met free Chapter 405: A 4-Person Collaboration Scene
Chapter 405: A 4-Person Collaboration Scene
Xiao Zhi's notebook filled with drawings of "Home and Light," and his naive insights into "love is energy," were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples in the heart of Yuan Baoguo, a rational aerospace engineer.
Watching his nephew display astonishing observational skills and a fresh understanding of the world and family thanks to a game dungeon reward—the magical Observer's Glasses—he felt not only gratified but also a rare...eagerness to try it himself.
"The reward pool for this space game is really interesting." After dinner, Yuan Baoguo pushed up his glasses and looked at Xiao Zhi, who was sharing the "Never-Drying Bubble Water" with the little fox, and suddenly said, "Xiao Zhi's glasses are a real treasure. It makes me really envious."
Lin Qing smiled and said, "What? Does our great engineer Yuan also want to try his luck and see if he can unlock a 'super calculator' or a 'blueprint optimization device'?"
Since childhood, Baoguo has had a dream of becoming a martial arts hero and also a dream of space travel. Now, thanks to the convenience of Yuanbao's space bookstore, he has learned a lot about these fields.
As his sister-in-law saw that he was becoming more and more impressive, she started jokingly calling him "the engineer".
Yuan Bao looked over with a smile: "Big brother, are you interested? Perfect timing, the 'Happy Hour' instance hasn't opened yet today. How about we play a four-player co-op game? That 'Large Puzzle Restoration' last time was quite fun."
“Four people working together? Great!” Yuan Baoguo became interested. “Me, Lin Qing, Yuan Bao, plus…” He glanced around and finally his eyes fell on Yuan’s mother. “Mom, why don’t you give it a try? Just to exercise your brain and relax.”
As Aunt Yuan was grooming Little Echo's feathers, she looked up at the sound of the voice and smiled kindly: "This old man of mine, playing games like you young people? Just don't hold me back."
"How could that be! Grandpa is the best!" Xiao Zhi immediately ran over and hugged Yuan Ma's arm. "Last time we played 'Defend the Crystal Tower,' Grandpa's healing was so timely! He's a super support!"
"Alright, alright, play with my precious grandson and granddaughter." Aunt Yuan was amused, put down her little echo, and readily agreed.
[Game loading: Four-player cooperative arena - Space Fortress Cooperative Defense! Scene generation in progress...]
The living room instantly transforms into a virtual space fortress control center filled with futuristic technology.
Each of the four people had a floating control panel in front of them, which was covered with various flashing indicator lights, track diagrams, energy allocation knobs and defense matrix switches.
【Game Rules:】Little 9's voice rings out, 【Players must work together to defend against ten waves of virtual stardust meteors! Yuan Baoguo is responsible for main cannon aiming and trajectory calculation (high-precision operation), Lin Qing is responsible for energy core stabilization and allocation (rhythm control), Yuan Ma is responsible for shield generation and area defense (rapid response), and Yuan Bao is responsible for overall command and emergency support (overall coordination). Failure occurs if the fortress shield value reaches zero or the energy core is overloaded! Ready…3…2…1…Stardust storm is coming!】
Games start!
The first wave of meteorites was sparse, serving as a warm-up.
With his strong spatial awareness and computing ability, Yuan Baoguo's main guns were almost always accurate.
Lin Qing precisely allocated the energy to ensure the balance between the shield and the main cannon.
Although Yuan's mother was a little slow, with Yuan Bao's reminder and Xiao Zhi's encouragement from the sidelines, she was able to activate the shields in the areas that needed to be defended in time.
Yuan Bao calmly observed the overall situation, occasionally using support skills to eliminate any remaining enemies.
With perfect teamwork, you can easily pass the level.
"Wow, that's awesome!" Xiao Zhi cheered.
As the wave intensity increased, the meteorites became denser and faster, and even special meteorites that interfered with the energy field appeared.
The pressure has increased dramatically!
"Protect the nation! Cluster at the 3 o'clock position! Prioritize strike!"
"Mom! The shield in Sector B is about to give out, transfer energy there first!"
"Clear! The energy core is fluctuating. Stabilize the output rhythm!"
"Yuan Bao! There's an interfering meteor in area D; my main gun is affected!"
Commands and alarms blared in the control room, and the four men were completely focused, their foreheads slightly sweaty.
Yuan Baoguo's fingers flew across the virtual trajectory map as he calculated, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.
Lin Qing stared intently at the energy fluctuation curve, his fingers precisely adjusting the knob.
Yuan Ma focused intently, not daring to blink, her eyes glued to the shield warning image.
Yuan Bao, like a pillar of strength, calmly allocated resources and support.
Xiao Zhi clenched his little fists nervously, barely daring to breathe, silently cheering everyone on in his heart.
At a critical moment, the shield in Zone C, which was under Yuan Ma's responsibility, suddenly went into critical condition due to continuous attacks!
Meanwhile, Yuan Baoguo's main gun was being entangled by the interfering meteorite, and Lin Qing's energy allocation had reached its limit!
"Mom! Hang in there!" Yuan Bao made a quick decision. "Xiao 9! Activate my emergency support skill—'Spatial Solidification Field'! Target: Zone C!"
An invisible force field instantly enveloped area C, and the surging meteorite swarm slowed down as if it had crashed into sticky glue!
"A good opportunity!" Yuan Baoguo immediately seized this precious respite and forcibly calibrated the jammed main gun. "Main gun charging! Target: Meteorite cluster in area C! Fire!"
A thick beam of energy ripped through the virtual starry sky, blasting the solidified meteorite cluster to smithereens! Crisis averted!
"Great!" Lin Qing also seized the opportunity and quickly stabilized the energy core.
Ultimately, thanks to the seamless and even extraordinary teamwork of the four, they successfully withstood the tenth and most intense wave of attack! Although only a thin sliver of the fortress shield remained, it ultimately stood firm!
[Congratulations! Space fortress defense successful! Overall teamwork rating: S-rank!] A huge victory message and dazzling fireworks appeared on the screen.
"Yay! We won!" Ash was the first to jump up and cheer.
"Phew... Not easy!" Yuan Baoguo took off his virtual reality helmet (simulated by his mind), let out a long sigh, and had a hearty smile on his face.
"Mom, you're amazing! Your reactions at the end were so quick!" Lin Qing said with a smile as she massaged Yuan's mother's shoulders.
Aunt Yuan couldn't stop smiling: "Oh my, playing this game with you young people has really sharpened my mind!"
"Please select your victory reward!" Little 9's voice rang out at the opportune moment. A preview of the reward pools for each of the four players appeared on the screen.
In Yuan Baoguo's reward pool, besides the usual Stamina +1 and Intelligence +1 point cards, the space-exclusive "energizing espresso (one cup lasts a day)," there is another item that is particularly eye-catching:
[Mystery Blind Box Grand Prize (S-Rank Collaboration Exclusive): Upon opening, you will randomly receive a special reward related to your player traits or wishes (effect unknown).]
Upon seeing the words "Mystery Blind Box Grand Prize," and recalling Xiao Zhi's glasses that changed his perspective on the world, Yuan Baoguo's heart began to race. Point cards and coffee, all seemed utterly tasteless at that moment.
"I choose this one!" Yuan Baoguo pointed without hesitation to the [Mystery Blind Box Grand Prize] icon that shimmered with alluring starlight, his tone carrying the excitement and anticipation of a researcher facing the unknown. "I want to see what surprises I can get!"
[Reward selection confirmed! Player Yuan Baoguo has won the 'Mystery Blind Box Grand Prize'! Opening in progress...]
A simple, unadorned black cube, yet shimmering with profound starlight, appeared out of thin air before Yuan Baoguo. It floated silently, its surface seemingly reflecting a slowly rotating galaxy.
Everyone's attention was drawn to it, even Ash held his breath.
Yuan Baoguo reached out and gently touched the cube with a hint of solemnity.
"Om..."
The cube emitted a soft hum, and starlight intensified! Then, like flower petals, it silently bloomed, revealing what was quietly suspended inside—
It wasn't some high-tech instrument, nor was it a blueprint or a book.
It was an irregularly shaped "stone," about the size of a palm, with a deep, dark blue color throughout.
Its texture looks like minerals, yet it has the warmth of jade. Most amazingly, inside the stone, there seems to be a miniature, slowly rotating, brilliant nebula sealed inside!
Countless tiny specks of light flickered within, like living cosmic dust.
An aura of vastness and immensity, yet also carrying a strange sense of tranquility, emanated from it.
【Stardust Core (Tranquil Version)】Little 9's notification sound carried a hint of admiration, 【This is formed by the condensation of cosmic stardust and the power of tranquility in space.】
It is neither a tool nor a weapon.
Its effects: When placed near the wearer, it can subtly enhance their affinity for the macrocosm and provide a sense of tranquility and peace from the depths of the stars during focused contemplation or rest, aiding in mental reflection and inspiration. Especially suitable for…those who gaze at the stars.
“Star… Stardust Core?” Yuan Baoguo was completely stunned. He carefully held the strange stone, which seemed to contain a miniature universe, in his hands, feeling a cool yet warm sensation on his fingertips.
He watched the nebula slowly rotating inside the stone, its deep blue color and shimmering points of light instantly striking the softest and most persistent part of his heart—his childhood dream: to study aerospace and explore the universe, and the boundless grandeur and tranquility he felt when gazing at the starry sky!
What he opened from the blind box was not any "useful" tool he had expected, but a gift that touched his very soul!
"It's...it's so beautiful..." Lin Qing was also stunned; she had never seen such a wondrous creation.
"Uncle! There are stars inside the stone! They're spinning!" Xiao Zhi pointed excitedly.
Aunt Yuan smiled kindly and said, "This stone brings peace to my heart. Baoguo, it's a perfect match for your work."
Holding the Stardust Core, Yuan Baoguo felt the vast and serene aura emanating from it, a surge of indescribable emotion welling up within him. He looked up at Yuan Bao, his eyes filled with complex emotions: "Little sister... this..."
Yuan Bao smiled knowingly: "It seems that the space has also 'seen' what's on your mind, brother. Isn't that wonderful? Let the stars accompany you in your thoughts, and let the tranquility of the universe soothe your anxiety when you're studying. This is much more meaningful than any 'super calculator'."
Yuan Baoguo took a deep breath, and when he looked at the Stardust Core in his hand again, his eyes were filled with cherishing and an almost devout love.
He gently placed it in the most prominent position on his desk in his study.
When the lights dimmed, the nebula sealed inside the stone seemed to come alive, emitting a faint, tranquil glow that illuminated a corner of the desk like a quiet corner of the universe.
That evening, Yuan Baoguo did not immediately get back to work.
He brewed a cup of tea, turned off the glaring overhead light, leaving only the soft glow of the desk lamp, which mingled with the faint light of the Stardust Core.
He sat there quietly, his fingers unconsciously stroking the warm stone surface, his gaze passing through the window to the simulated night sky studded with stars.
There were no complicated calculations or cumbersome drawings.
Only the long-lost, pure reverence and longing for the starry sky above remains in my heart.
The tranquil aura emanating from the Stardust Core was like the gentlest tide, slowly soothing the fatigue and tension he had accumulated daily, bringing an unprecedented peace and openness from the depths of the universe.
Xiao Zhi quietly peeked at the study door, watching his uncle's profile, which appeared exceptionally calm and peaceful under the starlight (both artificial and from the stone), and whispered to Yuan Bao, "Mom, Uncle has light on him now, as quiet as the starlight... He must be very happy!"
Yuan Bao hugged his son and looked at his elder brother's back as he was immersed in the tranquility of the stars, his heart filled with warmth.
The game's rewards, once again in an unexpected yet perfectly fitting way, illuminated a member of this family, delivering a tranquil gift from the universe to the one who forever gazes at the stars.
This surprise is far more precious than any predetermined "prize" because it touches upon the deepest desires of the heart.