Chapter 335: Prize Draw

Qin Feng's silent "birthday celebration" was like an interlude in a grand cosmic epic, pushing the annual meeting's atmosphere to an indescribable climax. Though he had already left the venue, the emotions swirling in the auditorium lingered long, everyone savoring and discussing the awe and insight brought by the sea of floating lights.

Lei Dong stood on stage, taking several deep breaths to barely suppress his inner turmoil and regain control of the event's rhythm. He knew the annual meeting must continue—Qin Feng's appearance had already granted everyone sufficient confidence and room for imagination; now, it was time to return to more "down-to-earth" segments to further unify the crowd.

"... Thank you, Mr. Qin, for the... insight you've brought us." Lei Dong chose his words carefully, his gaze sweeping over the still-excited audience below. "The significance of your existence far exceeds what we can fathom. But what we can do is tread firmly on the ground, strive forward, and never betray this guardianship and expectation!"

He paused, a faint smile appearing on his face, his tone growing lighter: "So, before we move on to the next serious agenda item, let's have a little fun—consider it the Base's small token of appreciation for all your hard work."

He turned sideways, pointing to the massive circular holographic screen behind him. The display switched, revealing an incredibly dazzling, high-tech virtual wheel, divided into countless tiny segments, each glowing with different prize icons and names.

"As per tradition, we've prepared a generous prize-drawing segment!" Lei Dong's voice carried a smile. "Prizes include, but are not limited to: the latest Personal Flight Device, a customized Neural-Link gaming pod, a limited-edition commemorative Honor and Responsibility Badge from the maiden voyage of the 'Hope' Mother Ship, top-tier Gene Optimization Serum trial eligibility, and... Pure Energy Crystals from the Kunlun Ruins energy mine vein, specially provided by Logistics!"

Each prize announced triggered a murmur from the crowd, especially the final one—the Pure Energy Crystals—whose appeal to the scientists and transcenders present was immense!

"All registered members present have had your identity data uploaded to the system," Lei Dong explained. "Soon, the wheel on the big screen will activate, and the system will randomly select the lucky winners! Let's see who today's Luck will favor!"

The atmosphere instantly grew even more electric. Even the most stoic scientists now had eager glints in their eyes. Who wouldn't want to experience the thrill of flight? Or own a historically significant commemorative badge? And above all—the energy crystals that could directly enhance one's strength!

Xia Wan stood on stage, watching the eager crowd below, her lips involuntarily curving upward. This down-to-earth segment made her feel closer to everyone.

"Then, I declare the prize-drawing segment now..." Lei Dong raised his hand, ready to activate the system.

"Wait!"

A clear, teasing voice abruptly interrupted Lei Dong.

Everyone turned to look—on the front row of guest seats, Mo Yu had already climbed onto his chair (completely disregarding decorum), holding up Xiao Bao, who giggled foolishly in his arms, like a mascot.

"Commander Lei, isn't it boring to use a cold, mechanical system for the draw?" Mo Yu grinned broadly. "If we're here for fun, why not make it more exciting?"

Lei Dong froze, a sense of dread rising in his chest: "Mr. Mo, what do you mean?"

Mo Yu lifted Xiao Bao high—the Seven-Colored Dice in Xiao Bao's arms now emitted an unnaturally brilliant, light-distorting glow.

"Let my little one do it!" Mo Yu declared with absolute confidence (and gleeful mischief). "Let him be the prize-drawing guest! I guarantee it'll be fair, impartial, transparent—and... spectacular!"

The entire hall erupted in shock.

Let that baby holding a dice draw the prizes?!

Though everyone knew the child's origins were mysterious and he'd previously triggered a "leak" incident, this... could it possibly work?

Lei Dong's face turned green instantly. Let Xiao Bao do it? Who knew what absurd result he'd produce! What if he "accidentally" awarded the grand prize to the cleaning robot, or the commemorative badge to the Base cafeteria's spatula? The chaos would be unbearable!

"Mr. Mo, this... this violates protocol. The system was pre-programmed..." Lei Dong tried to refuse gently.

"Protocols are made to be broken!" Mo Yu cut him off, turning to Xiao Bao in his arms. "Son, show everyone your trick! Think of all those shiny prizes—who do you want to win them?"

Xiao Bao seemed to understand the word "shiny." His big eyes instantly sparkled. He looked down at the dice in his arms, now glowing brighter than ever, then up at the dazzling prize wheel on the screen. He grinned, toothless.

Then, under the despairing gaze of everyone—including Lei Dong—he hurled the Seven-Colored Dice into the air above him.

The dice did not fall. It hovered midair, spinning wildly. Its seven-colored glow flashed like neon, bathing the entire auditorium in surreal, shifting light.

An indescribable force—capable of altering reality and guiding causality—erupted from the dice, surging outward.

On the big screen, the once-stable virtual wheel twisted and blurred like water disturbed by a stone. The prize icons flickered, leapt, and reorganized chaotically. The pointer spun wildly, unrecognizable.

"Stop!" Mo Yu shouted theatrically.

The spinning dice halted instantly.

The face facing upward revealed a strange, luminous symbol no one could comprehend.

Simultaneously, the chaotic wheel on the screen froze.

The pointer, perfectly centered, pointed to a slot... that had never existed before, just now "generated."

The prize displayed inside was—

【"Deep Insight" and "Temporary Usage Rights" to the "Dragon Yuan Horn" research sample (bonus: one live lecture on "Probability Theory" by Father Mo Yu)】

The hall fell utterly silent.

Everyone stared, dumbfounded, at the prize description.

Dragon Yuan Horn? That precious fossil they'd discovered? Deep insight and temporary usage rights? What kind of prize is this?! And Father Mo Yu's live lecture? This...

The prize wasn't bad—in fact, for some (like Xia Wan), it was a dream opportunity! But the form... was it too childish?! And this wasn't even a pre-programmed reward!

But something even more unbelievable happened.

Beside the frozen wheel, a notification automatically appeared—

【Winner: Xia Wan】

Xia Wan: "..."

Lei Dong: "..."

The entire hall: "..."

Of course.

I knew it would be like this.

This wasn't a draw—it was blatant backroom manipulation! The Probability Child openly handing favors to his "sister"!

Mo Yu stared at the screen, nodded in satisfaction, caught the falling dice, and winked at Xia Wan, who looked utterly speechless: "Congratulations, Little Guardian! Lucky hands!"

Xia Wan looked at Mo Yu's smug grin, then at Xiao Bao, whose dice glow had faded and who now grinned foolishly at her. For a moment, she had no words.

This "prize draw"...

Was truly "spectacular"—leaving everyone speechless.

Lei Dong rubbed his forehead, feeling utterly drained. He forced himself to announce: "Congratulations to Xia Wan... for winning... uh... the special prize."

He decided: from now on, all random events must place Mo Yu and his son on the highest-risk control list.

This extraordinary "prize draw" ended in a bizarre, absurdly hilarious atmosphere.

And Xia Wan, inexplicably, gained legal research rights to the "Dragon Yuan Horn," and the chance to be guided by an unreliable "mentor."

Was this... the annual meeting's greatest "surprise"?