Beautiful Fairy

What made this latest Holographic Technology special was that it changed the traditional visual-and-auditory gaming model. By capturing the frequency of neural consciousness in the brain, it projected players into more immersive settings, similar to experiencing a dream.

Research into this technology had begun long ago. It had entered internal testing five years earlier and had been kept well hidden, first trialed by military personnel before continuous adjustments confirmed that it was suitable for everyone.

Last year, the state had officially announced that Holographic Technology had succeeded and was being put into use worldwide.

However, over the past year, it had only been used by a handful of high-tech companies. Ordinary people did not know much about it. With the advancement of modern information technology, the state was preparing to promote it, and modern technology was expected to enter a new stage.

Because Full Speed Ahead! had the foundation laid by its previous seasons, as well as incredibly powerful financial backers, the state had chosen Season Four of Full Speed Ahead! as one of its promotional pilot programs. The production team had initially planned to start with ordinary AR technology, but the response had been less than ideal. Since the timing was about right, they put the long-prepared Holographic Technology into use as well.

The machinery required for Holographic Technology was even simpler than ultra-fast VR: just four Holographic Pods, designed with spacecraft cabins as reference.

The acceleration team members needed to board an interstellar spacecraft and enter the Holographic Pods before they could reach the Interstellar Universe.

This technology primarily stimulated brain cells, so what it consumed was mainly "mental energy."

That was why this season had been positioned from the beginning as "a brand-new acceleration challenge combining brains and brawn," while gradually teasing the launch of holographic simulation technology.

The popularity of the previous season had allowed Full Speed Ahead! to reap enormous benefits. Its powerful sponsors and the positive energy of earlier seasons had made people anticipate the show long in advance, which was why Xiao Ming, who had lucked into such a huge opportunity, had gained nearly several hundred thousand followers after just one episode. Of course, his several hundred thousand followers were an especially exaggerated case; normally, gaining several tens of thousands was already considered quite good.

Although most of Xiao Ming's fans were there for the spectacle and were curious about Holographic Technology, Xiao Ming's strong performance in the first episode meant that, in a sense, people had "high hopes" for him. Or perhaps it was their rebellious mentality toward his constant silence and refusal to respond to other matters, combined with most of Qu An's fans, that had led to the final result.

Task Four Released

Acceleration Energy has now been frozen. It will be completely frozen when 2 minutes remain. Acceleration team members can obtain a maximum of 45,000 Acceleration Energy. Two additional hunters will be deployed. To eliminate the hunters and unfreeze Acceleration Energy, you must board the interstellar spacecraft, reach the Interstellar Universe, obtain the password, and enter it into the power switch at the Heavenly Fairy Theater.

There were 8 acceleration team members remaining and 6 hunters.

This meant they had no choice but to complete the task. Otherwise, even if they tried to hide, the additional hunters would increase their risk.

The matter of the new Interstellar Universe technology had been explained to the guests in their contracts. Xiao Ming had seen it when he signed his, but he had not felt much of a stir inside. When it came to the research and development of such technology, he often learned of its existence earlier than most people.

Both his parents were researchers in physics, while his grandparents worked in chemistry. The processes and progress of their research were naturally confidential, but Xiao Ming was not completely ignorant of their achievements.

It was just that he did not have much talent in those fields. So when he participated in the provincial physics and chemistry competitions in high school, all they ultimately gave him were bonus points for the college entrance exam.

His aptitude for the humanities and sciences had been about equal. He could be considered the type of student with the most balanced grades—there were no outstanding strengths to pick out, nor any weaknesses to find.

The new college entrance examination system had already been implemented nationwide when he was in high school. The capital used the "3+3" model: Chinese, mathematics, and English were mandatory, while students chose three out of the remaining six subjects—physics, history, chemistry, biology, geography, and politics.

Influenced by his family, he chose physics, chemistry, and politics. Yet his eventual university major leaned toward the humanities. As for the reason, perhaps he had hoped his parents would notice him. Maybe choosing different subjects would make them ask about him a little more.

But they did not. They had known long ago that Xiao Ming lacked talent, so they had not cared what major he ultimately chose.

After receiving the task notification, Xiao Ming and Qu An immediately rushed toward the fourth task location. They could be said to be exceptionally proactive.

For Xiao Ming, whose opponent in the last task had been injured, this task was truly ideal. His hand seemed to have split open a little more during the previous task, and faint bloodstains had seeped through the bandage.

Qu An had stayed close to him the whole time, but he had been constantly watching their surroundings for danger and had not noticed anything unusual about him.

Xiao Ming arrived at the task location in a state of constant anxiety.

On the way to the interstellar spacecraft, a highly dramatic scene unfolded. Feng Danke, who had only recently been revived, was quickly captured by a hunter. He had not even been back in the game for two minutes. How pitiful.

There were four Holographic Pods inside the interstellar spacecraft. Upon entering one, a player would immediately connect to the Interstellar Universe. If an acceleration team member went offline in the Interstellar Universe, the other members could reenter the spacecraft, greatly changing the predicament from last season, when tasks could not be completed if all team members went offline.

Xiao Ming and Qu An, who arrived first, lay directly into the Holographic Pods. Neither of them was unfamiliar with the device.

Qu An had tried it before through his father's side of the family.

As for Xiao Ming, although he had never seen any information related to it before, he had nearly instantly known who had created the pods the moment he saw them.

During the year when his body had been occupied by "Xiao Ming," the other person had been focused on studying acting and tirelessly auditioning, so he had never paid attention to such things. And in the more than month since Xiao Ming regained control of his body, over half his time had been spent studying Qu An.

On the Holographic Pod's shell was a symbol resembling an asterisk, except the vertical stroke in the center had been replaced with a Z-shaped line. It was the habitual mark Xiao Ming's parents used on their work.

The symbol was made up of an "X" and a "Z," taken from the initials of his parents' surnames. The asterisk design was because the two of them researched technology related to space.

It seemed that their years of research had succeeded. They had probably... no, they had definitely already begun researching their next project.

It was always like this. He had long gotten used to it. If they could have a meal with him during the New Year and remembered that they had a son, that was already pretty good.

Only at this moment did he have no choice but to admit the main reason he had accepted this variety show, the reason he had always buried deep inside his heart.

He wanted his parents to see him. He wanted their attention. He wanted... to become their pride.

But...

A smile appeared at the corner of Xiao Ming's lips, though it was filled with obvious self-mockery.

Qu An saw him standing blankly beside the Holographic Pod for a while and called out to him. Xiao Ming immediately responded and lay down.

The inside of the Holographic Pod was not designed for lying flat. Instead, it was like the adjustable seats on a high-speed train, allowing users to set the angle according to their habits.

After entering the Holographic Pod, users needed to put on something like a helmet and fasten their seat belts. Once worn, electrodes automatically popped out and adhered to their temples. It was somewhat like the charging AI in AI works that had become popular a few years ago.

Not long after Xiao Ming and Qu An lay down, Pang Ba came in as well. Seeing that neither of them had put on their helmets yet, she greeted them.

"Young man, you look so handsome."

Qu An glanced sideways at Pang Ba, fastened his seat belt without hesitation, then put on his helmet. He did not forget to subtly urge Xiao Ming as well.

"Get ready to go to the Interstellar Universe."

Seeing Qu An's series of actions, Pang Ba curled her lips.

Where had that gentle, obedient, gentlemanly, high-EQ persona gone? Why had Qu An's image fallen apart so badly?

What an unlovable kid.

The moment he entered the holographic Interstellar Universe, Xiao Ming felt as if he were floating in the air.

All around him was the vast, boundless universe. Beautiful rivers of stars shimmered with starlight, while various suspended planets and dust clouds looked equally magnificent.

He felt incredibly light. He cautiously took a step and landed on solid ground. Before him stood the entrance to an opera garden, somewhat similar to the one belonging to the Celestial Immortal Opera Troupe.

Qu An and Pang Ba appeared beside him afterward. Looking at them, Xiao Ming found it incredible.

Because they looked no different from their real selves. They looked exactly as they did in reality. If he had not been unable to feel pain, he would truly have thought he was physically standing somewhere else.

"Let's go in."

The three of them walked toward the opera garden, and the surroundings immediately changed again. A mirror appeared before Xiao Ming, allowing him to clearly see what he looked like now: he wore a gorgeous purple opera costume outlined in golden thread, his hair arranged in a beautiful coiffure adorned with all kinds of jewels. His lips were painted crimson, his makeup was heavy, and his face glowed like peach blossoms.

But Xiao Ming had only one thought: Good thing I'm not wearing this in reality. It looks hot and heavy.

Someone beside him teasingly called out, "Seventh Fairy, it's time to go to the Magpie Bridge and look upon your mortal lover."

So they were playing role-playing this season. Xiao Ming was not familiar with this sort of thing. He needed to reunite with the other two as soon as possible.

Yes, they had been separated after entering. This opening was not very safe.

The person beside him urged Xiao Ming to go onstage for rehearsal, so he could only adapt to the situation and head over. The moment he stepped onto the stage, he saw Qu An dressed in plain cloth, laboring diligently.

Thinking of "Seven Fairies," "Magpie Bridge," and "lover," Xiao Ming immediately realized that they were in The Heavenly Match. The Seven Fairies played on the Magpie Bridge in heaven with the other fairies, saw Dong Yong in the mortal world, and descended to earth out of longing for mortal life.

After looking around and finding Pang Ba, Xiao Ming rarely felt speechless. Why was he, the man, playing the role of the Seven Fairies, while Pang Ba was playing a wealthy gentleman?

The instant Qu An saw Xiao Ming, his eyes lit up. Xiao Ming had a masculine body but feminine features, and he was very beautiful. Opera makeup tended to blur gender, making him look even more like a fairy.

Oh, he was a fairy now.

And although Qu An wore plain cloth and his face was covered in sweat, neither could hide his handsome face or the hormones radiating from his entire body. No wonder the Seven Fairies had longed for mortal life and descended to earth.

Since the performance had not begun yet, the three gathered together to discuss what they knew.

[I'll just say it confidently: hi, wife, hi, husband.]

[It's normal to have one wife and one husband, right?]

[Hiss, hiss, Xiao Ming in that outfit is a fairy incarnate, isn't he?]

[So beautiful. When I was little, I thought the story of the Seven Fairies and Dong Yong was so moving. When I grew up, I couldn't understand why the Seven Fairies would long for mortal life and descend to earth. Dong Yong was just a farmer, but now...]

[If Dong Yong were this handsome, I'd give him my life.]

[Whose precious wife is this? Ah, mine! He looks so beautiful in purple. I want to grab him and kiss him.]

[Xiao Ming's current appearance really... my phantom limb is about to explode.]

[So gorgeous, so gorgeous. When can he act again?]

[Holographic Technology is seriously amazing. It can actually preserve consciousness images, and the projections look so much like the people themselves.]

[It's seriously amazing. China is the best.]

[I'm crying. Our country's technology is truly advancing.]

[Thank you to all the technology workers for your hard work!]

"How much do you understand about the situation now? The official performance will begin soon," Pang Ba asked.

Just then, a panel floated up before them.

Task Notification

Many audience members have arrived at the opera garden. The password is on their seats, but you must perform before them. The audience will cause disturbances to stop you from carrying out the task. Acceleration team members can pause the audience's time, but the button is in the offline theater. Each press pauses them for two minutes. To continue, you must press it again.

The rules were clearly stated, and both the online and offline acceleration team members quickly understood them. After Task Four was released, the offline members went to wait at the Heavenly Fairy Theater. Entry was allowed, but exit was not. A hunter was patrolling inside, and the venue was open with few places to hide.

The acceleration team members entering the offline theater were Zhong Ka, Guan Jun, and Lin Shange. Shan Yi stayed outside in case all the online acceleration team members went offline and no one was available to take over the task.

A hunter also appeared on Xiao Ming's side. The hunter patrolled the audience seating area and would not go onstage.

The show began. Several NPCs came up from the side, and the graceful melodies of Huangmei Opera began to play.

Xiao Ming instantly grew nervous because he could not sing, much less perform opera. Remembering something, he looked at Qu An, whose face immediately turned green. That made sense—Qu An had not appeared on many variety shows, but one of them had exposed the fact that he was tone-deaf.

Fortunately, when it came to their parts, the opera continued even if they did not open their mouths. The people around them simply pulled them into performing.

Watching the expressions and movements of the people beside him, Xiao Ming's mind automatically replayed the story of The Heavenly Match that he had seen. As the NPC beside him repeatedly called "Seventh Sister," he immersed himself in the Seven Fairies' role. A dreamy expression unconsciously appeared on his face, and when "Dong Yong" looked at "her," he shyly withdrew his gaze, looking every bit like a delicate young lady.

Qu An naturally noticed Xiao Ming's unusual state. He had immersed himself in the role. When they had filmed that commercial before, Qu An had taught Xiao Ming method acting techniques, and it had taken Xiao Ming quite a while to find the feeling. But now he had entered the role instantly. Clearly, Xiao Ming belonged to the experiential school of acting.