101: Scored twice

At this point, both sides had revealed their cards, and the action phase officially began.

This round, the two of them surprisingly showed a strange synchronicity.

They played identical cards.

"[LV2 Isolation]: Prevents 1 card from receiving Healing/damage effects for 3 rounds. (T1)" x2

Shi Li's target was Yuanshan Deputy Sect Leader, naturally to prevent the opponent from applying a shield.

Fang Jinghai's target was the Rock Giant Centipede; otherwise, if it recovered a significant amount of health, he would be the one spitting blood.

After playing their cards, both sides focused their attacks on their respective targets.

The Yuanshan Deputy Sect Leader was instantly killed, and the Rock Giant Centipede also lost 100 health.

After the round ended, the board looked like this:

[Earth Elemental Brat] [Empty]

[Western Crab] [Empty]

[Empty] [Empty]

VS

[Earth Companion] [Tiao Tiao]

[Earth Companion] [Horned Deer]

[Empty] [Red Blade Maiden] 50 / 100

[Rock Giant Centipede] 140 / 330

With this board state, the audience's opinions on the outcome began to shift.

"Shi Li's situation... looks a bit grim."

"140 health is already very unhealthy for this situation, and another 70 points will be lost next round."

"Falling below 100 would be dangerous. Once Fang Jinghai's ace is revealed, the situation is really unpredictable."

"No choice, Shi Li has to take such a risk by revealing his ace early."

In fact, Shi Li also knew that his ace's health couldn't be too low.

So, when the new round began, he chose to play Defense.

Unexpectedly, synchronicity was achieved once again, as Fang Jinghai also chose to have the Western Crab use Defense.

The remaining cards on both sides exchanged normal attacks.

After the round ended, the board looked like this:

[Earth Elemental Brat] [Empty]

[Western Crab] [Empty] 50 / 100

[Empty] [Empty]

VS

[Earth Companion] [Tiao Tiao]

[Earth Companion] [Horned Deer]

[Empty] [Red Blade Maiden] 50 / 100

[Rock Giant Centipede] 120 / 330

As the new round began, the actions of both sides changed slightly.

First, Fang Jinghai didn't play any cards because it was already meaningless.

The Western Crab, at 50/100 health, would definitely be eliminated this round regardless.

Shi Li, on the other hand, continued to play Defense for the Rock Giant Centipede.

After the round ended, the card statuses were as follows:

Rock Giant Centipede: 85 / 330

Red Blade Maiden: 60 / 100

Western Crab: Withdrew

"It's over."

Seeing this board, Fang Jinghai felt a sense of relief.

To be honest, the pressure Shi Li put on him was the greatest among all his peers he had fought.

But now, everything was over.

"Your ace still has 85 health, and I will focus all my cards on it next.

Even if you use Defense, it will be reduced to 65/100.

My ace can easily take it down."

He had even prepared his ace.

It was the classic two-star intelligent type character card, Shadow Mage.

Its Stun could break through Defense, and then with the 5+5 damage from 2 summoned cards.

60 attack power was just enough to crush the Rock Giant Centipede.

So, this round, what he needed to do was simple: just attack.

Thus, the new round quickly entered the action phase.

"[LV1 Isolation]: Prevents 1 card from receiving Healing/damage effects for 2 rounds. (T1)"

Fang Jinghai played his last Isolation card on the Rock Giant Centipede.

"Didn't expect it, did you? I also have 2 Isolation cards."

He showed Shi Li a victor's smile: "As long as I restrict your Healing this round and next, I've won."

"Is that so? Well, I have a bit more than you."

Shi Li said nonchalantly, "Besides 2 Isolation cards, I also have 2 Movement cards."

With that, he flipped his wrist.

This time, it wasn't pulled out of his pocket.

It was a genuine Movement card.

"What?!"

Fang Jinghai then watched, dumbfounded, as the Red Blade Maiden moved one space to the left, blocking the opponent's attack damage.

"You tricked me again!!!"

Fang Jinghai truly couldn't hold back.

"So what if I tricked you? If you're so capable, you trick me."

Shi Li spread his hands again.

"Hahahahaha! Good, good, good boy!"

Xiu Qingshan in the private room clapped his hands and burst out laughing when he saw this: "Truth and falsehood, falsehood and truth; he has grasped the essence of underhanded tactics!"

"..."

Deputy Curator He, standing by, was starting to sweat a little.

Listen to what you're saying.

But then again, those few in the Xiu family who inherited the family tradition are all like this.

They not only admit to being underhanded but are also proud of it.

"He's really to my liking. It's decided, I'm going to take him as my disciple and nurture him well."

Xiu Qingshan slapped his thigh.

"Huh?"

Director Hou next to him was stunned.

Wait a minute, what's going on?

Wasn't he already your disciple?

He had given so many favors before, mostly because of your influence, right?

And now he's pulling this on me?

Then all my previous investments... Oh, no.

But on second thought, Director Hou felt like it wasn't a big deal.

Although his process wasn't right, the outcome was correct.

In the ongoing card game, Shi Li's Movement could be said to have completely killed the match.

The Red Blade Maiden withstood 40 points of damage from the opponent and didn't die.

However, the Earth Elemental Brat was focused down and eliminated by the other 3 cards.

Fang Jinghai's ace would be met by 4 strong figures.

There was no way he could win.

The city-wide simulated unified examination for this year officially concluded.

It ended with Shi Li, using his Gold 8 rank, defeating a powerful Platinum 3 opponent, delivering a spectacular underdog victory.

The principals in the private room offered their comments.

"One can only say that Fang Jinghai's game was a bit regrettable, but in fact, not really."

"If he could have found an opening in his hand to play two Charge cards for the Earth Elemental Brat, he could have activated its skill again and completely blocked the Red Blade Maiden's movement path."

"But realistically, under Shi Li's high-pressure output, Fang Jinghai simply couldn't find those two rounds of opening."

"Wait a minute, if you think about it carefully, even if Shi Li hadn't bluffed with that Movement card, it wouldn't have prevented him from winning, right?"

"Exactly. If Fang Jinghai had revealed a counter-giant card or another output card in the third round, Shi Li could have completely moved the Jumping Guard to take the damage."

"..., then it can only be explained as a personal mischievous preference."

"The fundamental reason he was able to win was still the strategic choice of revealing his ace first."

"From a results-oriented perspective now, it was simply too wise."

Listening to everyone's comments, Principal Su's heart was already blooming with joy.

"Old Chen, did you forget something?"

But right now, the most important thing was to enjoy the moment first.

"..., Big Brother."

Principal Chen accepted his loss.

A card player's rank feedback would also be reflected in their lifespan.

Therefore, the higher a card player's rank, the longer their lifespan.

For example, Principal Chen, who looked like an ordinary person in his sixties or seventies, was actually 110 years old this year.

While Principal Su was only ninety-nine.

Making him call the other party "Big Brother" was indeed quite displeasing.

"Excellent! Excellent!"

Principal Su patted the other's shoulder vigorously, his grin stretching to his ears.

...

...