I Can Extract Divine Power

These were the rules. If he didn’t follow the procedures, he would most likely end up breaking them.

Shen Bai pondered for a moment before asking, "What is a travel permit? May I see one?"

’Since they can communicate, I’ll try talking to them first.’

’As long as I don’t try to force my way in, there shouldn’t be any major issues.’

Sure enough, after Shen Bai spoke, nothing unusual happened.

The soldier on the right spoke impatiently. "You don’t even know what a travel permit is? Scram, or we’ll throw you in a cell."

Hearing this, Shen Bai frowned.

He felt like he was already stuck at the first hurdle.

He had been hoping to talk with them and ask what a travel permit was.

But from the looks of it, communication was completely off the table.

These two fellows operated strictly by the rules, appearing rigid and inflexible.

’It seems I really can’t get in without a travel permit.’

Just as he was thinking this, he heard footsteps approaching from behind.

Shen Bai turned and saw a woman in Red Attire slowly approaching.

The woman emanated a cold, sinister aura.

Dressed head to toe in red, even her head was covered by a red cloth that hid her face.

A light breeze lifted the cloth, revealing a chin as white as paper.

Shen Bai glanced down and noticed that the woman walked on her tiptoes, her heels held high off the ground.

There were many old tales told in the streets and alleys, one of which claimed that ghosts walked on their toes with their heels lifted high.

Seeing this now, a chill ran down Shen Bai’s spine.

The sinister aura coming from the woman in Red Attire was especially, and surprisingly, powerful.

Yet, Shen Bai also sensed that this woman in Red Attire was not an aberration.

When the woman in Red Attire drew near, she stopped in front of Shen Bai and raised her right hand.

Only then did Shen Bai see what the hand truly looked like.

It was white. Incredibly white. As white as paper.

Upon closer inspection, the hand was made of white paper, with red fingernails painted on.

The nails glinted in the darkness.

"Sir, if you don’t have a travel permit, you may take mine."

On the palm of the woman in Red Attire lay a wooden token.

And as Hongyi spoke, Shen Bai caught a whiff of a foul, decaying stench.

’She’s a paper person.’

Shen Bai narrowed his eyes.

He looked at the wooden token in Hongyi’s hand, and after a moment’s thought, took it.

"Thank you, miss," Shen Bai said.

Hongyi retracted her paper-white hand and headed into the city. She said nothing more, and nothing unusual or dangerous occurred.

And surprisingly, the decaying soldiers on either side did not stop Hongyi.

Shen Bai rubbed his chin and walked toward the city gate again.

This time, the decaying soldiers didn’t stop him, acting as if they couldn’t even see him.

Although the scene had been utterly bizarre, Shen Bai could now enter the city.

He didn’t dwell on it. As he passed through the gate, Shen Bai saw Hongyi’s figure gradually fade away until she vanished completely.

’Perhaps this is how the Hundred True Gentlemen enter the Mysterious City every time—Hongyi gives them the travel permit,’ Shen Bai thought.

With this reflection of the Mysterious City, it was impossible that the Hundred True Gentlemen had only entered once.

And to get inside, they had to pass through the city gate.

From the looks of it, the Hundred True Gentlemen hadn’t broken the rules of this Mysterious City, which meant they must have used some other method to get in.

Hongyi, whom Shen Bai had just met, was perhaps that method.

But as for why entering the city was so simple, Shen Bai couldn’t fathom.

Nor did he want to overthink it.

Just being able to get inside was good enough.

With that thought, Shen Bai began to survey his surroundings.

All around were rows upon rows of market stalls.

Beside the stalls stood figures with vacant, lifeless expressions.

There were men and women, old and young.

But without exception, their expressions were all numb, as if they were devoid of any emotion.

Not only that, but they also emanated a cold, decaying aura.

The moment Shen Bai stepped onto the street, the vendors, who had been numb and expressionless, suddenly burst into life.

Their expressions became animated, just like living people, as they began hawking their wares on both sides of the street.

"Interesting."

’They live according to a set program. When a living person sets foot on this street, it becomes a bustling, lively place. But when no one is here, they just maintain their rigid poses.’

All sorts of thoughts crossed Shen Bai’s mind, and his curiosity about this Mysterious City grew.

’Alright then, I’ll start my exploration on this street.’

Having made up his mind, Shen Bai looked to the nearest vendor and walked over.

The vendor’s stall was laid out with various trinkets—everyday objects like combs and mirrors.

As Shen Bai drew near, the vendor immediately looked over with a beaming smile.

"Sir, see anything you like? Everything I have here is high quality and a great bargain."

From Shen Bai’s perspective, the vendor was tattered and ancient, filled with a bizarre aura.

Yet the vendor’s expression and words were just like a living person’s, creating an incredibly strange sense of contrast.

’Since this is a transaction, I’ll give it a try and see what the rules are,’ Shen Bai thought. He then crouched down, picked up a wooden comb, and began to examine it carefully.