Feng Zikang noticed her air of complete confidence. As he hesitated, Luo Lianxin made a gesture with both hands, and between her palms, a silver sphere of water subtly appeared, constantly swirling and expanding, forming a vortex of water.

Because the air was intensely cold, the water spring condensed by divine ability quickly formed a thin layer of ice. However, due to the continuous outpouring of water, the ice layer shattered, sending shards spinning with the vortex, emitting a chilling coldness.

This was one of some formidable water-based divine abilities, which Feng Zikang did not recognize. Luo Lianxin had delved into so many divine abilities that there was virtually no domain she hadn't explored; Feng Zikang could only admire her inwardly.

The vortex grew larger and larger, and from it, a silver dragon head, formed from Gui Water, extended, baring its fangs and claws—a truly fierce and terrifying sight.

This Water Dragon divine ability appeared immensely powerful, but Feng Zikang couldn't fathom its use in this situation.

After all, water-based divine abilities had notoriously weak offensive power, and that Profound Ice White Ape was tough-skinned and thick-fleshed; breaking its defenses with a water dragon seemed nearly impossible.

"Junior Sister, be careful!"

Luo Lianxin focused entirely on condensing the water dragon. The Profound Ice White Ape lunged in anger, and each time, she dodged sideways only at the very last second. Feng Zikang activated his sword light, flashing continuously to draw the White Ape's attention, buying as much time for Luo Lianxin as possible.

"Senior Brother, behold my Water Dragon Break divine ability!"

Luo Lianxin laughed sweetly, her divine ability condensation reaching its peak. She pointed a finger, and at that spot, a fierce water dragon shot out from the vortex source, rushing straight toward the Profound Ice White Ape.

Before it could reach close range, the water dragon was shattered by the White Ape, turning into ice crystals. But Luo Lianxin was undeterred. She made a series of quick, phantom points with her fingers, causing countless water dragons to soar out, continuously pouncing on the Profound Ice White Ape. Although one and all were shattered amid the White Ape's roars, they formed a thin, crystalline ice barrier around it!

"So that's it!"

A thought flashed through Feng Zikang's mind, and he understood Luo Lianxin's intent.

She was using the Water Dragon Break divine ability to summon the primordial water of heaven and earth, constantly launching it at the White Ape. She intended for the Ape's own inherent Netherworld cold energy to freeze the water. This primordial water was endless; given enough time, the White Ape would freeze itself into a solid block of ice.

"Junior Sister, this tactic is brilliant!"

Executing this move required not only an agile, unconventional mind but also an extraordinary level of control over divine abilities. After all, this was a power capable of turning rivers and seas upside down, yet in this Profound Realm, there were no rivers or oceans. Condensing water dragons from the primordial water of heaven and earth was exceedingly difficult. If Luo Lianxin's command over her abilities wasn't exquisite, she could never guarantee a continuous stream of water dragon attacks.

Fortunately, although this part of the Profound Realm lacked large bodies of water, it was enveloped by boundless white mist, ensuring abundant water vapor. Luo Lianxin found her divine ability operation slightly easier because of this.

If they were in a dry place, sustaining the continuous operation of the Water Dragon Break divine ability would likely drain a massive amount of vital energy.

The Profound Ice White Ape sensed something was wrong, but the water dragons kept attacking, and it had no way to evade them. It could not control the Netherworld cold energy emanating from its body at will, so it could only watch as the ice surrounding it grew thicker and thicker. Before long, its feet were frozen solid, rendering it unable to move for a time. Seeing her advantage, Luo Lianxin showed no mercy, and with a sharp cry, the water dragons filled the air, wrapping the White Ape entirely.

The Profound Ice White Ape roared loudly, but to no avail. After about two or three hours, it was finally frozen solid into a lump. Within the shimmering ice crystals, its fierce and enraged expression could still be seen, yet its immobility was strangely comical.

Luo Lianxin did not stop. The water dragons continued ceaselessly, thickening the ice layer until it was a full ten zhang thick before she ceased, breathing slightly heavily, showing that the exertion had been considerable.

"Senior Brother, I will have to trouble you to push this ice block away. If my guess is correct, the entrance to the fourth level should be underneath this White Ape!"

Feng Zikang nodded, walked before the ice block, leaned to the side, and pushed with all his strength. As the thick block moved, the White Ape inside was still glaring furiously, and the ice crystals around its limbs had begun to show some cracks.

The Profound Ice White Ape possessed immense strength, but the ice layer was too thick; it would still take a good while for it to struggle free—long enough for them to depart. Feng Zikang smiled faintly and made a face at the White Ape.

After pushing the ice block aside, they indeed found the entrance to an ice cave beneath the Ape.

"This is it!"

Feng Zikang pulled Luo Lianxin, and they leaped down, successfully breaking through the third level.

The ice cave was like a bottomless pit. The two plummeted downward, only hearing the whistling of the wind in their ears. After a long time in the darkness, they finally detected a faint light beneath their feet. They braced themselves, urged their flying swords, and slowly descended.

"Hoo!"

With a rush of wind, the pair emerged from the cave only to be met by blinding sunlight and scorching sandstorms. They had landed in a vast desert.

The transformations within this Profound Realm were wondrously infinite; a single level apart felt like a world away.

"This place looks so familiar..."

Feng Zikang surveyed the scene before him and was struck by a strange sense of familiarity. In the distance, a grand city stood majestically, one he felt he had seen before.

"Junior Sister, look..."

He pointed, and when Luo Lianxin looked, her expression also shifted slightly.

This place was even more familiar to her than to Feng Zikang, as she had spent a longer period here before.

"This is clearly..."

Her face was filled with astonishment, as if she couldn't believe her eyes.

This was the very Profound Realm where they had completed the Merit Task required for advancing from the Foundation Establishment stage!

It was here that they had eliminated the Ten Thousand Year Mackerel, dispelled the Illusory Phantasm, completed the Heavenly-rank Foundation Establishment Merit Task, and returned to the Great Reincarnation Plate of their Sect!

This... the Profound Realm within this Trial Tower was actually connected to the Great Reincarnation Plate?

"It is indeed!"

Feng Zikang nodded. "There are countless wonders in our world. Whether it's the Great Reincarnation Plate, the Flying Cloud Mirage Tower, or this Trial Tower, they are absolutely the works of beings with immense divine power. If one were to suggest they were made by multiple hands, it would be unbelievable. In my view, the Great Reincarnation Plate and this Trial Tower should be two sides of the same coin, crafted by the same group of people."

He shook his head. "Whatever their purpose, this mastery over Profound Realms is truly astonishing..."

Luo Lianxin nodded. "Senior Brother speaks the absolute truth. Although my Master has never entered this Tower, based on various pieces of information, she reached the same conclusion..."

The Great Reincarnation Plate and the Trial Tower were miraculous artifacts originating from the same source.

Luo Lianxin gazed at the distant city, frowning slightly. "But... Senior Brother, in this Profound Realm, if the original task was to slay the Mackerel and return its essence, and we have already killed the Mackerel, what then is the task for this Profound Realm to lead us to the next level?"

Feng Zikang spread his hands and smiled faintly.

"That... we don't know right now. But if we enter the city, I believe there is one person who might be able to provide us with information!"