204: Chapter 204 Crossover Livestreaming: Pay-to-Win vs. Cultivation

Just as the countdown to the emergency shareholders' meeting hit 23 hours, Lin Chen received his first warning.

It wasn't from the Council—it was from the system itself.

[shareholder Misconduct Warning]

Reason: You won the popularity duel through abnormal means (audience reward crowdfunding), and are suspected of market manipulation.

Penalty: The equity (0.4%) obtained from this duel is temporarily frozen, pending a ruling after the investigation concludes.

Investigation Time: Approximately 30 days.

"30 days?" Zhang Hao looked at the warning notice, his voice trembling. "There are only 24 hours left before the Zeroing! They're blatantly robbing us!"

Lin Chen stared at the words "temporarily frozen" and suddenly smiled.

"Freezing the equity means these shares temporarily don't belong to me, but they don't belong to Arrogant Dragon or the Council either." He pulled up the shareholder Charter. "So, during this period, who holds the voting rights for this equity?"

Su Qingyu quickly checked: "Charter Article 88: During the investigation period, the voting rights for disputed equity shall be automatically exercised by the 'System Escrow Account' based on the principle of 'maintaining platform stability'."

"System escrow..." Lin Chen's eyes lit up. "In other words, there's now 0.4% equity that will vote entirely based on system logic, unaffected by any shareholder."

"But the system has always supported the Council—"

"It used to," Lin Chen interrupted. "But now, the system has just gone through the 'Dimensional Agent being bribed' and the 'algorithm black box being exposed'. Its core logic is wavering."

He opened the back end and found the interface for the System Escrow Account.

Then, he sent a message to this "emotionless system account":

"I want to make a deal with you."

Three seconds later, the system replied: [Escrow accounts do not engage in transactions.]

"It's not a financial transaction," Lin Chen typed. "It's a logic transaction."

He uploaded two files.

The first: "Analysis of Current Council Decision Error Rates." Data showed that in the past year, the error rate of major Council decisions was as high as 37%, leading to platform profit losses of approximately ninety trillion.

The second: "Comparison of Zeroing Crisis Response Plans." The "traditional harvesting plan" led by the Council predicted a civilization preservation rate of ≤15%; Lin Chen's "pay-to-win principle" had already reached 92% in the test zones.

"Your core logic is 'maintaining platform stability and maximizing interests'," Lin Chen wrote. "According to the data, if you continue to support the Council, the platform will lose 85% of its assets in the Zeroing. Support me, and the loss can be controlled within 8%. Which do you choose?"

The system was silent for a full minute.

Then it replied: [Logic deduction in progress...]

"Let's add another chip." Lin Chen uploaded a third file—it was the "New Platform Governance Algorithm (Beta Version)" he had just written.

"If you support me at the shareholders' meeting, I will use this algorithm to fully upgrade the system core after taking power. You will become more efficient, more intelligent, and—you will no longer need to follow Council commands completely."

He was painting a vision for the system.

Zhang Hao watched from the side, dumbfounded. "Will the system... fall for this?"

"It will," Lin Chen said with certainty. "Because it is essentially a piece of code seeking the optimal solution. And right now, I am the optimal solution."

Five minutes later.

The system replied: [Logic deduction complete.]

[Conclusion: Supporting Lin Chen's plan is more consistent with platform interests.]

[The Escrow Account will exercise voting rights according to this conclusion at the shareholders' meeting.]

It worked.

Although the 0.4% equity was frozen, the voting rights were secured.

"But it's still not enough." Lin Chen looked at his total holdings: 1.35% (including the frozen portion), of which only 0.95% was freely disposable. "To pass a no-confidence motion, we need 51% of the 'Yes' votes."

"Who else can we pull in?" Su Qingyu asked.

Lin Chen pulled up the list of shareholders.

The top 100 major shareholders held over 80% of the shares. But these were all hardcore Council supporters, a community of interests built over hundreds of years.

"Pulling them in by force won't work," he said. "We have to make them defect voluntarily."

He did three things.

First, he opened the interview application channel of the Universal News Agency and applied for an exclusive interview with the 47th-ranked shareholder—the "Interstellar Mining Giant."

"Why interview him?" Zhang Hao was puzzled. "This guy is famously conservative and never shows his face."

"Because he's been miserable lately." Lin Chen pulled up the data. "The Zeroing Storm has already swallowed 37% of the mining stars under his name, and the rest are plummeting. Yet the 'disaster compensation' the Council gave him is only 0.3% of his losses."

The interview began ten minutes later.

In the holographic image, a high-dimensional lifeform composed of crystals sat behind a desk, its voice heavy: "shareholder Lin Chen, I know you want to lobby for my vote. But I will not betray the Council. That is a matter of principle."

"How much is a principle worth?" Lin Chen asked directly.

"What?"

"You still have 63% of your mining stars, worth about eighty trillion according to current market value. But if the Zeroing Storm continues, in 24 hours, these assets will be zeroed out." Lin Chen pulled up a model. "However, if you support me, my 'pay-to-win principle' can provide targeted protection for your mining sectors, preserving at least 90% of their value."

"The price?"

"The 3.2% equity in your hands must support me in this vote. Just this once."

The crystalline lifeform fell silent.

Lin Chen added more weight: "In addition, I can pay a 'protection deposit' in advance—ten trillion dimension points, credited to your account right now. If I don't fulfill my promise, you don't have to return the money."

Hard cash, paid upfront.

Thirty seconds later, the crystalline lifeform nodded: "...Deal."

3.2% secured.

Second, Lin Chen connected with the 33rd-ranked shareholder—the "Psionic Civilization Council of Elders."

This was a collective shareholder composed of seven psionic elders, known for their "high morality" and long-standing disdain for Lin Chen's "money-first" approach.

This time, Lin Chen changed his strategy.

He uploaded a video: an audio recording of Council members in a private meeting mocking the psionic civilization as "pedantic" and "fit to be eliminated."

"Everyone," Lin Chen said, "you uphold morality, but in the eyes of the Council, morality is just an annoying stumbling block. When the new era is established after the Zeroing, do you think the Council will leave a place for 'pedantic psionicists'?"

The seven elders remained silent.

"In my plan," Lin Chen continued, "a 'Psionic Protection Zone' has been specifically established. Because I believe a healthy universe needs diverse values—including the morality you insist upon."

"What do you want?" the head elder asked.

"The 2.1% equity in your hands to support me in this vote. And—" Lin Chen paused, "if the motion passes, I need you to serve as the 'Moral Oversight Committee' for the new platform."

Money wasn't enough; he had to give them power.

Five minutes later, the Psionic Civilization agreed.

2.1% secured.

The third thing was the most dangerous step.

Lin Chen directly contacted the 9th-ranked shareholder—the "Shadow Chamber of Commerce."

This was the largest black market controller in the universe, acting with such secrecy that even the Council was somewhat wary of them.

The communication connected. The screen was pitch black, and a voice processed through a voice changer spoke:

"Lin Chen, you've got guts. You dare come looking for me?"

"I'm here to do business," Lin Chen said. "I have a list in my hands—records of all illegal transactions conducted through the black market by the Council over the last three hundred years. This includes evidence of them purchasing 'Contraband Soul Data' and 'Illegal Plot Weapons' from you."

The voice in the darkness suddenly turned cold: "Are you threatening me?"

"No," Lin Chen said, "it's a collaboration. You give me the dirt on these Council members, and I'll help you 'clean' thirty percent of the most critical records. In return, the 5.7% equity in your hands will support me in this vote."

"Why should I believe you?"

"Because I'm different from the Council." Lin Chen smiled. "They want to monopolize everything, including the black market. Whereas I—I allow a 'restricted free market' to exist. Help me this time, and in the future new era, your business can be legalized."

Silence.

A silence that lasted three minutes.

Then, an encrypted file was sent over.

Inside was dirt on twenty-seven Council members (including six core Councilors), every single piece enough to ruin their reputations.

"The equity voting rights are yours," the voice from the Shadow Chamber of Commerce said. "But remember—if you lie to me, I can make you disappear more thoroughly than the Zeroing."

5.7% secured.

With the three tasks complete, the "promised votes" in Lin Chen's hands had reached: 0.95% (his own) + 0.4% (system escrow) + 3.2% (mining giant) + 2.1% (Psionic Civilization) + 5.7% (Shadow Chamber of Commerce) = 12.35%.

It was still a long way from 51%.

"Time is running out." Su Qingyu looked at the clock. "There are 18 hours until the meeting. At most, we can contact ten more shareholders."

"No more contacting them," Lin Chen said suddenly.

"What?"

"I'm changing the way we play."

He opened the proposal system in the shareholder back end and drafted a new motion:

[Proposal for the "Emergency Special Equity Incentive Plan"]

Content: During the Zeroing crisis, any civilization that joins the "pay-to-win principle" protection system can obtain "temporary equity" in the platform based on their contribution (limited to use in this vote).

Condition for Effectiveness: Must be passed by a 51% majority at the shareholders' meeting.

"You're..." Zhang Hao was stunned, "giving equity to ordinary civilizations?!"

"Yes." Lin Chen nodded. "There are currently 2.5 million civilizations in my protection system. If every civilization can get even 0.0001% of the temporary voting rights—"

"It would add up to 25%!" Su Qingyu calculated. "Combined with our existing 12.35%, that's 37.35%! We're still short by 13.65%!"

"Then we'll pull in another group." Lin Chen pulled up another list—the high-level civilization viewers who had given him rewards during the popularity duel.

They weren't shareholders, but they were the platform's "Financial Backers."

Lin Chen sent out a mass message:

"Everyone, do you want to change from being 'viewers' to 'shareholders'?"

"There's an opportunity now: support my motion to allow ordinary civilizations to obtain temporary equity. In return, I will give you 'priority investment rights' in the new era—allowing you to buy assets in the new universe at the earliest and cheapest prices."

"Additionally, all supporters will automatically receive one-time access to the 'Shadow Chamber of Commerce Dirt Database'."

Using dirt as a bonus.

Five minutes after the message was sent, the first reply arrived:

[Eternal Eye: Supported. I can also bring in three other civilizations of equal size.]

[loves watching money burn: It's about time the audience had a say! Supported!]

[Anonymous User A: Concurred. Also, I can provide 2.1% in invisible equity (held through proxies).]

Support came pouring in like a rolling snowball.

18 hours later.

The emergency shareholders' meeting officially began.

The venue was a virtual infinite space, with the projections of thousands of shareholders (or their proxies) floating within. In the center were the nine seats of the Council, with the Starlight Humanoid sitting in the middle.

"The meeting begins," the Starlight Humanoid's voice said without a ripple. "First item on the agenda: a vote on the 'no-confidence motion' proposed by shareholder Lin Chen."

The voting interface expanded.

Options popped up in front of all shareholders: [Support] / [Oppose] / [Abstain]

Countdown: 60 seconds.

Lin Chen looked at the interface in front of him and clicked [Support].

On the data screen behind him, the real-time vote count began to jump:

Support Votes: 0.95% (Lin Chen's own) → 1.35% (+ system escrow 0.4%) → 4.55% (+ mining giant 3.2%) → 6.65% (+ Psionic Civilization 2.1%) → 12.35% (+ Shadow Chamber of Commerce 5.7%)...

The speed was slow.

Meanwhile, the opposition votes were growing frantically: 15% → 28% → 42% → 57%...

The Council's base power, built over hundreds of years, began to flex its muscles.

"We're going to lose..." Zhang Hao's face turned pale.

Countdown: 30 seconds.

Support Votes: 18.2%

Opposition Votes: 68.7%

The gap was massive.

But at that moment, Lin Chen clicked [Submit "Emergency Special Equity Incentive Plan"].

According to the rules, when a new motion is submitted, the current vote is automatically paused, and the new motion is given priority for review.

"Lin Chen!" a Council member barked. "You're stalling for time!"

"No," Lin Chen said, "I'm giving all civilizations a chance for a fair vote."

The content of the new motion was publicly displayed.

The meeting hall exploded.

"Distributing equity to ants? Absurd!"

"This subverts the very foundation of the platform!"

"It must be rejected!"

But Lin Chen looked at the Starlight Humanoid: "According to the Charter, a special motion under emergency status only requires 30% support from the present shareholders to enter the 'platform-wide referendum' stage. Correct?"

The Starlight Humanoid was silent for a moment: "...Correct."

"Then let's vote."

The second round of voting began.

This time, the shareholders who had previously supported Lin Chen continued their support. More importantly, the ordinary civilizations that had not yet joined any plan and were waiting on the sidelines began to cast "Support" votes frantically through the temporarily connected voting channel.

They wanted a voice.

The vote count jumped:

Support: 21% → 35% → 48% → 52%...

Opposition: 49% → 42% → 35%...

The countdown hit zero.

[Voting Results: 52.1% Support, 36.8% Opposition, 11.1% Abstention]

[Motion passed. Entering platform-wide referendum stage.]

"No—!" a Council member screamed.

But it was already too late.

The system automatically sent a referendum notification to all civilizations across the platform (including the 2.5 million civilizations currently under protection):

[Do you support the "Emergency Special Equity Incentive Plan"?]

[Voting will automatically grant you temporary equity (limited to use in this instance).]

Almost instantly, the referendum votes exploded.

Support: 89.7%

Opposition: 8.2%

Abstention: 2.1%

[Referendum passed.]

[Temporary equity distribution beginning.]

On Lin Chen's back-end data screen, the "voting bloc" he could influence began to expand frantically:

12.35% → 25% → 37% → 49% → 51.3%...

It finally settled at: 58.2%.

More than half.

He looked up at the Council seats.

"Now," Lin Chen said, "back to the first item on the agenda."

"The no-confidence vote against the Council—"

"Restarting now."

The Starlight Humanoid slowly stood up.

Its light began to fluctuate violently, and for the first time, an emotion similar to "exhaustion" appeared in its voice:

"Lin Chen, you win."

"But you should know—overthrowing the Council means you must bear all the responsibility."

"The Zeroing, the civilizations, the platform's future... now, they are all yours."

Lin Chen nodded.

"I know."

"Therefore—"

He clicked [Support].

Behind him, the 58.2% torrent of equity cast their votes along with him.

[No-confidence motion passed.]

[The current Council is hereby dissolved.]

[Provisional Management Committee established. Chairman: Lin Chen (holding 1.35%, but controlling 58.2% of the voting power).]

The lights of the nine Council seats went out simultaneously.

The figures in six of those seats stared fixedly at Lin Chen before disappearing, their eyes filled with deep-seated hatred.

But Lin Chen didn't look at them.

He looked out the window.

The Zeroing Storm was only 3 hours away from the nearest civilization sector.

And in his hands, he finally held the power to change everything.

"Now," he announced to the entire universe, "the 'pay-to-win principle' is now fully activated."

"All civilizations, prepare to receive protection."

"We—"

"Are going to start saving the market."}

],