Ji Liang raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Is it mandatory?"

"Of course. Only after choosing a country can you get an Identity Card, which lets you travel between the various countries and cities of the Yongchang Continent." The wait was getting tedious, so the Bull Beastman in front of them nodded. "But it’s not like you can just choose any country you want. Jiuzhou doesn’t accept visitors from outside the forest, and the other four countries have requirements for Beastmen that are each stricter than the last!

"Besides, if you choose one country and then try to enter another, you’ll be seen as a traitor—disloyal and fickle. Neither side will have you..."

Si Shuo, disguised as Xiao Cheng, asked curiously, "Then what happens if a Beastman from outside the forest doesn’t meet the requirements?"

"What else can they do? They can only live outside the city. There are many tribes like that, but they have to pay protection fees. Those who can’t afford it can only live outside the tribes or the city..."

"A lot of beast bandits prey on these unaffiliated Beastmen... Actually, it’s not just them. The Beastmen in the tribes don’t have it easy either. It’s the thick city walls that make you feel secure..."

The group answered very enthusiastically, even offering advice. "If you want to choose a Beast Country, Jiuzhou is definitely out. The Northern Territory has very high standards—a Beastman’s cultivation must be at Level 15, or a female must be a Female Saint.

"Compared to the Northern Territory, our Guanping’s conditions are more reasonable. A Beastman’s cultivation needs to be Level 12 or higher, and a female’s fertility must be average or better. Each person pays one Level 15 Crystal Stone, undergoes a three-month observation period, and if your character is deemed acceptable and you can find five or more Beastmen to vouch for you, you can get an Identity Card."

"A lot of Beastmen are just biding their time, waiting until their cultivation reaches Level 15 to join the Northern Territory directly... Which one you pick is up to you..."

Si Shuo turned to look at Ji Liang. Seeing her in her Xiao Cheng disguise, he could only pat her on the shoulder and continue questioning the Beastmen. "Friends, is an Identity Card absolutely necessary? We’re from outside the forest and don’t know which Beast Country is good. We’d like to go in and look around at each one to make a suitable choice."

"Well, of course the Beast Country with the highest requirements is the best one!"

"You outsiders don’t have high Levels, so it seems only Guanping would accept you... But if you want to go in and look around, you can. See over there? You can take ten Level 12 Crystal Stones to buy a one-day pass... Fifteen stones for a two-day pass... You have to show your Identity Card to buy things or get lodging..."

Even though Si Shuo could replicate Crystal Stones, she still thought it was a bit expensive. Instead of using Crystal Stones to buy a pass, they might as well just use Invisibility to get in.

Ji Liang asked a few more questions, and the Beastmen, who were not on their guard, answered each one in turn.

"Ji Liang, what should we do? Are we really going to join a country?" Si Shuo asked in a low voice.

Ji Liang nodded. "We have to, unless we only plan on occasionally entering the city for supplies and have no intention of living long-term in a safe, prosperous place."

"Then which country should we join?" Si Shuo had no desire to stay cooped up in the natural Array in the bamboo forest forever. She preferred living in a bustling city, to feel the lively atmosphere.

Besides, while the bamboo forest Array was nice, it didn’t have much arable land. ’I want to be a tycoon!’

"Guanping?" Ji Liang suggested with a raised eyebrow.

Zhi Le nodded. "I think that’s a good idea. Guanping’s entry requirements seem low, which is also suitable for hiding our true strength. There are a lot of plains here, and it’s near the great sea. Both the weather and the living environment are good."

Si Shuo’s eyes sparkled as she said with a smile, "Yes, let’s choose a Beast City near the sea." That way, Gong You and Yu Zai could go into the ocean every now and then.

A Fish Beastman should be a Fish Beastman. How could they stay away from the ocean for long?

She wrote another note and placed it in her space to ask for the opinions of the other males back home. Naturally, they all agreed.

Although it was called an Identity Card, it actually functioned similarly to a Beast Mark. It was imprinted on the center of one’s forehead using a Secret Technique. The totem of the Guanping Country was a cresting, blue-white wave.

The line moved quickly. When it was their turn, the Golden Monkey Beastman handling registrations lifted his eyelids and glanced at Ji Liang. "From outside the forest?"

"Yes, Sir." Ji Liang smiled, discreetly slipping a Level 16 attributeless crystal stone into the man’s hand.

The Golden Monkey Beastman’s spiritual power swept over the stone, and he instantly perked up. After tucking the Crystal Stone into his Storage Ring, he smiled and continued, "Brother, are you looking to join our Guanping Country?

"I’m not just bragging, but among the Five Great Beast Countries, Guanping is the most inclusive and the best place for an ordinary Beastman to get ahead.

"As long as you are outstanding enough and make significant contributions, your efforts will be rewarded. The other Beast Cities have way more rules. Take Jiuzhou, for example—they’re obsessed with bloodlines..."

The Golden Monkey Beastman completely ignored the long line, rambling on, "So, if you choose Guanping, you won’t be living in luxury, but as long as you’re willing to work, it’s more than enough to support a family..."

"Alright. We’ll trouble you to imprint us then, Sir," Ji Liang said, nodding along.

The Golden Monkey Beastman cheerfully took out a smooth, lustrous white Jade Seal, stood up, and gently pressed it against each of their foreheads one by one.

A searing heat flashed by, followed by a cool sensation that spread through their minds, leaving them feeling refreshed and clear-headed!

Si Shuo even felt her spiritual power faintly increase by about ten percent. Unable to hide the delight in her eyes, she turned her head to look at an equally surprised Yin Jiang.

The Golden Monkey Beastman loved seeing the ignorant looks on outsiders’ faces. "Why do you think everyone chooses to join a Beast Country? Besides the nice and stable living environment, it’s because this Identity Card can enhance one’s spiritual power.

"Our Guanping’s Dragon Seal is the second most powerful among the Five Great Beast Countries. Spiritual power is so hard to improve, you know. Why do you think so many outsiders get stuck at Level 15 and find it hard to advance?

"It’s because their spiritual power can’t keep up—it’s their bottleneck. But we Beastmen of the Yongchang Continent have the help of our Identity Cards, which raises our starting point by a huge margin..."

’So that’s how it is!’

"Alright, little brothers, you can go on in. If you have any problems, come find me. My name is He Xin. Inside Beiping City, I’ve got strong connections," He Xin said with a laugh, patting his chest.

After cupping his hands in thanks, Ji Liang paid the required amount of Level 15 Crystal Stones and finally led Si Shuo and the others into the city.

Although Beiping was a Border City of the Guanping Country, it was incredibly lively. Throngs of Beastmen came and went, and the streets were lined with shops: clothiers, tailor shops, accessory stores, eateries, pastry shops, blacksmiths, and more. The sight left Si Shuo in a daze, as if she had walked onto a movie set. If not for the various furs adorning everyone’s clothes, she might have forgotten this was the Beast World Continent.

The level of prosperity and excitement here far exceeded Si Shuo’s imagination, and this was just a city on the frontier!

"Little Shushu, although this is Guanping’s northernmost Beast City, information flows freely here. Let’s stay for a few days and get a good understanding of the situation on the Yongchang Continent."

Si Shuo nodded in understanding. The traffic here was immense; what kind of Beastman wouldn’t you find? All the intersecting information would be enough to keep them busy for a long time.