"Retreat!"

A gigantic wave swept across the area like a massive Heavenly Blade, slicing through the air and causing space itself to tremble. Tongyan's expression changed as he swiftly pulled Su Han back.

While others were engaged in a fierce struggle, only the two of them remained on the sidelines. They had no other choice, as their strength was the weakest. They simply couldn't contend with the other prodigies. If they ventured into the fray, it would mean almost certain death.

"This fight has exceeded my expectations. I've been using the Qi Observation Technique to look for an opportunity, but I haven't found one," Tongyan said, his expression grave. An opportunity was right before his eyes, and he was naturally tempted, but without the necessary strength, it was all just empty talk.

"Let's wait a little longer," Su Han said. He, on the other hand, was quite calm and not in a hurry. He had been using his Nine Heavens Eye to observe the battlefield and had already gathered a great deal of useful information. For example, he noted the Buddha Stupa Holy Halberd wielded by the Tian Lou Saint, as well as his Divine Power Technique, which seemed to be some kind of restraining art. Su Han watched the various techniques and combat methods of the other prodigies closely, committing everything to memory.

Possessing the Devouring Heaven Demonic Art meant his life was destined to be extraordinary. These prodigies before him could all become his enemies in the future. Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will never be defeated. Since no one had managed to distinguish themselves and claim the Dragon Transformation Pool yet, he felt even less anxious. He had prepared a trump card for this confrontation, one he could use at a critical moment with a very high chance of success.

RUMBLE!

The struggle grew more intense. Everyone tried to break free from the crowd and enter the Dragon Transformation Pool, but they were all locked in a stalemate, with each combatant preventing the others from breaking through. The fight between the Tian Lou Saint and Xiao Tianming continued, but it was not a battle to the death. Both were holding back, aiming to seize the Dragon Transformation Pool while also guarding against sneak attacks from others. Elsewhere, the fight between Jun Zhantian and the Yu Yao Holy Maiden was escalating. Although the Yu Yao Holy Maiden had the upper hand, defeating Jun Zhantian in a short amount of time was nothing but a pipe dream.

Black Whale was now fighting Gold Ingot. Gold Ingot was a man of countless valuables, constantly revealing various precious artifacts, making him seem more like a successor of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion than Jun Zhantian did. Although he appeared jovial on the surface, his heart was sinister and ruthless, and he had already caused Black Whale to suffer several frustrating setbacks. However, Black Whale was also tying him down. They were locked in a stalemate, mutually hindering each other, so neither could break free from the crowd. Meanwhile, the other prodigies fought on, all trying to find a way to break the encirclement.

Not far away, the Dragon Transformation Pool was shrouded in an ethereal mist, radiating thousands of brilliant shafts of light and filled with an infinite allure. Only one day remained before the Dragon Palace Ruins closed. Once time was up, everyone would be expelled. If no one had entered the Dragon Transformation Pool by then, this opportunity would be lost to them all forever. This was an outcome that no one wished to see. Thus, as the closing time drew nearer, the battle became increasingly fierce.

PFFT!

Someone was grievously injured, sent flying out of the battle as they coughed up blood. True killing intent had flared; the struggle for the prize had become desperate. Soon, several more prodigies were seriously wounded and forced to withdraw from the contest. But the prodigies who remained were powerful, making it even more difficult to determine a victor.

"Energy Physique!"

The Tian Lou Saint went all out, activating his Vajra Holy Body, which had reached the stage of Great Accomplishment. Instantly, his body erupted with a dazzling golden light that was both sacred and imposing. At that moment, the Tian Lou Saint was no longer a being of flesh and blood but had transformed into Vajra itself. Not only was he incredibly hard, but he was also incomparably ferocious. Even Xiao Tianming's Holy Artifact gauntlets couldn't cause him any damage.

When a Special Physique reached the stage of Physique Perfection, it could transform into an Energy Physique, granting its wielder all sorts of inconceivable Might. Presently, among all those present, only the Tian Lou Saint possessed a Great Accomplished Holy Body, which gave him a decisive advantage. In his Energy Physique form, every move the Tian Lou Saint made pulsed with golden light. Each action was infused with peerless, ferocious Vajra Power, forcing Xiao Tianming into a constant retreat. He was simply no match.

But Xiao Tianming was also a top-tier prodigy. Even if his Physical Body was inferior, he still possessed numerous techniques and secret treasures. He began to take them out one by one, preparing for an all-out battle.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, Su Han sensed something and looked up at the Dragon Transformation Pool.

He saw that the Dragon Transformation Pool was starting to blur, as if time was up and it was about to dissipate from the world. Su Han was not the only one who noticed this change; the other prodigies also sensed it.

Tongyan quickly assessed the state of the Dragon Transformation Pool. The Dragon Palace Ruins are about to close, and the Dragon Transformation Pool is going to disappear! Could it be that no one will manage to seize the opportunity this time? At this point, no one has been able to break through the fierce battle. If this chance is missed, the opportunity will be lost.

"The Dragon Palace Ruins are closing, and the Dragon Transformation Pool is disappearing!" All the prodigies sensed this, and a feeling of extreme urgency arose in their hearts.

BANG!

Just then, a figure was violently sent flying, coughing up blood in mid-air. He sailed through the air in a graceful arc before crashing heavily to the ground. Everyone looked intently and saw that the person who had been sent flying was none other than Xiao Tianming!

The Tian Lou Saint had finally unleashed his true power. He refused to miss the opportunity of the Dragon Transformation Pool. Unleashing 120 percent of his combat power, he sent Xiao Tianming flying to seize the final moments and break into the pool.

"The opportunity of the Dragon Transformation Pool is mine! No one can take it from me!" the Tian Lou Saint declared, standing in the air. He held the Buddha Stupa Holy Halberd, his entire body glowing with the light of Vajra Undying. Even his hair was the color of cast gold.

He stretched out his hand, and a Holy Bead materialized in his palm. It was a Saint Treasure, and it was also his trump card. But this was no ordinary Saint Treasure. It had been given to him by the Heavenly Dragon Saint specifically for the purpose of seizing the Dragon Transformation Pool.

ROAR!

The Tian Lou Saint activated the Holy Bead. A brilliant Holy Light suddenly erupted, accompanied by a heaven-shaking dragon's cry. The Holy Light coalesced into the shape of a dragon shadow, which radiated an intense Holy Might that made everyone tremble. The Heavenly Dragon Saint was a mighty expert at the Ninth Layer of the Saint Realm, so a treasure he personally forged was naturally powerful. But that was not all. The dragon shadow then began to absorb the ambient Dragon's Might from the surroundings, becoming even more solid and lifelike, as if a True Dragon had descended upon them.

"Kill!"

The Tian Lou Saint's eyes were cold as he sent the dragon shadow charging toward the others. This dragon shadow was equivalent to a full-powered strike from the Heavenly Dragon Saint, further boosted by the Dragon's Might of this place. Below the Great Emperor Realm, who could possibly block it?

"This is bad!"

Jun Zhantian and the others' faces changed drastically. They swiftly brought out their own Saint Treasures, preparing to block the dragon shadow. These top-tier prodigies each had their own life-saving items, and they brought them out without hesitation. Their lives weren't in danger, but injuries were unavoidable. More importantly, they would be knocked out of the running to compete with the Tian Lou Saint.

WHOOSH!

After activating the dragon shadow, the Tian Lou Saint paid the others no mind and turned, heading straight for the Dragon Transformation Pool. All the other prodigies were held back by the dragon shadow. No one could stop the Tian Lou Saint. They could only watch helplessly as he flew toward the Dragon Transformation Pool.

The Tian Lou Saint's eyes sparkled with excitement as he regarded the pool as his own. Dragon Transformation Pool, you are mine!

However, at that exact moment, Su Han's voice sounded right beside his ear. "Origin Technique: Shape-Shifting Shadow!"