47: A diversionary tactic to lure reinforcements; Black Crow appears, his killing intent palpable.

Again!

No way!

How long has it been? Not even a day!

Lu Yuan sprang up from the ground, Source Power instantly surged, he put away the mysterious fragment, and his entire being transformed into an afterimage, rushing out of the advanced training room.

Homeroom Teacher's office was on the third floor of the Administrative Building.

Lu Yuan leaped several times, directly jumping through the window, even stumbling a bit when he landed.

He had never been so flustered.

"Teacher Qian!"

He shoved open the office door.

However—

It was empty inside.

The desk was tidy, files were neatly arranged, the windows were closed, and only the evening glow filtered through the glass, casting dim yellow light spots on the floor.

Homeroom Teacher was not there at all!

Something was wrong!

His gaze suddenly locked onto the center of the desk.

There, a note was pressed down.

It wasn't printed, it was handwritten.

The handwriting was messy and arrogant, exuding a strong sense of malice.

"If you want to save your parents, come alone to the abandoned factory in the southern suburbs."

The signature had only two words.

"—Black Crow."

Black Crow!

A trap!

Homeroom Teacher's call was fake!

Or rather, Homeroom Teacher herself had been coerced!

Black Water Gang!

That lingering White Paper Fan had just appeared in the Star Brilliance Secret Market, and his warning was still fresh in his ears.

Now, Black Crow had personally stepped in; they couldn't even wait a day, or even half a day!

His Guaranteed Gold Drop could be activated in two days, but they chose to cause trouble at such a critical moment.

Last night downstairs in the community, those mysterious people took away the Black Water Gang's informant.

But what about this time?

Black Crow personally made a move! A Fourth-Rank Elite Card Master!

The opponent specifically asked him to go alone!

The abandoned factory in the southern suburbs, just hearing it sounded like a bad place, remote and desolate.

There, a net was surely laid out!

What was the difference between him rushing over now and committing suicide?

Even if he had two gold source cards, even if he had just grasped a sliver of Source Power Resonance, he couldn't even fully activate a gold card!

Facing a Fourth-Tier Card Master going all out, he had no chance of winning!

What to do?

Call the police? The City Hall?

Lu Yuan instantly dismissed the idea.

Not to mention the time and efficiency required for official intervention.

Once the authorities were alerted, would the Black Water Gang become desperate and directly kill the hostages?

He didn't dare to gamble!

He had to go, but he absolutely couldn't go alone!

A figure flashed through his mind.

Nickname!

Yao Family!

Canglan Province Yao Family Enterprises!

A Card Master family with Sixth Rank Grandmasters in charge!

Her father, Yao Tianxiao, was a Fourth-Tier Card Master!

This was the only lifeline he could grasp right now!

Without the slightest hesitation, Lu Yuan turned and rushed out of the office, heading once again towards the female dormitory area of Venus Tower... "Thump, thump, thump!"

The urgent knocking sound rang out again.

Nickname had just finished washing up, wearing loose pajamas, her hair still a bit damp.

She opened the door suspiciously and was startled to see Lu Yuan's anxious face at the entrance.

"Lu Yuan? What are you doing again? So late at night..."

Before she could finish, Lu Yuan had already stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

"Something's happened! I need your help!"

Nickname looked at his extremely serious expression and his bloodshot eyes, her heart sinking.

She realized that this time, it was probably not a joke.

"What's wrong?"

Lu Yuan quickly summarized receiving Homeroom Teacher's call, finding the note in the office, and Black Crow specifically asking him to go to the abandoned factory in the southern suburbs to save his parents.

"Black Crow personally stepped in?" Nickname gasped, "They captured your parents?"

"Most likely!" Lu Yuan gritted his teeth, "It's the second time, and I can't reach them."

Nickname's face completely changed; she knew the seriousness of the situation.

The Black Water Gang had completely torn off their disguise and resorted to any means!

Black Crow, he was a Fourth-Tier Card Master of the same rank as her father.

Lu Yuan going alone would be certain death!

"Wait a moment!"

Nickname immediately took out her phone and dialed a number.

The phone rang a few times before being answered.

"Hello, Dad." Nickname's voice was urgent.

"Nickname? So late, what is it?" A magnetic baritone voice came from the other end of the phone, it was Yao Tianxiao.

Nickname glanced at Lu Yuan beside her and quickly repeated the situation.

"...Black Crow specifically named Lu Yuan to go alone to the abandoned factory in the southern suburbs, and his parents are very likely in their hands."

The other end of the phone fell silent.

Yao Tianxiao was clearly weighing the pros and cons quickly.

To confront the leader of the Black Water Gang, the local snake of Jiangcheng, head-on for a gold card student?

Even... a fight to the death, was it worth it?

Lu Yuan's heart was in his throat.

He knew this was his only chance.

He suddenly stepped forward and shouted into Nickname's phone:

"Mr. Yao! I know this request is presumptuous, and I know it will put the Yao Family at risk."

"But I can guarantee it with my future!"

"As long as you can help me rescue my parents and ensure the safety of me and my family!"

He took a deep breath, a resolute light flashing in his eyes.

"I am willing to transfer one of my gold beast taming cards to Miss Yao for five million star coins!"

Five million!

A gold beast taming card!

This was almost half, then half again, of the market price!

Nickname's eyes widened suddenly, looking at Lu Yuan in disbelief.

She knew the value of a gold card! It was a treasure that could drive countless Card Masters crazy!

He was actually willing to trade it?

Yao Tianxiao's breathing on the other end of the phone also seemed to pause slightly.

Still silent.

Every second felt as long as a century.

Lu Yuan's palms were already covered in cold sweat.

Finally, Yao Tianxiao's voice rang out again.

"Five million, a gold beast taming card, in exchange for your and your family's safety."

"Lu Yuan, is that the name? Are you sure?"

"I'm sure!" Lu Yuan said decisively.

"Good." Yao Tianxiao made his decision, "I can make a move."

"But you must remember, I, Yao Tianxiao, am a businessman and a Card Master."

"If afterwards, you don't produce that gold card, or if there's any problem with the card..."

His voice suddenly turned cold.

"I will personally make a move and 'take' it back from you."

"Even if it's just a broken card!"

Lu Yuan didn't hesitate: "It's a deal!"

"Get ready, my people will be at the school to pick you up immediately."

The call ended.

Nickname looked at him, her eyes complex.

"You... you're really going to sell the gold card?"

Lu Yuan nodded, his expression without a trace of heartache.

"In my eyes, my parents' safety is more important than anything else."

"And with safety ensured, your friendship and mine are worth far more than just a gold card."

There was another sentence he didn't say.

If it weren't for fear of death, the things you dream of, I can provide them in bulk... Ten minutes later.

An incredibly futuristic silver hovercar stopped directly in the shadows outside Venus Tower.

School security didn't dare to stop it, pretending not to see it.

The car door opened, and a tall, upright middle-aged man stepped out.

He was wearing a well-tailored black suit, with handsome features and a dignified air from being in a high position for a long time.

It was Nickname's father, Yao Tianxiao!

He came alone, without any attendants.

But Lu Yuan could clearly feel the immense Source Power within him, like a dormant volcano!

Fourth Rank Peak!

More than that, he was definitely a top-tier existence with half a foot in the Fifth Rank!

"Dad!" Nickname quickly went to meet him.

Yao Tianxiao nodded, his gaze falling on Lu Yuan, scrutinizing him.

That gaze seemed to penetrate everything, making Lu Yuan feel as if he was seen through from the inside out.

"You are Lu Yuan?" Yao Tianxiao spoke.

"Yes, Mr. Yao." Lu Yuan met his gaze, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Good courage." Yao Tianxiao nodded slightly, "I hope your strength matches your courage."

"Get in the car, there's not much time."

The three quickly got into the car.

The hovercar started, silently gliding into the night, speeding towards the southern suburbs.

Fifteen minutes later.

The hovercar drove out of the city, entering a desolate area.

On both sides of the road were abandoned factories and barren land, with only sparse streetlights.

Finally, the vehicle stopped behind a small grove of trees.

Not far ahead, the silhouette of a massive abandoned factory stood, its rusty iron gate tightly shut.

But strangely, inside the factory, scattered lights shone through, and some figures could vaguely be seen moving.

A powerful Fourth-Tier Card Master's pressure, carrying a strong scent of blood, like heavy dark clouds, enveloped the entire factory area, emitting a chilling sense of oppression!

Black Crow!

He was inside!

Waiting for them!

...