Volume 1: Entering the Future for the First Time
In the northern borderlands, where the spring chill is piercing, winter snow still lingers in the fields, and a faint spring breeze, carrying a refreshing coolness, gently sweeps across the land. It scatters fine snowflakes, lifting them like silver-white gossamer1something very light, thin, and insubstantial or delicate, dancing ethereally with the wind.
In the heartland of Northeast China’s Changbai Mountain, dense red pines stand tall, reaching into the clouds. Their branches have faintly acquired a new green hue, while the rest remains a robust, ink-green color, undiminished and instead enriched with the unyielding scent of pine resin.
Beneath the trees, specks of snow dot the ground, occasionally revealing the surface covered with fallen leaves. The forest is not yet at its most vibrant, but a vigorous vitality is unmistakably burgeoning, awaiting only the touch of spring rain to unleash its unstoppable force.
Beneath the ancient red pines, the snow remains thick, yet beneath this snow at this moment, new life is incubating. Hidden dozens of meters underground lies an astonishing dwelling, with intricate passages that are remarkably spacious and clean. At the endpoint, neatly laid bluestones pave the way, and a considerable space has been excavated underground, ingeniously supported by tree roots to prevent soil collapse.
Amidst the tree roots, a mini-mansion stands peacefully. The mansion follows the style of an ancient three-courtyard compound, with every brick and tile exuding an ancient charm. Upturned eaves adorned with night pearls serve as lighting, and beneath the eaves, bronze bells hang silently. Beyond the mansion, one can even see a mini farmland, where a hint of new green is faintly visible, suggesting the growth of crops.
If someone were to witness this scene, they would surely be astounded, thinking they had stumbled upon an immortal’s abode.
Inside the mansion, in a bedroom, curtains hang gracefully. On a carved mahogany bed, a palm-sized, blue-gray furball has just given birth to three babies. At the moment of their birth, above the ground, centered around the ancient red pine, snowflakes swirl, forming a slow vortex.
What remains unseen is that this vortex arises not from the wind but from the spirit. In the mountains and forests, where spiritual energy is most abundant, the birth of spirit beasts draws the convergence of spiritual energy, merging into the bodies of the newborns, aiding in their growth. This is nature’s best gift for their birth.
The blue-gray furball turned over on the soft and comfortable bed. A small head emerged mischievously from its mother’s abdomen. Surprisingly, this mouse baby was born in a human form, indicating the extraordinariness of its bloodline. The mouse baby, currently less than the height of an adult’s little finger, had a pair of black eyes like pearls, brimming with curiosity as it looked around. A vivid vermilion mole between its eyebrows was particularly eye-catching. Its chubby bun-like face felt remarkably pleasant to the touch, and its tender skin was no less beautiful than the white snow in the forest.
The little baby extended its short hand, ready to climb up and explore its surroundings. However, its mother swiftly used a claw to push it back into her abdomen. Sensing the little one finally quiet, the blue-gray furball closed its eyes comfortably, preparing to sleep. But after a moment, three little heads, one after another, poked out, secretly greeting each other and attempting to crawl out with their tiny short hands.
Just as the three little babies were about to leave their mother’s vicinity, the blue-gray furball finally yawned and opened its eyes. A front paw casually tapped the brocade quilt. The sound was not loud, almost imperceptible, but clear enough for the three little ones to hear. “You three little rascals, trying to sneak away? Hurry up and come back to your mother!”
The three naked little ‘rascals’ looked at each other and quickly ran back to their mother, calling her with a childish tone, attempting to soften the stern tone of their mother. The blue-gray furball allowed the three little ones to hang on its neck, continuing the tapping motion.
One of the smallest among them, holding onto the blue-gray furball’s neck, curiously spoke, “Mother, aren’t we mice? Why does Mother call us little rascals?”
Clack! The tapping motion abruptly stopped. The blue-gray furball’s eyes showed a hint of confusion. After a moment, a flash of light radiated from the bed, and the blue-gray furball disappeared. In its place stood a woman dressed in a bright red floral cotton-padded jacket, with two long braids. The woman looked completely different from what the furball wore. Her face was as beautiful as a peach blossom, and a touch of vermilion mole between her eyebrows carried a strong ancient charm. As her eyes flickered, she exhibited a breathtaking beauty.
The palm-sized woman flipped her hand, and a small redwood table appeared in front of her. Quickly, several delicate desserts were placed on the table. The woman then took out three soft cushions and placed them next to the wooden table, gesturing for the three little ones to sit down.
Three little babies saw their mother forget to mention the matter of sneaking away and naturally obediently found a place to sit. The smallest of them even used chubby hands to support his plump cheeks, wearing an attentive expression.
In fact, all three little babies had some inheritance to varying degrees, knowing their true identities. Plus, they had gained spiritual wisdom during the gestation period and learned something from their mother’s prenatal education. This didn’t hinder them from wanting to know more.
As their mother elaborated in a rare and serious manner, the radiance in the eyes of the three little ones became even brighter. It was a curiosity and longing for the vast world and an infinite aspiration for the future.
To be precise, there were many types of treasure-seeking mice. There were medicine-seeking mice that liked spiritual plants, instrument-seeking mice that preferred spiritual tools, tomb-seeking mice that dwelled in various ruins, spirit-seeking mice that searched for spiritual eyes and items, and so on. Although they all belonged to the species of treasure-seeking mice among spiritual beasts, each had its own strengths and preferences.
In their mother’s narrative, the three little ones learned that their mother was not born in this land called Earth but came from a completely different place. That place was called the Huanchen Continent, a land abundant in spiritual energy, rich in races, and even home to many ancient bloodlines. It was a paradise for cultivators and spiritual plants and beasts. In that place, their mother even encountered a Lingzhi Immortal Grass. If the grass’s spiritual awareness hadn’t opened, it could have been eaten by their mother. Yes, their mother was a medicine-seeking mouse, later skillfully swayed away by their father, a tomb-seeking mouse, with his superb culinary skills.
As for why they came here, their mother didn’t say. Instead, she looked at the smallest little baby with a slightly complex gaze. Seeing this, the smallest one, holding a pastry with short arms, brought it to his mother’s mouth, his eyes curved in an innocent smile, and a bright vermilion birthmark between his eyebrows was striking.
During the narration, there was a sudden sound from the entrance of the cave. The three little ones turned their heads to look, and soon, a man in a black robe appeared in their field of vision. Unlike their mother’s attire, the man wore elegant ancient clothing, had a handsome face with sharp features, and seemed to be surrounded by a subtle yet palpable aura of killing intent.
However, with the nature of father and son and the connection of blood, the three little babies were not affected in the slightest. They even judged the identity of the newcomer at a glance. The three little ones eagerly ran over, joyfully shouting “Daddy” as they did.
The man in black bent down, opening his arms. There were signs of softening in his sharp features. He carried the three small ones to the low table and sat down. Seeing the woman’s attire, he twitched his brow.
“Such attire, what kind of decency is this!” Although his words were icy, the helplessness and indulgence in his eyes couldn’t be concealed.
The woman paid no attention, instead stood up, skillfully twirling her braided hair with both hands, and then spoke. “Doesn’t my man find me attractive like this?”
The man arranged the three babies in their respective places. Because the table was square and made of redwood, he held the smallest bundle, and upon hearing the woman’s inquiry, he lifted his eyes. “Ugly!”
The woman snorted unhappily, looking at the three innocent babies, she continued to ask, “Does Mommy look good in this outfit?”
The three babies immediately answered in unison, “Looks good!”
The smallest baby, still staring with bright eyes at the woman, spoke with utmost seriousness. “Mommy looks good in anything!”
The man holding the baby shuddered, almost dropping the baby. Listening to the baby speaking in a Northeastern dialect with a childish voice felt quite peculiar.
However, the woman’s eyes lit up. She leaned over and took the baby, rubbing her cheek against the baby’s chubby one. “Baby is really amazing, self-taught!”
After rubbing the little bundle, the woman continued, “Husband, I’ve already thought of the baby’s names!”
The man suddenly had a very bad feeling. Sure enough, the woman continued, “Husband, since we have three babies, let’s name them in order: Ginseng, Mink, and Deer Antler. How about that?”
The man: “…”
The baby looked puzzled. “Mommy, what do these names mean?”
The woman replied, “It means very precious, very precious! Do you like it, baby?”
The baby looked at the woman adoringly, “Like!”
The man: “…”
In the end, despite the woman’s added expression of regret and the three babies’ disappointment, the man, with a stern face, renamed the babies. They were called Shu Xun, Shu Bao, and Shu Shu. When pronounced together, it happened to sound like the homophony of a “treasure-seeking mouse.”
Shu Xun, as the eldest brother, had the smallest stature. He was also the only one inheriting the vermilion birthmark between his mother’s eyebrows. He had self-taught the Northeastern dialect, so he enjoyed his mother’s occasional cheek-rubbing actions. Seeing this, the other two brothers imitated him, and even the usually stern father liked to rub Shu Xun’s chubby face.
Accompanied by a faint “click” sound, a family portrait appeared in the camera. Shu Xun, due to his size, sat in the middle, with his two younger brothers intimately nestled on either side. Following them were the father and mother, all dressed in similar ancient-style clothing. Their delicate appearances made them look like the most perfect porcelain dolls.
The author has something to say:
Lao Xuan has finally started a new story. For Singles’ Day, sending cute stuff to all the single dogs out there. The three little babies are ready to be spoiled~~~
(Do you still remember the mother’s paw of the medicine-seeking mouse that Xiao Zhima initially exchanged for Lingzhi spores? No mistake, that’s the mother in this story~~)
Translator’s corner:
AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I see Shu Baaaaaooooo!!!!!!!!! If you don’t know who’s Shu Bao, Shu Bao was mentioned in Interstellar Greening Master. I am also tracking down the author’s list to see if Shu Bao has his own story xD
