In an era where hovercars dominate the skies and professional holographic e-sports have reached global prominence, the seventh WFPL Central Region season opens with high expectations. Team Cthulhu, the four-time defending Thunder Cup champions, welcomes a new rookie named Giant, whose real identity is Gu Cong, a fifteen-year-old rebellious streamer. Gu Cong is the nephew of Gu Qinian, a renowned historian and professor at Jiang University who recently became his legal guardian after a hovercar accident claimed the lives of Gu Cong’s parents and other relatives. Gu Qinian is known for his scholarly rigor, his striking good looks, and his strict opposition to Gu Cong dropping out of school to pursue a professional gaming career.
The narrative establishes a sharp contrast between the two protagonists. Gu Cong is passionate about War of Faith, a fully immersive real-time strategy game, and dreams of becoming a top player. He has already gained a significant following as a streamer but faces the legal restriction that prohibits players under sixteen from competing officially. Gu Qinian, on the other hand, is completely disconnected from modern gaming culture. He is depicted as an old-fashioned scholar who struggles to use basic smart devices and views games as childish distractions. Despite his initial resistance, Gu Qinian’s life becomes intertwined with the esports world through his nephew.
A pivotal moment occurs when Gu Qinian accidentally appears on Gu Cong’s livestream, revealing his identity to the public. The exposure sparks intense interest, with fans flocking to Gu Qinian’s social media and the esports community buzzing about the relationship between the strict professor and the talented teenager. During the WFPL opening ceremony, Gu Qinian wins a lottery prize using an alternate account registered by Gu Cong. This event inadvertently reveals that Gu Qinian is the former master of Chen Ye, also known as God-K or Knife, the legendary captain of Team Cthulhu. Chen Ye had been recruited by Gu Qinian years ago in a beta server, but Gu Qinian had since abandoned the game, leading to a humorous and awkward reunion.
The story takes a surprising turn when it is revealed that Gu Qinian is not merely a spectator but a participant. He has formed an amateur team called HongHuang, consisting of wealthy, middle-aged men from various industries, including a hovercar CEO and an entertainment industry figure. Despite their lack of professional experience and limited mental energy capacity compared to teenage pros, they qualify for the tournament through the open-entry system. HongHuang is set to face Team Cthulhu in the opening match, creating a dramatic underdog scenario.
The core conflict revolves around Gu Cong’s ambition to prove himself as a professional player independent of his uncle’s shadow, while Gu Qinian navigates his new role as a gamer and guardian. The match against Cthulhu highlights the disparity between the seasoned, coordinated professionals and the chaotic, inexperienced HongHuang team. Gu Qinian’s approach to the game is methodical and resource-focused, contrasting with his nephew’s aggressive playstyle. Meanwhile, Chen Ye’s interactions with Gu Qinian reveal a growing dynamic between the former master and disciple, complicated by their professional rivalry on the battlefield.
As the opening match progresses, the narrative explores themes of family, legacy, and the evolving nature of esports. Gu Cong’s struggle with public perception and his desire for autonomy are juxtaposed with Gu Qinian’s unexpected immersion in the gaming world. The story sets the stage for a season filled with competitive challenges, personal growth, and the unfolding relationship between the professor and the esports star, all while maintaining the high-stakes atmosphere of the WFPL tournament.
