Popularity is everything; I play a super genius

Page 85

But now, seeing the description of the "Root Imprint," a guess arose in Saki's mind—

Perhaps it's not "impossible," but rather that the conditions are too harsh, so harsh that they lead to despair!

"Perfect promotion", "Root Imprint"...

These are clearly all key to the path to becoming a "king".

Just as Saki was overwhelmed with emotion upon learning this astonishing information, the system popped up a notification at that very moment:

【Ding! 】

[The enhanced material "Dreamline Fragment - Power (Legendary)" has been detected. Should it be used to enhance the Echo Core?]

Without hesitation, Saki immediately clicked "Yes".

This is when the system's reliability is demonstrated.

If Qi Ji were to refine the fragments himself, given that he hasn't even officially entered the first rank yet, who knows how long it would take.

Moreover, if the fragments are not completely refined before the next entry into the Sea of Consciousness...

If his spirit "dies" in the sea of consciousness, this unrefined fragment of legend will be "exploded"...

A moment later—

[Enhancement complete!]

[Slots filled: 1/3]

Upon hearing the prompt, Qi Ji immediately used the system's perspective to look at his echo again.

On the originally blurry outline, three faintly visible ring-shaped grooves had appeared at some point.

They revolve slowly around the still-unawakened core in the center, like a ring of stars.

One of the grooves has been lit up, and the legendary fragment is firmly embedded in it, with a faint golden light flowing around it.

This added a touch of majesty to the already mysterious echoes of the sparse.

Saki was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized—

So the so-called enhancement is actually just embedding additional Echo Fragments on top of its own core?

That makes sense; many of the games that Saki has played have this kind of setting.

But the next second, new doubts welled up in my mind.

Since it's a slot, it should be replaceable at any time.

Why did the system indicate that the white and green fragments were of insufficient quality and wouldn't even allow them to be inlaid?

Just as Qi Ji was pondering this, the system's prompt appeared in his field of vision again.

This explanation is more detailed:

[A question has been detected from the host regarding the "enhancement" mechanism. This is to clarify:]

[After a regular Echo Core awakens, it will generate a stable slot that can be compatible with and replace fragments of the same lineage of different qualities.]

However, the host's Echo Core is currently in the "unawakened embryonic stage." The fragments refined during this stage will lay the "growth benchmark" for your embryonic core.

Low-quality fragments, containing excessive "echo noise," will contaminate your core essence and permanently lower your growth potential if used as "baseline material."

The system has automatically set security thresholds based on your core characteristics.

[Current minimum allowed gem quality: Epic (Purple)]

[Note: This limitation applies only to the "embryonic period".]

[After the initial awakening is completed, subsequent slots will follow the general replacement rules.]

[You have successfully socketed a "Legendary" quality fragment, significantly enhancing your core potential and future possibilities!]

After reading the system's explanation, Qi Ji nodded, a look of understanding on his face.

It turned out to be the case.

It's not that its core is delicate, but rather that its starting point and potential are too high!

It must be built upon the purest and most powerful foundation to reach such heights; otherwise, it would be a waste of resources and a self-destructive endeavor!

Qi Ji decided that until he awakened the Echo, he would only inlay fragments of gold quality or higher.

Since we're all betting on the highest possible limit anyway, let's go for the absolute maximum!

……

Meanwhile, the Thousand Faces Family.

Quiet room.

Having safely evacuated from the sea of consciousness, Su Shi suddenly opened his eyes.

She clutched her chest, and it took a long time for her violent heartbeat to finally subside.

In her final moments, when she and her brother were locked onto by that terrifying crimson arrow of blood, she thought she was going to die...

Fortunately, my brother was there!

To be honest, she didn't even understand what was happening at the time.

All she remembered was her brother holding her tightly, followed by a massive explosion and blast wave, and then...

They left in a daze...

Back to reality, unharmed!

I absorbed two high-quality fragments in a row and reaped a great harvest!

Looking back on his first "journey to the sea," Su Shi couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions—

My brother and I were so amazing together!

The sea of consciousness doesn't seem so difficult after all!

Which idiot said the sea of consciousness was hell?

Nonsense!

She felt that this was clearly heaven!

The girl was already envisioning a future where she and her guardian spirit brother would reign supreme in the sea of consciousness...

Hey!

Just as he was getting into his daydreams, the door to the quiet room was suddenly pushed open.

But it was her mother, who had been waiting outside, who rushed in with tears in her eyes when she heard the noise.

After confirming that her daughter was safe and sound, Xiangyun rushed forward and hugged Sushi tightly.

"Tell me, tell me, Mom thought you were never coming back!"

"I'm so glad you came back alive!!!"

Her brows furrowed beneath the mask; it was the first time her mother had held her so tightly.

But this hug felt completely different from the hug her brother had given her in the sea of consciousness!

She didn't feel warmth, only suffocation.

So she pushed her mother away, patted her wrinkled clothes, stood up, and looked down at her, saying:

"Call Masayuki Senmyo over here."

She has an older brother now!

Upon thinking of this, Su Shi's back straightened instantly.

……

P.S.: Seven chapters, totaling over 19500 words! It got me all fired up, brothers!

Since the book was released, I haven't asked for votes yet. This time, I'm finally standing up for myself and can shout it out with confidence.

Requesting votes? (?ˉ?ˉ?)

Also, please subscribe again tomorrow! We're having a "strong recommendation" competition tomorrow, and whether I win or not depends on tomorrow's vote. Please!

Chapter Ninety: What was the truth behind the lawsuit from back then? What a tangled web of relationships!

Upon learning that Susu had actually returned alive from the Sea of Consciousness, Senmyoji Masayuki excitedly rushed over, muttering to himself:

"I knew it, I knew she could do it!"

She is a supplicant, she is a supplicant!

However, the moment Senmyo Masayuki stepped into the quiet room where Susou was located—

Several fireballs suddenly flew towards us.

Masayuki Senmyo was slightly taken aback, but then laughed in anger.

He sidestepped, dodging all the fireballs.

However, this move by the plaintiff was merely a feint!

The next instant, the ground beneath Masayuki Senmyo's feet suddenly softened and turned into a sinking expanse of quicksand!

At the same time, sharp ice spikes suddenly shot out from the surrounding pillars and walls, piercing towards him from all directions!

Outside, a fierce wind was blowing!

The fireball he had dodged earlier turned around with the help of the wind and came hurtling towards him again.

The wind even fanned the flames, causing the fireball's size and temperature to increase several times over!

Wind, fire, ice, earth—

The four mimicry forces were cleverly combined at this moment, forming a wonderful combined attack!

At this moment, Masayuki Senmyo has no way to avoid it!

Seeing that his sneak attack was about to succeed, Su Shi clenched his fist, feeling extremely excited!

Upon returning from the sea of consciousness, she felt like a completely different person!

Because she saw her brother, because she knew her brother was still protecting her, because from now on, she finally had a brother she could rely on again!

It's like a child who was prepared to face the whole world alone, only for the person who had left, who would have been unconditionally good to you and whom you regarded as everything, to suddenly reappear!

She suddenly felt confident enough to do anything!

Just as Su Shi thought he could finally vent his pent-up anger of many years—

"Click".

A crisp sound, like a mirror shattering, rang in my ears.

Su Shi felt a blur before her eyes, and an irresistible force slammed into her back!

Unbeknownst to her, Senmyo Masayuki had appeared behind her at some point and kicked her out of the quiet room.

Su Shi fell to the ground in the courtyard, plowing a long furrow in the ground before barely coming to a stop.

"Cough...cough..."

Damn it...

Su Shi, having figured out what had happened, angrily pounded the ground.

She was just making assumptions!

She should have been more patient.