114: Durian seeds vs. pineapple seeds

“The five students from Durian City all have very strong card decks.”

Teacher Li began to introduce them to him.

“The lowest ranked among them has reached Platinum 1, and the highest has reached Platinum 4.”

“The highest ranked, Platinum 4, is their number one seed, Lu Xinran. She is the one you should be most wary of.”

“Her strength is completely on par with Ouyang Huan from Jiangdu City, and she is Star Card Hall’s only B-level contractor in the entire province.”

“Lu Xinran?”

Shi Li felt this name was quite unfamiliar; he hadn't seen her during the tryouts.

“She missed the Jiangnan University tryouts for some reason, but she’s already been pre-admitted to Starlight University, so it doesn't matter if she comes or not.”

Teacher Li explained.

Hearing that, she truly was a formidable opponent.

One must know that Platinum 4 was already the peak of a 4+1 deck.

Once one reached Platinum 5, a 5+1 deck would be unlocked.

Subsequently, Teacher Li meticulously introduced and analyzed the characteristics and styles of each person's card deck to Shi Li.

By the time the introductions were finished, it was almost dinner time.

So, after thanking his old teacher, Shi Li exited the virtual space.

“Dinner’s ready.”

Just then, Shi Yuan knocked on the door.

At the dinner table, Shi Li casually asked Shi Yuan about his recent academic progress.

The kid picked things up quite quickly and had already obtained a one-star Unique Character Card, advancing to become Platinum 1.

However, the success rate of his simulated missions wasn't high, and he had ruined several one-star token cards.

For a normal card player, especially a newly awakened one, this was commonplace.

Shi Li gave his brother all the no-star material cards he had acquired during this period. Although these items were mostly useless, they could still sell for one or two hundred yuan on the market.

The main purpose was to let Shi Yuan practice and learn how to make cards.

If he was lucky, there was a possibility of upgrading a no-star Unique Character Card to a one-star using no-star material cards.

As for the one-star material cards, Shi Li also selectively gave him a few.

It wasn't that he was stingy with his brother, but he couldn't give too much for free at once.

Things obtained without labor or cost are often not cherished.

Not knowing the difficulty of acquisition could have an adverse impact on a card player's growth process.

It had nothing to do with whether the other party was his brother; rather, he understood the weaknesses of human nature.

Amidst Shi Yuan's repeated shouts of “Long live, Big Brother!”, Shi Li returned to his room.

He rested and prepared, awaiting tomorrow's duel.

Day 6 of the previous stage arrived, and the number of online participants in the College Entrance Examination Duel Space was still very high.

Because the students who had lost still needed to play many matches in the loser's bracket, they would experience even more card games than Shi Li, who had won all his matches.

“Your opponent will be randomly matched in 1:17.”

The countdown ticked away, second by second, and Shi Li waited quietly.

Soon, a figure appeared across the card table.

“Shi Li?”

“Hello, Wang Ji.”

Clearly, both sides recognized each other.

With a “Platinum 3” tag above his head, it was hard for Shi Li not to recognize him.

Among the five people from Durian City, only the number two seed, Wang Ji, was at this rank.

“It seems my luck isn't very good. I originally thought I'd only encounter you in the semifinals.”

Wang Ji arranged his deck with a wry smile.

Although his rank was higher, his demeanor was more humble.

After all, the number one seed from Durian City undoubtedly had a high value.

He had specifically studied Shi Li's match recordings last night and had to admit he was very strong.

However, he wasn't without a fighting chance.

Although the top 8 in the division could all participate in the next stage, if he lost here, his final score would be greatly reduced.

Because anyone who had lost one match was not eligible to compete for the provincial championship.

Even if he entered the next stage, if he was randomly matched with Shi Li again, he would automatically forfeit.

That's how the College Entrance Examination worked; everyone only had one chance.

The next stage would be filled with experts, and Wang Ji couldn't guarantee how many matches he could win.

The later he lost, the higher his score would be.

So, in this match against Shi Li, he had to win.

“It's alright, I'll let you have 1 card at the start.”

Shi Li was also setting up his deck, offering reassurance.

“I don't believe it.”

Wang Ji immediately pouted.

He had naturally watched and thoroughly studied Shi Li's duel against Fang Jinghai.

This guy was simply a big liar.

“I never lie.”

Shi Li immediately told a lie.

Then, he revealed his first-row cards.

It was the same as his previous duel against Fang Jinghai.

One empty card, one Jumping Guard.

The Jumping Guard still carried the Taunt and Stasis modifiers.

“Fortunately, I was prepared.”

Seeing this situation, Wang Ji actually felt a bit relieved.

At the same time, his inner confidence gradually began to rise.

This was a kind of confidence born from being taken seriously by his opponent.

Shi Li using the same opening tactic as against Fang Jinghai meant he was treating him as an opponent of Fang Jinghai's caliber.

But just as he had said, he was prepared.

And so, Wang Ji revealed his first first-row card.

“Left hook! Right hook! Your people are in danger!”

As the card was revealed, a Cyber Boxer wearing headphones and a sports hoodie emerged from a purple light pillar, taking small, quick steps.

His hands and feet were all mechanical prosthetics with wiring and lights.

Cyber Boxer

Momentum, 20 points, Three-star

Attack 20, 100/100, 0/20

Weak Point Strike - Passive: When Cyber Boxer attacks a controlled target, Attack +10

Boxing Footwork - Passive: When Cyber Boxer is attacked by a frontal target, Damage -10

Double Strike - 20 Energy: Cyber Boxer attacks the target an additional time

At this moment, people watching the duel live on screen began to analyze.

“Good card, this should be a Unique Character Card.”

“A Momentum type with a damage reduction modifier, it's undoubtedly a unique card.”

“Momentum type Double Strike usually costs 30 energy, but Cyber Boxer’s only costs 20, so it must be an exclusive modifier.”

“This means it can continuously combo once activated. It's perfectly fine to treat it as a 40 attack card.”

Subsequently, Wang Ji revealed his second first-row card.

“All things in the world have their fixed number.”

Similarly, from a purple light pillar, a bald martial monk in a kasaya slowly emerged.

Seatemple Abbot

Balance, 30 points, Three-star

Attack 30, 100/100

Buddha's Light - Passive: When Seatemple Abbot is revealed, gains Purification (T2)

Universal Illumination - Passive: When Seatemple Abbot is revealed, makes 1 card gain Purification (T2)

Fortified - Passive: When Seatemple Abbot is in Defense, damage taken -10

(Purification: Purifies negative effects on the target)

“Purification is one of the few positive effects with T2 priority, which can effectively remove negative effects this round.”

“And it also carries damage reduction; it seems Wang Ji specifically matched the modifiers for this card.”

“Double Purification, double damage reduction. The wall formed by these two first-row cards is very solid.”