The villagers and the long-armed man leading the way were not local natives of the world.
Like Qin Ze, they were all outsiders.
"Traveler" is just a nicer way of referring to someone.
People like them actually have another name recognized by Myriad Races — Abyss Wanderers.
Without a doubt, these people were forced to live in the Abyss because the world had been destroyed.
However, having lost the World Imprint, and walking in the Abyss for a long time, even if one is not eaten by the beasts, one's spirit will be infiltrated by the power of the Abyss, turning one into a walking corpse.
This " Lost World " provides a safe haven for the wanderers.
The long-armed man mistook Qin Ze for a homeless person like them, which is why he was so enthusiastic.
Qin Ze began to look forward to meeting Wu.
To be able to sense the changes in the world, one must at least be at the level of a Chosen One.
Are the shamanic societies inhabited by local indigenous people?
The villagers along the way cast curious glances at Qin Ze and gave him polite smiles.
Qin Ze couldn't help but marvel at how friendly everyone was.
If the old folks could be as polite as the villagers, they wouldn't be giving him headaches every day.
The long-armed man led Qin Ze to a stone house in the village and stopped.
"The witch is inside."
"Every new traveler to our world must first meet with the shaman."
"This is our tradition."
Qin Ze nodded. "Thank you for leading the way."
The long-armed man then pointed in a direction for Qin Ze: "Go that way, the eleventh room is empty."
"After visiting the shaman, you can go back to rest."
"There will be a bonfire party in the village square after dark; it's very lively. You can join if you're interested."
After explaining some things to Qin Ze, the long-armed man turned and left.
Qin Ze stood in front of the door and carefully sensed the stone house with his mental power, only to find that it could block mental detection.
He raised his hand and gently knocked on the door.
Hello, I am...
Before Qin Ze could finish his self-introduction, the door opened automatically.
As it was getting dark, the room was very dimly lit, with only a few faint candlelight flickering.
A gaunt old man sat cross-legged on a futon, meditating with his eyes closed. He had only one eye in the center of his forehead.
Qin Ze had a good memory; he didn't see any villagers who looked similar to the old man along the way.
The shaman opened his eyes, his gaze clear and bright, a stark contrast to his gaunt frame.
"Welcome to our world, traveler from the Abyss."
Qin Ze politely said, "Thank you for taking me in, Wu."
He couldn't sense any fluctuations of energy or blood from the old man; he seemed like just an ordinary old man.
The shaman smiled and said, "No need to be so polite. Those gathered here were all once wanderers from the Abyss."
"But everyone was lucky; they were able to rebuild their homes here."
Qin Ze asked, "Are you not from this world?"
The shaman shook his head. "Of course not."
When we discovered this world, it was already on the Sidelines of destruction.
"Everyone built a new world with their own hands."
"It's precisely because we've been rained on that we're willing to hold umbrellas for others."
"The gates of the world are open to all travelers of the Abyss."
The shaman was not a native either.
Goodness, there isn't a single local in this whole world.
The shaman continued, "You can stay as long as you want, and leave whenever you want."
"But I believe that after you've lived here for a few days, you won't want to leave."
"There is no safer place in the Abyss than this."
Upon hearing this, Qin Ze voiced his confusion. "The gate to the Abyss opens every day, so why don't any strange beasts enter?"
The shaman smiled mysteriously, "Because this place is protected by the gods."
Qin Ze was stunned for a moment; he now suffered from PTSD whenever he heard the word "god".
Wu said calmly, "You look exhausted. Go and get some rest."
"Remember to attend the bonfire party tonight; you'll get to know and love this place."
Also, do not enter the forest at night.
Qin Ze nodded, took his leave, and departed.
The moment the stone house door closed, the witch suddenly opened her eyes on both sides of her face.
Even though he didn't speak, a voice that sounded neither male nor female emanated from his body.
A very special little guy has arrived.
Qin Ze entered the room that the long-armed man had arranged for him.
The furnishings inside were very simple.
A bed, a table, a chair, and an oil lamp.
The room was very clean, clearly indicating that someone cleans it regularly.
Qin Ze sat on a chair by the window, gazing at the deepening night outside, lost in thought.
The god the shaman spoke of intrigued him greatly; could it be yet another Bull Head demon at work?
He carefully sensed the world with the key, but found no trace of the world's World Will.
Was it never born, or has it already perished?
And the warm and friendly villagers in the village made Qin Ze feel a sense of absurdity and unreality for no reason.
He then thought of Zi Yue and the others.
He Fang they now, and what is their purpose in coming here?
A series of questions swirled in Qin Ze's mind.
"I need to go for a walk outside the village tomorrow."
Qin Ze looked at the forest in the distance, shrouded in night, which resembled the Abyss maw of an S-class monster.
Miss Sword Case said disappointedly, "Why isn't there even a potted plant in the house? It's so boring."
Qin Ze smiled and said, "I'll take you outside to water the plants tomorrow."
Miss Sword Case was so happy she almost flew away.
Unfortunately, she still had to pretend it was an ordinary Sword Case.
Soon after, the villagers, carrying torches, came out of their houses and gathered in the small square.
Qin Ze slung the Miss Sword Case, "Let's go, let's go join the fun."
A bonfire was lit in the small square.
The villagers sat around the campfire, each wrapped in a fur blanket.
The shaman sat cross-legged by the campfire, facing the villagers; the firelight illuminated his peaceful face.
"Here."
The long-armed man waved to Qin Ze, making room for him.
"Thanks."
The long-armed man laughed and said, "You're welcome, we're all family."
A Bing scoffed, "You're all family, so what are we?"
Seeing that everyone had arrived, the shaman clasped his hands together and slowly said, "We lost our original world, but we were fortunate enough to come to the land blessed by the gods. It was all arranged by fate."
The villagers held hands and hummed a very ancient-sounding folk song in their Spirit Language.
The long-armed man grasped Qin Ze's hand and said, "Let's do it together. You'll get the hang of it gradually."
At this moment, Wu picked up a very simple three-stringed instrument and added a beautiful background melody to the ballad.
Qin Ze was completely baffled. What was going on with this sudden fan meeting?
The villagers sang one song after another.
Gradually, Qin Ze couldn't help but become part of it.
The song seems to possess a power that penetrates the soul, its warmth like a gentle spring breeze.
Qin Ze suddenly felt drowsy, and his eyelids grew heavier and heavier.
He lay on the ground humming a lullaby, and in the last second before his eyes closed, he saw a tall tower rising from the distant forest.
The sky was filled with starlight, and the tower was surrounded by the dazzling Milky Way, like a soft ribbon on a young girl's body.