Translator: CinderTL
Since last month, disappearances had become increasingly frequent.
But he never imagined it would happen so close to home.
Chen Zilu nodded and sighed, "The police are doing everything they can, but... almost none of the recent missing persons have been found."
Beside them, Li Zhichao frowned. "Could Ancheng be experiencing a Shadow Calamity?"
Chen Zilu shook her head. "If it were a Shadow Calamity, the Shadow Hunting Bureau would have detected it immediately. These disappearances are likely human-caused."
"Human-caused?" Jiang Ye asked, surprised.
If it was human-caused, why hadn't the police solved it yet?
Chen Zilu continued, "Have you heard of the Hidden God Organization?"
Both Jiang Ye and Li Zhichao shook their heads.
Chen Zilu explained, "The Hidden God Organization is a group of rats who worship the Shadow Clan. This complex and vast organization has infiltrated the networks of nearly every major city in the Federation."
"Worship the Shadow Clan?"
Jiang Ye and Li Zhichao were both stunned.
People actually worship that thing?
"How could anyone worship something like that?" Jiang Ye blurted out.
"Naturally, because there are benefits."
Chen Zilu shook her head. "Members of the Hidden God Organization can acquire some of the Shadow Clan's abilities, even gaining immense power for short periods."
"There will always be those who risk everything for such power."
She sighed softly. "These individuals operate in secrecy and possess a highly contagious influence, assimilating normal people into their ranks."
"Every year, hundreds of thousands of missing persons cases are linked to this organization."
"Hundreds of thousands of disappearances annually?" Jiang Ye held his breath.
This staggering number revealed the Hidden God Organization's immense scale.
If all those people had been assimilated into their ranks...
Over the years, how many members would this organization have amassed? The thought was staggering.
Jiang Ye couldn't help but ask, "Teacher, can Xia Qing be saved?"
"It's unlikely."
Chen Zilu shook her head, refusing to elaborate further.
The disappearance of one of her students weighed heavily on her.
"In any case, you must be careful. The Hidden God Organization shares the Shadow Clan's nocturnal habits, preferring to operate at night."
Chen Zilu warned, "Therefore, avoid secluded areas, stay indoors after dark, and ignore any strangers who try to engage you in conversation."
"Yes," Jiang Ye and Li Zhichao replied in unison, their voices low.
"Alright, head back early. It's getting late," Chen Zilu said, waving her hand.
Li Zhichao nodded and turned to leave first, his face pale and shaken.
Jiang Ye, however, lingered.
"What's wrong?" Chen Zilu asked, noticing his hesitation.
Jiang Ye pulled out the bag of prize money. "Teacher, I'd like to repay the 30,000 yuan you lent me last time."
Chen Zilu froze for a moment, then her delicate features hardened.
"What do you take me for? Do I look like I need this little bit of money?" she said, pushing the bag back toward him. "I told you to repay me after you graduate."
"Teacher—" Jiang Ye began, wanting to explain.
Chen Zilu shoved the bag back into his hand, her beautiful eyes flashing. "Enough nonsense! Am I still your teacher or not?"
Jiang Ye finally relented and accepted the money.
He had already guessed she wouldn't take it.
But as his father, Jiang Dahai, had said:
Whether she accepted it or not was entirely separate from whether he should express his intention to repay.
Making the gesture early was a matter of principle.
Though Chen Zilu maintained a stern expression, a hint of amusement flickered in her eyes.
Jiang Ye's actions only deepened her admiration for the young man.
She didn't dwell on the topic, instead saying, "Once you reach Perfection in your cultivation method, the school will arrange a free cosmic tempering session for you."
"These opportunities are rare," Chen Zilu said. "So, strive to break through as soon as possible."
"Alright," Jiang Ye nodded.
His heart leaped with joy. A free cosmic tempering session? That was indeed a rare opportunity.
As far as he knew, before the first breakthrough, each cosmic tempering session cost tens of thousands of yuan.
That was a staggering expense.
Remembering this, he asked, "Does the school's cosmic tempering session have a time limit?"
"A time limit? No," Chen Zilu shook her head. "You can endure it for as long as you can."
"But you experienced the difficulty of cosmic tempering today. The Thunderfire Trial was just a weakened version of cosmic tempering. As for the real thing? Imagine it yourself." Chen Zilu smiled knowingly at him.
Jiang Ye was stunned.
The Thunderfire Trial had been excruciatingly painful, and it was only a weakened version?
I definitely need to train my Martial Dao Will more when I get back, Jiang Ye thought, clenching his fist.
"Go back and cultivate diligently," Chen Zilu chuckled. "The baseline assessment at the start of senior year is crucial. If you rank among the top hundred in the grade, there's even a cash reward."
Jiang Ye's eyes lit up slightly.
"Teacher, I'll head back now," he said, waving goodbye to the girl. Time was precious, and he needed to seize every moment to improve himself.
"Alright, go ahead," Chen Zilu replied, waving as she watched him leave.
She rested her delicate, pointed chin in her hand, a hint of anticipation flickering in her eyes. "Cosmic tempering?"
Chen Zilu had suffered from a rare illness since childhood, causing her excruciating pain whenever she cultivated. Yet this very flaw had allowed her to achieve remarkable results during cosmic tempering, making her a sensation.
How far could Jiang Ye push himself? She found herself genuinely curious.
After leaving school, Jiang Ye walked down the street, unable to shake off Chen Zilu's mention of the Hidden God Organization.
His heart felt heavy.
Normally, securing second place in the trial would have filled him with immense joy. But Xia Qing's disappearance had completely extinguished that joy.
Though he didn't harbor any special feelings for the girl, she had repeatedly brought him water, forging a bond of sorts. Now, her sudden disappearance left a bitter taste in his mouth.
According to his teacher, Xia Qing might never be found again. If she did reappear, she would likely have been assimilated into the Hidden God Organization.
"Get stronger." Jiang Ye felt powerless to change the situation. His only solution was to continuously strengthen himself.
He quickened his pace, returning home before dinnertime.
Taoyang Community, Building 12, Apartment 606.
Jiang Ye shared the good news with his parents and handed the 30,000 yuan to Jiang Dahai to purchase martial dao ingredients.
"Another 30,000 yuan in prize money?"
Jiang Dahai and Li Anping were stunned.
It would take them over half a year of work to earn that much.
But Jiang Ye?
He had earned 30,000 yuan twice in just two months.
When had money become so easy to earn?
"Xiao Ye is amazing," Li Anping said, her eyes brimming with affection.
She knew Jiang Ye must have put in unimaginable effort to achieve these results.
After all, she often saw him practicing diligently until one or two in the morning.
"Xiao Ye, don't put too much pressure on yourself. You're already doing great," Jiang Dahai said.
The couple had always fully supported Jiang Ye's martial dao training.
Now that he was finally achieving success, they felt both proud and worried that he might push himself too hard and damage his health.
Jiang Ye smiled. "Dad, Mom, don't worry. I know my limits."
He added, "By the way, Dad, are you still working the night shift? I've heard there have been a lot of missing persons cases in the city lately."
"Missing persons cases?" Jiang Dahai frowned.
Jiang Ye explained what Chen Zilu had told him about the Hidden God Organization.
"The Hidden God Organization?" Jiang Dahai's expression turned serious. He nodded. "I've heard people at the Shadow Hunting Bureau talking about them too. It seems this matter is indeed having a significant impact."
Jiang Ye grew worried. "Dad, if you're working the night shift, you need to be careful."
"Mm." Jiang Dahai nodded solemnly. "Don't worry. I'll stay in the security room during my night shifts and won't go anywhere else."
He then turned to Jiang Ting, who was sitting nearby.
"Tingting, you stay home from now on and don't go anywhere," Jiang Dahai said sternly.
He was even more concerned about this young girl than about Jiang Ye. If danger struck, she had no means of defending herself.
Seeing his serious expression, Jiang Ting quickly replied, "I'll stay with my brother and won't go anywhere else."
She scooted closer to Jiang Ye and wrapped her arms around his arm.
Watching the little girl cling to him affectionately, Jiang Ye shook his head and smiled.
But just as he instinctively opened his system panel, he froze in shock.
(End of the Chapter)
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🔓 𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦 — 13 Series (7 Ongoing) | 14+ New Chapters Daily | 6,100+ FREE