54: clown

It wasn't until the afternoon that the Honor Class began its lessons.

Lu Yuan and the others quickly took their seats, and the atmosphere in the classroom was somewhat subtle.

Although the commotion at the abandoned factory in the southern suburbs last night was quickly suppressed by the Yao Family, it didn't cause a stir on the surface.

However, the overnight collapse of the Black Water Gang, a local syndicate that had been entrenched in Jiangcheng for many years, with its leader Black Crow and second-in-command White Paper Fan disappearing without a trace, was news that couldn't be kept secret in certain circles.

Many students from well-connected families had heard rumors to varying degrees.

Their gazes towards Lu Yuan now carried an unknown sense of awe.

Of course, there were also those who were dismissive, or rather, deliberately acted dismissive.

On the podium, the figure of Dean of Students Sun Libang appeared, and the classroom instantly fell silent.

Sun Libang scanned the room, his gaze briefly lingering on Lu Yuan before moving away.

"Students, the preferential resources of the Honor Class are not for you to rest on your laurels."

With these words of encouragement, the class officially began.

"Let's return to what we discussed last time: for a Second-Tier Card Master, the core lies in deck construction."

"While the source card is undoubtedly important, what truly matters at your current stage is building a combat system around it, pairing it with suitable beast taming cards, skill cards, and equipment cards to create synergy, counter specific threats, and adapt to different combat situations."

Sun Libang's finger gestured in the air.

"The biggest difference between an apprentice and a journeyman lies in the application of cards!"

"The era of solo combat is long past; the synergy of a card deck often determines victory more than the strength of individual cards."

"To test your recent learning achievements, and to select candidates for the upcoming Jiangcheng Card Master Newcomer Competition."

He changed the subject, dropping a bombshell.

"Starting today, the Honor Class will hold its first in-class practical combat ranking."

"The competition will adopt a single-elimination system, and the final ranking will directly affect the resource allocation you receive in the future, as well as your qualification to represent Qingteng High School in the Newcomer Competition!"

As his voice faded, discussions immediately erupted in the classroom.

Practical combat!

Ranking!

Resources!

Newcomer Competition qualification!

Every word stimulated the nerves of these chosen few.

This was not just a ranking of strength, but a battle for their future!

Lu Yuan's heart also stirred slightly; he was determined to win the Newcomer Competition.

This class ranking was precisely the springboard he needed to showcase his strength and secure better resources.

Just then, a slightly sarcastic voice spoke up.

"Practical combat, excellent."

It was Lin Dong, the son of the Jiangcheng card Association President.

He sat in the front row, slowly twirling a pen in his hand.

"It's a good chance for certain people who rely solely on luck, or who have latched onto powerful connections, to reveal their true colors."

"In the world of Card Masters, ultimately, it's personal hard power that speaks."

Although he didn't name names, his meaningful gaze subtly drifted towards Lu Yuan's direction.

The atmosphere in the classroom immediately became even more delicate.

Many knew about the business disputes between the Lin Family and the Yao Family; his words now were clearly a provocation.

He was provoking Yao Xiao through Lu Yuan.

Yao Xiao's delicate brows furrowed slightly. Lin Dong's strength had always been inferior to hers, and his father often suppressed him in business. She wondered what had gotten into him today to be so hostile.

Lu Yuan, however, seemed not to have heard, his expression calm. For such a clown, ignoring him was the best response.

Seeing no reaction from the two, Lin Dong felt bored, snorted, and said no more.

Sun Libang turned a blind eye to this minor conflict and continued to announce the rules.

"The combat will take place in the academy's simulated combat arena."

"Opponents will be decided by drawing lots. Let's begin now."

The large screen at the front of the classroom lit up, and names scrolled rapidly.

A moment later, it froze.

The first round's match list was clearly displayed.

Following Lu Yuan's name was—Zhao Qiang.

Zhao Qiang?

Lu Yuan didn't have much impression of the name, but as for the surname, well, he had just killed one last night.

But a round-bodied, fat-faced boy sitting next to Lin Dong suddenly stood up, a malicious look on his face.

He made a throat-slitting gesture towards Lu Yuan's direction.

Extremely arrogant.

Lin Dong patted Zhao Qiang's shoulder with satisfaction.

"Perform well, don't embarrass me."

"Don't worry, Brother Dong! It's just a gold card, watch how I wear him down!"

Yao Xiao leaned closer to Lu Yuan and whispered.

"I'm sorry, Lu Yuan, the Lin Family and our family have always been business rivals. This time, you've been dragged into it."

"I don't know what's gotten into him this time; he must have suffered a loss from my father and wants to get back at me. How childish."

Lu Yuan spread his hands, indicating it was fine.

A kid who just entered the Second-Tier couldn't pull any tricks... Simulated Combat Arena.

Above the spacious arena, a light blue energy shield enveloped the area.

Around it were tiered spectator stands, already filled with many students from parallel classes.

All had come to watch the spectacle.

Interestingly, the first match of the first round was Lu Yuan versus Zhao Qiang.

This duel undoubtedly attracted everyone's attention.

They all wanted to see what kind of combat power Lu Yuan, who possessed a gold card, would unleash.

Zhao Qiang was the first to step onto the combat arena, his chubby face filled with excitement.

Lin Dong had lent him a skill card, enough to stomp the face of this gold card prodigy into the ground!

"Lu Yuan! I hear you're quite arrogant, aren't you?"

He sneered, directly revealing his card.

"Today, Brother Qiang here will teach you what it means to respect your elders!"

Buzz!

The card glowed.

A medium-sized hunting dog, its body burning with orange-red flames, appeared in the arena.

It was the Second-Tier blue three-star [Flame Hound].

As soon as the [Flame Hound] appeared, it let out a fierce roar towards Lu Yuan, full of aggressive momentum.

In the stands, Lin Dong leaned back in his chair, watching with interest.

In his opinion, even if Lu Yuan had a gold card, activating it would require immense Source Power.

He wouldn't be able to last long at all.

Although Zhao Qiang's [Flame Hound] was only a three-star blue card, he also had a purple skill card, [Immovable Cold Mountain Bell], which was practically a turtle shell, enough to wear Lu Yuan down!

In this battle, Lu Yuan was bound to lose!

A solid slap to the Yao Family's face!

Sun Libang stood at the edge of the arena, a keen glint flickering deep within his seemingly cloudy old eyes.

After the warehouse battle, what kind of strength did the youth with two gold cards possess... Under the gaze of all.

Lu Yuan said not a word, simply raised his hand, and a card quietly appeared at his fingertips.

There was no earth-shattering aura, no dazzling light.

It wasn't a gold card!

Buzz—!

Accompanied by the rising of eerie green flames.

A two-headed Hellhound, far larger than the [Flame Hound], lithe and exuding explosive power, appeared before everyone!

Its two ferocious heads burned with chilling, eerie green eye-fire!

Beneath its pitch-black fur were bulging, coiled muscles!

The king of kings, the [Hellhound]!

Blue, five-star!

"Hiss—!!!"

"What is that?!"

"A two-headed dog? Such a terrifying aura!"

"A five-star blue card?! Where did he get it?!"

"My god... I thought he only had a gold card? How is his regular beast taming card so monstrous?!"

In the center of the arena, Zhao Qiang's face instantly turned ugly!

This guy, he was still taming beasts this morning, and he can use it this afternoon?

Damn it, what kind of monstrous control is that?

His proud [Flame Hound], under the terrifying pressure of the [Hellhound]'s aura, actually whimpered and retreated half a step, its body flames dimming a bit!

Species-level suppression!

"Damn it, go! Tear it apart!!!"

...