Divine Skin Manor

As Yi Chen ventured deeper into Zion City, he couldn't help but marvel at its astonishing design. The Street District alone, which he was currently exploring, was divided into three levels: upper, middle, and lower. Different levels were connected by elevators, edge staircases, and internal corridors within buildings.

It's worth noting that the area entered through the main city gate corresponded to the upper street level. This meant the middle and lower levels were embedded within the mountainside.

Furthermore, due to the three-tiered structure of the street district, there were significant gaps and fissures between the ground of the upper and middle levels, bridged by circular arched bridges.

The residential buildings in the Street District predominantly featured a Gothic style, with tall, slender spires, distinct vertical features, and long vertical windows, creating a dark and oppressive atmosphere.

Some buildings exhibited a noticeable stacking characteristic, extending from the lower levels all the way to the upper ones.

Additionally, most of the street designs were far from practical, lacking convenient access. Some corners and narrow passages even had iron gates installed, giving a disorienting impression of winding paths and deliberate segmentation.

Moreover, the entire Street District lacked a clear main thoroughfare, resembling more of a multi-layered, non-linear maze. Amidst the unremarkable buildings, winding alleys would occasionally appear, potentially leading directly to another part of the street and saving tens of minutes compared to other routes.

Yi Chen observed the complex streets while offering his analysis.

"I estimate there are two reasons for this kind of street design.

1. This city wasn't intended as a tourist area; it's exclusively for Organization members. As long as the internal personnel are familiar with the street layout, no matter how complex, it's fine—even more convenient at times.

2. If the Diseased were to spread throughout the world one day, even reaching Zion, and breaches over the city walls led to infections in the Street District, this complex structure would allow for effective and rapid compartmentalized isolation."

Furthermore, thanks to his enhanced senses, Yi Chen noticed that the people living in the Street District had light footsteps, moved with concise and elegant actions, and even exuded strength in their subtle movements. Their attire was also quite meticulous, with every detail seeming to withstand scrutiny.

"The humans living in Zion City must all be individuals who have successfully passed the basic assessments... even the most ordinary residents are likely far stronger than us."

As he navigated the undulating streets, Yi Chen also noticed many hidden shops with no signage, yet clearly conducting business. Some street paths were also sealed off, guarded by individuals dressed as Gentlemen, for reasons unknown.

He also observed some Gentlemen walking on the streets who seemed to be accompanied by rather peculiar "pets." Besides more normal pets like parrots and cats, there were also small creatures that could be labeled as monsters, such as a 'dog' with a chain, a mouth shaped like a chrysanthemum with no other facial features, or a large spider with human legs.

There were also rather mysterious pet shops along the streets. Although their doors were closed, strange cries could be heard from within.

It wasn't surprising, then, that when Yi Chen met with other examinees while he had Little Grape on his shoulder, they didn't seem particularly astonished. It's likely that within the Organization, it was common for Gentlemen to carry pets to assist in combat.

[Half an hour later]

As everyone followed Mr. Jeff, who was leading the way, onto a stone-arched bridge connecting to the opposite street, an individual dressed in peculiar attire approached from the other side of the bridge.

This person wore the iconic bird-beak mask of a medieval doctor. The leather used for the mask was very unusual, with faint traces of flowing stigmata visible within it. It also incorporated metal structures for the eye sockets and nasal parts. It was mysterious and noble.

However, in addition to the bird-beak mask, this person was also wearing a white lab coat, symbolizing modern medicine, and was walking barefoot. Such an image naturally brought to mind a profession for Yi Chen—a Doctor.

Mr. Jeff, the guide, immediately took off his hat and bowed in a gentlemanly manner upon seeing this person.

The assessors accompanying them also stopped and bowed.

However.

As the mysterious doctor passed by everyone, he suddenly stopped.

Tilting his head, The metal eye sockets of the bird-beak mask stared at Yi Chen at the end of the line.

Words seeped from the breathing holes, sinister and even somewhat viscous:

"Death... a faint but real aura of death flows through you. Where did it come from?"

Yi Chen steadied his mind and replied in a low voice, "I come from the graveyard in Easton Town. I worked in the graveyard before."

"Simply working in a graveyard wouldn't cause death to flow within you... What is your name?"

"William Berens."

After getting the name, the mysterious doctor said no more, turned, and left.

After this exchange, Everyone, including Mr. Jeff, the guide, looked at Yi Chen.

Edmund, the blonde, even put a hand on his shoulder, "Wow! Mr. William, you actually got the attention of a 'Doctor'... This is quite rare. As expected of you."

The word "Doctor,"

Immediately made Yi Chen think of the Organization's name, G&D. Doctor was an important component of it.

He didn't pretend to understand, but tried to ask:

"My life in the graveyard was basically isolated from the outside world, so I don't really understand the meaning of 'Doctor.' Could you explain?"

"Gentleman & Doctor.

To put it simply, that's what it is.

'Gentleman' refers to spiritual purity, eradicating the negative spirits caused by the Diseased in the world, and also allows for constant self-inspection to ensure the perfection and purity of humanity.

'Doctor' refers to physical purity, using the most direct methods and 'medical instruments' to eliminate the root causes of disease spread throughout the world.

Among the Organizations, Gentlemen who are granted the 'Doctor's Certificate' are all true powerhouses who have eradicated the roots of disease.

Of course, some of them are also skilled in healing and treating injuries. As long as they aren't completely dead, even if they are halfway into the Styx, they can pull you back.

In short, they are very powerful.

Keep at it, William. With your talent, you might become a Doctor one day."

"Thank you."

"We're in the same cohort, so we'll have to look out for each other from now on."

After some casual chat, they continued walking.

The area of Zion City is not very large, but truly exploring every corner is by no means easy.

After about an hour and a half of walking, The street buildings gradually became sparser, The winding small paths gradually widened and straightened, turning into a clear main road.

On both sides of the road were exaggeratedly designed Gargoyle Streetlamps - the gargoyle sculptures were about five meters tall, and in their hands, they held lamps emitting white light, eternal burning kerosene lamps.

At the end of the main road, they reached a Black Bridge.

It was wide, straight, and long, Completely different from the previous circular arched bridge, on a completely different level.

The bridge surface was also covered with a layer of mist.

Clearly, This bridge belonged to the 'dividing line' of the Street District. The other side might connect to important areas of Zion.

Crossing the nearly thousand-meter Black Bridge, The gate at the bridgehead had already been opened.

A colossal manor in the style of a castle stood within.

The large, roughly hewn stone blocks used to construct the walls gave off a visual impression that was somewhere between stone and skin.

As Yi Chen gazed at this skin-textured manor, A sense of palpitations arose, making him think for a moment of the Fish Scale Abyss his consciousness had visited... there seemed to be some subtle similarity between the two.

Or rather, a sense of antiquity, An ultimate antiquity far beyond Yi Chen's comprehension.

"Is this the Divine Skin Manor?"

The reason for slowing down the pace here is mainly to introduce the peculiar structure and architectural style of Zion City in detail, to give everyone a stronger sense of immersion upon entering the city... A lot of time was spent learning this city introduction (crying).