System Upgrade

"What exactly caused the task to be rated 'Perfect? If it's based on how thoroughly a task is completed, then just barely securing the class task for the second part of the Goddess Quest to earn a spot on the field trip shouldn't warrant a perfect rating."

"No, no, maybe it's not just that. Let me think... The task only stated that I needed to qualify for the field trip, but didn't specify how early I had to achieve it. While there was no official ranking, judging by the order the slots were awarded and the quality of the submissions, I really did just barely secure the last available spot."

"Hmm? Perhaps it's due to something I unintentionally achieved in the personal talent segment that met the system's hidden evaluation criteria. If that's the case, then it must have been my performance."

"Just mastering four instruments at a master-level shouldn't have warranted such a high score from the system. Other than that, the only remaining factor is the song 'Moonlit Ripples on the Jade Lake.'"

"That's right! I performed 'Moonlit Ripples on the Jade Lake' using four different instruments. Considering the influence of that song, I may have unintentionally garnered significant recognition through this performance. And because of the relationship between my actions and talents, I hit the criteria for a system-triggered reward upgrade."

"'Moonlit Ripples on the Jade Lake' can be called the number one masterpiece of Huaxia music, with countless fans even in this world. I used increasingly rare Huaxia classical instruments to perform it. My mastery of the song was the perfect version exchanged from the system, which may have also sparked two unintended effects—a revival of Huaxia classical instruments and the promotion of Hanfu?"

"Increased fame, knowing when to step back, revival of Huaxia classical music, promotion of Hanfu? Not only that, but perhaps also the line I casually delivered mid-performance, telling others to follow my Weibo—all of it matched the system's requirements..."

"If that's truly the case, then it really was a marvelous outcome born from a string of coincidences. Looks like my luck is EX-rank right now..."

Chu Lian raised her hands and analyzed each possibility one by one. Toward the end, she realized it may truly have been a series of coincidental choices she made.

But still, System, seriously, couldn't you have provided the completion criteria beforehand instead of waiting until task completion to reveal the rewards? You were clearly trying to set me up! Can you please think a little about your poor host?

Even though she had received a wealth of unexpected rewards, she still felt a chill in her heart. The designer of this system was definitely a black-hearted schemer who loved to dig traps.

These various traps wouldn't even be visible until she stumbled into one or covered them all. Only then could she understand the hidden meanings within each task.

Although, truth be told, it wasn't entirely the system designer's fault. If someone were just a little more clever or attentive, they could discover the hidden clues within the task descriptions. The system would always answer any questions she asked—but...

After lying there a while, she pulled her wandering thoughts back from the sky and suddenly remembered there were several other task notifications she hadn't checked yet.

She opened the rewards tab, and instantly, even more notifications than the last task bombarded her vision, nearly dazzling her. It took her quite some time to realize—she'd hit the jackpot!

Hardcore fans reach 30,000: Reward 40,000 Culture Points, 3,000 Goddess Points.

Hardcore fans reach 50,000: Reward 50,000 Culture Points, 5,000 Goddess Points.

Fans reach 100,000: Reward 100,000 Culture Points, 1,000 Goddess Points.

Fans reach 150,000: Reward 150,000 Culture Points, 1,500 Goddess Points.

Die-hard fans reach 10,000: Reward 10,000 Goddess Points, 20,000 Dream Points.

Recognized as a goddess by over 6,000 individuals: Reward 6,000 Goddess Points.

Admiration count reaches 10,000: Reward 2,000 Goddess Points, 10,000 Admiration Points.

Admiration count reaches 30,000: Reward 6,000 Goddess Points, 30,000 Admiration Points.

Admiration count reaches 50,000: Reward 10,000 Goddess Points, 50,000 Admiration Points.

(Note: Early rewards come frequently but are smaller. In the mid-to-late stages, achieving one reward requires a significantly higher number of followers, but the rewards scale accordingly. So don't worry about the rewards being too plentiful—they're actually nowhere near enough. You'll see soon enough.)

In less than a day, her fan count rose from 50,000 to 150,000. Hardcore fans increased from 10,000 to 50,000. And those who admired her exceeded 50,000 overnight.

What made her happiest was that the number of die-hard fans had somehow reached the astonishing milestone of 10,000. Die-hard fans, by definition, are those who remain devoted regardless of how obscure their idol becomes or how long they vanish from public view. They're the ones who might not say much but will stand up in times of need, shielding you from the storm and giving their all for you.

They might be ordinary people, wealthy elites, street vendors, students, or even those in high positions. But they all share a single goal: to follow an idol they deem worth following.

Of course, die-hard fans can still be lost. An idol can make mistakes and have flaws, but they must never cross the line. Once that line is crossed, even die-hard fans will walk away for good.

"These are people who yearn for beauty. They see their idol as the embodiment of that beauty. When they follow you, they are the sharpest sword hidden in the shadows."

"When you lose them, it is as if you've severed your own arm. Some among them, disillusioned by broken dreams, may become the sharpest spear that destroys you. Treat them well. They are the zealots, and also your most influential force." —"System Data: Evaluation and Criteria for Die-Hard Fans"

This was the system's definition and evaluation. Though the description might seem to conflict with the term "die-hard," especially the part about potential loss, making the term feel somewhat inaccurate...

But when Chu Lian asked the system, the answer left her in contemplative silence. The words were familiar, things she'd often encountered but never given much weight:

Bottom line.

Goodwill.

Achievement.

Merit.

Righteousness.

Short, yet undeniable truths. One must not act without a bottom line, must not live without goodwill, must not achieve greatness through evil, must leave a legacy of honorable conduct, and must uphold righteousness at all times.

Is this not the very essence of being a hero? The difference is merely in framing: one says, "A true hero serves the nation and its people," while the other says, "Live without shame wherever you walk in this world."

Chu Lian pondered this answer for a long time before finally raising the corners of her lips in a faint smile. She now understood part of the system's reasoning and the intentions behind its design. In the end, it was all predetermined. Coincidentally, it also aligned with her own actions. There was no reason to reject it.

No matter what, she had hit the jackpot this time. What should have taken several milestones to accomplish had been completed all at once, and the sheer amount of rewards exceeded her wildest imagination.

Current Points: Goddess Points: 44,607; Culture Points: 340,700; Skill Points: 0; Admiration Points: 95,942; Dream Points: 20,007; Item Points: 107; Integrity Points: 981,045.

"System Notice: Host has surpassed 40,000 Goddess Points, meeting the requirement for the system's first upgrade. System entering upgrade mode. Upgrade duration: 24 hours."

"To meet the requirements for the first upgrade, the system will deduct 40,000 Goddess Points, 100,000 Culture Points, 20,000 Dream Points, 100 Item Points, and 500,000 Integrity Points."

"During the upgrade, the host will have read-only access to the system. Exchange functions will be disabled. Upon completion, the system will unlock the Data World, introducing powerful items, skills, techniques, and weapons as available rewards."

Alright then, of course the system stays quiet most of the time, and the moment it opens its mouth, it takes away a huge chunk of rewards. Before she could even warm up to those points, most of them were gone. She couldn't help but feel this was all intentional—the system deliberately dangled the points in front of her only to yank them away in bulk. A classic bait-and-switch.

Still, after venting her complaints, she couldn't help but feel excited. What benefits would this system upgrade bring her?