In a dimly lit room, a young boy sat in front of a computer. On the screen was a door.
"Genshin launch!" said the boy, then clicked the door with the mouse. After a flash of white light, the boy disappeared from in front of the computer.
The boy slowly opened his eyes. In front of him was an endless grassland; in the distance stood a towering mountain reaching into the clouds.
"Where is this?" Suddenly, a sound came from not far behind him. Turning around, he saw a group of 'people' wearing masks and dressed in skirt-like clothing.
"Hil... Hil... Hilichurls!" The boy was obviously stunned. Fortunately, the Hilichurls had not noticed him. In that moment, the boy chose… to slip away. "Before figuring out the situation, better to run first." Thinking that, he ran a long distance.
"They probably didn't see me, right?" The boy stopped and looked back. Seeing nothing behind, he breathed a sigh of relief. "Good thing I'm not out of shape, otherwise I'd end up boxed on landing." The boy panted heavily.
"So now I've traveled to Teyvat?"
"Ding! Your system has been delivered, please check!"
The boy was stunned for a moment. System? Oh, right, I did travel. Then he gathered himself and said, "System, are you there?"
"I am here ^_^" replied the system.
"Okay, then please introduce yourself."
"This system's functions include backpack, lottery, host panel, dependent panel, system shop... (^▽^)"
"Open host panel"
Host: Chen MengAuthority: NonePhysical Condition: Ordinary humanWeapon: NoneDependents: NoneBackpack: Empty
Chen Meng asked, "System bro, where is my newbie gift pack?"
"Ding dong! Newbie gift pack sent. Open it?"
"Open it."
"Congratulations host for receiving: Dream Authority (incomplete), Clothes ×1, Sweet‑Flower Chicken ×3, Lottery Ticket ×1. Automatically stored in backpack."
Chen Meng asked, "System bro, did you change the clothes I had on?"
"Yes. After all, host wouldn't want to run around Teyvat naked, right!"
"Cough cough, thanks. Hmm? Wait! I remember I was wearing clothes when I was playing the game?"
"Host, do you think it makes sense for your clothes to appear in Teyvat?"
"…Okay then. So this Dream Authority—is it the one I'm thinking of?"
"As the host thinks, this is the authority of the Dream Archon. The abilities need to be studied by the host, and this authority is incomplete. How to complete it must also be researched by the host. Do you wish to fuse with it?"
"Fuse it. At least I'll have some ability to protect myself."
"Please find a safe place. During fusion, consciousness will enter a dormant state."
Chen Meng looked around and saw that although there were no monsters, the area was open and easy to be discovered. Chen Meng had to find a suitable place and eventually located a cave.
"Hm, this should work."
He sat cross‑legged. "System, begin fusion."
"Fusion starting."
Chen Meng's vision went dark and he entered system space. Above, the sky displayed "Fusing 10%."
"System, come out and chat with me."
"Seeing the host so earnest, I'll come chat￣▽￣"
Outside the system space, pale purple mist surrounded Chen Meng's body, as if even a glance would pull someone in.
At that moment, in the Guili Assembly, three Archons simultaneously looked toward Chen Meng's direction.
"This power... Morax, has a new Archon been born?" asked Guizhong.
"Hm... maybe. I'll go see."
After saying this, Morax set down his teacup and stood to leave. Guizhong suddenly stood up.
"Morax, I want to go too! Since they were born in our territory, I have the duty to respond too."
Looking at Guizhong's expectant expression, Morax nodded.
Once Morax agreed, Guizhong turned to the Archon beside her and asked,
"Marchosius, do you want to go too?"
Marchosius replied, "No thanks, I need to prepare dinner."
And turned and went to the kitchen.
"Then Morax, let's go!" Guizhong said as she pulled Morax and teleported toward Chen Meng's location.———————————————————
Inside system space
"Host, fusion is almost complete."
The sky displayed "Fusing 90%." Chen Meng replied,
"Perfect, time for a lottery."
"Opening lottery panel for host."
A rectangular screen appeared before Chen Meng, with two buttons—above the left it said "Single Draw," above the right "Ten Draws."
"System, your lottery panel is a bit simple."
"This… this is because it hasn't been upgraded yet. Do you still want to draw or not￣へ￣"
Chen Meng clicked the Single Draw button. A streak of blue light swept across the screen.
"Congratulations host for receiving: Fillet Blade."
Chen Meng looked at the Fillet Blade in his hand.
"System, equip it into the weapon slot for me."
"OK."
The Fillet Blade in Chen Meng's hand turned into a flash of white light.
"Host, get ready to go out."
"Got it."
Chen Meng's consciousness exited system space.
At this moment, two figures appeared at the entrance of the cave. They looked at the pale purple mist forming an "egg" inside.
"Morax, is the being about to emerge?" Guizhong asked.
Morax probed the energy fluctuations and replied,
"Yeah, should be about to emerge. But why does this being give me such familiar feeling?"
Morax looked at the mist, thinking.
Suddenly the mist began to spread. Morax quickly pulled Guizhong away from the cave. As the mist gradually dissipated, the two looked toward the cave entrance—there stood a figure slowly stepping out.
Chen Meng stood at the entrance and, seeing the two not far away, instantly froze.
'Holy shit, Zhongli came too and wearing god‑gear; that next to him is Guizhong!'
'System, what time period is this?'
"Host, you are now in the Archon War period."
'Oh, that explains it.'
Chen Meng (playing dumb) looked at them and asked,
"Who are you?"
Morax looked at Chen Meng and said,
"Geo Archon Morax."
Guizhong followed and said, "I am the God of Dust Haagentus, you can also call me Guizhong. What is your name?"
"My name is..."