Becoming a god starts with one certificate becoming eternal.

Chapter 92 Cold Pool

Nearly half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

Members of the Star Hall came and went, but Ye Xiao never left the hall, receiving a constant stream of invitations, gift lists, and messages.

However, he spent most of his time honing his combat skills. Compared to his battle with Xu Chongshan, his combat tactics and timing of his strikes had improved significantly.

The only thing that remains is the cultivation environment, which is like a thorn stuck in my throat.

"Only one day left."

Ye Xiao let out a soft breath. Half a month was a line he drew for himself, but also a leeway he left for himself; if he couldn't find it, he'd change paths. This time would also be a good opportunity for him to address his weaknesses, at least to avoid tripping up in the same place twice.

Just then, the footsteps outside the door stopped.

Yan Quan stood at the door, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Master, Wild Wolf of the Night Raven Hall requests an audience."

Ye Xiao was taken aback, then his eyes lit up.

"Let him in." His voice was low, but quick.

Not long after, the wild wolf was brought into the main hall.

He remained silent, carrying the scent of the night's dust, and bowed as he entered, saying, "Greetings, Hall Master."

Ye Xiao cut to the chase, asking directly, "Found it?"

"Yes." The wolf looked up, his voice low. "There is a place that meets the hall master's requirements."

Ye Xiao's fingers tightened slightly: "Where?"

Wild Wolf didn't report the news immediately, but instead made it clear: "But there's a bit of trouble there; ordinary people can't get in."

He looked at Ye Xiao, his tone becoming more cautious: "I want to confirm something with the hall master. Even if you can't go in the end, will our agreement still stand?"

Ye Xiao's gaze remained unchanged, and he replied with only one word: "Fine."

The wolf finally breathed a sigh of relief, as if it had let go of a rope it had been holding tightly.

"It's less than ten miles north of the city," Wild Wolf said in a low voice. "Outside the north gate, there's an abandoned mine ditch with a cold pool that has collapsed. If you get close at night, you can hear the sound of water, and the cold air is like a knife, seeping into your bones."

He paused, then added more explicitly, "I checked twice."

"The first time I only reached the outer edge of the mine trench. It was too cold, and if I went any further in, it felt like there was a force pushing me back, so I didn't dare to push too hard."

"The second time I went, the outer area had changed."

Ye Xiao looked up: "How will it change?"

The wolf whispered, "There are more ropes, more cards, and more people."

"Those people didn't wear gang uniforms or carry flags, but they patrolled very orderly: some people were signing off, some were changing shifts, and the routes they took were like drawn lines. They had a very official air about them."

As he spoke, he pulled a small piece of grayish-white cloth from his pocket and placed it on the table. The edge of the cloth was brittle, as if it had been bitten by the cold air, and there was still a faint ink stain on it, like the remnant of a seal.

"I found it when I took a detour," said the Wild Wolf. "The Cold Pool is sealed off, with a sign that says 'No Entry.' People have tried to get close, but they were all driven away. The person who attacked was no pushover, so I dared not approach it again."

Ye Xiao was overjoyed, but then his heart sank a little further.

The fact that it was sealed off suggests that the Cold Pool is not only suitable for practicing martial arts, but also likely hides something else.

In Tianyuan City, only two official forces can openly invoke the seal: the Town Guard and the City Protection Guard.

A cold pool is valuable, but it can also be deadly.

Ye Xiao tapped his fingertips lightly on the table: "Can you be sure which company it is?"

Wild Wolf shook his head: "I wouldn't dare say 100%. But I've dealt with people from the City Guard, and those people don't seem like the City Guard at all; they're more like the legendary City Town Guard."

The lights in the hall flickered slightly.

Yan Quan even slowed his breathing.

Ye Xiao smiled faintly. Compared to the City Guard, he preferred dealing with the Town Guard; their rules were more rigid, and it was easier to leverage their strengths.

"I understand. You handled this very well," Ye Xiao said.

Seeing that he didn't back down, Wild Wolf became even more cautious: "Master, the Town Guard is one of the most terrifying forces in the Upper City, even the City Lord is wary of them. Since the Cold Pool has been sealed off by them, if we force our way in—"

He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.

"I know." Ye Xiao raised his eyes, his gaze calm. "It should be difficult to get in."

He didn't suggest forcing his way in, nor did he say they could definitely get in; he simply changed the angle of the question: "What does it say on the seal?"

After a moment's recollection, Wild Wolf said, "The top part is in official language, with things like 'No Entry, Severe Punishment.' The key is the small print at the bottom: 'Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to approach. Anyone who trespasses will be killed without mercy!'"

Ye Xiao's fingertips stopped.

He ignored the words "no mercy" and was thinking about something else.

"Is there an official seal on the seal?" Ye Xiao asked softly.

Wild Wolf paused for a moment, then nodded: "Yes, the seal is very clear, it doesn't look like it was forged. There's also a string of small numbers on the corner of the seal, I can't understand them, I just remember it looking like a special symbol."

Ye Xiao inquired about the symbol for the desolate wolf, and after confirming the answer, his eyes brightened even more.

"The one who sealed off those people is indeed the Town Guard."

He said calmly, "I've seen the symbols you mentioned in the hands of the Zhencheng Division before."

"Has the Hall Master ever met anyone from the Town Guard?" Yan Quan asked with a look of surprise and doubt.

Ye Xiao nodded, his tone calm: "I saw it from afar. Since the Town Guard dared to put up a seal, it means there's something strange about that cold pool."

He paused, then continued, "It's almost impossible for an ordinary person to get in."

Although he was a Xuan-level town guard, he was not sure whether the situation at the Cold Pool would allow him to enter or leave.

If the guards don't give their approval, they can't even get past the blockade.

As for forcing your way in, that's suicide—you need a legitimate reason to get in.

Wild Wolf then lowered his voice again: "Master, I must remind you of something."

Ye Xiao gestured for him to speak.

Wild Wolf said, "The outer perimeter is sealed off not only by officials. There's also a group that doesn't quite look like the Town Guard. They don't patrol or keep records, but they're watching much more closely, as if they're waiting for someone to go in or someone to come out."

Ye Xiao didn't ask any more questions, but simply kept these words in mind. Then he looked at Huang Lang and said in a clean and crisp tone, "Well done, the agreement is valid."

"From this day forward, you belong to my Hall of Stars."

The wolf felt a tightness in his chest and immediately knelt on one knee: "Understood, subordinate."

Ye Xiao raised his hand to stop him from continuing to pledge his loyalty, his voice still indifferent: "Remember what I told you, otherwise even if you perform meritorious service this time, I will not let you go."

The wolf immediately replied, "Yes."

Ye Xiao then stood up: "Yan Quan, prepare the car."

Yan Quan was taken aback: "What's going on, Hall Master?"

Ye Xiao looked at him, his tone not harsh, yet commanding: "Go to the inland river dock."

Yan Quan's eyelids twitched: "Now?"

"Now," Ye Xiao said calmly, "I'm leaving the city tomorrow, so let's secure our territory tonight. If the inland river docks fall into chaos, Star Hall will be in serious trouble."

He paused, his tone growing even colder: "If anyone wants to test my strength, let them try it at the inland river docks."

"If you can afford to try, then go for it. If you can't, then pull your hand back."

Yan Quan immediately clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your subordinate will arrange it immediately."

Ye Xiao then looked at Huang Lang: "You come with me, speak less when we get there, and stand behind me."

The wolf nodded: "Understood."

The light flickered.

Ye Xiao put on his coat and went out, his steps unhurried. The fog outside the hall had not yet dissipated, and the Star Flag fluttered in the wind.