134: Prop card [Cola Card], black light penetration

Chapter 134: Item Card [Cola Card], Black Light Penetration

“You—”

When Huo Guang saw Shi Li for the first time, his gaze froze.

This guy only went out for 5 days, how did he get promoted?

Although the material had specifically mentioned that Shi Li's promotion speed was very fast, this was just too fast.

The other two guides also looked surprised.

“Alright, everyone is here now, let’s start the meeting.”

As the host of this meeting, Huo Guang introduced the three representative contestants to each other.

Shi Li, from Jiangnan Province, is Platinum 4.

Jiang Xiaoxiao, from Jiangzhong Province, is Platinum 6.

And Chang Zhun, from Jiangbei Province, who was that strange guy just now, is also Platinum 6.

These two, like Shi Li, were the top scorers in their respective provincial college entrance examinations.

At the same time, they were also the only Platinum 6 candidates in their respective provinces, having the highest rank in the entire province.

It seems that under normal circumstances, this is how it should be; Platinum 6 candidates, with their unique 5+1 advantage, completely outperform other 4+1 candidates.

Shi Li was an abnormal example, having defeated the Platinum 6 in his own province.

“Let me first talk about the latest intelligence gathered these past few days.”

After the introductions, Guide Shen took out his notebook.

“Among the young talents of the Banlan Tribe participating in this Torch Raising Ceremony, a total of 95 have reached the Platinum rank.”

The Banlan Tribe's participants also had an age restriction, which means this group of people could be considered equivalent to high school seniors.

95 Platinum, this number is not only insufficient compared to all the high school seniors from their three provinces combined, but even compared to the six provinces in the entire Southern Region of Xia Nation combined, it is clearly lacking.

“Among them, 40 are Platinum 1, which is almost half.”

“Platinum 2, 14 people; Platinum 3, 15 people; Platinum 4, 5 people; Platinum 5, 8 people; Platinum 6, 12 people.

There are no Platinum 7, and 1 Platinum 8.”

“Wait a minute.”

Hearing this, Shi Li looked at Huo Guang.

Didn't he say last time that the one...

“Yes, just yesterday, A Ya Jun has already been promoted to Platinum 8.”

Huo Guang knew what Shi Li meant.

“Platinum 8—”

Chang Zhun and Jiang Xiaoxiao's expressions darkened upon hearing this news.

Platinum 8, that would be a 7+1 deck.

Plus, there are no Platinum 7 opponents this time, so it's not an exaggeration to say that A Ya Jun has a significant lead.

“So, basically, as long as we don't encounter A Ya Jun before the finals, we'll be fine, right?”

Shi Li crossed his arms.

“Are you saying that if you reach the finals, you'll be confident in dealing with him?”

Jiang Xiaoxiao looked at him.

“No, I have no confidence at all; he's Platinum 8.”

“Then why would you—”

“Do you believe in the existence of conceptual gods?”

”

However, Jiang Xiaoxiao knew that what Shi Li said was not without reason.

The Torch Raising Ceremony would be a long process.

From now until its complete conclusion, it would require at least another month.

With over a month to develop, it's still uncertain who will emerge victorious.

“Alright, let me first explain the rules of this ceremony.”

Huo Guang interrupted their conversation.

“The Torch Raising Ceremony is divided into three stages.”

“The first stage is called [Wilderness Melee].”

They gathered the three contestants together for a reason.

“For the next five days, you will be randomly dropped into a designated area.

Within the designated area, all participants are competitors.

The winner of a duel receives 2 points, and the loser loses 2 points.

A second duel between opponents who have already dueled will be invalid.”

This rule is quite simple and clear; in short, if you encounter someone, just fight them.

“So, what is the total number of participants this time?”

Jiang Xiaoxiao asked.

“Because registration is not allowed below the Gold rank, and the Banlan Tribe had already conducted internal selections in various places.

Therefore, there are only 891 participants in total this time, and only 64 will pass the first round.”

Guide Yi said.

“Out of 891 people, only 64 are selected, so the elimination rate is as high as—”

Jiang Xiaoxiao's words caught in her throat.

Chang Zhun's lips parted, wanting to speak but pausing due to calculation.

As a result, Shi Li spoke first.

“(891-64) ÷ 891 = 92.81705948372615.”

“You calculated that so fast?!”

Jiang Xiaoxiao's eyes bulged.

Mental math ability is also an indicator of a card player's skill level.

“Who would be foolish enough to bother calculating that?”

Shi Li pointed to his wristband: “Isn't there a calculator here?”

Chang Zhun, Jiang Xiaoxiao: “————”

“In any case, in this segment, if you are able to meet, you must work together.”

Huo Guang said.

The level of competition is quite fierce, with only 64 people advancing.

The Banlan Tribe's own Platinum participants already number 95, and with the addition of the geniuses from other tribes they invited, the total number has reached 120.”

“In other words, even Platinum participants only have about a 50% chance of entering the next round.”

After the guides finished speaking, the three also realized how grim the situation was.

And there were even geniuses from other races, which they hadn't known before.

But thinking about it, it made sense; if even Blue Star people, separated by a space-time gate, were invited, what would be strange about the Banlan Tribe inviting some other races from the Gan Territory?

“Finally, there is one more extremely important point in this first stage.

You must remember it.”

Huo Guang's expression gradually became serious.

“In this melee, the Banlan Tribe will also dispatch 30 adult card players to serve as [Hunters].

Their mission is to capture participants.

As long as you are caught by a Hunter and defeated in a card game, you will lose 5 points.

Similarly, each Hunter can only arrest each participant once.”

Point manipulation.

This was the most direct reaction the three had after hearing this rule: if the Hunters specifically targeted these foreign geniuses, wouldn't it be easier for the Banlan Tribe's own people to advance?

“I know what you're thinking; although the competition system has been different in previous years, similar situations have not been uncommon.”

“We can only accept this, after all, this is someone else's territory, isn't it?”

“As long as you can enter the top 64, they will not be able to target you further.”

The guides comforted them.

“Then, if we defeat a Hunter, will there be points?”

Shi Li suddenly asked.

“Yes, the reward points for Hunters are very high; defeating one Hunter can earn you 10 points.”

Huo Guang had anticipated someone asking this and said with a smile, “But I don't recommend you do that.”

“Because the [Hunters] are all experienced card players, and their ranks are all between Platinum 6 and 7.”

“30 Platinum 6 and Platinum 7?”

Hearing this, Jiang Xiaoxiao's expression became somewhat unpleasant.

Let alone Platinum 7, even against an opponent who was also Platinum 6, she wasn't absolutely confident of winning.

What's more, they were experienced adults.

“Alright, we've said what we needed to say. Do you have any other questions?

If not, the meeting is adjourned.”

Huo Guang was preparing to conclude.

Just then, Chang Zhun raised his hand.

“Speak.”

“Can we wait 2 minutes and 03 seconds before adjourning, because you said earlier that the meeting would be 30 minutes long.”

“I'm leaving first.”

Shi Li couldn't be bothered with this lunatic.

While the Blue Star group was having their meeting, in a gloomy cellar in Blueberry City.

Five cards were placed in different positions, forming a pentagram pattern.

A man in a black robe knelt on one knee in front of the star array, chanting a spell in an unknown language.

His hood was pulled low, and as he chanted the spell, tendrils of black, wispy energy gradually began to emanate from his body.

When the incantation was finished, silence fell upon the scene.

Yu...

A few seconds later, a thin black line slowly opened like an eye.

This was a tiny teleportation gate, its blackness so profound it seemed to contain nothing.

“Great Master, everything is proceeding according to plan.”

“We have completely controlled a high-ranking individual here.”

“When the Sacred Fire Hall opens, she will act with all her might.”

As he spoke these words, the man pressed his head as close to the ground as possible.

He dared not look up.

...

The other side remained silent, as if there was no one there, and no one had heard his words.

Buzz...

Until the teleportation gate gradually began to close, there was still no sound.

However, at the very last moment before it closed, a token card, entwined with black light, flew out from within.

“Thank you, Master, for your divine grace!”

The man received the card, his voice filled with awe and surprise.

Even though the teleportation gate had long closed and the other side could no longer hear, it did not diminish his piety in the slightest.

After three kowtows and nine bows, the man finally observed the card.

Then, he gently squeezed it, and the card instantly shattered, only to reform into a character card in his hand.

His rank, displayed above his head, instantly rose from 【Emerald 1】 to 【Emerald 2】.

“What a wonderful feeling!”

The man let out a comfortable sigh.

Before embracing the black light, he had no idea that power could be acquired so easily.

When the man shed his black robe and emerged from the cellar, the black energy on his body had completely receded.

“Sir, it has been confirmed that the Mascot has been repelled.”

A subordinate waiting outside reported.

“No matter.”

The man waved his hand, signaling for the other person to withdraw.

As long as the objective had been achieved, that was enough.

They had precisely used the commotion caused by the Mascot to gain an opportunity to contact that person.

“It’s just a pity that I only have one 【Cola Card】 to summon the Mascot—”

Looking up at the night sky, he couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

But it didn't matter; when the black light controlled the Banlan Tribe, he wouldn't need any 【Wish Cards】.

A new day soon arrived.

Shi Li and Jiang Xiaoxiao arrived at the gathering point as instructed, which was already filled with participants.

Looking around, most of them were blue-nosed Banlan Tribe members.

Occasionally, a few strange-looking individuals could be seen in the crowd:

Ghoul Tribe members with single horns on their heads and green faces with fangs.

Demon Tribe members with beast heads, human bodies, and bone ornaments.

Stone Tribe members with robust builds and skin like rocks.

The Gan Territory was vast and rich in spiritual energy, giving birth to vastly different races.

“Where is Chang Zhun?”

Jiang Xiaoxiao looked around.

The guide and their respective elders had all instructed them that they must stick together in this first stage.

But now, before it had even begun, one person had gone missing.

“The time hasn’t come yet; he’s probably waiting outside the door.”

Shi Li thought it wasn't hard to guess.

【Everyone, please enter the teleportation array in an orderly fashion.】

Soon, a loud voice, amplified by magic, rang out.

So, Shi Li and Jiang Xiaoxiao lined up and walked to a large magic array drawn on the ground.

Stepping onto the array, a flash of light occurred, and Shi Li found himself standing in a forest.

“Hmm?”

Just as he was looking around, he saw a Banlan Tribe youth with a Mohawk haircut standing not far away.

【Gold 8】, he looked like an easy target.

“Big brother, spare my life!”

Upon seeing Shi Li’s rank, the other person immediately begged for mercy.

“No problem, no problem, but I have a condition.”

“Just tell me what you need!”

Unexpectedly, Shi Li was so agreeable, and the Mohawk-haired youth was overjoyed.

“Alright then, hand over the points.”

Shi Li sent a cursor over.

“Damn it!”

The Mohawk-haired youth knew he had been targeted and immediately cursed.

However, anyone daring to participate in the competition had some confidence in themselves.

He believed he was a 4+1, and the other person was also a 4+1, so it wasn't like he had no chance of winning at all.

Then, he lost shortly after.

What kind of monstrous deck was his opponent using? He had no chance of winning!

“Comfortable.”

Shi Li watched a light spot fly from the opponent’s hand tattoo and land on his own tattoo.

These were the magical scoring tattoos specially configured for everyone by the Banlan Tribe before entering the teleportation array.

“Hmph! Just you wait!”

After losing, the Mohawk-haired youth didn't linger and immediately turned and ran away.

The impact of a card game's outcome on the winner and loser largely depended on the initiator's “will.”

If you initiated a card game with the intention of crippling the opponent, then after winning, the opponent would very likely be crippled.

Of course, if you lost, then you might lose a leg yourself.

This was why the High Priest suffered a severe backlash after losing to Shi Li back then.

However, in the current type of card game, neither party could carry that level of “will.”

So, for the Mohawk-haired youth, besides losing 2 points and stamina, there was no other loss.

“It seems I’m not the only one who encountered an opponent right after landing.”

Clicking on the tattoo, Shi Li saw the real-time ranking.

With 2 points, he was currently tied for 1st place with many others.

In the list of ties, he also saw Chang Zhun’s name.

Jiang Xiaoxiao, on the other hand, was a bit unlucky, with -2 points, indicating she had encountered a master.

After all the contestants had entered, 30 hunters now arrived before the teleportation array.

“Everyone, it’s your turn to make an appearance.”

The person in charge of the first stage scanned everyone with his gaze.

“Don’t worry, sir.”

“If I lose to these little guys, I might as well quit.”

“Don’t brag; if you really encounter some of the strong ones, you might not necessarily win.”

Compared to the contestants, the hunters appeared very relaxed.

Soon, these 30 people were divided into groups of two and sent in.

Unlike the contestants, their landing spots were not random.

The distance between each group was quite far.

Logically, after landing, the hunters should have split up, but one pair of hunters, a man and a woman, did not.

The two exchanged glances; then the male hunter began to be on guard, and the female hunter began to pull out a map.

“The destination is 5 kilometers to the east.”

Her finger landed on a mountain valley icon.

“No time to lose, let’s go.”

The male hunter decisively walked east.

“Okay, another one down.”

The defeated Banlan Tribe girl sat helplessly on the ground, while Shi Li walked away like a scumbag.

Currently, his points had reached 6, placing him around the hundredth rank.

The advantage of Platinum card players was not very apparent in the early stages.

Because Gold card players could also earn points by fighting other Gold card players.

Only when Gold card players had largely depleted each other would Platinum players gradually show their lead.

“I certainly don’t know the terrain as well as the locals; this approach is still too slow.”

Shi Li stroked his chin.

A Ya Jun, currently in first place on the scoreboard, had already reached 16 points.

That was 4 points more than those tied for 2nd place.

At this rate, Shi Li felt that his chances of advancing might not be very high.

And in a place with so many forests, he couldn't even drive a car.

“Hey, over here.”

Just as he was thinking, a figure suddenly startled him.

The voice came from above; he looked up and found someone squatting on a tree trunk.

The other person was a young girl from the Ghoul Tribe; her green face and fangs didn't seem like a derogatory term on her, but rather added a unique charm.

Her skin was the same color as the tree trunk, so Shi Li didn't discover her immediately.

Moreover, there was no rank tag above her head, making her seem like an ordinary person who wasn't a card player.

“Isn’t it amazing? This is my item card.”

The Ghoul girl jumped down from the tree.

Soon, her skin returned to its normal color, and her rank appeared above her head, 【Platinum 4】.

“Quite impressive.”

Shi Li immediately understood.

He actually had similar items.

After his contract was upgraded to B+ rank, the Card Hall replaced his disguise item card with one targeting the Platinum rank.

【Rank Disguise】: Activating this card allows you to disguise yourself as a Platinum rank no higher than your own. However, all contestants were registered, and as an outsider, he was so conspicuous here, so he didn't use it.

“You’re Shi Li from Lanxing, right? My name is Liuli.”

Liuli seemed to have no ill will, with her hands clasped behind her back, leaning forward: “Want to cooperate?”

At such close proximity, the unique fragrant scent of a woman wafted over.

“Get to the point.”

Shi Li frowned slightly: “Off-topic, you had the No. 6 breakfast set from the guesthouse this morning.”

The No. 6 set had seasonings that particularly resembled garlic.

“?”

Before Liuli could react, Shi Li’s cursor had already landed on her.

It was slightly different from his usual cursor, faintly carrying some electric sparks.

Whoosh!

The Card Table Barrier rose, and the card game immediately began.

And under the influence of the card game, the tag above Liuli’s head gradually changed from 【Platinum 4】 to 【Platinum 7】.

Her Ghoul Tribe face also melted like wax encountering hot oil, revealing her true blue-nosed identity.

【Platinum 7】 was a significant gap among the contestants.

So, this Banlan person was a hunter.

“You—how did you find out?”

“Ghoul Tribe members hate the smell of garlic the most.”

That's what the textbook said.

“Hehe, I was careless.”

Liuli smiled slightly, then said, “But you should have run, not boldly challenged me to a card game.”

“It’s fine; I just wanted to test the mettle of a hunter.”