Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Welcome new User! This is User’s first-time world traveling. It may be confusing at first, but system believes in new User.” The little blue box glowed in the pitch black.

His own body, soul? Floated in the nothingness. He was dead, he knew this. Nothing no longer aches, and he has returned in one piece. This box had shown up before him.

“What do you mean by new User, and what is world traveling?”

The box blinked before filling up with new text. “Character formerly known as ‘Shen Qingqiu’ is now known as new User until new User receives a new name. This system is new User’s guide in new worlds giving away hints to progress the storyline. ‘World Traveling’ will be when new User goes into a new world that is not their own. New User will enter another world once new User dies.”

“And how long will this go on for?”

“New User will go through one hundred worlds before receiving a reward and bonus. New User will also retain all memories from all worlds including the original. Does User have any more questions?”

“So, this is reincarnation, but I’m not allowed Meng Po’s soup?”

“New User can look at this as reincarnation. Meng Po will not be receiving User’s soul any time soon.”

“Will Lou Binghe be able to follow me?”

“No. Original Lou Binghe does not have the power to interfere with new User’s travels.”

“Alright, I would like to begin now.”

“Starting up life #1 in 3…2…1…”

“Welcome back User ‘Ryros, God of Secrecy’! User has completed their one hundred worlds requirement and will now receive their reward and bonus! Calculating.”

Ryros was used to the treatment already. He would die, end up in this in between space, and then wait for the next world that was determined from his previous life’s actions. Sometimes he would act out just to earn a challenge next time or behave himself to gain a break the next.

“User is granted the gift of redoing his original life! The bonus is being able to choose one other person to join the User.”

“Explain the bonus in more detail.”

“Before User dies in the reward world, they have the option of picking a person in that world to start traveling worlds with user. They will keep their memories as the user does, and they will always meet each other in their next lives. User has the option to refuse the bonus in this life though it is recommended that User picks someone.”

“Do I have to follow the original plot in my first life?”

“No. User has free reign to do whatever they choose. Character ‘Lou Binghe’ has lost the item ‘Protagonist White Halo’. This item will be given to User to ensure a more pleasant experience. User will also be receiving a new system with more ‘personality’ as previously requested back in world #38. Would User like to begin?”

Ryros took one last look around the empty space, knowing he wouldn’t be returning for the next few centuries. He smiled, “System begin new life.” The glow of the system went out. He felt the familiar sensation of his soul being dragged down into a body.

He felt heavy. This old body of his wasn’t a baby, but fortunately he wasn’t too old. He was still a street rat. His skin was grimy, and his hair mangled and greasy. He was hungry and cold. 

System how old am I?

Hello, hello User currently known as Xiao Jiu! This is your new system speaking! User Xiao Jiu is four years old.

I should regret asking for personality but it’s honestly refreshing

Aww, User! ᕙ(`▿´)ᕗ System will work hard!

System I feel off. Is this old body of mine human?

Answering User. Nope! As compensation for User’s horrible life #54 User’s original body is no longer human. User’s new body is a Huli Jing. Shapeshifting abilities will be unlocked later once User progresses in cultivation. Fox attributes are currently hidden to allow User a chance at survival.

Okay, not bad. Shen Jiu shifted his eyes to observe his surroundings. He was nestled away in a corner near an alley. No Yue Qi in sight. It was a little strange, to have such vivid memories of his first life despite living through a hundred others. 

So, system.

Yes User?

How does this world work? If I’m now a huli jing because of life #54, are there more additions to this world because of the other bad lives?

Yep! Not only does User have new traits, so does this world. It can be viewed as a video game of sorts. User will have stats and special abilities. The world in certain circumstances will bend to User’s will.

Okay. Since I haven’t started cultivation, I understand that my abilities are locked, but can I at least see what kind of abilities?

Shapeshifting is one of User’s main abilities. User can turn into a full fox or only have their ears and tails out. Other main abilities can shift the amount of luck a non-user has. A side ability can also raise User’s lust and affect those around them.

System what the fuck

System is confused

I know you weren’t the system I had before, but you have read my file, correct?

Correct! But System doesn’t see the issue.

Lives #63 and #74. Do those ring a bell?

…. System apologizes. This is a function that User has complete control of. Lust levels can also sway the effects of aphrodisiac plants in this world. User has nothing to worry about! This System promises to always help User!

Fine. And you can call me host too, User gets repetitive.

System understands Host. (^◡^ ) Does Host have any other questions? Character ‘Yue Qi’ will be returning shortly.

Where is the closest  forest?

To Host’s right. Is Host going to live in the forest?

It’s better than the streets.

Shen Jiu was able to pick himself off the ground and make it to the forest in no time. Looking back one last time to observe the humans, he felt a sort of freedom overtake him. There was no requirement to stay and obey the humans who thought themselves above him. Once he became a master himself, they would all be long gone. The true bonus that he saw was the lack of promise and loyalty to Yue Qingyuan. He refused to tie himself down to someone like that ever again. If this life wasn’t enough, lives #4 and #23 proved to him that promising loyalty was just plain stupidity.

Turning back to the forest ahead and taking one step, two, three. Losing count and getting lost between trees and rocks and caves, cliffs, meadows, monsters, animals, the sun, the sky, the moon, and the stars. Time slipped away as he aged and grew and became one with the legends. He had long lost his name to the countless lives and identities that he gained.

Legend says there is a genuine Huli Jing that wanders the world. Their face is hidden by a hand painted mask in the shape of a fox’s face. Their face from nose up is covered, their mouth exposed. They have the softest voice that brings most people comfort. He is protecting them from demons, but he also has befriended and domesticated many. 

He brings luck or misfortune to those that deserve it. A warning however, never hurt or betray one of the Huli Jing’s allies. Their wrath cannot be stopped, even Gods will shake and look the other way. Be their ally or be neutral, but never ever stand in their way.

Chapter Text

“And you couldn’t have fucking told me sooner?!” He was beyond the point of pissed. He could have fucking died goddammit!

System is begging for forgiveness? 

Fuck your forgiveness!

(╥﹏╥)

You didn’t tell me I had instincts!

It was like a switch. His brain went from perfectly functioning to a complete mess! He made whining sounds like some kind of dog. He couldn’t remember much of what he did yesterday, but he woke up covered in dirt and leaves as if he rolled around for hours.

System forgot to mention that as a gift to Host for all their hard work, Host would enter an instinctive state once a month to keep a healthy body and mind. It will only last for a day. Host’s mind will allow a fox’s instinct to take control of the body and Host will act the age that his maturity is currently at.

“So, what you mean to say is I’ll be acting like a little kid until I age up?” Speaking out loud to the system was weird, but he didn’t want to forget the sound of his own voice.

Host will be acting the age of a kit. It is recommended that Host makes some friends to watch him during this time. It doesn’t have to be human.

“So, anything will do? What about demonic beasts or sentient plants?”

As long as Host has trust in the other party, then Host will have no issues. It’s just that Host is very vulnerable during this time and will be trusting towards everyone. Having a trusted companion will keep Host safe. Of course, if Host is in actual danger, then Host knows this System will take temporary control.

He took a deep breath and released it. After some time, he decided to forgive the system, it was his only company after all. He sat back against the wall of the cave he built for himself. Well, not really built, it was already there. But it would be the first of many homes. If he had several little caves spread across the world, then he could have eyes and ears everywhere. Then he would need people to be stationed there. It could be demons too; he didn’t have a preference.

But this thinking brought him to a little problem, what were his plans? In other lives he had the goal of learning every spec of information that he could. Back into his original world layout, he didn’t need to focus on that so much. Well, he could take all that he had learned and make some profit. 

Blunt nails scratched against a scalp. “First things first, a disguise.”

Host?

Hm?

What would Host need a disguise for? Host is alone.

I’ve learned from past mistakes. Having a disguise for the obvious part keeps my identity a secret. I doubt I can stay hidden forever, I’m going to run into cultivators eventually. Wearing a disguise while I work and taking it off for relaxation or walking in public.

But wouldn’t Host’s face be seen; doesn’t that defeat the purpose?

Of course not, people would stare with a mask on. Who would look at me when it’s off?

But Host is attractive, Host’s body will be very beautiful when it grows up and the ears and tails are eye-catching. 

I’ll hide my fox parts when the mask is off, no one will connect the dots.

Press X to doubt.

To get a mask of some sort though, he would need the money to make one. Yeah, he could find an animal skull or something, but honestly the thought of putting his head in a dead animal’s skull was sort of revolting. Besides, he doubted there were any fox skulls big enough to fit his head. Actually, there probably was some sort of breed in this world, but he was too young to look.

So, he spent the next few days gathering the forest herbs and selling them to the closest town. The herbalist and other stall owners bought his story of caring for his sickly mother, a good enough reason for a child to be alone in a marketplace. The money he exchanged for fabric, cheap medicine for his lie, paper, a few jars, and a vial of oil. He didn’t have enough for an inkstone, but he would just make his own, along with the paints for his masks. 

He retreated back to his cave and layed out his treasures.

Is Host excited?

Of course, the planning process can be fun. Plus, this is the beginning of my world domination.

…. Host is joking right?

Yep, lives #34, #49, and #7 I gained complete control of the world. Honestly, boring, and the paperwork was awful. 

Oh? Why did Host do it three times then?

For some ungodly reason, in all three lives I was seen as some ‘pure hero’, whatever that means, and people would not stop requesting help.

So, Host got fed up and took over?

Yes. Back to the main project, I’m making a ceramic mask. Not expensive and I can easily make more as this body ages. 

He picked up the bucket he stole a while back, before that once-a-month instinct crap, and headed towards the river. The main ingredient was clay and there was plenty of the natural stuff in the areas around water. He would need to collect it, dry it out in the sun and then add water. Next would be leaving it in the bucket for a few days before removing leftover debris and draining the water, then drying it out again. Wait one more day then wedge it.

He did the process a long time ago, back in his first life as Shen Yuan. In spite of his sickly body, he decided to make the most of his life. Back in a time where youtube and google were one click away and he could learn anything and everything. With those resources he started his grand plan of learning how everything is made. Paired with his memory he absorbed countless recipes. He actually learned in the early days that his new system had a shop full of recipes and simple resources, but the paying system was a bit off.

Every item had a specific payment, only two things could be purchased with physical money, which would somehow be absorbed by the system? There were different quests that had to be completed, monsters to kill, areas to explore, etc. The system claimed it was a ‘fun little challenge for one of our favorite Hosts’. He still didn’t know if it was comforting or not that other people were stuck in his situation.

Going through the mindless process of gathering and cleaning natural clay, his mind went back to his first new life. Despite the body he was able to gain a bit of closure. He took that first life as the first apology that he ever received. He got himself a family, a kind and slightly overprotective family. He wouldn’t change a thing, if he got to go back. 

His Da-ge was a replica of Yue Qi, but without those sorry eyes of his and all the meaningless trinkets as distractions. Still a huge worrywart and careless spender, but he actually bought things that Shen Yuan had a use for. And the best part, when he apologized, he talked about what he did wrong at length. He would never be Yue Qi, but he would pretend it was sometimes, and it eased his soul of the hurt.

Er-ge looked just like his original body. He acted a lot like his past self too but softer. He didn’t shove pride at his family, lacked a list of men he killed, and had people that cared about him. Da-ge’s and Er-ge relationship was what they could’ve been. All snappy and playful, able to get along without one side feeling guilt and the other anger. 

Meimei, he couldn’t compare her to anyone. Strong, Confident, and ready to take on the world. Of course, she had her flaws and insecurities, as anyone would, but she would only confide within her family so no one had the chance to take advantage of her.

He had parents too, not that he saw them often. But just that fact that he had them, that they existed , was enough.

Out of all the worlds, life as Shen Yuan was his favorite. It would always hold a special place with him, no matter how many worlds he went to. 

Chapter Text

Once he had gotten the shape of a fox head made out of the clay and fired it in a homemade kiln, he finally had a chance to paint. The paints he made out of various fruits, berries, leaves, petals, and fine powders. Some paints turned out a little grainy but a bit more water helped. 

Now for his first paint job. He didn’t want to make it too bold, that could wait until he was older. For now, he should settle on calm colors, more of a passive look. Grabbing the red, he outlined the eyes, giving each a wing at the corner. Next, make the nose a black. The rest of the mask remained a white, it was basic, if a bit boring.

System, pick a design for the forehead.

Flowers!

“Flowers?” He whispered to himself.

Flowers Host, but you don’t have to paint any. Just make a flower crown and wear it over the mask!

Any particular reason you chose that?

Host will look adorable! (✿◠‿◠) 

With a fond huff, he set about looking for the right flowers to weave. To cover the eye holes in the mask, black fabric was placed on the inside. Now he could still see, but no one could see his eyes. Then he made holes on each side of the mask to tie in the string to keep it on. The mask weighs practically nothing so it will hold well. 

Now with his new mask and decent looking robes he could now focus on his cultivation. He knew how to form a good foundation, meridians, and core. Thankfully he was able to have cultivation in other lives and experiment a bit. He could use demonic energy too, in small amounts. 

System, I don’t know the specifics. Huli Jings are spirits, right? Yet humans seem to view them as demons.

Huli Jing are spirits, humans just view anything that is non-human demonic in nature. The speculation mainly derives from the shapeshifting and lust related abilities. Humans have seen Huli Jings as another type of Succubus or Incubus. 

Alright. Another thing, how fast can this body cultivate?

Since Huli Jings are spiritual creatures, they can cultivate twice as fast as a human. In some cases, even triple the speed, but that is more common in red fox types.

And what type am I?

Well, the higher ups in the System Network couldn’t settle down on what breed you’ll be. So, Host got a mix of the arctic fox and the kit fox. The arctic fox gives Host his white fur color and resistance to cold temperatures. The kit fox gives Host their smaller size, bigger ears, and a resistance to warmer temperatures. Both species are omnivores, though Host might start to develop more of a craving for meat as he grows up.

Not that craving more meat would be an issue as he grows up. Yes, he had just been eating the safe plants, but he has gotten the occasional game with traps. He didn’t ask the system, but he quietly wondered if he would rather eat the meat raw.

And when will I develop more fox habits?

As soon as Host has settled his foundation and has good meridians. Then Host’s ears and tails will come out and Host may hide them at will. System estimates Host’s body will be closer to age six when this happens. 

…

Host, did System do a good job?

You gave me this info dump for praise?

 (•◡•) 

Sure, great job. Now go back to observing.

Thanks to the over lives, cultivation became a walk in the park. Ascension to godhood was easy as well, but he had no desire to go to that stage any time soon. So for now, he would pace out how fast he cultivated to not become too advanced too quickly, but enough that protecting himself and any future friends would be easy.

So he woke up, meditated, gathered his meals for the day, worked on any personal projects to make his living situation more comfortable. He took breaks for food then moved onto training. He currently didn’t own any weapons, there wasn’t a need for one so far. But if he wanted to get stronger, he would need to use something to fight.

The cycle continued, and before he knew it, he finally turned six. His cultivation had been going well, no blocks or bottlenecks. His spirit roots remained unruined by Wu Yanzi, who he technically wasn’t supposed to meet for a little less than a decade, but when he did it was going to be on sight.

Anyways, great roots, great meridians, great qi supply. Now the system was getting all excited about him finally getting his fox parts, to be honest, the system was starting to hype him up.

Host, be more excited! Your ears, your tail! The advanced hearing, smell, and sight! Your claws, you’ll be able to rip anything to shreds! \ (`▿´) /

Stop, you’re going to make this underwhelming.

(゜Д゜∗)

Aren’t you being a bit too expressive today?

(^ヮ^；) Ehe. All Host needs to do is just request the body additions and this System will take care of the rest.

“System, claim the reward for finishing the establishment of my meridians.” He heard the weird whirring noises as the system processed the request before the silence returned. 

Then his scalp started to burn.

“What the hell?! System!” He tried to call for help but blood started to fill his mouth as his teeth fell out.

The world went mute as his ears felt like they were sucked into his head. His lower back started sending electric pulses of pain and he collapsed onto his side. His nails on his fingers and toes were pushed out to be replaced and he felt each little piece tear off. 

It wasn’t the worst pain he’s felt, but in the body of a six year old made it all worse. He went in and out of it for a while, until his body could process its new developments.

Later that night, he was pleased to have a new set of teeth, claws, ears and tails. He had small fangs, much sharper than his canines. His claws weren’t too long and according to the system, they were as strong and durable as spiritual swords, so that was his weapon situation taken care of.

The fur of his ears at the base was black, blending in with his hair, until it faded into a white. His tails were pure white, all nine of them, and they were incredibly fluffy. The maintenance for them would be hell even if they weren’t all that long yet, they were actually kind of stubby right now.

Judging from his reaction to his reward, the system decided to hold off on the complete shapeshifting into a fox until he was in his teens. It also spent the rest of the day apologizing and adding fun quests to the quest list for him to enjoy later.

“You’re forgiven, but for fucks sake please give me a warning next time.”

Chapter Text

“Ah!” He gasped as his body made contact with the ground. The bull-headed panther, seriously what the hell was Airplane on when he made that book, snapped its body back into defense position.

The Huli Jing got back into a crouch and flexed his claws. He just needed a few good swipes, and that beast would be dead. One of its horns was missing, the wound looked fresh, but he wasn’t the one to cause it. It made him wonder what chose to pick a fight with it first. 

He panted from the excursion, they had been going at it for a while now, and he was losing strength quickly. 

“Asshole. All I wanted was the sun kissed berries but of course this asshole wanted them too and didn’t want to share.” He grumbled as he looked for a way to end this faster. 

The bull-headed panther pounced, and he rolled to his left to avoid being crushed. Pushing his qi into the nearby leaves he sent a small wave near the beast’s eyes. It gave him enough time to close the distance and dig his claws into the panther’s neck and rip it open.

Blood started to gush as it reared its head in pain. In a mindless decision, it got its remaining horn to wrap around in his waist and toss him back into the air. His seven-year-old body flew like it weighed nothing. He landed on the edge of a clearing before gravity took the reins and tugged him down into a ditch. He laid there for a moment and let his body catch its breath. He eventually heard a thud, what he assumed to be the body of the bull-headed panther as it succumbed to the injury, he gave it. 

“Suck it you prick.” He said as he rolled onto his back. Now he gets to loot the body and get the sun kissed berries, lucky him.

Once he had that sorted out and everything was placed in the qiankun pouches he made himself, a skill he acquired in his original life, he explored more of the clearing. There wasn’t much, a couple of trees and bushes then the landscape led into a rocky mountain area. He trudged back to the ditch he fell into earlier and stood in the silence for a moment.

Twitching ears picked up the faint sound of whimpering. It sounded like a dog’s whimper but judging from the area he was in he betted more on it being a wolf. His instincts weren’t telling him to run from the sound, but he supposes he also wasn’t a full-blooded fox that could be hunted down by wolves.

So, in light of this he decided to walk towards the noise. Sure enough, there was a huge wolf on its side in a different ditch. From the dark auburn fur, he could tell it was a demonic fire wolf. During this time, they were quickly becoming extinct for their fire-resistant fur. Fucking rich people killing animals for no good reason. You’re rich, just get someone to sow fire resistance talisman designs into your robes. 

But the reason for the whimpering was the injury the poor creature received. He knew who pissed off the bull-headed panther just minutes before his arrival. The missing horn was deep in the wolf’s side. There was already a huge pool of blood, and he knew it was minutes from death. The saddest thing, it was alone, no pack in sight. Dying was one thing, dying alone was another. And through his experiences, it was much worse by yourself.

So he decided to kneel down beside the wolf, knowing it was far too tired to consider hurting him. Despite being on the verge of death, bright orange eyes stared right through his mask. The Huli Jing brought up their hand to start petting the wolf, he hoped this would comfort it, even just a little.

System?

Yes Host?

Is there anything I can do for it? Is it in pain?

Does Host wish to save the demonic fire wolf?

I can’t, it lost too much blood.

The system made a strange sound then, almost like a garbled laugh.

Host must have forgotten. This world is Host’s reward and in certain circumstances, Host can bend its reality. If Host wishes to save the demonic fire wolf, then make it so.

And how would I do that?

Host can not only bend the world, but Host can also bend their own body as well. Do any creatures contain a certain healing technique that Host would want?

After thinking for a moment, he came to a few conclusions.

Lou Binghe, his blood parasites. He could torture, but he could also heal. How can I make my own blood heal?

If Host wishes it, then it will be done. Fair warning as you previously requested.

He braced himself for the burning in his veins. He didn’t really put in a request to have healing blood, but he didn’t really have the time to complain. When the sensation faded, he put his claws to his arm and made a steady stream of blood flow out.

“Drink if you wish to live.” He lowered his arm to the wolf’s mouth. He reached with his other hand to the horn. “I’m going to start pulling it out, bite me.” With the warning in place, he got a firm grip and slowly but steadily pulled the horn out. The wolf latched onto his arm. It held it in a gentle way, the teeth didn’t break skin and the tongue lapped up the blood.

In three minutes, the wolf stopped bleeding, his own cut had healed, and the beast had fallen asleep. He shakily got on his feet and looked around.

Will it live?

Yes Host. What will Host be doing with it now?

Wasn’t that the question? He supposed he could bring it to one of his homes. Maybe a stupid idea to the average human, but he knew that when the wolf woke up, it had enough intelligence to not attack him on sight. It would remember his mercy and spare him. 

So he did just that. Within the next hour he was back home. His new buddy was settled in his nest of blankets and pillows. He sorted through his new treasures, putting the berries with the medicines for its energy booster properties. The horns in a box to be turned to powder for other uses, or maybe he could sell them? Pieces of meat from the bull-headed panther went into his homemade walk-in cooler, which was a room with thousand-year ice from the North. It was an ice that didn't melt for years. The door was heavy, made to keep in the cold, and a few cooling talismans for good measure. And finally the sap and honey he collected went in jars that he moved up in the loft with his paints for experimentation.

There was a ding from the system once he finished.

Congratulations, Congratulations, Congratulations! Good things must be said three times!

Huh?

Host has completed the quest ‘Obtain a companion’, reward is being processed.

I never actually looked at the quest list. Is new stuff being added as the time goes or is it already set?

Both, there are quests for the original plot, but those are completely optional. New quests are added for fun or if Host discovers a new location for the System Map that Host can pull up at any time. 

Okay. Another thing, is the healing blood permanent? And what are the properties?

It is permanent if Host wants it to be. Properties of the ability ‘healing blood’ include the healing of injuries from miniscule to fatal levels. The blood will remain in another living organism's body up to a maximum of four days before dissipating from the body. If the blood is kept in a jar or pill form, the healing factor will not fade overtime until it is consumed. The liquid known as ‘healing blood’ cannot be replicated by anyone but Host.

The info dump was helpful. He would keep the body manipulative things to a minimum. His goal was to enjoy this life, not make himself super OP and ruin everything.

Reward for ‘Obtain a companion’ has been processed. It is the infinite supply of playing cards that is located in the item store section. Would Host like to view it?

He nodded and decided to make himself comfortable in the nest with the fire wolf. He slipped his mask off and set it to the side. The natural heat the demonic fire wolves produce was like his own mini heater. He gave out an involuntary yip and snuggled closer.

Infinite supply of playing cards means that Host can request any kind of card game and receive a physical copy. If Host wanted a custom deck, Host would have to make it himself, but all materials will be easily accessible. Some card games available include the classic deck, Uno, and cards against humanity. Would Host like to purchase anything now or wait, no time limit of course.

Wait for it. Go do whatever it is you do when I sleep, I’m taking a nap.

Alright, sweet dreams Host!