Ma Lang stood at the doorway, his gaze sweeping over the scene before him, a wave of indescribable astonishment surging through him.
The smart medical equipment, holographic projections, and suspended "memorial photos" had all vanished, replaced by a bedroom brimming with futuristic technology—a stark contrast to the previous gloom.
The walls, once cold and impersonal, were now covered with a translucent, warm silver material that emitted a gentle glow, creating an illusion of being under the stars.
The ceiling mimicked a brilliant galaxy, with specks of light twinkling softly in the air, as if within reach.
At the center of the room, a floating bed hovered without any visible supports, seemingly suspended mid-air.
Ma Lang stepped slowly into the room, each step landing on a soft surface that felt comfortable and adjusted automatically to his weight and gait, as if he were walking on clouds.
From the moment he entered, the cloud system in his mind activated, presenting various options. He could switch the room's function at will—indeed, these were genuine transformations, as the rooms were folded away until needed.
"This..." Ma Lang was at a loss, never having imagined a room could seamlessly transform like this.
He tentatively sat on the floating bed, feeling the mattress's softness and support. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, trying to acclimate to this new environment.
At that moment, images of his grandparents' old courtyard flashed through his mind. It was a place he often visited in his childhood, filled with cherished memories. He thought to himself, "If only this place could transform into that!"
Almost immediately, the room's holographic projection system sprang to life, the surroundings changing rapidly.
The starlight on the walls and ceiling faded, replaced by the familiar sight of his childhood courtyard.
"No suitable space found for the folded space option; virtual environment initiated."
Tall trees cast dappled shadows as sunlight filtered through the leaves, birds chirped melodiously, and the air was filled with a warm, comforting atmosphere.
Ma Lang opened his eyes, finding himself seemingly transported to that childhood courtyard. The familiar and endearing sensation made him feel a deep sense of attachment.
"This is incredible!" Ma Lang exclaimed.
"So, this is what they mean by consciousness control and folded space?" he mused.
Sitting on the floating bed, he closed his eyes and began practicing the family's meditative breathing technique, simultaneously visualizing the image of the ancestral deity.
Golden energy swirled around the giant starry eye in his sea of consciousness, urging him to do something. However, the inner star clouds remained dim, except for a corner near the edge that glowed brightly.
With a touch of his consciousness, Ma Lang realized this was the wish energy feedback that prevented Grandma Yilan and Imi from being reset. What should I do to light up the rest of the star clouds?
Was this what the two cats meant by refining the heart in the mundane world and earning rewards? What would happen if they were lit up?
The golden energy surged more intensely, urging him to delve deeper, making him feel increasingly eager.
Deciding to explore, he got up and left the room, with Grandma Yilan's cautionary words ringing in his ears and Imi's eager steps following closely behind.
"Where are we going, ah~?" Imi's characteristic inquiry echoed.
"Just take me for a walk! Find a lively place; I need to get familiar with this world!" Ma Lang said with a hint of melancholy, knowing he couldn't return, he decided to make the best of it. His parents and elder brother would take care of things.
"Then let's go to the Blessing Square, shall we~? It's the liveliest place, and there's lots of good food, too~!" Imi looked up at him with hopeful eyes.
"Food is the most important thing, isn't it?" Ma Lang playfully ruffled Imi's small face, nodding in agreement.
As he spoke, a bubble-like vehicle descended from the sky and stopped steadily in front of them.
They climbed aboard, the soft touch enveloping them like sitting on fluffy clouds.
Without any apparent controls, the "bubble" lifted off the ground, ascending swiftly into the sky, smooth and comfortable, with no sensation of weightlessness.
As they gained altitude, the city below unfolded before Ma Lang's eyes.
This was a city that perfectly blended science fiction with ancient charm, featuring towering skyscrapers and exquisite classical architecture, harmoniously coexisting without any sense of discord.
Looking down, a massive crystal palace dominated the city center, its exterior composed of countless tiny fiber optics, dazzling even in daylight, like stars fallen to Earth.
Surrounding the palace was an expansive square, the ground inlaid with ancient totems that seemed to emit faint, mysterious energy pulses.
Extending outward from the crystal palace were wide roads made of a special alloy that could withstand extreme temperatures and self-clean.
Various modes of transportation navigated the city, including floating cars, flying motorcycles, and even peculiar mechanical creations or flying beasts.
They moved in an orderly fashion, creating a bustling tapestry.
On either side of the roads, modern skyscrapers and traditional pavilions stood side by side. The ultra-futuristic buildings featured walls made of various crystalline materials, adorned with green vegetation, enhancing both beauty and comfort.
The ancient-style buildings retained traditional Eastern eaves and Western classical carvings, their roofs covered with colorful tiles, exuding a dignified elegance.
Gardens and fountains dotted the spaces between buildings, adding tranquility and harmony to the city.
At the city's edge lay a vast forest, towering trees lush and green.
Hidden within the forest were ancient temples and Taoist monasteries, standing silently as if guarding the land. Occasionally, spiritual creatures darted through the forest, bringing a touch of vitality to the serene landscape.
Ma Lang gazed at it all, feeling a profound sense of awe. He had never seen such a wondrous city, where science fiction and ancient charm merged seamlessly, creating a dreamlike world.
The bubble-like vehicle continued its flight, carrying them over the city and toward the grand crystal palace square at its heart.
Ma Lang closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to calm his amazed heart, and curiously asked Imi, "How does this vehicle charge? Do we have enough credits?"
"Sir, this is free. As long as we don't use secret coins, everything is free, yes~!" Imi looked at Ma Lang with wide, matter-of-fact eyes.
"We have some secret coins, but not many. They're in the family account, saved by the young mistress for you, yes~! We only withdraw occasionally for special needs, mainly to buy medicine for your treatment or secret energy foods, which are called secret points, yes~!
The young mistress wants to prepare a solid foundation for your spirit awakening. You can access the family account through the cloud system at any time." Imi continued in her unique tone when she noticed Ma Lang's lack of response.
As she spoke, the bubble descended at the edge of the square. Ma Lang casually ruffled Imi's small head and stepped out first, maintaining his usual stern expression as Imi led the way, bouncing along to the central area.
Before they reached it, a cacophony of cries and commotion erupted ahead. The energy in the giant starry eye in his sea of consciousness responded violently, confirming his suspicions.