Martial arts have become extinct worldwide, yet I am forced to have a large family.

"The destination is just ahead."

"Be ready for battle at any time."

Zhou Xiyan's voice was very low, her clear and cold tone carrying a sense of solemnity.

The two, one in front of the other, were heading deeper into the valley.

The further you go in, the denser the spiritual energy in the air becomes, almost solidifying into a tangible substance.

But at the same time, a faint but powerful aura began to permeate the forest.

"clear."

Yang Xian drew his straight sword and followed closely behind the blue-haired girl.

Zhou Xiyan walked very lightly, her blue eyes scanning her surroundings warily.

"That Rock Armored Ape has incredible strength and speed, and is extremely cunning, preferring to use the terrain to launch surprise attacks."

"We are in the open, while the enemy is in the shadows. Once we get close to its territory, it will most likely attack us first."

She stopped, turned around, and looked at Yang Xian with an extremely serious expression.

"Just to be safe, grab my hand!"

As she spoke, she extended her fair right hand.

Yang Xian was stunned.

"Should I grab your hand?"

"Mm." Zhou Xiyan nodded, explaining quickly:

"This will ensure that we don't suffer any casualties in the first moment of its surprise attack."

"Although I am very good at defense, if we are too far apart, my shield will not be able to cover you immediately."

"So, you know what I mean...?"

Does he really understand?

Yang Xian looked at the girl's outstretched hand, which was fair, slender, and had well-proportioned fingers.

At this point, there's really no time to be too particular.

Taking down that fourth-level demon beast is the most important thing.

"I see."

Without further hesitation, he reached out and shook hands.

The girl's hands were slightly cool to the touch, soft and delicate, but she seemed to subconsciously tense her palms, making them appear somewhat stiff.

[Panic: This is the first time I've ever taken a man's hand on my own initiative. +100 points!]

Zhou Xiyan's expression remained as cold and aloof as ever, showing no change whatsoever.

But Yang Xian was overjoyed.

Did you get a huge points boost?

I thought she was a heartless, academically gifted machine.

She appears so calm and analytical on the surface, but she also has moments of panic inside.

The two continued walking for a few more minutes.

Suddenly, a huge black shadow burst out from the dense forest to the side without warning!

So fast that it left only a blur, the wind whipping up all the fallen leaves!

"Watch out!"

Zhou Xiyan's reaction was incredibly fast.

Almost at the same moment the shadow appeared, she tightened her grip on Yang Xian's hand and unleashed her inner energy without reservation!

A layer of azure water shield appeared out of thin air, like a giant water sphere, completely enveloping the two of them.

"boom--!"

The Rock Armored Ape's fist, as big as a casserole dish, carrying immense force, slammed fiercely into the water shield!

The entire shield caved inward violently, and the water rippled wildly, managing to withstand the sudden attack!

Inside the protective shield, Yang Xian's eyes narrowed.

opportunity!

The Ice Soul Divine Technique within his body was operating wildly, and an extremely cold true essence surged from his arm toward the blade!

"roar!"

An ice dragon made entirely of ice roared as it burst out from inside the water shield, heading straight for the Rock Armored Ape's face!

The Rock Armored Ape clearly hadn't expected to be able to launch an attack from inside the shield, and could only hastily cross its arms to block.

"Snap!"

The ice dragon crashed into its rock-armored arm and exploded.

Countless ice crystal fragments scattered and flew everywhere.

The Rock Armored Ape was jolted back several steps by the enormous impact, cracks appeared on the rock armor on its arms, and several sharp ice crystals even tore through its skin, leaving a few wounds.

It shook its slightly numb arm, its crimson beast eyes fixed intently on Zhou Xiyan.

"It's you again, you skinny monkey! You injured my eye last time, and now you dare bring your accomplices!"

Zhou Xiyan didn't understand what he was saying.

But the girl always valued efficiency and clearly didn't want to waste time talking to the Rock Armored Ape.

"A swift and decisive victory!"

She gave a low shout, made a hand seal, and dozens of crystal-clear water droplets condensed out of thin air and floated around her.

"Ha, you think you're the only one who can call people?"

The Rock-Armored Berserker Ape let out a savage laugh, pounding its chest with a dull, drum-like thud. "My minions! Come out!"

"Awooo! Awooo!"

As it called out, the surrounding trees trembled.

More than a dozen agile figures darted out from the trees and bushes, surrounding Yang Xian and Zhou Xiyan.

There were a dozen or so smaller apes, all at different cultivation levels, ranging from the second to the third realm.

Yang Xian frowned.

"So many?"

He looked at Zhou Xiyan: "You didn't mention before that it had a group of underlings."

"Information updated, we have it now." Zhou Xiyan's reply was concise, her eyes still fixed on the fourth-realm Rock Armored Ape.

Yang Xian sighed inwardly:

"System, elevate my understanding of the 'Ice Soul Divine Technique' to the 'Return to Simplicity' level!"

[Ding! 4000 Emotion Points have been consumed!]

[Congratulations, host, on reaching the "Return to Simplicity" level of your comprehension of "Ice Soul Divine Technique - Enhanced Edition"!]

[Current total points: 5300!]

In an instant, Yang Xian was struck by another profound realization.

"Yang Xi'an! Do it!"

Zhou Xiyan gave a sharp shout, and more and more water droplets gathered around her.

At the same time, Yang Xian made a move.

The straight knife was gently lifted.

An indescribable chill swept outwards from him in all directions!

"Click—click—"

The moisture in the air, the dew on the grass, the dampness in the soil... everything turned into frost under this cold wave!

Before the dozen or so newly appeared apes could react, they were frozen into ice sculptures in the blink of an eye!

Then, something even more shocking happened.

Five ice dragons, several times larger than before, formed from countless converging water droplets and finally coiled behind Yang Xian!

Their scales were clearly defined, their whiskers fluttered, and their pairs of icy blue dragon eyes were filled with murderous intent!

"What...what the hell is this?!"

The Rock Armored Ape retreated continuously, fear evident in its crimson beastly eyes.

During the qualifying rounds, Yang Xian and Zhou Xier joined forces and were able to severely injure Wang Yi, who was at the peak of the third realm.

Now, Yang Xian's "Ice Soul Divine Technique" has returned to its original state, and he is surrounded by Zhou Xiyan, whose strength far surpasses that of Xi'er, as well as the multiple enhancements of the "Water Moon Pendant"!

The power of each of these ice dragons has already reached the threshold of the fourth realm!