’These stories are all beautiful, but not a single one is mine!’
’I will create my own story!’
’Hmm...’
’I’ll start with him!’
’He seems to really enjoy playing hide-and-seek with my splintered forms. Such a child at heart!’
’According to the principle of equivalent exchange, if I grant him three wishes, he must help me escape from here! Three wishes—no more, and no less!’
SWOOSH~
The Wishing Star, trailing a tail of light, shot past one dazzling bubble after another. Within the distant and dreamlike Banded Dream Realm, a long-lasting rainbow lit up, like the most yearned-for dream in every child’s heart.
...
...
...
"The seventh one!"
Shi Ming crushed a twisted, colorful mass. The Right Arm Red Pattern lit up in response, dividing the spoils.
[Defense Power increased by 108.]
[Endurance increased by 88.]
As his stats increased, he was once again immersed in another twisted story within the Banded Dream Realm.
By now, he fully understood the nature of these bubbles. They were the most deeply ingrained memories of the deceased Star Spirit Race, traced back to their ancestral land. These memories already carried intense emotional weight, which was then maliciously corrupted by the Colorful Insects. The resulting stories became bizarre, twisted, and utterly indescribable.
It was a unique feature of this region, in a way.
Those with a weak will would have their personalities twisted by the emotional pollution after experiencing just a few of them.
"Xiaobai, how big is your Star Spirit Race’s ancestral land, anyway? We’ve been flying for a whole day, and it’s still endless as far as the eye can see. It feels like we’ll never reach the edge."
"Hmm, I’m not too sure. The lingering consciousness of my ancestors didn’t specify."
After completely converting the absorbed power into his own, Shi Ming gazed into the far distance.
’I’ve killed seven of its subordinates. I wonder if the Celestial Calamity-level Colorful Insect here has noticed me yet? If it doesn’t come looking for me soon, I’m going to lose my patience. Your chance to leave this place will vanish...’
’Come on! Go big or go home!’
HUFF~
He spread his arms and stretched lazily.
’So beautiful!’
’If it weren’t for the bizarre and malicious stories in those bubbles, this world would actually be quite stunning. Kids would definitely love it, maybe even never want to leave.’
’Sigh, couldn’t this Colorful Insect just beautify the memories of these Star Spirits?’
’Wouldn’t it be a great act of kindness to change the ugly, regretful, and awful memories—the kind that make one weary of the world—into kind, complete, perfect, and educational fairy tales?’
The Eye of Destiny says that proximity to vermilion will stain you red, and proximity to ink will stain you black.
A creature born from corruption would indeed have a hard time remaining benevolent.
As Shi Ming was lost in thought, his Spiritual Power suddenly picked up a cheerful laugh. It sounded like the laugh of a pure-hearted child, incredibly sweet.
"Hm?"
"Xiaobai, did you hear anything?"
Xiaobai shook his head.
Ah Jian also indicated that everything was normal.
’Could it be?’
Shi Ming’s eyes lit up. He retracted his Spiritual Power, but his thoughts began to drift like a leaf in the wind.
"Big guy, what’s wrong?"
[Hee hee hee...]
[Oops, wrong line.]
[Kekeke.]
[This is a "fairy tale" customized for you. The Celestial Calamity-level Colorful Insect, carrying the "Wishing Star of All Worlds," collided head-on with your thoughts. Rainbows and bubbles scattered in a dazzling display, writing upon the pages of a book the first story ever created by a colorful creature...]
[The steadfast...]
[...]
...
"My dearest Little Stone, the most noble little warrior in the kingdom, today is your birthday. What wish would you like to make? I heard from your father that you want to lead an army and become a true Grand Commander."
"You are still young, only eight years old."
"But your wish can still be granted,"
"Look, what is this?"
The woman, wearing a gem-studded coronet, took out a box and showed it to Shi Ming, whose body had shrunk to the form of a child.
It was a very beautiful box, inlaid with pearls and carved with intricate patterns.
The woman opened the box.
Tin soldiers!
Inside were twenty-five soldiers made of tin. Like brothers, they shouldered Mauser rifles, their eyes staring straight ahead. Their uniforms, also made of tin, were painted a brilliant red.
"Tin soldiers!"
"Yes. Take good care of them. From this day forward, you are the commander of this army!"
Shi Ming nodded like a "child."
The woman stood up. Her magnificent seven-colored robe trailed behind her across the velvet-soft carpet as she walked out, leaving behind the fragrant scent of lilies.
Shi Ming’s Spiritual Power began to spread, trying to explore the world outside.
But he found that there was nothing outside. The woman who had just left seemed to have vanished without a trace. The entire world consisted of only this one room.
All of his skills were still there.
But his body was that of a child.
And the Colorful Insect was nowhere to be found.
His expression remained unchanged as he fiddled with the toy soldiers in the box, just like a child would. He soon discovered that while the 25 tin soldiers were almost identical, one of them was quite different from the rest.
It only had one leg.
The paint on its body was also more mottled.
Perhaps because it was disabled, it looked exceptionally resolute.
???
Shi Ming glanced around the rest of the room.
Thankfully, he didn’t spot a one-legged female doll dancing ballet. Andersen was thus spared a copyright dispute.
But soon, he discovered that he could understand the voices of the little toy soldiers.
"Commander, come play a war game with us!"
Before Shi Ming could reply, two buttons materialized in the air. One read "Agree," and the other read "Decline."