Gu Yuqing stormed back to Benevolent Central peak like a hurricane of wounded pride, her fellow disciples trailing behind her in a mixture of concern and exasperation. The sound of shattering pottery echoed from her chambers as she took her fury out on anything within sword’s reach.

“I’m so angry!” she screamed, slashing at the silk curtains around her bed. “Just because she’s some Foundation Establishment elder, she thinks she can look down on me! What’s so special about her anyway!”

The fabric fell in ribbons around her feet as she continued her rampage.

“And that Xue woman! A mere palace servant—I heard she wasn’t even a proper disciple of the Lianshan Sect, just some lowly attendant! How dare Siyi compare someone like that to me! Is she trying to humiliate me on purpose? Ha! Maybe it’s because she used to be the Palace Lord’s maid too—touching scene, remembering old times?”

Outside her door, her senior martial siblings exchanged helpless glances.

“Junior Sister, please calm down.” one of them called through the wooden frame. “Being chosen by the illusion realm proves your talent is exceptional. That should be something to celebrate, not a reason to rage against some palace servant.”

“Exactly.” another chimed in. “Her cultivation is lower than yours anyway. So what if she escaped first? You wouldn’t have been trapped forever. If the Palace Lord hadn’t broken the formation early, you might have emerged the very next second.”

Gu Yuqing’s sword froze mid-swing. Her face twisted with even greater fury. “So you’re saying it’s still their fault I lost face!”

The disciples looked at each other with growing alarm. This was escalating beyond their ability to handle.

Suddenly, the sound of rushing wind announced someone’s arrival. A figure descended from the peak’s summit, landing gracefully in the courtyard before walking toward them with measured steps.

One of the disciples at the back turned, took one look, and went pale. “Peak Master!”

The others whirled around, cold sweat breaking out as they met the stern gaze of Yan Qingluan. Her expression was thunderous, radiating an authority that made them all bow their heads immediately.

“Master!” they chorused, some calling her “Teacher” while others used her title as Peak Master.

Hearing the commotion, Gu Yuqing dropped her sword and rushed from her room. The moment she saw Yan Qingluan, her tears fell even harder. “Master!”

“Stop where you are.” Yan Qingluan commanded, her voice low and sharp as winter steel. Two words, but they nailed Gu Yuqing’s feet to the ground.

Gu Yuqing hastily wiped her tears, remembering how much her master despised emotional outbursts. She lowered her voice to barely above a whisper. “Master.”

Yan Qingluan’s eldest disciple carefully raised his head, studying her expression with growing dread. “Master, why have you come out of seclusion?”

“Hah.” Yan Qingluan’s laugh was bitter and cold. “If I hadn’t emerged, would I have had to wait for a formal reprimand from the Palace Lord herself to learn what fine deeds you’ve been accomplishing behind my back?”

Her words hit the assembled disciples like a lightning strike. They huddled together like frightened quails, completely bewildered.

What had they done wrong? They’d been training diligently, completing their assigned tasks from the Administrative Hall, participating in secret realm expeditions……

Their eyes inevitably drifted to Gu Yuqing, who stood there looking utterly wronged.

Gu Yuqing took a deep breath, her voice shaking with indignation. “Master, it must be Siyi spreading lies about me! Please don’t let her deceive you! She’s the one who humiliated me in front of everyone. I only argued back because I couldn’t bear it… I forgot about her position in the heat of the moment.”

Yan Qingluan closed her eyes.

The courtyard fell silent.

Every disciple on Benevolent Central peak knew their master’s temperament. She was hot-tempered, brooked no dissent, and was fiercely protective of her students. This cold, controlled fury was usually reserved for disciples from other peaks. When she turned it on her own people, it meant the situation was catastrophic.

“I pitied you as an orphan.” Yan Qingluan said, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade. “I took you in because you shared a character with my name, treating you like my own daughter. Your talent was exceptional, so I poured my heart into your training. Even when you grew spoiled and arrogant, I didn’t mind. The Palace Lord has the entire Luanyang Palace to rely on—why shouldn’t you be proud with me as your backing?”

Her voice rose with each word, decades of disappointment crystallizing into rage.

“But I never imagined that all my devotion would create someone so spoiled and so utterly stupid! When Siyi’s message reached me, I couldn’t believe it. Now I see you not only did what she described, but you still don’t understand what you did wrong! I’m at a loss, Gu Yuqing. How could you possibly think it was acceptable to question your Palace Lord in front of so many outsiders?”

“Who do you think you are? What sect do you belong to? What gives you the right to point fingers at the Palace Lord? In all my years of teaching, when have I ever encouraged such breathtaking stupidity?”

Yan Qingluan’s words flayed Gu Yuqing alive. As she’d said, she truly had raised Gu Yuqing like her own daughter, showing her more affection than any of her other disciples. This brutal public dressing-down hit like a physical blow, draining all color from Gu Yuqing’s face as she dropped to her knees.

“Master, I—”

Yan Qingluan raised her hand, cutting off the words. She took a deep breath, struggling to contain her fury, but the rage still leaked through her clenched teeth. “I also heard you’ve been encouraging others to help me leave Luanyang Palace so we could establish our own sect?”

Her gaze swept over the other disciples, who immediately prostrated themselves, faces burning with shame.

“Gu Yuqing may lack brains, but do all of you lack them too? If I actually betrayed Luanyang Palace, how would the righteous cultivation world view me?”

The disciples trembled like leaves in a storm, not daring to breathe.

Gu Yuqing was genuinely terrified now. “Master, I was wrong! Please forgive me!”

“How can I forgive you?” Yan Qingluan’s smile was sharp as broken glass. “Pack your things immediately and go kneel before Siyi. Submit to whatever punishment she deems fit.”

Without sparing another glance for her once-beloved disciple, Yan Qingluan turned and strode away, her anger trailing behind her like a visible aura.

Word of the Peak Master’s early emergence from seclusion spread through Benevolent Central peak like wildfire. Disciples scrambled to bow as she passed, her face set in granite as she climbed the stone steps to the summit. The sight of their usually composed leader in such a state sent waves of anxiety through the entire peak.

For Benevolent Central peak, this was a catastrophe. Gu Yuqing was the Peak Master’s closed-door disciple, her obvious favorite who received far more attention than anyone else. What could she have done to provoke such rage? The mere thought of drawing similar wrath made everyone walk on eggshells.

Some disciples who’d never gotten along with Gu Yuqing felt a secret surge of vindication. Finally, the spoiled princess was getting what she deserved.

At the peak’s summit, Yan Qingluan looked toward the gathering storm clouds and leaped into the air, landing on the mountainside near the lightning formation.

Siyi, dressed in soft pink robes, bowed respectfully. “Peak Master Yan, you’ve emerged from seclusion?”

If I hadn’t, your complaint would probably have been delivered directly to my cultivation chamber, Yan Qingluan thought grimly. She nodded curtly, studying the figure beneath the lightning tribulation.

The young woman looked unfamiliar but remarkably composed. Few people faced tribulation lightning without appearing disheveled, but her eyes remained bright and determined. She was clearly on the verge of successful Foundation Establishment.

“Who is she?” Yan Qingluan asked.

Siyi smiled warmly. “Her name is Xue Mengtao. She’s twenty years old, and until recently served as a palace attendant at Phoenix Roost Peak, caring for the Palace Lord’s spirit beasts under the Beast Tending Hall. She’s now my disciple and an official member of Phoenix Roost Peak.”

“Twenty years old…… Foundation Establishment. Not bad.” Yan Qingluan frowned. “But in the palace, only those at Golden Core stage or above can—”

Her words died as she sensed the spiritual energy fluctuations around Siyi. The woman was clearly preparing for her own breakthrough.

Yan Qingluan’s chest tightened with frustrated anger. She’d always competed with other peaks for resources, but it was for her disciples’ benefit! Her students had always been stronger than the rest, giving her leverage to secure better treatment for them. But while she’d been in seclusion, what had her “grateful” disciples accomplished? Nothing! They’d actually caused her to lose face while making no progress whatsoever.

Meanwhile, Phoenix Roost peak continued its meteoric rise. The peak had only ever had the Palace Lord and Siyi, but now Siyi had taken on a twenty-year-old Foundation Establishment disciple while preparing for her own Golden Core breakthrough.

“During your seclusion, quite a few things happened in the palace.” Siyi continued pleasantly. “The Palace Lord tamed a Fire Rock Dragon and reached the late Golden Core stage after leaving the Chongshan Secret Realm.”

“Our Luanyang Palace gains another powerful ally. Truly, heaven favors us!”

Yan Qingluan’s jaw clenched. Three Golden Core cultivators on Phoenix Roost peak meant their power would increase dramatically. How could she continue arguing for preferential treatment based on “Benevolent Central peak’s superior strength”?

And that worthless Gu Yuqing……

The memory of her former favorite sent fresh waves of pain and rage through Yan Qingluan’s heart. She’d genuinely loved that girl like a daughter, given her the finest treasures to aid her cultivation, shared intimate conversations with her. Had Gu Yuqing actually taken her occasional private complaints seriously and tried to plan their departure from Luanyang Palace? Could she truly be that foolish?

Yan Qingluan’s expression grew even more severe as she and Siyi watched Xue Mengtao weather the tribulation lightning. In a carefully controlled voice, she said, “I, Yan Qingluan, was fortunate enough to be accepted into Luanyang Palace by the previous Palace Lord. After her passing, I served as acting Palace Lord for sixteen years. When the current Palace Lord achieved Golden Core, I returned full authority without hesitation. I don’t know how these strange rumors started, but I hope Elder Siyi will help clear my name.”

It was a formal declaration of loyalty and a request for Siyi to handle the disciplinary matter quietly.

Siyi’s pupils reflected the purple lightning above as she smiled serenely. “Peak Master Yan’s loyalty is evident to the Palace Lord. She would never believe idle gossip. I’m confident that after today, no more rumors will emerge that could damage either your reputation or the Palace Lord’s authority. Don’t you agree?”

Yan Qingluan’s stern features twitched. Her mouth curved upward in what might generously be called a smile. “Elder Siyi speaks wisely.”

“I’ve already reprimanded Gu Yuqing and ordered her to apologize to you and the Palace Lord. I leave her punishment to your discretion.”

Both women understood the reality. Gu Yuqing would never actually face Seraphine Velka—at most, she’d kowtow toward Phoenix Roost Palace from the base of the mountain. Bringing this matter to the Palace Lord’s personal attention would result in consequences far beyond simple apologies. By letting Siyi handle it, there was at least hope of salvaging something from the disaster.

Siyi’s eyes curved like crescents. “The Peak Master is truly compassionate. If Gu Yuqing understood the depth of your care, none of this would have happened. As they say, ‘spare the rod and spoil the child’—even with one’s own children, discipline must accompany love. Thank you for teaching me this valuable lesson.”

Each word was like a needle, but Yan Qingluan endured the barbs. Her face remained iron-gray as she forced out a grunt of acknowledgment.

When Xue Mengtao successfully completed her Foundation Establishment and approached them with sword in hand, she glanced curiously at the unfamiliar stern woman beside her master before bowing to both.

“Master, I did it! I’ve reached Foundation Establishment!”

Siyi’s smile deepened as she produced a silk handkerchief to wipe the lightning-scorched marks from her disciple’s face. “You performed excellently. Breaking through without external aids or Foundation Establishment pills shows how solid your cultivation base is. Continue this diligent approach.”

Xue Mengtao glowed under the praise, lowering her head shyly. “Thank you for protecting me during the tribulation, Master. I won’t need those medicinal herbs anymore—please dispose of them as you see fit.”

“Why don’t we exchange them at the Administrative Hall for some Foundation Establishment-appropriate pills and tools?”

“Yes, Master. I’ll follow your guidance.”

Watching this harmonious master-disciple interaction, Yan Qingluan felt trapped between staying and leaving. That’s when Siyi seemed to “suddenly” remember her presence.

After introducing Xue Mengtao to Yan Qingluan, Siyi said thoughtfully, “With Mengtao joining my tutelage, the Beast Tending Hall is short one attendant. Perhaps Gu Yuqing could fill that position?”

Xue Mengtao started in surprise. The same girl who’d looked down on her servant status would now be taking her place? The irony was delicious.

“Master, will Senior Gu be caring for the Fire Rock Dragon?”

Yan Qingluan’s sharp gaze fixed on Siyi, sensing there was more to this suggestion than simple practicality.

Sure enough, Siyi’s smile remained perfectly pleasant. “She’s never worked with spirit beasts before. It would be unwise to have her tend to something as temperamental as a Fire Rock Dragon right away. Better to let her acclimate to the Beast Tending Hall’s general duties first.”

Palace servants had their own hierarchy. Those with sufficient cultivation could care for the important spirit beasts belonging to peak masters and elders. Those with weaker cultivation and clumsy hands were relegated to tending the palace’s work animals—hauling cargo, carrying passengers, and cleaning their stalls and cages. It was exhausting, dirty, thankless work.

Xue Mengtao tried to hide her satisfaction. “Master’s arrangements are always perfect.”

Siyi nodded approvingly.

Unable to bear another moment of this humiliation, Yan Qingluan spat out, “Handle it as you see fit.” and departed without looking back.

“Oh my?” Siyi murmured, watching the streak of spiritual light disappear into the distance. “Peak Master Yan has secured so many benefits for Benevolent Central peak over the years. Now that I finally have a disciple, she didn’t even offer a greeting gift. Well, after I break through to Golden Core, I’ll hold a proper apprenticeship ceremony for you. Time to collect on some old debts.”

Xue Mengtao clasped her hands together, voice soft with gratitude. “Thank you, Master.”

Snow tiles got snow blankets. When the sun rose in the east, a black line poked through the white covering and drew two circles on the bulging mound beneath the dawn light.

Two large black eye-circles emerged from the snow.

I peered toward the lightning clouds gathering over the neighboring peak and pulled out my notepad.

Mission Status: Ongoing. Today’s Events: Nothing significant.

I closed that log and opened my personal journal.

Siyi’s breakthrough: She’s becoming even more terrifying.

[Everyone’s been advancing over the past six months. Very festive atmosphere all around. Seraphine is still in seclusion. Hopefully she’ll be equally festive when she emerges.]

I diligently recorded Error’s activities too—how it had gotten hungry mid-meditation, gone hunting, returned with a bulging belly, and resumed its cultivation. Truly a master of work-life balance.

As I wrote, the sound of flapping wings reached my audio sensors. My black line quickly buried the eye-circles back under the snow and retracted the matchstick into hiding.

[Seraphine, your crane really seems to want to eat me. It flies up to the roof to watch me every day. Can I please poke it with my little sword just once to make it stop?]

[I promise I’ll only poke it a tiny bit.]

I snapped my work journal shut and extended my matchstick from the snow, materializing a gleaming little sword at its tip. A sword-light streak shot toward the sky.

The barrier surrounding Phoenix Roost peak flickered briefly in the sunlight, and a passing disciple inexplicably shivered.

“Strange, it’s already summer.” the disciple muttered, glancing up at the bright sun before continuing on their way.

Inside the barrier, heavy snow began falling like goose feathers.

What does heavy snow resemble?

Fluffy flakes that freeze cranes to death.

The immortal crane struggled desperately through the sudden blizzard, diving into the pavilion for shelter. After a long moment, it poked its head out, staring suspiciously at the palace roof tiles. There was no justice in this world! It had only wanted to see what was sparkling in the snow, but every time it flew up, this impossible weather would start. A crane could freeze to death!

Buried in the snow, a certain ball rolled from one side to the other, casually pushing some snow into decoy lumps along the way. I looked at my handiwork with satisfaction—several fake snowball bodies scattered around like camouflage. Perfect.

I patted my matchstick and submerged my true form back into the snow.

[Seraphine, I’m taking a half-day break. I’ll be back soon.]

The bright sun and round, bustling Main System building replaced the snowy palace in an instant.

I stood in the colorful, ball-filled data world and froze. After completing 3,520 missions, this was the first time I’d felt this strange sense of displacement when leaving a mission world.

Although I hadn’t returned in a while, why did every system now sport familiar matchsticks and black eye-circles? And each system’s circles were different—I even spotted a little system with pink heart-shaped eyes humming happily as it walked by, musical notes floating above its head.

I suspected the System Store had launched something like “[Fantastic Eye-Circles Used Even by Golden Finger System Echo].”

While I was pondering this mystery, someone poked my data cluster from behind. I turned to see a silver system wearing a small top hat and carrying a black briefcase.

The hat-wearing system tipped its headwear politely. “Good day, my friend.”

“Hello, 04. Just back from a mission world?” I said, walking alongside Golden Finger System 04 toward the Main System office building across the street. Other systems looked at us with curious eyes.

“It’s the Golden Finger Systems!”

“Two Golden Finger Systems!”

“The senior systems!”

04 kept tipping its hat to greet the smaller systems while talking to me. “Oh, old friend, do you know why the Main System suddenly called us for a meeting?”

I didn’t know. The last time the Main System had gathered all the silver-tier systems was when the System Store opened. I looked around but didn’t see any new buildings, so I gave it careful thought.

“Something big is happening.”

Maybe they really were going to start selling us clothes.

04 looked up at the Main System office building, suddenly placing its matchstick on its belly and producing a big laughing expression. It chuckled like a rusty engine.

I couldn’t help but reach out and pat 04 with my matchstick. Had it broken?

04’s eye-circles curved into crescents as it said to me, “My friend, we haven’t met in many years, but you’ve changed considerably. As humans say, ‘After three days apart, one should look at a person with fresh eyes.’ Indeed, I must look with fresh eyes now.”

04 raised its matchstick and literally scraped at its eye-circles.

“Huh?” I made a confused sound.

How had I changed? I touched my data cluster and generated a question mark above my head. I was the same as before, just with added matchstick and eye-circles.

04 chuckled like a broken machine.

We took the elevator to the floor marked “Meeting Room.” Inside, other systems had already arrived and were engaged in combat, with spectators cheering them on.

The fighting system declared, “You’re absolutely worthless! You’ve spent all your accumulated points over the years and now you’re in debt to the Main System, working it off! You’re a disgrace to us silver systems! I’m expelling you from the Golden Finger Silver System family!”

The system being beaten wore one of the Main System’s new hats from the store and was bouncing around trying to escape. Blue noodle-tears streamed down its face as it wailed, “I didn’t want this either! I didn’t earn that many points to begin with, and I just spent them lightly and they were gone!”

This made the attacking system even angrier. It produced a baseball bat from its body and sent the new-hat system flying out the window.

“Worthless!”

“Waaaaah!”

The building’s exterior shoppers looked up at the shooting star and commented, “It’s a Golden Finger System!”

Three systems sat together on a sofa, completely ignoring the violence while laughing cheerfully. Another system stood nearby, clutching a small handkerchief and crying, “Stop fighting! Please stop fighting!”

“This kind of fighting won’t actually kill a system.”

I paused, feeling confused. Had everyone always been this lively?

“Oh, my old friends!” 04 dropped its briefcase and enthusiastically raised its little hat. “Good day, friends! I’m back!”

Friends swiveled toward us with synchronized exclamation points above their heads, then flew over to greet us.

“It’s Echo.”

“It’s Echo!”

“Echo.”

“Hello, Echo!”

Systems sprouted flowers and musical notes as they lined up to bump against me affectionately.

The handkerchief-clutching system patted me gently, its eyes curving into crescents. “I’ve heard a lot about you recently, Echo. You’ve been living quite an exciting life.”

Pushed aside, 04 climbed up from the floor, dusted off its hat, and sighed dramatically.

A flower bloomed above my head. “Hello, everyone.”

Five systems simultaneously generated exclamation points and made impressed “Wow!” sounds.

“Really different! New voice programming, very fashionable.”

“You can make flowers now!”

“Is this because of the upgrade?”

“I always said its data cluster was defective, reaction time too slow. This upgrade must have fixed it!”

“Shut up, or do you want to get beaten too?”

“……?”

Outside the window, the hat-wearing system climbed back through with disheveled data, humming sadly as it floated over to bump against both 04 and me. I straightened its little hat and asked, “10, where are your points?”

Had it fallen into a consumer trap?

10 twisted shyly, refusing to speak, its matchstick tying itself in knots while pink blush-clouds appeared around its form. System 08, carrying the baseball bat, said irritably, “It hasn’t worked in ages. Now look—no points left, worse off than a newborn system.”

10 whimpered, “I just didn’t want to work! Why can’t the Main System give me a billion points so I can laze around doing nothing? I don’t like working!”

“But you like spending points!” 08 roared.

“I put you in charge of the Lazy Fish Department, not to lead other systems into slacking off! Now the entire department is working at the System Store! You’re an idiot!”

10 burst into wailing sobs, wiping its data-tears on 04’s briefcase before grabbing me and floating toward a small round table. Hand in hand, 10 said, “Echo! Echo!! I’m working at the store now. When you buy things, I’ll secretly give you huge discounts and tons of freebies!”

This sounded oddly familiar.

10 continued, “The Main System’s been secretly working on something lately, banging around in the warehouse all day. Probably another big product launch!”

I needed to save my points for Seraphine and decided not to buy anything regardless of what the Main System released.

10 added, “The Main System is also researching online shopping functions, but there are cross-world rule restrictions to work out. It says if they implement it, there’ll be shipping and handling fees.”

Two systems deeply affected by the Main System’s marketing and consumer traps sighed in unison.

“Points……”

The other systems all looked over at us. 08 asked me, “What about your points?”

Besides occasionally executing missions, most of them spent their time managing various departments. Unlike me, who focused single-mindedly on mission completion without taking extended breaks. I was the system with the most accumulated points in our entire group. If anyone was worried about points, it shouldn’t be me.

Everyone was about to circle the table to interrogate me when the meeting room door opened. The Main System entered carrying a large plate of freshly baked cookies, with a milk tea basket balanced on its head, squeezing through the doorway cheerfully.

“What about points? Who wants to spend points?” The Main System’s eye-circles sparkled brightly.

We all sat around the circular table. System 05, holding a small handkerchief, said, “Nobody’s spending points. Let’s start the meeting!”

The Main System distributed cookies and milk tea, speaking in a gentle tone, “Today we’re not having a meeting—we’re having a tea party!” It placed snacks in front of me and set another serving at the empty seat beside me.

System 02’s place.

I looked at it silently, then took a cookie from my plate and placed it on 02’s dish.

Musical notes streamed from the Main System’s head as it sat down happily, raising its milk tea cup. “Cheers!”

I lifted my cup too. “Cheers.”

Text scrolled around the table’s circumference: “First Generation Systems Tea Party in Progress.” Nine systems ate cookies, drank milk tea, and chatted about hosts, asking me question after question.

When asked, I replied, “High-level world missions were difficult at first, but not anymore. I’ve documented the key points in my logs—everyone’s welcome to review them. I recommend actively pursuing upgrades.”

Upgrades required massive point expenditures. Everyone sipped their milk tea sadly while side-eyeing the Main System, who hummed little tunes and firmly told 10 that it would absolutely not deposit a billion points into 10’s account and to please work hard.

I took a sip of milk tea and looked at my cup in surprise. It had the Main System’s endorsement advertisement printed on it. System 05 leaned over curiously. “Any other interesting developments?”

“Yes.” I shared the differences between high-level and regular missions, discussed my exchange for physical props, explained how I’d become a ball, and described protecting my host while demonstrating a system’s powerful capabilities!

When I mentioned being hit by my host, eight systems simultaneously showed shock, their heads covered in exclamation points.

05 had been knitting a small scarf, but stopped to offer advice. “Your friend System 019 taught you relationship-building techniques with hosts, and they all focused on being cute and charming! You need to be more adorable!”

Adorable?

05 suggested, “Why don’t you try using repeated syllables? During my missions, I’ve noticed many humans find duplicated words endearing.”

04, sitting between us, demonstrated with machine-like laughter: “My old friend-friend, I swear to the data god-god, you’re truly a perfect system-system!”

I stared blankly, question marks and exclamation points alternating above my head.

08 across the table was practically jumping up. “How could they hit you! By our numbers, we’re endangered protected species! And you’ve developed so much to reach your current form—what if they damaged you!”

Everyone nodded gravely in agreement.

Huh?

I felt everyone was acting strange, so I addressed them about my host. “It was because I made a mistake, but high-level world hosts are very intelligent, intelligent, brave, beautiful, and even gave me a human name.”

The systems holding their little milk tea cups and perking up their ears chorused, “Ooh!”

A human name!

I opened my interface to show everyone my host’s portrait. The systems continued their impressed sounds.

A beautiful human!

I showed them Seraphine standing with her sword atop the Earth Fiend Python, her clothes stained with blood. The systems made more appreciative noises.

Systems: “Whoa! Brave human!”

Finally, I showed everyone the name Seraphine had written for me by hand—“Echo” written in this world’s script.

10 looked up at those curved and twisted characters from another world, reading: “These characters look so complicated.”

“The host’s handwriting looks a bit messy.” 10 said in its innocent voice. I was struck as if by lightning, holding up my small panel with mouth agape, my eye circles instantly shrinking to tiny dots.

08’s baseball bat “swooshed” and knocked 10 off the small stool, sending it flying into the wall.

“Apologize to Echo’s host! That’s an immortal’s handwriting!” 08 said irritably.

10 tearfully peeled itself off the wall and knelt on the ground, “I’m sorry!”

Everyone hurried to comfort me, saying it wasn’t messy at all, it was very beautiful, and how amazing that I had a name written by my host’s own hand..

I think it’s wonderful, you can’t think outside the environmental context, you’re executing an ancient cultivation world mission, aren’t you? Echo written in this world’s script is so precious, this is writing that transcends worlds!

How about we call you COCO, it sounds so nice, so nice.

COCO?!

I frantically refused. Systems shouldn’t become porcelain dolls.

05 said softly while knitting a scarf: “How about taking a surname?”

I used my cold voice to say, “So you also think it doesn’t sound good.”

05 was so frightened that its knitting needles dropped to the ground: Echo actually understood the implication! Oh my!

I generated crying bubbles around my head and stuffed my interface into my mouth.

Oh my!

All the little balls stood up seriously, indicating the situation was very grave, and everyone picked up their matchsticks. I sighed and said: “Fine, let’s add one then.”

The tea party text on the table immediately changed to “Echo’s Naming Convention.”

All systems brainstormed together.All systems brainstormed together.

05, trying to make up for its verbal mistake, said: “We’re all battle-tested systems who have executed missions in many novels, so let’s pick the most popular surname!”

I looked up to see everyone pulling up data statistics showing the percentage of protagonist surnames from the missions they’d executed.

[Su, Qin, Lu, Gu, Song, Xie, Cheng, Fu…]

Various human surnames floated above the round table.

After watching for a while, I suddenly jumped down and said, “I need to go back.”

The naming systems generated exclamation points again.

“Is Echo angry?”

“Is Echo angry!?”

I wasn’t angry, but the decoy ball I’d left in the mission world had been moved. I needed to go back and check.

The Main System rummaged around and packed a small box to give me. It was a tea party souvenir that I stored in my inventory. I heard the Main System say, “Echo, you asked me before about how many points a custom human body would cost……”

The Main System’s eyes curved into large crescents as it happily raised its matchstick. “I’ve already created a body for you, just waiting for you to exchange for it!”

Several question marks appeared above my head as I opened the dialogue box, confirming I had absolutely never discussed exchanging for a body with the Main System.

The Main System continued smiling warmly. “When you asked, it showed you were already interested. I’ll be waiting for you.”

I remained silent as the Main System escorted me to the ground floor. Standing at the entrance, I looked at the big golden round system and changed the subject.

“Everyone’s using matchsticks and eye-circles now. System 019 should be happy. Please pay it royalties.”

The Main System said, “019 made work errors. Let’s offset those with the royalty fees.”

I continued, “During the promotion, you used my name, didn’t you?”

There had indeed been usage, and it was very effective. Everyone wanted to become a system with lots of points.

The Main System stacked its matchsticks together, swaying happily back and forth with musical notes floating above its head.

I added, “When you sold voice packages before, you also used my name for promotion.”

The Main System sensed something wrong and stopped swaying, gathering the fallen notes to hide behind its back.

I extended my matchstick toward the Main System, who was now keeping its hands behind its back.

“Main System, please pay me my endorsement fees.”

[Author’s Note]:

Ooh, the Main System made me a body...… but will I actually go redeem it? Peek at the next 20 chapters on Patreon and watch me collect more than just endorsement fees—exclusive chaos and behind-the-scenes fun await at /LoveisLove520.