The Empress’ Livestream

“The System announces its warmest congratulation to the host, Jiang Pengji, for her promotion to Streamer Level Three. The streaming room upper limit has expanded to 50000 people.”

A consecutive series of fireworks flashed on the virtual screen, leaving the original bullet screen completely covered.

Streaming Room Level Two had a flower themed decoration. After the upgrade to level three, the colors of the flowers became darker and more vibrant.

The audience members that were lined up rushed in, and the upper limit of people increased to 50,000.

A sudden increase in audience members caused the internet to lag. The bullet screen was like an active volcano, surging violently.

Zuizhan Baishegeng: “Yi, what just happened? It feels like the lag caused the screen to become a PPT.”

Bingtang Ningmeng: “I felt the lag too and thought the Streamer’s livestream today was so short. Yes, what did the notice from the System mean? Did the Streamer finally level up and does that mean there will be 50,000 people watching the livestream together?”

Laosiji Lianmeng: “I saw the screen full of fireworks and stepped out to see the interface. Indeed, the headcount has increased to fifty thousand.”

Ying Taotao: “Yi, I thought the internet broke down! I was in the queue and then suddenly I was in. I wanted to complain that it was too difficult to fight for a spot in the Streamer’s streaming room. I tried before and was not successful after that.”

Linglong Mibaogezhu: “Loushang +1. I have to change positions often to secure a place and often cannot.”

Doraemon: “Hehe, just joking. How can the typing speed of normal people compare to that of people that are hundreds of years old?”

Niuzhatang: “#dignose. I highly suspect his native place is at the signal box.”

Jiang Pengji laughed. Even though there were suddenly many new audience members, the atmosphere of the bullet screen was pleasant.

After multiple attempts to test the System, Jiang Pengji began to grab hold of its weaknesses. If she did not purposely cause trouble, the System was unable to escape from her grasp.

The host and System were on opposite ends of a seesaw; the incentive they had on hand were the points of popularity. Jiang Pengji had to ensure the seesaw was balanced, or she had to subdue the System. The opposition could not do anything, and conversely would be driven to its wits end by her.

For example, if Jiang Pengji refused to level up, the System could only struggle whilst at death’s door. It would grow weaker day by day, to the point where it exhausted all of its energy.

Conversely, if Jiang Pengji had less incentive in her hands compared to the System, or if she unwittingly fell into its trap, what would happen then?

She would have been caught in between. One mistake and she would not be able to recover. She would become its puppet, availing herself to be manipulated by it.

If that was the case, why did Jiang Pengji not seize the chance to take down the System? She wanted to cast a long line to catch a big fish.

To achieve great things, how could one be distracted by a small incentive and forget about the real deal?

Hehe! Jiang Pengji puckered her lips. Her eyes brimmed with confidence. She wanted to see how long the System was able to bear it!

“Host, I feel I will have a breakthrough soon.” After a while, the System’s monotonal voice rang in her ears.

She fluttered her eyes and asked, “Will you be leveling up soon?”

“Yes,” the System replied nonchalantly. “Just like before, I will choose a time when the host is not livestreaming to safeguard my level up, so that I will not disturb your daily livestreaming job. The estimated time to level up is twelve hours.”

Jiang Pengji nodded in approval and did not wait for the System to briefly sigh in relief. She said, “Actually, I have other things to discuss with you. I wish to start the second strength fusion.”

The System was speechless.

Silence lingered for such a long while that Jiang Pengji suspected the System to be ignorant. It finally responded. “Should we start the strength fusion now?” it asked.

“Yes. It requires a million points of popularity.” Jiang Pengji raised her clenched fist, her expression frozen. “The world is so messed up. If one does not have power, they will be worse off than a rootless duckweed. I am still too weak and must gain strength to protect everything.”

The System deliberated. “The host has a base strength of twelve points and a strength fusion of thirty-nine points. The combined points far exceed the common man so close to the critical value. As one advances, a slight increase in numerical value will expand one’s points of popularity substantially. Previously, you were able to increase fusion by 0.01 percent with 10,000 points, but now, with 1,000,000 points, less than 1 percent is attained.”

Jiang Pengji knew that even without the System’s reminder. “I am mentally prepared.”

The System said, “As a qualified System, I have the responsibility to remind you: Previously, only 10,000 points were required for fusion. To level up strength fusion from level 30 to 31 is the same as a small child taking his first steps. It has now escalated dramatically to 1,000,000 points of popularity.”

“So what?” Jiang Pengji asked the System.

“The best approach is to do the fusion in parts. This will minimize the dangers involved.”

Jiang Pengji seemed to consider it seriously, but she decided to reject the System’s idea eventually. “There’s no need. I am confident since I decided to take the risk. Isn’t it just putting my life at stake? I will not be easily subdued by a dog leash.” She learned the term “dog leash” from the streaming room’s audience. “Do not worry about me.”

The System’s suggestion was good, but Jiang Pengji knew it would not be easy to negotiate once the other party leveled up. It was highly possible it would lord over her… Didn’t that happen after the System leveled up the first time?

She managed to avoid the mission to rescue the Meng Liang that was used to test her. If she hadn’t, the current situation would have been unpredictable. Thus, she had to increase her bargaining chip before the System “leveled up” the second time.

The System was speechless. Who cares about you?

******

The snow melted and froze. The road was hard to tread upon and the snow continued to fall heavily.

Everyone prepared to set up camp in the vast area that night for safety. They set up multiple campfires.

Jiang Pengji instructed Taxue and rode her horse between the trees.

The torture of fusing physical forces was something even Jiang Pengji could not flippantly say was bearable. If the fusion took place in the carriage, one could not be sure if a commotion would occur. It would have been hard to explain herself if someone saw her in a state of suffering.

“This location is good.” Jiang Pengji’s night vision was very good; she found the nearest stream with White.

“Has the host decided to use 1,000,000 points to continue with the fusion? A: Confirm; B: Let me reconsider.”

Learning from her last experience, Jiang Pengji was calm. She sat still by side of the stream, waiting for the fusion to begin.

After a few breadths, a sharp, excruciating pain enveloped her whole body without warning. It was intense and violent––a completely different level from the first fusion. She secretly bit her molar tooth, held on to the pebble by the stream with both hands, clenched her hands tightly, and even scratched its surface with her fingernails.

The moonlight was clear as water to begin with, which descended on her face. She looked as white as snow and like a lifeless ghost.

Her lips turned from light green to dark purple. She was suffering; her eyeballs were enlarged and her eyelids burned with pain as if they were going to burst. Every muscle in her body tensed up; they twitched and spasmed as blood vessels surfaced on her skin.