I was just fishing, how did I become a Great Old One?

Jianghai City, Shenlan Seafood Restaurant, Chairman's Office.

"Meow—!!!" (No way! Absolutely not going!)

A sharp, ruffled meow shattered the afternoon tranquility.

On the desk, the usually aloof and jet-black [Uva's Cat, Blackie] (the incarnation of the cat goddess Buster) was now hunched over, its fur standing on end, its golden eyes filled with terror and resistance.

It stared intently at the man in front of it who had a wicked grin on his face, its tail wagging like a rattle.

Are you kidding me?

Take this jinx to the [Dreamland]? To its hometown?

That's a world of dreams! It's the garden of the gods! It's a dimension filled with fantasy and rules!

If we bring in this man who dares to turn even the Great Old Ones into sashimi, will the Dreamlands ever have any peace? It seems the nightmares there will all turn into "being cooked into food"!

"Hey, Xiao Hei, don't be so stingy."

Jiang Li held a cat treat made from a top-grade deep-sea oarfish and waved it in front of Little Black's nose.

"I'm just going to visit a friend, take a trip, and maybe... check out the local food culture. I promise I won't demolish any houses (if it's not illegal), and I won't assault anyone (if they don't provoke me)."

Xiao Hei's nose twitched involuntarily.

So fragrant...

This ribbonfish was cooked with a deep abyss spring and also had the liver of some high-level sea beast added; the taste was simply soul-stirring.

However... we cannot compromise on matters of principle!

"Meow!" (This is a matter of principle! The Dream Realm only allows souls to enter! With your murderous aura and that wrecked ship, you simply can't get in!)

Xiao Hei tried to persuade Jiang Li to give up by using "technical barriers".

"Can't get in?"

Jiang Li raised an eyebrow, stuffed the cat treat into his mouth, and took a bite.

"Is there anywhere in this world that my Black Pearl can't go?"

He swallowed the cat treat and pulled out the [Wind Source Crystal] (S-rank artifact) he had just stolen from his pocket.

"Entering the soul is too troublesome, and I have to sleep. I don't like dreaming; I prefer the real touch."

Jiang Li toyed with the crystal that exuded a blue storm aura, his eyes flashing with a light called "brute force".

"Since the door is closed, why not just tear down the wall?"

"This stone contains the rules of space and wind. If I attach it to the bow of the ship, and combine it with Big Yellow's time-travel ability, we should be able to force our way through a passage, right?"

Xiao Hei: "..."

It looked at Jiang Li's matter-of-fact attitude, and then at the big yellow dog next to it that was gesturing with its paws to make the famous "bumping open" gesture.

It was desperate.

These lunatics... they're really capable of doing this!

Rather than letting them smash a huge hole in the barrier between the two worlds and cause spacetime turbulence, wouldn't it be better to... lead the way ourselves?

At least I can trick them into giving me some cat treats.

"Meow..." (Okay... but I have one condition: I want to eat ten... no, a hundred of these cat treats!)

Xiao Hei lowered his head with tears in his eyes.

"make a deal!"

Jiang Li snapped his fingers. "Er Gou! Prepare the goods! Let's go to the Dreamland for team building!"

……

Evening, the old wharf.

The setting sun, like blood, dyed the sea golden.

The Black Pearl is ready to set sail once again. This time, it has a new cyan ram at the bow (inlaid with Wind Source Crystals), and a thin layer of mist swirls around the hull. This is a Hallucinogenic Mist Generator (an item modified from the Yellow-Robed Priest) that was specially installed to adapt to the dream dimension.

"Everyone on board! Even if you're sleeping, keep your eyes open!"

Jiang Li stood at the bow of the boat and shouted loudly.

The accompanying personnel were still the core team: Wang Ergou, Liu Wei, Lei Meng, Wang Defa, as well as Xiao Hei as the guide and Da Huang as the main enforcer.

As for Ao Bing and the birdman who turned into an "air conditioner," they stayed behind to guard the house.

"Boss, are we really going to physically enter the dream?"

Wang Ergou was still a little uneasy. "I've heard that anything can happen in dreams. What if I dream of being paralyzed by a ghost?"

"What's there to be afraid of? Our ship is the biggest ghost!"

Jiang Li kicked the start lever.

"Big Yellow! Little Black! Locate the coordinates! [Level 700 Abyss Staircase]...or any entrance!"

"Meow!"

Xiao Hei sighed helplessly, his eyes gleaming with golden light, and an ancient cat-shaped rune appeared on his forehead.

An invisible ripple spread out from it, connecting that illusory and vast dimension.

At the same time, Big Yellow roared, unleashing its spacetime power and tearing a twisted crack in the sea.

"Now! Charge in!"

"boom--!!!"

The antimatter engine spewed blue flames, the [Wind Source Crystal] unleashed a cyan storm, and the Black Pearl, like a runaway bull, crashed violently into the illusory rift.

There was no breaking sound, only a sluggish feeling, like passing through a film of water.

The surrounding scenery instantly became bizarre and fantastical.

The laws of reality began to break down here; the sky turned into a dazzling aurora, and the sea turned into purple mist.

A strong feeling of dizziness washed over me.

"Hold on! Don't throw up on the boat!"

Jiang Li gripped the steering wheel tightly and roared, "This is nothing! Anyone who's carsick, go up to the deck and get some fresh air!"

About five minutes passed... or a century.

"Wave!"

A soft sound.

The Black Pearl broke through the final barrier and landed steadily on solid ground.

Yes, on the ground.

This is not the ocean, but a vast, dense forest covered with exotic plants.

The trees were ridiculously tall, with pale trunks and eerily deep purple leaves. Giant mushrooms were scattered throughout the forest like houses, and the air was filled with the aroma of fermenting wine and the fragrance of earth.

Enchanted Wood.

This is the first stop after entering the Dreamland, and also the burial place of countless dreamers.

"arrive?"

Jiang Li jumped off the boat and stepped on the soft moss.

"The ground in this dream... feels like a sponge underfoot."

He looked around at the huge mushrooms and purple leaves, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes.

"This is a dream? It looks like a fairy tale world."

"but……"

Jiang Li sniffed.

"Where's this aroma coming from? It smells so good! Even better than my ginseng fruit wine!"

Little Black jumped onto Jiang Li's shoulder, looked around warily, and meowed softly:

"Meow..." (Be careful, this is Zoogs territory. They're... very cunning little creatures.)

"Zuge? What's that? A kind of fruit?"

Jiang Li completely ignored the warning, his mind filled with the aroma of the wine.

"Let's go treasure hunting! There's bound to be a wine cellar in this forest!"

He led the group, following the scent deeper into the forest.

……

Deep in the forest, in a vast thicket of decaying wood.

Countless small brown eyes were hiding behind tree holes, burrows, and mushrooms, spying on this group of uninvited guests.

They are not large, only about the size of a cat, and covered in short brown fur, making them look like a group of large rodents. However, around their mouths are small, constantly wriggling pink tentacles, which look both disgusting and eerie.

【Zoogs】(Zoogs).

The native inhabitants of the Dreamland feed on the dreams and carrion of intelligent beings. They are skilled at ambushing and trap-making, and even more skilled at... brewing wine.

"Squeak squeak squeak..." (Look, those are humans from the real world...)

"Squeak..." (It's been so long since fresh meat was delivered to our door...)

"Squeak!" (The leader smells good stuff...)

A few of the bolder zodiacs whispered amongst themselves in the grass.

Although they are small, they are numerous and extremely vengeful.

"Do it! Trip them down! Then drag them into the hole!"

An elder of the Zugu issued a command.

Countless thin vines silently spread across the ground, preparing to trip Jiang Li and his companions up.

however.

"Hey? Why is this grass moving?"

Jiang Li, who was walking at the front, suddenly stopped and looked down at the vine at his feet that was trying to wrap around his ankle.

He lifted his foot and stomped hard with that famous flip-flop.

"Snapped!"

The vine was broken by the foot, and even made a faint "ouch" sound (that was the backlash against Zugu who was controlling the vine).

"Has this plant come to life?"

Jiang Li frowned. "Something's wrong. There's something in the bushes!"

He suddenly reached out, his movement as fast as lightning, and grabbed at the bushes beside him.

"squeak--!!!"

A scream.

Jiang Li now held a brown fur ball that was struggling desperately.

"What is this?"

Jiang Li brought the object up to his eyes and examined it closely.

"It looks like a mouse...and a weasel...and it even has whiskers (tentacles) around its mouth?"

He looked disgusted.

"Could this be... a mutated field mouse? Or a new breed of groundhog?"

The captured Zugu was terrified.

It opened its mouth, full of sharp teeth, trying to bite Jiang Li's fingers, while its tentacles lashed out wildly.

"Snapped!"

Jiang Li flicked him on the forehead.

"Behave yourself! You're so ugly, why would you bite someone?"

He pinched the thing's belly.

"Hmm...it's quite fatty, all meat."

Jiang Li turned to Lei Meng behind him and asked, "Old Lei, do you think this thing is edible? It looks like wild game."

Lei Meng, carrying the black pot on his back, came over and examined it carefully.

"Boss, this looks like a rodent. It should be edible. Braised or dry-fried, it'll be good, but the skin is a bit thick, you'll have to peel it off."

"Squeak squeak squeak!!!" (I'm not a field mouse! I'm a noble Zuga!)

The Zugora understood their words and was terrified, screaming desperately in the language of the abyss.

"Oh? It can talk?"

Jiang Li chuckled, "A talking field mouse? That's even better! It's practically a spirit!"

"Let...let me go..."

Zugu pleaded, "We...we have wine! Delicious wine! We can trade!"

It was clever; it sensed Jiang Li's craving for food and wine.

"liquor?"

Jiang Li twitched her nose. "Is this the smell in the air? You guys made it?"

"Yes! Yes! [Moon Tree Wine]! Only we Zugu people know how to brew it!"

Zugu quickly promoted it, saying, "Drinking it will give you sweet dreams! You'll see indescribable truths!"

"That sounds good."

Jiang Li loosened his grip a little. "Alright, take me to see your wine cellar. If the wine is good, I won't eat you anymore; I'll keep you as a pet."

Zu Ge: "..."

Being a pet is better than being cooked!

"Over there...over there..."

It pointed to a huge, hollow ancient tree deep in the forest.

"Let's go! Let's go wine tasting!"

Jiang Li carried the "guide mouse" and strode over.

In the surrounding grass, countless Zugo watched helplessly as their companions were taken away, but dared not move.

Because the big yellow dog (Dahuang) following behind them was staring at them with the eyes of someone looking at a buffet, and drool was flowing from the corners of its mouth.

……

Beneath the ancient tree lies a huge underground cave.

The place was filled with all sorts of earthenware jars and wooden barrels, and the rich aroma of wine was almost intoxicating.

Jiang Li couldn't wait to open a jar, scoop out a spoonful, and taste it.

"Glug."

The wine is amber in color, smooth on the palate, sweet on the finish, and has a unique mushroom aroma.

"Excellent wine!"

Jiang Li's eyes lit up. "This tastes even better than those aged wines I drank in the Dragon Palace! This wine... seems to really contain some kind of hallucinogenic ingredient?"

He felt as if some colorful little people were dancing in front of him, which made him feel exceptionally happy.

"Boss, this liquor is strong, don't drink too much," Liu Wei reminded him.

"It's okay, I can handle a lot!"

Jiang Li waved his hand dismissively, "I'll take all of this wine! Move it all! Load it onto the ship!"

The elders of Zuge, hiding in the shadows, were heartbroken.

This is their stockpile, brewed for hundreds of years! It's an offering prepared for those ancient rulers!

"Squeak!" (We can't let him take it! It's for God!)

A huge elder from Zuge jumped out and blocked Jiang Li's way.

"Humans! Greed will bring destruction! Put down the divine wine!"

"Sacred wine?"

Jiang Li looked at this "big rat" that was a size larger than the other ancestral rats.

"This one's even fatter! It must weigh at least five pounds, right?"

He threw down the wine ladle in his hand and pulled out a pig-slaughtering knife from behind his back.

"Now that we have the wine, we just need some snacks to go with it."

"I was going to let you off the hook, but since you've come forward yourself..."

Jiang Li revealed his signature kind smile.

"Let's make a 'Dry Pot Field Mouse' then! Add lots of chili peppers and onions!"

"Get moving! Catch the rats!"

"Woof!"

Da Huang and Lei Meng had been waiting for a long time, and they pounced on them instantly.

A rat extermination operation has begun in the forest.

The poor Zoogers, despite their cunning and ability to ambush, were utterly powerless against overwhelming power (and hunger).

Their prized traps were crushed by Jiang Li's foot, their venomous fangs couldn't even bite the Deep Ones' scales, and their mental attacks were treated as mere entertainment by Jiang Li.

Half an hour later.

Dozens of plump Zuge were skinned, washed, and thrown into Lei Meng's large black pot.

In addition, there's a special sauce, chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and the Moon Tree Wine that was just stolen.

"Sizzle—"

The fragrance permeated the entire enchanting forest.

"Mmm! It smells delicious!"

Jiang Li picked up a piece of meat and took a bite.

"The meat is incredibly tender, with absolutely no earthy taste, and a wonderful aroma of fruit and wood! Absolutely amazing!"

"Come on, everyone! Try this! It's a specialty of the Dreamland—the Spicy Tentacle Mouse!"

Professor Miller (who was also there as the ship's recorder) looked at the Cthulhu Mythos creatures stewed until they were soft and mushy, and his quill pen trembled.

He wrote in his notebook:

[Adventures in the Dreamland, Chapter 1: We encountered the terrifying Zugo tribe in the Enchanted Forest. After a fierce...cooking process, they were transformed into a delicious dry pot dish. Taste rating: S-rank.]

……

We ate and drank our fill, and the wine glasses were full.

Jiang Lixin patted his belly with satisfaction.

"This place is nice; the wine is good, and the meat is good too."

"Where to next?"

Little Black was squatting nearby, licking its paws (it had also eaten one, and it tasted delicious).

"Meow..." (Pass through the forest, and ahead lies the Skai River. Follow the river, and you'll reach Ulthar.)

"Uva?"

Jiang Li remembered something.

"Is that...the city where killing cats is supposedly forbidden?"

"Meow!" (That's right! That's a cat's paradise! And also my palace!)

Little Black proudly puffed out its chest.

Once we get there, let's see if this cat owner still dares to be arrogant! There are thousands upon thousands of cats there! One human paw could turn him into potato shreds!

"Don't kill cats..."

Jiang Li touched his chin.

"So that means... there are a lot of cats there?"

He suddenly thought of a new business opportunity.

"Young people these days all love 'cat-loving.' If I opened a 'cat cafe in another world,' or brought back some cat food and catnip from there to sell..."

"It's going to be incredibly popular!"

Jiang Li's eyes lit up.

"Let's go! To Uva! I need to buy some goods... no, I need to pet some cats!"

"Big Yellow! Wipe your face clean! Don't scare the little cat over there!"

"Woof?" (Cat? Can I eat it?)

"Don't eat them! They're our business partners! They're our cash cow!"

The group packed their things and set sail on the already overloaded Black Pearl (after all, it was carrying too much wine), along the Skai River, towards the legendary Cat City.

As Xiao Hei stood at the bow of the boat, gazing at his distant hometown, a sense of foreboding suddenly rose in his heart.

It seems... it has let a wolf into the house?