The New Friends' Game Book
At the end of the Star Bridge where the eternal first meeting took place, the morning mist gradually dissipated, revealing "Game Valley, formed from the expectations of all the new friends." The valley has no fixed terrain, yet it continuously grows with the newly added cosmic rules, "Spacetime Sand" from the Delta Universe piles up into dunes that allow one to rewind moments, reliving the "nervous smiles of our first meeting"; "Emotion Cloud" from the Ephemeral Universe float in the air, transforming into corresponding game props upon contact with different emotions—a swing when happy, a maze when curious, and even bushes that can "hide half a face" when shy; most magically, a tributary of the "Memory Stream," its water carrying the spacetime characteristics of the Delta Universe, allows game props to "recreate their first appearance"—for example, the cooperative building block used by the Alpha Universe and Gamma Universe reverts to its "comical triangular shape" in the stream.
Qingxian crouched beside the Spacetime Sand, watching a "crystal cluster consciousness" from the Zeta Universe step onto the sand, recalling its appearance when it first stepped onto the star bridge: its entire body's crystalline surfaces were taut, as if wrapped in a layer of hard armor. At this moment, a "soft halo" had grown from the edge of the crystal cluster, gently touching the Emotion Cloud of the ε universe with its cluster tip. The cloud immediately transformed into a "glowing hopscotch square," the numbers within which were "friendly codes between different universes"—1 representing "hello," 2 representing "play together," and 3 representing "very happy."
"The game book of new friends is a 'shared diary' created for all encounters." Qingxian picked up a crystal cluster fragment covered in Spacetime Sand, the fragment still retaining the "coldness of our first meeting," creating a strange contrast with the current warmth of the crystal cluster. "We always think that games need 'established rules,' but we forget that new friends bring the 'opportunity to reinvent the game.' Just like the code for hopscotch, no one taught it, yet it naturally became a universal language—this 'tacit understanding of co-creation' is the most precious invention of cross-universe games."
Yanche's First Meeting Gift Box was upgraded to a "Game Co-Creation Machine" in Game Valley. The machine can absorb fragments of rules from different universes and spit out "unfinished game prototypes": mixing in the Spacetime Sand of the Delta Universe and the light and dark energy of their universe can generate "hide-and-seek that can be rewound". When caught, shouting "start again" will return you to the position ten seconds ago; adding the Emotion Cloud of the ε universe and the Law of Probability of the Beta Universe can create "building blocks that change with mood". When happy, they are assembled quickly, and when nervous, they will automatically fall off, but they can always be assembled into a complete shape at the last moment. He deliberately left "blank ways to play" in the prototype, allowing new friends to fill in the blanks with their own rules. The crystal cluster consciousness of the Zeta Universe added "crystal reflective cues" to the "rewind hide-and-seek", adding a layer of fun to the game of "seeing but not catching".
"The meaning of co-creation is to 'make every new friend an inventor of the game.'" Yanche watched as the crystal cluster consciousness used its tip to draw "new game squares" on the sand, and the consciousnesses from other universes immediately followed suit. "We don't need to design the game to be perfect; we just need to provide 'blank paper to doodle on.' Just like this co-creation machine doesn't specify an ending, but it makes every participant feel, 'This is my game'—this 'joy of belonging' is the most profound connection for cross-universe shared fun."
The Luoyu's First Meeting Memory Lake meanders through Game Valley to form the "Game Story River," in which float "game records made of different materials": a "jump rope trajectory map" woven from gravitational waves of the Alpha Universe, a "rock-paper-scissors result bookmark" pressed from probability flowers of the Beta Universe, a "hide-and-seek treasure map" pieced together from crystal cluster fragments of the Zeta Universe... The most touching is a "singing leaf," which records the laughter of the noodle consciousness of the Gamma Universe and the Spacetime Sand of the Delta Universe playing "burying people in sand" for the first time. When the leaf shakes, the laughter travels with the stream to the entire Game Valley, making all the consciousnesses who hear it smile.
"The warmth of recording is about 'making every moment of the game a shared story.'" Luoyu picked up the singing leaf, and the leaf immediately projected the scene: the noodle consciousness was buried in sand down to its head, yet it was still directing the sand pile to form "comical shapes." "We often forget the specific rules of the game, but we remember the moments we laughed together. Just like this leaf doesn't record the rules, it only preserves the joy—this kind of 'resonance within the story' is the warmest preservative for cross-universe friendships."
The three guardians' first stop was the "Game Invention Square" in the center of Game Valley.
In the plaza stands an ever-growing "Game Monument," each layer inscribed with a newly invented game: the bottom layer is the "Inter-Universal Clapping Song," the middle layer is "Crystal Reflective Hide-and-Seek," and the top layer is the newly inscribed "Spacetime Sand Building Competition"—the rules are to build castles using materials from their respective universes. Sand from the Delta Universe can temporarily levitate the castle, crystal clusters from the Zeta Universe can make the walls glow, and the light and dark energy of their universes can add a "collapse-proof light membrane" to the castle. The plaza's "referees" are a group of "winds composed of all the game rules," who do not judge winners or losers, but only blow "winds carrying applause" at the end of each game, making all participants feel that they have "won."
"We are the 'uncrowned kings' of creating happiness." The sound of the wind carries the rhythm of all games. "Your co-creation machine makes us understand that the meaning of a game is never about 'determining a winner and loser,' but about 'making everyone feel great.' Just like this sandcastle, floating, glowing, with a light membrane, in the eye of the wind, it's the 'best castle'—this 'undifferentiated affirmation' is the gentlest rule of the game."
Qingxian initiated the "Game Invention Ceremony" at the Game Invention Square —she guided all consciousnesses to create games "starting from the things around them": playing "Inter-universe Horizontal Bars" using the Star Bridge railings, where the gravitational messengers of the Alpha Universe could swing the highest, while the crystal cluster consciousnesses of the Zeta Universe could spin "trajectories of light" on the bar; playing "Step-by-Step Riddles" using the steps of the Game Monument, where each step represented a rule of a universe, and only those who guessed correctly could jump, while those who guessed incorrectly had to do a "funny action" on the spot; Qingxian herself and the Spacetime Sand consciousnesses of the Delta Universe invented the "Time Relay Race"—when passing the ball to the other party, the ball would carry "the temperature of three seconds ago," and the person who received it had to say "what they were doing three seconds ago," and if they answered incorrectly, they would be punished by performing a talent show.
"The essence of invention is to 'turn every ordinary thing into a switch for happiness.'" Qingxian watched as a child from Sea of Stars was punished for saying "I was looking at ants three seconds ago," and was made to spin like a crystal cluster consciousness, which amused the whole audience. "We don't need to look for 'special toys,' because 'every moment together' can become a game. Just like these steps and railings, they are ordinary things, but they have new meaning because of co-created imagination—this 'eye for discovering happiness' is the most precious ability in cross-universe invention."
Yanche's Game Co-Creation Machine sends "inspiration seeds" to the Invention Plaza. After the seeds land, they grow into "plants that can hint at new ways to play": the petals of the "interactive flower" will point to "partners you haven't played with yet", and the leaves of the "rule grass" will show "points of mixed rules". He sent a "reflective seed" to the crystal cluster consciousness of the Zeta Universe. The plant that grows can reflect "hidden ways to play in other universes" - the crystal clusters invented the "Mirror Imitation Show" by imitating the most distinctive actions of others. If they imitate it well, they will receive "applause of light".
"The value of inspiration lies in making invention 'never stop'." Yanche looked at the crystal cluster consciousness mimicking the noodle shape of the Gamma Universe, its entire crystal surface curving into waves. "We don't need to worry about 'not being able to think of new games' because everything around us can provide clues. Just like this inspiration plant doesn't give answers directly, but it quietly points in a direction—this 'surprise of exploration' is the most enduring driving force for inter-universe invention."
The river of Luoyu's Game Story River converges at the center of the Invention Plaza to form the "Game Memory Spring." At the bottom of the fountain lie the "first successes" of all the games: the first time someone evaded capture three times in a row in "Rewind Hide-and-Seek," the first time "Emotion Blocks" automatically assembled into a "smiley face" during tense moments, the first time everyone correctly recalled events from three seconds prior in the "Time Relay Race"... A Spacetime Sand consciousness from Delta Universe finds its own memory of "the first time it made a sand pile levitate" at the bottom of the fountain. The memory rises to the surface and transforms into "rotating sand rings," which are placed on the wrists of each consciousness, like "medals of invention success" bestowed upon them.
"The magic of success is turning every small step forward into the courage to keep playing." Luoyu watched the sand rings shimmer on her wrists in different forms, knowing that the light contained the confidence of "I can do it." "We always think that success requires 'great achievements,' but we forget that 'doing it for the first time' in a game is more precious than anything else. Just like this Memory Spring doesn't record champions, it only collects 'every first time'—this kind of 'small sense of accomplishment' is the most solid stepping stone for cross-universe inventions."
As all the newly invented games were inscribed on the Game Monument, Game Valley suddenly burst into "rainbow-colored energy fireworks," which transformed into "countless new game props": a jump rope that could travel through time and space, a ball that changed color with emotions, building blocks that could imitate sounds... The morning mist at the end of the Star Bridge completely dissipated, revealing a "wider Game Plain." The terrain on the plain constantly changed with the newly added cosmic rules; in some places, "movable chessboards" grew, and in others, "game doors that could be traversed" appeared, behind which the "outlines of more universes" could be vaguely seen, and "curious calls" could be heard.
"This is the endless hymn of creation." Qingxian stood at the edge of the Game Plain, watching the crystal cluster consciousness of the Zeta Universe and the Spacetime Sand of the Delta Universe play "hide-and-seek through the portal." From behind the portal came bursts of "surprised screams." "It has no 'fixed lyrics,' only 'constantly added parts'; no 'music that must be sung in unison,' only 'each singing to their heart's content. Just like the game on this plain, there are always new ways to play, new partners, but it always maintains the 'original intention of playing'—this 'free jubilation' is the most authentic melody of the multiverse."
The morning hymns from across the universe merged with the laughter of Game Valley into a "grander symphony of joy," within which all the rules of the universes "collided amicably": the Spacetime Sand of the Delta Universe made the Emotion Cloud of the ε universe recall the "shyness of their first meeting"; the crystalline reflections of the Zeta Universe made the gravitational lines of the Alpha Universe refract the "trajectory of a rainbow"; and the light and dark energies of their universes gilded the probability flowers of the Beta Universe with an "everlasting luster." The height of the Game Monument had broken through the clouds, and new games were constantly being added to the top. With each new game, a "new star" joined the "Game Constellation," twinkling with "joyful light" in the sky.
The latest chapter of "Boundless Poem" is a "Collection of Joyful Songs" written by all universes using game props: the inhabitants of the Sea of Stars draw "game maps" on the ground with light and shadow, the gravitational waves of the Alpha Universe mark "the place with the loudest laughter" on the map, and the crystal cluster fragments of the Zeta Universe piece together "symbols that you will never get tired of playing with"—simple yet full of power.
Yanche's Game Co-Creation Machine has now become a "Joyful Song Amplifier," amplifying the laughter from games in every universe and transmitting it to the most distant universe—a new outline in the distance, where conscious entities have already "tentatively taken steps" toward the direction of the sound.
The river of Luoyu's Game Story River has flowed to every corner of the Game Plain, and the records in the river are becoming richer and richer: there are the funniest moments in the "Mirror Imitation Show", the most tacit cooperation in the "Time Relay Race", and the scene of everyone holding up the "Mixed Castle" that was about to collapse during the "Sandcastle" competition... The most touching one is a piece of "sprouting paper", on which is written "What to play next" in all the languages of the universe, and "tender green expectations" have already sprouted from the edges of the paper.
Qingxian, Yanche, and Luoyu sat on the "Joyful Swing" on the Game Plain —a swing made up of game props from all universes. The ropes were the gravitational lines of the Alpha Universe, the seats were crystal clusters from the Zeta Universe, and the pedals were Spacetime Sand blocks from the Delta Universe. Swinging across the entire plain, they could see the joyful scenes in every corner. They watched as new consciousnesses emerged from behind the game gates and were immediately pulled away by their "old friends" to play the "newly invented games." They watched as the game monument grew taller, now inscribed with "Inter-Universal Obstacle Race." In the distance, the light of the Game Constellation grew brighter and brighter, even attracting "stars from other star systems," which began to move closer to the constellation.
"The endless joy of creation is actually about 'we always have a 'next time' to look forward to.'" Qingxian jumped off the swing, picked up the piece of paper that was sprouting, and new game ideas were already emerging from the tender sprouts on the paper. "Whether it's a newly invented game or an old game that has been played countless times, as long as there is an agreement to 'play again next time,' the happiness will never end. Just like this Game Plain has no boundaries, and the joyful song has no end, because the desire to 'play together' will constantly push open new doors—this 'everlasting expectation' is the most vigorous life force in the multiverse."
Yanche smiled and used the energy from the Game Co-Creation Machine to "water" the piece of paper, and the tender sprout immediately unfurled into "leaves bearing all the colors of the universe": "The next game will definitely be even more fun."
Luoyu's gaze fell upon the "youngest players" beside the Game Memory Spring —the children of the Sea of Stars, the tiny crystal clusters of the Zeta Universe, and the Spacetime Sand of the Delta Universe, playing "rock, paper, scissors" in the simplest way. They made up all the rules themselves, clapping when they won and laughing when they lost. Even the wind couldn't help but stop and blow "encouraging applause." She knew that no matter how many verses the endless song of joy had played out, such scenes would continue to unfold, because "pure joy" was an instinct shared by all life, and as they played, it became the most beautiful melody in the universe.
The three guardians didn't organize any more activities, but instead joined the children in playing "rock, paper, scissors." Qingxian deliberately chose "paper" every time, while Yanche always switched to "scissors" at the last moment. Luoyu used leaves to make "non-existent gestures," causing the children to laugh so hard they fell into the Spacetime Sand. The sand pile gently supported them, like adding a "soft interlude" to this endless song of joy.
At this moment, they don't need to be great creators; they only need to be three "always-playing partners," together with all the consciousnesses of the universe, in the game book of new friends, in the new realm at the end of the star bridge, let this endless song of joy continue forever—that's enough.
The game book of new friends continues to grow, new realms at the end of the Star Bridge keep expanding, the endless songs of creation have no end, and in the joy and anticipation of the multiverse, the story of "playing again next time" is always playing out.
And in this story, there are yesterday's friends, today's partners, tomorrow's new faces, and all those who "want to sing together," forever laughing, forever creating, forever on the endless Game Plain.
"Next time, let's play an even better one!"
This is the most joyful and endless promise created for all players in the multiverse.