Pretending to be a genius starts with the civilization advancement assessment.

Chapter 272 Starry Sea Hotspot, A Refreshing Novel Protagonist (5.1K)

Upon hearing this, Lin Yi was slightly taken aback, and his doubts deepened.

Fire?

Lin Yi knew that killing Talorank would attract some attention, but it shouldn't have anything to do with the word "fire".

"What happened?" he asked.

Lin Yi was indeed somewhat puzzled.

In the fragments of his past life's memories, as the intensity of the border battlefield continued to increase, the geniuses of various races hunted each other down. While news of their deaths was not as commonplace as eating rice, it was not exactly earth-shattering news either.

Not to mention the Kunmo tribe, even among the more powerful Shi tribe's prodigies, quite a few have suffered defeats and perished.

But no one has become "famous" yet.

Therefore, killing a Tarlolank was, in his view, merely fulfilling a predetermined objective and incidentally avenging his comrade, nothing more.

Xuanji seemed to have anticipated his question and calmly explained, "Master, the promotional video was initially only played within the K-77 star system, and the effect was remarkable. Subsequently, the commander of the neighboring legion that came to provide support saw it and thought it would greatly benefit morale, so he requested a copy to play in his defense zone."

"After a while, the word started to spread to several nearby legions."

She paused, a subtle shift in her tone, as if stating a coincidence.

"The problem is that about a week ago, Lord Tiange happened to be inspecting the Kunmo tribe's border war zone and saw this propaganda video in a certain army corps. The Lord thought that its theme was clear, the contrast was strong, and it was very inspiring, so he ordered it to be promoted and played throughout the entire Kunmo tribe's border war zone to inspire the whole army."

Lin Yi suddenly realized it was a command from a venerable lord.

This has a completely different impact; it has already gone beyond the scope of a regional event.

Xuanji continued, "After it was played in the military throughout the border region, someone quickly uploaded the promotional video, along with some of your... well, background information, to the Human Race section of [Star Sea News], the most influential public information platform on the virtual network."

"My background information?"

Lin Yi raised an eyebrow.

Although his background information wasn't deliberately kept secret, you'd need at least a purple access level to find it.

"Yes."

Xuanji's voice remained steady, but the content left Lin Yi both amused and exasperated.

"The information mentions that you hail from the indigenous civilization 'Silverblue,' a true example of a grassroots success story. Upon passing the promotion assessment, you immediately gained the favor and allegiance of Irelia, a veteran Starfield-level Elven race member who serves as a civilization guardian, and even brought her entire Xena family with her. Subsequently, you were taken in as a personal disciple by the Eternal God. You then founded the East Peak Mercenary Group, actively participating in border battles and demonstrating outstanding performance. Now, you are hailed as one of the strongest candidates for humanity in the next Genius Battle."

"Plus the dramatic plot of 'patient planning, using oneself as bait, and powerful revenge' in the promotional video."

Xuanji seemed to be thinking of the right words, and finally used a metaphor that Lin Yi was very familiar with.

"In the terms of Blue Star online literature, your current public image can be described as that of a 'feel-good male protagonist'. Therefore, it has attracted a lot of attention and discussion among a wider audience, and that's why you've become famous."

Lin Yi was speechless for a moment after hearing this.

He finally understood.

It's not that what he did was unique, but rather that he happened to do the right thing at the right time, in the right capacity, and was given a push by a big shot, ultimately being placed on the most popular platform.

The reason why no one took the killing of the prodigies in the past life too seriously was because there was so much war and tragedy back then that people had become numb to it.

Currently, these initial frictions have not yet attracted enough attention from the general public. In addition, the human race as a whole is currently in a phase of accumulating strength and being relatively "patient".

His outburst resonated with the desire of countless ordinary people to stand tall and witness the rise of humanity.

"It was a coincidence that I became the first to stick my neck out." Lin Yi shook his head, somewhat amused and helpless.

He wasn't particularly pleased with this; in fact, he found it somewhat troublesome.

However, he was somewhat curious about the specific reactions from the outside world.

"What did those comments say?"

He asked Xuanji to demonstrate.

Xuanji immediately complied, unfolding a light screen in front of Lin Yi, on which popular comments extracted from the Human Race section of the [Star Sea News] section scrolled rapidly:

[Top Comment]: "Wow! That's a true prodigy. Twenty years of forbearance, and then he unleashed his power, killing the enemy chieftain with a spear. It got my blood pumping. He's a million times better than those rich kids who just brag about their family background!"

(Reply 1): "Agreed! Especially the last comparison shot, it gave me goosebumps. Blood for blood, it made me want to join the Astral Army."

(Reply 2): "Highly exciting! Especially when they retaliate in the same way."

[Second Hot Comment]: "Everyone, can you analyze what level Lin Yi's triple domain is? Can anyone explain? I feel that even among the Spirit Race, those at the Star Core level who can master the triple domain are among the most powerful, right?"

(Reply 1): "There is still a gap between the Spirit Clan and the Spirit Clan, but not by much, because some people say that Lin Yi is not even 1000 years old, and his future is promising!"

(Reply 2): "According to my brother's inside information, the top talents in the training camp were all stunned, and it is said that Young Master Huiyao became depressed on the spot."

[Third Hot Comment]: "Am I the only one with a skewed focus? I looked up information on the Dongfeng Mercenary Group, and that Elven young lady, Irelia, is just too beautiful! The information says she actively followed Lin Yi??? I don't envy his talent, but I really have to admit she's stunning!"

(Reply 1): "Talent and good looks go hand in hand, what an amazing combination!"

(Reply 2): "Don't just look at her appearance. Irelia is also a star-level genius and a master of the rules of life. She's not just a pretty face."

(Reply 3): "I don't care, I've already imagined a million words of interstellar romance."

[Fourth Hot Comment]: "From humble beginnings, a beautiful woman falls for him, a god becomes his teacher, and he becomes famous on the battlefield. This life script is so dramatic that even novels wouldn't dare to write it like this! Does the Dongfeng Mercenary Group need any more people? I feel like following him would be a good career path."

[Fifth Hot Comment]: "Could it be a deliberate publicity stunt? The speed of progress from an indigenous civilization is too outrageous; it feels a bit fake."

(Reply 1): "Are there no geniuses among natives? Can you think of your aristocratic family scions as geniuses? The battle record is real, the promotional video was officially released by the Astronomical Army, do you know more than the military?"

(Reply 2): "Exactly, is it so hard to admit that others are excellent?"

(Reply 3): "It's not impossible; there might be someone behind it that we don't know about."

Lin Yi quickly browsed through the pages, his feelings somewhat complicated.

There was passionate support, rational and objective analysis, amazement at his abilities, envy and even doubt about his experiences, and even a lot of gossip stories with suggestive undertones about him and Irelia.
This is the price of fame; everything about you will be scrutinized and discussed under a magnifying glass.

He turned off the screen and rubbed his temples.

At this moment, Xuanji added, "Master, in addition to this, we have also received a large number of communication mark applications during this period."

"Who are they?"

Lin Yi asked, which was within his expectations, but also the most troublesome.

“Based on the brief information attached to the application,” Xuanji replied, “it can be roughly divided into several categories: First, various chambers of commerce and brand groups hope to invite you to endorse their products, ranging from top-tier gene potions and high-end customized soul weapons to interstellar hovercraft and even nutrient solution brands.”

"Secondly, some cultural media companies hope to produce special reports, biographies, or negotiate script licensing for you."

"Thirdly, there are representatives of some powerful groups and families who hope to get to know you and express their goodwill. Fourthly, there are some purely personal requests to make friends."

Lin Yi felt a headache coming on.

The fact that these people were able to obtain his contact information and submit their applications directly to him indicates that they have some influence and connections behind them.

If not handled properly, you could offend people for no reason.

Ignoring them all would seem arrogant, but responding to each one would seriously hinder his cultivation.

He pondered for a moment, realizing that this was no longer something he could easily handle alone.

This involves personal image, resource integration, and even the building of potential interpersonal networks.

"Xuanji, establish a top-level virtual conference room and invite the high-ranking members of the Xena family, Irelia, as well as the core members and think tank of our Blue Star civilization to a meeting," Lin Yi decided. This kind of matter requires the support of the civilization and the team.

"Instruction confirmed, virtual meeting room established, access request sent."

A moment later, Lin Yi's consciousness entered the virtual conference room.

Soon, the other figures also solidified one after another.

Li Zhenguo and Zhou Donglai, from the Blue Star civilization, looked serious and slightly excited.

On the Sheena family's side, the leaders were Liyue and two Starfield-level elders.

Irelia was the last to appear. She was still a simple emerald green battle armor phantom. She nodded slightly to Lin Yi and then stood quietly a little behind Li Yue.

"Everyone."

Lin Yi skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point, “I’m sure Xuanji has already shared the situation with everyone. Because of my killing of Talorank and the subsequent promotional video, I’ve gained more attention than I expected in human society, which has led to a large number of cooperation requests and requests for personal connections.”

"This could be an opportunity, but it's bound to be a problem. The purpose of gathering everyone here is to discuss a proper course of action."

Li Yue seemed to have anticipated this, and she spoke first.

"Commander Lin Yi, there's no need to be too troubled. Reputation is a resource in itself, and it's a necessary stage in the process of becoming stronger. It's just that it's happening a little earlier now. Appropriate reputation can leverage many areas that are difficult to reach by strength alone. The key is how to guide and monetize it."

“My family, Sheena, has some insignificant experience in this area and is willing to provide full assistance.”

Elder Lishan stroked his beard and nodded, adding, "The clan leader is right. The current focus should be on establishing a screening mechanism, and we should concentrate our efforts on valuable collaborations."

After a moment's thought, Li Zhenguo replied, "Commander, I believe this is incredibly good news for our Silverblue Civilization. Your reputation is the best calling card for our civilization. We can use this opportunity to enhance our civilization's visibility among the human race and attract investment, technology, and talent!"

As the chief administrator of the civilization, his primary consideration is the civilization as a whole.

Zhou Donglai, however, displayed his usual caution: "The opportunities are great, but risks are also present. The commander is currently riding high, which will inevitably affect some existing interest structures. We must be wary of open and covert attacks. We must be extremely careful in choosing our partners, preferring to have fewer but better ones, and avoid getting too involved with forces that have a bad reputation or complicated backgrounds."

After hesitating for a moment, Irelia added softly, "The content of the cooperation should also be limited, and must conform to the overall image and positioning of the leader and our East Peak Mercenary Group."

When she mentioned "we," she paused almost imperceptibly.

Seeing that the direction of the discussion was clear, Lin Yi ordered Xuanji: "Xuanji, categorize and display the main business cooperation invitations we have received so far by field and brand influence."

"Yes, Master."

A huge screen of light unfolded in the virtual study, displaying dozens of gleaming brand logos and brief cooperation intentions.

Li Yue glanced at the list and quickly pointed out a few.
"Starry Sky Power, I recall, is one of the top three manufacturers of military ships and power systems for the human race. They have close ties with the Astral Army, making cooperation extremely valuable. Source Core Technology focuses on high-end soul weapon cores and intelligent combat systems, possessing strong technological barriers and backed by both the Eldar and Machine races. Tree of Life Medicine is a cross-species giant within our Eldar race, especially authoritative in gene optimization and life repair. Cooperating with them will grant access to top-tier resources."

She paused, then pointed to another logo: "'Universal Media,' the largest comprehensive media group in the Pan-Spirit Alliance, with influence covering the entire Pan-Spirit Alliance. Although it is only the human branch, conducting controlled cooperation with them, such as an authoritative interview, is very helpful in guiding public opinion and shaping a positive image."

Then, her finger moved to the bottom of the list, her brow furrowing slightly: "These... require careful consideration. For example, 'Phantom Star Entertainment,' which mainly deals in virtual idols and the entertainment industry, doesn't fit our positioning. And this one..."

Her finger hovered over the logo of a flamboyantly designed perfume bottle that radiated a captivating purple glow—"'Breath of the Shadow,' a luxury men's fragrance and personal care brand."

Lin Yi's lips twitched involuntarily.

Why would you ask a genius in three fields, who is decisive and ruthless on the battlefield, to endorse a perfume?

Almost simultaneously, he felt a gaze sweep over him quickly from the side before immediately looking away.

He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and saw Irelia with her head slightly lowered, intently looking at the patterns on the virtual carpet, as if some peerless classic was engraved on it.

However, the subtle blush on her ears betrayed that she was not as calm as she appeared.

Clearly, she also thought of the suggestive gossip stories about the two of them circulating online. If Lin Yi really accepted this kind of endorsement, who knows what outrageous plots would be fabricated about him.

Li Yue naturally noticed the two's subtle reactions, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure: "Brands that are seriously inconsistent with the image of the leader as a combat genius, or that may even trigger negative associations, can be rejected directly."

Li Zhenguo then spoke up: "In addition to brand collaborations, there are also some non-commercial invitations that need to be considered."

"For example, the 'Joint Committee of Xinghai Higher Education Institutions' sent an invitation, hoping that the Commander could give a public speech across the entire Xinghai network to inspire the younger generation. This is a good thing to enhance social influence, and it is acceptable, but the specific form and content need to be discussed in depth."

The meeting lasted for nearly a full hour. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions across multiple dimensions, including brand selection, bottom lines for cooperation, public opinion guidance, and risk avoidance.

Lin Yi mostly listens, only making decisions at crucial moments.

Ultimately, a preliminary plan was formed.

The "Lin Yi External Affairs Coordination Group" was established, with Irelia in overall charge, Liyue and Zhou Dong providing strategic advice, Li Zhenguo representing the Blue Star civilization, and Xuanji serving as the information hub.

Priority will be given to top brands or organizations closely associated with the human military, leading universities, and important research institutions. Cooperation with low-end, fast-moving consumer goods, entertainment-oriented, or mismatched brands will be rejected.

In terms of resource allocation, most of the profits from business cooperation were used for Lin Yi's personal benefit.

The remainder will be used for the development of the Dongfeng Mercenary Group and to contribute to the construction of Blue Star civilization. The Xina family, as a strategic partner, enjoys certain priority cooperation rights and channel fees.

"Since everyone agrees, let's proceed accordingly," Lin Yi declared decisively. "I'll leave the minor details to you all."

Everyone expressed their willingness to help, and then their figures faded away as they exited the virtual conference room.

Finally, only Lin Yi and Irelia remained in the room.

Outside the virtual window flows a vast and tranquil galaxy.

"Ellie."

Lin Yi looked at her and said gently, "You've had a tough time these past few days. Don't take those comments on the internet to heart."

Irelia raised her head, her blue eyes filled with a complex expression, a mixture of embarrassment and a hint of inexplicable emotion.

She gave a soft "Mmm" and whispered, "I know. I just... didn't expect it to turn out like this."

Irelia paused, then lowered her voice, "I won't let these things interfere with important matters."

Lin Yi smiled as he watched her try to remain calm: "Alright, go ahead. Improving your strength as quickly as possible is the key to dealing with everything."

Irelia nodded, gave Lin Yi one last look, and then her figure slowly disappeared.

Lin Yi was the only one left in the virtual conference room.

He walked to the window, gazing at the boundless sea of ​​stars with a profound look in his eyes.

Reputation, resources, and connections—these are all components of power.

Since we've come this far by chance, let's make the most of it.

Ultimately, however, one's own understanding of the rules and control of power are the foundation for standing firm in the starry sky.

Then, Lin Yi had a thought and also logged out of the virtual network.

In the quiet room, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze clear and unwavering, devoid of any trace of the turmoil from the outside world.

The most urgent task is to quickly and accurately transform the enormous gains from killing Talorank, especially the huge sum of military merit, into a tangible improvement in cultivation.

"Xuanji," he called softly.

"Master, please give your orders." A phantom figure in palace attire quietly appeared.

"Retrieve my military merit balance and the Starbound Army's internal access exchange list," Lin Yi ordered.

With 2000 million military merits already in hand, this is beyond the scope of regular exchanges and is enough to unlock some truly valuable items.

(End of this chapter)