Chapter Seventeen: Influence and Rumors

Two hours later.

[Player exiting the game...]
[Oak Avatar entering autonomous mode]
[Because the Oak Avatar has successfully reached Level 2, you may now choose to create a Nature Spirit to act autonomously.]
[Please select the personality growth direction for the Nature Spirit.]
[This Nature Spirit’s common sense will be derived from the player’s knowledge of reality. After its birth, it will automatically regard you as its father. Please do not be concerned.]
[Available personality options: 1. Lively and energetic, 2. Cunning and eccentric, 3. Quiet and introverted, 4. Mature and steady.]

When Ji Yu exited the game, this row of prompts suddenly appeared in his field of vision.

“An avatar can create a Nature Spirit?”

“And I’ve become a father? I don’t even have a girlfriend and yet I’m suddenly a father?”

Ji Yu’s expression was a little odd, a mix of amusement and helplessness.

But on further thought, it made sense. If he were to acquire a second avatar in the future, it would be most reasonable for the Oak Avatar to have its own consciousness to autonomously handle meditation and self-defense.

With this in mind, Ji Yu began to consider his options carefully.

Lively and energetic?

That was clearly not a good choice. Ji Yu had no desire to deal with a chatterbox of a “child” every day.

Cunning and eccentric was naturally out as well.

That left only “quiet and introverted” and “mature and steady.”

Quiet and introverted?

That sounded appealing: just focus on meditation and growth, with no need to manage anything else. But on second thought, being too withdrawn might not be ideal either. If Ji Yu had a second avatar, he wouldn’t be able to fully attend to the Oak Avatar’s affairs. In that case, a withdrawn Oak might not be suited to handle problems that arose around it.

Thus, the only suitable option left was “mature and steady.”

Without much hesitation, Ji Yu made his selection.

[Mature and steady personality confirmed]
[Oak Avatar Nature Spirit creation initiated. Estimated time remaining: 3 hours, 26 minutes, 51 seconds]

As the prompt appeared, Ji Yu immediately felt his mind replaying all the images from his life of people who embodied maturity and steadiness. There were characters from movies, as well as people from real life. The rapid, lantern-slide-like montage left Ji Yu feeling rather strange.

But thankfully, the flash of memories lasted only a moment.

Soon, Ji Yu formally exited the game and awoke in reality.

It was 8:30 p.m. Banna time, but 9:30 a.m. in Lyon.

Turning over in bed, Ji Yu’s first thought was to check his personal status panel.

[Player Status]
[Good]
[Life Level: 1]
[Physique: 0.58 (average: 0.5)]
[Height: 1.77m (average: 1.67m)]
[Age: 26 (average lifespan: 77)]
[Traits: Vigorous vitality (medium)]
[Recently acquired trait: Natural affinity (medium)]

At first glance, nothing seemed to have changed.

But in reality, everything was different.

Setting aside the small increase of 0.02 in physique and a centimeter in height, Ji Yu’s own sensations were markedly different from before.

He hadn’t eaten in twelve hours, yet not only did he not feel hungry, he actually felt brimming with energy, almost exhilarated, as if he wanted to sprint outside and release the excess vitality surging within him.

The urge to spring into action was so strong that Ji Yu got up immediately.

After washing up, he changed into a light casual outfit and quickly headed out.

Regardless of whether he felt hungry or not, his routine was to go downstairs and, first thing, buy a bowl of vegetable porridge and two meat buns from the breakfast shop across from his apartment complex.

As he ate, he browsed the news on his phone.

“Spectacular sight: Hundreds of oak trees bloom simultaneously in the National Nature Park of America.”

This was the headline that immediately caught Ji Yu’s eye, sitting at the top of the trending list.

He pondered it for a moment, then tapped into the news post.

There, Ji Yu watched the entire process of the oaks blooming in the American National Nature Park.

The report also mentioned that oaks in various regions around the world had bloomed at the same time, and included videos as evidence.

Judging by the footage, it was no wonder netizens across the internet were instantly abuzz.

“Why are the flowers so red?” wrote: “That’s just unbelievable! In just a few minutes, all the oak blossoms burst open from mere buds? If this video isn’t sped up, I’ll do a handstand and drink my own urine.”

“Little Bean Teaser”: “All right, I’m remembering you, handstand guy. Giving you a like and bumping you to the top.”

“Old Driver Off Duty”: “Bro, are your kidneys up to the task? I’m worried you’ll soak yourself before you even manage a sip. And by the way, before making vows, check the source—it’s a report from the national TV news, man! You’re something else, respect.”

“Hamster Yet to Pass the English Test”: “This definitely isn’t fake. My friend studying in America already replied; the oak blooming video is 100% real, and Western Europe is already in an uproar.”

“Alien Computer, You Deserve One”: “Damn! Is this blooming speed even possible? If not an alien plot, then what? (smiley face) Oh, and handstand guy, please record your attempt—I’m waiting online, want to learn new tricks, already following you.”

“Five Energies Gathered to the Origin, Realm of Transformation”: “Aliens? Sounds like an ad. This is nothing short of a miracle—I hear the Druid Orders in America have already spoken out, calling it divine descent, a real-world miracle!”

“Ultraman, the Fraud Buster”: “Divine descent? What’s this Druid Order? Never heard of them. Can’t these cultists ever give it a rest?”

“Bird, Member of the Nature Conservation Association”: “Ultraman, haven’t you read any fantasy novels? These kinds of organizations are common in Western fantasy, and they really exist. It’s a primitive religion that worships oaks and loves nature. I rather like them—anyone who loves nature is a brother.”

“Taurean Rice Ball”: “Hey, what does it take to join? I love nature too, just broke at the moment so I can’t fulfill my dreams of protecting it. Can I get your contact info? Bachelor’s degree, just graduated, please notice me.”

And so on—the online comments were multiplying at a geometric rate.

Yet on the whole, the arguments revolved around a few themes: miracles, genetic mutation, and the like.

As the mastermind behind all this, Ji Yu was more than happy to sit back and enjoy the spectacle.

He didn’t post or join the discussion—just scrolled rapidly through the feed. But as he watched the oak blossom videos, a conversation at the next table caught his attention.

“Have you heard? Our city’s about to implement some kind of restrictions.”

“Restrictions? What kind? Where’d you hear that?”

“Where else? From our college classmate Li Weihao. Doesn’t he work in the city government now? He told me last night.”

“For real? What’s the reason? And what kind of restrictions?”

“The Purple Moon phenomenon, of course. It hasn’t reappeared for a month and a half, but apparently, because of the previous exposure, a lot of people are falling ill. Li Weihao said several psychiatric hospitals in our city are already full.”

“So the city government decided to impose a curfew for a while. All companies will be forbidden from running night shifts, and citizens won’t be allowed to go out after six in the evening.”

But rather than recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the man’s companion was delighted.

“Seriously? That’s awesome! No more overtime! Means we can finally play PUBG for a good stretch.”

Seeing his friend’s reaction, the man was left speechless.

Clearly, their minds were on utterly different wavelengths.