In this bizarre world, I can extract supernatural powers.

Officer Zhao stared at the paper figure for a moment, then quickly closed the door.

The door slammed shut, and the gust of wind made the paper figure on the table sway precariously.

At this moment, a cold voice came from the paper figure, as cold as ice.

"Be gentle, this old man can't withstand the wind."

With a gloomy expression, Constable Zhao slowly walked to the paper figure, sat down, and placed the long knife at his waist on the table with a soft thud.

"The yamen is heavily guarded, and the head constables in each department are all highly skilled, not to mention the clerks and the county magistrate. Aren't you afraid of dying?"

The paper figure chuckled.

"I'm just a paper doll; as long as I don't reveal my presence, they won't be able to find me."

Officer Zhao's eyes grew increasingly gloomy.

"You're not afraid of death, but I am. Quickly tell me the reason, and then get out of the government office right now."

A deep, eerie light emanated from the paper figure's eyes.

"You're becoming more and more disobedient. Don't forget that your position is inseparable from our Heavenly Heart Sect."

Officer Zhao placed his hand on the scabbard.

"Speak up! Stop talking nonsense!"

The paper figure paused briefly, then slowly spoke.

"Find me someone named Xu Bai, the owner of the Xu family's coffin shop. He ruined my grand plan, and I want his life. Oh, and he has close ties with Constable Chen."

Officer Zhao was taken aback for a moment, then thought of the young man he had met not long ago, who seemed to have close ties with Officer Chen.

He described its specific appearance, and the paper figure immediately began to shake wildly.

"That's him! I'm going to kill him!"

"I could have done a great job with the Tianxin Sect's plan, but because of him, I'm now behind."

Officer Zhao was about to speak.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door.

The paper figure immediately flipped over and jumped off the table, hiding under it.

Officer Zhao got up and opened the door.

Outside the door, a constable approached Zhao, the head constable, and whispered something.

"Sir, we've found the man's information. His name is Xu Bai..."

As the constable recounted his story, Constable Zhao's eyes gradually turned cold.

After a moment, Officer Zhao waved his sleeve and said.

"I understand. You may leave now."

The constable agreed and quietly left.

Officer Zhao closed the door again and returned to the table.

The paper figure climbed up the table leg and onto the table.

Officer Zhao said coldly, "It's difficult because someone is guarding the coffin shop, but I will help you find an opportunity. Once this matter is settled, I will have nothing to do with the Heavenly Heart Sect anymore."

The paper figure chuckled sinisterly.

"Of course, once you find a good opportunity, I won't bother you anymore."

Officer Zhao said coldly, "Get out!"

"Get out now."

The paper figure spontaneously combusted without wind, turning into a pile of ashes that accumulated on the table.

Officer Zhao looked at the ashes on the table and took a deep breath.

Although he appeared calm, he gripped the long knife tightly with his five fingers, his knuckles as white as paper.

……

After returning to his residence, Zhao Erniu immediately went to repair the window.

Xu Bai sat back in his rocking chair, pondering his next plan.

Xu Bai twirled the purple clay teapot in his palm; the tea was still warm, which calmed his mind somewhat.

A moment later, Xu Bai opened his eyes.

"We need to go find the strange thing."

His cheat code requires two things.

First, there are strange objects; second, there is a strange lifespan.

The strange object is hard to find, and there are no clues.

The origin of "Guishou" (诡寿) is strange and unpredictable, and there are traces to follow.

The situation is now uncertain. If Xu Bai doesn't seize the time to improve himself, his fate may be in danger.

"Now that I've entered this circle, I want to see even greater heights."

Thinking of this, Xu Bai told Zhao Erniu to continue repairing the window, and walked outside alone.

……

Fenglai Academy is located south of Feng County.

The academy's main gate stands tall and imposing, with stone steps leading upwards.

A plaque hangs above the doorway, its characters bold and vigorous, bearing the four characters "Respecting Literature and Honoring the Virtuous," each one large and bright as a torch.

The courtyard is spacious and grand, with unadorned brick and stone pillars, simple and dignified.

The orderly layout, with its unspoken rules quietly lying within, is like the imposing presence of ancient Confucian scholars, inspiring awe and reverence.

After the new emperor took office, he admired martial arts but did not look down on scholars.

Even in a remote county like Feng County, there are still academies.

The sound of reading aloud filled the air.

A young man sat in a rocking chair and yawned.

"Finally, we've entered the country."

"I just need to participate in the county examination to earn a small degree of official rank."

Nearby, several scholars looked at the young man with envy in their eyes.

"Xia Qinghan, you're usually so lazy, yet you managed to enter the realm so early. How did you learn to do that?"

A scholar asked in a low voice.

Xia Qinghan chuckled: "Geniuses are always different from ordinary people."

Upon hearing this, the scholar's lips twitched slightly.

Xia Qinghan ignored it and continued to lie in the rocking chair, pretending to sleep.

Just then, footsteps sounded.

A middle-aged scholar walked into the academy and glanced at Xia Qinghan.

"Your friend is here."

Xia Qinghan, who was resting in a rocking chair, immediately jumped up upon hearing this.

Without the slightest hesitation, he even picked up a brush from his waist and drew in mid-air.

A string of words appeared and landed on her legs.

Soon, Xia Qinghan turned into a blur and disappeared from the spot.

Upon seeing this, the scholars' faces darkened.

"They even used the method of allowing scholars to enter the country; who on earth could have made him do this?"

"Who else could it be but the manager of the Xu family's coffin shop? These two are childhood friends."

"It is said that Xia Qinghan has not left the academy for a long time in order to enter the country, and has not had any contact with this person for a long time."

"Heh, to still associate with mortals after entering the realm, that's truly beneath one's dignity."

The conversation gradually grew louder.

The middle-aged scholar coughed softly.

The scholars immediately fell silent and did not continue speaking.

……

At the entrance of the academy.

Xu Bai sat listlessly on the stone steps, holding a withered twig in his left hand, and scribbled on the ground.

A gust of wind blew by.

Xia Qinghan sat down next to Xu Bai and put his arm around Xu Bai's shoulder.

"Old Xu, long time no see."

Xu Bai's lips curled slightly upward as he glanced at Xia Qinghan and suddenly asked, "Have you entered the country?"

Xia Qinghan was slightly taken aback: "You know about immigration?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xia Qinghan suddenly realized something was wrong.

He stared intently at Xu Bai, then exclaimed in shock, "Old Xu, you've entered the country too?"

Xu Bai nodded and glanced at the academy.

"Why didn't you tell me about entering the country before? You even said you were going to the academy for seclusion to prepare for the imperial examinations."

Xia Qinghan gave a wry smile upon hearing this.

"Old Xu, you're not holding a grudge, are you? The academy's dean once said that ordinary people shouldn't know too much, otherwise it could lead to their deaths. I'm doing this for your own good."

Xu Bai chuckled: "Just kidding. It's funny how seriously you take it."

The person in front of him was the one who treated him the best in Feng County, so he naturally didn't take it seriously.

Xia Qinghan breathed a sigh of relief, then looked Xu Bai up and down, his expression suddenly freezing.

"Old Xu, have you entered the country?"

Xu Bai casually said, "After making coffins for a long time, you can easily master the craft."

Upon hearing this, Xia Qinghan's eyes widened suddenly.

"I recognize all the words you just said, but when they're put together into a sentence, I can't understand a single one."