I'm a villain in the superhero world.

The appearance of this entry indicates that Lü Buyi has almost completely intervened in the plot of the first volume.

As long as his performance in the first volume of the main storyline doesn't falter and his popularity doesn't plummet, he'll be fine.

So it's practically a done deal that I'll become a regular character in the next volume.

On the bright side, if it ranks first in popularity at the end of the volume, it's not impossible for the story to directly turn into a dual male protagonist story.

After the initial surprise, Lü Buyi's expression quickly returned to calm.

This entry isn't enough to make him lose his composure.

After all, getting to this point was part of his plan—

By building popularity in the early stages of the main storyline, one can increase their screen time and influence in the "comic," thereby gaining more opportunities to intervene in later parts of the main story and alter the plot.

This was a basic strategy that Lü Buyi had already devised since the day he bound the [Popularity Feedback Template].

The term "core supporting character" has appeared earlier now simply because of the explosive popularity and buzz surrounding individual CGs.

"However, now that this entry has arrived ahead of schedule, I can finally put some of my ideas into practice."

If Lü Buyi's role in the plot isn't significant enough, any intervention from him could drastically deviate from the main storyline.

According to the [Popularity Feedback Template],

He would be excluded by "plot inertia" if he caused a major change in the main storyline.

Therefore, he was always extremely cautious when considering the timing of his involvement in the main storyline.

But things are different now. Now that Lü Buyi has become a core supporting character, he has become part of the "first volume's plot".

What I used to worry about is no longer a problem.

Thinking of this, Lü Buyi turned his gaze outside.

Blinded by the Demon-Sealing Cloth, his eyes seemed to pierce through the vast sea of ​​clouds, revealing the coastal international metropolis called "Haidu".

—The protagonist, Ji Mingyang, is right there, and the main storyline is about to begin.

The interviews for Kyoto University's Kaito Campus should be underway right now...

"Before this, I was thinking that I should at least not show up until Ji Mingyang contacted the Social Security Bureau, otherwise, whether it was for the job interview or the class reunion, it might cause the plot to deviate..."

"But now, it seems we can change it."

Making an appearance too early isn't necessarily a good thing, but it certainly makes a lasting impression.

And it just so happens that my popularity is at its peak. If I miss this peak period, I may never have such a good opportunity again.

"Let me think..." Lü Buyi tapped his head, pondering where he should make his entrance.

"I definitely won't make it to the interview—although I could teleport there now, the crisis in this part of the story isn't too big, and Ji Mingyang can handle it himself, so there's no need to go to the trouble."

"By the way, I have to attend a long-night meeting in a few days as a decision-maker for the Far East region, so I probably won't be able to make it to the class reunion."

"Then let's negotiate using the 'Oriental Pearl'... that should be the best option."

"After the Long Night Meeting ends, we will send the avatar to the Sea City to participate in the main storyline."

Lü Buyi quickly finished his thinking and made his final decision.

The long night meeting of the governing council is imminent, concerning the sealing of the Dragon Emperor and the global situation.

As a decision-maker in the Far East region, Lü Buyi had no reason to refuse to participate unless there were special circumstances.

"After the meeting, let's meet with Ji Mingyang as an online friend..."

"Speaking of which, there was a time when I really liked his and Yin Qing's episode series, 'Love Story in the Bitter Summer of the Sea City'."

Should I look forward to meeting him?

Memories of his past life piqued Lü Buyi's interest in meeting Ji Mingyang and Yin Qing.

But then his thoughts calmed down.

Returning our attention to the still-growing popularity score on the [Popularity Feedback Template]—

The most important thing to consider now is how to use this huge amount of wealth that we have just acquired.

[Popularity Value: 1302273 (Continuing to grow rapidly) (Redeemable)]

The numbers are still growing slowly, but the explosive growth period has passed, and what follows will be a steady, long-term accumulation.

"One million three hundred thousand..."

Lu Buyi silently recited the number, finding it difficult to decide which item to add.

This popularity score is theoretically enough to upgrade [Control of the Yin Beast] from lv1 to lv2.

But it was precisely for this reason that Lü Buyi hesitated.

With two promotions in a short period of time, dealing with the old fogies in the governing council is still relatively easy.

After all, he didn't care how his power was increased, as long as the power was real and genuine.

But Lu Buyi was worried that the immortal might become interested in him because of this.

—The immortals wouldn't harbor any ill will towards him, after all, the Yin and Yang were the powers he himself had spread out.

Lu Buyi was worried that if he went to Kunlun again, he would miss the best opportunity to intervene in the plot.

"but……"

Lu Buyi first glanced at the sky. At this moment, the three islands of Penglai were shrouded in a sea of ​​clouds, and the moonlight was just beginning to appear.

Then he turned back to examine the other entries and began to weigh and choose.

"Now that we have so much popularity points, it would be a waste to just leave them unused."

With a slight thought, he brought up the detailed stat allocation interface for the [Popularity Feedback Template].

[Currently recommended upgrade items:]

[Mastery of the Taiyin Beast lv1 → lv2: Requires 1000000 Popularity Points]

[Penglai Qi Cultivation Technique lv15→ lv16: Requires 800000 Popularity Points]

[Weapon Master lv10 → lv11: Requires 50000 Popularity Points]

[Lu Zu Sword Technique lv15→ lv16: Requires 900000 Popularity Points]

[Assassin Order Skills Guide lv12→ lv13: Requires 200000 Popularity Points]

[Infinite Martial Arts lv15 → lv16: Requires 1200000 Popularity Points]

After reviewing them all at once, Lü Buyi's gaze lingered for a moment on the [Penglai Qi Cultivation Technique], [Lu Zu Sword Technique], and [Infinite Martial Arts].

These three most popularity-consuming attributes were not obtained by adding points, but rather through his own practice to reach this level.

It's easy to understand if you think about it. Most of Lü Buyi's popularity points were previously spent on the Taiyin Power, which boosted his own energy level.

He doesn't have any extra popularity points to allocate to these sub-items and skills.

He achieved all of this through perseverance and hard work, aided by the power of Yin.

Although Lü Buyi has never slacked off in these skills over the years.

But after reaching such a high level, his progress in these skills became increasingly slow.

Especially the [limitless martial arts]

This skill was developed during his youth when he traveled to various regions and fought against people of different schools of ability.

To improve it, the only way is almost always by using the weak to defeat the strong.

Therefore, Lü Buyi is currently stuck at level 15 in [Infinite Martial Arts].

After all, which demigod these days would be so foolish as to fight him?

They are too busy with their own affairs.

Among those of the same level, there is someone whose martial arts skills are comparable to Lü Buyi's.

But if a real fight breaks out, who can make the Taiyin Divine Child "defeat the strong with the weak"?

"If my [Infinite Martial Arts] level increases by another level, I should be completely invincible at the fifth level..."

"After that, the popularity score was still around 10."

"Save up for a while longer, then spend 200,000 to unlock another development point for the Taiyin Power. This should be the most reasonable way to allocate points at the moment."

Lu Buyi was not one to procrastinate; once he made up his mind, he chose to upgrade [Infinite Martial Arts].