Survival in the Ruins: I can make everything evolve infinitely

Chapter 035: Mu Liang, You Should Let Go.

Through Liyue’s explanation, Mu Liang gradually came to understand what the “Void Ghost’s infection” was, and why she was so sensitive about the crimson markings on her face.

It turned out that the “Void Ghost’s infection” was a disease—a fatal one, allowing its victims to live no more than ten years, sometimes even less.

When time ran out, the infected either died or transformed into twisted monsters called Void Ghosts.

Void Ghosts were deranged creatures—violent, shrivelled, inhumane, existing only to tear apart living beings.

While the infection itself wasn’t contagious, being bitten or scratched by a Void Ghost would spread it.

Nevertheless, those infected were ostracised, despised, and driven away by others.

Liyue had endured such harsh treatment in her relentless pursuit of Angel’s Wings, the only potential cure for the infection.

“This sounds a bit like zombies,” Mu Liang mused after listening to her story, recalling zombie movies from Earth.

Void Ghosts had a ten-year incubation period after inflicting injuries, whereas zombies took only a few minutes.

“What are zombies?” Liyue asked, blinking in confusion.

“They’re monsters even scarier than Void Ghosts,” Mu Liang replied dismissively.

He stared at the crimson markings on her face and reached out as if to touch them.

“No, don’t…” Liyue lowered her head in self-consciousness.

“You said the infection isn’t contagious,” Mu Liang reminded her, tilting her chin upward.

“But… everyone is scared,” Liyue murmured, biting her lower lip as her silver eyes darted nervously.

“Well, I’m not scared,” Mu Liang said, placing his hand gently on the crimson markings on her face.

As he touched them, he commented, “Hmm, they’re a little warm, and slightly firm, like soft rubber tubing.”

“Ah? What a strange way to describe it,” Liyue said, her cheeks flushing red, her silver eyes brimming with embarrassment.

His touch, however, felt warm, as if it were sweeping away the unease in her heart.

For the first time, she felt an unparalleled sense of reassurance.

Her memories were filled with people’s disdainful gazes, deceitful words, and scornful attitudes.

Yet, in this moment, much of that darkness was dispelled by the figure named Mu Liang.

“Mu Liang, you should let go now,” Mino said, pouting with dissatisfaction.

The bunny-eared girl had been quietly listening behind Mu Liang as Liyue shared her story.

Seeing Mu Liang touch Liyue’s face for some reason made her feel uncomfortable.

“Ahem…” Mu Liang coughed awkwardly.

Reluctantly, he withdrew his hand, finding her soft cheeks reminiscent of a stress-relief toy.

“So that’s why it felt a bit strange,” Mu Liang murmured under his breath.

He had pieced together the misunderstanding. Liyue must have assumed that Mu Liang already knew about the “Void Ghost’s infection.”

Otherwise, with her past experiences of betrayal and rejection, how could she have trusted him so quickly, let alone allowed him to touch her face?

“What’s strange?”

Mino’s bunny ears twitched as she leaned closer, asking, “Mu Liang, did you discover something?”

Mino, feeling sorry for Liyue’s plight, was no longer as timid around her.

The thought of a young girl knowing her own death date while facing constant discrimination and mistreatment was heart-wrenching.

“Is there a problem?” Liyue had recovered from her embarrassment and was curious too.

“Liyue, you mentioned earlier that you only had six months left,” Mu Liang said, deciding not to explain everything.

Instead, he asked, “Is your ten-year period almost up?”

“No, I’ve only been infected for less than five years,” Liyue explained softly, pressing her lips together. “I accelerated the infection by using the powers granted by the ‘Void Ghost’s infection.’”

“‘Void Ghost’s infection’ grants powers?” Mu Liang asked in surprise.

“Yes, it bestows certain abilities, similar to the powers of mutated beings,” Liyue replied, glancing enviously at Mino’s bunny ears.

“The price of using these powers is that the infection spreads faster within the body.”

“So, the infected have powers similar to those of mutated beings?”

Mu Liang raised his eyebrows, glancing at the confused bunny-eared girl.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was some connection between the two phenomena.

It seemed as if mutated beings were successful products of evolution, while Void Ghosts were failed attempts—a haunting contrast.

“My ability is enhanced vision, like a hawk’s,” Liyue said, demonstrating her power.

Her pupils transformed into sharp, eagle-like eyes, her gaze piercingly clear.

Meanwhile, the crimson markings on her cheeks seemed alive, spreading slowly across her skin.

“Stop it now,” Mu Liang said hurriedly, gesturing for her to cease.

“With Angel’s Tears, using my powers occasionally won’t be a problem,” Liyue replied, her tone unusually relaxed.

Mu Liang stared at her intently and asked, “Are you certain that the dew produced by Angel’s Wings can cure the ‘Void Ghost’s infection’?”

“I… I’m not entirely sure. My companions were the ones who told me about it,” Liyue said, her tone wavering under his black-eyed gaze.

“Then let’s give it a try.” Mu Liang hadn’t forgotten that he also possessed the ability of Angel’s Tears.

“It can’t be tried right now. Angel’s Wings takes ten days to produce a single drop of Angel’s Tears,” Liyue said, glancing at the white-winged flower in the barrel she held.

“Do you remember what I told you before?” Mu Liang asked confidently.

“What did you say?” Liyue’s silver eyes were filled with confusion.

“Nothing is impossible,” Mu Liang said, a smile tugging at his lips.

He activated the Angel’s Tears ability.

In his mind, he received a brief description of the power:

Angel’s Tears Ability: Consumes physical and mental energy to condense a drop of dew capable of removing negative effects and restoring some vitality.

The cooldown time, like Angel’s Wings, was ten days.

Evolving Angel’s Wings could reduce the cooldown and enhance the effectiveness of Angel’s Tears.

“This is my first ‘healer’ ability,” Mu Liang muttered as he held out his hand.

A drop of emerald-green dew slowly condensed in his palm.

“Wow, it smells nice,” Mino said, licking her lips.

“Mu Liang, are you saying that green drop in your hand is Angel’s Tears?” Liyue asked in disbelief.

“Exactly.”

Mu Liang brought his hand to her lips and urged, “Open your mouth and drink it. Let’s see how effective Angel’s Tears is.”