After recalling his soul crow, Yuan Ming rode non-stop and quickly arrived at the outskirts of a village.

After dismounting, he led his horse on foot into the village. In an open space near an old poplar tree at the entrance of the village, he encountered several children at play.

These children were only seven or eight years old, their heads adorned with small braids. Upon seeing a stranger entering the village, their first reaction was not curiosity, but fear. They scattered and ran towards their respective homes.

The few villagers outside also disappeared in the blink of an eye. Every household in the village hurriedly closed and bolted their doors. Apart from the barking of dogs, there was no other sound to be heard.