Xigou let out a scream of terror.
At this cry, all the dogs in the village started barking along.
Fang Zhixing suddenly stood up, clutching the Myriad People Blade tightly.
He then saw a figure rising next to the well, startlingly, it was the reborn Xigou.
"Oh day, dead again!"
Xigou’s hair stood on end, now he was left with only five lives.
Fang Zhixing asked, "What happened?"
Xigou replied, "I just glanced into the well, then I fell in, the well water crazily poured into my mouth, drowning me alive."
"So what did you see?"
"It was pitch black in the well, I didn’t see a thing."
Just as Fang Zhixing was about to say something, suddenly a bright light shone over.
From a nearby thatched hut, a fire lit up.
Immediately following, there was a creaking sound.
An old woman holding a lantern came out, squinting her presbyopic eyes, she looked Fang Zhixing and Xigou up and down and asked, "Who are you, and what are you doing in our village?"
Fang Zhixing was also sizing up the old woman, her hair white and disheveled, her body hunched, dressed in a grey linen cloth, her Qi-Blood weak, apparently just an ordinary elderly.
"I’m sorry to disturb, madam. I’m from out of town, got lost and was looking for a place to spend the night," Fang Zhixing spoke fluently.
The old woman blinked, puzzled, "Did you come over from across the single-log bridge via the stone steps?"
Fang Zhixing pointed behind him and replied, "Yes, from that direction."
The old woman’s face changed, amazed, "Then, do you know the rules of our village? Otherwise, how did you make it here alive?"
Fang Zhixing’s mind stirred, continuing, "I just walked this way, what rules?"
The old woman, utterly shocked, clicked her tongue, "Lucky you, your life is really big!"
Fang Zhixing asked, "Madam, does your village have many rules? I’m unfamiliar with this place; could you tell me about them?"
The old woman immediately waved her hand, "Young man, you really don’t know the rules. The rules of our village can only be known by the villagers, we absolutely can’t reveal them to outsiders. Isn’t it the same in your hometown?"
Fang Zhixing continued, "To be frank with you, madam, I grew up in the mountains, living with my father, and never encountered outsiders.
My father died not long ago, and that’s when I ventured out of the mountains, completely unaware of the outside world’s rules."
The old woman paused, reassessing Fang Zhixing, then suddenly scolded, "Don’t try to deceive me, old woman, I won’t fall for that."
Fang Zhixing spread his hands helplessly, "It’s okay if you don’t believe me, but could I stay here until dawn before I depart?"
The old woman hesitated, uncertain, "I need to ask the village chief."
No sooner had she finished speaking, a few more households opened their doors.
The old woman quickly called out, "Village chief, there’s a stranger in our village."
Before long, an old man with a face full of wrinkles, wearing a coat and leaning on a walking stick, came over, accompanied by a few strong young men.
The elder took a deep look at Fang Zhixing, his gaze landing on the Treasure Saber in his hand, his pupils constricting sharply.
With a furrowed brow, the elder beckoned, "Outsider, come sit in my house."
Fang Zhixing replied, "Thank you, village chief."
He and Xigou followed the elder into a thatched hut and sat down.
Fang Zhixing looked around the interior, noted that all the furniture and household items were handmade, even the dining bowls were made of wood, no porcelain items to be seen.
The village chief pondered for a moment, then said, "You’re from Dan State, aren’t you?"
Fang Zhixing’s spirits lifted, and he replied eagerly, "You too?"
The village chief, however, did not answer but instead asked, "Is Dan State still ruled by the Four Major Families?"
Fang Zhixing fell silent for a moment before nodding, "Yes."
The village chief sighed and slowly said, "Many years ago, my ancestors were also from Dan State, captured by the Luo Family and turned into slaves."
Afterwards, the Luo Family threw my ancestors and others into this Fifth Level Restricted Area, demanding that they explore it. Whoever could survive and make it out would receive ample rewards."
My ancestors quickly adapted to the environment here but did not leave. They chose to stay and reproduce."
Fang Zhixing couldn’t help but be surprised, "Foreigners can actually stay in the Fifth Level Restricted Area indefinitely?"
The village chief chuckled and said, "My ancestor believed that this place was a paradise where one could escape the cruel rule of the Four Major Families."
Fang Zhixing bowed respectfully and asked, "Village chief, could you please explain the rules here?"
The village chief replied, "The so-called rules were not established by us but have existed from the beginning. For instance, the stone steps at the entrance of the village were constructed by my ancestors."
It was after the appearance of the stone steps that the rule ’one must not look back’ came about, for no apparent reason."
"There’s also the single-log bridge, which one must step onto with the right foot first to cross safely."
"That stream has its rules too; if you wade through it, you absolutely must not take off your clothes."
"Oh, and that old well too; when drawing water, you must never look down into the well."
The village chief rambled on.
Fang Zhixing and Xigou exchanged glances, astonished, "If the rules appeared out of nowhere, how did you come to know about them?"
The village chief bitterly smiled and said, "Of course, we discovered them by staking our lives on trial and error, through repeated attempts, we eventually figured out the rules."
Fang Zhixing was profoundly shocked.
They really dared to risk their lives!
The village chief’s ancestors were also tough characters, preferring to risk their lives here rather than continue to be oppressed by the Four Major Families.
Fang Zhixing thought for a moment and asked, "How big is this Fifth Level Restricted Area?"
The village chief shook his head, "I don’t know, our generations have all stayed within the village. We dare not venture far because you never know what rules govern the mountain in the distance or the woods; it’s too dangerous!"
Fang Zhixing couldn’t help asking, "Do the rules apply to everyone? If a powerful individual from the Hundred Cows Realm violates the rules, would the rules kill them too?"
The village chief spread his hands, "I can’t say for sure, but there are always those who defy belief."
Fang Zhixing asked, "Over the years, have you seen any other outsiders besides me?"
The village chief nodded slightly, "There was once a man from the Six Void Sect who came here, but that person was obstinate and didn’t listen to advice. He quickly broke a rule and died."
Fang Zhixing nodded, and at that moment, Xigou communicated with him telepathically, urging him to inquire about how to leave.
"Village chief, do you know how to leave this Fifth Level Restricted Area?"
"Hmm!" The village chief continued, "Once the active volcano stops erupting and the dust settles, you can return to the place you entered from and make your way back."
He cautioned, "You mustn’t miss it because if you do, you’ll have to wait for the next volcanic eruption, but while you’re here, there’s no way to know when the volcano will erupt again."
Fang Zhixing quickly understood and asked again, "I’ve heard that there’s a magical stele here that shows words when fresh blood is smeared on it, have you heard about it, sir?"
The village chief thought for a while and suddenly slapped his thigh, "There actually is a stele, right behind our village."
Fang Zhixing quickly said, "Please, village chief, would you lead me there."
The village chief suddenly showed hesitation and remained silent for a long while.
Seeing this, Fang Zhixing’s gaze sharpened as he cautiously said, "Village chief, I entered here by mistake and am carrying nothing valuable; how can I repay you?"
As he spoke, he took off his backpack and opened the bag.
The village chief looked into it, his eyes gleaming with excitement, "No need for repayment. I’m not a greedy person..."
Fang Zhixing immediately took out several arrows and some metal materials, respectfully saying, "Kindly accept these, village chief."
The village chief received them with a gleeful face, apparently cherishing them greatly.
Xigou looked disdainful and stated solemnly, "Why be so polite with this old guy? Just force him, can he even fight back?"
Fang Zhixing communicated telepathically, "Don’t be too arrogant as a dog; we are now dependent on others and must keep a low profile."