What's going on? I can't move. Is this some sort of skill?

Yang Yu's consciousness did not stop, he clearly saw all of Tian Hanxue's movements.

Tian Hanxue did not actually pause time, but rather slowed down the surrounding speed to the point that it seemed like time was standing still.

Everything except their consciousness was so slow, giving Yang Yu and the others the illusion of time being frozen.

Such a good opportunity to attack, yet she's using it to escape... Is it hard to attack with closed eyes, or is there another purpose?

Yang Yu's mind was racing, but no matter how many commands he gave his body, his movements were ten thousand times slower than a snail's. He could only watch Tian Hanxue perform.

Flipping the folded fan, Tian Hanxue spun and danced in place:

"I'm sorry.

Even though I'd like to chat with you more and see what other abilities you have.

But there are things I can't ignore.

I know there are quite a few formidable individuals present besides you.

I thought this would be an effortless operation, but it wasn't.

Different plans have been imprinted in my mind, and I know exactly how to handle such situations now.

My subordinates have arrived, and your people have started moving.

Let's end this task quickly!"

Bai Jin, like Yang Yu, was able to think but her body stayed still with everything around them. Even if magic was prepared, it couldn't be released.

Only their area was frozen, while outside everything remained as it was, with red-skinned Ghost Clan appearing around the manor in the blink of an eye.

The moment the red Ghost Clan leaped, the stagnant space suddenly resumed. Yang Yu stumbled forward a couple steps, steadied himself, and charged once more at Tian Hanxue.

Tian Hanxue utilized the effect of her clothes, transforming into snowflakes, distancing herself from Yang Yu, and directed a long-prepared magic towards the manor,

"[Ice Manipulation]!"

In an instant, the collapsed ice blocks rose into the air.

Shafts of sunlight pierced through the gaps in the ice, shining on the faces of Iyas and the others. They could see the red Ghost Clan climbing over the walls.

The red Ghost Clan's pointed horns slightly glowed, and the cloth obscuring their vision fluttered in the wind, revealing unique blue eyes. They glanced at Yang Yu, but didn't attack him, jumping over the walls heading straight for Iyas and the others.

"They've arrived!" Iyas swiftly drew her bow, "He Meng protect the Star-eyed! Make sure those unable to fight aren't harmed!"

Numerous gleaming light arrows passed through gaps in the ice, streaking across the sky.

The red Ghost Clan didn't dodge at all; they turned into red cannonballs, colliding with Iyas's light arrows and drawing the blades at their waists.

Wanjing Zhuhua pushed his glasses and glanced at Gordon beside him.

Gordon's usual joviality was gone, his eyes aflame with an unprecedented fire.

The [Red Blood Rose] was an old S-Class adventure group. It had been many years since they had encountered such conflicts.

This was not just about others' lives but also their own, requiring great care.

The red Ghost Clan initially charged towards Yang Yu, but halfway through, they suddenly dispersed, likely due to an order from Tian Hanxue.

If they just kidnapped enough people, they'd probably retreat.

Though they didn't know the Ghost Clan's exact intention for capturing the Star-eyed, it was definitely not good.

Without much thought, three Ghost Clan members suddenly stopped in their tracks, puffing their cheeks and swelling their bellies, akin to performing the Toad Divine Skill, spewing a giant air cannon at the massive ice above Gordon and the others.

"Boom!" countless sharp and tiny ice crystals, like sharp blades, rained down from above.

Gordon and Wanjing Zhuhua simultaneously cast barriers. The ice crystals shattered upon the double-layered barrier, turning into mist and forming a thin layer of ice on the barrier.

They suddenly felt the sunlight above reduce, not because the sun was setting, but because all the floating ice blocks started to collapse simultaneously.

Tian Hanxue relinquished her control.

The heavy ice blocks "bam" slammed onto the double-layer barrier constructed by Gordon and Wanjing Zhuhua.

He Meng stretched her body as much as she could to prevent the ice from crushing the Star-eyed below if the barrier couldn't hold.

Even though she was significantly enhanced by the Magic Tide, He Meng couldn't guarantee she could withstand such a deluge of ice.

If she couldn't, the Star-eyed below would face utter disaster.

The twin girls curled tightly in Duo Luo Krengris's embrace, fear-stricken.

They too had Star Eyes, able to see some things and understand the plight of their clan, but they were powerless.

One possessing Star Eyes shouted, "Family Head, Demons are approaching our trapped clan members! They're likely to take them!"

"I know! No need to report!

We can see!

There's nothing we can do now, so shut up, only speak if you think of a solution!

Don't add pressure to those protecting us!"

Duo Luo Krengris said through clenched teeth. He also wanted to save his kin and thwart the Demon Clan's plans, but he had no way.

The barrier's collapse came faster than expected, like a mountain pressing down that they couldn't withstand, and it shattered completely.

The massive ice blocks fell, with Round Stone Lena leaping up to smash the enormous ice into smaller fragments to relieve He Meng's defensive pressure.

Gordon and Wanjing Zhuhua respectively deployed shields for defense.

"Gordon, there's no other way. That woman intentionally left a path open to let the Demon Clan in! Let's gamble!" Wanjing Zhuhua drew out a [Fairy's Magic Stone] and tossed it to Gordon.

The annual output of the [Fairy's Magic Stone] from the All Things Library is very limited, mostly ending up in national treasuries. But some make their way to S-class adventure groups like theirs.

This thing is extremely precious. Gordon and the others didn't know the effect of the [Fairy's Magic Stone] but it's indispensable for slightly altering the present situation.

Gordon didn't see it as wasteful. It was originally intended to combat the Evil Dragon, and now faced with an even more dangerous scenario, hesitation wasn't necessary.

Gordon gripped the Magic Stone, feeling the surging magic power within it.

"Everyone else, spare me a little time."

Just before Gordon unleashed his magic, a figure flitted through the falling ice, arriving beside him.

...

...

Meanwhile, even with Yang Yu and Bai Jin joining forces, they didn't quickly gain the upper hand.

Yang Yu swung his sword blade, and Bai Jin's magic pierced the sky, while Tian Hanxue, with eyes closed, transitioned entirely from offense to pure defense and evasion.

Tian Hanxue possessed an array of skills, each executed flawlessly with minuscule openings.

Yang Yu had used [Taunt] in tandem with Bai Jin's repeated tactics, but having suffered once, Tian Hanxue came prepared.

After being hit by Yang Yu again, Tian Hanxue wove some crystals mid-air to use as a foothold, standing in mid-air.

Suddenly, three red Ghost Clan emerged from the ice mist, atop their heads were the Star Eyes clan sealed in ice, and they leapt unhesitatingly into the town.