Chapter 316 – Three Years in Langya (Sixteen)
【System Announcement: Congratulations to host Jiang Pengji for officially leveling up to a Level 3 streamer, with the live stream audience cap expanded to 50,000 people.】
Fireworks burst open on the virtual screen, completely covering the originally sparse comments.
The Level 2 streaming room had faint floral decorations, which deepened in color after leveling up, becoming extraordinarily luxurious.
The audience that had been waiting in line surged in, boosting the cap to a whopping 50,000.
The sudden influx of viewers caused a momentary network lag, and the comments erupted like a volcano.
【Drunken White Snake Soup】: Ugh, what just happened? It feels like the whole screen’s about to turn into a PPT!
【Rock Candy Lemon】: I lagged too! I thought the host was only streaming for a short while today… By the way, what does that system announcement mean? Did the host level up again? Will there be 50,000 pals watching together?
【Old Driver Alliance】: Seeing the fireworks filling the screen, I checked the interface and indeed, the number is now 50,000.
【Cherry Peach】: Ugh, I thought the network crashed! I was still in line and then suddenly I was in. I gotta complain though, it’s way too hard to grab a spot in this stream; I snagged it once but never again…
【Linglong Password Pavilion Master】: Same here +1! I have to change my tactics almost every day to get in, but every time I still can’t!
【Dora Aimee】: Tsk tsk, no kidding! How can a normal person’s speed compare with these folks who have been single for centuries?
【Nougat Candy】: #NosePick I seriously suspect they’re from a signal tower!
Jiang Pengji chuckled. Even with a flood of new audiences, the atmosphere in the live comments remained quite pleasant.
She did a quick scan before turning her attention to the backstage popularity points, formulating her plan.
After several tests, Jiang Pengji had grasped the System’s weak points.
As long as she didn’t intentionally screw up, the System couldn’t really get the upper hand.
The host and the System were like two people on a seesaw, with the popularity points they held serving as their bargaining chips. As long as Jiang Pengji ensured the seesaw remained balanced or tilted slightly in her favor, the System would have no way to turn the tables and might be pushed into a corner.
For example, if Jiang Pengji refused to level up, the System could only barely survive, growing weaker day by day until it ran out of energy.
Conversely, if Jiang Pengji had fewer chips on her side or accidentally jumped into a trap set by the System, what would happen then?
She’d be caught in a vulnerability, unable to turn over, becoming its puppet, allowing the System to manipulate her however it wanted.
If that’s the case, why didn’t Jiang Pengji seize the opportunity to take out the System?
Because a long line is better for catching big fish.
Those who achieve great things can’t be swayed by minor gains, ignoring the real jackpot.
Heh.
Jiang Pengji smirked, confidence gleaming in her eyes.
She was eager to see just how long the System could endure!
“Host, I feel like I’m about to break through.”
After a while, the System’s rigid electronic voice echoed in her ear.
Raising an eyebrow, she asked, “Another level up?”
“Yes,” the System answered flatly, “Just like last time, I’ll try to choose a time when you’re not streaming to perform maintenance. This won’t interfere with your usual streaming work. This upgrade is estimated to take 12 hours.”
Jiang Pengji nodded in approval, but before the System could relax even a bit, she added, “Actually, I have something to discuss with you. I want to initiate the second Force Fusion.”
System: “…”
It fell silent for a long time, making Jiang Pengji wonder if the System was pretending to be deaf and mute. Finally, it reacted.
“Now for Force Fusion?” the System asked.
“Yes, it’ll cost 1,000,000 popularity points,” Jiang Pengji balled her fist, her expression hardening a little, “This world is chaotic. Without strength, I’m even less than a rootless weed. I’m still too weak, and only by growing stronger can I protect everything.”
The System weighed its words, “Your current base strength is 12 points, and fused strength is 39 points. This composite data far exceeds that of ordinary people, almost reaching a critical value. Later on, the cost of increasing even a single point will soar. Previously, 10,000 points could increase fusion degree by 0.01%; now it takes 1,000,000 points for less than 1% of benefit.”
This much Jiang Pengji already knew without the System’s reminder.
“I’m mentally prepared for this.”
The System continued, “As a competent System, I must remind you of something. Previously, you fused from 30 points to 31 points by using 10,000 points, which was a small step. Now leaping to 1 million is too large of a jump.”
“So?” Jiang Pengji inquired.
“The safest tactic would be to fuse in batches; this could minimize risk.”
Jiang Pengji seemed to think seriously for a moment but ultimately rejected the System’s suggestion.
“No need. Since I’ve chosen to take the risk, I naturally have some assurance. It’s just a gamble with my life; I don’t believe I’ll easily bite the dust.” The term “bite the dust” was something Jiang Pengji had learned from the audience in the stream. “Don’t worry about me.”
The System’s suggestion was well-intentioned, but Jiang Pengji knew that once it upgraded, it wouldn’t be as easy to negotiate with as it was now. The System might just turn against her like it did after its first upgrade, using the “Save Meng Liang” mission as a probe to threaten her. If she hadn’t held firm, the situation by now could’ve been very different.
So, she needed to bolster her bargaining chips before the System’s second upgrade.
System: “…”
Who’s the one worrying about you!?
Meanwhile, heavy snow continued to fall; the snow from before had melted and re-frozen, making the roads extremely treacherous.
To ensure safety, everyone set up several campfires in the clearing, preparing to spend the night here.
Jiang Pengji instructed Ta Xue briefly before riding deeper into the woods.
Even Jiang Pengji wouldn’t easily claim she could withstand the pain of Force Fusion. If she fused inside the carriage, there was no telling what kind of noise she might make. It wouldn’t be easy to explain if someone spotted her in a grotesque, pain-wracked state.
“This place will do.”
Jiang Pengji had excellent night vision, and riding Big White, she found the nearest stream.
【Host, confirm usage of 1,000,000 points for fusion? A: Confirm, B: Consider again】
Choice A it is!
Having learned from her previous experience, Jiang Pengji didn’t rush this time; instead, she calmly sat by the stream, waiting for the fusion to begin.
Sure enough, after a short pause, a wave of unforeseen, intense pain swept over her body, fierce and relentless, a level completely beyond her initial fusion. She bit down on her back molars, gripping the smooth river stones with her hands, her knuckles crunching tightly enough to leave imprints!
The moonlight was already cold and silvery as it fell upon her face, revealing a complexion as pale as a lifeless specter.
Her lips shifted from pale to deep purple due to the pain, her eyes bulged wide, and corners stung as if they might crack open.
Every muscle in her body seemed to rebel, twitching and convulsing, as livid bruises began to blossom on the surface of her skin.
