The caravan traveled east along the official road.
Just after leaving Hogan City, vast fields stretched along both sides of the road.
In broad daylight, many people were working in the fields.
These were the farmlands belonging to the small villages surrounding Hogan City.
These farming and herding villages relied primarily on agriculture, supplying Hogan City's residents with grain and meat in exchange for goods they could not produce for themselves.
Though no village had particularly many people, generally no more than a thousand.
In truth, however, these village farmers made up the vast majority of this world's population.
But such a sight could only be seen around Hogan City.
As the convoy advanced, the weeds along the road and the surrounding trees gradually grew denser, while all traces of human presence slowly vanished.
Massive trees requiring several people to encircle them began appearing everywhere.
Thick layers of fallen leaves lay piled upon one another along both sides of the road.
More and more birdsong and insect chirping drifted through the air.
Perhaps because of magic, or perhaps because the land had not been developed enough; in any case, the plants in this world's wilderness grew exceptionally lush and tall.
"Stick to the official road. Don't go running around," the driver reminded Gao De.
Young people were impulsive by nature and loved to "stir things up," so he had no choice but to say a little more.
The official roads were maintained year-round by the authorities, who sent mages to inspect and clear out nearby Leyline Creatures. They could not be called absolutely safe, but they were relatively safe in most circumstances.
But once one left the official road and entered the primeval forest, everything became uncertain.
Gao De nodded.
He would not go courting death for no reason.
The