While Jun Bai was refining his character skill design and basic information, the system finally finished reviewing the background story he provided and reminded him:
[If you intend to use this background story, you will need to complete Background Completion Tasks.]
"Explain."
[Background Completion Tasks: The host is placed back at a past timeline node. The host must modify history according to the mission objectives, altering the historical background to align with the background set by the host.]
"Now?"
[No. Once the host's Popularity Points reach a certain level, the host can optionally activate the Background Completion Tasks.]
A new line of text appeared on the system screen.
[Background Completion I: Activation requires 20,000 Popularity Points.]
Regarding Popularity Points, Jun Bai had gained some understanding after binding with the system. Simply put, the popularity his character gained in the parallel world was converted by the system into Popularity Points.
And the most basic function of Popularity Points was plot revision.
According to the system, for minor plot points that didn't affect the overall story, Jun Bai could change them through direct participation. But for important plot nodes, revising them required using Popularity Points.
For example, if Jun Bai wanted to attend the main storyline dinner party with Zhongli, he could simply go find Zhongli.
But if he wanted to eliminate Scaramouche during the Inazuma main storyline, that would be considered a revision of an important plot node. To eliminate Scaramouche in a reasonable way without interference from the tracks of fate, Jun Bai needed to spend Popularity Points.
Of course, he could attempt to revise major plot nodes without using Popularity Points. However, in that case, the tracks of fate would exert various forms of force majeure to obstruct him.
In plain terms, plot correction force would simply make Jun Bai fail.
"Twenty thousand Popularity Points, and that's only for the first part of background completion. Looks like I'll need to use quite a bit of Popularity Points to fully finish my background."
[What did you expect? Your background has numerous conflicts with the main storyline. If you don't want to use Popularity Points on this, I can modify your background and remove those conflicting parts.]
[However, I imagine you won't accept this suggestion.]
"Of course not. I finally got a chance to make my ideas a reality—there's no way I'm giving up over something like this." Jun Bai laughed.
As he spoke, his appearance began to change.
Confirming that Jun Bai had no intention of modifying his settings, the system began transforming him into the Jun Bai from his background story, based on the illustration and background he had created.
White hair, red pupils, his features gradually becoming refined.
Simultaneously, a set of memories appeared in Jun Bai's mind.
The memories were long—spanning 3,000 years. But they were extremely blurry, or rather, ethereal. Like duckweed without roots, they had no solid foundation and could dissipate at any moment.
Jun Bai attempted to recall them but found that he could only watch the actions of the "himself" in the memories from an outsider's perspective, like a detached passerby.
"Is it because the background hasn't been completed?" Jun Bai pondered.
Right now, he was like a fictional person who had gained physical form through the system. At the same time, the system had embedded his fictional story into the original history.
But falsehoods are still false. A forcibly embedded history would gradually crumble over time. Hence the need for completion—to make the fictional history truly real.
"Also, my power is completely different from what I set in the background." Jun Bai clenched his fist, sensing the strength within him.
The identity he had designed for himself was that of an Archon.
In Teyvat, Archons represented the pinnacle of combat strength. Beneath the throne, only The Seven and the Sovereign Dragons surpassed them.
Even weak Archons like Havria, the God of Salt, could unleash power upon death strong enough to turn all living beings in the vicinity into salt.
The power of Archons was self-evident.
In Jun Bai's self-designed background, he was a top-tier Archon who, during the Archon War, formed a contract with Morax and fought alongside him to conquer all of Liyue.
The Archon of Nirvana, Phoenix—wielder of the Authority of Nirvana, master of the scorching flames that burn the heavens.
Mortal name: Jun Bai.
However, at this moment, although Jun Bai felt he could defeat ten of his prior selves, he definitely did not possess the top-tier Archon-level combat strength described in his background.
"Even [Power] completion requires Popularity Points?"
Jun Bai easily deduced the reason.
He instantly felt that his system was rather weak…
[You designed the background yourself; it's not my fault.]
The system shifted the blame without any change in tone, then opened another screen. [I just released your illustration in the parallel world. The response was good, so you now have some Popularity Points.]
[Popularity Points: 1001, 1002, 1003…]
The number increased by one every two to three seconds. Jun Bai didn't fully understand the calculation method for Popularity Points; ultimately, the right of final interpretation belonged to the system.
But gaining over a thousand Popularity Points from a single illustration in such a short time meant points were easier to obtain than he had expected.
Then, Jun Bai attempted to summon his personally designed signature weapon, [Phoenix Perch, Demon Subduer], which, according to his background, he forged with his own hands. But in the end, he could only summon a plain White Tassel polearm.
"Where's my signature weapon?"
[After you complete your background.]
"Fine." Jun Bai put away the White Tassel and asked, "Genshin Impact launches in the parallel world in two days. How long until the Traveler begins their journey?"
[One day.]
"Really giving me no time at all…"
Jun Bai's primary task now was to gain Popularity Points. During the launch phase, the fastest way to accumulate them was to participate in the main storyline.
"System, turn on navigation. Destination: Mondstadt City."
The system opened the map and displayed the route.
"Then let's not delay. Let's depart." Jun Bai snapped his fingers, using an ability he had set for himself.
Fiery wings spread out, lifting the newly born Archon into the sky. Jun Bai found his direction and traced a blazing trail across the heavens.
The fiery streak extended from Liyue toward Mondstadt, scattering Pyro elements along the path.
The scattered sparks were clearly visible even during the day. And when they fell, a magnificent sight unfolded before the eyes of the people of Liyue.
A hand clad in a black glove reached out of its own accord to catch a falling spark.
"Long-lost warmth… Welcome back, Phoenix."
The handsome, scholarly man gazed at the fiery trail in the sky, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. A rare ripple of emotion appeared in his amber-gold eyes.
After enduring the erosion of time, there were not many things left in the world capable of eliciting a reaction from Him.
And the reunion of an old friend happened to be one of them.
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
Please support the original author: 失渝光
Raw:宝可梦:我的冠军老婆沙奈朵