060. Master of "Runology" Li Aozi Teaches Live
"This is called emergency risk avoidance. I just wanted a bit of freedom."
Li Aozi shrugged.
"Now I imagine a bunch of reporters are waiting to interview you. I've got social anxiety; I'm shy and stiff. Put me on camera, and I'll cry out of nervousness. I'll just slip away—you handle this one."
"Get lost, you brat!"
Liuer kicked, and Li Aozi sidestepped, stepping through a spatial ripple and into the Star Abyss.
After a few jumps, he returned to the ship, telling Flanna to make a sneaky escape while they could.
Along the way, every media outlet in the surrounding Kalanz star zone buzzed about their fight.
Due to the [Echoer]'s passive effect, their battle was loud, and the location was quite close to mainstream civilization.
Flanna switched on the news, keeping one eye on the screen and the other on piloting, following the story her employer had stirred up.
"Hello everyone, I'm currently at Space Station 25 in Kalanz. Though the fight ended a while ago, the scene remains sealed off. Considering the impact of a battle between two powerhouses, the space in this area still requires cleanup…"
"Experts believe this space duel stemmed from personal grievances. There's no need for the broader galactic public to worry; besides some delays, there hasn't been any significant impact on travel."
"Surprisingly, this was an inter-tier battle between Gamma and Delta ranks. Normally, cross-tier fights lead to one-sided massacres, but this match defied the odds, raging from sky to ground and ending with the Gamma winning."
"However, experts caution that this is not a replicable scenario. When dueling, please make decisions in line with tier levels. We advocate rational defense of rights, promoting the rule of law in the Star Abyss. Winning lands you in jail; losing lands you in the hospital. A civilized society relies on us all to walk hand in hand."
"I'm Yuwen Bo, continuing coverage for you."
Beep—
Flanna turned to look at the headless man reclining on the couch, sipping grape juice with an air of casual pride.
"What's up?"
"Y-You!"
Flanna pointed at the screen.
"You're this…amazing! If you're that powerful, why did you even hire me?"
"Oh, I wasn't always this strong." Li Aozi waved it off. "Just picked up the skills, barely made the tier, and I'm still getting the hang of it. If I tried it again, I could probably do it without a scratch."
"I almost got killed!"
Flanna puffed up her cheeks, pretending to sob.
"You being so strong makes me feel useless! I thought I could protect my employer, but turns out I'm just the driver?"
"It's okay. You were never all that useful." Li Aozi reassured her. "But think of it this way: now you're working for a celebrity. 'Star News 30' is the top-rated show under 'United Group' with a 59% rating."
The straightforward dark elf Flanna blinked a few times.
"That makes you a celebrity? Isn't it more of a scandal? And they didn't even mention your name."
"Ah, that's where you're shallow."
Li Aozi counted on his fingers, explaining.
"In Layer Abyss, millions of big and small news stories happen every year, each more convoluted than the last. Yet the media knows that only shallow, big stories drown out the others. The volume of attention dictates the rise and fall of influential figures, hence the saying 'traffic is king.'"
"Throughout history, countless elites and the strong fade like ordinary peasants. But scoundrels, well, they leave a stain that lasts centuries. People who were once called rebels might be vindicated by their descendants years later. Some die fighting to defend their homes, only to be branded war criminals, while betrayers become heroes."
"Black or red, fame is still fame. At the highest levels of fame, even hate fuels recognition. Silent bystanders are the majority, but the more criticism, the greater the attention. Among a million, you're bound to have a few fans. Once you hit enough numbers, even criticism brings cash flow…"
As a veteran host, Li Aozi effortlessly explained how to stir controversy, cut videos, generate traffic, create scandals, cross-promote, feign depression for sympathy, use alt accounts and bots to shift opinion, strike deals with moderators to allow borderline content, make millions overnight selling products—whether the numbers are real or not…
This approach is routine in the streaming industry.
Li Aozi's knowledge went beyond familiarity; he practically recited it by heart.
Listening along, Flanna's head spun, and she was stunned by the seedy side of media.
It was darker than her skin.
Flanna immediately decided to keep her distance from Li Aozi, shrinking back quietly.
Though she wasn't too bright, was poor, easily flustered, and a bit cowardly, she still had principles.
But then a thought dawned on her.
"If you know so much about the self-media industry, why did you quit?"
"Because I'm a conscientious, prospective citizen of a near-narrative-level civilization."
Li Aozi stated with righteous conviction:
"I'm about to immigrate to the Empire of Heroes, so I need to be mindful of my reputation and image. It's best to have a stable job and property. As for visas, I have my ways. Immigration agencies are a rip-off. If you want to move, you have to present yourself as a talent. Immigration has ranks, and lower-tier migrants might end up slaughtering animals or washing dishes, while high-tier ones could even become prime ministers…"
"How do you know so much?" Flanna's eyes sparkled as she eagerly asked, "How can I immigrate to the Union of Heroes? I heard that welfare in narrative-level civilizations lets you eat, sleep, and do nothing for life. Is that true?"
"Well, taxes in the 'Union of Heroes' are high, but there's little regulation. If you lack skills, I wouldn't recommend moving there."
Li Aozi looked at Flanna's eager eyes, glanced at her worn-out armor, and sighed.
"If you moved, you'd probably end up as a delivery driver."
Flanna pointed at the spaceship controls, asking excitedly:
"But isn't that what I'm doing now? Tell me how to become a cozy shut-in, a lazy slob, for life! Coach—I mean, master—I want to be a freeloading homebody!"
"If you're this determined to move, then I'll reluctantly share my secrets."
Li Aozi cleared his throat, letting his voice echo in the spaceship before saying:
"However, there's a fee. Since you helped me pilot today and risked yourself as bait, I'll give you a 50% discount—just three thousand Aln will get you my lifelong expertise. I call it the 'Runology Guidebook'—"
Mid-sentence, Li Aozi suddenly sat up straight as Flanna watched with eager anticipation.
"Huh?" Flanna looked at him in confusion. "What's wrong?"
Shhh!
Li Aozi raised a finger to signal silence.
I've revised earlier chapters; some parts weren't accessible enough.