CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 32: DIVINE CONCEALMENT

Since last month, disappearance cases have been frequent.

But he never thought it would happen around him.

Chen Zilu nodded and sighed, "The police are searching desperately, but... the recently missing people are almost never found."

Beside him, Li Zhichao frowned, "Could a Shadow Disaster have occurred in An City?"

Chen Zilu shook her head, "If it was a Shadow Disaster, the Shadow Hunting Bureau would immediately detect it. These disappearances are likely man-made."

"Man-made?" Jiang Ye was somewhat surprised.

If it’s man-made, why haven’t the police solved it yet?

Chen Zilu said, "Have you heard of the Divine Concealment Organization?"

Jiang Ye and Li Zhichao both shook their heads.

Chen Zilu explained, "The Divine Concealment Organization is a force formed by a group of rats who worship the Shadow Race. This force is complex and vast, infiltrating almost the entire network of the Federation’s major cities."

"Worship the Shadow Race?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ye and Li Zhichao were both astonished.

Are there really people who worship that thing?

"Why would anyone worship that kind of thing?" Jiang Ye couldn’t help but ask.

"Naturally, it’s because there are benefits."

Chen Zilu shook her head, "Members of the Divine Concealment Organization can acquire some abilities of the Shadow Race, and even gain extremely powerful strength in a short time."

"There are always people who would take risks for this kind of power."

She sighed lightly, "These people move mysteriously and have strong infectious abilities, assimilating normal individuals into one of them."

"Every year, hundreds of thousands of disappearance cases are related to this organization."

"Hundreds of thousands of disappearances every year." Jiang Ye held his breath.

This number also indicates that the Divine Concealment Organization is an exceptionally vast force.

If all these people have been assimilated into one of them.

Over so many years, how many members does this organization already have? It’s hard to imagine.

Jiang Ye couldn’t help but ask, "Teacher, can Xia Qing... be rescued?"

"Difficult."

Chen Zilu shook her head and did not speak much on this subject.

A student from her class went missing, and it made her feel bad too.

"In any case, you must be careful; the habits of the Divine Concealment Organization are similar to those of the Shadow Race, preferring to act at night."

Chen Zilu reminded them, "Therefore, be sure not to go to remote places, avoid going out at night, and don’t engage with strangers."

"Yes."

Jiang Ye and Li Zhichao both responded deeply.

"All right, go home early, it’s getting late." Chen Zilu waved her hand.

Li Zhichao nodded and then turned to leave, he was somewhat frightened, his face didn’t look good.

However, Jiang Ye didn’t rush to leave.

"What’s the matter?" Chen Zilu looked at him.

Jiang Ye took out that bag of prize money and said, "Teacher, the thirty thousand yuan you lent me last time, I’ll return it to you this time."

Chen Zilu was stunned for a moment.

Then, a stern look appeared on her pretty face.

"What do you take your teacher for? Do I look like someone who lacks money?"

Chen Zilu pushed the money bag back, saying, "I said, return it when you graduate."

"Teacher..." Jiang Ye wanted to speak again.

Chen Zilu pushed the money bag back into his hand, glaring with beautiful eyes, "Enough talk, is your teacher or my teacher?"

Only then did Jiang Ye take it back.

He actually anticipated that the other party wouldn’t take it.

But, as his father Jiang Dahai said.

Whether the other party wants it or not, and whether he expresses it or not, are entirely different matters.

Expressing it in advance is also an attitude.

While Chen Zilu had a stern face, her eyes carried a hint of a smile.

Jiang Ye’s actions made her appreciate this boy even more.

She didn’t continue with this topic, and instead said, "When your Cultivation Technique reaches Perfection, the school will arrange a free Star Sky Refinement."

"This opportunity is rare." Chen Zilu said, "So, try to break through as soon as possible."

"Okay." Jiang Ye nodded.

He was delighted at heart, a free Star Sky Refinement? It’s indeed rare.

As far as he knows, before breaking First Break, each Star Sky Refinement costs tens of thousands of yuan.

This is a significant expense.

Thinking about this, he remembered something, and quickly asked, "Does the school’s arranged Star Sky Refinement have a time limit?"

"Time limit? No."

Chen Zilu shook her head, "You can persist as long as you can."

"However, you have experienced the difficulty of Star Sky Refinement today. The Thunderfire Trial is just a weakened version of Star Sky Refinement; as for the real Star Sky Refinement? Imagine it yourself." Chen Zilu smiled softly at him.

Jiang Ye couldn’t help but be astonished.

The Thunderfire Trial was already painful to such a degree, and it was still just a weakened version?

"Looks like I must train more of the Martial Arts Will when I go back."

Jiang Ye clenched his fist secretly.

"Go back, practice well." Chen Zilu giggled, "The baseline assessment for the start of senior year high school is very important; if you can enter the top hundred in the grade, there will be prize money too."

Jiang Ye’s eyes slightly brightened.

"Teacher, I’ll be going back then." He waved to the girl, knowing time was precious, he needed to seize every moment to improve himself.

"Hmm, go ahead."

Chen Zilu waved, watching Jiang Ye leave.

She held her fair, sharp jaw with her hand, her eyes reflecting some anticipation, "Star Sky Refinement?"

Chen Zilu had a rare disease since childhood, experiencing unbearable pain each time she practiced.

This flaw, however, made her stand out during Star Sky Refinement.

How far can Jiang Ye persist? She was also somewhat expecting it.

...

After leaving the school, Jiang Ye walked on the street, unable to stop recalling what Chen Zilu said about the ’Divine Concealment Organization.’

His mind was heavy.

Originally, having obtained second place in this trial, Jiang Ye should have been overjoyed.

But Xia Qing’s disappearance swept away his inner joy.

Although he had no special feelings for this girl, regardless of the circumstances, she had delivered water to him multiple times, which accounted for a close relationship.

Now, having disappeared like this, Jiang Ye felt quite uncomfortable.

According to the teacher, Xia Qing might be difficult to find again.

If appearing again, perhaps she had already been assimilated into one of the Divine Concealment Organization.

"Become strong." Jiang Ye was unable to change this situation, only continually strengthening himself is the sole solution.

He quickened his pace, returning home before meal time.

...

Taoyang District, Building 12, Room 606.

Jiang Ye shared the good news with his parents, and handed over the thirty thousand yuan for Jiang Dahai to buy Martial Arts Ingredients.

"Received another thirty thousand yuan in prize money?"

Both Jiang Dahai and his wife were shocked upon hearing this.

The couple would have to work for half a year to earn this much money.

But Jiang Ye?

In just two months, he had twice earned thirty thousand yuan?

Since when did earning money become so easy?

"Ye is really great." Li Anping’s eyes were full of affection.

She knew very well, whatever Jiang Ye achieved, there must have been many unimaginable efforts behind it.

After all, she often saw Jiang Ye working hard on cultivation until one or two in the morning.

"Ye, don’t put too much pressure on yourself; you’ve already done really well." Jiang Dahai said.

The couple has always supported Jiang Ye in his martial arts journey.

Now, finally achieving something makes them feel gratified.

But they’re also worried Jiang Ye might rush it, leaving behind health issues.

Jiang Ye smiled, "Mom and Dad, rest assured, I know my limits."

He then asked, "By the way, Dad, are you still working the night shift recently? I heard there have been a lot of disappearance cases in the city."

"Disappearance cases?" Jiang Dahai frowned.

Jiang Ye shared with him what Chen Zilu spoke about the Divine Concealment Organization.

"Divine Concealment Organization?"

Jiang Dahai’s expression tightened, nodding, "Inside the Shadow Hunting Bureau, I’ve heard several people discussing this too; it seems to have quite an impact."

Jiang Ye was a bit concerned, "Dad, if you’re working the night shift, be careful."

"Hmm." Jiang Dahai nodded sternly as it concerned his life, "Don’t worry, when on night shift, I’ll stay in the security room and won’t go anywhere."

Next, he looked at Jiang Ting who was sitting beside him.

"Tingting, you’ll stay home next, and won’t go anywhere." Jiang Dahai said sternly.

Compared to Jiang Ye, he’s more worried about this little girl.

If encountering danger, she has no capability to protect herself.

Jiang Ting immediately said, "I’ll stay by my brother’s side, won’t go anywhere."

Saying this, she even shifted closer, sitting beside Jiang Ye, hugging his arm.

Seeing the little girl snuggling closely with him, Jiang Ye shook his head and smiled.

But at that moment, when he instinctively opened the panel, he was suddenly stunned.