In the wilderness.
A martial artist.
A boy.
A tall, dark-skinned man wearing a grass skirt and a skull on his head.
The three knelt before Gu Qingshan.
The wind swept past, carrying an ancient, timeworn air.
—No one knew how many ages this world had existed.
Gu Qingshan sighed, looked away, and turned his attention to the three.
"Kneeling while you talk is exhausting, and it hurts your dignity. I don't actually want to make you do this."
He continued, looking a little embarrassed. "Um—"
"Can I let them stand up?"
A moment passed.
The mechanical voice sounded. "A god's blessing naturally brings honor to mortals. If you permit it, they may stand."
Gu Qingshan nodded with satisfaction. "Then stand up."
He strode over and helped the martial artist to his feet.
The other two followed suit.
Gu Qingshan looked surprised. Pointing at the boy and the tall man, he said, "Hey, I didn't tell you two to stand up."
The two froze.
The mechanical voice rang out again. "I see. Mortals who have not received divine grace, kneel!"
The boy and the tall man remained standing.
The mechanical voice turned cold. "Your mission rewards have been revoked. If you do not kneel, you will be reduced to ashes along with the others."
Thump!
Thump!
The boy and the tall man dropped to their knees.
When faced with life or death, the choice was easy.
Gu Qingshan ignored the two and cupped his fists toward the martial artist. "May I ask which Void World you come from?"
The martial artist looked at Gu Qingshan and answered as if in a dream. "The gods above, I come from Tunnel World Number 7961."
A screen of light immediately appeared in the void before Gu Qingshan.
Beyond the world wall, a world