121: 【Red Sword Princess】Evolution

Chapter 121: Red Blade Maiden Evolves

Shi Li hadn't seriously researched or matched a 9+1 deck because he hadn't needed to.

However, strength was king, and he currently had exactly 9 Two-Star Character Cards.

No, if he included the Rock Giant, which took up 2 slots, he'd have one extra.

Adding the Three-Star Red Blade Maiden, assembling a 9+1 deck entirely of Two-Star or higher cards was not a problem.

So, he quickly arranged his deck.

"Roar...—"

With a low growl, projections began to descend onto the opponent's 9+1 card grid.

They were uniformly enveloped in black mist, their true forms indiscernible.

Typical Fel energy characteristics.

"What the hell?"

But when he saw the first Demon Card, Shi Li couldn't help but react.

Fel Succubus

Balanced, Attack 30, 190/190

Succubus Oppression - Passive: When Fel Succubus attacks Two-Star or lower cards, Attack +50

Weakness Absorption - Passive: For every Two-Star or lower card on the field, Fel Succubus's maximum HP +10

All 10 of the opponent's cards had the same stats, equivalent to 80 Attack + 190 HP.

Adding them up, that was 800 Attack + 1900 HP.

The player's 9+1 deck had base stats of 330 Attack + 1100 HP.

The difference was not just a little bit.

"Turns out no threshold is the biggest threshold. You can't beat this without a full Three-Star deck."

This was only Level 1, and even if he passed it, the subsequent levels would undoubtedly be harder.

Undoubtedly, he was easily crushed by the opponent in this round.

Unfortunately, this mission failed.

Do you want to spend 12,000 cubic coins to reset this mission? Yes/No

"What a waste."

Shi Li didn't feel bad about failing the mission; he felt bad that the refresh cost had increased for nothing.

The good news, however, was that such a high refresh cost indicated that the mission's reward was at least on the level of Crimson Trial · True.

Even if he refreshed this mission now, he couldn't beat it.

Therefore, with the remaining 15,000+ cubic coins, he chose to use them for trial and error in the Crimson Trial · True.

As usual, he didn't succeed, leaving him with 4,000+ cubic coins.

"The rest can only be done conveniently once I enter the Otherworld."

Besides the rewards from the Education Bureau, Shi Li had also received a personal reward from Principal Su.

Just like before, it was another Reinforcement Mission item card.

Reinforcement Mission: When matching corresponding entries, complete the relevant mission to reinforce. (Three-Star, Berserk)

However, this time it corresponded to a Berserk-type Three-Star Character Card, which was the Red Blade Maiden.

No matter how excellent the previous Reinforcement Mission card was, its price could not compare to this Three-Star one.

Shi Li conservatively estimated that this item card's value probably exceeded 50,000 cubic coins.

He could only say that although he didn't know the principal's current age, he still wished him a long life.

Through the preview, Shi Li found that the Unceasing, Abundant, and Crimson Blaze entries all displayed "no reinforcement space."

This meant that at the Three-Star tier, these three entries had already reached the limit of Red Blade Maiden's entry strength.

Perhaps only when she advanced to Four-Star or even Five-Star would there be an opportunity for further enhancement.

Or perhaps Four-Star and Five-Star wouldn't enhance them either, requiring special simulation missions.

In any case, the only entry with reinforcement space was Vast.

Vast - 20 HP: Red Blade Maiden attacks 1 target, dealing damage equal to 20% of her maximum HP → True Damage

"Once this entry is successfully reinforced, it can almost completely replace Crimson Blaze in PVP card games.

The damage is the same, but it saves 20 HP, a complete upgrade.

Except for attacking opponent's Giant cards and Defense cards, Crimson Blaze basically has no place."

Shi Li was very much looking forward to the reinforcement of this entry.

Because a Three-Star reinforcement mission was no problem for him currently.

Considering avoiding refresh costs, he could choose the most direct, cheapest, and easiest solution.

Option 1:

Hunt 50 Berserk-type Three-Star Demons

Berserk-type Medium (Three-Star) 1

Success Rate: 100%

He had already bought the Three-Star Berserk-type Medium.

He just needed to defeat 50 corresponding Demons.

After organizing everything, Shi Li slept for a day and a night straight.

It wasn't that he was truly exhausted, but rather he was resting to recuperate his energy.

Because during these few days of grinding Star Ascension missions, he had already received a call from the Pioneer Team.

They said that the Divine Stone Array would be completed in a few days.

As one of the recipients of the Core Event, and the strongest recipient at that, Shi Li naturally needed to be present.

So, the next day, full of vigor, he arrived at the camp outside the Otherworld.

This time, Xiu Qingshan was also there and met with him in the commander's office.

"I saw your performance in the college entrance examination duel; it was excellent."

As soon as they met, Xiu Qingshan offered praise.

It was evident that he was becoming increasingly satisfied with Shi Li.

"Thank you, Curator. It's because the Curator teaches well."

Shi Li lowered his eyes submissively.

"I haven't taught you anything yet."

Xiu Qingshan smiled, then quickly composed himself: "Let's talk about something serious."

"Please speak, Curator."

"The Core Event inside might have a relatively high difficulty later on. If you feel you can't complete it, don't force it."

"How so?"

"Because the instruments have detected that the energy fluctuations in the Space-Time Trace have been extremely unstable recently.

Based on experience, it might upgrade to a Level 4 Otherworld at any time."

"Level 4 Otherworld—"

"That's right. I know you've performed very well inside so far.

But the difficulty of the Core Event in an Otherworld that is about to upgrade is definitely not at a Level 3 standard.

If you really encounter any threats, detach immediately.

Later, a Platinum-tier Pioneer Team will take over."

The strength of the Gold Pioneer Team and the Platinum Pioneer Team was vastly different.

Because the Platinum tier had the largest base of card players, the pioneers selected from it were absolutely the elite of the elite.

"If it upgrades to a Level 4 Otherworld, Curator, will you enter?"

"Of course, and to minimize the hidden dangers, I will enter immediately."

"Alright, I understand."

Shi Li nodded, looking at the Platinum 90 shining above the other's head.

Curator Xiu had advanced again.

Director Hou said that even though he was a Platinum card player, he could freely explore even Level 5 Otherworlds.

If Curator Xiu really had to make a move, then this Core Event would likely have little to do with him.

So, Shi Li's idea was to solve it quickly instead.

But he also knew that this progress might not be up to him.

It all depended on the efficiency of the Yu Clan.

Thus, after bidding farewell to Xiu Qingshan, Shi Li quickly walked towards the Space-Time Trace.

"After this matter is resolved, I'll sound out this kid's intentions again."

Xiu Qingshan watched the young man's back, muttering.

After a few seconds of disorientation, Shi Li stood again on the landing deck of the temporary base.

"You really know how to time your arrival."

Soon after, Zhang He came up to greet him with a smile.

Then, Zhang He began to explain the current situation.

The grand array of eight divine stones was expected to be officially completed tomorrow.

At that time, the array would activate the divine stone resonance, attracting a large number of demon attacks.

So, the Yu Clan requested assistance from the Pioneer Team personnel for Defense.

As long as they successfully defended for 24 hours, the array would be fully activated, closing the Space-Time Trace.

As members not belonging to this world, these foreign card players would also be safely expelled and leave.

"This demon attack is expected to be massive, and the mission is heavy."

Standing on the base's city wall, Zhang He said solemnly: "Even the High Priestess has come out."

"High Priestess? Where?"

Shi Li was startled at the news.

"Over there."

Zhang He handed him a telescope.

It seemed that due to cultural differences and other reasons, the High Priestess was unwilling to enter the temporary base.

Instead, she chose a divine stone base point, setting up camp and guarding it.

"The one in that sedan chair is the High Priestess."

At Zhang He's prompting, Shi Li saw an eight-bearer sedan chair.

"The High Priestess hasn't gotten out of the sedan chair since she arrived here."

Zhang He explained.

"I guess that makes sense. With that withered old skin,

a little exposure to wind and sun might turn her into ash."

Shi Li actually had a question mark about the High Priestess's combat power.

Her tier was very high, true, but with her senile demeanor, could she really still play cards?

What if she fell asleep halfway through a game?

"You can only say that in private; don't say it in front of others."

Hearing his complaint, Zhang He gave a wry smile.

“However, it is said that the divine stone base point guarded by the Great Priest will be the direction of the most intense demon attack.

To be safe, he specifically suggested that you come along to guard it.”

“No problem.”

Shi Li now only hoped that this great formation could be activated quickly.

Close it before the Space-Time Trace expands.

Arriving at the Weng Weng Clan's camp, the Weng Weng people along the way cast respectful glances at him.

After all, a Platinum rank is considered a top-tier expert among the Yu Clan.

Even if they mobilized all the high-level combat power of their entire clan, they couldn't arrange Platinum card players at all eight divine stone base points.

This outsider was the strongest outsider they had ever seen.

Arriving in front of the sedan chair, Shi Li greeted the Great Priest.

“The Great Priest says, welcome your arrival.

You will always be a friend of our Weng Weng Clan, Shi Li Weng.”

Yu Yu Hui stood beside the sedan chair, responsible for relaying the Great Priest's words.

These were the Great Priest's original words, with 'Weng' added to the name to signify respect.

After saying this, she playfully winked at Shi Li.

This gesture represented a personal show of goodwill.

“Alright then, just call me when you need me.”

Shi Li nodded and took his leave.

All around were temporary burrows dug by the Yu people for habitation, and he found a spot on the edge to settle down.

He even took a special look at the location of the divine stone as he passed by.

The Yu Clan had erected a tall tower for the divine stone; there were eight such towers in total, centered around the temporary base, which was the Space-Time Trace.

At this time, a group of priests surrounded the tall tower,

some loudly chanting incantations, their voices hoarse,

while others climbed the outer wall of the tall tower, carving runes of unknown meaning.

By the time Shi Li took his position, all the Pioneer Team's defensive personnel were also ready.

This time, no one was on rotation; the entire Pioneer Team was present.

Team 4 was responsible for mobile support, and the Team 4 leader remained at the temporary base to oversee and command.

Teams 1, 2, and 3 from the three major Card Halls were dispersed and distributed among the other seven divine stone base points.

At the Great Priest's base point, Shi Li was the only outsider representative.

However, this was also the base point with the most Yu people, so there was no need to worry about defensive strength.

Early the next morning, the eight divine stone base points were almost simultaneously set up.

Boom!

Accompanied by a sudden thunderclap out of nowhere above the temporary base, dark clouds abruptly appeared and gathered, dimming the entire land.

The eight-colored lights emitted from the spires of the eight tall towers re-illuminated the land, then shot beams of light directly at the Space-Time Trace.

Yu!

The entire towering Space-Time Trace began to tremble at this moment.

Shi Li could clearly see the amplitude of the light's vibrations even from that far away.

“Come on, come on.”

The strong wind made his clothes flap wildly, but he became even calmer.

The more demons that came, the better; it would be best if he could complete the Vast enhancement mission in one go.

Everyone in the eight directions stood ready, and the atmosphere of killing intent had already permeated before the battle even began.

“Attention! Demon attack!”

Finally, over an hour later, the scout's alarm broke the silence.

Soon, Shi Li saw a black line appear on the distant horizon.

The black line rapidly approached and turned into a tide of demons.

Among the large number of [☆☆] markers, many conspicuous [☆☆☆] were interspersed.

Those Three-Star Demon guys were Shi Li's target.

As one of only two Platinum card players at this base point, he walked straight out to the front of the Defense line.

He was more than ten meters ahead of even the foremost Yu Weng Clan warriors.

Standing further forward made it easier to select targets.

Whoosh!

He cast a marking light, selecting one of the Three-Star Demon.

He recognized this demon; it was indeed a berserker-type demon.

Weng—

As the barrier rose, the card game immediately began.

Led by him, the other Yu Clan warriors also successively chose their respective targets.

The first wave of demons lasted an hour and was successfully defended by them.

Shi Li killed 7 Three-Star Demon, and his mission progress reached hunting berserker-type Three-Star Demon 2/50.

After this battle, he had already identified many varieties of berserker-type Three-Star Demon.

Sure enough, after the second wave of demon tides, the mission progress greatly increased, reaching 6/50.

With the arrival of the third and fourth waves, his mission progress steadily climbed.

However, just as the Great Priest had predicted, the pressure from demon attacks here was the greatest.

The continuous intense battles had already exhausted the Weng Yu Clan warriors here; to alleviate the combat pressure, Zhang He and Zhong Xin each led a 5-person squad to provide support.

The addition of fresh forces revitalized the entire Defense line.

What made Shi Li a bit concerned was that he had specifically paid attention to each wave of demon tides.

The strongest Great Priest had not yet made a move until now.

“Comfortable.”

When an unknown wave of demon tides was halfway through, Shi Li, who had just dealt with a Three-Star Demon, let out a long breath.

The Vast enhancement mission was finally complete.

The regrettable thing was that the berserker-type resonance degree did not increase this time.

Perhaps the last 20% was not so easy to achieve.

“Stop being comfortable, go help others.”

Zhang He, who was in a nearby card game, reminded him in time, making Shi Li re-engage in battle.

At this time, many Yu Clan warriors were in bitter struggle.

He immediately saw Yu Yu Hui, who was in danger.

“Weng Yu protect us, there are too many of these demons—”

Yu Yu Hui was currently fighting a Two-Star Demon.

Her gaze occasionally drifted beyond the card table barrier, where several demons were lurking, eyeing her.

They were just waiting for this card game to end, then they would pounce and attack immediately.

“If this continues, I really won't be able to hold on.”

At this moment, Yu Yu Hui's expression was quite listless, a result of prolonged battle.

Just dealing with the current card game was already quite strenuous for her; she dared not imagine several more fierce battles awaiting her later.

The most crucial thing was that among those few demons, there was also a Three-Star Demon.

That was simply not something she could handle, alright.

The number of demons was greater than the number of card players, so with each wave of demon tides, everyone had to fight at least five or six demons.

Everyone was basically preoccupied, and no one could help her.

“Hello, need some help?”

Just then, Yu Yu Hui suddenly heard a familiar voice.

“Shi Li Weng!”

Amidst her surprise, she had already seen Shi Li cast a light mark towards that Three-Star Demon.

Shi Li was slightly different from others.

His Platinum rank fluctuations naturally had a deterrent and suppressive effect on Two-Star Demon.

So, when there were other targets to choose from, those Two-Star Demon would not actively seek trouble with him.

Three-Star Demon were also few, and top combat powers like Zhang He and Zhong Xin could also handle them.

Coupled with Shi Li's powerful card deck output and quick card clearing.

Therefore, he was one of the few people on the field who could move relatively freely.

By the time Yu Yu Hui finished her current battle, she was surprised to find that Shi Li had already cleared the demons around her completely.

“Thank you, you saved me again.”

Weng Hui let out a breath.

“You go back and rest, I’ll take care of the rest.”

Shi Li looked at her face and said.

“No, I will fight alongside everyone.”

Weng Yu Hui was very tired but also very determined.

“Alright.”

Shi Li did not try to persuade her further but instead sent a team invitation.

Yu Yu Hui hesitated for a few seconds, but ultimately chose to accept.

30 minutes later, this wave of demon tides was finally completely resolved.

At this point, everyone had been fighting for over 12 hours and was utterly exhausted.

To recover their Abundant as quickly as possible, many people disregarded their demeanor and sat directly on the ground.

Even more, immediately collapsed and fell asleep.

In the post-battle wreckage, Shi Li and Yu Weng Hui sat side by side.

“Shi Li, after the Tongtian Gate closes, will you leave immediately and never return?”

Yu Yu Hui asked softly, hugging her knees.

“That should be the case.”

Shi Li nodded.

If they could meet again, it probably wouldn't be good news for either Blue Star or this land.

“Then I’ll give you this, I hope you won’t forget me in the future.”

Yu Yu Hui actually understood this, so she handed over an object.

Then her head buried into her knees, as if with a hint of shyness.

“This is—” Shi Li took it and saw that it was a pendant.