Chapter 30

The night was deep, the entire district sunk in tranquility. Yet Ye Zheng leisurely awoke in the darkness. She always slept lightly. After turning on the light, she quickly shook off the drowsiness and regained her spirits.

Ye Zheng sat on the sofa, taking the dragon bone replica in hand and examining it for a while. Ultimately, she decided to store it away first.

The dragon bone could grant her massive amplification, but carrying it risked too much—especially since she was about to visit that person's team next.

As the royal heir, Sykes must know many secrets about the dragon bone.

Ye Zheng lowered her gaze thoughtfully. Was Sykes's strength truly innate... When using the dragon bone, she had felt like she was becoming another Sykes.

She temporarily set aside the dragon bone suspicions, took out her phone. The lit screen showed a message from Pei Xi: the competition officials couldn't find who destroyed the core either—perhaps they had unwittingly triggered the aberrant realm's destruction rule.

Given no deaths occurred this time and the injured received timely treatment, officials decided to award points to all three participating teams. Currently, the Cloud Soarers had 5 points, tied for second with the Divine Academy and upper district first academy teams.

As for the strange flood in the realm, the lower district's new city lord Chen Xue stated it seemed like an issue with the city's water supply system. He would thoroughly investigate.

Ye Zheng's lips curved imperceptibly at the message.

Wende was staying by this new city lord's side under the pretext of Church liaison work. She trusted the two would know how to cover for her.

That bullet from a noble hand had left even the previous city lord's powerful family—despite mobilizing the Ability Users Association—unable to find the culprit.

This world is accustomed to taking lives with abilities, yet many times, the destructive power ordinary people possess is no less than that of abilities.

Although Ye Zheng no longer pinned her hopes on the path of political struggle, having such an important figure as her connection in the lower district was still very necessary for her actions.

If this new city lord Chen Xue proved worthy of deeper cooperation, the mystery of the dragon bone in the lower district could also be probed through him.

Ye Zheng stared at the screen, suddenly remembering that the latest chapter of the manga should have updated by now.

Recalling her own performance, she did not have many frontal shots. She had been quietly causing trouble behind the scenes, whether saving ordinary people or searching for the core—all done outside the manga panels.

This time, the forum discussions about her should not be too heated, and her popularity value probably did not rise much, right?

That would be troublesome. She had already exhausted her action points. The next time she appeared, without enough action points to change the plot, she would become very passive.

"System, how many action points do I have left?"

Ye Zheng asked softly, her voice carrying a trace of worry.

『You have 100 action points now, and it's still rising.』

The system replied.

Ye Zheng tilted her head in confusion.

100 action points meant 10,000 popularity. How had she gained another 10,000 popularity?

『Your total popularity has reached 30,000. Congratulations, you've stepped into the realm of top-tier popular characters in "Throne of the Aberrant Realm"!』

The system's voice sounded somewhat excited.

"Sounds impressive."

Though she had no idea why her popularity had risen again, Ye Zheng very cooperatively clapped her hands and smiled faintly, as if listening to a younger family member report excellent final exam results.

『Don't get ahead of yourself and feel proud. This is only within "Throne of the Aberrant Realm." This manga is just considered hot among the new generation of comics, but it's still far from a true phenomenal blockbuster IP.』

『Even the male lead Pei Xi hasn't entered the top ten in the popularity vote for hot-blooded shonen characters on this platform. Only making it into that top ten would be true super popularity!』

『But internal news says it's getting an anime adaptation! Everyone is betting "Throne of the Aberrant Realm" will be the next dominant anime. By then, Zhao Mei's popularity will skyrocket even more exaggeratedly—of course, by that time, you'd better not have been exposed yet.』

The system's tone sounded mixed with joy and worry. Ye Zheng was only curious about one word—"what was anime?"

『How am I supposed to explain to a manga character what anime is...』

『Right now, you appear statically in the manga app and physical books. Anime is making you move, like acting in a play.』

Ye Zheng found it somewhat hard to imagine. In this world, there was no concept of anime.

"Then, will I have a chance to see it?"

Since she could already see the forums and manga app from the higher-dimensional world, she should have a chance to see the anime too, right?

The system sounded a bit troubled.

『Our comp... doesn't have the permission. When the time comes, I'll see if I can fight for it for you?』

Ye Zheng curved her beautiful eyes, her gaze shimmering. "Then I'll leave it to you."

She was really curious about the world that created her, even knowing it was no utopia either.

"So, why did popularity rise a lot again this time? Zhao Mei barely had any plot."

Ye Zheng turned her attention back to the phone screen and curiously clicked into the latest updated manga chapter.

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Li Yixin impatiently clicked into the newest chapter. In the previous one, Zhao Mei had stayed behind to cover everyone against the black shadows alone, only mysteriously rejoining the protagonist group at the end with injuries.

She had spent the entire week savoring Zhao Mei's mysterious yet fragile beautiful smile at the end. Today, she could finally get fresh Zhao Mei content!

Old uncle, hurry and fill the pit! What exactly happened when Zhao Mei was alone? She super wanted to see how a healing-type Zhao Mei fights—it must be super handsome!

The new chapter opened with everyone showing joyful expressions around the returning Zhao Mei, but the black shadows soon interrupted the young people's reunion.

The protagonist team began intense fighting again. Amid the cool and tension-filled panels, Zhao Mei did not appear in the battle.

Li Yixin felt a bit disappointed at first. It seemed the author wouldn't easily reveal Zhao Mei's true strength. But soon she grew even more expectant.

The author must also think Zhao Mei's hidden real side is a huge explosion point for the manga! That's why he's been hyping it for so long, whetting their appetites thoroughly.

In the fight, Pei Xi's sharp sword slashed through the air, coldly resolving a black shadow and revealing their characteristics and secrets.

Seeing this, Li Yixin's affection for Pei Xi stirred again. Though she now leaned toward solo stanning Zhao Mei, it was hard not to like the strong, smart, and handsome protagonist.

After finishing another battle, everyone finally had time to rest a bit. The missing-in-action Zhao Mei gently appeared in the plot, healing everyone. Noisy dialogues filled the screen, bonds and friendship sprouting in this warm atmosphere.

They even agreed to visit Lu Qi's hometown after the competition. Roy grumbled on the surface but was secretly tsundere looking forward to it. The usually emotionally reserved Zhao Mei also showed a trace of longing—this was the uniquely touching part of hot-blooded shonen manga. She would always be moved by the young people's camaraderie!

Next, unexpectedly, the highly popular Yinkong appeared again, bringing a mysterious white-haired, white-eyed female character who looked very strong too.

Honestly, she didn't like Yinkong's wishy-washy fun-seeking type—gave no sense of security. Yinkong had backstabbed the protagonist group several times in the second stage. She still preferred characters like Zhao Mei who looked gentle and just at a glance.

But next, the protagonist group allied with Yinkong and the new character Bai Muqing. Li Yixin was quite looking forward to it—old uncle was finally drawing a group battle!

Yinkong's personality wasn't her type, but his ability was interesting. New character Bai Muqing's 【Divine Domain】 exuded an invincible aura. Though she only genuinely stanned male characters, she had a good impression of such a strong and beautiful big sister type.

【Ahhh Yinkong finally appeared, I've been hard-controlled by white hair my whole life!】

【Hell yeah group battle assemble! Living for this】

【What is Divine Academy, some white hair base... Anyone get how on-point Bai Muqing's white hair white eyes are?】

【Compared to that one from Royal Academy, the Divine Academy group are all little angels!】

【Upstairs don't pit them, Sykes did nothing wrong】

【Feels like Yinkong and Bai Muqing's abilities are perfect for big-scale battles, old uncle hurry serve up the war!】

Li Yixin chased this manga for the handsome guys, but the author's battle scenes often made her blood boil too, excited enough to want to throw punches herself. So she was also looking forward to the Cloud Soarers and Divine Academy teaming up next.

A giant sword piercing the sky with astonishing momentum appeared in the manga. With one slash from nowhere, surrounding buildings rapidly collapsed. The extreme oppressiveness made her nervous for the protagonist group.

New character Bai Muqing closed her white pupils, seemingly beginning to chant. Kyle used his ability 【Barrier】 to erect large-range defense, protecting companions. Pei Xi's expression grave, both arms transformed into heavy swords, coldly fighting the surging black shadows.

Li Yixin watched tensely and excitedly. These black shadows were unexpectedly powerful, putting even Pei Xi at a disadvantage.

"Could it be time to use that ability..." the boy in the manga murmured.

Seeing this, Li Yixin thought: Could the author finally reveal Pei Xi's second ability?

Full of expectation for Pei Xi using his second ability to turn the tide with a big move, she never imagined the next panel—no Pei Xi secret ability, but an overwhelming flood sweeping everything!

"...Huh?"

Li Yixin stared dumbfounded. Wait, whose ability is this? No character has such powerful water-type ability yet.

Even weirder—was this enemy or ally! It looked ready to wipe out both protagonist group and black shadows.

She watched the protagonist group "chased" by the flood, running all the way to the square. Cloud Academy, Divine Academy, and upper district first academy people were all gathered here. Li Yixin suddenly narrowed her eyes, searching every corner of the screen—where was Zhao Mei?

The comments at this moment were as confused as her.

【Where did this massive water come from? New character again?】

【Noticed a blind spot, Zhao Mei seems missing hey】

【Ahhh three academies group battle incoming? Old uncle going big scale】

【Enemy-made flood right, to wipe out all contestants, terrifying as hell!】

【Xingxing little cutie finally appeared again, looking forward to him and Pei Xi combo again!】

Li Yixin, like the comments, thought a three-academy united battle was starting. After all, this is hot-blooded shonen—everyone temporarily sets aside interests to unite, expressing the theme of friendship and courage.

She expectantly scrolled down. The three academies' young people noisily greeted each other, then... the aberrant realm was destroyed?

In the manga, Pei Xi looked up—the aberrant realm had vanished! Not only readers outside shocked, everyone inside even more so. They hadn't done anything yet.

"Everyone, are you all okay?"

Amid dialogues of shock, anger, disbelief filling most panels, one gentle greeting stood out so conspicuously. Li Yixin didn't need to scroll further—she was certain this was Zhao Mei!

Even though it was just manga, she could brain-supplement the voice from Zhao Mei's line—clear, gentle for sure.

Sunset glow scattered over the black-clothed boy, plating him in warm light. For some reason, Li Yixin felt Zhao Mei appearing at this moment had an illusory, eerie beauty.

She stared dazed at that tall, handsome figure in the manga. Even with her average IQ, she could feel Zhao Mei at this moment hid some enormous secret—like a bottomless vortex.

✧✧✧✧✧

Ye Zheng finished browsing the manga content. Nothing particularly special. From a god's perspective watching herself... she always felt she seemed very suspicious?

Especially when the aberrant realm broke and the author gave her a special entrance, as if afraid readers wouldn't notice something fishy about her.

Ye Zheng imperceptibly furrowed her brows, then relaxed them. As long as readers didn't discover her true identity for now, it was fine. Even if they guessed the flood was Zhao Mei's ability, it wasn't a big problem.

『No, it's a big problem, but not bad—at least popularity skyrocketed again.』

"What happened?"

『Go check the forum yourself.』

Ye Zheng opened the forum and glanced at today's hot posts.

【Discussion: Exactly how much strength is Zhao Mei hiding?】

【Please author respect Pei Xi as the sole big male lead of "Throne of the Aberrant Realm"! Don't reduce Pei Xi's highlights! Don't step on protagonist to prop side characters!】

【We Zhao Mei stans don't start trouble, but we're not afraid either. Don't treat us Zhao Mei pushers like pushovers...】

These three posts were the liveliest, already thousands of floors high.

Ye Zheng was used to having hot posts about herself after every update, and Pei Xi as protagonist always had plenty too. But today, the hot posts about her and Pei Xi seemed different from usual plot or appearance discussions.

『That hot post with Pei Xi's name looks like a Pei Xi post at first glance, but it's actually about you.』

『All I can say is, Zhao Mei, you're truly on fire now. Be careful with your behavior from now on—don't let everyone think you're a bad kid who loves stealing the spotlight...』

The system rambled on with emotion. Ye Zheng blinked innocently, hesitated, then clicked the second post first. The titles of the second and third posts both confused her greatly. She decided to read them in order.

【1L: Please author respect Pei Xi as the sole big male lead of "Throne of the Aberrant Realm"! Don't reduce Pei Xi's highlights! Don't step on protagonist to prop side characters!

Tolerated a certain side character for too long. Liked this character at first, but as plot developed, these recent chapters' highlights are almost all his—too ridiculous! Old uncle, remember you're drawing a big male lead power fantasy manga?

First a random female lead Ye Zheng appears, then a Zhao Mei more protagonist than the protagonist. Please return Pei Xi's big male lead treatment for free! Stop bloodsucking him for some ensemble building!】

Ye Zheng let out a soft "oh," feeling a bit embarrassed. If the poster knew both "bloodsucking" characters were actually the same person...

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Authors Note

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Sorry, I'm a gloomy little girl. Compared to forums full of praise, I prefer writing everyone bloodily fighting over Ye Zheng...