Chapter 24
In the Canary Islands, inside a certain burger joint’s dressing room
Wen Xingze, pulling a Rilakkuma version of Chi Yan, cradled a SpongeBob SquarePants plushie as he returned backstage. Perhaps it was because he had snagged the limited-edition SpongeBob, or maybe it was the satisfaction of putting an unruly child in their place, but Wen Xingze’s mood was exceptionally pleasant.
The docile Chi Yan trailed behind him. Wen Xingze settled into a chair, while Chi Yan remained frozen in place.
“Aren’t you feeling hot?” Wen Xingze found it odd. He tiptoed to pat Chi Yan’s bear head. “You should change out of this costume.”
Chi Yan seemed lost in thought. “Is Rilakkuma yours too?”
Separated by plush fabric, Chi Yan’s voice sounded even lower than before, like snow on the cusp of melting during early spring.
Wen Xingze had casually uttered that remark earlier, never expecting Chi Yan to remember. He put on an air of bravado. “Is it not?”
Chi Yan remained silent.
For some inexplicable reason, Wen Xingze had a hunch that the real Chi Yan beneath the bear head was smiling. He desperately wanted to see that smile. Reaching out, he removed the bear head.
Chi Yan obediently allowed Wen Xingze to uncover his face. But before Wen Xingze could fully gauge his expression, Chi Yan snatched up the nearby Pikachu headgear and playfully plopped it onto Wen Xingze’s head.
Wen Xingze: “…”
Wen Xingze: “…” Curse you!
Through the layer of headgear, external sounds seemed distant.
Chi Yan’s lips curved slightly as he answered the earlier question:
“It’s yours.”
Wen Xingze: “…”
“Teacher Chi Yan?”
Wen Xingze contemplated removing the Pikachu headgear, but Chi Yan covered the part that allowed him to see outside. Now, Wen Xingze had no clue what Chi Yan was up to.
Chi Yan: “Ten seconds.”
The plush costumes worked wonders.
Once donned, they transformed the wearers, exposing vulnerabilities they hadn’t previously shown and prompting them to do things they’d never done before.
Now, Wen Xingze was the Pikachu, and Chi Yan was Rilakkuma.
“Bang, bang—”
The overhead lights swayed, casting shadows. Each second felt like a planet’s birth and swift passage through life, only to dissolve into cosmic dust.
And so…
________________________
Wen Xingze counted to ten, finally removing the headgear.
“Phew,” he shook his head. “It’s so hot, Teacher Chi Yan. What were you doing earlier, all mysterious?”
Chi Yan replied, “Laughing at you.”
Wen Xingze: “???” Was it too late to unfan himself now?
After both changed out of their plush costumes, Wen Xingze borrowed a data cable from the store clerk. Once his phone charged, he could contact Chi Yan’s secretary.
“I suddenly want to do something,” Wen Xingze mused.
Chi Yan raised an eyebrow. “What?”
Wen Xingze grinned. “I want to eat skewers, but I’m broke.”
Chi Yan simply acknowledged with a sound.
He stepped out and returned moments later, carrying a bald-headed crow.
“Grill this,” Chi Yan said indifferently.
“But it’s bald,” Wen Xingze eyed the emergency rations. He swallowed nervously. “What's wrong with you? Gained a little weight?”
Emergency Rations: “…”
That night, Emergency Rations fled this terrifying realm, scrambling away.
As a Blood Clan familiar, it had been threatened by a mere human.
Black feathers scattered, and the bald-headed crow flew while squawking — a frightened cry echoing through the night:
“Caw—”
People’s hearts are scarier than ghosts!
________________________
The next day, on a private island
Wen Xingze had slept well last night, having several pleasant dreams. In one, he feasted on roast duck; in another, he was submerged in a pile of SpongeBob SquarePants and Rilakkuma plushies.
The most magical part? Both SpongeBob and Rilakkuma interrogated him about which one he liked more. When he chose SpongeBob, Rilakkuma’s expression soured, and he removed the headgear, revealing Chi Yan’s face… Not exactly a sweet dream.
Now, Wen Xingze stood aboard a speeding yacht.
He sported his newly purchased beach shorts, a swim ring, and sunglasses, ready to conquer the ocean upon disembarking.
As the yacht steadied, the butler onshore bowed. Suddenly, a shadow shot past the butler — a handsome youth who shouted:
“Ocean, ahhhhhh!”
Splash.
The wind-like youth leaped into the water.
The butler: “…”
Two seconds later, the youth resurfaced, as if recalling something. He rolled twice on the towel the butler had prepared, then retrieved his SpongeBob plushie from the yacht, placed it neatly on the bedroom bed in the villa, and ran back out:
“Once more, ocean, ahhhhhh!”
Splash.
The youth dove back in.
The butler: “…”
This master was anything but ordinary.
This youth was none other than Wen Xingze.
Born inland, he’d never traveled due to poverty. Even during college and his idol days, he remained landlocked. This marked Wen Xingze’s first genuine encounter with the sea.
Yesterday, upon landing in the Canary Islands, he intentionally avoided glimpsing the ocean to maintain an air of mystery.
And it didn’t disappoint.
The beach boasted fine white sand, crystal-clear azure waters, and small gray fish — about a finger’s width — lazily drifting with the tide.
Since it was a private island, only Wen Xingze and the butler occupied the beach. After the butler bowed and retreated to the villa, Wen Xingze remained alone.
Beach umbrellas, lounge chairs, and magazines were set up. The yacht anchored nearby, and the wooden veranda of the villa offered chilled watermelon. A barbecue grill and ingredients were also prepared.
“Such bliss, playing by the seaside.” Wen Xingze lay back in the water, waves lapping at him.
“Such bliss, playing by the seaside with Your Majesty.” Lan, in swim trunks, was also washed ashore.
Wen Xingze turned his head slowly. Oh, right. As a currently spirit-bound vampire, Lan could indeed sunbathe.
“Your Majesty,” Lan greeted, having changed into a smaller pair of swim trunks to match the occasion.
Isabella’s long hair cascaded over her shoulders. She, too, wore a bikini:
“Your Majesty, you need sunscreen. Otherwise, you’ll get sunburned.”
“Your Majesty,” Os suddenly popped up from the water, his red hair tied in a little bun at the back. He held a bucket of sunscreen. “Do you want the gold sunscreen, silver sunscreen, or the SPF 50 sunscreen?”
Wen Xingze: “…SPF 50 sunscreen?”
“Correct answer!”
Thirteen princes revealed their tiny fangs and pounced.
Wen Xingze splashed back into the water.
________________________
Twenty minutes later.
“So, the Soul Casket’s time extension,” Wen Xingze realized, “and the live broadcast system isn’t active? What did you do to the Light Tower?”
He couldn’t tell the little one about the PK mission’s conclusion. There would be more PK tasks, and if the little one knew about them, some parents might resort to cheating for victory.
Blood Clan Parents: “Uh… Well… It’s just like that.”
Wen Xingze: “?”
Lilith: “Let’s have some watermelon,” Lilith swiftly changed the topic. She was the only one not in a swimsuit, but she wore a tropical-themed long skirt — her limit. “Your Majesty, here’s a spoon.”
Wen Xingze’s attention indeed shifted instantly.
Chilled watermelon.
Eating chilled watermelon with a spoon.
The seaside was delightful, and vacation was wonderful.
First, Wen Xingze swam for a while, splashed water with Os, sunbathed in the sand with Isabella, played cards with Soren and Lilith, and flew over the water on a watercraft with Lan — although Lan insisted he could fly without any equipment.
Then they all played Werewolf, no, Vampire.
Finally, they sipped ice-cold cola and grilled.
The harbor breeze caressed them, and at sunset, a dazzling golden-red hue spread across the sky.
Although it was just a barbecue, the vampire princes’ version was naturally different from that of ordinary people. On the yacht deck, white-gloved attendants pushed a serving cart, leaning down to light candles.
Soren had taken over the skewer-grilling duty, and Isabella sipped a large beer.
On the grill, chicken wings were already golden on both sides, slightly crispy with a glistening oil sheen. They were brushed with honey and barbecue sauce, then sprinkled with white sesame seeds. The whole skewer trembled as juices dripped down, sparking little flames…
“Life is good,” Wen Xingze sighed.
The princes agreed.
By evening, the Soul Casket’s time limit had expired, and the princes reluctantly returned. Fortunately, the island still had the butler and other attendants.
Busy playing by the seaside during the day, Wen Xingze hadn’t had a chance to explore the villa’s interior. Now, he noticed the vampire parents had put effort into the decor.
Deep red velvet carpets covered the floor, antique bronze wall lamps adorned the walls, and attendants hurried past with trays. If not for the spaciousness, the entire setup resembled a scene from a medieval banquet.
“Watch your step,” the butler carried a candlestick. “We’re heading to the glass conservatory.”
Through the corridor lay a glass conservatory, like stepping from a medieval castle into a tropical rainforest. Surprisingly, deer roamed inside, the dim light adding to the mystery. Even the wooden floor of the corridor was creatively designed to resemble vines.
A gardener in a straw hat waved a greeting.
Wen Xingze: “!!!”
It was stunning.
At that moment, a distant ship’s horn sounded — the brightly lit three-story cruise liner was slowly returning to port.
Wen Xingze asked the butler, “Did the parents rent this for me?” It looked expensive.
The butler replied, “You’re joking.”
Wen Xingze breathed a sigh of relief.
The butler added the second half of the sentence: “It was purchased.”
Wen Xingze: “…”
He nearly bumped into the wall. Tomorrow, he must convince the vampire parents not to spend so extravagantly. This was too costly.
Even the bathroom was enormous.
More like a thermal spring swimming pool than a bathroom. The entire ceiling was adjustable and transparent; when fully clear, it revealed the vast night sky. Tea was set up nearby, similar to the ceremony earlier. The bathroom even had a large screen playing SpongeBob SquarePants.
Steam billowed upward, relieving the exhaustion from a day of wild play.
Wen Xingze hadn’t even had a chance to fully appreciate the moonlight. After taking a shower, he lay on the bedroom bed, cuddling his SpongeBob plushie, and drifted off to sleep…
Meanwhile, after the live broadcast system shut down, the Cub Raising Program continued as scheduled, releasing a new mainline task:
[Mainline Task]
Task Description: As a permanent guest on the reality show, if the Little One can shine brightly during the broadcast, it will attract fans. Let’s prepare for the upcoming live show, “Fantasy Cruise”!
Task Preparation: Possess two Lv1 skills (1/2).
Task Rewards: One filter, one lottery ticket, one chance for a side quest.
________________________
Lancer Star, Atlantis
Wen Xingze seemed to be dreaming, but it felt more real than a dream.
Perhaps because he’d spent the entire day by the seaside, even his dream was oceanic. But this wasn’t the shallow sea; it was the deep, deep ocean floor.
Here, sunlight couldn’t penetrate, and only chubby lanternfish emitted faint glimmers. There were also luminescent blue jellyfish.
Wen Xingze felt like he was lying in a warm place, slightly damp and soft — unlike a bed in the terrestrial world.
Sleeping so comfortably, he couldn’t help but shift positions. His outstretched hand encountered something icy, causing him to furrow his brow — a sign of impending wakefulness.
This made every mermaid present hold their breath.
In their eyes, compared to the massive clamshell bed, the curled-up figure of their Emperor was tiny. His skin was even whiter and softer than the most beautiful pearl, and his long eyelashes fluttered, as if he might dissolve into foam in the seawater at any moment.
Each gentle tremor of his eyelashes seemed to pluck at the Merfolk’s heartstrings.
Finally, the Emperor stirred awake. Rubbing his eyes, he sat up dazedly and surveyed his surroundings: “…a dream?”
This was Atlantis, situated in the depths of the ocean, over ten thousand meters below the surface — a place known as one of the most extravagant in the entire universe.
The Merfolk had built an underwater palace for their Emperor.
The interior defied adequate description. Gems worth billions were fashioned into wind chimes, and the luxurious, velvety stardust covered the floor. Through the grand, ancient stained-glass windows, whales leisurely came and went, pretty soft corals and anemones swayed, and stern lionfish patrolled.
An underwater civilization.
And now, all the sea creatures outside the window stood still, bowing respectfully to their Emperor. The Merfolk’s finned ears drooped gently, though their excitement was barely contained.
Wen Xingze stood up, and simultaneously, every merperson took a breath. The long-haired, blue-tailed mermaid closest to him stepped forward, bowing his head: “Your Majesty.”
“…Wu Zhu?” Wen Xingze quickly recalled the name. “Am I dreaming? Or is this the Light Tower’s doing…”
The moment his name was called, Wu Zhu’s fins flared wide, and his tail stiffened. The water around him swirled into urgent eddies.
—The Emperor remembered his name.
This nearly overwhelmed Wu Zhu.
Though his expression remained calm.
Instantly, every other merperson cast envious and jealous glances at him.
Xia couldn’t tolerate the high priest stealing the limelight in front of the Emperor any longer, and the shark-like mermaid swam forward.
Wen Xingze, half-asleep: “ Xia?”
The young chief instantly forgot what she wanted to say. She opened her mouth, her heart too numb to react, leaving her expression blank.
After a long pause, she finally spoke:
“This is your dream, our reality.” Xia hesitated, then continued, “Rest assured, your physical body is still asleep in that other world. This is merely a strand of your consciousness within the dream.”
“We have only three nights to complete the mainline task, so time is of the essence.”
The elder waiting nearby grew impatient. Half his face was covered by a veil of seaweed, and he pointed his staff at the ground: “Are you done talking? Didn’t you say we need to hurry?”
Xia and the other mermaids were taken aback.
Even as the chief, she couldn’t defy the elder’s command. So, with much reluctance, Xia raised her hand and summoned a dolphin attendant.
The dolphin affectionately nudged Wen Xingze’s palm with its head.
“Therefore, for the next three nights, please follow the elder to learn singing,” Xia said. “We will prepare…
Before she could finish, the dolphin whisked Wen Xingze away with a swift motion...
Xia silently flipped off the elder’s retreating figure.
________________________
The pale green-tailed mermaid looked haughty. A string of bright red beads adorned his neck. Wen Xingze stared at him for a while, recalling.
“I remember you. You’re the elder, Elder You, right?”
You, with a tail that faded to pale green, held a prestigious position among the Merfolk. Only green-tailed mermaids served as elders, and the lighter their color, the stronger their abilities.
Legend had it that in the distant past, during the universe’s primordial days, all races lived on one planet, even alongside gods. The pale green-tailed mermaids were messengers who sang hymns for the gods.
Their voices, even among the talented Merfolk, were the most perfect. It was said that a cosmic superstar, after hearing the green-tailed mermaid's song, felt forever inadequate and never performed again.
Wen Xingze remembered that the elders hadn’t liked him much. Initially, he even vowed never to set foot on the capital star. When the Merfolk joined the Muse Empire, they were one of the three who voted against it.
Observing the red beads on his neck, Wen Xingze asked, “Is that a Sea God Bead?” Essentially, it was a key that could unlock temples and manipulate underwater currents — only the successive elders were qualified to possess it.
“Like it?” Elder You snorted disdainfully.
Wen Xingze dared not express any liking. He felt like he was about to get scolded. “No, no, no…”
“Then it’s yours.” The elder casually unclasped the red beads, still wearing a supremely scornful expression. The dolphin attendant hung the Sea God Bead around Wen Xingze’s neck.
Wen Xingze: “…?”
What magical logic was this?
Soon, they rode the current to reach the Elder’s Hall.
It had an ancient, mysterious ambiance. The set must have been cleared already, with only two attendants waiting on either side, bowing to open the door.
The other two elders were already there. Like Elder You, they also had green tails, but each had a different temperament. However, they all displayed a certain level of disdain toward Wen Xingze:
“…Hmph, finally here, the so-called Emperor.”
“Hello, Elder Li, Elder Cang.” Fortunately, Wen Xingze was a polite child.
Elder Li and Elder Cang’s tail tips simultaneously froze, then swung vigorously.
They even created whirlpools.
A few seconds later, Elder Cang suddenly reprimanded him, “No sweet talk allowed.”
Wen Xingze: “???” He had merely called their names!
Elder Li, like Xia, also had red hair. Red-haired merfolk tended to be irritable, and Elder Li was no exception. He disdainfully tossed a scroll to Wen Xingze: “Today, learn this. Read it within five minutes and start training. Consequences if you exceed the time limit are your own responsibility.”
Wen Xingze: “But it’s so dark in here.”
Outside, there were plenty of lanternfish and moon jellyfish, yet inside the hall, there was no light source. While merfolk had excellent night vision, Wen Xingze was unmistakably human.
Elder Li coldly snorted, reluctantly saying, “No whining… and don’t make it a habit.”
Wen Xingze thought he would summon lanternfish or jellyfish, but he was in for a surprise.
Elder Li swiftly gathered a massive amount of energy, capable of creating a tsunami, in just three seconds. Then he flipped his palm—
Boom.
The entire dome above the elder’s hall vanished.
Dim light filtered in from outside.
Wen Xingze: “…Is this really a good idea?”
“Still daydreaming? We’re starting now.” Elder You remained expressionless, tapping his staff on the ground.
Meanwhile…
In the Cub Raising Program after the live broadcast system shut down:
Ding-dong! Immersion card for study mode activated successfully. Study mode opened smoothly: Cub’s focus increased by 200%, knowledge absorption speed increased by 200%.
Key characters [You] [Li] [Cang] matched successfully, all attributes receive an additional 200% boost. Singing skill tree upgraded to Lv1, with a total countdown of 24 hours.
And so it went.
Wen Xingze embarked on days of wild play with the vampire parents during the day and intense singing lessons with the elders at night—a true balancing act…
________________________
Three days later.
Wen Xingze finally didn’t have to be forcibly transported to Atlantis at night. He could get a good night’s sleep. The Cub Raising Program live broadcast system was back online.
Countless eagerly waiting parents quickly opened the game and flooded into the live channel.
[Ah, I’ve been waiting forever! It’s still the Cub, still adorably familiar!]
[I’ve been longing for this; not seeing the Cub for three days almost killed me…]
[Your Majesty, long time no see. QAQ.]
Perhaps due to the three-day absence, upon logging in, many new notifications appeared:
Congratulations, parents! The current mainline task has been successfully completed! You’ve received one filter and one lottery ticket.
The singing skill tree has been upgraded! Current level: Lv1.
The Merfolk Filter has been activated! Current level: Lv1—Child of the Sea.
Use of the Infinite Capacity Mustard Seed Space Card*1 successful. Cub’s exclusive portable mustard seed space has been activated, with unlimited capacity!
________________________
Time flew by.
Tomorrow was the start of recording for “Fantasy Cruise”. Wen Xingze had already checked into the hotel arranged by the production team, right in the Canary Islands — the same place he had landed not long ago.
That night, Wen Xingze received a familiar yet unfamiliar text message:
[Light Tower Logistics: Mr. Wen, greetings! The ocean sent by the Merfolk parents has been delivered. Due to its immense size, it has been automatically placed in your exclusive mustard seed space. Please check it carefully…]
Wen Xingze: “…”
Huh??
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Thanks for the hard work~
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