shocked by the strength she had displayed.

It was obvious that Bai Lan possessed an extremely powerful physique or bloodline.

“You’re here.”

Bai Lan spoke calmly.

“I’m not someone who keeps everything for myself.”

“We fought as a team, so the rewards should naturally be shared.”

“But I contributed the most in obtaining them.”

“So each of you will receive the equivalent of one treasure chest.”

With that, Bai Lan took out a portion of the items she had obtained.

These were clearly things she had little interest in.

Among them were high-grade Rank Nine treasures, one or two top-grade items, cultivation techniques, pills, and various materials.

“Take what you want.”

“I have no use for these.”

The five of them understood the situation clearly.

If it had been them, they would never have been able to obtain so many treasures.

Bai Lan had no obligation to share anything.

After all, they were merely temporary companions.

They weren’t even close friends.

“In that case, this little sister won’t be polite.”

Ziyun smiled.

Since Bai Lan had waited here specifically to give them items, refusing would only be awkward.

The other four also began selecting what they wanted.

Soon, the equivalent of five treasure chests’ worth of rewards had been divided between them.

After that—

It was naturally time for everyone to go their separate ways.