If everyone could witness this phenomenon, it would undoubtedly plunge society into absolute chaos. Thankfully, only those of us who had entered the underground cave could see it.

I surmised that some monumental upheaval must have occurred deep within that cave, releasing an energy so vast it was capable of influencing the very fabric of time and space across the entirety of China.

The realization struck me with urgency: our plan to meet a month from now was utterly unsuitable. We had to find a solution immediately, before the consequences of this event spiraled into anything incalculable.

With that thought, I quickly packed a minimal bag, left a note for Uncle Two and the others, and prepared to leave.

My plan was to find * first, and then notify Da Xiong to meet me in Urumqi.

Downstairs, I paused before my grandfather’s firmly closed door, a sudden hesitation gripping me.

Based on my previous deductions, it was highly probable that Grandpa was planning to venture out again. If he left this time, there was no guarantee I would ever be able to find him again.

But the urgency of the current situation outweighed my concerns. I stood by his door for a moment before walking resolutely toward the main exit.

Coincidentally, just as I pulled open the main door, ready to step out, I bumped squarely into a delivery courier.

Unconsciously, my strength had increased far beyond what it once was; the impact sent him tumbling onto the ground, yet I remained completely unshaken.

Feeling a touch embarrassed, I helped him up.

He dusted off his clothes, repeatedly assuring me he was fine.

Then, picking up the package he had dropped, he asked, "Is Nie Chuan living here?"

I nodded, replying, "I am Nie Chuan."

Hearing this, a faintly apologetic smile spread across his face. "My apologies, sir. This package was sent out a month ago, but the logistics in Urumqi somehow held it up for nearly the entire month. It was only sent back to Chengdu yesterday, which is why the delivery is late. I hope you don't mind."

I shook my head. "It’s fine. The fact that you managed to deliver it shows your commitment."

As I spoke the words, a strange thought flickered through my mind: Who in Xinjiang would send me a package? And from around the time I had just left the cave? Could it be the guide, Old Ni?

"Alright then, if you could just sign here," the courier said, offering me a pen.

I took the package. It was remarkably thin, contained only within a large envelope—likely holding a single sheet of paper. This delivery company was the fastest domestically; whoever sent it was clearly in a hurry.

After signing, I accepted the mail and saw the courier out.

Then, I closed the door and examined the shipping label affixed to the envelope. The sender’s name was not listed.

Wasting no more time, I tore open the package and retrieved its contents.

Sure enough, there was only a single sheet of letterhead. The handwriting was meticulous, looking as if it had been penned by a woman.

The message read:

Nie Chuan, I am Jacoby’s girlfriend, Ah Qiu. Do you remember me?

After dropping you off at the airport, Jacoby and I headed straight north, intending to cross the border into Mongolia and then proceed to Siberia.

However, less than two days after you left, the People's Liberation Army blockaded every road in Xinjiang, and our vehicle was impounded by the Heavenly Dynasty. Jacoby and I were both summoned for questioning regarding the mass UFO sightings at Lop Nur—they claimed it was a leak of military secrets, and all our materials were confiscated.

Fortunately, Kobe’s family holds some significant local influence, so they didn't make things too difficult for us. But no matter what, you must not return to Xinjiang. The authorities are investigating all outside personnel who have recently entered the region. After hearing what you told me, I became worried about you; if you were caught, escaping their grasp would be nearly impossible.

Kobe was called in for questioning again tonight, so I am secretly writing this letter to you.

I hope we have a chance to meet again someday...

— Huang Mengqiu

Reading the letter, my brow furrowed deeply.

So, going to Xinjiang now seemed impossible. I wondered how Kobe and the others were faring.

With that in mind, I pulled out my phone and dialed Kobe’s number. It was switched off.

Back in my bedroom, I set down my luggage and immediately booted up my computer, hoping to find any available flights to Xinjiang.

There were flights listed, but whenever I clicked the booking link for Xinjiang, the website would crash. The airport booking hotline was also perpetually busy.

It seemed the lockdown in Xinjiang was still in effect.

If that was the case, even if I wanted to go, my only option would be to drive. But according to Ah Qiu, the highways were also closed, and even if they weren't, inspections would be severe.

It appeared my plan to return to Xinjiang was dead in the water.

Yet, a sense of relief began to settle in. If the central government was taking such extreme measures, it meant they had also detected these strange phenomena. With so many capable individuals in power, they surely possessed greater means than us.

I lay back on the bed, lost in thought.

I recalled our time in the underground cave at Lop Nur—everything seemed to go smoothly; we solved the problems we intended to solve, believing everything was settled. Yet, the ultimate outcome seemed to be the exact opposite of what we predicted.

While no great catastrophe had erupted yet, such a massive shift across the entire country was certainly not a good omen.

Had we inadvertently done something wrong while in the Lop Nur cave that catalyzed these events?

I thought and reasoned until my head ached, but found no conclusion.

I remained convinced that I needed to speak with Grandpa; he must know the inside story of all this.

So, I hurried downstairs again, returning to the doorway of his room. Taking a deep breath, I silently coached myself: I could no longer afford to be as deferential as before. If I kept placating him, I wouldn't get a single answer.

This time, I would convey the seriousness of the situation to him directly.

Seeing that the light was on in his room, I knew he must be inside, so I knocked a few times.

But after a few knocks, something perplexing happened: my grandfather immediately turned off the light inside.

I felt bewildered, assuming he simply didn't want to be disturbed. So, I knocked harder, calling out, "Grandpa! It's me! I have something incredibly important to discuss with you!"

"Wait! Grandpa is indisposed right now!" My cousin's voice called out from inside his room.

I let out an "Oh," thinking that since my cousin was in there, Grandpa must genuinely be unavailable.

But just as I started to move away, I heard a rustling sound from within the room. It was a soft, scraping noise, like a child sweeping with twigs, or dry straw being disturbed.

Finding it odd, I pressed my ear against the door, trying to listen more closely.

Just then, my cousin emerged from the main door, spotting me crouched suspiciously outside Grandpa’s door, and shouted loudly, "Brother! What are you doing?"

Startled, I turned to look at her. She stood by the entrance, holding an ice cream cone, wearing the familiar white lace dress. It was definitely my cousin.