Chapter 1: Dreamscape
A pair of glittering eyes stared ahead, entranced by the breathtaking view before her.
"I have to capture this moment," the girl thought to herself.
She raised her phone with determination and, with a click—snap!—
Yueya jolted awake.
"Wanyan Yueya! How many times have you fallen asleep in class this week?"
An icy voice rang out beside her. A stern woman stood over her, frowning with disapproval.
"I-I'm sorry, Miss Zhou! I didn't mean to!" Yueya quickly apologized.
"No excuses. Copy Chapter Three of the Tao Te Ching by hand—ten times. Submit it in three days."
Knowing better than to defy strict Miss Zhou, Yueya forced a smile.
"Yes, Miss Zhou…"
Next to her, a girl wearing silver-framed glasses and a high ponytail glanced at her with concern, shaking her head.
This was Wei Ziying, Yueya's closest friend.
Once the teacher left, Ziying leaned in and whispered,
"Yueya, what's going on with you? You've been spacing out in class a lot lately. Exams are around the corner—you should be preparing seriously or you'll regret it."
"I know, I know… It's not like I wanted to sleep in class!" Yueya pouted.
"It's like the whole world goes dark and I'm sucked into a dream…"
She was worried about the exams too, but those dreams—
the same scene appearing again and again.
Brilliant, blinding lights swirling in endless patterns—
almost like… a black hole?
No… black holes don't have colors.
And beneath those lights… she always saw the familiar sky above her head.
"You really need to pay attention in class, Yueya," Ziying reminded her gently.
—
After school, the two of them boarded the school bus home.
They were chatting happily when suddenly—
a strange blue-purple light shone through the bus window.
It was unlike ordinary sunlight—faintly glowing and oddly dreamlike.
It hovered right next to Yueya on the empty seat.
"Ziying, look! That light—I've seen it in my dreams!" Yueya exclaimed.
Ziying blinked. "What are you talking about? That's just regular sunlight."
Yueya frowned. Why could only she see it?
She grabbed her phone and snapped a photo.
The screen showed only faint rays of normal sunlight.
Still, to her eyes, the glowing blue light was very real.
"Are you sure you can't see it?" she asked again.
"Nope. Maybe your old eyes are seeing things," Ziying teased with a shrug.
Yueya sighed. "The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao…"
She glanced away and took out her textbook, pushing the odd thought aside.
—
The bus reached their stop.
As they grabbed their bags to get off, Yueya glanced again at the empty seat—
a glowing blue symbol had appeared.
The Chinese character "乾" shone faintly.
"That's from the I Ching… 'Qian' means Heaven."
Yueya stared, confused and a little amazed.
Ziying tugged her sleeve. "Hey, what are you standing there for? Let's go!"
"…Heaven," Yueya murmured.
—
Back home.
After a hot shower and a delicious lunch, it was time for her favorite part of the day—
writing in her diary.
She wrote about everything—playing with cats and dogs, little moments with family and friends.
But today's dream? She left that out.
She had already had that same dream four times this week.
Still, it was Friday—her favorite day.
She picked up her brush and began her punishment assignment: copying Chapter Three of the Tao Te Ching.
Personally, she liked Chapter One better.
There was so much wisdom in those ancient lines.
Suddenly, a thought struck her.
"Could the Tao Te Ching help me understand my dreams?"
That light today… and the character '乾'—they must mean something.
"Ugh… my brain hurts. I hope I don't dream about that again tonight."
She sighed and kept writing.
Knock knock knock.
"Come in, Mom," Yueya called.
Mrs. Wanyan stepped in, holding a fluffy cat in her arms.
"Yueya, QQ kept meowing at your door, asking to see you."
"Really? I probably forgot to play with him today. Let me take him!"
She gently took the cat into her arms.
"Alright then, I won't bother you anymore. QQ, be good and keep your sister company, okay?"
Mrs. Wanyan gave her daughter one last look before leaving the room.
Yueya snuggled QQ close.
"Meow meow meow… meow meow meow…"
The cat wouldn't stop meowing. It was almost like… it was trying to say something.
She stared into its eyes.
"QQ… are you trying to tell me something?"
Suddenly—
A strange force rushed straight toward her forehead.
Her vision went black.
She had fallen asleep again.
But this time…
the dream was far more vivid—
and much, much bigger.
Chapter 2: Arrival in a New World
Morning sunlight spilled over the green fields, as if gifting warmth to every blade of grass.
The Creator's light brought life to all things—it was the start of everything.
Ding ding dong…
A clear, melodious piano tune filled the air, delicate and dreamlike—
like something from a palace of a thousand flowers.
The music stirred Yueya awake.
She slowly opened her eyes, stretched lazily, and immediately realized—
"This… this isn't my bed!"
She looked around in confusion.
Above her was a tall, old-fashioned canopy bed with soft brown curtains, exuding an air of elegance and nobility.
She pulled the curtains open to take a better look—
and gasped.
A figure with the body of a human but the head of a cat sat nearby, playing the piano with graceful fingers.
"AHHHHH!" Yueya screamed in shock.
The moment the pianist heard her cry, it instantly transformed into a small cat.
Yueya blinked in disbelief. "Wait… QQ?!"
The creature transformed back into human form and bowed respectfully.
"Miss Wanyan, please don't be frightened. I am Vilio QQ, of the Phantom Cat Clan.
'Vilio' is our clan name, and 'QQ' is the name you gave me."
Yueya was speechless.
Her beloved pet cat… had turned into a person?
This couldn't be real.
But those eyes, that expression—there was no doubt.
It was really QQ.
She stared for a long time before whispering, "QQ… it's really you?"
"Yes, Miss Yueya. It is truly me," he replied firmly.
"What's going on? Why are you a person now? And where are we?!"
Yueya was overwhelmed with questions. Her voice trembled.
Seeing her panic, QQ softened his tone and explained:
"Miss Yueya, this place is the one you've been dreaming of—
a dazzling land known as the Empire of Pusonglai,
an empire made of countless meteors in the southern reaches of the universe.
Many know it as the 'Meteor Realm'.
It serves as a diplomatic hub where major interplanetary events are discussed."
"And as for why I can become human…" QQ continued,
"It is because I am your Heavenly Guardian.
The Phantom Cat Clan has protected the Wanyan family for generations.
Every fifty years, the Empire of Pusonglai holds the Earth Grand Forum,
and I was chosen to serve as your personal guardian for this journey."
Yueya blinked, stunned.
No wonder so many strange things had been happening lately.
Now, hearing QQ's explanation, everything began to make sense.
But one thing nagged at her—
"Why didn't Mom tell me any of this?"
Then again… she hadn't told her mom about the dreams either,
afraid she might worry.
Shaking her head, Yueya looked at QQ.
"QQ, can I talk to my mom? I have so much to ask her."
"Of course, Miss Yueya. I have a communicator device for contacting Mrs. Wanyan—
it even supports video calls."
He reached into a small vintage brown pouch and handed her the device.
Yueya took it and dialed immediately.
Ring… Ring…
The call connected.
"Yueya?!" her mother's joyful voice rang through the speaker.
"My dear girl, you finally called!
I've been waiting so long to hear from you.
I guess you've arrived safely in Pusonglai, haven't you?
You'll be staying there for three months, so I hope you'll adjust quickly."
Yueya pouted.
"Mom! Why didn't you tell me about all this in advance?!
The Earth Grand Forum, the cat turning into a person…
Do you have any idea how scary this all was?!"
Her mother chuckled.
"Well, if I told you everything, there wouldn't have been any surprises!
Besides, you'd only get nervous."
"Surprise? More like a shock!" Yueya grumbled.
"Come on, sweetheart," her mom said warmly.
"You only get one chance to visit a place like Pusonglai in your life.
Embrace this new world with an open heart."
"Oh! And I almost forgot," she added.
"I know you love brown, so I specially arranged a vintage sandalwood suite for you.
There are lots of pretty dresses in the wardrobe—just your style."
Yueya smiled at last.
"Thanks, Mom. I'll do my best to experience everything with an open heart. Love you!"
She hung up.
QQ took the chance to step forward.
"Miss Yueya, since you've finished speaking with your mother,
are you ready to begin our exploration of the Empire?"
"Yes! Let's go, QQ. I'm ready!" she said with excitement.
"Then allow me to summon your transport," QQ announced.
With a flick of his fingers, a hovercraft appeared before them—
sleek and green with blue lights glowing underneath, shaped like a flying saucer.
Its doors were transparent and curved over the top like a dome.
"Wow! A flying car?! This is so cool!" Yueya exclaimed.
QQ nodded.
"There are two types of vehicles in Pusonglai—land and air.
For your first day, I chose this airship so you can enjoy the full view."
He opened the door with a polite bow.
"After you, Miss."
"Thanks, QQ!" Yueya climbed in carefully.
"Ooh… the seats are so comfy."
She grinned, already feeling sleepy again from all the excitement.
—
As they soared through the sky, Yueya dozed off briefly.
When she woke, the city below came into view—
busy streets filled with people wearing 15th-century European noble attire.
Elegant hats, laced gowns, tailored coats…
The whole place felt like a royal dreamland.
"Do people dress like this every day?" she asked, amazed.
"Yes, Miss Yueya.
Most citizens here are nobility, so they take pride in their appearance," QQ explained.
"So everyone here is a big deal…" Yueya thought to herself.
She couldn't help but feel pressure to represent her own kingdom well.
Soon, they reached a majestic building.
"That," QQ said, pointing, "is the Crystal Dream Palace.
All Earth delegates must sign in there before the welcome ceremony."
It was a grand, snowy-white palace with floor-to-ceiling windows,
snowflake carvings on the walls, and a shining star on the roof.
It looked more like a grand ballroom than an office.
"Wow… it's gorgeous!" Yueya clasped her hands, eyes sparkling.
Inside, the palace was even more dazzling.
The floor shimmered like ice, etched with snowflake patterns.
A chandelier of pure crystal hung above them.
"This would be the perfect place for a ball!" Yueya whispered, imagining herself dancing.
"It is," QQ replied.
"We do host balls here from time to time. If you like, we can attend the next one."
"Really? Yay! I'd love that!"
She clapped in delight, already dreaming of twirling in a beautiful gown.
—
They arrived at the registration desk.
Many other young nobles were already lined up, all elegant and poised.
"Did we come late?" Yueya whispered nervously.
"Not at all," QQ smiled. "Registration begins in ten minutes."
They chatted while waiting, laughing about old stories from home.
QQ even admitted he'd secretly visited Pusonglai a few times before,
sneaking out of her mom's room while pretending to nap.
Tap tap tap…
Just before registration began, a girl in a sparkling pink gown and crystal heels hurried in.
She had long red curls, flushed cheeks, and a delicate scent of roses followed her.
A white horse servant walked beside her.
At the same time, Yueya had changed too—
wearing a white ruffled dress with a brown ribbon at the chest, a deep brown cloak,
black curly hair, and chocolate-scented perfume.
Two girls—one rose, one cocoa—stood side by side in contrast.
Suddenly, the girl behind Yueya tripped.
Her horse servant quickly caught her.
"Registration begins now!" the announcer declared.
One by one, each noble stepped up to sign in.
The signature styles were varied—elegant, modern, stylish.
Yueya used a cutesy bubble handwriting style.
After registration, everyone was led to sit at crystal chairs with clear glass tables.
On each table: fruit, cookies, strawberry cake, and hot cocoa with marshmallows.
"These strawberries… they're so sweet!" Yueya gasped after tasting one.
QQ smiled.
"Everything here is pure and natural—no chemicals or preservatives.
Even sweets won't rot your teeth or make you gain weight."
He offered her a slice of cake.
She took a bite—fluffy, creamy, heavenly.
The milk was rich, the egg soft, the strawberries fresh.
—
Then came the announcement:
"Welcome, esteemed guests, to the Earth Grand Forum.
You'll be staying for two weeks until the third lunar month's end.
Please prepare your presentations.
Now, let's begin with introductions."
A golden-haired princess stood.
"Greetings. I'm Princess Kangchuan Na from the Kingdom of Monhaila.
You may call me Nana.
It's an honor to be here."
Then a boy with dark hair and porcelain skin stood.
"Good day. I'm Prince Tarante from the Kingdom of Gualka.
I've prepared thoroughly and welcome all questions."
Yueya listened to introduction after introduction—
until… she nodded off.
"Miss, it's your turn," QQ whispered, waking her.
She looked around, embarrassed.
Some nobles scoffed at her.
"Ugh, anyone can join this thing now?" someone sneered.
But behind her, the red-haired girl smiled warmly.
Flustered, Yueya stood and bowed.
"Hello, everyone… I'm Princess Wanyan Yueya from the Kingdom of Laoklai.
My mother surprised me with this journey,
so I wasn't prepared at all—
it felt like I'd fallen into a sci-fi dream.
But I promise I'll give this forum my all.
Please take care of me."
Seeing her sincerity, many nobles changed their opinions—
and smiled back.
Chapter 3: The Welcome Ceremony
"Let the registration begin!"
The palace staff announced with a loud and clear voice, microphone in hand.
The noble guests stepped forward one by one to fill out the registration forms.
Each name was written in a unique script—some were graceful serif fonts, some modern and sharp, while Yueya preferred a soft, bubbly cream-style font, something she had created herself.
Once everyone was registered, the staff guided the guests to their arranged seats.
Each seat had a clear crystal chair and a transparent tempered-glass table, elegantly arranged.
On every table were delicate refreshments: grapes, strawberries, raspberries, chocolate cookies, donuts, strawberry cream cake, and warm cocoa with floating marshmallows.
Yueya couldn't resist and picked up a strawberry.
She took a bite—
"Wow… it's so sweet!"
QQ smiled.
"Indeed, the water, air, and sunlight here are pure and untouched by pollution.
All the food is natural—no additives or preservatives.
You don't have to worry about cavities or gaining weight.
Try the strawberry cake too."
Yueya eagerly picked up a fork, sliced a small piece of cake, and took a bite.
Her eyes lit up immediately.
The whipped cream was smooth and rich, with a subtle milk aroma—creamy but not greasy.
The sponge cake was soft, with a faint scent of egg, and the strawberries were just as sweet and juicy as before.
—
Suddenly, a host appeared at the front of the hall and raised the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for attending the Earth Grand Forum.
The forum will officially begin at the end of the third lunar month and last for two full weeks.
We trust that each of you has prepared documents and ideas from your home worlds.
Please get ready to present your insights."
"And now," the host continued, "let's begin the Welcome Ceremony with self-introductions.
First, let's hear from the young lady in the first row on the left."
A girl with flowing golden hair stood up gracefully.
Her voice was sweet and clear.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Princess Kangchuan Na from the Kingdom of Monhaila.
You may call me Nana.
It is an honor to be invited to Pusonglai and attend the Earth Grand Forum.
I hope to learn a lot from all of you."
Polite applause followed.
Then, a boy with dark black hair and porcelain-white skin stood up.
His voice was calm and charming.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Prince Tarante from the Kingdom of Gualka.
After receiving this mission from my father, I spent weeks researching and preparing.
I welcome any questions or discussions during the forum."
His refined tone and confident demeanor instantly marked him as royalty.
—
One by one, the guests introduced themselves.
But by the time it was Yueya's turn…
she had dozed off again.
Maybe it was the sugar from the cake.
Maybe it was just the exhaustion from everything that had happened.
Either way, her head lay gently on the table, fast asleep.
"Miss… Ahem!"
QQ leaned over and gently shook her shoulder.
"It's your turn."
Everyone turned toward her.
A few nobles exchanged judgmental glances.
Someone whispered, "Can just anyone attend the Earth Forum these days?"
But not everyone was cruel.
The girl who had arrived late earlier—the one in the shimmering pink dress—
stood silently behind Yueya, her rose-scented perfume lingering in the air.
She didn't mock her. Instead, she smiled softly, a gentle warmth in her eyes.
—
"Ah! I—I'm sorry!"
Yueya suddenly sat up, scratching her head in embarrassment.
She looked completely flustered.
The host gave a friendly chuckle.
"It's quite alright. Just remember to sip tea after sweets next time."
"Now then," he added, "Miss, would you kindly introduce yourself?"
Yueya nodded gratefully.
She stood, bowed slightly, and began.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Wanyan Yueya, princess of the Kingdom of Laoklai.
To be honest… I had no idea I was coming here."
She looked around shyly.
"My mother wanted to surprise me, so I wasn't informed of this journey beforehand.
I didn't even know a place like Pusonglai existed.
It felt like I fell into a sci-fi dream… and I wasn't prepared at all."
"But!" she continued firmly, "Now that I'm here, I will do my absolute best to fulfill my role.
I may be new and confused, but I hope you'll give me your guidance.
Thank you for having me!"
She bowed again.
The audience was quiet for a moment.
Then—soft applause began.
More and more people joined in.
Her honesty and sincerity had changed the atmosphere.
Even the nobles who had doubted her began to see her differently.
—
Yueya returned to her seat, cheeks flushed, but heart light.
Beside her, QQ whispered, "You did well, Miss. Very well indeed."
And so, the ceremony continued—
but for Yueya, this was the true beginning of her journey in Pusonglai.