Qin Xiao immediately instructed Ilya to quicken her pace and head towards the low-rise buildings ahead.

These buildings were constructed very hastily; apart from a few stone houses, they were basically just shacks built haphazardly against the terrain.

Even so, this deformed town still has a fairly complete city wall system.

The arrival of Qin Xiao and his group caused a huge uproar in the small town.

Their appearance and clothing were completely out of place with the environment and the creatures here.

Those greedy eyes swept back and forth over Ye Qingya, Ilya, and the others.

Even Qin Xiao was under a lot of attention, which gave him goosebumps.

As Qin Xiao and his group entered the town, perhaps someone had already gone to inform them, and soon someone came out to greet them.

The newcomer was clearly well-fed and clothed, with a large belly, and each of his carrot-sized fingers was adorned with various colored gems and spirit crystals.

“Distinguished guests, I am Lord Devis II of Dawn City, and also a member of the Church’s Mass.”

The other person began by introducing themselves, seemingly very proud of their identity.

Qin Xiao sat on Ilya's lap, looking down at the strange man with dark skin, fangs, and scales.

Perhaps all the species in this city are this special kind of humanoid.

He was deep in thought.

Should we ask politely, or take direct action to resolve the matter?

Ultimately, Qin Xiao's moral standards were a bit too high, so he chose to try diplomacy first and then resort to force.

"Hello, we are visitors from out of town and are not very familiar with this place. We hope you can be kind enough to tell us."

Upon hearing Qin Xiao's words, Devis was indeed filled with both shock and confusion.

Visitors from outside?

Shouldn't outsiders be kept out of the church? How did they manage to get here?

Although his Dawn City was only average, its geographical location was excellent, situated in the rear of the church. It was a place that his family had managed to occupy for generations.

Oh no! I thought it was some important person from the church, but it turns out to be an outsider.

Devis's mind raced, and for a moment he didn't know how to respond, so he could only stammer in reply.

"Sir, this place is barren and lacks resources. I don't know if there's anything I can do to help you. What would you like to know?"

Qin Xiao noticed that the other party was being somewhat hypocritical, but he didn't really care, since he only needed information anyway.

"Let's go to your place first, then we can talk slowly," Qin Xiao said indifferently, and walked towards the direction the other person had appeared.

The strange-looking residents along the way cautiously peered at them from behind their windows and doors.

Ye Qingya rode her Totoro alongside and whispered, "Little Qin, there are too many strange people here, be careful."

Qin Xiao nodded, "Don't worry, Sister Qingya, these people aren't high-ranking. Even if something happens, we can handle it."

Although these people looked strange, Qin Xiao could still vaguely discern some orc characteristics in them.

In other words, the main population of this city is still orcs, but for some reason, this has changed.

Following behind the bitter-looking Devis, Qin Xiao and his group entered the other party's stone house.

As soon as Qin Xiao entered, he noticed the statue of the deity placed high in the hall.

This is a gray stone statue. The statue is wearing a hooded coat, and only half of its face, with its soft lines and covered with tiny scale patterns, is visible.

The stone statue holds an infant whose face is obscured in its arms. At first glance, it appears as if the statue is gently comforting the infant in its arms.

Qin Xiao frowned and decided to start his questions from the stone statue.

"What's this?"

As soon as Devis sat down, he stood up again as if on fire, repeatedly apologizing to the stone statue.

After a long while, he turned around and said, "Sir, this is my mother."

? ? ?

Qin Xiao was a little confused. "Is this your mother?"

Devis's face flushed red. "This, this is the mother of all species in the dungeon, not my mother, no, no, no, she is my mother..."

Devis's words were incoherent, and he was momentarily at a loss for words.

However, Qin Xiao still understood what the other party meant.

In other words, this gray stone statue is some kind of protection for these underground species.

"What use is she? Can she bless you or protect you?"

Qin Xiao asked again, while remaining wary of the stone statue. After all, it was an evil god, and one couldn't afford not to be cautious.

Devis shook his head. "Mothers don't directly protect us, but without their protection, no race can reproduce normally and they gradually descend into madness."

Qin Xiao frowned. Reproduction?

"How many cities like yours exist here? Are there any empires or civilizations here?"

Devis glanced at Qin Xiao curiously; it seemed that this was indeed Qin Xiao's first time here and he didn't know anything about the place.

However, Dewey had no intention of lying, because these things would be easy to find out, and he would be the one who suffered in the end.

"My lord, there are no dynasties or empires here. All races are children of the Mother and are generally governed by the Church."

Heading north from here, the closer you get to the center, the more prosperous the city becomes, with larger cities and more people. The church headquarters is also located there!

Qin Xiao glanced at the other person's expression and said, "Don't worry, I will leave. You don't need to worry about me staying."

"You know, there's a mountain range about a thousand kilometers away in this direction, but there's hardly any life there. What's going on?"

Qin Xiao remembered the direction he came from and simply asked.

When that direction was mentioned, Devis's expression began to show some doubt and contemplation, but then his expression turned ugly.

"What's wrong?"

Devis was somewhat afraid. "That place, that place is the land of the forsaken gods. According to my great-great-grandfather, the race that lives there is the home of a clan that once existed in opposition to my mother."

Hearing this, Qin Xiao nodded and stopped worrying about it.

Whether it's true or not, there's definitely no such thing as a mother worshipped in that place.

Next, Qin Xiao asked about the local system, currency, and other such things.

However, because this place is so remote, even the so-called city lord couldn't answer any questions, no matter how big they were.

Perhaps the so-called church and its high-ranking members can answer Qin Xiao's questions.

However, after figuring out how the Bloodstained Cavern was operating, Qin Xiao was basically able to make a judgment.

This bloody cave is the lair of a cult.

But why did this bloody dungeon develop into this state? What is the connection between the Grey Whisperers and this world?

What role does the Crimson Lord play in all of this? These questions require further investigation.

However, a thief never leaves empty-handed. Since he had already come all this way, it wouldn't be Qin Xiao's style to leave empty-handed.

"Bring out whatever local specialties you have. If they're decent, you might just save your life."

Qin Xiao sat on the stone bench and looked at Devis, who had a conflicted expression.