The male supporting character was actually myself.

Yunshang, promise me you'll take good care of yourself!

"From now on, without me by your side to protect you, you and Grandpa must be careful and not act rashly. The relationships between various spirits in the human world are complicated, so don't easily provoke trouble..."

Lian Yunshang cried, her face streaked with tears, "Brother Chen, I promise I'll listen to you! I'll live well, and live happily!"

Wow, you're really not being polite.

Jiang Chen rolled her eyes inwardly, then earnestly instructed, "My ability to create dreams is limited right now, so when I build the dream bridge for you and Grandpa later, I need to maintain my balance and not enter the dream. You must remember to tell Grandpa to go to the Spirit Woman for the medicine, and that he has trouble sleeping and needs the medicine to help him sleep."

This way, innocent people won't be implicated, and you won't offend the spirit medium and be cursed.

Remember this! Remember this! Otherwise, if the clan chief investigates the prison break, he will definitely implicate the Spirit Woman, and if she is punished for it, she will surely cast a curse on us.

We are both extremely weak, and Grandpa is already very old. If we are cursed by the Spirit Woman, we will likely be doomed!

"I understand. I will definitely remind Grandpa later." Lian Yunshang hadn't taken the matter of clearing herself of the Spirit Woman's name to heart, but after Jiang Chen's careful analysis, she realized its importance and hurriedly nodded in agreement.

The two discussed the specific details of the prison break for a while, and then Jiang Chen used magic to pull Lian Yunshang and Lian Qi into a dream.

"Grandpa! It really is you! That's wonderful!"

It was still the same bright seaside garden dream she had just experienced. Lian Yunshang felt a slight daze, and then she saw her grandfather sitting on the ground rubbing his eyes, looking a little dazed. She rushed forward, hugged her grandfather's arm, and shook it, saying in a coquettish tone, "Grandpa, I missed you so much!"

"Waaaaah... My life-bound fish scales were forcibly plucked and my fat scraped off, and now it hurts so much! Grandpa, please save me!"

"Yunshang? My dear granddaughter, am I dreaming?" Lianqi rubbed his dim old eyes, unable to react.

If it weren't a dream, how could I have found myself in such an unfamiliar environment, seeing my granddaughter imprisoned under the golden pagoda?

But if it's a dream, how could it be so real, clear, and vivid?

"Grandpa, this is Brother Chen's ability. He can create dreams!" Knowing that time was short and the task was heavy, Lian Yunshang couldn't contain her eagerness to escape the Golden Pagoda's suppression. She hurriedly told Jiang Chen everything about his plan to escape, pouring out all her thoughts like beans spilling from a bamboo tube.

Lianqi was even more confused after hearing this. "Jiang Chen has the ability to create dreams? How come I've never heard of that before? Dreams are the exclusive ability of gods. How could a poor little mermaid who was abandoned by his parents have such a magical ability?"

It's probably just that I (can't) think about things during the day and dream about them at night.

Escaping the Golden Pagoda's oppression is easier said than done.

Even if Jiang Chen possesses such powerful magic, how could he be willing to risk his life for you? He is highly regarded by the clan leader and has a bright future. If he were to take such a risky move, he would surely ruin his future, burn his lifespan, or even lose his life. How could that be possible?

That's just wishful thinking!

"Oh dear, Grandpa, why don't you believe me?" Lian Yunshang, who was eager to escape and embrace a new life, was so anxious that she paced around in circles. She grabbed her grandfather's arm and said anxiously, "Jiang Chen likes me! He's willing to go through fire and water for me and die for me, so of course he'd be willing to find a way to rescue me!"

Moreover, he had analyzed the situation very clearly and thoroughly; the clan leader would not kill him.

Just like the clan leader didn't order me to be killed, only living mermaids can create more value. Besides, Jiang Chen's talent is so high that even the clan leader thinks highly of him, so naturally he can't bear to let him die.

Suppressed under the Golden Pagoda to take my place, weaving the Rainbow Garment and forging the Mermaid Candle can also urge him to cultivate more diligently. For Jiang Chen, this means he can rescue his beloved girl and focus on cultivation. This is a good thing!

As for his dream abilities, it's even simpler—he's the chosen one even the clan chief believes is capable of touching the path to immortality, so isn't it normal for him to possess unique abilities due to his high magical power?

Lianqi took a step back and looked at his granddaughter, his expression gradually becoming serious. "If that is really the case, Jiang Chen is so devoted to you that he would disregard life and death, and is even prepared to bear the pain and torment for you for thousands of years or even longer."

Yunshang, how will you repay this profound affection?

"Reward?" Lian Yunshang was taken aback.

Then she bit her lip and replied with a firm look, "Jiang Chen did it voluntarily!"

Even the prison break plan was devised by him personally. Grandpa, Jiang Chen wanted to save me from this misery. He only hoped that I could live happily, so that no matter what pain he suffered, he could be genuinely happy for me.

So I will go to the human world with Grandpa and use our magic to live a better life than in the mermaid world! I will find a good husband, have children, grow old together, and live the life I've always wanted, living a happier and more wonderful life, striving to fulfill Brother Chen's wish!

Lianqi lowered his head slightly and pondered for a moment.

“Jiang Chen did it voluntarily… voluntarily… no one forced him. He only wanted Yunshang to be happy, so leaving the mermaid world was just to fulfill his wish. My grandson and I didn’t harm anyone. We just did what we believed in with good intentions. Let others judge right and wrong!”

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that the logic was sound. The thought of leaving this place and going to the human world where mortals lived together, where he would no longer have to endure the gossip and criticism from his people, and where he could use his magic to do many things and live a more exciting and free life, made Lianqi yearn for it.

Since they are ostracized and criticized in the mermaid world, they might as well leave with their granddaughter!

"Okay, I'll pack up all the valuables in the house first thing tomorrow morning and go to the Spirit Woman. I'll ask for some powerful sleeping incense under the pretext of feeling down, having insomnia, and having vivid dreams. When I'm reading 'The Mermaid Clan' to you, I'll quietly open the bottle and then use the Turtle Breathing spell to hold my breath."

"If even the golden-armored mermaid is drugged, and Jiang Chen can't rescue you, then Grandpa really can't help you either."

"Don't worry, Grandpa, I believe Jiang Chen can definitely do it!" Lian Yunshang finally heard her grandfather's affirmative reply and jumped up excitedly, "Whether your only bloodline—your most beloved granddaughter—can escape alive depends on tomorrow!"

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Let's go, let's become disciples!

After completing the dream escape plan, Jiang Chen opened his eyes and looked out the window. It was pitch black outside and it was still early. The cat girl was lying on her side, sprawled out and occasionally blowing bubbles. She was obviously sleeping soundly.

Not wanting to disturb the little cat girl's sweet sleep, he got up, sat cross-legged, and began to seriously cultivate his breathing techniques.

Although the original owner was a born god who only needed to grow up over time and gather the power of the deep sea to become a god, Jiang Chen still felt that it was very necessary to cultivate diligently to increase strength faster, especially in this chaotic mission world full of gods, immortals, demons and monsters. Having profound magical power was always better than having weak power.

It wasn't until dawn that the little cat girl yawned, stretched, and got up.

"Huh? Host, you're not asleep? Oh dear, I made someone warm your bed all night for nothing."

She rubbed her still sleepy eyes, her fluffy ears twitched, and her slightly tousled silver shoulder-length hair tilted her head as she asked curiously, "Did you sneak out to do a mission last night? Emmm... let me see, the mission is still showing as incomplete!"

Jiang Chen calmed himself down and finished his cultivation. He turned around and looked at the cat girl with a serious expression, saying, "I've completed half of the mission. The preliminary preparations are all done. Now I need you to help me complete the second half."

Upon hearing that she could finally shed the "useless" label, the catgirl immediately perked up, kneeling on the bed and wagging her fluffy tail excitedly, saying, "Master, whatever the mission, just give it to me! Assassin Cat guarantees to do her best to complete it!"

Assassin Cat?

He paused for a moment, then asked curiously, "Little White, why do you always call yourself Assassin Cat? Were you ever an assassin?"

"Well, it's normal that the host's memories have been folded and he doesn't remember them." The cat girl waved her hand and laughed, "Of course I was an assassin, and a super handsome and super awesome one at that. I helped you a lot."

So, I've now been completely transformed, shedding my "useless" label and becoming the host's most capable assistant!

"I didn't realize a velvet ball could become an assassin and kill people?" Jiang Chen asked curiously. "What kind of weapon do you like to use? I'll make one for you at a high price."

The kitten girl blushed instantly, lowered her head slightly, rubbed her two soft white paws together, and whispered, "Actually, actually we were just smashing props at first, but then we used a watermelon knife once..."

He reached out and smoothed the catgirl's hair, tidying it up, and said with a light smile, "In that case, I can use the power of the sea god to forge you a small dagger. You might need it sometime."

"Okay, okay!" The kitten girl excitedly pounced on him, rubbing against his arm and giggling. "I want a dagger designed by the host himself, a cute one that matches my soft and adorable kitten personality!"

"No problem. Listen carefully now, the second half of the task you are responsible for is crucial - seize the right opportunity to help Lian Yunshang break the golden pagoda's restrictions and release her."

"Hmm, but I don't know anything about magic?"

"You don't need to know magic to open the Golden Pagoda. From the clues found in the original owner's memories, the Golden Pagoda is not only a place where the Merfolk imprison serious criminals, but it can also be used as a refuge for the people in times of disaster."

Therefore, the Golden Pagoda was not only for the layer where Lian Yunshang was imprisoned.

Think about it, that's a magnificent, landmark pagoda. If it only has an underground level to suppress her, what about the rest of the towering structure above? Is it just for show?

Jiang Chen lowered his voice and patiently explained: "When used as a cage, the space under the tower is activated, and the prisoners imprisoned inside will be bound by various complex magic arrays and unable to escape."

However, when the Golden Pagoda is used for refuge, the clan leader will activate the space on the top of the pagoda so that people can enter from the ground floor. Of the eighteen floors of the Golden Pagoda, seventeen floors can be freely entered and exited after the restrictions are lifted.

The most heavily guarded and highest-level tower is the central control point of the entire golden tower, and no one except the clan leader is allowed to enter.

Last time when I was pleading for Lian Yunshang, I made a point of going to the vicinity of the Golden Pagoda and using a tool to investigate. There are various mechanisms inside the pagoda that can directly control the entire Golden Pagoda, which seems to be a backup plan in case the magic array fails.

Even if all the restrictions and magic arrays of the Golden Pagoda cannot be used in the event of a disaster, it can still be opened and closed by physical means.

So your purpose in going there this time was to use the Soul-Soothing Incense to knock out the unsuspecting Golden Armored Mermaid with Lianqi, and then control the mechanism from inside the tower to open the Golden Tower, allowing Lian Yunshang to escape smoothly!

Once the main system notifies you that the task is complete, you don't need to do anything else.

"It sounds pretty simple, but I don't know how to use mechanisms. What if I can't figure it out?"

"My little white dog is becoming more and more thoughtful and rarely charges around recklessly anymore, which is really gratifying."

Jiang Chen took out paper and pen from his space and started writing and drawing. Then he carefully taught her to recognize the merfolk's writing, patiently instructed her to write down the entire plan in detail, and even sent some of his soul artifacts to wrap around the tip of her tail before he felt a little relieved.

Jiang Chen wavered between going there himself and sending Rong Tuanzi to complete the mission.

After careful consideration, he decided that it would be better to stay in the human world and take Wen Menglong to visit Ye Qingyun. Otherwise, if he were really in the mermaid world, Lian Yunshang would definitely not be able to withstand the torture after her prison break and would reveal everything about the dream.

Dreams are elusive and leave no trace, but Chief Si Zhuo is naturally suspicious. If he is further shrouded in the protagonist's halo, he risks falling into a trap.

Why not send the elusive white cat, which has no restrictions and can't be stopped, over there? With all those various items it's accumulated, it should be able to help complete the mission!

The kitten girl transformed back into a fluffy ball, carrying a steaming hot meat bun in her mouth, and hopped away until she disappeared. Jiang Chen stretched, cast a purification spell on herself, and tidied herself up before pushing open the door and leaving.

"Brother Jiang, good morning!" Wen Menglong was greatly inspired yesterday and got up early this morning. He was sitting under a tree reading when he saw Jiang open the door and greeted him with a smile. "My sister brought over some homemade meat pies yesterday. Liu Ying hasn't started making breakfast yet. Would you like to heat them up and try some?"

"Let's prepare it at noon. We'll go out for breakfast this morning."

"Huh? Why is that?"

Jiang Chen unfolded the paper fan in his hand and fanned himself twice, then laughed and said, "Didn't you want to become a famous doctor? You can't just shut yourself in and study books without any knowledge. I said before that I would find you a famous doctor as your teacher so you can learn medical skills properly. How can I go back on my word so easily?"

"Come on, I've found you an excellent master. Whether you can become her disciple depends on your own performance."

Upon hearing that someone had helped him find a renowned doctor to be his mentor, Wen Menglong excitedly put down his medical skills and hurriedly stood up. Looking at his overly plain clothes, he anxiously said, "What... what should I do? Why didn't you tell me sooner, Brother Jiang?"

If I were to go and formally become an apprentice, I would certainly tidy myself up and prepare a proper ceremony to show my sincerity. But now, I'm leaving without any preparation—what am I supposed to do?

“Brother Menglong, your clothes are quite nice. You look refined and handsome, no need for any embellishment.” Jiang Chen stepped forward and pushed him as they walked out, laughing, “The ceremony is easy to arrange. We can just buy some things on the street after breakfast. Let’s hurry up, or we’ll have to wait a long time when they’re busy.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Has the Future Changed?

"Gurgle~" The little white cat quickly dived into the water, leaving a string of small bubbles in the deep sea as it swam straight toward the barrier of the mermaid world.

When its host returned last time to complete a mission, it was still busy salvaging gold and silver treasures at the bottom of the sea.

Fortunately, the directional icons formed by magic were comparable to navigation, and the fluffy ball found the place in almost no time.

As it slipped into the barrier, dawn was just breaking in the mermaid world. Squads of imposing patrolling mermaids, wielding gleaming tridents, swiftly flew past, making the little white cat excitedly exclaim, "Wow! They really are mermaids! So many of them!"

"Wow! That male mermaid's tail is pink, and it's so sparkly!"

"Haha, so mermaids can be fat too. This plump fish makes me want to eat squirrel fish."

"Tsk tsk, this place is not much different from the human world."

"It's such a pity. The mission world is set in ancient times, and I can't take out my phone from the system space. Otherwise, it would be great to take some photos as souvenirs."

"If I could catch a little mermaid and bring her to other mission worlds, I could make a fortune just from selling tickets..."

…………

The little white cat hopped and skipped along at incredible speed, marveling at everything in its path. Soon, following the "navigation" given by its host, it found the landmark building—the Mermaid Tower.

This is a magnificent building with a strong mermaid world style.