Citywide Martial Law

"According to reports, the missing persons are between 9 and 18 years old. The disappearances occurred in blind spots of surveillance cameras across various districts of our city, and a common thread is that no obvious signs of a struggle were found at any of the scenes."

"The police urge citizens with teenagers at home to remain highly vigilant. Please accompany your children when they go out, and if you notice anything suspicious, call the police hotline immediately."

"A police spokesperson stated that a special task force has been established to conduct a full-scale investigation. The latest progress will be released through official police channels. At the same time, specific times and locations of some of the cases have been disclosed; we ask the public to pay attention to their surroundings and stay safe."

Following this, the anchor switched the screen, displaying a brief table of case information that clearly outlined the confirmed times and locations of the incidents.

Chen Mochuan stared at the description "no obvious signs of a struggle," his brows furrowing slightly. Seeing that the number of missing persons cases had already reached 14, he realized this was clearly out of the ordinary.

In the peaceful environment of his previous life, such heinous crimes would have been impossible, but on Blue Star, surrounded by Ferocious Beasts, such cases were not exactly common, yet they were far from unheard of.

The moment he saw the missing persons reports, his first thought was the escaped Broken-Legged Ferocious Rat, but he quickly realized the probability was extremely low.

Although most of the cases reported in the news occurred at night, several happened during the day, and some even took place in relatively busy, crowded downtown areas.

This completely contradicted the habits of the Ferocious Rat, which preferred to hide in the darkness and only ambush isolated targets.

Especially since that Ferocious Rat had a broken leg, its strength was greatly diminished; if it were truly the culprit, it would be even more cautious and selective in choosing the safest targets and timing.

Could it be that a new, more cunning Ferocious Beast has infiltrated the city? Or is this... a man-made disaster? Thoughts raced through Chen Mochuan's mind.

Recalling some of the more atrocious cases he had heard of over the years—the bloody massacres committed by cultists who had abandoned their humanity to worship so-called evil gods—he couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.

Even if it is the work of a Ferocious Beast, I just hope it isn't the cultists... he prayed silently.

However, as the saying goes, bad news travels fast. During the afternoon martial arts class, the homeroom teacher, Han Zhen, walked into the Martial Arts Arena with a grave expression and announced an important notice: "Following an urgent directive from higher authorities, Antu City is under a city-wide martial law state, effective immediately!"

"City-wide martial law?"

The students in the elite class were in an uproar upon hearing this news.

Even in the presence of their stern homeroom teacher, they couldn't help but whisper and discuss among themselves, and the atmosphere inside the Martial Arts Arena instantly grew tense.

Han Zhen understood that the students needed to vent their shock, so he didn't immediately stop them, giving them time to digest this bombshell.

Chen Mochuan did not join the discussion like most of the students; he simply pondered in silence.

The scale of this martial law was clearly not intended for a single, unranked Broken-Legged Ferocious Rat; even with the recent missing persons cases, it didn't warrant such a response. Even more serious incidents in the past had never triggered a city-wide lockdown.

Although Antu City was only a county-level city, it still had Martial Artists who had broken through the third or even fourth realm guarding it. What kind of threat could force the city to mobilize such a massive force and act as if facing a formidable enemy?

He thought of the worst-case scenario he had speculated about that morning, and his heart sank.

A minute or two later, the noise gradually subsided. One student tentatively asked, "Teacher, is the city-wide martial law because of the missing persons cases that have been happening in the city lately?"

Clearly, Chen Mochuan wasn't the only one paying attention to the morning news.

"I have limited knowledge regarding the specific reasons for the martial law," Han Zhen said, scanning the class with a steady and clear voice, "but the explicit notification I received is that... there are suspected traces of cultist activity within Antu City."

"Cultists!!?"

These three words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, detonating an even more intense uproar within the elite class than before.

Even Chen Mochuan's heart skipped a beat; he hadn't expected his earlier speculation to come true.

This time, the discussions in the classroom lasted much longer before slowly dying down.

Seeing that the students were gradually calming down, Han Zhen spoke again, his tone firm and reassuring:

"There is no need for everyone to panic excessively. Even if there are cultists lurking, the police and the Martial Arts Association will certainly go all out to eradicate them as soon as possible. They will never allow the threat to spread to the campus or endanger your safety."

Afterward, he announced the school's response arrangements: "Starting today, all evening classes are temporarily canceled. Everyone should go home as early as possible after school in the afternoon and must not linger outside..."

"However, there are only seven months left until the College Entrance Exam. Cultivation cannot be neglected for even a day. Standing meditation and practicing martial arts can be done just as well at home. I hope everyone remains disciplined and does not slack off just because evening classes are canceled."

Immediately following this, he gave an especially stern warning:

"Furthermore, until the martial law order is lifted, do not go out unless absolutely necessary! If you truly have an urgent matter that requires you to leave, you must travel in groups and only use main roads with bright streetlights and open visibility. These routes are usually covered by municipal surveillance and are much safer."

First the serial disappearances, then the city-wide martial law—a sense of oppression, like a storm about to break, hung over everyone's hearts.

At 5:30 PM, after the main classes ended, the students of No. 8 High School left the campus in twos and threes, as there were no evening classes to attend.

Li Biao rested his hands behind his head and sighed, "School ending so early, I'm suddenly not used to it."

Chen Mochuan reminded him with a smile, "The midterm exam is tomorrow. Don't get too relaxed as soon as you get home, or it might affect your performance."

"You can rest assured about that!" Li Biao patted his chest confidently. "My level of self-discipline might not be as good as yours, but it definitely won't be worse than anyone else in the class!"

He had awakened his Spirit Talent a month ago and was holding onto a burst of energy, determined to make a name for himself in tomorrow's exam.

"That's good."

As they spoke, the two arrived at the school gate. A luxury flying car was parked in a conspicuous spot; due to the city-wide martial law, Li Biao's father had specifically sent someone to pick him up.

"Brother Chuan, let me give you a lift."

"No need, I'm almost home, and it's good to get some exercise."

"Alright then, see you tomorrow. I'll be waiting to see your ranking skyrocket!"

After parting ways with Li Biao, Chen Mochuan did not choose to go straight home.

It was still early, and he intended to make full use of this time to improve himself. The Mingxin Martial Arts Hall, with its complete facilities and resident Martial Artists, was undoubtedly the most ideal place to go.

Moreover, against the backdrop of city-wide martial law, even cultists wouldn't choose to target a place like a martial arts hall; it was actually safer there than being alone at home.

Plus, having learned his lesson from the previous incident with the Ferocious Rat, even if it meant taking a longer route, he firmly chose to walk on busy, well-lit main roads, minimizing the risk as much as possible.