Chapter 3014: Give Them Time to Turn Back
The mental defense line is not a tangible thing. It sounds like the application of spiritual power, but in reality, it is not something like a protective shell; it is more like an abstract consciousness or willpower.
Even after beginning mental evolution, players may still be unable to figure out what the mental defense line truly is. And compared to the controllable spiritual power one possesses, it is even harder to understand that ordinary people who cannot experience spiritual power at all still possess a powerful mental defense line.
But in this dream, Xu Huo's mental defense line was concretized into countless versions of himself. His mental defense line was composed of every minute and second of his past self. The combination and superposition of each of his experiences and cognitions formed his consciousness, which was also the defense line of his brain.
Without reaching the end of this dream, Xu Huo gradually sank into darkness midway and entered true sleep.
He slept for a full two days. When he opened his eyes, the severe bloodshot veins had completely faded. His refocused pupils rapidly and briefly shifted before quickly settling down. A momentary emotional detachment made his gaze appear exceptionally cold, but it soon became peaceful again.
The Painting Woman's head poked out from the side, staring at him without blinking.
Xu Huo pushed her face away. "Didn't I tell you not to come in?"
"I didn't want to come in either." The Painting Woman operated the communicator. "Your dad asked me to check on you. He was afraid you'd sleep forever."
Xu Huo had slept very well. He got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. "Tell them I'm awake."
The Painting Woman nodded. "Ms. Yu bought a lot of groceries today. We can eat well!"
Xu Huo didn't listen to her musings about lunch. After washing his face, he looked at himself in the mirror.
He knew every detail of his body, but at this moment, his reflection in the mirror looked cold-eyed, as if a soul separate from the shell resided within.
Wiping the moisture off the mirror, he smiled slightly at himself, then suppressed the smile and turned to walk out.
Downstairs, the aroma of food filled the air. Today, the old man's old friend had come to visit with his children. Ms. Yu and Xu Huo's father had gotten up early to prepare the dishes and had been busy until now.
The visitor was the old man's former close friend. They had been separated for various reasons and only recently reconnected. The two old men had been apart for a long time, but talking again felt incredibly familiar, as if they had never been separated. The old man even personally cooked two dishes and bought a bottle of good wine, intending to drink to their heart's content with his old friend.
Having taken the evolution agent, the old man was in good health, so a little drinking was no problem.
The old man's surname was Wei. He also brought along his grandson and granddaughter, both in their early twenties.
Old Man Wei was very nostalgic. When Xu Huo came down, he was tearfully recounting the early death of his son and daughter-in-law.
Old Man Xu's eyes reddened in sympathy. When he saw Xu Huo, he quickly called him over to meet everyone.
Old Man Wei praised him for his outstanding appearance, but his grandson, Wei Xing, couldn't control his expression for a moment when he saw Xu Huo.
After greeting each other, Xu Huo sat nearby and listened to them chat.
The Xu family lived in a special safe zone. For Old Man Wei to visit, his identity information would have been checked in advance. Naturally, since he could enter, he must have known that the Xu family was under special protection as player family members. His tone carried a hint of envy toward Old Man Xu, and he also mentioned that his grandson Wei Xing was a police officer, and his granddaughter Wei Yue had just graduated and already found a job, planning to stay in Jing City in the future.
Old Man Xu praised Wei Xing and Wei Yue for their promising futures.
Before evolution appeared, Wei Xing and Wei Yue were indeed outstanding. But the game world changed too quickly. Compared to ordinary people, they were superior, but now they seemed inadequate.
Old Man Wei had previously lived elsewhere. It was only because Wei Yue wanted to settle in Jing City that he followed her there.
Country X was neither too big nor too small. If people went their separate ways in their early years and settled in different places, contact was easily broken. Old Man Wei only learned after arriving in Jing City that Old Man Xu had long returned to live there permanently, so he made inquiries to reconnect.
Ordinary people weren't safe living in the player world. Old Man Wei wanted to see his old friend, but he also sought protection.
Old Man Xu couldn't make decisions for Xu Huo, but the country had given the Xu family many privileges. Helping take care of two young people wasn't a big deal, especially since they were already quite capable themselves.
"Brother, brother!" Tong Tong ran up to Xu Huo, clenching both fists. "Guess which hand has food?"
Xu Huo pointed to his right hand.
Tong Tong laughed loudly. "You guessed wrong! Sister Li Chun guessed right!"
"Is that so?" Xu Huo also took a candy and switched it between his hands. "Then you guess."
Tong Tong couldn't tell, but he had another method. He leaned close to Xu Huo's hand and sniffed hard, then chose the right hand and pried at his fingers. "Did I guess right?"
Xu Huo opened his hand, which was wearing a prop glove, and smiled. "Such a keen nose?"
Tong Tong said smugly, "Sister Li Chun taught me!"
He grabbed the candy and ran toward the kitchen, shouting as he ran, "Mom, brother lost to me! Can I have an extra pack of soft candy today?"
He went in cheerfully and came out dejectedly. Ms. Yu had clearly given her answer.
Xu Huo had been tilting his head to watch Tong Tong, but suddenly shifted his gaze to Wei Xing. "Is there something on my face? You've looked at me several times."
Caught off guard, Wei Xing's expression showed a moment of awkwardness. He instinctively glanced at Old Man Wei, and under the latter's tense gaze, said, "I just think Brother Xu looks familiar, like I've seen him somewhere."
Xu Huo smiled. "Not on a wanted poster, I hope?"
Seeing his thoughts seen through, Wei Xing said apologetically, "Occupational habit. I'm really sorry."
Old Man Wei quickly smoothed things over, scolding his grandson for being tactless.
"It's fine. You've had professional training, so being sensitive is normal." Xu Huo said. "But next time you encounter other players, don't do that. Players who spend a long time in instances are worse than serial killers, and their mental states are unstable. Doing that can easily provoke them."
Mentioning this, Wei Xing looked a bit lost and dejected. "From now on, it's the player era. I don't know how much meaning my job still has."
"Zone 014 has a complete legal system, and it doesn't only constrain ordinary people." Xu Huo said. "Your job just excludes a certain group of people first. It's no different from before."
Wei Xing was stunned for a moment, then reacted. "I was overthinking it."
Xu Huo didn't say anything more. Instead, he turned slightly and nodded downstairs. The next second, Xiang Yao appeared in the living room. He said in a low voice, "Mr. Xu, ships from other zones have appeared above Zone 014."
Coming to join the fun at a time like this?
Xu Huo raised an eyebrow. "How many? Have we issued a warning?"
"Warnings were sent, but the people on the ships didn't respond. They might not be friendly." Xiang Yao was actually being tactful. Judging by the ships' configuration, they were genuine war weapons.
"Zone fusion is in its most intense phase. As long as they're not from the Game Government, whether they're seeking cooperation or something else, tell them to postpone." Xu Huo said. "Give them thirty minutes to turn back."