Not long after, Lin Xian arrived at a large supermarket.
Throughout the journey, he witnessed scenes that made his brows furrow.
Cars were parked haphazardly along the roads.
People were running in and out of stores, their arms overloaded with goods.
Some even shoved and screamed at each other, fighting over food and water as if facing an impending famine.
The phenomenon of the three suns was no trivial matter.
Anyone with a shred of sense could tell the world was changing.
Panic spread like wildfire through dry fields.
Many stores had closed their doors, while others raised their prices to insane levels.
A single box of bottled water was being sold at sky-high prices—yet still sold out within minutes.
In several places, the crowd erupted into full-blown riots.
Looting was rampant, unstoppable.
Gunshots even echoed from a nearby shopping center.
Police officers began appearing on the streets, trying to calm the masses.
Even the military was mobilized; armored vehicles rumbled down main roads.
But their numbers were far too few.
The people—too many.
In a situation like this, anyone could turn savage,
especially when fear, hunger, and uncertainty mixed together.
Lin Xian observed it all with calm detachment.
He entered the supermarket silently, slipping between people elbowing one another and scrambling for supplies.
But he had no interest in the shelves of food.
His steps carried him deeper inside—toward a steel door marked "Storage Room."
His hand was already on the doorknob when a store employee stepped in his way.
"Hey! Stop! What do you think you're doing?!"
Lin Xian said nothing. He glanced at the man, then frowned slightly.
In an instant, golden chains appeared from thin air—wrapping around the employee before he could scream.
Lin Xian calmly patted the man's shoulder, and he collapsed, unconscious.
Unbothered, Lin Xian stepped into the storage room.
Before doing anything else, he destroyed the security camera in the corner.
He didn't want anyone to see him looting the entire stockpile.
The last thing he needed was a visit from "Uncle Policeman" asking him to come for tea at the station.
Towering shelves filled with food, water, and emergency supplies stood before him.
He exhaled softly—and focused his mind.
Zzzzztt.
A metallic hum echoed through the room.
Golden chains burst forth from the void,
whipping around one full shelf of supplies
and yanking it all into nothingness—vanished.
In his mind, Lin Xian could feel the space linked to his thoughts.
With a subtle glow in his eyes, a snack appeared in his hand.
It was one of the supplies he had just pulled into the void with his chains.
His eyes sparkled, a faint smile curving his lips.
"Just like a storage ring… but far more practical," he murmured.
Without wasting time, he began sweeping the entire warehouse clean.
In less than an hour, every item inside had vanished into his hidden storage.
Not a single box remained.
Lin Xian stood before the now-empty shelves.
He had made sure no one saw what he did.
Everything—food, water, and supplies—had vanished into the void.
He let out a quiet, satisfied sigh.
"So easy…"
He muttered to himself, realizing how effortlessly he could now obtain whatever he desired.
With these supplies, Lin Xian could survive for at least three to four years.
As for police investigations? He wasn't worried in the slightest.
With chaos erupting across the city, the authorities were clearly overwhelmed.
They wouldn't have the time or resources to pursue a theft like this.
Besides, he hadn't left a single trace.
Tracking him would be nearly impossible in the short term.
The only possible complication would be if someone returned to check the storeroom.
But even that didn't concern him.
With a leisurely pace, Lin Xian walked out of the storage room.
Outside, the chaos still reigned—people shouting, panicking, fighting.
But to Lin Xian, it was nothing more than background noise.
---
Lin Xian had just returned to his apartment after his large-scale "shopping trip."
He felt the day had been quite productive.
But before he could unlock his door, a high-pitched scream echoed from the unit next door.
"AAAHHH!! STAY AWAY!! DON'T COME ANY CLOSER!!"
It was followed by crashing noises—the sounds of breaking objects and frantic scratching.
Lin Xian turned quickly.
The door to the adjacent unit slammed open, and a young woman burst out, pale and panicked.
Her long black hair was a mess, her office uniform torn in several places, and blood dripped from her left hand.
It was Liu Yanyan—his junior colleague from the department he led.
Normally composed and well-dressed, the woman now looked terrified and disheveled.
"M-Manager Lin Xian!! P-Please help!! That… that thing isn't my cat anymore!!"
Her voice trembled. Her eyes were wide with terror. Her entire body shook.
From inside the unit, a creature suddenly leapt out.
At first glance, it looked like a housecat—but it was twice the normal size.
Its eyes glowed red, fangs jutted out like knives, and its fur bristled like black needles.
The creature growled deeply—then lunged at Liu Yanyan!
Zzzzzt!
Golden chains shot forth from the void,
striking the mutated cat straight between the eyes like lightning.
CLANG!
The beast was flung backward, slamming into the wall before crumpling to the floor, motionless.
Liu Yanyan let out a small scream, then—without thinking—ran straight into Lin Xian's arms.
Her hands trembled as she clung to his chest.
"L-Lin Xian… I-I'm scared… m-my cat… Xiao Hei… he attacked me… he's not a cat anymore…"
Lin Xian fell silent for a moment.
It was the first time he'd seen a creature like that.
Truthfully, he had been slightly startled himself.
Fortunately, he'd kept his composure and handled it swiftly.
He exhaled quietly—only then realizing that a beautiful woman was pressed tightly against him.
Awkwardly, he patted Liu Yanyan's head, trying to calm her down.
As a single man, he'd never been this physically close to a woman.
The situation felt… uncomfortable.
With a faint blush, Lin Xian spoke softly,
"Uhh… Liu Yanyan, can you let go of me now? It's okay—the cat is dead."
But Liu Yanyan didn't answer.
Instead, she buried her face deeper into his chest.
Her body still trembled violently.
Seeing this, Lin Xian had no choice.
Gently, he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and guided her into his apartment.