28: Reviewing the achievements

The bonfire crackled, and orange-red flames licked at the rabbit meat skewered on branches.

Fat dripped and sizzled in the fire, and the rich aroma of meat permeated the night.

Lu Yuan tore off a piece of golden-brown, oily rabbit leg, blew on it, and eagerly took a big Bite.

The skin was slightly charred, but the inside was incredibly tender, with a hint of the wild flavor unique to demonic beasts; although there were no seasonings, it was more delicious than any barbecue he had ever eaten on Earth.

“Hiss… ha… so good!”

He praised indistinctly while devouring the food.

After a whole day of hard work, his body and mind were already exhausted.

Now, with the warm food in his stomach, warmth flowed through his limbs, dispelling much of his fatigue.

Lu Yuan let out a satisfied burp after quickly finishing two plump rabbit legs, feeling his strength recover significantly.

He leaned against a tree trunk and began to tally the spoils from the Giant Horned Rabbit camp.

Dozens of Giant Horned Rabbits provided a large quantity of Giant Horned Rabbit hides.

Although their quality was only white, not as valuable as Gray Wolf hides, they made up for it in quantity; after tanning, they could still sell for several hundred to over a thousand star coins.

Better than nothing.

As for the rabbit meat… there was too much, his backpack couldn't hold it all, so he could only eat some on the spot, and the rest would have to be wasted.

The biggest surprise was still the six one-star green quality Wind Spirit Butterfly beast taming cards.

Given the unscrupulousness of Old Li, the owner of the material shop at the Outpost, a green card selling for four to five thousand star coins would not be a problem.

Six cards, that would be a solid twenty-four thousand star coins or more!

He could consider buying the two-star green card, Shadow Cat, from the veteran's general store.

That was an excellent reconnaissance and stealth-type beast taming card, much stronger than the Wind Bamboo Worm.

However, after a brief moment of satisfaction, a wave of worry quietly surged in his heart.

The scene of the Raging Waves Sea Soul descending involuntarily appeared in his mind.

That world-destroying power, the terrifying force that instantly crushed the three-tier five-star Gray Wolf King into dust… and, after summoning, the Source Power was instantly drained, and his consciousness plunged into extreme weakness.

He still remembered Liu Shan's scrutinizing gaze.

Although he managed to bluff his way through with his acting and the circumstances, the feeling of walking on the edge of a cliff left him with lingering fear.

gold card!

The Raging Waves Sea Soul far exceeded the scope of what his current tier could control.

Every time he used it, it was a gamble!

A gamble that he wouldn't be instantly drained, a gamble that it wouldn't leave inexplicable traces, a gamble that it wouldn't be discovered by people with ulterior motives!

He got lucky this time, but what about next time?

Moreover, the second Guaranteed Gold Drop was coming soon.

This gold card was not only his trump card but also a Sword of Damocles hanging over his head!

One must know that killing a Card Master could drop cards.

Once exposed, it would not only attract small local forces like the Black Water Gang.

It would probably alarm the Jiang City authorities, and even higher-level existences.

At that time, how could he, an ordinary student with no power or influence, protect this secret?

“I must be cautious, extremely cautious!”

Lu Yuan silently warned himself.

The Raging Waves Sea Soul must never be used lightly unless it's a life-or-death situation!

That faint pressure was feasible for catching Wind Spirit Butterflies, but he still needed to control the range and intensity to avoid attracting unnecessary attention.

Currently, besides the risk of the gold card, there was also the threat of the Black Water Gang.

Zhao She suffered such a huge loss; he would never let it go.

They had already set their sights on the Beast Hunting Zone and had likely guessed that his strength improvement was related to an “adventure” in the Beast Hunting Zone.

He couldn't go back to the Outpost either.

The proprietress might have already sold him out, and the Black Water Gang was probably on their way to find him.

He must improve his strength as quickly as possible, reaching a level where he could protect himself, and even retaliate!

Lu Yuan took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, and began to assess his current combat power.

Origin Card: Raging Waves Sea Soul (Two-star · Gold)

Skills: Tidal Turtle Shell, Spiral Thorns, Sea Soul Tenacity

Status: Soul-bound, slowly growing.

Evaluation: Trump card, not to be used lightly.

Held cards:

1. Swamp Crocodile (Four-star · Blue)

Skills: Death Roll, Swamp Stalk, Hardened Skin

Evaluation: Current main tank and damage dealer, thick-skinned and tough, with decent attack. The drawback is that it's not an Origin Card, so it cannot fully realize its potential, and it appears somewhat powerless against truly high-tier enemies (like the Gray Wolf King).

2. Shadow Mantis (Two-star · White)

Skills: Shadow Concealment, Rapid Slash

Evaluation: Excellent assassin-type beast taming card, fast and sharp in attack, especially effective against enemies of the same tier or even some higher-tier, low-quality demonic beasts when enhanced by Sharpness Technique. The drawback is its fragile body, requiring precise control.

3. Wind Bamboo Worm (Two-star · White)

Skills: Low-Altitude Reconnaissance, Breeze Interference

Evaluation: Basic reconnaissance card, better than nothing, limited reconnaissance range and clarity, weak interference ability. Urgently needs replacement.

4. Wind Spirit Butterfly (One-star · Green) x 6

Skills: Breeze

Evaluation: Merchandise, for sale.

5. Sharpness Technique (One-star · White)

Type: Skill card

Effect: Temporarily increases the sharpness and penetration of physical attacks.

Evaluation: Works exceptionally well with the Shadow Mantis, high cost-effectiveness.

Bite (Three-star · White)

Type: Skill card

Effect: Grants the target a powerful Bite attack, with a small bleeding effect.

Evaluation: A three-star skill card, decent power, but not highly compatible with the current card set. Perhaps it could be used for the Swamp Crocodile? Or sold directly for money.

Overall, his card deck configuration was definitely considered luxurious among apprentices of the same tier.

The four-star blue card Swamp Crocodile was enough to overwhelm most opponents.

The burst power of the Shadow Mantis combined with Sharpness Technique was also very strong.

But the problem was that, apart from the Raging Waves Sea Soul as his trump card, he lacked a stable, efficient, and conventional method to resolve battles.

Although the Swamp Crocodile was strong, it was ultimately someone else's card, with limited synergy and potential.

The Shadow Mantis was more geared towards sneak attacks and finishing blows, lacking frontal combat capability.

Once he encountered powerful enemies or a large number of them, he could easily fall into a hard fight, or even be forced to expose his gold card.

“I still need to level up quickly and increase my Source Power limit!”

Lu Yuan's eyes flickered.

Having two Origin Card slots was one of the biggest advantages he gained from his transmigration.

Once he integrated the second gold card into the second Origin Card slot, his overall strength would undergo a qualitative leap.

Perhaps even—a direct promotion to Tier Two Novice!

“The talent cooldown still has… over a day.”

Lu Yuan glanced at the cooldown, then completely extinguished the bonfire, burying the traces with soil, leaving no hint of smoke.

He found a sheltered hollow, sat cross-legged, and began to restore his Source Power, while also attempting to break through the last 3 points of Source Power limit.

The night grew deeper.

Only the chirping of unknown insects and the occasional low roar of wild beasts remained in the forest.

Lu Yuan's mind was calm, and invisible Source Power flowed gently within him like a trickling stream, nourishing his spirit and slowly pushing against the invisible bottleneck.

Source Power: 80 / 87

Source Power: 81 / 87

...Just as he was fully focused, about to touch the threshold of 88 points of Source Power limit.

Huh?

Lu Yuan suddenly opened his eyes!

An extremely subtle, almost imperceptible feeling of being watched, like a venomous snake, coiled around his back!

It wasn't a delusion!

He instantly tensed his body, but outwardly he remained calm, maintaining his cross-legged posture, breathing steadily.

His Source Power perception silently spread outwards.

The dark dense forest was silent.

The wind rustled through the leaves.

Other than that, there was no other movement.

But the feeling of being watched had not disappeared!

Who is it?

Black Water Gang's pursuers? Did they find him so quickly?

Not quite.

If it were the Black Water Gang, with their modus operandi, they would have probably swarmed him already, or directly ambushed him with cards.

This hidden, unrevealed presence felt more like… an experienced veteran?

Or, other Card Masters who were attracted?

Lu Yuan's thoughts raced, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He could feel that the opponent's strength was definitely not weak!

At least, stronger than him!

Moreover, the opponent was extremely well hidden; his Source Power perception could only vaguely pinpoint a general direction, but couldn't determine the exact location and distance.

This indicated that the opponent was either skilled in stealth techniques or their tier was far higher than his!

Whichever the case, it was extremely unfavorable for him!

He couldn't just sit there and wait to die!

Lu Yuan slowly took a breath, forcing himself to calm down.

He slowly stood up, pretending to stretch his limbs, his eyes casually sweeping in the direction from which the feeling of being watched came—to his front left, behind a huge ancient tree about fifty meters away.

It was pitch black there, and nothing could be seen clearly.

But his intuition told him that the opponent was there!

What to do?

Directly summon the Swamp Crocodile and charge over?

No, that's too reckless. If the opponent's strength was overwhelming, or if they had accomplices, it would be walking into a trap.

Sneak away?

Since the opponent could pinpoint him, he would probably be immediately exposed the moment he moved.

Lu Yuan's hand quietly gripped the Swamp Crocodile card tucked into the side of his backpack.

The tangible feel of it reassured him slightly.

At the same time, his mind also sank into his Origin Card slot, ready to communicate with the Raging Waves Sea Soul at any moment.

Although he didn't want to use it, if it truly came to a life-or-death situation, he wouldn't care so much.

He maintained a standing posture, seemingly relaxed, but in reality, all his muscles were tensed, and Source Power was poised within him.

He was waiting.

Waiting for the opponent to make the first move.

Or, waiting for a suitable moment.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

Every second became incredibly long.

A silent oppression permeated the air.

The feeling of being watched persisted.

What was hidden in the darkness?