Genshin Impact: Gaming Ascension Materials

Profile

“He sees and hears everything, as if he had the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox, like some kind of mythical beast. Fighting tooth and nail, he drove away bandits and ruffians like devils with all the auspicious momentum of the suanni.”

— A plaque of gratitude received by the Sword and Strongbox Secure Transport Agency from a merchant whose caravan was safely escorted by Gaming

If you happen to hear the sound of drums and gongs as you’re walking through the streets of Liyue Harbor, let your ears lead the way. With a bit of luck, you might just be fortunate enough to witness a performance of Gaming’s remarkable Wushou Dance.

When he puts on his mask, he shakes his head and blinks like a waking beast. The vast array of emotions he conjures up, the unpredictable twists and turns… Following his every move with rapture, the audience can’t help but cheer and applaud.

“Thank you for your support, everyone! And remember, if someone you know’s thinking of booking a Wushou Dance, don’t forget to recommend the ‘Mighty Mythical Beasts’!”

It’s just a shame that, more often than not, he receives nothing but applause in return. But Gaming doesn’t let this get to him — he laughs it off, saying that the audience’s attention is all the recognition he needs.

Once the crowd has dispersed and his mask is off, Gaming swiftly returns to being a “guard” and thinking of work matters once more: How many cargo shipments still need delivering? Which clients does he need to escort? And so on…

Usually, when there’s nothing urgent on, he heads to Xinyue Kiosk to while away the time with some dim sum — a pot of tea, a selection of bite-sized nibbles, and leisurely chatter in the company of good friends.

As a guard, the task of escorting goods from Yilong Wharf to Liyue Harbor couldn’t be easier for Gaming. But as the head of the “Mighty Mythical Beasts,” his dream of making the Wushou Dance a regular occurrence in Liyue Harbor still has a long, long road ahead of it…

So in the meantime, why not sit and enjoy another cup of tea?

Gaming Ascension Gaming

Here are all items that you will need to ascend Gaming to level 90:

• 420,000 Mora
• 46 Emperor’s Resolution
• 168 Starconch
• 1 Agnidus Agate Sliver
• 9 Agnidus Agate Fragment
• 9 Agnidus Agate Chunk
• 6 Agnidus Agate Gemstone
• 18 Slime Condensate
• 30 Slime Secretions
• 36 Slime Concentrate

Gaming Talent Ascension Gaming

Here is the total cost of fully leveling up for Gaming’s single talent:

• 1,652,500 Mora
• 6 Slime Condensate
• 22 Slime Secretions
• 31 Slime Concentrate
• 3 Teachings of Prosperity
• 21 Guide to Prosperity
• 38 Philosophies of Prosperity
• 6 Lightless Mass
• 1 Crown of Insight

How to Obtain

Lightless Mass: Dropped by All-Devouring Narwhal in domain Shadow of Another World.

Teachings of Prosperity, Guide to Prosperity, Philosophies of Prosperity: Obtained from domain Taishan Mansion (Monday, Thursday, Sunday).

Slime Condensate, Slime Secretions, Slime Secretions: Dropped by Slime.

Agnidus Agate Sliver, Agnidus Agate Fragment, Agnidus Agate Chunk, Agnidus Agate Gemstone: Dropped by Pyro Regisvines, Pyro Hypostases, Emperor of Fire and Iron.

Emperor’s Resolution: Dropped by Emperor of Fire.

Starconch: Found on the beaches of Liyue.

Talents

Normal Attack: Stellar Rend

Normal Attack

Performs up to 4 consecutive strikes.

Charged Attack

Drains Stamina over time to perform continuous spinning attacks against all nearby opponents.

At the end of the sequence, performs a more powerful slash.

Plunging Attack

Plunges from mid-air to strike the ground below, damaging opponents along the path and dealing AoE DMG upon impact.

Bestial Ascent

Pounces forward using the Wushou arts, leaping high into the air after coming into contact with a target or surface.

After Gaming has used Bestial Ascent to rise into the air, if he immediately uses a Plunging Attack, he will use the especially powerful Plunging Attack: Charmed Cloudstrider instead.

Plunging Attack: Charmed Cloudstrider

The DMG from Plunging Attacks caused by Bestial Ascent is converted to Pyro DMG that cannot be overridden by other elemental infusions. Upon landing, Gaming will consume a fixed amount of HP. Gaming’s HP cannot be reduced below 10% by this method.

Charmed Cloudstrider DMG is considered Plunging Attack DMG.

“Auspicious beasts leap high to pluck the greens — that symbolizes good fortune and knowing how to make some serious green, y’know — so may we all rise to new heights, one step at a time!”

Suanni’s Gilded Dance

Gaming enters Wushou Stance, briefly applying Pyro to him, recovering a fixed amount of HP, and summons his companion, the Suanni Man Chai, to smash into his target, dealing AoE Pyro DMG.

After bashing its target, Man Chai will roll to a nearby location before moving towards Gaming. When it links up with Gaming, Man Chai will leave the field and reset the CD for Gaming’s Elemental Skill, Bestial Ascent.

While Wushou Stance is active, his resistance to interruption is increased, and when Gaming lands with Charmed Cloudstrider attack or completes the forward pounce attack from Bestial Ascent with over 50% HP, he will summon Man Chai again.

Each Gaming can only have 1 Man Chai on the field simultaneously.

This effect will be canceled once Gaming leaves the field.

“The gilded Suanni spits out fortune like a fireworks show! Hey, now that’s what’s called prosperity, when business is really ‘booming’!”

The Striding Beast

During the day (06:00 – 18:00), your party members gain the Swift Stride effect: Movement SPD increased by 10%.

Does not take effect in Domains, Trounce Domains, or Spiral Abyss. Swift Stride does not stack.

Dance of Amity

After Bestial Ascent’s Plunging Attack: Charmed Cloudstrider hits an opponent, Gaming will regain 1.5% of his Max HP once every 0.2s for 0.8s.

Air of Prosperity

When Gaming has less than 50% HP, he will receive a 20% Incoming Healing Bonus. When Gaming has 50% HP or more, Plunging Attack: Charmed Cloudstrider will deal 20% more DMG.

Constellations

Bringer of Blessing

When the Suanni Man Chai from Suanni’s Gilded Dance meets back up with Gaming, it will heal 15% of Gaming’s HP.

Plum Blossoms Underfoot

When Gaming receives healing and this instance of healing overflows, his ATK will be increased by 20% for 5s.

Awakening Spirit

Increases the Level of Bestial Ascent by 3.

Maximum upgrade level is 15.

Soar Across Mountains

When Bestial Ascent’s Plunging Attack: Charmed Cloudstrider hits an opponent, it will restore 2 Energy to Gaming. This effect can be triggered once every 0.2s.

Evil-Daunting Roar

Increases the Level of Suanni’s Gilded Dance by 3.

Maximum upgrade level is 15.

To Tame All Beasts

Bestial Ascent’s Plunging Attack: Charmed Cloudstrider CRIT Rate increased by 20% and CRIT DMG increased by 40%, and its attack radius will be increased.

Voice-Over

Hello

Hey, Boss! The name’s Gaming — I’m a guard from the Communications Office. So, all this needs shipping, right? No, no, you grab a seat and have some tea — I’ll get these packed up for you, no problem. It’ll only take me a minute, then we can get the delivery scheduled. Oh! And if you ever wanna book a Wushou Dance, me and my crew are available in a heartbeat! The troupe’s called the Mighty Mythical Beasts, and I’m the head, hehe, not to brag or anything.

Chat: Wushou Dance

Boom-boom tsh, and eyes! And boom-boom tsh, and mouth! And… hmm… I need to tighten up that part.

Chat: Armed Escort

Whether it takes me uphill, downhill, or out to the sticks, I get the goods from A to B — I’ll even take ’em across the sea if needed. So don’t worry, you’re in safe hands. They don’t call me the Gold-Standard Guard for nothing!

Chat: Dim Sum

A pot of tea with a couple of nibbles, some seasonal greens, and a piping-hot bowl of fresh congee… Ahh, that’s a dope breakfast right there! The perfect way to start your day.

When It Rains

Rain! Oh man, I hope I brought the laundry in!

When Thunder Strikes

Hey, you hear that? Someone just got wrecked! If you’re gonna swear on high heaven, don’t make an oath you can’t keep.

When It Snows

Ahhh… Eh? Why can’t I catch any in my mouth?

When the Sun Is Out

Great, sun’s out! ‘Bout time we had some dry heat. It’s been so muggy lately.

In the Desert

Dang, I bet water costs an arm and a leg around here? Good thing I brought my own.

Good Morning

Just finished my kung-fu practice. I’m about to go for dim sum, you wanna join?

Good Afternoon

You know my favorite thing to have for lunch? Breakfast. Join me for dim sum?

Good Evening

I managed to book this cool place for dinner! They only do evening service, and it’s invite-only. Since you’re here with me, wanna come with? Use it or snooze it. C’mon, let’s go!

Good Night

Hittin’ the hay? No? …You hungry? Wanna grab a bite?

About Gaming: Hometown

Ever been to Qiaoying Village? I grew up there. It’s a big tea-growing region — Sunglo and Single-Origin Yauwan both come from there. You know what, no time like the present — I got a box of totally dope Single-Origin here, let’s get to a teahouse and brew us a pot right now! I’ll get some nibbles too, my treat!

About Gaming: This Day and Age

The fact that I’m able to put food on my plate, and still have the time and energy to focus on my Wushou Dancing, in this day and age… it’s all thanks to the folks who’ve supported me along the way. So I owe it to them to put a hundred and ten percent into this job. Of course, no one’s complaining if I still manage to find time to do them the occasional favor and take them for dim sum, haha!

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4

About Us: Show of Support

When I’m not on a delivery run, I do wushou dancing on the streets of Liyue Harbor. Do you think you could come along and watch sometime to support me? No, no, it’s completely free. As long as people are entertained, I’m a happy guy.

About Us: Dim Sum Time

Always remember that you can rely on your friends. When the going gets tough, don’t soldier on alone — just get in touch and I’ll be there! Oh — but hopefully it won’t come to that, knock on wood! Here’s hoping that next time you get in touch, everything’s peaches and cream, and you just need a dim sum buddy!

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 6

About the Vision

Some martial arts novels say that the key to becoming a kung-fu master is tapping into the body’s yin-yang energy reserves, hidden in the governor and conception vessels. Well, that’s what getting a Vision felt like! …Haha, just kidding. I’m no kung-fu master — just a good neighbor, thanks to the extra energy it gives me. But that’s just me — now imagine if you had a Vision… I mean, looking at everything you can already do without one… Man, that’d be something.

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4

Something to Share

Man Chai’s such a little rascal! I gave him the name ’cause it means “well-behaved,” hoping it would rub off on him. Heh… whole lot of good that did! But it’s no biggie, all that hyperactive energy makes for a more exciting wushou dance. Also, I feel like watching Man Chai has helped me get a better handle on how suanni look in action. Soon as I put my Wushou head on, I’m right in the zone, roar!

Interesting Things

With a lot of herbs, flowers, and even the twigs and bark of certain trees, if you dry them out then boil them in water, it makes a really refreshing drink with a ton of health benefits! Cools you down, calms the mind, and so on. Granny and Aunty tell me that drinking one of these herbal teas before and after eating fried foods helps clear your system and reduce heatiness.

About Xiangling

Pretty much everything Chef Xiangling cooks is a winner, but my favorite has to be her Black-Back Perch Stew. I always try to rinse off the molten lava sauce before each bite, but I’m still like “ss, ah, ss, ah” trying to cool my mouth down, hahaha! Worth every bite though, and they do generous portions — you can see why it’s Wanmin’s signature dish. I’ll be back for my next fix soon!

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4

About Xingqiu

The Feiyun Commerce Guild’s a longtime client of the Secure Transport Agency. The older brother’s the one who usually takes care of business with us, but there was one time when Xingqiu piped up with a question for me. So I start rambling away, giving him all the routes and delivery dates for all their recent orders… Turns out all he wanted to know was when the Wanwen Bookhouse is getting their next delivery in, hahaha…

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4

About Chongyun

I heard that guy’s got a “pure-yang spirit”? Where I’m from, we call that heatiness. Dude needs to drink more herbal teas, for real.

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4

About Keqing

It’s all thanks to the Yuheng that we don’t get so many bandits on the road between Liyue Harbor and Yilong Wharf anymore. She’s the one who spearheaded the crackdown on all that. …You think my job’s at risk, huh? Haha, they ain’t gonna get rid of me that easily. Sure, maybe there’s no more bandits to fight, but you’re always gonna need a strong pair of arms to lug the cargo around.

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4

About Baizhu

Working as a guard and doing Wushou Dancing means I have a pretty injury-prone lifestyle. Good thing is, Dr. Baizhu’s medicine is always there to save the day. Seriously, it’s like the one thing people should pack before going on a long journey or family vacation. My workmates at the Secure Transport Agency always get me to bring some back for them when I come to Liyue Harbor.

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4

About Qiqi

Ah, Qiqi, the lovable munchkin. She’s convinced that all my accidents are due to stiff joints, so whenever I’m at Bubu Pharmacy stocking up on medicine, she makes me do some stretches with her to limber me up, haha. It’s easy, wanna try? Ok, after me: One, two three, four; two, two, three, four…

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4

About Yun Jin

Yun Jin’s a huge inspiration to me! Everyone agrees that she’s a fantastic singer, from the experts to the casual listener. Incredible. If the Mighty Mythical Beasts ever get half as successful as the Yun-Han Opera Troupe… don’t pinch me, ’cause I won’t wanna wake up!

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4

About Xinyan

Xinyan’s music is fire! No pun intended. Man Chai goes crazy for it — always gets him moshing away like a mad gremlin. I’d love to do a joint show together one day. “Roaring Beasts: A Rock ‘N’ Roll Wushou Dance.” Whaddya think, has it got legs?

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4

About Xianyun

Aunty Xianyun always has my back. Once, she saw that my Wushou head was looking a little worse for wear, and instantly said she could make, like, ten more for me, all twice my size. She was pretty insistent — it took me forever to talk her down to just remodeling the one I already had… And boy, is this an improvement! It looks way more impressive, it’s much lighter, and the lion blanket constantly rustles in the air like there’s an adeptal wind making it dance. I couldn’t be happier with it!

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4

About Zhongli

Mr. Zhongli seems like the kind of guy who had an expensive education. Seems like whenever I make a delivery to a teahouse or opera house, he’s always there drinking tea, listening to the storyteller, and looking like the smartest guy in the room. Dude, I once overheard him talking to someone about tea — I was like, man, if he ever got talking to my dad, that conversation would go on all night…

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4

About Charlotte

Oh, yeah, yeah, the journalist, I know who you mean! All the Fontainians in Yilong Wharf read The Steambird, and sometimes I take a peekski too. Seems like all the best articles have her name on them. Wait! And you were on the front page once! That was you, right?

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4

More About Gaming: I

I’m the best wushou-dancer in the Secure Transport Agency, and the busiest guard in the wushou-dancing community, how ’bout that? That do anything for ya?

More About Gaming: II

You can tell if someone’s a pushover just by looking at their basic kung fu skills: horse stance, kicks, splits, jumps, tumbling… If you can’t even hack those, hoo boy. Best-case scenario, you might fall off a high pole during a wushou dance and be bedridden for a couple of weeks. Worst-case scenario, you run into bandits on a delivery run and you can’t fight ’em off. Definitely lose the cargo, probably your life too… Scary thought, huh? Yeah, I thought so too — that’s why I said it to the other guys in the agency to persuade them to train with me! Hahaha.

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 3

More About Gaming: III

They’re delicate y’know — the wushou head and blanket, the drums, the cymbals — and I practice a lot, so they deteriorate pretty quickly. You gotta be diligent about maintaining that stuff, and it costs a lot of Mora. Then there’s the meals out with friends, gift-shopping for birthdays and festivals, spotting my buddies a few Mora when they’re strapped for cash… It all adds up. And that’s how I blow through pretty much my whole salary every month.

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4

More About Gaming: IV

My dad keeps hoping I’ll come ’round to the idea of him teaching me how to do business one day. He doesn’t seem to realize that the whole reason I left my hometown in the first place is ’cause I’ve already figured out what’s best for me. Firstly, I wanna show him that my wushou dancing isn’t just a phase — I’m gonna make a name for myself or die trying! Secondly… I’m done clashing with him all the time. I don’t hate the guy, I mean, he’s still my dad and everything, it’s just… every time he opens his mouth, it’s a verbal assault, and I’d rather stay out of his line of fire!

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 5

More About Gaming: V

This bruise here’s a fresh one, got it when I was practicing my kicks the other day… And this bump showed up after I took a knock during a somersault. That was last month, and it’s almost healed now. This scar right here, though, that was a doozie and a half. I had a bad fall the first time I was practicing on the high pole — cut myself up pretty bad. There was so much blood, I thought my wushou dancing career was over before it began… I’ve had some near misses since then, but thankfully nothing serious. I’m still up to it… Just gotta keep at it…

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 6

Gaming’s Hobbies

When you go for tea but stay for the dim sum, we call that “yum cha.” What you wanna do is get some sweet dim sum and some savory dim sum — gotta make it a balanced meal — and order a mix of ready-made dim sum and made-to-order dim sum, so that you can snack on dim sum while you’re waiting on your other dim sum… Funnily enough, I never need lunch on a dim sum day. Lemme know when you’re free, I’ll take you some time! And don’t be afraid to order a bit of everything, you can always pack up the leftovers and take them home.

Gaming’s Troubles

How much!? …Alright fine, I’ll bite the bullet on the service charge, but I’m not paying extra for a few wet wipes, okay? Matter of fact, I brought my own, so you can keep ’em!

Favorite Food

I was a little monster when I was a kid. I’d get into trouble, then refuse to apologize, and my exasperated mom would say “I wish I’d given birth to a chunk of char siu instead of you!” Now every time I eat char siu, it makes me think of her…

Least Favorite Food

Everyone says I have weird taste… Call me crazy, but all I want is for my fowl to taste like fowl, and my fish to taste like fish.

Receiving a Gift: I

Dang, are you secretly a god? Because this tastes like heaven! No joke. I’m calling you “kitchen god” from now on.

Receiving a Gift: II

You made this yourself? Wow. You’re too good to me! Seriously, you are an amazing cook.

Receiving a Gift: III

I’m a big believer in owning your mistakes and taking criticism on the chin… So next time I upset you, there’s no need to go to all this trouble — you can just smack me in the face instead!

Birthday

So a little birdie told me that it’s your birthday today… When were you planning on telling me? Tsk… Anyway, I went ahead and made a reservation at Xinyue Kiosk. Eight dishes, a soup, and as much rice as you can eat, with Longevity Buns and Tong Sui for dessert. Plus I invited all your friends along. Uh, and I also put together a little birthday wushou dance for you — nothing extravagant, just a bit of fun really — but yeah, I hope you like it!

Feelings About Ascension: Intro

Whoa, is this all for me? Dang, how much did this put you out? You shouldn’t have…

* Unlocks at Ascension Phase 1

Feelings About Ascension: Building Up

Oh man, you’re trusting me with a lot of power here. But I promise you, it’s in good hands. I’m gonna ramp up my kung fu training and hustle hard, watch me!

* Unlocks at Ascension Phase 2

Feelings About Ascension: Climax

If I can guard shipments, I can guard people. Since you seem to trust me, how ’bout I be your bodyguard from now on?

* Unlocks at Ascension Phase 4

Feelings About Ascension: Conclusion

Thanks for doing the lion’s share of the work to get me this far. I know better than to promise I can guarantee your safety in your future travels, but you’d better believe I’ll bust a gut trying to help you achieve your dreams!

* Unlocks at Ascension Phase 6

Elemental Skill: I

Sorry, pal.

Elemental Skill: II

Alley-oop!

Elemental Skill: III

Congratulations!

Elemental Burst: I

Many happy returns.

Elemental Burst: II

Hop to it, Man Chai!

Elemental Burst: III

Mighty mythical beast!

Opening Treasure Chest: I

Oh, cool! This stuff looks dope!

Opening Treasure Chest: II

Where do you want this stuff delivered to, Boss?

Opening Treasure Chest: III

Good things come to those who wait!

Low HP: I

No pain, no gain…

Low HP: II

The feeling is mutual…

Low HP: III

Still breathing!

Ally at Low HP: I

Take five, I got it!

Ally at Low HP: II

Hey, don’t push yourself!

Fallen: I

I gotta… run…

Fallen: II

Show’s over, folks…

Fallen: III

Forget about me, just go…

Heavy Hit Taken: I

Hey, what gives!?

Heavy Hit Taken: II

Stop it now!

Joining Party: I

Ready to rumble!

Joining Party: II

Got it! I’ll start my warm-up routine!

Joining Party: III

Is there time to sneak in some dim sum first?

Story

Character Details

Goods flow through Yilong Wharf round the clock, and the merchant convoys and their cargo have need of guards to escort them through the various regions of Liyue to other lands.

Since ancient times, such escort work has been no easy task. Even in an era of relative safety on the roads such as this, any one escort run could involve any number of variables.

Perhaps this employer might change the route on an ad hoc basis, or perhaps that customer will nitpick and refuse to accept the goods, never mind how the roads do not lack for all manner of petty crooks if one is fortunate, and big-time bandits if one is not.

Although the Sword and Strongbox Secure Transport Agency has no shortage of capable, skilled staff, were you to comb through all their roster, the only one among their ranks who can keep clients happy while beating any brigands down is Gaming.

The merchant guilds, for their part, are quite eager to have this young, competent guard to escort their cargo, and Gaming is no less popular on the streets outside of work than he is in his professional capacity. Indeed, any and all friends of this busy fellow will rate him two thumbs up.

“It was a piece of cake! Come see our Wushou Dance when you’re free! Don’t worry, just enjoy the show, and we’ll call it even. Thanks in advance, haha!”

Whenever someone on the receiving end of his help wants to return the favor, this will be his jocular reply.

Character Story 1

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 2

Gaming was born in Qiaoying Village, a place famous for its tea, and his ancestors had been tea farmers for several generations, only switching to mainly selling tea leaves during his father Yip Tak’s time. With his parents working together, their business was getting better by the day, and of course, any father would hope for his son to succeed him in the family business.

Thanks to his father’s hard work, at least Gaming no longer had to experience the backbreaking daily grind of farm work, nor would he have to start a business from scratch. But as they say, “like father, like son” — Gaming turned out to have his own ideas about which road to tread, just as his father had chosen to diverge from Gaming’s grandfather’s decision to keep growing tea.

The two were at an impasse, with neither accepting the other’s view. Only Gaming’s eventual departure from their home put a stop to the arguments between father and son.

For his next haunt, Gaming chose the bustling Yilong Wharf, having planned out how he’d make his living a while back — through a passion of his that had burned since childhood, Wushou Dance, of course.

Filled with enthusiasm and confidence that created complacency, the young man blazed through creating all the relevant props, even printing flyers introducing himself and booking performance venues… He planned to plant his feet first in Yilong Wharf, then conquer Liyue Harbor, and finally, to introduce Wushou Dance to Teyvat at large…

Suffice it to say that the diligent youth’s passionate pursuit of his dream sent all of the business startup funds he had saved up before leaving home up in smoke, leaving him quite broke in short order.

“Making Wushou Dance your career? As if! Forget making a living, hah, you’d be lucky not to starve!”

Hungry as he was, Gaming now understood his father’s words.

With the mindset “What’s done is done, let’s focus on getting a meal first,” Gaming had little choice but to find a job that could put food on his table.

Fortunately, fate has a habit of giving right after taking. Lantern Rite was just around the corner at the time, and the good-hearted young man led a Fontainian merchant to the Sword and Strongbox Secure Transport Agency just as a lead guard was fretting over a manpower shortage. Gaming took the opportunity to recommend himself and was promptly taken on as a temp employee.

Thanks to his daily Wushou Dance training, he had a strong foundation in martial arts and tenacity in the face of hardship, and was promptly asked to stay on as an official guard for hire after finishing that escort run.

All in all, that definitely counted as feeding himself through Wushou Dance… right? That was how Gaming saw it, anyway.

Character Story 2

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 3

Language is one of the most important tools for communication between people, and Gaming’s distinctive way of using this “tool” is especially interesting.

“Well, my friend, I do hope you stay in warm waters and on the wall.”

“Why, you ask? Well, warm’s just the way we like it, and your wall’s a good fit, isn’t it?”

And whenever the other party gets confused, Gaming will try supplementing his explanation through different methods, complete with various gesticulations to demonstrate his point.

This manner of speaking, he explains, he got from his mother, who married into Qiaoying Village from afar, and to whom he was quite attached after his birth. He would follow her just about everywhere, and in his doings and interactions with others, he would pick up many of her habits and interests.

Nothing to do? Get some dim sum. Feeling hot and woozy? Brew up some cooling tea. Eating a meal? Got to have some greens… and no, melons and fruits are not greens.

These habits are not ironclad, of course. If a friend came up with some new suggestion, he would be game to try it out. People from all lands were brethren, after all, and it is Gaming’s way to treat all with sincerity.

He can easily shoot the breeze with just about anyone in Yilong Wharf, young or old. At first, most think his polite speech to just be pretty pleasantries, but after some time, they will find that he is being perfectly earnest. He will introduce the itinerant handyman Duqin to work opportunities, assist the ever-busy Zhigui, fetch medicinal wines from Liyue Harbor for his fellow guards, and even get Dip Yeuk to give a Suanni-themed toy to a child whom he himself has never met, all because Dip once mentioned that the boy liked watching Wushou Dance…

Priceless is the friend who knows your heart, and so everyone returns the favor to this big-hearted lad. They always invite him to come in and rest his feet when he comes by with a delivery, and there is always a seat for him at a dim sum table — well, on the condition that he doesn’t say “I’ll foot the bill.”

Gaming often claims that he’d never have gotten far in Yilong Wharf without everyone’s help, but those familiar with the humble, earnest lad know that he would have been fine no matter where he was.

Character Story 3

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4

Practice makes the professional. As such, no matter how busy work gets at the transport agency, Gaming will take time to train.

At meals, Gaming may be found tussling cheekily with his colleagues over dishes, wielding his chopsticks like a seasoned duelist, while under the table his knees are bent in a low horse stance, sturdy as a mountain. After the cargo is packed, he will rarely get a cart to move it to a warehouse but instead will lift it all himself, box by box, to train his arm strength.

The lead guard knew that their work was hard and laborious, and so from time to time would call for suggestions on items that might be added to the office for relaxation purposes.

Soft beds, comfortable pillows, Genius Invokation TCG decks…

At that moment, Gaming cleared his throat and said: “If possible, could we have some Plum Blossom Poles installed in the front yard so we can train better? Bet if we firm up our fundamentals, it’ll make our work a whole lot easier!”

His words were met with silence. Everyone was just discussing where to go after work, and here was someone saying that overtime was the best break. Why, this was a crime most heinous, and “punishment” was in order! So they gathered about him like bees in a hive, some “screeching,” others “pleading,” still others pretending to “advise” him, laughing and cavorting.

“Have mercy on me and accept my apologies, brothers, and thank you for giving me my minute of glory. How about this, then? How about I treat you all to some dim sum? Will that make amends?”

This sort of horsing about happened every so often among the guards, of course. Everyone knew that Gaming wanted the Plum Blossom Pillars for Wushou Dance practice, and everyone was just playing along with him, wagging their tongues and fingers and feigning their reactions so his birthday surprise wouldn’t be spoiled. In truth, they had already stacked those pillars up outside — all that remained was for them to put them up together.

During their downtime, Gaming also often invites his fellow guards to take up Wushou Dance, and everyone has indeed tried it at least once on account of it “looking totally dope,” though almost none have persevered for long, with one of them even joking that:

“If we put suffering on a podium, we guards would get bronze, Wushou Dance masters silver, and Gaming would get gold, since he does both!”

Not wrong, in truth.

Character Story 4

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 5

“Our kid from another family.” This is the highest of the glowing evaluations Gaming has received from the streets of Yilong Wharf. And little wonder. He’s a mature and decent sort, and having left his home, he has earned his status and reputation without relying on anyone else.

Only those aunts and uncles who saw him grow up know that he was once the notorious “demon king” of Qiaoying Village.

If he wasn’t climbing up the roof tiles, he was grabbing at the bird nests in trees, and he would go into the fields with the adults to harvest tea, to the point where his father paying damages to the neighbors for those incidents was practically routine.

In truth, however, he climbed up the house beams to help his father store a private stash of Mora, and he rummaged through bird nests to help his mother collect feathers for head ornaments, and he was thrashing in the fields trying to capture pests and harmful bugs…

As an oddball, Gaming’s head is always full of strange, bright new ideas, leaving others quite dumbfounded, and so his parents only ever spoiled him more despite his mischievousness.

Having heard that a somewhat famous Wushou Dance troupe from Yilong Wharf would be performing in Qiaoying Village, his father had handed work over to his assistants long beforehand, preparing to get Gaming one of the best seats to the watch the spectacular show.

But on the day of the dance itself, he tarried too long at the tea table as he dined on dim sum with his friends, and by the time Gaming had pulled both parents before the stage, it had already been ringed by spectators thrice and thrice again. There would be no watching the Wushou Dance today, it seemed.

“Daddy’s a cheat and a fibber! You said we’d go see the big Suanni!”

There was no comforting him by this point. Even attempts to placate him with promises of purchasing toys were drowned out by his cries.

“Little kids who don’t listen to their parents will get et by the Suanni! Check out how fierce it is!”

So saying, Gaming’s father lifted the boy atop his shoulders. At that moment, the Suanni onstage leapt onto a tall pillar, and it turned and looked, locking eyes with Gaming.

All at once the boy stopped crying, staring with wide eyes and open mouth at the dance taking place onstage. After the show had ended and the crowd dispersed, Gaming continued to gaze back in the direction of the stage the whole way home. Only then did his parents see that something was amiss. Could he have been frightened so by the words spoken previously?

“Ah, Gaming, no need to be scared. That wasn’t a real Suanni! There were people inside, and they don’t eat children…”

“Daddy! I wanna watch the show again! I wanna be like that big Suanni. Raaaarr!”

From that day forth, Gaming, once whimsical (some might say half-hearted) in all his fancies, became utterly consumed with Wushou Dance, often badgering his father to take him to see shows, and his indiscriminate mischief-making gradually turned to (what he thought was) meticulous and well-planned Wushou Dance training.

At least eight bamboo baskets became casualties of his road to mastery in lifting the beast’s head, cruelly felled by kicks.

As for the various rice and soup spoons that went missing around the house, they were no doubt taken to be used for drum practice, dragging not a few basins and benches down with them.

Once, Gaming went with his father to purchase a batch of new tea from the farmers, when a bamboo basket was passed to him, he performed a “Suanni’s Salutation” on reflex, raising the basket and beginning to dance. The tea leaves were scattered everywhere, and Gaming wound up being chased around the village with his father in hot pursuit. And when the father finally returned, pulling his son by the ear, their meal had already gone cold, and the mistress of the house had long been waiting expectantly at the door for their return, rattan rod in hand…

In spring, autumn, winter, and summer, his parents would sit at home, his father nursing some tea and his mother snacking on melon seeds, and watch their son jump up and down, beast-head in hand…

It is a pity that such days, so ordinary they could not be more ordinary, can now only return in dreams.

Character Story 5

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 6

Children really do change as they grow up, and that little child engrossed in watching Wushou Dance grew to become a spirited youth. The one thing that did not change was his passion for Wushou Dance, and still he dreamed of making it big in Liyue Harbor one day. But compared to Yilong Wharf, things were different there. In Liyue Harbor, Wushou Dance was seen as a new-ish folk practice that originated in Chenyu Vale — it was appreciated, sure, but it was no money-maker, and certainly not ingrained in people’s hearts in the same way Liyue opera was.

The more Gaming’s father watched his son bustle about tirelessly, the more he worried about the youth’s future, and not a few times did he speak seriously with the boy about the difficulties of starting a business. And each time, Gaming would retort that staying in business was harder yet, and declined to succeed his father in the tea leaf business. In earlier years, when his mother was still around, any impasse between the two could be broken up around the dinner table, but after she passed from illness, it was as if the glue from this father-son relationship had come unstuck, and they grew distant.

Gaming’s father blamed her falling ill on the immense amount of labor she had put into starting the business with him, and by extension, himself. If something were to happen to their only son, how could he ever face her? And thus, when Gaming was once again injured when practicing Wushou Dance, he could take no more, and gave all of his son’s equipment away, leaving only the beast head his wife had made. To his shock, Gaming left without a word the very next day, taking said head with him.

In truth, his son’s departure did not only leave him angry, but also stewing in a melange of emotions and wavering reflection. He had in fact been constantly asking those close to him at the Communications Office to help take care of his son over the years, but whenever Gaming came up in conversation, his words could be brutal and blunt — nor would he put aside his pride to proactively mend relations.

Leong, an assistant to the business, would write to Gaming come every festival, discussing some awkward matters that were neither here nor there — and of course, even a witless twit could guess that he was doing so at the behest of Gaming’s father. Even so, Gaming was not as headstrong and free-spirited as he often appeared, and he never exposed Leong, instead going along with the letters, even asking after matters at home, intentionally or otherwise…

To Gaming, reading Leong’s letters was akin to defusing a bomb, and in truth, he sometimes hoped to receive nothing at all. Just as he once feared that the villagers might come and say “Your father’s on his way to give you a good whooping,” he now feared that someone might say “Your father was at home when he had a fall”… Whether then or now, no news was good news.

Thus did father and son continue to be stubborn, each seemingly convinced that the other would understand them in time… Gladsome was it, then, that ever-ardent Ms. Xianyun would intercede before such reticence could turn to regret. With the bridge she built, and with the aid of able allies, Gaming’s father was finally able to center himself and find calm, finishing watching his son’s masterful, exciting Wushou Dance performance. From awkwardness to active dialog they went, and at last, they were again able to open up to each other, with Gaming’s father accepting his son’s career choice.

“Well, remember to come watch next time I perform in Liyue Harbor.”

“I don’t need you to tell me that.”

“In that case, don’t chat too long over dim sum, or you might not be able to squeeze your way in when you come late…”

“You rascal!”

To My Boy, Gaming

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4

Gaming doesn’t like reading, but he has kept a book under his pillow for years. Tucked inside its pages is the only letter his mother ever wrote to him.

“…The thing I’m most worried about after I’m gone is that you and your father will get into arguments every day. All this agitation is simply no good for anyone. Don’t blame your dad, he’s more bark than bite. He’s just concerned that you’ll have a tough time on your own in the future and doesn’t want you to go through such hardships. Do you remember that time when you sprained your leg? Your father was so anxious that he ran frantically to the physician, with you on his back. He was worried sick, and he secretly cried under the blankets that night. You are a big boy now, do show some consideration for your dad and let him have his way sometimes. Don’t quarrel with your dad if you can help it…”

“…Don’t worry, I’m not against you learning Wushou Dance. In fact, I’m glad that you found something you like and enjoy doing while you were young. But you have to promise me to be careful and not force yourself so you don’t get hurt! And please be careful not to eat anything too heaty, cold or raw, and don’t be too picky about what you eat and drink… Remember to wear more layers when it’s stormy and raining, don’t neglect keeping yourself warm just because you want to look cool!”

“…As you step into society, you have to stay true to yourself. Don’t let yourself or others down. The worst thing you can do is to make empty promises and be someone who is ‘all talk, no action.'”

“There’s no harm in knowing more people. If you find a friend who you can really connect with, you absolutely must treat them well with a sincere heart. It’s not about the number of friends you have but the quality of your friendships. You should count yourself lucky if you find someone you can rely on. I know you won’t want to talk to your dad about things that are bothering you, so just find a friend whom you can share your woes with. No matter what you do, don’t bottle up your feelings, and definitely don’t do anything silly, alright?”

“I’m feeling a little tired, so I’ll take a rest now. I know I always say, ‘You little rascal, I wish I’d given birth to a chunk of char siu instead of you,’ and you always sulk when you hear it… But I want you to know that you’re not a little rascal and that you’re so, so much better than a piece of char siu… You will always be my little boy that I cherish and love most in the world…”

Judging from the creases, the letter has been opened and put away again and again. Placing it between the pages of a book was indeed a clever way to preserve the letter.

The book in which he kept the letter had been used by his mother as a coaster for her teacup, and now that it had passed down to Gaming, he too had found a new purpose for it.

“Mom actually told me I should read more. Please, has she ever opened the book herself? Oh, oops, pretend I didn’t say anything! Otherwise, Mom will give me a good whacking in my dreams!”

Gaming never cries when he talks about his mother in front of others. He knows she would have wanted him to be optimistic and happy and move on with his life. And that’s exactly what he did.

It’s just that the wind always blows sand into his eyes when he’s alone and when he’s thinking about his mother, even when he’s in his bedroom, where there’s neither wind nor sand.

Vision

* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 6

A certain question had always vexed Gaming — what does a Suanni look like, exactly? Having asked his seniors, he found out that they had never seen a real one either, and they had relied on their teachers to hand down the art of Wushou Dance to them. If he really wanted to find out, it was going to be an adventure unto itself.

Random chance allowed him to borrow a few old texts about the solitary Suanni hidden in the mountains from Xingqiu. Several nights did he do battle against the unfamiliar words that rushed his position like a relentless army of ants, only to be defeated at last, remembering only a few key phrases like “fierce,” “majestic,” and “untamed.”

A giant beast of most heroic bearing indeed! He was sure that if only he could lay eyes upon it, he would gain much inspiration for his Wushou Dance performances. It was with this belief that Gaming would often poke about the locations the books mentioned. And when he came to Mt. Lingmeng, he sensed an oppressive aura about, as if a pair of eyes hidden in the bushes were watching him. This was it, Gaming intuited.

Before dawn broke the next day, he made himself presentable, and brought his favorite beast head and a big bag of food offerings into the mountains. Suddenly, a strong gust blew by, and before he could react, a dark shadow had swooped about him, looping around him in circles. He immediately closed his eyes and clapped his hands together, stating his intent in a reverent and loud voice.

“O Great Suanni, Gaming greets you! I came here simply to witness your majesty… and I brought lots of good food for your enjoyment, too! Now, ah, if you don’t mind, could I open my eyes?”

Hearing no more movement, he slowly re-opened his eyes, only to witness a large… difference between how he had imagined a Suanni to look and this cute little creature that sat proudly upon a giant stone.

“Whoa, seriously!? You’re so tiny! And cute! Who’s a good Suanni? That’s right, you are! C’mon, let me give you some headpats, and…”

In his excitement, Gaming overstepped and displeased the Suanni, and though it was indeed very small, it had an extraordinary energy about it, and like a furious flame it jumped all around the young man until he grew dizzy, the items he had brought dropping from his hands. Almost unconsciously, Gaming grabbed at the beast head and began dueling the creature. What the Suanni would do, Gaming would imitate, and so they continued from daylight till dusk — to a bystander, they might even have seemed like playmates meeting again after a long separation. Finally, the Suanni seemed to acknowledge him, and as it shook its head about, a shiny stone popped out of its mane.

“Really? A Vision, too? Is this what they mean by ‘good things come in pairs’?”

Carefully did Gaming approach that stone, finding it to be an absolutely real, positively genuine chunk of ore that had only shone under the glare of the setting sun.

Ah, a misunderstanding, then. It was a shame, of course, but it did not dampen his mood — indeed, it was from this moment that the “Mighty Mythical Beasts” troupe was formally founded.

From that day onward, Gaming and Man Chai were inseparable, and he quickly forgot about that whole Vision affair…

Some time later, Gaming was escorting a merchant caravan when he encountered a ruthless gang of bandits. The merchants advised him to retreat — lost cargo could be written off as a cost of business, but lost lives could not.

“Hah! I’ve never been able to stand those who steal and rob for a living. Even if I wasn’t on the job, I’d give them a piece of my mind, and as it happens, making them regret their life choices is my job and I’m on the clock. You go first, boss, and I’ll hold the line here. I guarantee not one crate will be lost, nor will a single hair on your heads be harmed!”

Thus did Gaming go one against ten, and though he sustained numerous injuries, he persevered until all the brigands were bound, and both the Millelith and his colleagues had arrived, before allowing himself to slump over.

The merchants would later inspect their goods, only to find that, indeed, not a single item was missing, and there was even something that had not been in the manifest — a Vision.

They wrapped the item carefully before having it delivered, alongside the thank-you plaque they gave Gaming, to the Sword and Strongbox Agency.

Gaming was caught completely off-guard by the gem, with only surprise and not gladness registering in his heart, which was instead overwhelmed with a series of questions.

“What, really? Is this mine? I mean, I was just escorting some goods, nothing special. I mean, don’t I do that every day?”

“Should I return it? But to whom? The caravan? No, wait, they said it wasn’t theirs… Could it have been… that no-good low-down crook’s?”

“No, no, what am I thinking! Well, in that case… I guess this Vision really maybe probably might be mine, then?”

“But I’ve heard that they have to do with strong wishes. I didn’t get it back when I was dancing in front of Man Chai, and now I just… randomly got it on the job. Does that mean… that I was always meant to be a guard, but I was led astray by Wushou Dance?”

“Is this a hint that I should give up on it? In that case, I’d rather not have this Vision at all!”

This lasted until he got the wrapping cloth off the plaque—

And then he saw it, shaped as it was: like a beast of good omen, ears and eyes on the alert, seeing and hearing all.

The defeat of these crooks, he realized, was a deed that made him akin in spirit to the monster-subjugating Suanni.

Only then did the doubt clouding over Gaming’s heart clear, and in response, he cleaned his hands on his clothes before accepting this Vision with all due ceremony.