In the Hongmeng Universe, in the Far North.
Deep within a massive iceberg lay a hidden ice cave.
Inside the cave, two figures sat cross-legged.
One wore black-and-white Daoist robes, with Yin-Yang energies swirling around him. He was True Lord Taiji.
The other wore a plain-colored long robe, his aura restrained. He was True Lord Taisu.
After leaving Yuan Chu's inner world, the two had met by chance and had traveled together ever since.
"Taisu, how much of your strength have you recovered?" Taiji opened his eyes and looked at his companion.
Taisu shook his head.
"Same as before. The rule shackles within me are too heavy. I can only wear away about forty percent of them."
"I've recovered thirty percent of my strength at most. Recovering any more is extremely difficult."
Taiji sighed.
"I'm much the same. The rules of this Hongmeng Universe suppress us far too severely."
"Back in the Eternal Dao Realm, we were at least in the Unity Realm. Now we can't even beat a few Fusion Dao Realm cultivators."
"What a humiliation."
Taisu smiled bitterly.
"Tell me about it."
A trace of worry flashed through Taiji's eyes.
"I wonder how Pangu and the others are doing."
Taisu nodded.
"I hope they're all safe."
As the two spoke, they suddenly sensed movement outside.
Taiji's expression changed.
"Someone's coming."
Taisu immediately concealed his aura.
"How many?"
"Four." Taiji swept his divine thought over the area outside.
"They're all in the Fusion Dao Realm. They're probably local cultivators."
"How did they find this place?" Taisu frowned.
"We've been so careful."
"I don't know." Taiji stood up.
"Let's see what happens first. If worse comes to worst, we'll have to run."
The two walked to the cave entrance and looked outside through the ice.
Four figures stood outside