When Fang Zhenyou was just a toddler, he was introduced to the world of Wuxia. First, it was picture books. Then, children's novels. And finally, classic Chinese literature. In his mind, everything was so real. The magnificent fights, jade-like beauties, and brotherly bonds forged through battle. Real enough to dream of living in that world, and experiencing the never-ending pursuit of martial prowess and longevity.
Those dreams had long since faded, but observing the medicine club's group chat re-ignited the last embers of passion he had for cultivation roleplay. Reading their ridiculous posts every few hours was like reading a novel as it was being written.
For these reasons, Fang Zhenyou didn't leave the group chat. He continued to read during lectures, especially during his last– and most boring– class of the day: Political History.
[5:01 pm – Moonsilver Island's Soft Feather has joined. Say hi!
Wu Clan Patriarch – Everyone, During the excursion to find my lost demonic beast, I was able to get in contact with my brother's, friends, daughters, servants, lords, masters, second cousin. She was not the one who joined yesterday, but I have added her to the group chat just now. It seems like the other new fellow daoist really is a mysterious person.
Moonsilver Island's Soft Feather – Hello everyone! Please take care of me!! (✿◠‿◠)
Hidden Sky Princes – I'm sorry, seniors! It looks like this was my mistake. I'll remove the other person right away. (✿◠‿◠) ︻╦╤─
Wu Clan Patriarch – Wait!!
Wu Clan Patriarch – Princess, I was able to ask 'that person' about the Dao Name Heavenly Donkey. It's truly un-ordinary. The name 'Heavenly Donkey' Shows up in many supreme and peerless cultivation texts that have been lost throughout history. He told me that If I was suspicious about this person, I should first proceed with a divination on their Dao name before deciding whether or not to kick them from the group chat.
Entombed Dragon Prince – This great venerable is quite familiar with divination methods. I will proceed with this task, Patriarch.
Wu Clan Patriarch – Thank you, senior. I was going to ask you anyway.
Entombed Dragon Prince – Wait for this deity to check. ☜(⌒▽⌒)☞
…]
"Fang Zhenyou! Seeing that your head is lowered, you must be in awe of my lecture!"
The Political History instructor lifted one hand above his bald head, marked by a bulging vein on his temple. Fang Zhenyou instantly turned off his phone and shoved it in his pocket.
"Sorry Professor!"
"Hmph. Class is dismissed. Mr. Fang will be staying a few minutes after everyone leaves."
Everyone began funneling out of the doors. Some shot glances of mockery or pity behind them. When the last student left, the Professor sighed.
"I-I'm sorry professor. To be honest, I accidentally joined a club recently and was trying to figure out the details of our first meeting, since it's after this class"
"Is that so? Still, you shouldn't be using your phone during class. It doesn't just affect your education, it is distracting to the students around you. You have no idea how easy it is for us professors to notice when a student is using their phone during lecture."
"I'll take that into consideration."
The professor took a seat behind his desk, and rummaged around in one of his cabinets before pulling out a stack of papers.
"Student Fang. Since this is your first time transgressing, I'll let you off easy. However, don't squander the hard work your parents put in to send you here. I know that you have been sick for most of the semester, and that it's been affecting your grades. Do you have a condition?"
"...I do. I was born with a weak immune system."
"hmm. In that case, your punishment will be an extra assignment. Take a look at these papers and complete the tasks on them by the end of next week. If you do well, you can earn back some of your grade in this class. If you don't do them, I'll have to lower your grade."
"...Thank you professor."
Fang Zhenyou walked away from the History Building with a soreness in his chest. The professor was right. His parents owned a small restaurant in Beijing, and practically worked themselves to death to send him to a good university overseas. He hardened his resolve to complete the extra homework, and headed off to the Applied Science buildings.
Building D-2F stood in an inconspicuous location, hidden behind a dense patch of foliage. The next closest Applied science building was two whole blocks away. By the time Fang Zhenyou found the building, the sun was already beginning to set. He was twenty minutes late.
"Ah, this building is older and creepier than I remember. It almost looks like a historical re-creation!"
Stepping past the gap in a wall of shrubs, an abandoned, decrepit structure cast its long shadow over Fang Zhenyou. As expected, the metal plate had D-2F engraved on it. A chill shivered through his bones.
"Hmm, If I'm not mistaken, this building used to be a library. Looks like the bookshelves are still stocked too, I wonder why it's so abandoned now."
As he marched up the groaning steps to the building, Fang Zhenyou heard a voice.
"Hey, have you found it yet?"
"No yet, idiot. I'll say something when I find it. The book shouldn't have a presence of qi traces, so it will be harder to find than the others."
'Ah! Those must be the club members!' Thought Fang Zhenyou, 'There's no way anyone else in this university is into cultivation roleplay.'
The building's oak door opened in complete silence.
'Strange,' he thought, 'I was expecting some kind of awful squeal. This is better I suppose.'
He heard the voices again, this time further away, and decided to follow them.
[Meanwhile…]
Hei Ren tossed aside another mouldy book. He was getting frustrated after spending so many hours in this suffocating building. His companion, who he only knew as 'Melody foot', seemed at her wit's end as well.
"Goddamnit, are you sure there are no hidden rooms in this building? What if it's not here, or has already been taken?"
"That can't be. The Hateful Destiny Seer has never led us astray. We just have to keep looking, like his divination instructed."
A few moments passed, then Hei Ren had an epiphany.
"Oh. Oh-ho-ho! You thought you could hide from me? This is it! It has to be the peerless cultivation technique senior mentioned!"
Tucked behind a stack of books, Hei Ren pulled out an inconspicuous book with reed pages, bound by strange metal rings. Just as the Hateful Destiny Seer said, he felt no qi traces or strange auras.
"Let's go. We're already too late."
"Are you sure that's the right book?"
"It has to be. Just look at the make of it! You know as well as I that If we open it to check, we will forfeit our lives."
At that moment, Hei Ren heard the faint sound of footsteps. A shiver ran down his spine. Why hadn't he noticed this person before?
Their mortal dissuasion array should still be active. That meant this person was a cultivator, and a powerful one at that. Hei Ren was confident in his ability to sense qi. The only person he'd ever met who's level was unknown was his terrifying boss.
Did that mean their mysterious visitor was on that level? Sweat began to bead down his brow. His partner seemed to have noticed as well. Out of the corner of his vision, he saw her shaking in place, unable to move.
'Blood shadow, can you hear me?'
Melody Foot's telepathic message rattled around his skull.
'I can. This person is definitely un-ordinary. We should be careful.'
'Let's just run for it-'
'Fool! Do you think someone who can hide their qi from us won't be able to catch us? We've already fallen into their trap. We just have to hope that we can talk our way out of this.'
After a few excruciating moments, a young boy stepped into view. Just behind him, a pure black cat followed only a few paces away. Long hair curled above its ears, and its green eyes shone with curiosity.
At first glance, it appeared to be an ordinary cat, but as soon as Hei Ren made eye contact, he felt as though his soul was being torn from his body. His legs froze, and a faint whimper escaped his lips. This was certainly a powerful demonic beast.
That meant the boy walking in front of that monster was its master. Hei Ren shuddered. If someone so powerful looked this young, that could only mean one thing: body reconstruction stage.
'Fuck!' Hei Ren thought, 'We've fallen directly into his trap!'
As if to mock him, the boy spoke:
"Greetings, fellow Daoists. I apologize for making you wait."