The Empress’ Livestream

The System quickly identified her intention and strongly opposed her plan.

“Host, you are strong enough right now. It would be a waste to use the valuable points to increase your physical power!”

Jiang Pengji’s strength in her previous life had certainly made her an unkillable monster, but what would be the point of it in the ancient world? Here, she could use the points on more practical skills and tools that could help her become a queen as the System wanted.

Although Jiang Pengji had never agreed to its goal, the computer would not compromise simply because of her refusal to cooperate.

However, the host was too stubborn to heed its advice.

If she combined all her former power to this body… The System thought of an image of her finger screwing a hole into the king’s head.

“I will undergo the first upgrade soon. After that, more devices will be available in the shop. You can save the points for the products. They will help you adapt to this world so you can lead a more comfortable life.”

As a multidimensional system, it had more functions than Jiang Pengji knew about. If she decided to exhaust all her points on Strength Fusion at this time, she wouldn’t be able to afford the commodities later when she needed them.

Jiang Pengji recognized its concern but was not convinced.

“I am confident that I can cope with everything by myself.”

In her previous world, she had climbed the ladder from a common soldier to the Leading General. She did not need a System then, so why would she need it in this backward ancient time?

She considered Strength Fusion a fair trade to obtain what belonged to her.

Due to biological constraints, this body would never achieve even one percent of her former power if she didn’t expand its potential. She had to increase its capacity before she could fill it with more strength.

“Tell me if I can gain back some of my previous strength. There is no use persuading me.”

The System knew it could not change her mind, so it replied reluctantly, “Yes, you can, but the few points you have will only bring disappointing effects.”

Jiang Pengji didn’t mind. She had assumed it would take an immeasurable amount of points to enhance Liu Lanting’s biological potential to match the strength of her previous body.

But no matter how difficult that would be, she must try. Despite the System’s compliant attitude, she knew it wanted to direct her to the path it preferred. Some might think that the System played the leading role, but she understood now that they were more like equal partners in the livestream.

Still, their relationship might change in the future. The System would not continue to urge her to start broadcasts and crave for popularity for nothing in return.

Her bold presumption was that the computer could be upgraded with popularity. What would happen if the host remained merely where she had always been?

Their choices were often in conflict. If they got into a big argument, she would need enough bargaining power to have her way. She had to get rid of her status quo as a power-level-five if she wanted to avoid becoming a puppet.

Therefore, she was determined to acquire her former strength, despite all the hardship it might involve.

Jiang Pengji looked down. “I can accept that. We will go step by step, bit by bit.”

The System knew any attempts to change her mind would be in vain, so it performed her decision.

As a virtual interface appeared in front of her, Jiang Pengji heard the computer’s electronic voice: “Are you certain about spending 10,000 points on Strength Fusion? (A) Yes. (B) Let me think about it.”

Without a second thought, she confirmed her decision. The amount was immediately deducted from her account, leaving only 34 points.

She waited a while but felt nothing special. Just when she was about to ask, acute pain shot from her feet to her brain, as if two giant nails had been inserted through her body. Her knees became jelly, and she almost fell onto the floor.

That was just the beginning.

Before she could take another breath, agony washed away all the colors in her face, leaving only ghastly white. Sweat the size of beans dropped from her forehead, and her lips were pale. Her blood vessels stuck out from her temples, and her eyes were almost falling out of its sockets. The red webs in her eyes made the scene even more horrifying.

Every muscle in her body cramped violently. Jiang Pengji’s heart skipped a beat when she noticed that she had difficulty breathing.

She looked at her arms with a cold smile. The bony hands were shaking vigorously, and her fingers were shaped like claws. Every knuckle was arched. She was trembling like an afflicted beast.

The paperweight on the desk accidentally fell to the ground and created an alarming noise.

Xunmei, who was stationed outside, sensed the strange atmosphere in the room and softly inquired, “Langjun, may I help you?”

Jiang Pengji struggled to take a deep breath, relieving the feeling of suffocation. A bite on the tip of her tongue brought pain and the scent of blood, which helped her regain control over her oral muscles. She made her voice normal. “Oh, it is nothing. The paperweight fell down… Xunmei, prepare warm water. I want to bath.”

Assured, Xunmei ordered the other servants to boil water for her young master.

Meanwhile, Jiang Pengji’s body was bending. She could barely breathe, and her face began to turn purple.

It seemed like a decade before the process was over. Jiang Pengji had used up all her energy trying to suppress herself from making any noise, and she lay on the floor with her eyes closed. Her breathing was weak. It was only after ten minutes that she began to recover.

By then, Xunmei had returned and reported from the other side of the door, “Langjun, the bath is ready.”

Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes and struggled to stand up. She then rubbed her face with a sleeve to wipe off the sweat.

“Come in.”

The attendant carefully wrapped her dark hair with a towel to keep it dry.

Jiang Pengji’s tight white lips gradually turned pink with the aid of the hot steam. She pretended to rest with her eyes closed, but she conversed with the System. She was exhausted, and she could not even raise a finger.