After recuperating, Shi Tian and Shen Xiaoli started walking again. They were inside the territory of the spirit king realm beast that they just defeated. There were no other beasts in the surrounding area.
"Let's speed up!"
They increased the speed.
After a while, they encountered a few more beasts, but they were below the spirit king realm, easily dealt with by Shi Tian and Shen Xiaoli.
Two hours later...
The path before them twisted through jagged glaciers and narrow ravines until it finally opened into a basin unlike anything they'd seen in this frozen world.
A vast lake stretched before them.
Still. Silent. Unfrozen.
Unlike the surrounding frostbitten world, this lake shimmered with an unnatural serenity, its mirrored surface reflecting a pale-blue sky. Mist curled across the water like breath from a sleeping giant.
Shen Xiaoli stepped forward, her brows furrowed. "This lake… it shouldn't be here. Not in the heart of Ice Wolf Valley."
Shi Tian narrowed his eyes. "It's not frozen in this temperature. That alone means it's dangerous."
As they advanced cautiously along the shoreline, a deep rumble echoed from the lakebed.
Suddenly, the water shifted. A bulge rose from the depths, forming waves—ripples that grew violent until the surface erupted into a towering column of water.
From within it, something emerged.
A massive serpentine creature, nearly forty metres long, with glistening ice-blue scales laced with veins of crimson. Its head bore a crown of bone-like spikes, and its eyes glowed with deep intelligence and seething hatred.
A Dragon Blood Serpent.
Shi Tian's expression darkened. "Peak Spirit King realm... or maybe stronger than peak normal peak spirit king realm beasts."
The beast opened its mouth slowly, revealing rows of crystalline fangs.
And then—it spoke.
Not in words, but through spiritual will, pressing into their minds like frost piercing flesh.
"You dare trespass upon Empress Yao's sanctum?"
Shen Xiaoli shivered slightly, clutching her frost-gloved hands. "It can speak; only a spirit beast above the spirit king realm can speak human language."
"It is still a peak spirit king realm beast, but its bloodline is strong; that makes it more dangerous."
"We're not here to desecrate," Shi Tian said calmly. "We seek the Empress's inheritance."
The serpent hissed, its coils rising high, water spiralling around it.
"Then perish. Only the chosen may pass."
Without another warning, it struck.
Shi Tian reacted instantly, his Chaos Spear blazing to life with chaos flames as he deflected the first lunge. The impact sent a shockwave through the terrain, and the lake boiled where the serpent's tail struck.
Shen Xiaoli wove through icy symbols with practised speed.
"Frost Lotus Barrier!"
A dome of blooming lotuses surged to life around her, blocking a sweeping tail strike that would've shattered bones.
But the serpent was relentless.
It darted and twisted with terrifying speed for its size. Its breath—infused with both ice and draconic blood essence—shattered Shen Xiaoli's frost spears in mid-air.
Shi Tian grimaced as he leapt from one glacier to another, dodging snapping jaws that could crush steel.
"This thing's not just a beast," he muttered. "It has battle instincts."
The fight raged for nearly an hour. Blow after blow. Shen Xiaoli summoned an array of frost constructs, while Shi Tian used his spear art and chaos flame, but the Dragon Blood Serpent adapted their attack pattern very quickly.
They were being overwhelmed.
And then… the serpent struck a devastating blow.
Shi Tian was flung into a cliffside, his shoulder dislocated. Blood ran down his arm, staining the snow red. Even after wearing the armour, Shi Tian was still injured. If he hadn't been wearing the armour, it could have been worse.
Shen Xiaoli cried out, distracted, and the serpent's tail slammed her into the frozen ground, her protective frost armour cracking.
"Sister Xiaoli!" Shi Tian roared, struggling to his feet.
The serpent hissed again, towering over them.
"Unworthy. Die here." The serpent spoke again.
Shi Tian stared up, breathing raggedly.
And then… he made a choice.
"I didn't want to use this… But..."
From his storage ring, he pulled out a crimson-black jade seal, etched with ancient runes. It pulsed ominously.
Shen Xiaoli looked up, alarmed. "Shi Tian, what is that—?"
"A hidden card that can kill this beast..."
[Seventh Rank Killing Talisman – It made from combining spirit intent and chaos flame; it can kill a Spirit King Realm cultivator or beast and can heavily injure a Spirit Saint master.]
This was the reward he obtained from the system sign-in today. It was the highest-level killing weapon in his inventory. Shi Tian didn't want to use it, as it could heavily injure the Spirit Saint Realm master or beast.
But he had to use it now.
He crushed the jade between his fingers.
The runes ignited.
Suddenly, the air trembled—and from the broken seal, a phantom weapon materialised.
A six-foot-long black spear, wrapped in divine chains. A weapon crafted by an ancient Chaos Flame cultivator—sealed due to its destructive power.
The spear moved, leaving behind a black light trail.
With one blow, the world changed.
A rift of black fire tore through space itself, cleaving the air. The Dragon Blood Serpent roared and surged forward, but it was too late.
The black flame spear went directly through its armoured neck—flames erupting from within.
The beast let out one final roar that shook the lake… then fell.
Its body hit the water with a resounding crash. Steam hissed as its blood evaporated into spiritual essence.
Silence.
Only their breathing remained.
Shi Tian finally took a long breath. Then he walked to Shen Xiaoli, checking her wounds. "Sister Xiaoli, are you okay?"
"I'm fine… You?"
She nodded, but her eyes were a little misty. Her eyes suddenly fell on his open wound; she couldn't help but reach out to look at his wound and said anxiously, "Let me see it; is it bad?"
"It is not that bad; it will heal."
"I told you to be more careful. You could have hurt or even..." Shen Xiaoli's voice stuck in her throat; she couldn't say it.
"Sister Xiaoli, forget about all of this now. We are safe; the beast is dead. Let's get our reward. The inheritance palace should be close according to the map." Shi Tian said.
"No, heal your wound first." Shen Xiaoli refused; she then applied medicine on his wound.
At this time, surrounded by the aftermath of battle, water gently lapping at the shore.
And then, the lake rippled.
A glowing path of light emerged from the centre—leading downward.
Toward the lake's heart.
And beneath it… the shadow of the Ice Palace slowly began to reveal itself.
Shi Tian stood up and said in excitement. "It's here."
"Should we go in?" Shi Tian turned to look at Shen Xiaoli, who also had an excited expression on her face, and smiled.
Together, they stepped onto the light path and began to descend into the unfrozen depths, unaware that a new trial awaited them beneath.