Chapter 731: Ghost City
Noticing Bai Hanyun’s curiosity, the cloaked man’s voice echoed again. "Those are evil spirits."
Hearing this, Bai Hanyun swallowed and instinctively shifted closer to Hua Yuyu.
Seeing her subtle reaction, the corners of the cloaked man’s lips curved slightly.
’What a coward. I wonder if she can leave the Underworld Realm safely with such courage. It would be quite shameful if she died from fear.’
They traveled across the river for a long time before the opposite bank finally came into view. As the boat approached, the thick fog gradually dissipated, revealing the landscape clearly.
Instead of a field of red flowers, the land was scorched black, littered with bones. From the cracked earth, strands of black mist seeped out before dispersing into the air.
Sitting beside Bai Hanyun, Hua Yuyu’s heart sank at this sight.
’This black mist... It’s the same as the one that appeared in the border town.’
With that thought, he made a hand signal to the others.
[Be careful of the undead. This black mist is the same as the one from the border town.]
Understanding his warning, the others nodded.
A few minutes later, the cloaked man stopped the boat near the scorched shore. As he set down the oar, the wooden bridge appeared once more, connecting the boat to the land.
Sitting at the edge of the boat, his voice echoed in their minds.
"We have arrived. You may continue your journey."
Hearing this, Bai Hanyun stood up and gave him a slight bow. Then, she turned and stepped onto the bridge.
As she walked away, the cloaked man watched her back with a trace of nostalgia in his empty eye sockets.
’It seems you are still the same. What a pity that you have forgotten the past. I do miss the past when we spent time playing chess together.’
Once Bai Hanyun and the others stepped onto the scorched land, they continued forward without looking back.
Only after they disappeared into the black mist did the cloaked man move again.
As he slowly removed his hood, a handsome face was revealed, but his eyes were covered with a strip of black cloth.
Watching the direction they had gone, he whispered softly, "May you find your way home, Goddess."
After leaving the dock, Bai Hanyun and her team followed the direction indicated by the golden light. Just when her legs were about to give out, they finally saw tall black walls in the distance.
Looking at the familiar structure, Bai Hanyun made a hand signal.
[There is a city ahead.]
Hua Yuyu nodded and replied, [Looks like we have no choice but to enter the city for now. Stay alert, everyone.]
Understanding his message, Bai Hanyun and the others nodded.
Before heading toward the city, Bai Hanyun took out several black cloaks from her Qiankun Pouch and handed them out.
She then made another hand signal. [Put them on.]
They quickly donned the cloaks and pulled the hoods low, covering half their faces. Combined with the black masks, their faces were now completely concealed.
After exchanging nods, Bai Hanyun led the group forward, following the golden light toward the city.
More than an hour later, she stopped and looked up at the towering black walls and massive gate before her.
At first, she had thought the city walls would be similar in size to those of Xiqiang City. But now, standing before them, she finally realized their true scale.
The black city gate loomed like a mountain.
’No wonder it took us so long to get here... These walls are as tall as Mount Tai.’
While she was still taking in the sight, a ghost officer standing nearby noticed her unusual behavior.
Frowning slightly, the ghost officer walked toward Bai Hanyun and her group. Holding a bamboo scroll, he stopped a few steps away and emotionlessly said, "Show me your travel pass."
Hearing this, Bai Hanyun’s heart skipped a beat.
’Travel pass? What is that?’
When she didn’t respond, the ghost officer’s frown deepened. His hand slowly moved toward the sword at his waist as he pressed further, "You don’t have a travel pass?"
Though panic rose within her, Bai Hanyun forced herself to remain calm. After a brief pause, she raised her hands to clasp her fists.
However, before she could bow, a sudden sound rang out.
Thud.
Startled, Bai Hanyun lifted her gaze, only to see the ghost officer kneeling on the ground.
His body trembled violently, like a leaf battered by rain. As he shook, his form began to blur, as if it might dissipate at any moment.
Before Bai Hanyun could process what was happening, the ghost officer hastily clasped his fists and said, "Fairy, please forgive this lowly one’s offense. This lowly one did not realize you are an esteemed member of the Gui Clan. Please spare this lowly one’s life."
Seeing this, Bai Hanyun exchanged confused glances with Hua Yuyu and the others.
After a moment of thought, Hua Yuyu seemed to realize something. His gaze fell on Bai Hanyun’s hand—specifically, the black spatial ring.
Pointing at it, he made a hand signal.
[Miss Bai, could it be that your spatial ring has a hidden function?]
Bai Hanyun scratched her cheek slightly, still confused.
[This spatial ring was given to me by the Yang Mirror. He said it was made from his heart’s blood. Maybe this ghost officer recognized it... or mistook me for someone else.]
Hua Yuyu glanced at the trembling ghost officer, whose body had already begun to turn semi-transparent, then looked back at Bai Hanyun.
[Miss Bai, since it works, we should take advantage of it.]
Reading his signal, Bai Hanyun nodded in agreement. She raised her hand slightly, signaling the ghost officer to stand.
Realizing he had been spared, the ghost officer quickly said, "Thank you, Fairy, for sparing this lowly one’s life."
He stood up immediately. A fawning smile appeared on his ghostly face as he asked, "Fairy, where do you wish to go?"