Chapter 74 – Face Value Upgrade, Unable to Escape
The System said with a hint of exasperation, “I think the host has at least guessed the essence of merging combat power.”
Jiang Pengji nodded internally. Although she was exhausted to the bone, her mind was exceptionally sharp and invigorated.
“Gene optimization,” she asserted.
If Liu Lanting’s genes previously confined him to a combat power of 5, merging would raise that limit significantly.
The System went a bit crazy, “Since the host knows all this, you should also understand the risks involved. You almost died just now!”
Honestly, as a proper System, it had guided countless hosts over the years. It wasn’t that there hadn’t been others like Jiang Pengji who were overzealous, but once they experienced the excruciating pain of merging, most would retreat and opt for gentler and more effective methods.
With popularity points, what can’t you buy?
Jiang Pengji smiled in response, but inside she felt absolutely fearless.
Sure, it hurt, but she definitely wouldn’t die.
If she didn’t have a bit of insight and judgment, Jiang Pengji would have been dead long ago in her previous life.
“Die? Not quite! I actually feel pretty good right now.”
The System had a vague foreboding. Jiang Pengji saying this—did it mean she hadn’t dismissed the idea of continuing the merge?
As it turned out, the System’s hunch was correct; Jiang Pengji was incredibly stubborn. Once she set her mind, not even ten oxen could pull her back.
“10,000 points only moves the merger forward by 0.01%…”
She opened her attribute panel and saw the combat power go from +30 to +31, feeling a bit disappointed. If she had known it would be like this, she’d have waited until she had a few more points before merging. Now, here she was, suffering for nothing—next time she’d definitely be more cautious.
The System coldly doused her enthusiasm, saying, “This is still the initial merge; the points needed aren’t much. But once it breaks through the limits of normal humans, the required points will skyrocket, and the risks will multiply.”
Calculating it out, Jiang Pengji’s combat power in her previous life was not merely about breaking normal human limits.
Having lived so many years, the System had never encountered a host this difficult yet eager to court danger.
Jiang Pengji smiled faintly, “I know. I understand this way better than you do.”
No one knew the reactions and pain levels of each gene optimization better than her.
In her last life, she was selected as a genetic warrior by the Federation, having gone through who knows how many life-and-death challenges. Narrow escapes were just a part of her everyday life; she was long accustomed to it. Moreover, considering this minor risk against the potential bounty afterward, it was all worth it in her eyes.
With cold, collected eyes, she glanced at her palm, feeling eerily calm, without the slightest ripple of emotion.
The System continued, “…Based on your current broadcaster level, accumulating that many popularity points is impossible.”
As a level one broadcaster, the audience limit in her stream room was a mere three thousand! Assuming she reached the full capacity every day, she could only earn a fixed income of 1,500 popularity points a day, even with some tips thrown in—the chances of meeting a big spender were slim.
However, for the second phase and beyond, the points required for each merge would grow geometrically.
“Sharpening the axe doesn’t hinder the work of cutting wood. If your broadcaster level could rise a level or two, you would earn multiples of your current popularity points daily,” the System couldn’t comprehend Jiang Pengji’s thought process—how could this host be so stubborn?
It had thought this time she would argue, but to its surprise, Jiang Pengji readily agreed with its statement.
Internally, she noted, “You’re right. If the broadcaster level doesn’t rise, accumulating popularity points will be too slow.”
The System felt a flicker of joy, believing Jiang Pengji had finally been swayed.
However, the words that followed hit it like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing all warmth.
Jiang Pengji asked, “System, do you think a semi-interactive live mode is better, or a fully interactive one? In the former, I maintain control; in the latter, while it boosts viewer enthusiasm, it also carries a risk of error…”
Regardless of whether it’s semi-interactive or fully interactive, both shared a common trait—after completing the streaming tasks, viewers would vote on their satisfaction with the content, determining if the broadcaster received gold, silver, or bronze treasure chests based on the feedback.
Opening these treasure chests could reward the broadcaster with random items, including cards that could directly upgrade broadcaster levels.
If the System could manifest physically, it would likely have turned as dark as ink, “Are you planning to level up based on face value?”
Jiang Pengji smirked slightly, her starry eyes twinkling with delight, “You should believe that girls who smile generally have good luck.”
The System nearly ground its teeth, unable to help but retort, “You really are confident about your luck.”
Unlucky girls wouldn’t find it easy to smile!
The free level-up cards could indeed be obtained from opening treasure chests, but the chances were a pitiful 1%.
Once again, it questioned what sin it had committed to end up with such a stubborn, capricious, and feisty host.
“My luck has always been great.” Jiang Pengji crossed her arms, her dark hair slightly wet, cascading behind her, softening the heroic aspects of her face, “If luck were poor, who in the world could like me manage to have a second life after death?”
The System fell into a long silence, acutely aware that its host was different from all those before her.
“Ha-ha, just be willful then, host.” The System couldn’t help but grit its teeth, “If you don’t try, a non-Empress will never realize just how unlucky they are.”
Unfazed by the System’s curse, Jiang Pengji merely provoked, “Trust me, I am the Empress of the Mountain Spirit.”
Initially, Jiang Pengji didn’t even know what a “non-Empress” or an “Empress of the Mountain Spirit” was. She had to thank the audience for educating her.
Whenever the live stream became a bit dull, the audience would treat the comment section like a chat room, happily engaging in conversation.
In recent days, terms like “non-Empress,” “Empress of the Mountain Spirit,” “SSR,” and “obsessed with drawing cards, unable to escape” had popped up frequently in their discussions. Bored, Jiang Pengji read their comments, gradually becoming savvy to these unfamiliar phrases.
The System felt a frustrating chill. Yet, thinking about Jiang Pengji’s confident demeanor and past actions, it felt a bit uneasy.
Could it be that her luck was genuinely that good?
If she didn’t have some kind of assurance, she wouldn’t be so sure she could level up based on face value, right?
The higher the treasure chest level, the better the things inside, and the chances of drawing a free level-up card were also higher.
If she could consistently pull the highest streaming rating and get a gold chest, who knows? She might really upgrade!
Thinking of the bright future after upgrading, the System’s gloomy mood lightened a bit, adding a touch of brightness.
Life isn’t just about the mundane; there are also dreams and distant adventures—being optimistic is the way to go!
