Chapter 16: The Choice of Stellar Source – Vector Control

【System Prompt: Audience emotional fluctuation detected—threshold exceeded. 'Sweet Tooth Addiction' officially added to character profile of Tian Dao Siming.】

【Popularity Points +2000 (Emotional Boost)】

Hmm? So this is how I can personally add new traits to my character?

Tian Dao stared at the sudden system notification, genuinely surprised.

The reason he liked sweets wasn’t particularly deep—just simple, unapologetic cravings. He liked eating, plain and simple. But through this little “flashback,” the audience had twisted his habit into something far more sinister: a hidden, razor-sharp trait masked behind sugar-coated innocence.

A misunderstanding? Yes.

But for Tian Dao, it wasn’t a bad thing at all.

Meanwhile, in the real world—

With the memory fragment finally concluded, the previously silent stream of live comments erupted in a chaotic, emotional explosion.

Mom Fans:

“Such a mature child… it breaks my heart.”

“Suggestion: About My Character Being a Beauty, Strong, and Tragic.”

“Left hand bleeding, still worried about chocolate prices… I’m dying.”

Looks Fans:

“Even as a kid, he was already this cool? Haki, you beast.”

“Those lashes! That beauty mark! This is the face of a true protagonist!”

“Romance manga meets shonen action—my art style is clearly superior!”

Casual Fans:

“Pain? Tian Dao Siming’s dictionary doesn’t even have the word ‘pain’! (Unlike some spineless weakling who gets bullied and just… stays silent.)”

“Tian Dao: 3 vs 1, still gets wiped out? Are you even playing right?”

“Just eat more sugar, and life won’t hurt. That’s why Tian Dao’s a sugar addict. I thought it was just a normal trait—but now I see the blade in it.”

“Tian Dao: You’re just trying to get stronger. I was born that way. (Record: 3/0, verifiable.)”

“Tian Dao Siming? Sweet to death!”

With this memory arc, the image of Tian Dao as a natural-born powerhouse became deeply embedded in the audience’s minds.

And suddenly, his dominance over Chen Xing in the story made perfect sense.

After all, he had slaughtered three mutated wolf beasts at the age of eight.

True, the first two episodes of Stellar Prequel: Embers hadn’t revealed the full strength of those beasts.

But just by comparing their sizes—Tian Dao’s small frame versus the towering, monstrous wolves—it was obvious to everyone how insane the feat truly was.

That left Chen Kong, the protagonist, in a rather awkward position.

Without Tian Dao to contrast him against, Chen Kong’s weakness was bearable.

But once the two were side by side? His cowardice became unbearable.

Yet, just like in so many anime where the underdog protagonist hides an extraordinary secret, Stellar Prequel: Embers dropped a hint in Episode 2.

> “Two years, and he still can’t even sense star energy. What a waste…”

> “Hey, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. But calling your own brother trash? That’s low.”

> “Am I wrong?”

> “Out of 36 Stellar Prodigy candidates, he’s the only one who hasn’t even awakened his Stellar Core.”

> “It’s not that he can’t. His Stellar Core is… different.”

Hearing Tian Dao say Chen Kong’s Stellar Core was unique, the audience instantly smelled something fishy.

> “No way. This can’t be right. I knew this guy looked like a loser, but now I see—he’s got a cheat code!”

> “So what if he has a cheat? With a personality like that, even a god-tier ability would be useless.”

> “Fake Protagonist: Chen Kong. Real Protagonist: Tian Dao Siming!”

In the midst of heated debates, the episode ended on two key moments:

Tian Dao’s bet with Chen Xing, and the arrival of Yun Meng, the instructor.

From their earlier conversation, the audience also learned about the upcoming Final Evaluation—a pivotal test that could change the fate of every Stellar Prodigy.

Though Stellar Prequel: Embers had so far lacked explosive action or jaw-dropping visuals, its incredibly high production quality and the vivid, distinct personalities of every character (except the protagonist) had already sparked massive anticipation.

The viewers were now dying to see:

Would Chen Kong pull off a miraculous underdog rise in the Final Evaluation?

Would he finally earn the respect of everyone who doubted him?

But above all else—

They were most eager to see whether Tian Dao, the so-called “natural-born powerhouse,” would continue to shine in the next episodes.

Because if he suddenly went from legendary to comically pathetic after two perfect episodes, it would be a complete character collapse.

Still, one thing was clear:

The popularity campaign for Tian Dao had started with a perfect opening.

And that success was now reflected in his current stats.

【Name: Tian Dao Siming】

【Current Popularity Points: 12,000】

【Current Popularity Rank: #1】

Twelve thousand points—this was the total popularity Tian Dao had earned after just two episodes.

He couldn’t tell if it was high or low.

He didn’t know how many people were watching in the real world.

He didn’t know how many would stick around for the rest of the season.

But one thing was certain:

Holding the #1 spot on the popularity chart was enough to ease his mind.

No more fear of being forced into a tragic death scene.

More importantly, Tian Dao remembered the ultimate reward for finishing the season as number one:

- A massive increase in screen time for next season

- A 100,000-popularity bonus for character promotion

- One exclusive chance to rewrite his character’s background

The first two rewards? Nice, but not game-changing.

But the third—the background modification privilege—was everything.

In Tian Dao’s own words:

This was an extra cheat code.

He could use it right away to add a bug-tier trait—like "Maxed-Out Innate Combat Talent"—to cement his status as a born warrior.

But he already had a plan.

After all… in the Stellar Universe, what mattered most?

It was the same question as asking: What’s the most valuable thing in One Piece?

The answer was obvious.

The ultimate prize in the Stellar Universe?

The Stellar Source—the legendary power that defined destinies.

Why was the Final Evaluation held?

Why were so many powerful figures invited?

Because no single organization could afford to give 36 rare, perfect-fit Stellar Sources to each Prodigy.

The Embers faction couldn’t produce that many.

They couldn’t even guarantee each talent matched their Core.

So the Final Evaluation was born—a selection process to identify the strongest candidates.

And the arrival of influential guests?

They were offered a vision—a golden opportunity to invest in the next generation.

The Stellar Plan was the bait.

And the Stellar Sources were the reward.

Now that Tian Dao understood the true value of the Stellar Source, he knew exactly how to use his background modification privilege.

He would use it to build the foundation of his own ultimate power—by adding a new, unique talent to his character.

Because the Stellar Source he was about to choose?

It was a rare, little-known Trait Class Stellar Source: Vector Control.

And to unlock its full potential?

He needed one thing:

An Intelligent Mechanism Class ability—Overclocking Computation.

Only with both Overclocking Computation and his Star-Eclipse Eye (which he already possessed) could he forge a near-unbreakable "Vector System"—a concept only existing in his imagination so far.

And now?

He was one step away.

He already had the Star-Eclipse Eye.

He would soon earn Vector Control after the Final Evaluation.

All that remained?

The final piece: Overclocking Computation.

Once that was in place…

Tian Dao wouldn’t just be a natural-born warrior.

He would become a true god in the Stellar Universe.

PS: Daily plea for follows and monthly votes!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end