Arrangements were made for lodging.
Ye Cangtian left the mansion, leaving Lan Yue and Yao Bao'er behind.
Xiong Bing had been severely injured for over a month, and Ye Cangtian wanted to assess the situation at Tianhan Pass.
However, before that, he needed to find a guide, as he was unfamiliar with Tianhan Pass.
After much thought, he remembered the guard from the Hidden Group and headed there first.
Inside the Hidden Group's guard rest room, bursts of triumphant laughter could be heard.
Zhang Yong, who had previously guided Ye Cangtian, had just finished his shift and was proudly showing off.
"Brothers, I met a big shot today. Do you know who it was?"
"It was one of our Heavenly-ranked powerhouses in the Hidden Group, the youngest legendary figure – Ye Cangtian..."
Listening to Zhang Yong's boasting, all his fellow guards cast envious glances his way.
Ye Cangtian was their idol!
It was said that this person was loyal and righteous, and had created countless miracles.
Because of this, in their hearts, Ye Cangtian's status was akin to a deity.
For Zhang Yong to have guided Ye Cangtian and interacted with him up close was something they all dreamed of.
*Ding! Ding! Ding!*
At that moment, a knock echoed at the door.
As everyone turned their heads, they saw a familiar figure standing at the doorway. After a moment of hesitation, their eyes widened in disbelief.
Zhang Yong was the first to react.
He quickly stepped forward and said respectfully, "Greetings, Lord Ye. May I ask if you have any instructions, Lord Ye?"
"No instructions, really."
Ye Cangtian smiled slightly and said, "I'd like to take a stroll around Tianhan Pass. Would you be willing to be my guide?"
"Willing, very willing."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yong became extremely excited and readily agreed.
Having already guided him once had made all his companions envious. Now, becoming his guide would bring him even closer, making them even more envious.
As he spoke, Zhang Yong quickly stepped out of the room and bowed, making a gesture to invite Ye Cangtian forward.
Seeing this, Ye Cangtian smiled slightly and, without another word, turned and left the room.
"Did I... did I see that right? Lord Ye Cangtian actually came to our rest room?"
"No, no, that was indeed Lord Ye Cangtian!"
"Damn it, I reacted too slowly! Otherwise, if I had been the guide, Zhang Yong definitely wouldn't have gotten the chance..."
Only after Ye Cangtian had left the room did the other guards react, filled with regret.
They had lost such an opportunity to interact with their idol up close.
...
Meanwhile, led by Zhang Yong, Ye Cangtian began to explore Tianhan Pass.
Zhang Yong did his best to introduce the local customs and historical culture of Tianhan Pass.
Ye Cangtian didn't interrupt, merely listening. His primary focus was on the current state of Tianhan Pass.
As he walked, he saw that Tianhan Pass was well-ordered, and the people lived and worked in peace. He was deeply relieved.
It seemed that the people of Tianhan Pass had not been significantly affected by Xiong Bing's severe injury.
This indicated that Xiong Bing had put in considerable effort in his daily duties, otherwise such results would not have been achieved.
Tianhan Pass.
Under Zhang Yong's guidance, Ye Cangtian finally saw the majestic high walls of Tianhan Pass.
Just as in the legends, Tianhan Pass was flanked by sheer cliffs, and the walls were covered in a thick layer of ice armor.
Under such conditions, attempting to directly assault Tianhan Pass would be a fool's errand.
While appreciating the grandeur of Tianhan Pass, Ye Cangtian couldn't help but frown.
Although the guards here stood tall and straight, in his eyes, they still appeared somewhat dispirited.
Undoubtedly, this was due to Xiong Bing's severe injury.
*Clang!*
As they approached Tianhan Pass, the guards stationed there drew their weapons, blocking Ye Cangtian and Zhang Yong.
Although Zhang Yong wore the uniform of the Hidden Group, without orders, even he could not approach Tianhan Pass casually.
Furthermore, bringing another person along was even less permissible.
The next moment, a guard stepped forward and sternly questioned, "You're an old hand here, aren't you? Don't you understand the rules?"
"Brother, take a good look. Who is by my side!"
Zhang Yong replied calmly, without getting angry.
Ye Cangtian was new to this place, and even he hadn't recognized him at first glance. Zhang Yong understood the guard's attitude.
"This..."
Upon hearing Zhang Yong's words, the guard carefully examined Ye Cangtian.
Like the others, the guard initially found Ye Cangtian's face familiar. After recalling, he was stunned.
"Se-see-seen Lord Ye."
After a long pause, the guard knelt on one knee to pay his respects, his body trembling with excitement.
Ye Cangtian smiled slightly, then helped the guard up, saying, "Rise. There's no need to be so formal. Would you show me around Tianhan Pass?"
"Yes!"
The guard immediately responded and, under the envious gaze of his companions, began to show Ye Cangtian around.
"Greetings, Lord Ye!"
Not long after, a voice called out from behind them.
The person was wearing armor and was clearly of a significant position.
Ye Cangtian glanced at him and, in his mind, recalled the man's information.
Tianhan Pass was guarded by the Two Generals of Tianhan: one was the severely injured Xiong Bing, and the other was Xiong Bing's副将 (fùjiàng - deputy general), Su Lie.
The person before him was indeed Su Lie.
Thinking this, Ye Cangtian nodded to him and said, "Su Lie, you're here at just the right time. Accompany me for a walk! I also want to inquire about some other matters..."
Seeing this, Su Lie quickly agreed and came to Ye Cangtian's side.
Thus, the two began to patrol the heights of Tianhan Pass.
Upon seeing Ye Cangtian, the tired expressions on the faces of the many soldiers vanished, replaced by intense excitement.
Their morale instantly returned to its peak. They wanted to present their best selves to this important figure.
Meanwhile, Ye Cangtian was also busy, beginning to inquire about the Five Poisons Sect.
Su Lie did not conceal anything upon hearing the question and replied, "Lord Ye, it is rumored that the Five Poisons Sect's incursion this time was to search for a poisonous creature, seemingly called the Three-Eyed Ice Toad."
"The Three-Eyed Ice Toad?"
A look of confusion appeared in Ye Cangtian's eyes. He had traveled extensively and encountered many strange people.
However, he had never even heard of this Three-Eyed Ice Toad.
Sensing Ye Cangtian's gaze, Su Lie quickly explained.
The Three-Eyed Ice Toad was a poisonous creature from ancient times, incredibly potent. It was said that even Heavenly-ranked individuals had to be extremely cautious.
"That's all?"
Ye Cangtian asked for more after Su Lie's brief explanation, only to see Su Lie's embarrassed expression.
In fact, Su Lie only knew this much.
Helpless, Ye Cangtian had to drop the matter and began to ponder.
If the Three-Eyed Ice Toad was something that even Heavenly-ranked experts feared, then the actions of the Five Poisons Sect were understandable.
The Five Poisons Sect did not have Heavenly-ranked experts guarding them. Capturing the Three-Eyed Ice Toad was intended to deal with Heavenly-ranked experts from other forces.
Only in this way could they intimidate other forces and thus elevate their own status.
A cold smile appeared on Ye Cangtian's face.
The Hidden Group and the Five Poisons Sect were enemies. If the Five Poisons Sect succeeded in capturing the toad, they would likely target the Hidden Group first.
Therefore, no matter what, Ye Cangtian absolutely would not allow the Five Poisons Sect to succeed.
Thinking this, Ye Cangtian turned and glanced back at Su Lie, saying, "By the way, I forgot to tell you, Xiong Bing is fine now. He should be fully recovered in a few days."
"That's great."
Su Lie's expression changed instantly, filled with excitement. He then turned to the assembled soldiers and channeled his spiritual energy.
"Brothers, Lord Xiong Bing is well and will be back with us in a few days!"
*Roar! Roar! Roar...*
The resounding voices spread to every corner, and all the soldiers responded with excited roars.
Su Lie, after delivering the news, cupped his hands in a salute to Ye Cangtian, saying, "Thank you, Lord Ye..."
Seeing this, Ye Cangtian quickly helped him up and replied, "You shed blood and sacrificed for the Hidden Group. This is what I should do."
As they spoke, Ye Cangtian, accompanied by Su Lie, inspected every corner of Tianhan Pass.
Finally, Ye Cangtian was invited by Su Lie to stay. Together with the many soldiers, they held a bonfire banquet at the foot of Tianhan Pass.
It was late into the night when Ye Cangtian, accompanied by Zhang Yong, returned to Xiong Bing's mansion.