The journey northward was relatively smooth for them. The farther they moved from the coast, the less they encountered the black bugs. During the trip, they continuously listened to the radio. They learned that researchers in Yuan City had developed a personal insect-repelling ring that prevented black worms from attaching to clothes and hair.

The principle of this insect-repelling ring was similar to the insect-repelling circles made with blood. It synthesized a worm that emitted a blood-like scent and was installed in a portable ring that could be attached to a bag, ankle, or wrist. The drug inside the ring would attract the black worms from the body, and every eight hours, it would seal the space the worms were in and automatically ignite a small explosive to kill the worms. Afterward, one only needed to dispose of the worm ashes, replace the lure pack, and reload the explosive.

Although this repelling ring was still in the experimental stage and had various unresolved issues, it gave people hope.

Not long after, different classifications of the parasitized were also announced. The most common emotionally volatile parasitized individuals were the incomplete parasitic failures. The public was warned to be cautious of the fully parasitized advanced intelligent forms to prevent becoming an unwitting “incubator”…

Most of this information came from Yuan City, likely due to reports from Qi Zhen’s team.

Later, they saw on the car TV news that several coastal cities across the ocean had been completely overrun by black giant worms. These cities were overrun by the bugs, and both parasitized individuals and normal humans were devoured completely. The footage, taken by drones, showed giant black worms swarming the streets, even larger than those seen in the hospital. Those cities had turned into true hellscapes.

In contrast, their country was faring much better. The black giant worm crisis in Hai Ru City was nipped in the bud, and the information brought out by Qi Zhen’s team led other cities to be on high alert. Except for two coastal cities already infested with black giant worms, other cities began thorough inspections. The nation started mass-producing flame throwers and developing flame grenades to combat the giant worms.

In addition to official patrols, many cities offered rewards to civilians. If anyone noticed someone emitting a strange bloody smell, speaking oddly, acting strangely, or if they directly spotted a black giant worm, they could call a special hotline. Patrol teams would arrive as quickly as possible to eliminate the threat. Successful reports would earn various rewards: sealed food and water supplies, upgraded seamless protective safety cocoons (for women during their special times), sterilized rooms (for postpartum women), experimental insect-repelling rings, and more.

The entire world was being ravaged by this disaster. Once a human was parasitized, there was no recovery. The black worms were everywhere, and getting injured was equivalent to a death sentence, with the added risk of becoming an unconscious “incubator”… This era would be remembered as a painful and confusing dark age in human history. However, no matter how deep the abyss, there would always be resilient people fighting back. For survival, humanity would fight until the last moment.

First, they checked the prices and living conditions in Fang City. Using their world identity cards, they each rented a small 50-60 square meter apartment in the same neighborhood. They furnished their apartments simply and stocked up on food and water.

At this point, Yu Xi had about two or three days left before leaving the mission.

Meanwhile, Lin Wu completed another optional advanced task with substantial points: escorting someone to the safest city in the country, Fang City. What would have been a cumbersome task was made easy with Yu Xi’s help. Grateful, Lin Wu explained the situation and bid farewell to her.

Initially, he worried she might be upset for not informing her about the task details beforehand. But soon, he realized his worries were unfounded.

She wasn’t someone who would be upset over such trivial matters.

“Once again, it’s time to say goodbye,” Yu Xi said, extending her hand graciously for a handshake.

Lin Wu felt a sense of melancholy. Meeting her a second time after their initial encounter was already a rare occurrence. Would there be a third time after this goodbye? Perhaps when he returned to the system tower, he could try to find her in his true form. But he had never asked her whether she was from the outer tower or the inner tower. Having already received so much help from her, Lin Wu subconsciously didn’t want to pry for more information from her. In the mission world, sharing information was best done through equivalent exchange. It’s unfair if only one party benefits when a weaker person seeks information from a stronger one.

Finally, Lin Wu said, “I hope we can meet again.”

In his mind, the mechanical electronic voice sounded.

Yu Xi stood before him, carefully observing his expression. The moment his consciousness was replaced by mechanical consciousness, the changes were still noticeable. His expression and gaze would be somewhat stiff and unnatural in the first minute, but these signs quickly disappeared. He glanced at her and said, “Yu Xi, shall we have hotpot for lunch today?”

Yu Xi: …

Excellent, he had captured the essence.

Two days later, Yu Xi left the blood bags, medicines, two sets of protective suits, and the currency she had exchanged for gold bars in Hai Ru City in her rented apartment, waiting for the mission time to end.

“World Mission 2: Survive for one month completed. The host earns 100 star coins. Total star coins: 348.”

“Would you like to leave the current apocalypse world?”

The hospital battle had cost her five bottles of [High-Temperature Perfume], and she had intermittently bought three more bottles of [Instant Cleanser], leaving her with only 248 star coins. Adding the 100 star coins from completing Mission 2, she had a total of 348 star coins.

Yu Xi felt this intermediate mission had been a bit of a loss. The lack of information before entering the apocalypse world had left her at a disadvantage early on, making her subconsciously reject overtime tasks and want to leave as soon as possible.

An intermediate world trip, with star coins coming and going, hadn’t even netted her a hundred star coins. Moreover, due to the peculiarities of this apocalyptic world, she hadn’t been able to stockpile many supplies for herself.

“I’m never starting a mission early again; it feels like a loss.”

“Host, would you like to leave the current apocalypse world?”

“Yes.”

“Third apocalypse world mission completed. Total star coins: 348.”

“The next mission will begin at midnight on the 7th of next month. Please come to receive the world information by midnight on December 6th.”

“The host has completed three apocalypse missions and can unlock the Star House’s portable function for this world.”

“Would you like to unlock it?”

Yu Xi was still feeling dazed when a flood of voices filled her mind. This apocalyptic world had been mentally exhausting, requiring constant vigilance to avoid getting contaminated by black worms or accidentally injured and parasitized.

“Wait a moment,” she said, not wanting to make a significant decision like unlocking the portable Star House function in her current state. She decided to first take a good bath in the upstairs bathroom.

Entering the bathroom, she habitually put all her clothes into the space for “cleaning” and then took out the [Instant Cleanser], instinctively preparing to apply it to her face.

Yu Xi: …

She realized she had become so used to that world’s habits that she couldn’t immediately change. The impact of those worms was indeed terrifying.

Silently, Yu Xi took out her clothes, put away the [Instant Cleanser], and started running the bath. She used lavender-scented bubble bath salts, turned on the bathtub’s automatic temperature maintenance function, set an alarm for an hour, and closed her eyes to relax.

An hour and a half later, having dried her hair and changed into clean clothes, Yu Xi called out to the Star House system, “Lin Wu’s system isn’t the same as yours, is it?”

【Correct.】

“What about Lou Rui? He activated a refuge card, so from the name, he should be in the same system as Lin Wu, right?”

【Correct.】

“Why are there different systems? What’s the purpose of binding humans to traverse worlds and undertake apocalyptic missions?”

【……】

Yu Xi found herself oddly accustomed to the Star House system’s way of avoiding answers unless it was crucial. She sighed, refocusing on the Star House, “Does unlocking the Star House’s portable function require any additional conditions, like star coins?”

To avoid any pitfalls, she thought she should be cautious.

【After completing three apocalyptic missions, unlocking the Star House’s portable function in this world requires no additional conditions.】

“Okay, then unlock it,” Yu Xi said, feeling a bit excited and hopeful for a miracle.

However, after a few silent seconds…

【Host, the portable function of the Star House in this world has been unlocked. The host can instantly move back to the Star House from anywhere within this world. It is recommended to avoid third-party observation to prevent unnecessary trouble.】

【The Star House upgrade function has been activated.】

【The Star House migration reset function has been activated.】

Yu Xi waited for a moment, “… That’s it? Is that all?”

【The host can try using the portable function to instantly move back inside the Star House.】

“Instant move?” Yu Xi still found it a bit surreal, but as she focused her thoughts, she soon felt a weight, similar to the sensation of traversing mission worlds. However, her consciousness remained intact, and only her body felt sluggish.

In a single breath, she found herself no longer in the upstairs bedroom but inside the Star House. The small 20-square-meter Star House was still filled with items that couldn’t fit into the Star House storage.

Holding onto the wall, Yu Xi felt lightheaded and nauseous.

“Why is this happening? Is there a problem?”

【It is common for organic life forms to experience some discomfort during the initial molecular instant move. Repeated use will help the body adapt and prevent such reactions.】

Molecular teleportation?

Yu Xi understood.

In the end, it’s all about science.

After the discomfort faded, Yu Xi tried to teleport back to her bedroom but found it impossible. No matter how much she concentrated, she remained in the Star House.

【Host, the Star House portable function only allows one-way movement.】

Yu Xi: …

“So you mean, if I’m on vacation abroad and there’s an emergency requiring me to return to the Star House, I can teleport back. But if I want to return to where I was before entering the Star House, I have to walk out and go back on my own?”

【No, the host can take a plane back to the vacation spot abroad.】

Yu Xi: …

“Are you joking?” Yu Xi felt a headache coming on. “Shouldn’t portable spaces let you exit wherever you entered?”

【The host is referring to scenarios in certain popular stories on G Blue Star, not reality. In fact, teleportation requires positioning. The host is bound to the Star House system, which provides a positioning signal, allowing the Star House to move the host instantly. Without positioning, given the current technological development of G Blue Star, reverse operation feasibility is zero.】

Yu Xi: …

“Really, you went through all that trouble to explain,” she thought about snapping back but let it go, considering the items that unlock with each new feature in the Star House Mall.

She paused and decided to address a more important issue: “I want to set up a permissions list for the Star House.”

【The host can set up a permissions list after upgrading the Star House.】

【Would you like to upgrade the Star House?】

“Yes.”

【The initial upgrade fee for the Star House is 200 star coins. Do you confirm the upgrade?】

Yu Xi: …

Damn it.

She couldn’t help but curse inwardly.

Yu Xi didn’t sleep well all night.

After finding out the upgrade cost, she asked the system to list all other star coin expenses clearly.

The result was—

【The initial upgrade fee for the Star House is 200 star coins, and the second upgrade fee is 600 star coins.】

【The first time resetting the Star House migration function is free; thereafter, each reset costs 100 star coins.】

【After upgrading the Star House, each permission slot on the list costs 50 star coins.】

【After upgrading the Star House, the thought-blocking function can be activated. Each blocking session lasts 30 days of the current world’s time and costs 20 star coins.】

How could Yu Xi, with a total of 348 star coins, sleep!?

She knew it—each mission usually nets one to two hundred star coins, yet most items in the Star House Mall only cost single digits. Even though many items have bugs, the prices seemed excessively cheap.

Now she knew the real expenses awaited her here!

After a restless night, Yu Xi sat up with dark circles under her eyes: “System, I want to upgrade the Star House. Confirm the upgrade.”

There was no choice; this was too important. She had initiated the task world early because she was worried about her parents. If she got stuck because of star coins, her mission would be meaningless.

【Host, please complete the upgrade within the Star House.】

Yu Xi, with her sleep-deprived and messy hair, teleported directly into the Star House and, following the system’s instructions, placed her palm on the black door panel.

【Do you confirm the upgrade of the Star House?】

“Yes.”

As soon as Yu Xi finished speaking, star light flickered before her eyes. The Star House disappeared, and she found herself in a vast cosmos, feeling like a tiny star falling into it. She watched the changing nebulae with fascination, feeling as insignificant as a speck of dust in the immense universe. Yet, this immersion in the universe brought her a sense of boundless freedom, making time and space seem irrelevant…

After a moment, the vision of the universe and nebulae transformed into a dazzling white light. She instinctively closed her eyes, and when she reopened them, she found the Star House had finished upgrading.

The upgrade seemed subtle; the originally twenty-square-meter square room had roughly doubled in size. The matte light gray floors and walls remained, the entryway with the black door for world traversal was still on the left, and the single-pane window at the front was now replaced with two due to the expanded space. The room’s height remained the same, and the previously right-side stacked goods now lay in the center due to the expanded space.

【Star House first upgrade completed. Star Coin count: 148】

【Star House traveler function activated, permission list can now be set.】

【Host thought blocking function activated.】

【Star House storage expanded with the Star House upgrade.】

Yu Xi immediately accessed the Star House storage by pressing against the wall. The previously 180-cubic-meter storage… seemed, apparently, to still be 180 cubic meters!?

Oddly, the RV that was in the space before was gone. Instead of asking the system right away, she tried to sense it herself and discovered two new spaces adjacent to the Star House storage. The RV was stored in one of these new spaces, while the third space, about ten cubic meters, seemed to have a different purpose. She tried placing a box of tissues inside but failed.

【That is a fuel space, it can only store one type of fuel.】

Fuel?

With a thought, her gaze swept over the portable barrels in the corner of the Star House storage. All the fuel she had was transferred to the fuel space, including the remaining 2,700 liters of gasoline, filling only about a third of the space.

This fuel space was quite useful; she wouldn’t need to find containers for storing gasoline anymore, just keep a few 30-liter portable barrels for emergencies and transfer the fuel out when needed. It also freed up a lot of space in the item storage.

【The transportation tool warehouse features space-folding technology, allowing storage of two different types of transportation tools, regardless of size.】

“If I understand correctly, with only one RV in there now, I can also store a yacht or an airplane?”

【Yes.】

Yu Xi exhaled deeply, feeling that the 200 star coins spent were worth it. Considering 200 star coins could buy an ice control skill…

But at this moment, she had another major expense to deal with.

“Set the Star House permissions list.”

【Host’s father Yu Feng, mother Fan Qi are now Star House travelers. Activation required for entry. Star Coin count: 48】

Yu Xi: …

There was a bitter feeling of being reset to her original state.

Yu Xi exited the Star House, standing before the floor-to-ceiling window of her small apartment, frowning at the city bathed in morning light.

Earthquakes, tornadoes… what would come next? When would it happen? Would there be even more challenging disasters in the future?

Living in this small apartment kept her too far from her parents. In case of a sudden situation, she wouldn’t be able to reach them in time. Perhaps she should sell this apartment and move back in with her parents.

“System, the first reset for Star House relocation is free, right?”

【Yes.】

Once Yu Xi decided to do something, she wouldn’t hesitate. Before selling her apartment, she needed to relocate the Star House to her parents’ apartment.