Just then, the System's notification chimed like heavenly music.
[Ding!]
[Host detected actively canceling transformation. Duration of this experience: 10 minutes, 32 seconds.]
[Remaining duration: 23 hours, 49 minutes.]
[Behavior Analysis Module initiating... Judging...]
[Analysis Result: Preliminary mastery of basic Anemo element application. Proficient use of the Elemental Skill "Song of the High Heavens." Actively avoided tests that could cause large-scale destruction. Did not engage in activities befitting a bard, such as playing instruments or singing. Most of the time was spent experiencing the power and... admiring the costume in the mirror.]
[Compatibility Assessment Module initiating...]
[Assessment Result: Host and Barbatos have achieved a high degree of resonance in the core spirit of "slacking off" and "avoiding proper work."]
[Compatibility Judged: MAX!]
[Congratulations, Host! You have obtained the permanent buff: Blessing of the Anemo Archon.]
[Effect: Permanently increases casting speed by 20% and movement speed by 10%.]
Lin Qingyue's eyes lit up.
This is a huge win!
For a Priest, a class heavily reliant on casting times, what did a 20% casting speed boost mean?
It meant that on the ever-changing battlefield, her Healing Holy Light would always be one step ahead of the Grim Reaper's scythe.
It meant her shields would always land precisely a few tenths of a second before a fatal blow.
This was a golden stat that could reverse life and death!
Not to mention the 10% movement speed boost, which gave the short-legged Priest the capital to kite opponents, exponentially increasing her survivability!
However, the System's notifications weren't finished.
[Based on MAX compatibility, an additional resonance reward has been triggered.]
[Reward Issued: Passive Skill—[Melody Beyond the Strings] (Unique).]
"Huh? There's a bonus gift?"
Lin Qingyue's heart skipped a beat, and a sense of foreboding crawled up her spine.
Usually, skills with the "Unique" tag were incredibly powerful, but considering the Elation System's usual antics...
She held her breath, her fingertips trembling slightly as she tapped open the skill description.
[Passive Skill: Melody Beyond the Strings (Unique)]
[Description: When the BGM starts, the stage spotlight shines only for you.]
[Effect: When the Host uses any class skill, there is a 5% chance to trigger this passive. Upon activation, a random BGM etched into your DNA will play, and the Host will be forced to undergo a "Conceptual Costume Change," transforming into a character corresponding or related to the BGM. The transformation lasts for 1 minute and can be manually canceled after 10 seconds. During the transformation, the Host will gain partial ability bonuses and personality traits of the corresponding character.]
[Note: In my BGM, no one can defeat me!]
The color drained from Lin Qingyue's face in an instant.
She reread the description three times, chewing over every word.
She recognized each character individually, but together, they painted a picture straight from hell.
Several terrifyingly specific scenarios, practically terrorist attacks on her dignity, exploded uncontrollably in her mind.
-
Scenario One:
The College Entrance Exam Arena, broadcast live across the city, watched by millions.
Her expression is solemn as she raises her staff, preparing to seal her victory with a decisive [Smite].
Suddenly, the arena's speakers blast the ethereal, distant melody of Liyue...
Poof! Her Priest Robes transform into a black-and-red Wangsheng Funeral Parlor uniform, and her pink staff inexplicably morphs into a suona.
(Spy-Suona or 唢呐 is a chinese instrument that looks similar to a Clarinet)
Then, she's forced to chase her opponent around, blasting the suona while shouting, "Big Hilichurl's sick, Little Hilichurl's checking! Need funeral services? Buy one tombstone, get the second half-price!"
-
Scenario Two:
In a Dungeon Score Competition, a teammate lies critically injured, crying out desperately for help.
She dashes forward, Holy Light gathering in her palm, ready to cast the life-saving [Flash Heal].
Suddenly, the air fills with the sound of Crimson Knight, Go!—a march both childish and destructive.
Before her teammate's despairing eyes, she transforms into a... giant young girl? Complete with a small red backpack and a dangling Dodoco doll.
Her gentle Holy Light Healing Spell morphs into a bouncing bomb.
Worse, she's forced to shout the most terrifying line in the most innocent, childish voice: "Da-da-da! Let's blow them all up!"
Her teammate, watching the bouncing bomb fly toward his chest, would probably choose to end his own life right then and there for a more dignified death.
Under the influence of the "Personality Imprint," she might even glance down at her own... well-endowed chest and complain in a childlike voice:
"The bigger the cup, the naughtier the Dodoco Demon Lord!"
-
"No... No, no, no..."
Lin Qingyue shook her head violently, as if trying to shake the horrifying images from her mind, but cold sweat had already soaked her back.
Once the floodgates of thought opened, the devil reveled in the details.
What if she randomly got some overtime-addicted secretary in a black stocking bodysuit, constantly shouting about "work-life balance"?
Or what if she got that purple-haired, purple-clothed "Keqing-Cat"?
She'd be dressed in purple, with a cat-ear hairstyle and long legs wrapped in black stockings, wielding a staff like a sword. While frantically spamming basic attacks, she'd yell, "Swift as lightning, I'll slice up all the beef offal!"
Social suicide.
This was beyond social suicide.
This was being dragged out and publicly flogged after social death!
"System, this passive... can it be uninstalled?"
Lin Qingyue clutched her hair, her voice trembling. "I just want to be a quiet, capable Priest! Not a performance artist!"
[Command not recognized.]
[Friendly Reminder: The trigger probability is only 5%. Host, please have faith in your luck.]
"Faith in your luck, my ass!"
Lin Qingyue collapsed onto her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
A 5% probability didn't sound high.
But in a high-intensity battle, casting twenty to thirty skills was routine.
This meant that in almost every tough battle, she'd have to play Russian Roulette, betting whether the bullet named "Public Execution" would be loaded.
"I'm doomed."
She could already picture it: in the arena, the referee and her opponent staring at her with a mixture of horror, confusion, and the look one reserves for a complete lunatic.
The room fell into dead silence.
After what felt like an eternity, Lin Qingyue rolled over, lying on her side.
Her vacant eyes slowly regained focus.
A flicker of madness, a hint of grim determination, and a reckless, "screw it all" ferocity began to burn in their depths.
"Heh."
She let out a low chuckle.
"As long as I beat every opponent to a pulp, no one will dare laugh at my BGM."
"As long as I'm strong enough, it'll be an 'eccentricity of the powerful,' not 'perverted performance art.'"
"Bring it on."
A twisted, morbid smile—a blend of anticipation and self-abandonment—curled Lin Qingyue's lips.
"I'd like to see..."
"...who breaks first."