The Villain Is Too Popular

'Wow! So Chen Xing and Tendo met when they were so young?'

'So small and yet so cute~'

'A fated encounter!'

In the Stars world, within the Ember Organization's dormitory.

Tendo watched the scene of his childhood self coincidentally meeting young Chen Xing in the abandoned supermarket, his face filled with shock. He had absolutely no recollection of this moment. However, after only a brief moment, Tendo understood the reason. Without a doubt, the production team was adding 'lore' for him.

One must know that in the original Stars world, there was no character named 'Tendo Simei.' Tendo had transmigrated into this world when he was ten years old, which was two years prior, when he first arrived at the Ember base. He had absolutely no memories before this point.

If it were a normal transmigration, Tendo would have assumed he simply lost his memories before the age of ten. But after acquiring the Popularity System and realizing this was an anime world, Tendo immediately understood that this so-called 'amnesia' was actually a special 'blank space.' It was intended to be filled in with supplementary lore for him in the future.

This was because Tendo had once asked the system what form the 'exclusive character backstory modification privilege' of being the number one in popularity would take. The system's answer was that it would appear in a reasonable way that would not disrupt the world line.

The only situation that could satisfy the system's explanation was Tendo's blank 'memories' before the age of ten. Because only a blank canvas allows one to paint freely upon it without any abruptness.

Although Tendo had long considered that as his popularity increased, the Stars production team might take the liberty of adding some supplementary lore plots for him, he hadn't expected that these extra plots, used by the production team for supplementary lore, would even feature other Stars characters.

Wasn't this just digging a pure hole for him? After all, while he could use the Popularity System to know some future plot points from the original work in advance, these plot points did not include the 'past' that had never been revealed. For example, right now, Tendo had no idea that he had met Chen Xing when he was a child.

In an instant, Tendo felt the reality of the Stars world. This place... truly was a world where popularity reigned supreme. As long as the popularity was there, even if you weren't the protagonist, they would try their best to add plots that could boost your popularity, and even let some important supporting characters serve as stepping stones for you to climb higher.

For instance, the current childhood encounter between Tendo and Chen Xing. One was the current number one in popularity, the other number two. Any fool would know that the childhood encounter between these two characters would undoubtedly fill the audience with anticipation.

Thinking this, Tendo couldn't help but grumble, "No way, it's one thing for me to add scenes for myself, but why is even your production team starting to add scenes for me?"

"Could it be that you want to heavily promote me and make me the face of Season 1's popularity? Is it really that pragmatic, where everything is purely based on popularity?"

However, despite Tendo's grumbling, he had no real aversion to the 'production team's' arrangements. Because their actions not only indirectly reinforced his persona as a 'natural-born strong person' but also greatly increased his screen time in Season 1. The production team gained the traffic they wanted, and he gained the popularity he wanted – a win-win!

And through this flashback, as well as the previous flashback that only featured himself, Tendo had completely understood the principle of the 'exclusive character backstory modification privilege' and a huge hidden benefit it offered.

If Tendo guessed correctly, once he used this privilege to add a top-tier mechanical-type talent called 'Overclocked Computation' to himself, to make the appearance of this talent seem reasonable, the production team would inevitably arrange another exclusive flashback plot for him, just like now.

This way, Tendo, by using this privilege, would not only gain a BUG-level mechanical-type talent but also an additional 'personal exclusive plot.' Winning, winning big, winning overwhelmingly!

Thinking this, Tendo immediately closed the dimensional screen in front of him. Because with the end of his and Chen Xing's flashback arc, the subsequent plot was the one-sided crushing mini-game between him and Chen Xing. Knowing this, Tendo didn't bother re-watching it. Because compared to that, he was more concerned about another matter right now.

[Name: Star-Binding Myriad Forms]

[Type: Cultivation Item]

[Effect 1 · Star-Binding: When worn, it can suppress one's star energy in exchange for higher cultivation efficiency (effective only for Star Energy values below 1000)]

[Effect 2 · Myriad Forms: Can freely determine the item's appearance (limited to everyday clothing)]

[Price: 150,000 Popularity Points]

Star-Binding Myriad Forms was a special item Tendo had long since set his sights on. Although this item could not directly provide Tendo with an immediate increase in strength, it could greatly accelerate his cultivation speed, allowing him to reach the Level 1 Star Envoy limit of over 900 points within six months. It was an indispensable part of his 'Fireworks Plan.'

[You have consumed 150,000 Popularity Points and obtained the special item... Star-Binding Myriad Forms]

[Item has been delivered via a reasonable method. Please check.]

Unlike the 'Substitute Bracelet' that had previously appeared directly in his hand, the current 'Star-Binding Myriad Forms' was not directly transmitted to Tendo's hand from thin air but adopted a completely new method.

Ding-dong!

Hearing a knock on the dorm door, Tendo immediately got up from his bed and opened it. The door opened to reveal a member of the Ember Organization, carrying a special metal box, standing at his dorm entrance.

"This is?"

Tendo looked at the box in the other person's hands, a 'confused' expression on his face.

"This is a gift the Doctor specially asked me to deliver to you. He said it would be helpful for your Star Energy cultivation."

Hearing this, Tendo instantly understood what was inside the box. So the 'reasonable method' the system spoke of was actually this reasonable? Tendo thought to himself, feeling a surge of emotion, as he took the metal box from the other person's hand.

Seeing his mission completed, the Ember Organization member immediately turned and left without looking back, clearly just an emotionless delivery machine, a complete tool.

Tendo carried the metal box back into his dorm and slowly opened it. Before long, a faintly glowing, silvery-white fluid instantly came into Tendo's view.

[Special Item · Star-Binding Myriad Forms received. Enjoy your use!]

Looking at the silvery-white fluid in the box, Tendo immediately placed his hand on it. In an instant, the silvery-white fluid transformed according to Tendo's will into a... black eye patch.