120: First in two cities, two-star cicada wings

Chapter 120: First in Both Cities, Two-Star Cicada Wing

Hearing Principal Su say that, the teachers also reacted.

Lu Xinran's deck type naturally had obvious advantages.

That was, its numerical panel was indeed strong.

But its disadvantages were equally obvious.

That was a lack of flexibility.

There was nothing to change; one could see the end at a glance.

The result of the next round would inevitably be the exchange of a Bouncing Guard and a Youyou Sailor.

Thus, it would be Youyou Captain + Youyou First Mate against Red Blade Maiden + Winged Messenger.

But the problem was that Lu Xinran, in pursuit of a double reveal linkage, had placed Youyou Captain at the front.

This meant he would become an outer card, enduring the opponent's attacks.

An outer card with 50 attack would die even faster without Defense.

Using Defense would result in a significant loss of output.

On Shi Li's side, Red Blade Maiden was well-hidden behind Winged Messenger, allowing her to output damage safely.

Sure enough, the final regular card situation became Red Blade Maiden dueling Youyou First Mate.

Even considering only the numerical panel strength, Red Blade Maiden was the one with the overwhelming advantage.

Red Blade Maiden became the only surviving regular card on the field, resulting in Lu Xinran's ace card being severely damaged.

At this point, the game completely lost its suspense.

“Congratulations, Student Shi Li, for winning this round.”

“According to the competition system, you have become the first in this competition area.”

“In the next stage, you will compete as the number one seed player in the competition area.”

“Comfortable.”

Listening to the AI's broadcast, Shi Li, who had returned to his personal space, smiled.

Recalling the journey so far, it had truly not been easy.

He had finally achieved his initial goal; at the very least, he had a guaranteed admission slot at Jiangnan University.

“Next, it's the provincial first place.”

Shi Li thought of his biggest competitor.

During the last tryout at Jiangnan University, Ouyang Huan was already at Platinum 3 rank.

By the time the next stage began, his deck would definitely be even stronger.

“I just hope he doesn't reach Platinum 6, otherwise it'll be a tough fight.”

Platinum 6, compared to Platinum 14, allows for 1 additional Character Card, bringing the deck to 5+1 cards.

Having 1 more three-star Character Card provides a huge advantage.

After sorting out his mood, Shi Li did not linger in the virtual space.

Because, based on previous experience, a call would surely come at this time.

Indeed, just as he left the cubic cabin, Principal Su's call came in.

“Hello, Principal.”

“Okay, I'll head out immediately.”

In the call, Principal Su's tone was extremely joyful, asking him to come to the school.

Shi Li arrived at the principal's office door just as Teacher Li was coming out.

“Not bad, Shi Li, very good.”

Teacher Li patted his shoulder forcefully.

Indeed, this student was the most successful among all the students he had taught.

He was, of course, very proud.

But more than that, he was happy for him.

After all, a few months ago, Shi Li was generally considered a student with bleak prospects of even getting into a card-type university.

Now, however, he had steadily secured a ticket to a provincial key university.

It was a fitting reward for his excellent grades.

If another student from Twenty-sixth High School had achieved first place in both cities, Teacher Li would not have been so happy.

Gong Ping: I suspect you're specifically referring to me.

“Thank you, Teacher, you taught me well.”

Shi Li lowered his eyes respectfully.

“You're quite smooth for your age, go on in.”

Teacher Li scolded him with a smile, but his cheekbones were practically soaring.

Walking into the principal's office, Shi Li found that besides Principal Su, there was also a middle-aged woman.

“This is Director Liu, a leader from the Education Bureau, specifically in charge of college entrance examination matters.”

“Hello, Director Liu.”

Under Principal Su's introduction, Shi Li respectfully greeted her.

30 minutes later, he respectfully walked out of the principal's office again.

“Director Liu, what do you think of my student?”

After Shi Li left, Principal Su truly entered bragging mode.

“Principal Su has definitely made a name for himself this year.”

Director Liu gave a thumbs up.

In terms of seniority, qualifications, or rank, she was not qualified to put on airs in front of Principal Su.

However, as a superior unit, the Education Bureau could only address specific issues in certain aspects.

The rewards they gave Shi Li were entirely based on practical considerations from various angles.

Principal Su's face would not be a factor.

In essence, it was all about results.

Every year, to help students in their city achieve higher rankings in the college entrance examination, the Education Bureau provided support resource packages to candidates entering the next stage.

The value of this resource package was no less than that of the joint mock examination.

Moreover, the gold content of being first in both cities this year was naturally higher than being first in a single city in previous years.

Therefore, they would also provide Shi Li with a better resource package than in previous years.

“So, based on the Education Bureau's assessment, what kind of ranking do you think Shi Li can achieve this year?”

Although Principal Su had his own judgment, he also wanted to hear the Education Bureau's opinion.

Because there are specialties in every field, and the Education Bureau had considerable experience in predicting college entrance examination rankings.

They even had their own prediction system, combining intelligence from various channels with AI analysis.

“Our highest predicted score for Shi Li is second in the province.”

Director Liu did not hide it. “Second? You mean… that Ouyang family kid.”

“That’s right. Although we also hope that the provincial first place will come from Durian City, according to the prediction system’s judgment, Ouyang Huan has a 98% probability of getting first place in the province.”

As someone from the Education Bureau, Director Liu naturally had full faith in their prediction system.

“98%? That high?”

Principal Su had thought Ouyang Huan's probability would be high, but not this high.

“I heard that by the time the next stage begins, Ouyang Huan is very likely to reach Platinum 6 rank.”

“I understand.”

With this information, Principal Su had nothing more to say.

He could only say that settling for second best, even provincial second, was Still an achievement to be proud of.

Shi Li was unaware of the discussion in the office; he only knew that he was very comfortable right now.

As before, the Education Bureau once again offered him several options of similar value.

1. 150,000 cubic coins.

2. 50,000 cubic coins, plus a complete set of two-star Character Card Star Ascension materials.

3. 80,000 cubic coins, plus one two-star Balance System or Persistence Unique Character Card Star Ascension token card.

Each option was slightly better than the rewards from the joint mock examination.

Although taking 150,000 directly should be enough for Shi Li to successfully refresh and clear Crimson Trial · True.

But there was Still some time between the end of the last stage and the start of the next, and the Core Event in the foreign realm was also approaching its next phase.

He had a feeling that upgrading Winged Messenger to two stars might have more practical value.

So, Shi Li ultimately chose option 3.

The Education Bureau's efficiency was very high; all resources were in place shortly after he made his selection.

Shi Li, who had deliberately rested for 2 hours for this, began the Star Ascension simulation task with full Energy.

“This task is named: Yu'an's Legend (Star Ascension).”

“Yu'an led her companions to defeat the Fel Energy Descender and liberated the nearby villages.”

“But there was more than one Descender; it was rumored that a more powerful Fel Energy existed in the distant north.”

“Yu'an resolved to embark on a journey alone to fight against the Fel Energy.”

“However, she Still felt confused about the first destination of her journey.”

“Please help her make a choice.”

“A. Go to the Silent Swamp.”

“It is said that there is a high-Energy Awakened there; perhaps consulting him would help improve her strength.”

“B. Go to Papara Du.”

“Papara County is the largest gathering place for the Yu'an tribe; perhaps powerful companions can be found there.”

“C. Go to the Northern Cold Land.”

“Strike directly at the Fel Energy's stronghold; the tempering of fire and blood might allow one to grow rapidly.”

“Yu'an is a support card, so choosing C directly doesn't seem appropriate.”

But Shi Li knew these were all superficial.

In simulation tasks, what seemed least like the correct answer was sometimes the correct answer.

So he chose C.

30 minutes later, the simulation task ended.

Like most initial simulation task Strategy, he didn't even see the final BOSS.

“Unfortunately, this mission failed.”

“Do you want to reset this mission for 3500 cubic coins? (Yes/No)”

“Suddenly, I feel this price is quite cute.”

After being hammered by Crimson Trial · True, a mere 3500 refresh fee couldn't faze Shi Li at all.

Moreover, his Energy was very high now, allowing for continuous refreshes and significantly reduced rest times.

On the 5th attempt, Shi Li successfully encountered the final BOSS.

This BOSS was Still that “Fel Energy” thing.

Compared to the previous Fel Energy Descender, this guy was even more formidable.

Fel Energy Superpower User

Listen to the Wind, Attack 500, 3000/3000, 0/600

Fel Energy Field - Passive: Fel Energy Superpower User reduces the enemy deck score limit by 40.

Fel Energy Rally - Passive: When Fel Energy Superpower User is Still for a turn, he can summon 1 Fel Energy Cultist.

Fel Energy Sacrifice - Passive: When Fel Energy Superpower User is Still for 3 cumulative turns, he can summon 1 Fel Energy Maniac.

Fel Energy Downpour - 600 Energy: Fel Energy Superpower User activates a skill, causing all enemy cards to Retreat.

Fel Energy Cultist

Listen to the Wind, Attack 0, 20/20, 0/20

Fel Energy Transfer - Passive: All Energy restored by Fel Energy Cultist is transferred to Fel Energy Superpower User. Fel Energy Maniac

Rampage, Attack 0, 50/50

Fel Energy Self-Destruct - Passive: Fel Energy Maniac deals 50 Fixed Damage to 1 target, then Retreats.

“This BOSS is too exaggerated, isn't it? It's even stronger than the final BOSS for Red Blade Maiden's three-star upgrade.”

After seeing this card, Shi Li was a little stunned.

It also had a fully charged ultimate that wiped out all enemies, limiting the total number of combat turns.

But this guy's numerical panel was several times stronger than Horned Dragon Statue, and it was also more threatening in terms of offense.

Especially that self-destructing Fel Energy Maniac, which even dealt Fixed Damage.

This meant that while he was racing for output speed, he also had to balance Defense, preventing the opponent from excessively damaging his lineup.

However, Shi Li knew that whether the final BOSS was difficult or not wasn't the key.

One couldn't view the BOSS in simulation tasks from an ordinary perspective.

Because no matter how difficult a final BOSS seemed, there was always a solvable answer within the simulation step chain.

So, merely seeing the BOSS for the first time wouldn't dampen his confidence.

But he Still had to admit that the difficulty of Winged Messenger's Star Ascension task was indeed at least slightly higher than that of Jumping Guard, and the refresh fee was also 1000 cubic coins more.

After spending a full 70,000+ cubic coins, he finally got the desired result.

“You have completed this simulation, with 100% completion.”

“Obtained Character Card [Winged Messenger Patrol (Two-Star)] x1.”

“Obtained Philosophy Card [Healing (LV2)] x1 [Counter (LV1)] x1.”

“Can obtain Dao Card [Cicada Wing Crisis] x1.”

“Do you want to reset this mission for 3500 cubic coins? (Yes/No)”

“Comfortable.”

Shi Li chose “No.”

The moment he received the card, new information popped up.

Balance System Resonance: 40% → 60%

This caused Balance System to instantly overtake Persistence in resonance.

“First, let’s look at the card.”

Winged Messenger Patrol

Balance System, 30 points, Two-Star Attack 30, 100/100

Universal - Characteristic: When Winged Messenger Patrol is added to the deck, increase friendly score limit by 10.

Momentum - Passive: When Winged Messenger Patrol is revealed, gain 10 Encouragement.

Inspire - Passive: When Winged Messenger Patrol is revealed, trigger the battle effect of 1 card again (T0).

Blessing - Passive: When Winged Messenger Patrol is revealed, grant 1 revealed card 10 Encouragement for this game (T0).

Fel Purge - Passive: Requires specific type of material to activate. “Impressive, it actually gave 2 entries?”

Shi Li hadn't expected this entry.

A Star Ascension only increases 1 entry slot, but it gave 2 entries, which was a rare situation.

This Courage Boost was very similar to the Face-Not Tribe Shaman that Gan Ji used before.

Both granted a permanent 10 Encouragement to 1 revealed card.

However, the Face-Not Tribe Shaman's boost came at the cost of sacrificing 10 of its own attack power.

Winged Messenger Patrol, on the other hand, had no such side effect.

This was the advantage of a Unique Character Card's intrinsic entry; its strength was higher than that of a normal Character Card's entry.

“It’s a pity that besides Thunder Horn Vengeance, I don’t currently have multiple or multi-segment attack cards.

Otherwise, I could maximize the benefit.”

Shi Li felt a bit regretful.

However, even so, adding 10 attack power to any card was Still very considerable.

As for the other entry, it was a bit strange.

It was as good as nothing.

What kind of specific material it was, was not explained either.

But the good news was the word “type,” indicating it wasn't just a single specific material.

That might make it a bit easier to obtain.

Shi Li's personal guess was that it might be a material card given in subsequent Star Ascension tasks or other related tasks.

“But I haven't even finished Crimson Trial · True, and now I have another simulation task card…”

He picked up the Cicada Wing Crisis card, and his eyebrows immediately raised.

“Hmm?”

Unlike Crimson Trial · True, this was actually an intrinsic token card that could be activated without any prerequisites.

“Then I'll have to try it.”

Shi Li immediately started the task.

A few lines of text popped up.

“Yu'an has been having nightmares recently.”

“In her dreams, she is surrounded by countless Fel Energy.”

After a few simple plot introductions, the game board immediately unfolded.

What appeared before Shi Li was a 9+1 deck.

“Stage 1”

“You can customize your deck.”

“Oh?”

He hadn't expected this mode to allow him to use his own deck, and it was even a 9+1 configuration.

This was very fresh.