Boom!
The black and white energies Taiji unleashed after burning his essence slammed into the red-faced burly man's Flame Longsword.
The blade shuddered violently. The red-faced man's expression changed drastically, and he staggered back several steps.
"Have these two gone mad?"
The gaunt cultivator cried out in alarm, waving his black banner as countless soul shadows lunged at Taisu.
Taisu snorted coldly. His massive chaos sword swept across, shredding every last soul shadow.
"Stop them!" the female cultivator shrieked.
She formed seals with both hands, transforming her Frost Law into chains that coiled toward Taiji and Taisu.
But Taiji and Taisu had no intention of lingering in battle.
Their figures flashed, and they charged straight toward the Ice Cavern's entrance.
"Trying to run?" the bald cultivator bellowed.
"Heaven-Binding Earth-Locking Formation, rise!"
All four activated their laws at once. A transparent formation took shape instantly, enveloping the entire Ice Cavern.
Taiji slammed a fist into the formation's barrier, but it did not budge.
"This formation has a few tricks to it."
Taisu tried attacking as well. His chaos qi struck the barrier, sending ripples across it, but failed to break through.
"Hahaha!" The red-faced man laughed.
"We paid a hefty price for this Trapping Formation. It's designed specifically to deal with Returnees like you."
"You couldn't escape even if you staked your lives on it."
"Be good and accept your deaths."
The gaunt cultivator unleashed his black banner. Soul shadows flew out again, more than ten times as many as before.
The bald cultivator hammered out punches with both fists, his fist force raining down on Taiji.
The female cultivator controlled her Frost Chains, binding Taisu's legs tightly.
The red-faced man raised his Flame Longsword, ready to strike.
"It's over."
Just then-
The void suddenly split open.
A dark-gold palm