PART 02

He and I continued to stare at each other in silence

Before long, an elderly man with a long beard reaching his chest strolled in from the other end of the corridor, dressed in a light brown robe. Upon seeing the young boy, he revealed a faint smile and said, "Little one, where are you off to this time?"

I couldn't even be bothered to wag my tail, and with my small eyes, I cast a disdainful glance at him, saying, "You are such a scammer! After insulting me with such a flashy color, do you still expect me to perform a high-difficulty pole dance for you and sing the passionate guerrilla song?"

In a moment of excitement, I looked around and turned my head, hoping to see more different scenes. The pink veil still gently swayed, and beyond the pink veil stood a tall figure, shrouded in a hazy mist. I was taken aback, and in my heart, I wondered if this was the legendary NPC

Compared to the original territory of our shrimp clan, it is nothing but stones and holes, entirely a realm of the common folk

As the old turtle walked, the young boy excitedly opened his hands and pointed to the various buildings, saying: "Look, this is the palace of the Seventh Prince, grand and beautiful... Look, this is the palace of the Ninth Prince, luxurious and magnificent... Look... this is the palace of the Third Prince..."

I became even more despondent, while he held me and murmured all the way. I remained stiff as a shrimp, from head to toe, not even moving a single antenna.

I knew you would be happy!" He spoke to himself, clasping his hands together and enclosing me inside as he ran.

I am filled with tears, recalling the red cinnabar staining my body, and suddenly I am overcome with a sense of furious indignation, as if a valiant warrior could be killed but not humiliated

Upon thinking of this layer, I felt invigorated, both curious and amused, holding my breath and squinting my eyes to gaze directly at that shadowy figure

At last, I can hold my head high! He laughed joyfully, enveloping me in his embrace, and with a large brush, he applied thick vermilion paint, sweeping it over me again and again

Where is the cinnabar?" He searched around.

I was dripping with cold sweat, looking at him with my small eyes in a foolish manner

However, I was somewhat reluctant about the situation that followed. While I was standing there in a daze, I heard a background sound prompting me: It is time for you to reach out and touch...

Shrimp, look at yourself, look! He extended his hand, conjuring a translucent small mirror, facing me. I took a glance, and immediately my entire shrimp body wilted.

The young boy performed a proper bow and said, "Thank you, Grandpa Turtle!"

With the heart of an old maiden, my chest raced with excitement, and I longed to rush over and lift the veil, to see what kind of handsome face would be atop such a tall and slender figure

Ah, here! The young boy completely ignored my frustration, rummaging through the drawer of the desk, and pulling out a porcelain box. Upon opening the box, it revealed a bright red interior, which was precisely the vermilion he had been longing for.

I feel as hopeless as a human diagnosed with cancer. As a humble shrimp striving for low profile, if I were to jump into the spotlight in such a high-profile manner in the future, I would rather just die.

I was stunned for quite a while, and only then did I suddenly realize that this is indeed the royal residential area, with an uninterrupted stretch of royal residences all around.

The young boy revealed a charming smile, nodding his small head.

I am quite astonished that I can be so imaginative in my dreams

Oh dear, the time is almost up. If you can't find it soon, you'll have to appear like this, looking so exhausted. Oh, it's truly unappealing!" He complained, and his gaze towards me immediately turned resentful.

I was completely absorbed when the large old turtle suddenly came to a halt. On one side of the turtle stood a man in a black robe with a golden belt. His hair was as dark as ink, and he wore a golden crown adorned with a dragon claw pearl. He turned his face and revealed a faint smile to the young boy, causing his pair of black eyes to shine brilliantly: "May I hitch a ride and accompany you to the competition?"

After leaving the residence of the blue fish, there was indeed a gigantic old turtle coiled at the entrance. I secretly peered through my fingers and roughly compared it; it was about the size of the round table I had when I was in the human world.

According to the usual development of the plot, the next scene should be me reaching out to push that large shell. However, dreams often stop at this moment, and I would suddenly wake up. But this time, I merely gazed tiredly at the large shell, my mind completely wandering.

Little one, could you please take me along!

Hello, Grandpa! I watched his big eyes rolling around through my fingers.

He gently stroked my back with his little finger, while softly coaxing me: "If you bring honor to our Qingyu clan, I will spoil you in the future; you can eat whatever you want and play with whatever you wish!"

You can do it, you will definitely win

I have no concept at all, looking at him with my small eyes in a silly manner

I stood still, facing the shell, and for some reason, I suddenly couldn't help but yawn. I feel quite sorry; in the previous N times, I was sad, I was sorrowful, I was bitter, but after coming to the same place N times, I feel that I am left with nothing but a sense of numbness.

I am extremely distressed, having lost two or three of my shrimp whiskers. Who is happy to be a completely red shrimp? Isn't this just asking for trouble?

The young boy nodded blankly.

I jumped from the hands of the young boy, my emotions stirred as I wagged my tail. I spat, and then I remembered that this fellow was actually the scammer who had previously tricked me into swimming in footbath water.

Oh dear, you were just lying motionless at the bottom of the cup, and I thought I had killed you. I was just about to fish you out!" He looked at me with some concern as he poured me out from the cup and examined me carefully in the palm of his hand

This is absolutely impossible

I twisted in his hand, my tail swaying back and forth, sometimes curling around his finger in a circle. He looked very pleased and said, "What is it, you are happy again, aren't you?"

That posture is just like brushing butter on lamb skewers

The veil was finally completely lifted, and then I saw his eyes, dark as the unfathomable deep sea, silent yet concealing intense emotions

"Shrimp, are you warming up?" I forgot, I am now the pet of a little boy, currently trapped in the cup he usually drinks from. He watches me jump around with curiosity, his bright black eyes wide open, and asks, "Do you know that you are about to participate in a competition?"

After passing through the corridor, he arrived at the wing rooms. He turned left and right, and entered an ancient-style study. Looking around, he turned his body and slipped inside, entering the inner room, where he finally let out a sigh of relief

I silently watched him, completely disinterested. Can you imagine the situation of a tiny shrimp the size of a half-finger amidst large fish and meat?

He joyfully ran out, with his hands clasped together, and suddenly stopped in his tracks as he passed through the corridor. He bowed respectfully.

Only fully cooked shrimp will appear bright red

I was enveloped by him, unable to move, my old tears streaming down, stained with a layer of bright red. This vermilion powder is both fine and fragmented, seeping through my shell and penetrating into my flesh, and I watched as my flesh transformed into a vivid red.

"What’s wrong with you, have you gotten too excited? How could you even lose your antennae!" The young boy was puzzled, picking me up and examining me closely

Indeed, just like a 3D game, there are actually narrators as well. Wow, will there be tasks to complete next? Could it be that my dream is a 3D game version? Is it possible that completing all the tasks will yield rewards?

I was filled with indignation, jumping on the table more than ten times to express my outrage as a small shrimp

The dream remains as it was before, the sequence of scenes just like in the past. A gentle breeze wafts through the corridor, causing the gauze curtain to flutter slightly. I am dressed in a bright red long gown, adorned with a golden hairpin, slowly walking past the pink gauze curtain. Following this is a long hall, where I see a large shell. As the shell opens and closes, a halo radiates, soft and sacred.

The veil slowly lifted, and I saw his smooth, fair chin. Just that chin alone was enough to suggest that he must be a handsome man. I hurriedly swallowed, hesitating as I leaned closer to him. There was an impulse in my heart to see him as soon as possible

Alright, rest up, we are about to go to the competition! He excitedly stroked my shrimp head, and I awkwardly squirmed, my entire body shifting four or five times in his small palm

"Hi, handsome!" I raised my hand and made a classic friendly wave like Princess Diana. Just as I was about to engage in further conversation, the dream suddenly came to an abrupt halt, plunging into darkness. I gasped and jumped up, bouncing several times in the small cup before I finally regained my composure and steadied myself.

The shadow of a person stood for a while, slowly extending a large hand, gradually lifting the veil bit by bit. The veil was lifted very slowly, and I focused intently to see, as his figure gradually revealed itself behind the veil.

I was placed on the desk by him, bouncing around and twisting everywhere, watching him search in vain for that vermilion, feeling immensely pleased in my heart

He clearly saw me as well, his face pale, mouth agape, yet no sound escaped, his expression one of shock, his hand gripping the curtain tightly, knuckles turning white, veins bulging.

The old man approached, gently patting his head, with a kind and amiable smile: "Let the old turtle accompany you for a while. When you go to watch the competition, be careful with your words and speak slowly. Save everything to discuss upon your return. You must understand that this is a competition among the nobility of the aquatic creatures, and you cannot cause any disorder!"

I can also steal my brother's dew to help you take on human form!" He continued to encourage me

He praised me with satisfaction: "Good, shrimp, just maintain this vigorous energy!"

Where am I lacking? Where do I appear unattractive? As a small shrimp, I actively strive for improvement, thinking every day about reshaping my form, and I harbor grand aspirations that surpass those of a lobster. As a lobster, I can flick my tail more frequently than a dog can wag its tail. Those delicate antennae, along with my exquisite tail, make me a charming little shrimp among my kind.

I am filled with resentment, I hold grudges! I want to take revenge on society

What is first revealed is the corner of his robe. His long satin robe is orange, adorned with a pale golden thread depicting a fierce-looking dragon. The belt around his waist glimmers with gold, hanging a small crescent-shaped stone, which is dark gray and surrounded by a faint white glow

"So itchy!" He laughed heartily, lifting me up while laughing. He adjusted the little shrimp's antennae and tilted his head in thought, saying: "What do you think I should dress you up as to highlight the noble qualities of our bluefish clan?"

I remember that my grandfather had vermilion, which is incredibly bright red, and it would dye you completely red, making you stand out among all the pets! He tilted his head and thought for a long time, suddenly feeling happy, and pulled me outside.

It seems quite vast here. Through the gaps of the young boy's fingers, I looked ahead and was surprised to see a landscape adorned with mountains and water, lush green trees, resembling the scenery of the human world. Even the winding corridors with their numerous twists and turns were present. I could only see the occasional maid with a fish head or one carrying shells bowing to him, yet the young boy did not even glance at them, swiftly running past.

The old turtle chuckled heartily, turned aside, and lazily gestured for him to come up. I was jumping around in the little boy's hands, searching for a suitable angle to look around.

A few shrimp antennae were also lost in the process

The young boy looked eagerly at the old man and replied in a clear voice: "Grandfather, I want to go out to watch the competition. Today is the aquatic spirit pet competition, and I am curious to see it!"

My eyes suddenly lit up, could I shape a human form? This thought is so enticing that just thinking about it makes my heart race. In my excitement, I completely forgot that I am just a little shrimp, my tiny tail wagging repeatedly like a dog, and my shrimp head almost poked through the little boy's palm.

For instance, this shell is so large that the meat inside may have become too tough to chew. Additionally, the radiant brilliance may indicate that it is a source of radiation...