Nightmare

The warm light of the setting sun spilled over the glass curtain walls of the skyscrapers, reflecting a dazzling radiance. The streets were filled with heavy traffic and flowing crowds, a scene of bustling modern urban prosperity.

Li He walked toward the city center, and before long, he arrived at the residential complex where his new home was located.

The complex was elegant, shaded by lush trees, and featured tight security—a stark contrast to the old, chaotic neighborhood on the edge of the city where he had lived before.

He soon reached the intersection between the old and new districts.

A piercing sound of sirens approached from the distance.

At the intersection, police cars sped past in an endless stream. A large number of SWAT officers, dressed in black tactical gear and armed with live ammunition, pulled up a police cordon.

Outside the line, a crowd of onlookers had gathered to watch the commotion.

"What happened?"

"I heard there's some religious group causing trouble over in the old district."

"Causing trouble? With a display this big?"

"You said it. It seems to be some Abyss Revenge Society. They're gathering in crowds, claiming that destroying the Abyss will inevitably bring retribution, and they've already smashed up several shops."

"Abyss Revenge Society? Those lunatics? I heard they were preaching in the old district a while back. Didn't they just get cracked down on? They're popping up again?"

"It's a real disaster. The old district was already chaotic enough; now it's going to be even less peaceful."

Li He listened to the chatter of the crowd around him.

Destroying the Abyss will inevitably bring retribution? Li He sneered inwardly. Abyss monsters threaten human survival; clearing them out to protect our homes is a matter of course. Where does this talk of retribution come from?

However.

Looking at the long line of police cars, the SWAT team standing by in full readiness, and the terrified refugees fleeing the scene, a sense of emotion stirred in Li He's heart.

"It's a good thing I got Mom and Dad to move out in time."

The old district they used to live in was noisy and had poor public order. If his parents were still living there, they would inevitably be filled with fear and anxiety during such chaos.

Now, living in this high-end residential complex in the city center with its tight security, the safety factor was much higher.

He didn't linger any longer and walked quickly back home.

The door was pushed open from the inside.

"Xiao He? You're back." The voice of his mother, Zhang Xiujuan, was filled with joy.

Li He looked up.

His parents were standing in the entryway, appearing to have just arrived home as well.

Li Jianguo was wearing a crisp, dark blue work uniform, with a brand-new Zhenhai Group logistics center ID badge pinned to his chest. His face showed a hint of fatigue, but it was mostly filled with pride and a glowing spirit.

His mother, Zhang Xiujuan, was dressed in a proper beige professional suit, her hair tied up in a neat, capable style.

"Dad, Mom, you just got back too?" Li He greeted them with a smile.

"That's right. It's the first day on the job, so things were a bit busy." Li Jianguo laughed heartily as he changed his shoes. "Son, were you tired from training today? You must be hungry, right?"

Li Jianguo set down his briefcase and waved his hand. "Let's go! We're going out to eat to celebrate. Celebrating our move to a new home, celebrating your mother's and my new jobs, and celebrating you shining at the martial arts gym."

Zhang Xiujuan chimed in with a smile, "I know of a private kitchen restaurant nearby. It has great reviews and a nice atmosphere."

"Let's go there then," Li He said with a smile. Seeing his parents so happy, he naturally wouldn't dampen their spirits.

The family changed their clothes and headed out, chatting and laughing. During the meal, his parents shared stories from their new jobs, with his father mentioning that he had seen many old classmates at Zhenhai and was planning to catch up with them in a few days.

Dinner ended.

Upon returning home, they saw a delivery person in a Zhenhai Group uniform standing outside the door.

"Hello, Mr. Li. This is the specially supplied food sent by President Sun." The delivery person handed over a temperature-controlled cooler.

"Sorry, have you been waiting long?" Li He took the box. It felt heavy in his hands, and a rich, surging energy of blood and qi faintly emanated through the container.

"It's no trouble. President Sun instructed that from now on, the special ingredients will be delivered on time every night. Enjoy your meal." The delivery person bowed slightly and turned to leave.

"Son, what is this?" Li Jianguo asked curiously.

"It's Exotic Beast Meat sent by Boss Sun," Li He explained. "It's for my cultivation. I'll be getting some every day from now on."

"That's good stuff," Li Jianguo's eyes lit up. "Boss Sun is truly thoughtful."

"Yeah." Li He nodded. "Dad, Mom, you two must be tired today. Get some rest early."

"Alright, but don't train too late." Zhang Xiujuan knew Li He's temperament too well; she knew he would definitely put in extra training tonight.

"I know, Mom."

Li He carried the cooler into the kitchen, took out a piece of Exotic Beast Meat the size of a fist, and boiled it to eat. A rich surge of energy erupted from his stomach, instantly sweeping through his entire body.

Feeling the blood and qi surging within him, Li He stood up and walked into the bathroom.

The bathtub had already been filled with water.

He took out the body-tempering medicinal herbs he had picked up from the station and sprinkled them into the tub. The medicinal powder dissolved instantly upon contact with the water, turning the clear, warm water a deep brown and emitting a pungent, spicy scent.

Next, he dropped in several red-hot ore stones. As the stones hit the water, the temperature rose rapidly, and the dark brown medicinal liquid began to churn and bubble.

Li He took a deep breath and stepped inside.

The scalding medicinal liquid enveloped his entire body, feeling like countless red-hot steel needles piercing his skin and sinking deep into his marrow.

Having gained experience from practicing the Ape Demon Iron Body Technique, Li He was already accustomed to such pain; he calmed his mind and began to absorb the energy within the liquid.

A moment later.

[Rock Body Forging Technique: Entry (0%)]

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

Time ticked by second by second.

The color of the medicinal liquid in the bathtub gradually faded, and the churning bubbles began to subside.

[Rock Body Forging Technique: Proficient (0%)]

[Vitality: 19.5 → 20]

Li He stepped out of the bathtub, his skin flushed red as blood, his muscles bulging, and his veins protruding like coiling dragons, pulsing violently.

"Breaking through 20, I am now officially a Second-Rank Martial Artist."

Li He dried his body, everything falling into place naturally.

It was eleven o'clock at night, the time for the liver to detoxify, so he needed to get to sleep as soon as possible.

"Continue tomorrow." Li He muttered to himself, tidied up a little, lay down on the bed, and quickly fell asleep.

He woke up the next day.

Li He got up early, intending to go out for a run and do some morning exercises, only to find that his father was up even earlier, standing on the balcony smoking.

"Dad, up so early?" Li He greeted him.

Li Jianguo turned his head at the sound.

The moment he saw his father's face, Li He's heart sank.

His father's face bore clear signs of exhaustion; his eye sockets were sunken, his dark circles were heavy, and his eyes were bloodshot, revealing an undisguisable weariness.

This was definitely not the state of someone who had enjoyed a good night's sleep.

"Dad, what's wrong? You don't look right."

Li Jianguo was silent for a moment before stubbing out his cigarette: "I had a nightmare."

"A nightmare?"

"Yeah..." Li Jianguo's voice was low, "I dreamed of that little girl, the one who disappeared in the Safe Zone. In the dream, she was staring straight at me, as if she were calling for help, but I couldn't do anything."

"Sigh, maybe it's just a case of 'what you think about during the day, you dream about at night.' Let's not talk about it; it's probably just the stress lately."

He patted Li He on the shoulder: "Don't worry, son. Dad is fine, I'll be better after some rest."

With that, Li Jianguo returned to his room.

Li He watched his father's retreating back, pondered for a moment, then opened his phone and sent a message to Sun Zhenhai, informing him of the matter.

Sun Zhenhai was knowledgeable and experienced; perhaps he might discover something.

To his surprise, Sun Zhenhai replied almost instantly: "That little girl—one of my subordinates has encountered her as well. This matter is indeed suspicious, and I will report it to the Federation... Also, when your dad comes to work, I will give him a comprehensive physical examination. Don't worry, leave this to me."