Chapter Text
It all started in an attempt to bond with his newer friend, Xingqiu.
Gaming, Chongyun, and the aforementioned Xingqiu were all seated outside of Wanmin Restaurant, waiting for Xiangling to get off of her shift. While Gaming had known the friend group for a couple of years now, it was really only after things settled with his dad that he started hanging out with them- Along with others like Xinyan and Ms. Hu.
It had gotten to the point that Xingqiu got comfortable enough to present Gaming with some of his writing… If you can even call the scribbles Gaming had wondered over for an hour ‘writing’. Nevertheless, Gaming was happy to listen to his friend ramble passionately about his hobbies, Chongyun quietly nodding along or piping in with a teasing remark here and there.
Then the subject had shifted to a book Xingqiu had read recently. One he detested.
Even Chongyun grimaced at the mere mention of the title- “Proud Immortal Demon’s Way”. Gaming raised a curious brow at the moue the two shared.
“Xingqiu found it in his older brother’s room and got curious.” Chongyun explained, leaning back with his arms crossed as though they were speaking of something so grave. “It was a pretty cool story at first- It’s about this half-human half-demon boy, in a world without visions or Archons, and the world building is really nice!”
Xingqiu cut in with a dismayed sigh, leaning his head in his hands. “Then once the main character’s back story was over it all devolved into just… Degenerate filth.” He mumbled.
Gaming wasn’t the most well read guy, admittedly, and he also wasn’t very eloquent- So to him, words like that could mean a lot of things he doesn’t know about. He squints, tilting his head. “Like… The writing got super bad?” He asked carefully, blinking at the shared looks of dismay his friends wore.
“No, no, the writing is… Fine. In fact it’s very descriptive. Even when I don’t want it to be.” Xingqiu said in exasperation. “What I mean by filth is like… Sex, Gaming. It was well over six thousand chapters of sex.”
Chongyun coughed into his hand at the bewildered expression Gaming wore, who then leaned forward with a look of sincere distress. “Six thousand- Did you read all of that?!” He asked, to which Xingqiu sighed wearily.
“Listen, once I start a book I can’t just… Drop it, without seeing how it ends! And the main character is so cool!” Xingqiu said rather defensively. “It could be like one of those cool hero novels from Inazuma if you ignored all of the smut!”
Chongyun shook his head fondly, before Xiangling came bounding over with platters of snacks balanced in her hands and swiftly stole Gaming’s attention.
The book became something of a running joke between the three boys after that, subtle references made here and there usually just to fluster or embarrass Gaming, until eventually he was coerced into reading it.
“You don’t have to read the graphic parts.” Xingqiu soothed as he placed the damned book in Gaming’s hesitant hands. “I just want you to see how cool the protagonist is! He really seems like your type of character.”
Now Gaming wasn’t exactly the sort of person who was known for having time on his hands- Between Job 1, Job 2, and dance practice. However he’d end up reading a page or three before bed every night, finding that reading helps him fall asleep easier. And he would admit, Xingqiu was right! The world of PIDW was insanely interesting, and Luo Binghe was a very intriguing character. Gaming enjoyed his determination to prove himself, and seeing him grow as a character.
He did have to put the book down once talk of revenge against Shen Qingqiu started getting a little too vulgar. Gaming was never a fan of gore or gruesome deaths in whatever he read or listened to, so he was content with the simple story he’d stopped with. Luo Binghe had a tough life, grew stronger by the day, and eventually overcame all of his hardships. Gaming liked that!
Then, on what had to be the most unfortunate night of his life, he was tasked with bringing a package safely from Liyue Harbor to Qiaoying Village. It started storming midway through his journey, which wasn’t anything new, he could find an inn if he ran down the path fast enough! Then he caught the gazes of a Stonehide and Thunderhide Lawlachurl. Not ideal, but Lawlachurls were surprisingly easy to outrun.
Then he slipped in the mud like an idiot, fell flat on his back, and could only watch as Man Chai desperately tried to roll him out of the way before an electro-infused fist came hurling down right towards his head.
Gaming opened his eyes to the sun filtering through tree tops above him, a weeping Man Chai curled up on his chest. He blinked, rubbing his eyes as he sat up- The little Suanni immediately flitting around his form in relief. Gaming smiled comfortingly and pat Man Chai on the head before looking around. He was in the middle of a beaten dirt path within a forest, the evening sun illuminating the greenery around him peacefully.
Where exactly was he? Liyue wasn’t exactly known for its lush forests, and he surely wasn’t around one when he… When he…..
“What in the world happened?!” Gaming asked Man Chai, who whimpered mournfully. “Oh- Did that cool Adeptus save us? We were pretty far from Wangshu Inn though…” He hummed thoughtfully, but blinked when Man Chai shook his head.
[ Greetings, User 003! \( ^0^ \) ]
Gaming jumped with a startled yelp as the blue screen popped up in front of him, Man Chai growling at it as well. Good to know he wasn’t hallucinating at least, but he swallowed with a furrowed brow as he examined it. He didn’t even see technology like this in Fontaine, where did it come from?
“Ah… Hello? Who are you?” He asked awkwardly, blinking when the screen changed in reply.
[ This is the System, here to guide you through your journey in Proud Immortal Demon’s Way <(-^^-)> ]
Gaming stared for a long few moments, struck speechless. The “System”, as it calls itself, decided to take that moment to continue.
[ User 003 has NOT initiated protocol You can you up, no can no bb, however due to environmental and social standpoints, User 003 was the only viable candidate to be brought into the experience. ]
Did it just call Gaming a loser?
[ Should User 003 have any questions for this System, User 003 is encouraged to ask away! òuó ]
Gaming and Man Chai shared a look, before Gaming cleared his throat awkwardly and looked back towards the screen. “Alright… Ah, I have a lot of questions, actually!” He laughed, though his nerves were audible through the sound. “But I guess I’ll start with the obvious. How exactly did I… Get here? And how can I go back home?”
[ User 003 was brought into this experience via soul transmigration, meaning User 003’s soul has left one body and entered another, elsewhere! ]
That was the polite way of saying Gaming died. He didn’t quite know how to handle that just yet, so he compartmentalized it in another section of his brain before allowing the system to continue.
[ To go back to your original form, User 003 must complete the main objective given to them to push forward the plot of Proud Immortal Demon’s Way ! ]
Gaming was even more befuddled at that. So he’d basically been put into that book Xingqiu had given him? He supposes that isn’t… Too bad. Gaming would prefer this, with a chance to go home, over the actual afterlife. Oh he’d be so embarrassed to meet his ancestors after a death like that, he isn’t ready!
“Alright, that… No, no it doesn’t make sense, but I’ll pretend it does for now.” Gaming cleared his throat. He then paused as he noticed something, crossing his arms curiously. “Hey, if I’m user three, does that mean there are two other people like me here?” He asked, a spark of hope lighting in his chest. It’d be really sweet if he and Man Chai could find someone else they knew here! He’d even take one of the Traveler’s friends from a different nation!
[ Information classified! ]
Yeah alright, Gaming doesn’t know what he expected.
“...That’s fine! So what was that mission you mentioned?” He asked swiftly, ignoring the disappointment he felt. So far the System has been pretty polite to him, it’s probably not its fault that it can’t say certain things! Even if he is a little frustrated.
[ All good stories must have a prologue! User 003 must first become a disciple of Cang Qiong Mountain! Main objectives can vary based on the peak User 003 is welcomed into! ]
Gaming paled. Must he? Must he, really? He just read about Luo Binghe tearing the mountain asunder in revenge, he didn’t want to get involved in that!!
“And uhm… What happens if I don’t?” Gaming asked hesitantly, finally moving to sit up and patting his clothes off from dirt. He realized he wasn’t in his normal outfit, just some simple gray and orange robes. That’s a relief probably- In a world like this, his more modernized clothing would have grabbed some attention.
[ Should User 003 fail the prologue mission, 100 L Points will be deducted! ( # >< ) ]
“Ah. Well- What are L Points exactly? I doubt I have many right now.” He said awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.
[ User 003 currently has 10 starter L Points! L Points stands for Likability Points, and the user will gain these points by doing good deeds and gaining positive Reputation! (o^ ^o) ]
Gaming ‘ohhh’d, nodding his head. Well, he likes to think he was good at that! He can’t say he’s ever done wrong by anyone. Aside from when he was a kid- He was a little rascal when he was younger. Gaming smiled, stealing his resolve. Alright, he can do this! He just has to live in this world for a little while, do as the System says, and then he can go back home and probably burn that book. Easy!
“So, what does running out of these points mean for me? Would I have to make up my debt?” Gaming asked with a curious tilt to his head.
[ Should User 003 hold any less than 0 L points, User 003’s session will be terminated. The User’s soul cut ties with this form and go to where was previously intended! 0.0’ ]
Ah…
“Okay, Man Chai, game plan.” Gaming whispered to the suanni, holding it up in the air above his bed. Apparently the character he plays works at a tavern, meaning he gets his own tiny room. He’s very grateful for that fact. “My name is Yip Gaming. I am fourteen years old.”
Man Chai made a face, and yeah Gaming felt weird pretending he was four years younger than he actually was, but this body was younger than his original one! Besides, the System told him that Cang Qiong usually didn’t accept disciples too old and too young.
“I am fourteen years old.” He insisted, before sighing. “I’m a lower class commoner boy who wants to join the sect due to my desire to help others.”
Man Chai nodded, and Gaming nodded back. “Sadly you’ll have to stay in your little pocket dimension for most of the time.” Gaming said sorrowfully, patting the Suanni’s head when it voiced its complaints. “But the faster we comply, the faster we can go home, okay?”
With a sigh that sounded far too humane, the Suanni simply curled up on his chest and fell asleep. Gaming feels the same way, but really, this was all pretty merciful! It was a chance to continue living, and he was happy to take it. And he’ll re-dye his hair once he gets home. Seeing the plain brown in his reflection earlier felt like looking at a stranger!
And so, he closed his eyes, and tried to push down any anxiety about the coming day. He would eat the heartiest breakfast of his life, say goodbye to the tavern staff (who all seemed so tearful when he said he was planning on joining a sect), and make his way up the mountain. Whatever peak he was welcomed into, he was sure to do his best.
Gaming felt a bit like a fraud as he climbed the stairs with the other children. Despite his body being younger, he had thankfully retained the muscle and stamina he had gained from his jobs and training in his original life. He felt a little bad though, seeing kids as young as ten panting and tripping over the steep staircase.
He had to focus on himself though, so he finished his way up the stairs with only a faint shortage of breath. He was one of the first examinees up, and was promptly given a stick and pointed towards a dirt field. Gaming had read about this part of course, but he was still confused on why exactly digging a hole in some dirt would secure him a spot in the sect.
Gaming smiled at the disciple who had given him the stick gratefully and made his way over. It was hard to keep his gaze from the Peak Lords he knew were watching over, but he knew aweing at them wouldn’t make him look any better. So, without further ado, he dropped to his knees and started digging.
Now this wasn’t exactly anything he’s trained for per say, but… He was a messy child, okay? A messy child who liked digging holes like a dog in his backyard so he could bury tea bags with the belief that it would make a new bush. So the way he discarded the stick and curled his fingers was only natural!
Besides, he could tell Man Chai was having fun with it, if the tingle of warmth he felt in his chest implied anything.
As time passed, more kids started on their own dirt holes around him. It felt like ten minutes before he heard someone clear their throat outside of the small crater he had made, and he looked up to meet the baffled gaze of a girl in orange.
“...Peak Lord Shang welcomes you to An Ding.” She said slowly, before jerking her head to the side. “If you would come with me?”
Gaming blinked, before a wide grin spread across his face. He finally glanced up at the Peak Lords, trying to find Shang Qinghua based off of the description the story gave. And he did find the Peak Lord, who looked to be in a heated argument with… Shen Qingqiu. That was bold!
Beside Shen Qingqiu sat a man in all black, red, and white, who was dressed regally, yet he didn’t seem like a Peak Lord. The two made eye contact, tilting their heads at the same time, before the man simply laughed and turned to talk to Shen Qingqiu. Gaming shrugged, crawling out of his hole and wiping his hands on his knees as he followed the girl from before dutifully.
He still had to do the tea serving ceremony, however serving tea was… Well it was quite literally his family’s specialty. Gaming is more than sure he’ll do just fine.
Gaming sat on his knees across from Shang Qinghua, who smiled kindly at him. The book described him as an overzealous man who thought himself better than everyone else, but so far Gaming wasn’t really getting that kind of vibe!
“This Lord requests the disciple’s name.” Shang Qinghua asked, to which Gaming smiled back.
“This one is Yip Gaming, Peak Lord Shang!” He replied. It feels awkward to speak so formally when Liyue hasn’t done so in centuries, however his dad did teach him proper etiquette for specific meetings he would supposedly have in the future. Obviously he never ended up attending anything that fancy, but the skill is finally being put to use.
Shang Qinghua chuckled, crossing his arms. “Well, This Lord has high hopes for you! Energetic kids such as you are always a blessing on the busy peak of An Ding.” He hummed, before giving Gaming another smile. “However, that’ll come after we see how well you can serve tea.”
The motions came naturally to Gaming, and the water had already been warmed to perfection. Likely because the Peak Lord didn’t want any inexperienced kids to burn themselves in doing so. He really was a lot nicer than the book described!
Once the leaves were done steeping properly, Gaming gracefully poured Shang Qinghua a cup, setting the pot down and sitting back in his previous position. The Lord’s brows raised slightly at the speed Gaming had done so, before humming in approval as he picked up the cup and blew on it gently.
The Lord paused after taking a sip, causing Gaming to grow a little nervous as he slowly lowered his cup and gazed down at the tea within it. Shang Qinghua then blinked, smiling much more sincerely at Gaming. “To be honest with you, this is the best tea I’ve had in a long time!”
Gaming sighed in relief, before blinking as a hand rested on his head. He gazed up at Shang Qinghua, who looked at him with a happy yet curious spark in his eyes. “This one is happy to welcome Yip Gaming into An Ding peak!”
[ Congratulations! User 003 has completed the prologue mission, and has gained access to Inventory, Shop, and Reputation! (≧◡≦) ]
He couldn’t help but laugh at the two congratulations he received, nodding his head to Shang Qinghua. “This one is excited to learn from you and assist you, Shizun!” Gaming said sincerely.
Shang Qinghua smiled, and another notification appeared in the corner of Gaming’s eye.
[ Peak Lord Shang Qinghua is endeared by the new disciple’s energy! +20 L points. Peak Lord Shang Qinghua feels smug that he managed to get such a worthy disciple! +10 L points. ]
“If you step outside, a girl named Min Nanyang will be waiting for you. She’ll show you where to get your uniform, your cultivation manual, and the dormitories.” Shang Qinghua said kindly.
Gaming, a little flustered by the System’s notification, nodded and quickly rose. “Thanking Shizun!” He said, before quickly leaving the office to do as instructed.
Shang Qinghua sighed once the door was closed, pressing a hand to his cheek. “He reminds me of my son when he was a little sheep.” He said fondly, before shaking his head. No, Shang Qinghua, you must focus!
Two days ago, he and Cucumber Bro had received twin notifications from their Systems of a third user ‘joining the experience’. It came as a huge surprise, seeing as the main story has been over for over two years by now. Cucumber Bro especially was worried about it, seeing as by now if any reader saw Luo Binghe and the Scum Villain being all lovey dovey, they would immediately realize the problem.
Not wanting their identities revealed, the two agreed to be on the lookout for any suspicious persons. The entrance exam being so soon after was likely no coincidence, knowing the System, so they both examined the potential disciples closely.
Cucumber Bro had taken in one girl after noting how quiet and calm she was, while Shang Qinghua had taken in three disciples. It wasn’t unusual for An Ding to take in multiple disciples each exam, as overworked as they were, so he was free to take in whoever seemed suspicious.
One boy was named Li Fengyu. He eyed Cucumber Bro and Luo Binghe several times during the exam, looking increasingly bewildered with every glance. That wasn’t exactly an uncommon reaction, however it was still something to note.
The second was a girl named Mei Mingwei who looked out of her mind with nerves, quickly shoveling dirt so she could distract herself from the Peak Lords above. She didn’t seem to notice Luo Binghe, which in itself was something to consider, seeing as Luo Binghe was quite the demanding presence.
And lastly, Yip Gaming… Shang Qinghua just took him in because he was cute and reminded him of Luo Binghe.
Shen Qingqiu had obviously thought the same, seeing as he had just barely raised his hand for Ming Fan before Shang Qinghua was sending out his own disciple to fetch the boy. It caused a heated whisper-argument between the two, Luo Binghe and Yue Qingyuan looking on in amusement.
A sudden chill in his office caught his attention, and he smiled as Mobei-Jun stepped through a portal beside him. He made a move to stand, but the demon simply put a hand on his shoulder and sat next to him.
“Did Qinghua find any worthy disciples?” He asked smoothly, to which Shang Qinghua nodded with a smile, offering him some of the tea Gaming had prepared.
“Indeed I did, my King.” He said, smiling at the mildly pleased hum Mobei-Jun made as he sipped the cup handed to him. “Three, this time around. Though one of them I’m rather excited for.” Shang Qinghua hummed as he poured himself another cup. Maybe he’d ask Gaming to teach him his ways later on.