Frosty City.
After days of travel, Ye Cangtian and his group finally arrived at the city gate of Frosty City.
From outside the city, Frosty City's walls appeared very high, with city towers and arrow towers on top, giving it a grand and imposing presence, no less impressive than Dragon City.
With such tall city walls, the main gate was naturally not small. However, despite the large gate, it was guarded.
The guards at the main gate were not wearing the uniforms of the Hidden Group. Their attire was rather familiar to Ye Cangtian.
The base color of the uniform was black, with gold trim, and a dragon pattern embroidered on the chest.
Ye Cangtian had seen this type of uniform before in the Blood Pool of the Western Region, when Hou Yin, who served Du Xingyu, was wearing similar attire.
It was clear that these guards were not from the Hidden Group but from the Imperial Dragon Villa.
It was at this realization that Ye Cangtian's expression turned grim.
The Imperial Dragon Villa was not located within Frosty City, but in its vicinity. By rights, Frosty City should have been guarded by the Hidden Group.
Ye Cangtian had also heard Old Zhou mention that he intended to build the Imperial Dragon Villa into the absolute trump card of China's forces.
Therefore, tasks like guarding cities were all handed over to the Hidden Group.
The people of the Imperial Dragon Villa had not taken this decision to heart, and had even expressed their support.
Those who could enter the Imperial Dragon Villa were all exceptionally talented individuals, and they naturally disdained such gatekeeping duties.
Yet, now, the Imperial Dragon Villa was guarding the city gates. It appeared that the cultivation of these guards was not high.
Had something happened in Frosty City?
Or had the Imperial Dragon Villa regained control of Frosty City from the Hidden Group?
If it were the former, Ye Cangtian thought it might be a good thing, indicating that the Imperial Dragon Villa still upheld major principles.
But if it were the latter, it would surely mean ulterior motives, and perhaps the Imperial Dragon Villa was preparing to break away and establish its own domain.
"Hey! Coachman, where are you from?"
As Ye Cangtian was pondering, a rough voice echoed.
Opening the carriage window, he saw a burly guard, looking fierce, approaching the carriage.
"This young man, we are..."
"Do we need to explain to you where we are from?"
Before the coachman could reply, Ye Cangtian interrupted him directly.
He had left Dragon City over a month ago. If someone was determined, they could have roughly tracked his movements during this time.
Ye Cangtian worried that the Imperial Dragon Villa had received prior information and had set up guards here to prepare in advance.
For this reason, Ye Cangtian interrupted the coachman. After all, if they were told they were from Dragon City, it was highly likely their identities would be guessed.
Of course, before speaking, Ye Cangtian had also disguised himself to prevent his identity from being recognized.
Hmph!
The guard snorted, his fierce gaze turning towards Ye Cangtian, and he said coldly, "Kid, don't be so arrogant. Know where you are, know what we are wearing, and then open your mouth to spout nonsense!"
"Aren't you just people from the Imperial Dragon Villa?"
"What? With the backing of the Imperial Dragon Villa, you think you can be reckless?"
Ye Cangtian glanced at the guard and said with a cold laugh.
"Heh, today I've encountered someone who isn't afraid of death!"
"You recognize my identity, yet you don't give face to the Imperial Dragon Villa!"
"Kid, you're good. Since you have something to say, get out of the carriage and let's talk!"
Hearing Ye Cangtian's words, the guard's expression instantly turned cold, and a hint of killing intent appeared in his eyes.
After all, in Frosty City, no one dared to not give face to the Imperial Dragon Villa.
It truly lived up to the saying: Dragons must coil, and tigers must crouch.
Even forces comparable to the Imperial Dragon Villa had to behave themselves when their people set foot in Frosty City.
Now, someone dared to disrespect him, and the guard could not accept it.
As the guard's voice sounded, it immediately attracted the attention of his companions by the entrance.
They looked at Ye Cangtian, who was slowly descending from the carriage, their faces filled with grim expressions.
In their eyes, no matter who it was, anyone who dared to challenge the authority of the Imperial Dragon Villa had to pay the price.
"I've already gotten out. But I'm not in a hurry to deal with you. Let's talk first, and then act, it won't be too late!"
Ye Cangtian glanced at the guards and said calmly.
The guard frowned. To be honest, he had nothing to discuss with the other party; he should just act directly. But he was also very curious about what the other party wanted to say.
After a moment of hesitation, the guard finally spoke, "Just say what you want to talk about! But let me say this first, you don't need to beg for mercy. You've already angered me, and I won't let you go even if you beg!"
"Heh, you think too highly of yourself. Someone like you isn't worthy of my begging!"
Ye Cangtian sneered disdainfully and then changed the subject, "Tell me, why are you checking the identities of those entering the city?"
"None of your business!"
"Who do you think you are, to dare to interfere in the affairs of the Imperial Dragon Villa?"
As soon as the guard heard this, his expression turned cold, and he retorted directly.
In fact, he did not know the specific reason. He was merely instructed to verify the identity of everyone and report any suspicious or notable individuals.
The specific reason was not explained to him, and he was just following orders.
"Heh heh."
Seeing the guard's attitude, Ye Cangtian's smile turned colder.
However, he did not teach the guard a lesson, as he had discovered another issue.
The next moment, Ye Cangtian spoke again, "Since you're unwilling to answer this question, let's change it. If one wants to enter Frosty City, there seem to be some conditions. What exactly are they?"
"Simple. Verify everyone's identity and origin, and then anyone who wants to enter the city needs to pay one purple crystal.
"This condition is effective for others, but not for you! Because you've offended someone you shouldn't have, so no matter how many crystals you offer, I won't let you in!"
"Of course, if you can defeat all of us, then naturally no one will stop you..."
As he spoke, the burly guard revealed a playful smile.
After all, who in the entire ruins didn't know that Frosty City was the territory of the Imperial Dragon Villa? And who dared to harm the people of the Imperial Dragon Villa here?
If the other party could truly defeat all of them, then regardless of right or wrong, the Imperial Dragon Villa would not let them go.
After all, acting here was an insult to the Imperial Dragon Villa, so even for the sake of face, the Imperial Dragon Villa would not let these people off.
This was precisely the reason for his confidence.
On the other side, Ye Cangtian's expression gradually turned grim upon hearing this.
Old Zhou had worried that after a long period without supervision, the Imperial Dragon Villa might encounter problems, and its disciples might go astray.
But now, it seemed that Old Zhou's worries were not only not superfluous but also underestimated. The real problems were likely more serious than imagined.
Many people entered the city every day. One purple crystal per person was an astronomical sum.
So, the question was, what was the Imperial Dragon Villa doing with this money?
Given the strength of the Imperial Dragon Villa, their daily expenses and cultivation could be fully self-sufficient.
Therefore, in Ye Cangtian's view, this money was likely being used to prepare for major events and gather resources for an uprising.
When the time was ripe, the Imperial Dragon Villa would swiftly break away from the Hidden Group, become independent, and perhaps even replace it.
"Haha, brothers, do you see?"
"This kid has been scared silly by me. I thought he was some tough guy!"
Seeing Ye Cangtian fall silent, the burly guard burst into laughter, boasting to his companions.
The next moment, his expression turned cold, and he stared fiercely at Ye Cangtian, saying, "Kid, don't think that by pretending to be weak, I'll let you off. I'm telling you, that's impossible! Today, I will definitely teach you a profound lesson!"
As he spoke, the guard slowly walked forward, moving his body as if doing warm-up exercises.
Just as the guard reached Ye Cangtian and raised his hand, about to slap Ye Cangtian's cheek, Ye Cangtian suddenly looked up, his eyes carrying a hint of coldness.
This was not only anger towards the guard's arrogant attitude but also anger towards the current state of the Imperial Dragon Villa!
It was for this reason that Ye Cangtian struck first, giving the other party no chance, and instead, with a backhanded slap, struck out.
"Slap!"
The guard's burly body flew sideways like a cannonball.