Investigation by the Public Security Bureau

Xu Xiaotian saw Guan Tong's expression and couldn't help but laugh, "The other people at the hotel had the same reaction as you the first time they saw my item, thinking it was too outrageous. Sigh, I feel the same way myself."

"I was just searching for things at the Ascension Shop when I happened to be a bit hungry. Since I've always liked instant noodles, I searched for them, and I actually found some! But when I saw the price was 100 Ascension Coins, I didn't plan on buying it at all."

"Later, when I searched for other things, I found I couldn't find anything else. It was no use, so in the end, I could only buy this instant noodle item."

Guan Tong came back to his senses and said, "I see. But it's not entirely useless. Isn't the third rule perfect for it?"

From the second rule onwards, people knew they could use Mind Power Artifacts to help complete challenges.

Now, Xu Xiaotian's Mind Power Artifact was instant noodles, which was perfect for the current [Fasting Therapy] rule. He didn't need to endure hunger or spend Ascension Coins on Food Boxes; the Mind Power Artifact was enough.

"Yeah," Xu Xiaotian laughed. "So when the third rule came out a few days ago, I was overjoyed, and everyone at the hotel was incredibly envious."

As Xu Xiaotian spoke, a hint of helplessness appeared on his face again. "But there's one annoying thing: the noodles in the instant noodles must consume Mind Power to be generated. I can only generate one box a day. It's enough to get through the third rule, but it doesn't fill me up at all."

Guan Tong comforted him, "It's okay. When your Mind Power Cap increases in the future, you'll be able to generate more per day."

"It won't matter by then," Xu Xiaotian grumbled. "If it weren't for the rules, I wouldn't be filling my stomach with instant noodles. Ever since food became free, big drumsticks and pork knuckles are supplied for free now, and I can't get tired of eating them!"

"..."

"But looking at your good complexion, Guan Tong, you haven't been starving these past few days, have you? Did you give up on the challenge, or did you buy Food Boxes?"

Xu Xiaotian couldn't say he was observant, as Guan Tong's complexion was ruddy, clearly not looking like someone who had starved. In contrast, at the gathering earlier, many people looked haggard, clearly having not eaten for days and appearing very weak.

"I ate a little something," Guan Tong said.

Guan Tong's words were somewhat ambiguous, but Xu Xiaotian didn't mind and then suggested, "Do you have any plans this afternoon? Want to go out and have some fun together?"

"Fun? What's fun to do outside now?"

Guan Tong felt that ever since the Apocalypse Rules descended, the entertainment industry had accelerated its development, but it was mostly online.

For example, movies, TV shows, games, anime, novels, live streams, and so on... Most offline entertainment venues had gone out of business.

On one hand, there were far fewer people, and on the other hand, it was related to the rampant random crime in the past.

Entering the Apocalypse Rules Era, everyone who survived was under immense psychological pressure. No one knew if a person who looked normal would suddenly break down the next second and attack those around them indiscriminately.

Out of this fear, most people tried to stay at home, indoors, and rarely went out wandering.

"An arcade!" Xu Xiaotian said. "You can play all the arcade games for free now, no need to insert coins. And amusement parks, you can play everything for free too."

"...Never mind, I might have something to do this afternoon."

Guan Tong thought to himself that he might go to the Public Security Bureau to make a statement this afternoon. Even if he didn't, he had no interest in places like arcades and would rather rest in his room to conserve energy.

"Alright then," Xu Xiaotian sighed. "Sigh, no one likes to go out anymore, but I'm seizing the time to play around in Yunhua a bit more. I'm leaving next month."

Guan Tong heard this and asked, "You're leaving Yunhua next month?"

"Yeah, the Mind Power Development Academy starts next month, and I plan to enroll in the Capital," Xu Xiaotian said with a smile. "Don't let my appearance fool you, my Mind Power Cap is over 80, which meets the enrollment requirements."

"I see."

Guan Tong wasn't very interested in the "Mind Power Development Academy," so he didn't know much about its construction or the specific start date.

"What about you, Guan Tong?" Xu Xiaotian asked. "I think since you have coins to buy Food Boxes, maybe your Mind Power is also over 80? Want to enroll in the Capital together? We can be travel companions!"

Guan Tong had no intention of going to the academy and shook his head.

"I probably won't go."

"Is that so... Alright then, let's chat again later!"

Guan Tong watched Xu Xiaotian leave and returned to his room. He looked at his Terminal Panel; his Mind Power hadn't recovered enough yet.

Just as he was about to turn on the TV, his phone rang. The caller ID showed it was from the Public Security Bureau.

"Mr. Guan, if you have time this afternoon, please come to the bureau. We have some crucial information that requires your confirmation."

"Okay."

Guan Tong hung up the phone, wondering what "crucial information that requires confirmation" meant. Had the case uncovered any clues?

He waited until 1 PM and went to the Public Security Bureau.

To his surprise, besides the two police officers who visited his home yesterday, there was also a man wearing black-rimmed glasses, who was the director of the Public Security Bureau, Li Meng.

Director Li Meng and the other two police officers took Guan Tong to an office and showed him a photo on a large screen in the room.

Guan Tong was slightly startled when he saw the photo, as it clearly showed two corpses.

"Take a good look. Are these two the people who knocked on your door last night?"

Guan Tong looked for a few moments and asked, "Do you have clearer photos of their faces?"

"Yes," Li Meng instructed a police officer to switch photos. Close-ups of the faces of both corpses were displayed.

Although both faces were injured and bruised, Guan Tong recognized them because the time interval was too short.

"That's right," he confirmed. "These two are the ones who impersonated police officers and came to my house last night."

Li Meng nodded. "As expected."

Guan Tong's gaze was still fixed on the photos on the screen. "May I ask, what happened to them?"

"They were likely silenced," Li Meng said. "However, the person who silenced them must not have expected us to find the buried bodies so quickly."

"Who were they? And what was their purpose?"

Li Meng gestured to a police officer with his eyes. The officer explained, "We preliminarily judge this to be a Gang Crime Organization. As for their purpose, based on the situation in several previous similar cases, it is likely to find and kidnap High Mind Power Users."

Guan Tong frowned. "Why would they kidnap High Mind Power Users? Are they trafficking people?"

"That's what we want to know too," Director Li Meng said gravely. "Currently, based on these two bodies, the bureau has obtained some clues, and we will launch an operation immediately."