Outside the perimeter of the Dragon Scale Mountains. In the scorching sunlight, True Man Shige and Shaohao were seated inside the spacecraft, the hatch open. The roaring wind outside sounded pleasingly crisp, slicing a breach through the recycled cold air as it rushed in.

Shaohao stared out the viewport at the distant mountains and near waters. His thick black eyebrows were knitted together, his expression tinged with worry. Despite knowing Pangu’s power was unfathomable—capable of killing even the Ten Hall Masters if fully unleashed—the Dragon Scale Mountains before them were, after all, one of the Four Great Sacred Mountains.

They had lain desolate for countless ages, and numerous factions that had marched to conquer them had ultimately retreated in defeat. The divine energy within these mountains was as dense as mist. Even a human, with the most fragile of all living beings’ constitutions, could cultivate to the Divine Emperor level by spending hundreds of thousands of years within.

This didn't even account for the fierce beasts residing inside. He secretly glanced sideways at True Man Shige, who sat on the soft leather sofa. His demeanor appeared utterly serene; he was simply gazing into the distance outside the window, Shaohao unable to discern his thoughts.

A soft sigh escaped him; he wondered when he would ever achieve a power level comparable to the True Man’s. The howling wind suddenly grew more intense. Shaohao felt the air turn strangely cold.

He reached out and rubbed his arms, finally registering a returning warmth. Abruptly, a realization struck him: how could he, with his current strength, feel a chill? He jerked his head up and looked toward the open hatch.

The instant he raised his gaze, a streak of black light shot past him like an arrow. True Man Shige had already materialized outside the hatch. Ripples spread outward from his sudden appearance, and a massive, towering silhouette blocked the light, standing starkly against the glare.

As soon as he appeared, his body swayed, and then three figures were unceremoniously dropped from beneath his armpits. Each figure looked as if it had been dredged from thick, viscous blood; their hair and bodies dripped with wet, crimson fluid that splattered onto the metal floor with the sound of flesh striking metal plating. Shaowu, Emperor Shun, and the others were frozen, their eyes wide.

The three figures lying on the ground were none other than Fuxi, the Yellow Emperor, and Nuwa. These figures, usually revered like gods in their minds, were now in such a wretched and tragic state. Judging by their auras, they were incredibly weak.

Pangu’s figure was swaying, on the verge of collapse, but True Man Shige reached out and supported him. A milky-white halo shimmered in his palm, transmitting streams of mysterious energy into Pangu’s body. He then raised his index and middle fingers, drawing a line in the air beside him, whispering, "Life Circuit, activate." An energy resembling jade-green spring water flared to life beneath Pangu’s feet.

It swept out like a swirling emerald hurricane, forming a vortex pattern. Complex engravings spread across the metal floor. Green motes of light drifted out of the formation, nourishing Pangu’s frame.

Wounds deep enough to expose bone rapidly began to knit shut. Nuwa, Fuxi, and the Yellow Emperor nearby were instantly revitalized under the influence of these green light motes. Their vital energy surged, their injuries stopped bleeding, and the wounds showed clear signs of healing.

Pangu kept his eyes closed, taking the opportunity to stabilize the chaotic energy within him. After a long pause, he finally reopened his eyes. His chiseled, resolute face still betrayed fatigue.

He looked up at True Man Shige, his eyes filled with deep respect, then lowered his head: "True Man." True Man Shige waved a hand, his brow furrowed slightly. "How did you sustain such grievous injuries? Did you encounter a powerhouse of the Void Heaven Realm inside?" Pangu offered a bitter smile.

"I don't know. Before I could even gauge the opponent's strength, there was just a flicker of a black shadow, and then the person was upon me. Terror seized me, and I unleashed every reserve of energy, my ultimate power.

I only managed to shield Nuwa and the others behind me before turning to flee. I never had time to properly assess their strength." True Man Shige's gaze shifted subtly, his lips moving faintly. "Anyone capable of wounding you this deeply must be a powerhouse of the Void Heaven Realm.

Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to break through your skin." Pangu conceded the point, nodding. "Indeed. The enemy’s power was immense, and from what I observed, they likely weren't even fighting at full capacity." True Man Shige fell into deep thought, saying nothing.

Shaohao and the others, nearby, stared wide-eyed. Hearing Pangu’s words made their hearts pound violently. Based on what they already knew, above the Divine Emperor realm lay the Epoch Realm, and only above that was the legendary Void Heaven Realm.

Epoch Realm experts, capable of effortlessly shattering countless Divine Emperors, were already world-shaking. Just how terrifying must a Void Heaven Realm expert be? No wonder Pangu had barely managed to escape back.

Shaohao glanced behind Pangu and gasped, quickly asking, "Where is Ye Chen? He went with you—why hasn't he returned?" Pangu froze for a moment, then looked behind him, his brow deeply furrowed, his voice unusually low. "The last I saw, he stayed behind with that young lady from the Bai family to buy us time to retreat.

I don't know his condition." The color drained from Shaohao's face, and he stammered in horror, "That’s a Void Heaven Realm expert! Even the Heavenly Dao back then didn't possess that level of power, let alone him! Even with the Heavenly Dao Divine Vessel, what true destructive force can a Void Heaven Artifact wield in the hands of someone at the Spirit God Realm when facing a genuine Void Heaven expert?" Pangu understood the gravity of the situation, his heart heavy with guilt and remorse.

He turned back to look toward the distant Dragon Scale Mountains, where golden mist shrouded the peaks, obscuring any clear view within. It felt as if within the deep valleys traced by the fog, pairs of uncanny eyes were watching them with cold sneers. The Ice Snow Empire, a frontier town.

The swirling, snow-laden winds were momentarily parted by a diagonal streak carved through the biting cold. In this remote town called "Wielmann," heavy snow fell year-round, piling thick blankets over the streets, the rooftops of a thousand homes, and the snow trees that only dared to bloom deep in winter. The moat outside the city walls was sealed by thick ice.

Legend held that this had once been a small town where flowers bloomed in all seasons. Then, for some unknown reason, two people fought just beyond the walls, and one of them perished. Ever since, the snow had never ceased, as if mourning the departed soul.

The snowstorm blurred the line between heaven and earth. From the deep snow blanketing the distant hillside, a figure slowly emerged. A silver-white robe draped her tall, graceful form.

The feather on her silver hood swayed violently in the fierce wind, nearly snapping. Her exquisite boots pressed into the deep snow, leaving a trail of footprints that stretched far behind her, eventually being swallowed by the blizzard in the distance. Amidst the howling gale, she paused, raising the hood that the wind had pushed down over her face slightly.

This revealed a pair of clear, luminous eyes. She glanced at the frontier town ahead, then lowered her head again, stepping forward through the accumulating snow. She crossed the frozen moat, passed the guards still manning the city gates in the deep winter chill, and entered the town’s narrow streets.

She arrived at a tavern named Sweet Aroma Inn. Lifting the dark, curtain-like flap, she saw a dozen figures seated in the main hall, drinking strong liquor and eating dishes sending up white plumes of steam at various tables. No one paid attention to the newcomer entering from outside, merely sensing a sudden gust of cold air that cooled the normally warm inn atmosphere, before the warmth slowly returned a moment later.

However, when the woman shook the accumulated snow from her silver robe and removed her hood, the entire tavern seemed to suddenly plunge into darkness, all light gathering instead upon the soft, flowing black hair cascading from beneath the hood and the silk-like silver robe she wore. Someone, as if compelled by an instinct, turned to look, and then simply froze. Beauty!

An exquisite beauty beyond description! Her face was finely sculpted, as if carved from ice and snow, possessing near-perfect features, skin as smooth as silk, and a delicate figure that begged to be cherished and protected. The woman seemed oblivious to the dozen fiery gazes fixed upon her, drawn in by her flawless appearance.

A slight smile touched her lips as she brushed the last vestiges of snow from her hood, then walked up to the tavern owner behind the counter. Her voice, as melodious as spring water, asked softly, "Could I have an upper room?" She didn't ask if there was one; she simply asked if she could have one. The owner, a middle-aged man with a slightly stout frame and a dark stubble that lent him a mature air, seemed to have his pupils dilated by the sheer brilliance emanating from the woman.

His mouth hung slightly open for a moment before he snapped back to reality, nodding frantically. "Yes, yes! As many as you need!" The woman couldn't help but laugh—a dazzling, indescribable sight, like an epiphyllum blooming in the snow.

With a light chuckle, she said, "Just one room for me, please. Prepare it, and I’d also like a few small dishes. I’ll leave the selection to you; just make sure they are tasty.

And one pot of hot water." "Yes, yes, of course." The owner’s head nearly bowed to his chest. Then, under the gaze of everyone present, the woman gracefully moved toward an empty table and sat down. She placed her hood on the neighboring chair, smoothed her lustrous hair, and then gazed out at the street, where the snow fell heavily and howled.

Few pedestrians were out; those who were hurried past wrapped tightly in thick padded coats. "Snow… it truly is beautiful," she murmured. A short while later, a pot of hot water and fragrant dishes steaming visibly were brought over.

The owner beamed, looking almost lovesick, his smile stretched wide. "Please, enjoy! If you need more, just say the word." The woman smiled and replied courteously, "Thank you, proprietor." The owner felt his bones go weak and his soul nearly float away.

He had no idea how he managed to walk back to the counter.