OBS Chapter 397 Crystal Elf
Chapter 397 Crystal Elf
The awakening of Xiao Huixiang was like a brilliant star cast onto a calm lake, adding a touch of lively and pure brilliance to the Yuan family's life in the space.
This tiny crystal sprite, no bigger than a thumb, has shown amazing intelligence and an almost instinctive dependence on Ash, even though it is newly born.
It's like a tiny, glowing satellite, always orbiting around Xiaozhi.
Ash was drawing on the terrace, and it perched on his shoulder, tilting its little head to look at the childish lines. Its wings fluttered gently to the rhythm of Ash's humming, scattering stardust onto the drawing paper, making the crystal trees and little elves seem to come alive, shimmering with a faint light.
As Xiao Zhi chased after the spirit beast on the grass, it flapped its still somewhat clumsy wings and tried its best to follow behind him, like a small streak of light, making soft and cheerful "ee-yah" sounds, which attracted the little yellow chicks to look up curiously.
When Ash gets tired of playing and lies down to rest on the soft grass, Echo will gently land on his chest, curling up its tiny crystal body like a cool, sparkling gem against him, rising and falling slightly with his breath, radiating a calming and reassuring aura.
Yuan Bao discovered that the existence of Little Echo had a strange influence on Xiao Zhi.
The little guy's excess energy seems to be naturally soothed by the pure energy field emanating from Xiao Huixiang, making it easier for him to calm down and focus on doing one thing (such as completing his summer observation record).
Xiao Zhi's pure and innocent childlike heart and undisguised affection were like the best nourishment, nurturing Xiao Hui Xiang's weak spirit, making its wings stronger day by day, and its light more stable and brighter day by day.
"Mom, look! Echo flew even higher today!" Ash exclaimed excitedly, pointing to the little Pokémon that had circled once in the air before landing back on his fingertip.
"Yes, Xiao Zhi took good care of it, and Echo recovered very quickly." Yuan Bao smiled approvingly, watching his son carefully feed a small drop of diluted spiritual spring water to Echo's mouth (this was a gentle suggestion from Ariel through Green Ivy). The little elf absorbed it contentedly, emitting a pleasant buzzing sound.
The other spirit beasts and monsters in the space quickly accepted this new little guy who exuded the pure forest aura.
Little White was full of curiosity about this new member who was "inedible but shiny". It often squatted not far away, staring at it with its obsidian-like eyes, and occasionally it would meow (although it was not a cat, it was used to this sound), as if it was greeting someone.
A few of the bolder ginseng babies would waddle along, carrying the purest dewdrops they found in the spirit field, and shakily present them to Little Echo, babbling softly.
The little fox seemed rather aloof, but occasionally it would gracefully stroll past Little Echo, its fluffy tail sweeping past unintentionally, creating a gentle breeze that helped the little elf fly a little further.
Even the large white geese on patrol, upon seeing Little Echo approach their "territory" (the edge of the spirit field), merely made a symbolic "quack" before walking away with their heads held high, as if tacitly acknowledging the existence of this tiny creature.
The ball of light from Little Nine became Little Echo's "navigator" and "translator" (at Ash's insistence).
When Echo gets a little lost and can't find Ash, Little Nine will flash once to guide the way.
When Little Echo makes an unintelligible "ee-yah" sound, Little 9 will try to analyze its emotional fluctuations and then "translate" it in a way that Little Intelligence understands: "Little Echo means it likes the light spots on this leaf," or "Little Echo thinks that the angle of Aunt Ariel's wings that you just drew is not quite right."
Watching his son and Xiao Huixiang inseparable and interacting warmly, and seeing all the living beings in the space living in harmony, Yuan Bao's heart was filled with peaceful joy.
This pristine land she protects is nurturing the growth of family ties, friendships (across species), and the belief of a young guardian.
A few more peaceful and fulfilling days passed.
That evening, the family enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by Little White on the terrace of their villa.
The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the edge of the distant Crystal Song Woodland in a warm golden-orange hue, blending with the starlight emanating from the woodland itself to create a magnificent display of colors.
The atmosphere at the dining table was warm and cozy. Xiao Zhi was excitedly describing to his uncle Yuan Baoguo his "feat" of "directing" Little Echo and Little Ginseng Dolls to "arrange" his Crystal Forest building block model.
Yuan Ma ate her meal quietly, her face bearing her usual kind smile. Occasionally, her gaze would drift to the edge of the dreamy forest in the distance, or fall on Echo, who was clumsily holding a tiny, glowing berry (to it) and trying to hand it to Xiao Zhi.
But the observant Yuan Bao noticed that deep in his mother's eyes, there was a hint of barely perceptible expectation and... a touch of solemn determination.
Dinner is coming to an end.
Yuan Bao put down his chopsticks and looked at his mother with gentle eyes: "Mom, have you been resting well these past few days? Do you feel that the spiritual energy in the space is helpful to you?"
Coming back to her senses, Yuan's mother smiled and nodded, "Good, very good! I feel so relaxed, even in my bones. Seeing Xiaozhi and Xiaohui playing so well makes me feel so happy." She paused, picked up a napkin to wipe her mouth, her movements a beat slower than usual, as if she was organizing her thoughts.
Yuan Bao understood perfectly, and without urging him, simply waited quietly.
Mrs. Yuan put down her napkin, looked around at her family, and finally fixed her gaze on Yuan Bao. Her voice was soft, but carried a calmness as if everything had settled: "Bao'er, Mom has made up her mind. I've rested enough, seen more of the world, and I feel... at ease." She gently patted the pocket close to her body, where the card that changed her destiny was kept. "Mom plans... tonight to truly begin."
It turns out that after the game card was linked to Yuan Ma, Yuan Ma hadn't seriously immersed herself in the game world.
"Start?" Ash, who was studying the "berry" handed to him by Little Echo, looked up and asked curiously, "What are you going to start, Master?"
Yuan Baoguo and Lin Qing immediately understood what Yuan Ma meant, and both put down their chopsticks, looking at her with concern. Lin Qing even subconsciously grasped Yuan Ma's hand, which was resting on the table.
Aunt Yuan patted her daughter-in-law's hand to reassure her, then gave Xiao Zhi a gentle yet mysterious smile: "Old man is about to start playing a very important 'game,' a game that... will make Old man feel more fulfilled."
Xiao Zhi seemed to understand but not quite, but seeing how serious Lao Lao, his mother, uncle, and aunt were, he nodded vigorously: "Then Lao Lao, good luck! You have to win!"
Yuan Bao looked at the unwavering determination in his mother's eyes and felt full of support.
She knew that her mother was mentally prepared to face that past that belonged only to her and that required courage to make amends.
“Okay, Mom.” Yuan Bao’s voice was full of trust and encouragement. “You can start anytime you’re ready. Remember, Xiao 9 and I are right here with you, and System 19 will guide you. No matter what you experience in the game, we’ll always be here waiting for you.”
Yuan's mother nodded vigorously, her eyes slightly red, but mostly filled with relief and anticipation: "Yes! Mom knows!"
After dinner, Yuan's mother did not chat with everyone on the terrace for tea as usual.
She returned alone to the room that Yuan Bao had meticulously prepared for her in the villa.
The room was warm and comfortable, with the window facing the edge of the tranquil Crystal Song Forest, where the soft starlight streamed in.
Yuan Ma sat on the soft chair by the window and took a deep breath of the comforting spiritual energy in the space.
Take out the "Perfect Life" game card, which is as smooth and warm as jade. Under the starlight, the card shimmers with a restrained and mysterious luster.
She closed her eyes, her fingers gently stroking the card as if performing a solemn ritual.
“19…” Yuan Ma silently recited in her heart.
[Ding! Detected increased consciousness activity and mental stability in player Yuan Shufen (Yuan's mother's real name).] That familiar, slightly mechanical but clear voice immediately rang in her mind: [Does the player confirm the official start of the 'Perfect Life' game journey? Initial time anchor point locked, world loading ready.]
Yuan Ma's heart beat slightly faster, but her hands remained steady.
She recalled her daughter's words, the soul-cleansing starlight of Crystal Forest, and the smiling faces of her family in reality. A warm and firm strength rose from the bottom of her heart.
She no longer hesitated, and responded clearly in her heart:
"Confirmed to be enabled".
[Command confirmed! Player Yuan Shufen's 'Perfect Life' game journey officially begins! Loading world...]
[Time anchor: Autumn, 1958.]
Location: Xiangyang Village, Yuanjia Village.
[Core Objective: Rewrite your regrets, make up for your shortcomings, and pursue the fulfilling life that belongs to you. We wish you a smooth gaming experience!]
A gentle yet irresistible pull enveloped Yuan Ma's consciousness.
The starlight outside the window, the furnishings of the room, and even the sensations of the body were rapidly blurring and fading... In their place came an incredibly real and ancient scent of earth, straw, and the coolness of late autumn, along with a few faint, deep-seated sounds of... roosters crowing and dogs barking.
Yuan Bao stood quietly outside her mother's room. She could clearly feel the unique spacetime fluctuations belonging to the game system beginning to activate inside.
She didn't disturb her, but silently monitored her mother's state of consciousness through her mental link with Xiao 9, confirming that she was stable.
She walked to the window, gazing at the eternally brilliant starlight in the direction of Crystal Forest, then looked back at her mother's tightly closed door.
The mother embarked on her path of redemption.
Ash found his pure Pokémon companions in the space.
The elder brother and sister-in-law were enjoying this transcendent tranquility.
And she herself guards this pure land that connects the past, present and future, reality and miracles.
Each family member is on their own path, moving towards the "perfection" in their hearts.
And her "string of purity" will forever protect this courage and possibility to move forward.
In the night sky, the stars twinkled, as if silently blessing this ordinary yet extraordinary family, and the wonderful chapters that are about to unfold for each of them.
A gentle yet firm smile curved at the corners of Yuan Bao's lips.
She knew that no matter what awaited her ahead, the lights of home would always be the direction she would return to.