"Is this Dragon Palace a force of the Celestial Demon Era, second only to the Ancient Celestial Court as the dominant ocean power, or is it an ancient organization of another era?"

In the Ice Crystal Hall, the Bright King Giant Ape looked at the token floating in the air with some hesitation.

Logically, the Dragon Palace belongs to Eastern myth and legend, to the Eastern Divine Dragon, but the token of the Dragon Palace is carved with a Western Giant Dragon pattern.

Then, strands of blue light emerged from the Ice Crystal Crab's corpse, condensing into a blue sphere of light with a diameter of several meters in the air.

As soon as the Bright King Giant Ape's gaze landed on the sphere, a row of transparent text appeared in front of it from the attribute page.

"Gifted by the Blue Crab, absorb it to obtain the power of severance, and weapons like swords will possess terrifying sharpness that can cut through space."

This prompt reminded the Bright King Giant Ape of the crab's pincers, whose sharpness deterred it from taking a direct hit despite having the Demon Ape Divine Armor.

Only its weapon is a pillar, making this ability seem useless to it. As for the Yama Prison Demon Blade in human form, it is already extremely sharp as an Ancient Divine Weapon.

As the Bright King Giant Ape pondered this, the transparent text in front of it changed. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"This gift can be converted into the Extraordinary Elements 'Rupture,' to be used as a mutagenic element in the next evolution, awakening an exclusive talent of its own."

This prompt made the Bright King Giant Ape pause; it hadn't expected this possibility.

Moreover, the Extraordinary Element "Rupture" seemed familiar, as it had previously obtained it when killing a two-headed Giant Lizard Beast at Tier Three.

At that time, it had only obtained 2 units of "Rupture," which caused no change during its first evolutionary breakthrough to Tier Four.

"Choose to convert it into the Extraordinary Element." The thought echoed in the Bright King Giant Ape's mind as its enormous hand reached out to grab the blue sphere.

Boom! The blue sphere exploded instantly, turning into a wave of icy energy that surged into the Bright King Giant Ape's body, finally disappearing deep within.

Simultaneously, a row of shaped text formed on the transparent attribute page.

Extraordinary Element: Rupture [100 units, special element converted from the power of severance talent, guarantees awakening of split-type talent during evolution]

"One hundred units!" The Bright King Giant Ape's face twisted into a menacing smile.

Indeed, it was a gift from an ancient creature. Back when it had been entrenched in the volcanic cave for so long, hunting countless beasts, it had only collected dozens of Molten Flame units.

After absorbing the gains, the Bright King Giant Ape reached out to grasp the token.

At the moment it touched the token, a majestic dragon's roar exploded in its consciousness, faintly revealing a phantom of a silver giant dragon with wings spanning hundreds of thousands of meters.

The dragon phantom flashed and passed by, then exploded, transforming into an even more towering Ice Crystal Palace.

On the palace doors was inscribed [Earth and Destruction Dragon King Palace], and within, a massive figure lay slumbering, presumably the next palace.

The reward for defeating the Ice Crystal Crab was a 'talent,' more valuable than the resources needed for breakthrough to a minor realm, prompting the Bright King Giant Ape to subconsciously consider following the token's guidance for spatial transference.

But just then, a powerful force of rejection came.

Boom! The Bright King Giant Ape's consciousness was thrust out of the token's spatial awareness, and faintly heard a terrifying roar.

"The trial threshold for my palace is at least Mid-tier Eight. Return once you have broken through to Mid-tier Eight."

"Mid-tier Eight, is it." Black-golden flames burned in the Bright King Giant Ape's eyes, filled with intense fighting spirit: "If that's the case, then I'll return once I break through to Mid-tier Eight."

Consuming 'a few more Tier Seven creatures,' it would be close to reaching Tier Seven Peak.

At that point, it would initiate the third evolution breakthrough to Mid-tier Eight, where bloodline transformation and talent growth would render its combat power even more terrifying than at Tier Seven.

Whoosh! The golden flames on the Bright King Giant Ape's body dissipated, the talents lifted, revealing a figure over 130 meters tall.

Simultaneously, the floating golden scale armors descended, reattaching to the body surface, forming heavy armor that made it appear fierce and imposing.

After releasing a portion of the giant beast's power, the durability of the Bright King form improved significantly, estimated to unleash fifteen full attacks.

Thus, the Purgatory Giant Ape's breath was only slightly weakened, bearing the Celestial Spirit Demon-Suppressing Pillar, its massive body stepping heavily toward the palace gates.

At the steps beneath the Ice Crystal Palace, the White Fox Beast relaxed upon seeing the silhouette of the Purgatory Giant Ape.

A flash of red on the White Fox Beast appeared beside the giant ape, its mouth producing a voice resembling Qin Siyu's: "Jiang Hou, you're incredible, you won again this time."

The Purgatory Giant Ape let out a low growl: "Luck favored me this time; that Ice Crystal Crab statue lacked talent ability, otherwise it would've been tough."

Its 'realm' was Late-tier Seven, while its formidable physique could unleash combat power nearing Mid-tier Eight. If an explosive talent was added, even the Purgatory Giant Ape couldn't guarantee a win.

But the White Fox Beast was quite confident in it, the five tails swaying behind: "Don't worry, even if it had talent, it wouldn't have been your match."

The White Fox Beast yawned, sleepy-eyed: "Jiang Hou, I feel a bit sleepy."

Sleep!

The Purgatory Giant Ape was first startled, then reacted: "Are you ready to enter a breakthrough slumber?"

"Seems so."

The White Fox Beast shook its sleepy head, then nodded: "I've sensed deep bloodline power activating bit by bit within."

"Then let's return."

The restrictions of the real world didn't affect the White Fox Beast's breakthrough, or rather, breaking through in reality was safer, avoiding awe-inspiring phenomena.

......

Morning.

After having breakfast with Qin Siyu, while washing dishes, Jiang Hou suddenly heard her calling: "Jiang Hou, come here a moment."

"What's up?"

Jiang Hou turned off the tap, wiping his hands, and went to the bathroom.

Qin Siyu was holding scissors, measuring against the hair falling over her forehead: "Jiang Hou, do you think I'd look better with straight bangs?"

"Uh... why suddenly think of cutting straight bangs? Your hairstyle now looks fine." Jiang Hou was puzzled.

"Coming back this time, I found that Jiajia and the others had changed their hairstyles, and they looked much better, so I'm considering changing mine too."

"They said I have delicate features with a small face, so cutting straight bangs might look better."

When mentioning looking better, Qin Siyu's eyes sparkled, unable to resist this temptation.

Jiang Hou indifferently replied: "Do whatever you want, though if you plan to change hairstyles, I suggest going to a professional salon; cutting it yourself isn't that professional."

In his eyes, Qin Siyu was beautiful with or without a hairstyle change.

The girl considered, realizing she couldn't guarantee a good result cutting it herself, nodded: "You're right, let's go to the salon, and you accompany me."

"Okay."

It's Saturday, Qin Siyu wasn't going to school, and Jiang Hou was also 'off work'.

As the two went out to get a haircut, Kitty Feitong quietly lay in its small nest, as a terrifying power within it was awakening.