The members of the Thorn Squad dragged their weary steps out of the underground passage.
"Didn't encounter one last night," Wang Kai said, walking forward with his shield on his back. "Haven't we seen a Calamity Beast Calamity Beast for over half a month? Is the time to see one coming soon?"
"I remember the longest interval before was 32 days, right?" Calamity Beast Fang Ji asked.
Wang Kai paused for a moment, then said, "You mean it might take another ten days or so?"
"Maybe even longer?" Fang Ji said.
"That's terrible!" Wang Kai sighed heavily.
"It's not that bad. It's still much better than going to work. Even if we only kill a low-ranking Calamity Beast, the money we each get is almost equivalent to a year's salary for an average person," Fang Ji said.
"Even so, who would complain about earning more money?" Wang Kai said as he walked forward, unable to help but sigh, "If only the emergency hotline for the Calamity Beast could call us."
"You're dreaming! Even if they really attack, what if our team can't handle it? Are you looking for death?" Fang Ji said with a laugh.
"That's true!"
Wang Kai smiled, then sighed softly.
"I wonder how the other teams are doing these days."
"No need to look anymore. It's not just us; the Dawn and Greatsword teams are also complaining that the Calamity Beast seem to have collectively disappeared lately." Mei Duo raised her hand to rub her shoulders and neck.
Lin Xiaoyu turned her head, about to ask a question, when her phone suddenly vibrated.
She took out her phone and saw a pinned announcement on the top of the Martial Arts Association's official group chat, featuring Chairman Lei Zhijian's profile picture:
[Notice: Effective immediately, all hunting teams may cease hunting activities and focus on cultivation. Further arrangements will be announced later.]
"The president posted an announcement!" Lin Xiaoyu exclaimed, handing her phone to her teammates to see.
"What do you mean? Are you telling us we can't continue hunting?" Wang Kai frowned and leaned closer.
While they were checking, the group chat exploded with messages flooding the screen:
What's going on? Why was it suddenly halted?
[Has something happened?]
[President, please explain!]
A few minutes later, Lei Zhijian's reply appeared in the group:
[The specific reasons will be announced at the official press conference held by the General Supervision Bureau in two days. In the meantime, please focus on your cultivation and improve your strength.]
[Does that mean we'll stop for the next two days?]
[What does the General Supervision Bureau's press conference have to do with us? Why is it suspended for these two days?]
Lei Zhijian: No, it's a temporary suspension of hunting activities with no set timeframe.
[???]
Why?
[Yeah, President Lei, could you please explain?!]
[...]
After a few minutes, seeing that President Lei didn't seem to be going to reply, the members of the Thorn Squad looked away.
"What the hell? A temporary suspension of hunting activities?" Wang Kai frowned.
"I don't know!" Fang Ji frowned as well.
Lin Xiaoyu thought for a moment, then turned to look at Mei Duo and said:
" Sister Mei, do you think it could be related to the nuclear explosion that was circulating online the other day?"
Mei Duo gazed thoughtfully at the distant horizon, "Perhaps!"
Lin Xiaoyu also looked up at the sky, and for some reason, a strange unease welled up in her heart.
She gripped the long sword at her waist and said softly:
" Sister Mei, then tomorrow..."
"Just do as the president says," Mei Duo patted her shoulder, her voice unusually serious.
"There will be no hunting today and tomorrow. Stay home and take good care of yourself; you can cultivate or rest as you please."
Let's talk about it at the press conference in two days.
"I have a feeling we need even greater strength next."
" Aunt Ling, I want the strawberry flavor!"
Little Bell pointed at the ice cream machine.
Han Ling stood in front of the ice cream machine, her gaze sweeping over the dazzling array of flavor options before finally settling on the strawberry flavor button.
She pressed the switch, and pink ice cream slowly flowed out, filling the air with a sweet, fruity aroma.
"Here you go." Han Ling handed the ice cream to Little Bell with a smile on her face.
Little Bell took the ice cream, her eyes sparkling, and eagerly licked it, leaving a little pink cream on the corner of her mouth.
She tilted her head back and asked, her voice muffled:
" Aunt Ling, are you and Uncle Shen really going on a long trip?"
Han Ling looked down at her, remained silent for a moment, and then hummed in agreement.
"Then... when are you coming back?" Little Bell's voice suddenly lowered.
Han Ling bent down and gently wiped the cream from the corner of her mouth.
"If she has time, Aunt Ling will come back to see you."
"During this time, remember to eat well and listen to your grandparents, okay?"
"Yes, I know!" Little Bell replied crisply.
"Where does Little Bell want to go today?" Han Ling asked.
The Little Bell tilted its head back, deep in thought.
" Aunt Ling, can we..."
In the distance, Shen Heng withdrew his gaze and drove towards his home.
Shen Heng parked the car and then walked into the residential area.
Before even arriving, I saw Xu Yuqin carrying a bag of fruit, chatting with a woman of similar age.
" Aunt Wang," Shen Heng greeted her as he walked over.
" Xiao Heng's back!" Aunt Wang smiled, her eyes crinkling as she looked at Shen Heng.
"I was just talking to your mom about you. She said you've been so busy lately, running around everywhere."
"It's all work-related," Shen Heng chuckled. "But how have you been lately?"
After exchanging a few words with Aunt Wang, Shen Heng and Xu Yuqin walked into the residential area.
As for Aunt Wang, she was going out, which is why she was just chatting with Xu Yuqin at the door.
Shen Heng looked at the neighborhood he had lived in for the past three years, pondered for a moment, and said:
"By the way, Mom, there's something I need to tell you."
"Hmm, what is it?" Xu Yuqin turned her head and smiled at Shen Heng.
Shen Heng paused for a moment, then said, "The company has new assignments, and I may have to go to other places to expand business. I'm afraid I won't have time to come back for a long time."
Upon hearing this, Xu Yuqin immediately stopped in her tracks.
Shen Heng also stopped and looked at his mother.
Xu Yuqin's smile had vanished; she stood there, staring blankly at Shen Heng.
Shen Heng thought for a moment, then looked at Xu Yuqin and smiled:
"I didn't want to either, but the boss said that in the past we were partners, and if things went well, I would be the boss, no longer an employee."
"It's just that it's still uncertain whether it can be done."
"I'll go check first. If you can't get up, I'll come back. If you can, then we'll see if we should bring you over or what."
Xu Yuqin stood there in silence for a long time.
Finally, her lips trembled slightly as she said:
"Is it because of the nuclear explosion reported in the news?"