The Forbidden Curse Association's Call-Up (Part Two)

The next few months were unusually peaceful. The sweltering summer passed with a gust of autumn wind, and winter soon followed.

Like bears and crocodiles, most Sea Monsters entered their winter hibernation.

This should have been good news, but most people couldn't bring themselves to be happy.

It was too cold.

Uncannily cold.

Even the mighty Dongting Lake was on the verge of freezing over. Near Dragon Bay, people often heard the crack of breaking ice late at night, followed by the dragons' disgruntled roars.

Transportation was largely paralyzed. Many roads and railways were completely out of commission. In the worst-hit areas, people even struggled to leave their homes.

The only consolation was that food was finally plentiful.

As long as people could eat their fill, there wouldn't be too much chaos.

Not to mention the horrifying state of other coastal countries online. The photos of people swollen with hunger and frozen into stiff, shrunken husks, which hadn't been deleted in time, were enough to send a chill down anyone's spine.

"Although the outside environment may have cast a thin frost over our lives, please believe that every flower blooming in the cold wind heralds the resilience and indomitable spirit of spring."

"Today is the Spring Festival. May the bells of the New Year not only dispel the gloom of the past year, but also usher in a bright new year!"

The Spring Festival Gala's greetings were playing on the television.

The old couple huddled together on the sofa in front of the TV. They hadn't eaten or turned on the lights; only the television's glow lit their faces, making them flicker between light and shadow.

"That's enough. Go to bed," the old woman said.

"We still have to stay up for the New Year," the old man replied. "Let's