Chapter One: The System Dumpling
Night fell, and the sky was studded with stars like plump pearls, brilliant and dazzling—tonight, they seemed especially beautiful.
On a dimly lit path winding through a residential complex, a girl in a white shirt dress walked slowly, her steps languid and unhurried.
Mu Qianyao sighed, “Another day gone by. How dull.”
Her voice was soft and sweet, so charming that it seemed to melt half your body just to hear it. Lifting her head, her brows arched like emerald feathers, her skin as fair as snow, her waist slender as a willow, her teeth as white as shells—she was truly a beauty beyond compare.
The System Dumpling spoke up, “Bored, aren’t you?”
Mu Qianyao asked, “Who’s there? Come out and stop playing tricks.”
Startled by the sudden voice, she quickly regained her composure.
The System Dumpling replied, “Don’t be scared, Miss! I’m a good guy... well, no, I’m a good system.”
Mu Qianyao pressed, “System? What kind of system?”
The System Dumpling teased, “I can’t tell you that just yet~”
The System Dumpling continued, “Miss, don’t you find your life rather dull?”
Mu Qianyao retorted, “So what?”
The System Dumpling coaxed, “Well... do you want things to get interesting?”
Mu Qianyao echoed, “Interesting?”
The System Dumpling encouraged, “Exactly, exactly! Just agree!”
Mu Qianyao scoffed, “And why should I? What do you want from me?”
The System Dumpling insisted, “I told you—once you agree, I’ll reveal everything.”
Without another word, the girl strode forward, not noticing the open manhole before her. She fell straight down.
Mu Qianyao cried out, “Ah...”
Silence returned to the residential path, as if the conversation had been nothing more than an illusion. The girl was now engulfed in darkness.
The System Dumpling called, “Miss~”
Mu Qianyao demanded, “Who are you, really? What do you want?”
Mu Qianyao also asked, “And what is this place? I want out.”
The System Dumpling explained, “Miss, you didn’t watch where you were going and fell into the sewer. You died, and have already been cremated! If you leave now, within half a day, your soul will scatter forever.”
Mu Qianyao whimpered, “No... no, I don’t care, I want out...”
The System Dumpling suggested, “Why not agree to my proposal?”
Mu Qianyao sniffled, “Agree to what? I’m already... like this.”
The System Dumpling declared, “Join our army of travelers!”
Mu Qianyao repeated, “Travelers?”
The System Dumpling confirmed, “Yes, as long as you agree to join us and complete the missions, you might even become a supervisor of traveler crossings.”
Mu Qianyao asked, “Really?”
The System Dumpling assured, “Absolutely! Besides, you found your old world dull, didn’t you? Join us, and you can travel to all kinds of realms.”
Mu Qianyao hesitated, then said, “Alright, I agree.”
The System Dumpling replied, “Good!”
Then, a burst of electronic sound echoed through the dark space.
The System Dumpling announced, “Ding...”
The System Dumpling said, “Binding successful.”
Name: Mu Qianyao
Gender: Female (modifiable)
Cultivation: Spatial abilities (level ten)
Weapons: Sun Wheel, Moon Wheel, Map of Mountains and Rivers, Eastern Emperor Bell, True Sunfire, Lotus Lantern, Soul Binding Lamp, Xuan Yuan Sword, Pure World White Lotus, World-Ending Black Lotus...
Skills: Language—mastered; Perfume crafting—divine level; Finance—expert; Music—expert; Martial arts—divine level; Hacking—divine level; Acting—divine level; Firearms—divine level; Taekwondo—divine level; Modern medicine—divine level; Ancient medicine—divine level...
The System Dumpling exclaimed, “Wow! Host, is your life hacked? How do you know so much?”
As the electronic sound faded and the binding succeeded, points of light appeared in the darkness. Within the glow was a tiny, chubby creature, white and adorable like a rice ball, its voice soft and childlike.
Mu Qianyao exclaimed, “Wow! So cute!”
Mu Qianyao explained, “I suppose that’s just how it is. Whatever I learn, I master.”
The System Dumpling admired, “Host, you’re beautiful too!”
Looking puzzled, the System Dumpling stared at Mu Qianyao, “Host...”
Mu Qianyao said, “Just call me Yaoyao. Ask me anything you want.”
The Dumpling replied, “Alright, Yaoyao. Why do you possess those ancient weapons? And how did you get spatial abilities? Where did it all come from?”
Mu Qianyao answered, “I don’t really know. They’ve been with me for as long as I can remember.”
The Dumpling pondered for a while but couldn’t figure it out, so it decided to let the matter rest.
The Dumpling suddenly remembered, “Oh right, Yaoyao, since you’re a newcomer, I’ve specially opened a golden cheat for you.”
As the Dumpling finished speaking, a bracelet materialized in front of Mu Qianyao. She reached out, and it slipped onto her wrist.
The Dumpling said, “Yaoyao, there’s space inside. What’s in there, you’ll have to discover for yourself.”
Mu Qianyao replied, “Alright.”
Mu Qianyao asked, “Which realm are we going to first?”
The Dumpling mused, “Hmm... Our first destination is the popular drama ‘Empresses in the Palace’.”
Mu Qianyao repeated, “Empresses in the Palace?”
The Dumpling confirmed, “Exactly. The mission is to win over Emperor Yongzheng, become his cherished one, his thorn in the eye, defeat Zhen Huan, and rule the inner palace.”
Mu Qianyao replied, “Alright, let’s begin.”
The Dumpling responded, “Let’s go.”