NCCnovel Chapter 399 Leisure Dungeon 2
Chapter 399 Leisure Dungeon 2
The relaxed atmosphere of the virtual card room had not completely dissipated. Yuan Baoguo was still lamenting that his "spring" hand had been overturned by Yuan Bao's "royal flush," while Lin Qing happily accepted the reward chosen by the "landlord" winner—a small bottle of crystal-clear "spiritual spring essence."
Ash excitedly blew bubbles all over the house, holding the "glowing space bubble water" and a small packet of "spirit beast affinity-boosting cookies" that he and Echo (although Echo mainly provided emotional support) won in the two-player cooperative "Mirror Action Challenge" (he decided to feed them to the little fox). The colorful halo floated in the space.
"Warm-up complete!" Yuan Bao clapped his hands, looking at his family who were still full of energy, especially Xiao Zhi, who was eager to try, and Yuan's mother, who had a gentle smile on her face. "Next, it's time for the main course! The five-person teamwork challenge, dare to take it?"
"Come on! Of course I'll take it!" Yuan Baoguo responded immediately, his frustration at losing the game instantly replaced by anticipation for the new challenge.
"Five people together? That sounds really interesting!" Lin Qing was also full of anticipation.
"Hey! Let's protect the Crystal Tower together! Fight the bad guys!" Ash immediately handed the bubble solution to the floating 9 next to him for safekeeping, waved his little fist, and Echo flashed a few times on his shoulder in cooperation.
Aunt Yuan smiled and nodded: "Okay, let's all work together as a family!"
[Loading the 'Happy Time' instance: Five-player co-op mode - 'Guardian Star Core'!] Little 9's voice carried a hint of simulated excitement, [Scene generation in progress... Players, please prepare!]
The scene in the living room blurred and then reformed again.
This time, they found themselves on a huge circular platform suspended against a backdrop of a dazzling starry sky.
At the center of the platform stands a crystal tower that emits a soft yet powerful pillar of starlight – the "Starlight Core".
In the void at the edge of the platform, ominous black energy clusters, resembling viscous oil, surged—simulated "contamination waves."
They are stirring, attempting to break through the invisible energy barrier at the edge of the platform, corrupting and destroying the core.
[Mission Objective: Protect the Star Core and withstand ten waves of contamination! Mission failure occurs if the core's integrity drops below 30% or all players are "dead" (virtual assessment)!] A clear mission prompt from Xiao 9 sounds: [Players, please take your positions quickly and assign roles!]
A virtual control panel appears in front of each player, displaying five clearly defined character icons:
Barrier Reinforcer (Yuan Baoguo): Responsible for quickly constructing temporary energy barriers at weak points on the platform's edge to block the polluting tendrils that could breach the defenses.
It requires rapid response and spatial positioning capabilities.
Purification Beam Guide (Lin Qing): Operates a suspended beam emitter to precisely irradiate the pollutant clusters that break through the barrier, purifying and dispersing them.
Stability and precision are required.
Core Energy Stabilizer (Yuan Ma): Located at the base of the core tower, she injects gentle spatial energy at a specific rhythm to maintain core stability and performs emergency repairs when the core is contaminated or eroded.
It requires patience and a sense of rhythm.
Mobile Purification Squad (Ash): Together with its support partners (small purification drones projected virtually, similar to Echo), the squad quickly moves to the polluted and corroded platform ground area to perform small-scale, real-time purification.
It requires flexibility and courage (virtually).
Global Command/Energy Coordination (Yuan Bao): Hovering high in the center of the platform, overlooking the entire situation, marking high-threat targets, coordinating teammates' actions, and calling upon reserve energy for large-scale purification or barrier enhancement at critical moments.
A broad perspective and quick decision-making are required.
"Does everyone know their positions?" Yuan Bao quickly got into the zone, his voice steady.
"Understood!" Yuan Baoguo had already stood at the edge of the platform, his fingers quickly sliding across the virtual interface as he familiarized himself with the controls.
"Beam ready." Lin Qing gripped the handle of the beam emitter that appeared in front of him.
"Boss, hold the core steady!" Xiao Zhi pulled his "little drone" partner, eager to try.
Aunt Yuan took a deep breath, placed her hand on the energy sensing area of the crystal tower base, felt the surging and pure starlight power within, and nodded: "Don't worry, leave it to me."
The first wave of pollution has begun!
Buzz! The barrier at the edge of the platform rippled, and several viscous black energies reached in like tentacles!
"Big brother, the barrier has a gap at the three points on the left flank! Hurry!" Yuan Bao's voice was like a command tower.
Yuan Baoguo pointed his finger swiftly, and a semi-transparent energy wall instantly rose at the designated location, blocking the oncoming black tide.
"Sister-in-law, right front, breakthrough point! Purification beam!"
Lin Qing calmly moved the transmitter, and a beam of blazing white light hit its target precisely, causing the black mist to dissipate amidst a piercing hissing sound.
"Xiao Zhi, there is erosion and contamination on the ground in the southwest corner of the platform! Mobile team, move out!"
"Received!" Xiao Zhi immediately rushed over with his "Echo Drone". He tapped the virtual interface with his little hand, and the drone shot out a circle of purification light waves, quickly clearing away the black spots spreading on the ground.
"Mom, the core has been affected by a minor shockwave, and its stability has decreased by 2%. Inject calming energy!"
Yuan Ma closed her eyes and concentrated, steadily channeling a gentle spatial force through her hands, and the light from the crystal tower immediately returned to normal.
The first wave passed without major incident.
Then came the second wave, the third wave... The pollution attacks grew increasingly fierce, and their forms changed from tentacles to swooping black birds and sticky, corrosive raindrops.
Yuan Baoguo was completely focused, a light sheen of sweat on his forehead, as the barrier was constantly being breached and rebuilt.
Lin Qing kept his arm steady, and the beam of light, like a precise scalpel, eliminated each threat.
Xiao Zhi ran around on the platform, his face flushed, but his eyes were focused, and his "little drone" partner also cooperated skillfully.
Like a stabilizing force, Yuan Ma steadily guarded the core foundation, ensuring that every energy injection was perfectly timed.
Yuan Bao is like a high-speed command center, issuing clear and rapid instructions with keen insight, always able to identify threats in advance and coordinate with teammates to resolve them.
When the fifth wave of corrosive rain appeared, she decisively used her stored energy to release a small-scale purifying light rain covering the platform, instantly eliminating most of the threats.
Teamwork improves rapidly during battle!
Although the family was initially flustered, their teamwork became increasingly smooth. Xiao Zhi even learned to proactively report, "Mom! Zone D is safe!" after purifying the ground. Yuan Baoguo and Lin Qing were also able to anticipate and begin their actions before Yuan Bao even gave the instructions.
Yuan Ma has found a stable rhythm, and the integrity of the core tower has been maintained at over 85%!
[The ninth wave... the tenth wave! The final impact!] Little 9's voice carried a simulated tension.
A massive, black hole-like contamination core condensed in the void, releasing an overwhelming black wave, accompanied by intense mental interference!
"Hold on!" Yuan Bao shouted. "Big brother, reinforce the frontal barrier with all your might! Sister-in-law, concentrate your firepower on the contaminated core! Xiao Zhi, the mobile squad covers the platform ground and clears all secondary contamination! Mom, the core is yours, hold it steady!"
Yuan Baoguo roared and poured all his energy into the frontal barrier, creating a thick energy wall that firmly held back the black tide.
Lin Qing gritted his teeth, and the beam of light continued to bombard the core of the contamination, causing it to tremble and shrink.
Ash and his "partners" traverse the platform, with purifying light waves rising and falling.
With her hands pressed tightly against the base of the tower, beads of sweat trickling from her forehead, Yuan Ma focused all her attention on the core, resisting the mental impact. Although the light of the crystal tower flickered, it never went out!
At the moment when everyone was exhausted, the barrier was about to break, and the contaminated core was on the verge of collapse—
[Target purified! Core integrity 72%! Mission successful!]
With Xiao 9's announcement, the massive pollution core let out a mournful cry of resentment and completely collapsed and disappeared.
The black waves at the platform's edge receded like the tide. Brilliant starlight once again bathed the platform, and the Crystal Tower shone brightly, as if celebrating victory!
"Yay! We won!" Ash was the first to jump up and cheer, then plopped down on the ground, his face flushed with excitement.
"Phew... Success!" Yuan Baoguo wiped his sweat, looked at the intact core tower, and smiled with satisfaction.
Lin Qing put down the beam emitter; his arm was a little sore, but his smile was incredibly bright.
Yuan Ma let go, breathed a long sigh of relief, and looked at the still stable core with pride in her eyes.
Yuan Bao stepped down from his command post, looking at his tired but happy family members, and felt a great sense of accomplishment: "Well done! Everyone cooperated so well!"
[Congratulations to the player team for successfully completing the five-player cooperative mission 'Guardian of the Star Core'! Teamwork rating: S-rank (Perfect)!] Xiao 9's voice was full of praise. [Team representative, please step forward to open the final reward pool for this 'Happy Time' dungeon!]
A gigantic sphere of light, even more magnificent than before, swirling with a rainbow of colors and seemingly containing countless treasures at its center, appeared in the center of the platform.
"Xiao Zhi," Yuan Bao said with a smile, nudging his son, "you're the youngest hero and the life of the party in our family. Go and draw the prize!"
"Me? Really?" Ash's eyes widened in surprise. Encouraged by his family, he excitedly ran to the ball of light, stretched out his little hand, and pressed it against the surface of the ball.
hum!
The sphere of light burst forth with dazzling light, and countless dazzling prize icons emerged and spun like a fountain, eventually settling into a huge, selectable list:
Strength Point Card (+1): Slightly increases physical strength (virtual/real-world minor optimization).
Endurance Point Card (+1): Slightly increases stamina and endurance.
Luck Point Card (+1): Slightly increases short-term luck (mystical).
Speed Point Card (+1): Slightly increases reaction and movement speed.
Crystal Grove Eternal Star Sand Bottle: More advanced than star amber, containing flowing star sand, it has a stronger calming effect and a subtle energy affinity.
Little White's Dreamy Dessert Feast Voucher: Redeemable for a luxurious afternoon tea made by Little White, featuring ten kinds of top-quality desserts from the space.
Space Spirit Plant · Seven-Colored Glow Fruit Seeds: After planting, you can harvest rare fruits containing pure energy and with an exquisite taste.
Spirit Beast Companion Temporary Summoning Talisman (Little Fox): Can summon a virtual fox projection in the real world (harmless, interactive, lasts for 1 hour).
Mysterious Blind Box Grand Prize (???): The icon is a treasure chest that constantly changes between question marks and starlight, exuding an alluring yet unknown aura.
"Wow! So many!" Ash's eyes couldn't take it all in. He turned to his family, "Which one should I choose? Which one should I pick?"
"Everyone is welcome to offer suggestions, but we'll ultimately choose one!" Yuan Bao said with a smile.
Yuan Baoguo was very interested in the strength and speed point cards, while Lin Qing preferred the bottle of Eternal Star Sand.
Looking at the seeds of the Seven-Colored Glow Fruit, Yuan's mother thought it would be good to grow them for her family to eat.
Ash is torn between the Fox Summoning Token and the Dreamy Snack Feast Ticket.
Finally, when Ash's gaze swept over the "mystery blind box grand prize" that kept flashing question marks, his adventurous spirit was completely ignited!
"Mom! I want this one!" Xiao Zhi pointed at the mysterious treasure chest icon and shouted, "Blind boxes! Opening blind boxes is the most exciting! Maybe there will be a super, super big surprise!"
"Haha, okay! As you wish!" Yuan Bao was amused by his son's choice, and the family members all smiled and agreed, filled with anticipation for the unknown surprise.
Xiao Zhi excitedly selected the "Mystery Blind Box Grand Prize".
[Selection confirmed! Rewards being distributed...]
The question mark treasure chest icon shone brightly and slowly flew out of the light sphere, landing on the ground in front of Ash. It transformed from a phantom into a solid treasure chest with an ancient and heavy appearance, its surface engraved with mysterious spatial runes, and its cracks emitting a rainbow of light!
"Open it and see!" Everyone crowded around, full of curiosity.
Ash took a deep breath, and under the curious gazes of his family and Echo, forcefully lifted the lid of the treasure chest—
In an instant, a soft and sacred beam of seven-colored light shot into the sky from the treasure chest! As the light faded, at the bottom of the chest lay five small, exquisite objects of various shapes, each radiating a gentle spatial fluctuation and a faint starlight…
Space Badge!
[Congratulations on winning the special team reward: Guardian's Pact - Space Badge (Set)!]
Xiao 9's voice carried a rare hint of excitement:
This badge is a specially bound item and cannot be traded. The wearer (who must obtain authorization from the space owner, Yuan Bao) can:
Slightly enhances spatial affinity: Recovers faster in space and becomes more sensitive to spatial energy.
Emergency Spatial Anchor Point: When encountering extreme danger in the real world (subject to judgment), badge energy can be consumed to forcibly activate a one-time ultra-short-range spatial teleportation to the spatial villa safe zone (extremely long cooldown time).
Team Resonance: When multiple badge wearers are close together, their spiritual connection and tacit understanding can be slightly enhanced.
Symbol of Identity: Proof of being a core member of the space and a member of the guardian's family.
This reward completely exceeded everyone's expectations!
It's no longer just about entertainment or minor gains; it grants family members a deeper level of access and protection, connecting them to the space Yuanbao safeguards!
Especially the life-saving "emergency space anchor" function!
“My God… this…” Yuan Baoguo picked up a badge engraved with gear and book patterns (corresponding to his scholarly temperament), feeling its weight.
"This is too precious..." Lin Qing held up a badge entwined with vines and flowers, her eyes filled with emotion.
Aunt Yuan picked up the most lustrous badge, the one with the protective markings, her eyes glistening with tears. She knew what it meant.
Ash picked up his most vibrant badge, adorned with little stars and Pokémon wings, and exclaimed with delight, "Wow! So cool! This is our Guardian Badge!"
Yuan Bao picked up her badge, which had a silver string pattern inlaid at its center, and a warm feeling welled up inside her. This was not just a reward, but also the game system's (or rather, the source of her own space) recognition of her protecting her family, and a strengthening of the bond between them!
"Little 9, bind immediately!" Yuan Bao said without hesitation.
[Binding command confirmed! The Guardian's Pact - Space Badge has been soul-bound with players Yuan Bao, Yuan Baoguo, Lin Qing, Yuan Shufen, and Yuan Xiaozhi! Function activated!] Xiao 9's voice was solemn and joyful.
The five badges emitted a soft glow simultaneously, echoing each other, and an invisible, closer connection was quietly established among the five members of the Yuan family.
Watching his family members carefully pin the badges to their chests, and feeling the faint yet real spatial resonance, Yuan Bao knew that this "Happy Time" instance brought far more than just laughter and games.
It brought a weighty gift, symbolizing protection and bond, which connected their hearts even more closely with this space.