Chapter Thirty-Six: Choosing What to Do and What Not to Do

To this day, the unique enhancements that Ji Yu possessed were no longer limited to physical strength alone. In terms of spirit, or perhaps perception, he was far more formidable than ordinary people. Especially when it came to sensing the intensity and fluctuations of the Purple Moon’s radiation.

Because he had previously experienced and understood the oak tree’s resistance to the Purple Moon, Ji Yu, now in human form, had a strong awareness of changes and waves in the Purple Moon’s radiation. At this moment, at the far end of the food street, Ji Yu could distinctly sense a surge of Purple Moon radiation waves, far stronger than those nearby, expanding outward.

Ji Yu frowned, already intending to tell Ma Hongyu and the others to return to the restaurant instead of lingering under the open eaves. But in that same instant, Ji Yu suddenly discovered: at the end of the food street, it was as if a bomb had exploded—a shockwave of Purple Moon radiation spread out in all directions.

At precisely that moment, Ji Yu sensed clearly that the Purple Moon radiation around the whole food street had suddenly multiplied several times. “Damn! Quick! Look!” “What is that! Oh god! Am I losing my mind from the Purple Moon radiation?” Before Ji Yu could react, someone under the eaves opposite the food street cried out in terror, looking in the direction opposite Ji Yu.

Upon hearing the scream, all the diners nearby, including Ji Yu, turned to look back at the food street behind them. And in that moment, Ji Yu and everyone present witnessed a scene they would never forget.

At first glance, it seemed as if a swath of purple, jelly-like liquid was slowly flowing along the street. But upon closer inspection, it became clear: it was a horde of transparent insects, each as thick as an adult’s arm. These insects were bathed in purple moonlight; their bodies were transparent like water, so under the glow of the Purple Moon, they appeared as a mass of flowing purple liquid.

Their bodies were translucent, their internal organs and intestines visible. They seemed harmless, but when some of the insects at the front opened their mouths, revealing rows of jagged teeth, everyone was struck with terror. “God! What are these terrifying things!” “Quick! Get inside!” “Why are you just standing there!” “Hurry! Close the doors! Quickly!”

The crowd erupted into chaos, rushing back into their restaurants. There was no need for the staff to close the doors—the diners did so themselves, and those already inside hurriedly drew the curtains as the newcomers shouted. Naturally, Ji Yu and Ma Hongyu’s group were no exception; they all retreated into the steakhouse.

“Damn! What’s going on? Why are there so many horrifying bugs?” Ma Hongyu, trying to keep his voice low, shouted at Ji Yu, his lips trembling with fear as he spoke.

“It’s the Purple Moon! It must be because of the Purple Moon! The authorities must be hiding something from us! I told you, I told you, there’s something terribly wrong with the Purple Moon, and those oak trees that Westland announced are definitely real, but no one believes it!”

“Oh god! It’s over, we’re doomed! Do you think these glass walls can really keep out those terrifying bugs?”

“Do you want to die? Keep your voice down! Silence! Everyone, silence!” In the steakhouse where Ji Yu and the others sheltered, chaos reigned, but soon a louder voice shouted over the crowd, silencing everyone.

There were fifty or sixty people in the restaurant, but now they all held their breath, crouching on the floor, not daring to move. Though the doors were shut, the sound of the swarm crawling outside—the constant rustling—filled the air, punctuated by strange chirps.

Compared to these ordinary, defenseless people, Ji Yu, though calmer, felt his heart racing. He was certain that these bizarre slug-like insects were not native mutations born under the Purple Moon on Blue Star. After all, this was a city—how could there be so many slug-like creatures? Even if mutation occurred, it couldn’t happen so fast!

Therefore, Ji Yu easily guessed that the appearance of the Purple Moon was likely tied to another eerie world. With each appearance, the Purple Moon was opening a passage between two worlds, each time more intense than the last. That, he realized, was the true reason why Purple Moon’s radiation pollution had grown worse with each of its appearances over the past three years.

This thought sent Ji Yu’s mood plummeting. Imagining that such bizarre creatures might be appearing all over the world at this moment, the devastation would be unimaginable.

“Brother Ji, you can’t hold back now. If anything happens, you must save me—I’m still young, I don’t want to die,” Ma Hongyu said, moving close and gripping Ji Yu’s arm tightly. His face was pale with terror, eyes filled with pleading, and his hand trembled from the force of his grip.

Not only Ma Hongyu, but also Zhou Xin and Wang Qiaoqian gathered around Ji Yu, looking to him in their panic and helplessness. They had no idea of Ji Yu’s otherworldly abilities, but that did not stop them from seeking comfort beside his tall, reassuring presence.

Looking at Ma Hongyu, Zhou Xin, Wang Qiaoqian, and the anxious crowd in the restaurant, Ji Yu felt the weight on his shoulders grow heavier.

Ji Yu had never seen himself as fearless, nor believed he could save the world. Yet his values, forged since childhood, would not allow him to stand by while suffering unfolded around him. Especially now, surrounded by fear and confusion, he realized he was, after all, a person with a soft heart.

He had once suffered from tuberculosis, coughed up blood. At that time, he thought his end was near, especially when the doctor told him to prop up his pillow every night, lest a massive hemorrhage block his airway and he die in his sleep. That terror, that fear, was deeply etched into Ji Yu’s memory.

So now, facing this crisis, he could empathize with the anguish and dread that ordinary people felt but could not fully express. Life was sometimes so fragile—a severe illness, an accident, and a young life, nurtured by parents for decades, could be lost.

Some might face such circumstances with selfishness and indifference, hearts as hard as stone, but Ji Yu was not that kind. He felt the weight of life more deeply than others, and understood the desperate will to survive.

Thus, looking at Ma Hongyu and his two future employees, Ji Yu gradually calmed. He reached out and patted Ma Hongyu’s trembling hand.

“Don’t worry. I’m here,” Ji Yu whispered, offering him a reassuring smile.