IMC Chapter 2

Soon, everyone’s attention was no longer on the mouse. After all, this event was so important that people were more concerned about those who might become strong competitors. As for the little mouse, to be honest, they were really afraid that they would accidentally step on it to death. At this moment, they lowered their heads and were more careful when walking, which was the greatest respect for this competitor.

Shu Bao didn’t take this situation to heart. As for the misunderstanding of his identity by everyone, he was even happy to see it happen. After all, it was not a good thing to expose the identity of a treasure-seeking mouse. Although there might not be such a race as treasure-seeking mice in this world, it was still better to be cautious.

Soon, the host on the square interrupted everyone’s discussion, “Now, please welcome the contestants to board the Noah starship. They will take this city-class starship to reach their final destination in three months. It is an undeveloped barren galaxy where the warriors will survive, explore, and develop technology and civilization. The results of the competition will determine the naming rights, resource development rights, planet ownership, and other major decisions of this barren galaxy…”

The host’s voice seemed to have some kind of magic, making the audience and the contestants in the entrance area excited. Amid the deafening cheers, the contestants walked towards the port and prepared to board the ship.

Shu Bao also began to move forward with the crowd. Of course, he was more careful this time to avoid stepping on anything strange. The cheers from the onlookers on both sides had nothing to do with him. With some free time, at last, he finally started to sort out his thoughts.

The reason he came to this time and space was because he was worried about his brother. That unreliable brother had also traveled through time and space. He followed the gravitational ripples left by his brother during the time travel. Yet, he didn’t know where his brother was now.

Looking at the current technological development in this time and space, it’ll be very difficult for him to find a mouse. Thinking of this, Shu Bao couldn’t help but sigh.

“You are so brave. Are you a fan of Star Dream?” Suddenly, a voice came from above.

Shu Bao instinctively looked up and immediately saw a crimson snake tongue flickering in and out. The mouse immediately fluffed up, quickly took out a mini cat-repellent spray from the storage space, and leaped up while turning to aim the nozzle at the snake following behind. “Want to eat the mouse? You’re still too young for that!”

The little green snake was also startled. Seeing this, it immediately raised its tail in surrender and explained, “My name is Lan Qing, and I’m a vegetarian!”

After saying this, to express its friendliness, the little green snake grinned and revealed a pair of fangs.

Shu Bao, “……” This way of expressing friendliness is not friendly at all, and a snake claiming to be a vegetarian makes the mouse very suspicious.

The two’s actions successfully disrupted the team’s progress, and someone behind them started to question loudly. In order not to delay the progress of the group, Shu Bao put away the cat-repellent spray and took out a small bottle in front of the little green snake, squeezing out some clear liquid to apply on himself.

“It is deadly poison, colorless and tasteless. Anyone who eats it will die.” After applying it, Shu Bao shook the small bottle in front of the little green snake before putting it away into the storage space.

The little green snake was stunned for a moment, then began to nod frantically, indicating that it understood. The fur ball in front of it turned around again and continued to move forward calmly. Seeing this, Lan Qing immediately followed, but this time he no longer stealthily trailed behind; instead, he walked openly beside it.

The two walked in silence for a while, and the little green snake Lan Qing started to find a topic to break the silence, “Um…”

“Don’t ask. I’m not taking a shower today.” Shu Bao interrupted Lan Qing directly.

Lan Qing: “…” Well, after all, this mouse was the calmest of all the mice he had met.

Lan Qing: “I mean…”

“I won’t wash this week.” Shu Bao said calmly.

Lan Qing: “…” He didn’t dare to ask any more questions. He feared that if he continued asking, the fluff ball would not take a bath for a whole year.

The two of them came to the entrance of the starship in silence. Standing close to the starship, Shu Bao felt more and more shocked by this behemoth. At the same time, he did not doubt that this enormous starship could indeed accommodate the population of an entire city.

When Shu Bao followed the many contestants into the starship, he realized that his thinking was too simple. This starship was not just about accommodating people; it truly achieved something far more significant.

With all the comforts and functions that a city should have, this starship itself is a moving city.

“Such starships are usually used for long-distance interstellar travel or large-scale interstellar migration. This survival competition organized by the Interstellar Alliance is really a big deal!” Lan Qing learned his lesson this time and did not start with a question, but made a direct statement.

As expected, the effect was good. The fluff ball did not mention the bath anymore and even glanced at him. Lan Qing had found the right way to communicate and immediately began to introduce, “According to gossip, the newly discovered barren galaxy contains a large amount of rare heavy metals. This time, all races, major families, and even many ancient royal families have participated…”

Following Lan Qing’s introduction, Shu Bao further understood the situation. There were no demon races in this time and space, but there were three major races: beasts, Zergs, and humans. In addition, there were some small races, such as the spirits transformed from plants called Spirits, and the race that did not like to communicate with the outside world called the Phantoms…

In this survival competition, all races except the Phantoms participated. However, there were also internal conflicts within each race; most people fought on their own. Regardless of the race, live broadcasts typically fell into two categories; luck-based and strength-based.

The representative of the luck faction is Xing Meng, who Lan Qing mentioned at the beginning. He is a human. The representative of the strength faction is Fu Qing, the Zerg that he hit before.

“Fu Qing has long publicly stated that he does not believe in such an illusory thing as luck. Anyone who talks about luck is tantamount to an open declaration of war against him. So, brother, you are really brave! You dare to openly challenge Fu Qing and the entire strength faction he represents!” Lan Qing once again praised him sincerely.

Shu Bao: “…” This is a misunderstanding. He was just stating the facts and had no idea about all this.

Looking at the group of strange creatures around him, Shu Bao couldn’t help but feel a headache. He took the initiative to ask, “How many cats, snakes, and owls are there in the strength faction?”

Lan Qing was suddenly at a loss for words because he had never paid attention to such a strange question.

“Forget it, take your time.” The considerate mouse was not in a hurry and stopped the little green snake from its strange habit of biting its own tail.

The bracelet distributed during the competition also served as a room key. Shu Bao followed the address displayed on the bracelet and found where he would live for the next three months; a hotel with luxurious decoration style. After locating his floor and room, he turned around and immediately saw his neighbor, the extremely popular Fu Qing.

In line with the principle that enemies should be resolved rather than deepened, Shu Bao raised his paw and waved to greet, “Hi, hello.”

Fu Qing lowered his head and looked at the little mouse outside the door of the next room. “The door is automatic, no need to push it.” After saying that, he went into the room.

Shu Bao was left with a head full of questions. When Shu Bao entered his room, he suddenly realized that Fu Qing felt that he, a mouse, could not push the door.

Shu Bao, “…”

After strolling around the room, Shu Bao was very satisfied with the living environment, especially the oversized bathtub, which would allow him to swim freely to his heart’s content. However, the condition was that couldn’t let that little green snake know.

But when he thought that the snake was not on the same floor as him, he felt relieved and decided to have a hot spring SPA. He immediately started to take out the necessary things for bathing, such as the little yellow duck, vanilla bath, clean and comfortable small towel, and hair care essential oil. After preparing them one by one, Shu Bao stood on the edge of the bathtub and made a jumping action.

As a result, the doorbell happened to ring at this moment. Shu Bao looked at the door and thought that it must be his powerful neighbor who realized his mistake and came to apologize.

The mouse jumped out of the bathtub and trotted to the door. Instead of using the automatic door function, he opened the door himself. As soon as he opened the door, he was greeted by a splash of green.

The little green snake grinned, showing its two small fangs, and waggled its tail to greet, “Hi, Shu Bao, I just moved next to you! What are you doing?”

Shu Bao looked down at the small bath towel wrapped around his body, his expression unchanged, “I’m just about to give the little yellow duck a bath. Is there anything else?”

“Little yellow duck, is it your pet?” Lan Qing asked, a bit surprised.

Shu Bao wouldn’t actually keep a rubber duck as a pet, but at that moment, he just nodded expressionlessly, “Yes.”

Lan Qing immediately showed an expression of admiration, “I didn’t expect you to have such a large pet.”

Shu Bao: “…” Although, well, fine, that little rubber duck is indeed about the same size as him in mouse form.

Lan Qing just came to say hello. Seeing the situation, he decided not to disturb him further. “Then you continue with what you’re doing. I’ll go back first. Call me anytime if you need help.” With that, he flashed a smile, revealing his signature fangs.

Shu Bao watched Lan Qing leave and found that the neighbor Lan Qing changed was not Fu Qing’s, but the one on the other side. The neighbor was waiting for the elevator not far away. From the back, he looked like a tall and elegant man, neither a snake nor a cat; very decent!

Perhaps noticing Shu Bao’s gaze, the neighbor waiting for the elevator suddenly turned around 180 degrees. His sharp eyes locked onto Shu Bao, and to Shu Bao’s surprise, the head belonged to an owl. 

Shu Bao: !!!

He slammed the door shut. This competition was not only very dangerous but also quite frightening for a mouse. He decided to go back and wash the little yellow duck. After smoothing out his ruffled fur, the fluff ball rushed back to the bathroom with little thuds.

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