71: When it encounters favorable winds and clouds, it transforms into a dragon!

"Go!"

Lin Haige didn't say another word, turning to leave the VIP section.

To the provincial capital!

This debt will absolutely not be settled like this!

Lu Yuan heard the final judgment and stepped away.

A fine of ten million?

All his current assets combined were just enough to pay the fine.

However, he might not need to make a move... The competition venue was severely damaged and could not continue.

The organizing committee urgently announced that the elimination rounds would be suspended for two days, resuming the day after tomorrow at Jiangcheng Martial Arts University's backup advanced combat venue.

That night.

All major media in Jiangcheng, whether official newspapers or online platforms, had their headlines dominated by the same name—Lu Yuan!

"Violent Crushing! Qingteng New Star Lu Yuan's Double gold card Shows Power, Lin Family Young Master Tragically Eliminated!"

"Monster Descends! Water-Type Giant Turtle Destroys Arena in One Blow, Card Master Tournament Nearly Halted!"

"Venue Destroyer? golden falcon youth? turtle emperor? Lu Yuan, Angel or Devil?!"

"In-Depth Analysis: [Light Falcon] and [Giant Turtle], The Strategic Value of a Double gold card Combination!"

The news headlines were more sensational than the last.

The accompanying pictures were even more impactful.

There was the majestic posture of the [Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon] with its brilliant lightning.

There was the colossal body of the [Raging Waves Sea Soul] covering the sky.

And there was that terrifying giant crater, as if struck by a meteor, as well as Lin Dong's unrecognizable, mosaic-blurred figure on a stretcher.

Public discussion showed a polarized trend.

Some marveled at the terrifying strength Lu Yuan displayed, seeing him as Jiangcheng's future hope and a representative of the rise of the common folk.

"Too strong! This is a true genius!"

"Double gold card! I've never seen one in my life!"

"Well done! It's time to teach those rich second-generation bullies a lesson!"

Others feared Lu Yuan's ruthless methods, believing him to be an anti-social element who must be severely dealt with.

"Too cruel! This is clearly attempted murder!"

"Leaving such a person in society is a ticking time bomb!"

"He must be severely punished! His competition qualification must be revoked!"

Infamy and prestige coexisted.

The name Lu Yuan, overnight, resounded throughout Jiangcheng!

...The next morning.

The tournament organizing committee officially announced its disciplinary decision regarding Lu Yuan.

A fine of ten million star coins and one severe warning.

Less than ten minutes after the disciplinary decision was announced.

Jiangcheng Yao Family Group's official website released an announcement.

It stated that Mr. Yao Tianxiao, the group's president, highly appreciated contestant Lu Yuan's potential and fighting spirit, and decided to pay his fine in full.

It also stated that this payment was an "early investment and support" for Jiangcheng's future talented new star.

As soon as the announcement was made, it once again ignited public opinion!

The Yao Family was openly taking a side!

They had completely taken Lu Yuan under their wing!

This was not only a gesture of goodwill but also a warning to all potential hostile forces!

To touch Lu Yuan was to touch the Yao Family!

To touch the Jiangcheng Yao Family was to touch the Canglan Yao Family!

Those minor forces that were originally eager to take advantage of the situation to step on Lu Yuan or covet the gold card on him instantly quieted down.

They could not bear the Lin Family's wrath.

They also dared not offend the Yao Family's authority!

...Qingteng High School, boys' dormitory.

Lu Yuan sat cross-legged on the bed, slowly breathing in and out.

Source Power had long been replenished, but it was mainly mental energy; prolonged use of the gold card in combat.

Indeed, it caused him considerable mental exhaustion, but the benefits were also obvious.

His Source Power limit had increased by a few points, and he was not far from the threshold of a second-tier, four-star Card Master!

With a slight thought, he brought up the system panel that only he could see.

"Name: Lu Yuan"

"Race: Huaxia Human Race"

"Level: Second-tier, Three-star Apprentice Card Master"

"Source Power: 132 / 132"

"Talent: Guaranteed Gold Drop, Cooldown: 36 hours: 53 minutes"

"Identity: Card Continent Citizen / Earth Human (Activated: 24%)"

"source card Slots: 2 / 4 (Currently Available: 2)"

Not bad.

Lu Yuan closed the panel, his eyes slightly warm.

In less than two days, he could get a gold card again!

If he worked hard these two days, he might even be able to rush to five-star apprentice in one go!

"Knock knock knock."

A knock on the door sounded.

Lu Yuan got up to open the door.

Standing at the door was Yao Xiao, with a slightly flushed face, carrying a delicate insulated lunchbox.

The young girl's attire today was clearly meticulously styled.

"Lu Yuan..."

Her voice was a little timid; unconsciously, that sense of distance had become faint.

The young man in front of her was no longer the naive Student Lu Yuan who had asked her to borrow a card.

A golden carp is no mere pond creature; once it encounters a storm, it transforms into a dragon!

"Come in."

Lu Yuan stepped aside.

"Mhm."

Yao Xiao walked into the dormitory and placed the insulated lunchbox on the table.

"My mother asked me to bring this to you, she said... to nourish your body."

Lu Yuan opened the insulated lunchbox, and a rich medicinal aroma wafted out.

It was a nourishing soup made from precious medicinal ingredients and the bone marrow of exotic beasts.

"Thank Auntie for me."

Lu Yuan picked up a spoon and took a sip; a warm current instantly surged through his body, and the speed of his Source Power circulation seemed to quicken by a few points.

Yao Xiao looked at Lu Yuan, wanting to speak but hesitating.

"Just say what you want to say," Lu Yuan said.

"That... the Lin Family..." Yao Xiao bit her lip, "My dad said that Lin Haige left Jiangcheng overnight yesterday for the provincial capital."

"Still not giving up?" Lu Yuan was not surprised.

"My dad told you not to worry, the Yao Family will closely monitor the Lin Family's movements in Canglan and won't give them any opportunity."

"Thank Uncle Yao for me," Lu Yuan nodded.

He appreciated the Yao Family's support.

What he lacked most now was time; many important figures had already sought him out privately last night, and even representatives from the military had extended olive branches to him.

He still maintained a wait-and-see attitude.

If the Yao Family wasn't reliable, he would enlist, attend a military academy, kill a million demonic beasts, become a ninth-tier big shot, and then return to the newbie village for a massacre.

Bah, bah, bah, he was getting carried away.

"Oh, right," Lu Yuan suddenly remembered something, "The best high-end, safe residential area in Jiangcheng is called Yujing Garden, right?"

"Hmm? Yes, that's right."

"You want to buy a house?"

"Do you know the specific situation there? Like security level, and... purchase channels."

"Yujing Garden?" Yao Xiao thought for a moment, "The security there is said to be top-notch in Jiangcheng, with a twenty-four-hour patrol team composed of retired soldiers and three-tier veteran Card Masters, and an energy defense array covering the entire community that can withstand the full impact of a fifth-tier Source Power wave."

"As for purchase channels... it's a membership system there; you need sufficient proof of assets or a social status referral... You want to buy a house there?"

"Yes, to buy one for my parents," Lu Yuan said frankly, "The place they live now isn't very safe anymore."

After all these events, and now with the addition of the Lin Family, he had to quickly resolve his parents' safety issue.

"I understand!" Yao Xiao immediately said, "Leave this to me! I'll go back and have my dad help contact them; I'll definitely find you the best property!"

The young girl patted her chest, guaranteeing, her tone finally becoming cheerful.

After seeing Yao Xiao off, Lu Yuan opened the internal forum for Jiangcheng Card Masters.

As expected, discussions about him had already flooded the screen.

The top few hot posts had extremely striking titles.

"Technical Analysis: The Terrifying Defense and Suppression Capabilities of Giant Beast Tamers, Suspected to be a Mutated Ancient Species!"

"On the Suppressive Power of Double gold cards, Does Lu Yuan Already Possess the Strength to Challenge Tier Three?"

"New Nicknames Released: 'turtle emperor', 'Land Fortress'! A Review of Lu Yuan's Highlight Moments in This Tournament!"

"Rational Discussion: Lu Yuan vs. Lin Dong, Was There Excessive Self-Defense?"

The replies below were even more heated.

Some wildly praised him, seeing him as an idol.

Some calmly analyzed and discussed card tactics.

Others questioned and cursed, believing his methods were cruel.

Lu Yuan casually scrolled through a few, then lost interest.

These empty reputations, to him, meant little.

Strength was the standard by which everything was measured.

He continued to cultivate cross-legged.

Time flew, and night deepened.

Lu Yuan turned off the light, preparing to rest and conserve his energy for tomorrow's competition.

"Knock knock knock."

Another knock on the door.

So late, Yao Xiao?

Not pretending anymore?

Lu Yuan, with one part doubt and nine parts anticipation, got up and opened the dormitory door.

The result—

What met his eyes was a burly man—Sun Libang!

He was wearing a jacket, with a lewd smile on his face, his eyes shifty as he glanced into the room.

Teacher Sun, why was he here so late? To give him special tutoring?

"Student Lu Yuan."

Sun Libang, not seeing anyone else, spoke first,

"Can we talk?"

"About the truth of this world..."

"And... the true origin of your two gold cards!"

...