What is the background of the creation of strange novels in the Northern and Southern Dynasties?

Since the Qin and Han Dynasties, alchemists have been active, immortal theory prevailed, and witchcraft prevailed at the end of the Han Dynasty. Coupled with the widespread spread of Taoism and Buddhism, witches and monks "flaunt ghosts and gods", and the social turmoil in Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties made people easy to accept feudal superstitions. In this social background, many novels about ghosts and gods came into being. As far as the author's subjective intention is concerned, he mostly propagandizes religious superstitions, but some of his works do reflect the people's ideals and aspirations. In this kind of strange novels, Gan Bao's The Search for God is the highest achievement.