141: The beheading card appeared

Chapter 141: The Decapitation Card Appears

“The second method is to kill it in advance.”

“Your Revival targets a 1-slot card position and cannot revive Giant Cards. Also, it can only revive a card at the position where it was retired.”

“If I retire your bo shan before it moves, then even if Revival is used, its effect will be greatly diminished.”

“Additionally, you are changing your formation for the sake of changing it, resulting in a poor formation.”

“If I’m not mistaken, your Bouncing Guard cannot be Revived, right?”

“So you should actually put bo shan in the ace column.”

At this point, Shi Li interrupted the other party’s speech.

“How do you know my ace isn’t behind bo shan?”

“Uh—

Lan Shan was stumped by the question.

To protect the ace, it must be placed in the column with three regular cards; this is common knowledge.

But if Shi Li really intended to use an unconventional formation with two regular cards per column, then Lan Shan's point was moot.

“However, the first two methods aren’t important; there’s a third method.”

“That is—card Counter.”

Saying that, Lan Shan revealed his first row card.

“Heaven’s Great Task Shall Descend!”

From the card face on the left, a prisoner wearing a wooden cangue walked out.

He was dressed in tattered prison clothes, looking like he was being paraded through the streets, on his way to the execution ground.

“Condemned Prisoner”

Balance, 30 points, Three-star Attack 30, 100/100

“Great Term Approaching - Characteristic”: Condemned Prisoner’s HP becomes 0 on the 3rd turn after being revealed.

“Recite a Poem - Passive”: On the turn Condemned Prisoner is revealed, one of your revealed cards gains 50 Shield (T1).

“Stay the Execution - Passive”: Condemned Prisoner gains 1 turn of Stasis.

“Feast Together - Passive”: When Condemned Prisoner retires, all your revealed cards gain 30 Healing (T5).

“There’s actually this kind of Characteristic.”

Shi Li was a little surprised.

Although it was a negative Characteristic, placing this card in the first row really made the opponent awkward.

If you attack it, it’s going to die anyway.

If you don’t attack it and go for other cards, it can Still add Shield and Healing to other cards.

You can’t just reveal this card and expect the opponent to do nothing for three turns, can you?

“As expected, unique cards with negative Characteristics often possess particularly powerful exclusive entries.”

“Lan Shan's move is like fighting fire with fire, using ‘no threat’ to Counter Shi Li’s ‘no threat’.”

“It’s just that the name of this card’s entry is too inauspicious.”

As soon as this card appeared, the audience below the stage began to discuss animatedly.

“Moreover, in some respects, this card is very similar to the Bouncing Guard, belonging to a disguised way of making itself survive for four turns.”

Lan Shan was also introducing his card: “I understand the core of your strategy, relying on the Bouncing Guard’s forced multi-turn survival to buy yourself space.”

“But if you encounter an opponent who also plays for a delay, your advantage will shrink.”

“What’s more, I have two more regular cards than you, so the longer it drags on, the more obvious my advantage becomes.”

After speaking, he revealed his second first-row card.

“!!!”

The card face was revealed, showing a lion with a gaping maw.

Its mane was made of numerous emerald green venomous snakes, writhing on their own.

“Medusa Lion”

Rage, 30 points, Three-star Attack 30, 130/130

“Abundant - Passive”: Medusa Lion’s maximum HP +30.

“Poisonous - Passive”: Medusa Lion’s attacks inflict 10 Poisoned.

“Bite - 30 HP”: Medusa Lion attacks 1 target, dealing an additional 30 damage (Poisoned: Takes unavoidable damage next turn).

“Poisoned is fixed damage and can deal effective damage to damage-absorbing cards.”

“Then Abundant and Bite are standard for Rage cards.”

Overall, this card was pretty decent, even the Void Commentator couldn’t find anything special to say about it.

“No, how do these two cards Counter me?”

Shi Li raised his hand to ask.

“Don’t worry! The best part is yet to come!”

Lan Shan was a bit embarrassed by the question.

After both sides finished revealing cards, Shi Li faced two choices.

Attack, or Defense.

Normally, Defense would definitely be more advantageous.

The opponent’s reveal turn was a bit aggressive, and avoiding their sharp edge was a valid tactic.

But in the end, his decision was to attack.

“LV2 Isolation: Prevents 1 card from receiving Healing/damage absorption effects for 3 turns. (T1)”

No matter if it’s Shield or Healing, one Isolation cast will solve all problems.

“LV2 Counter: Makes 1 opponent’s LV1~2 hand card played this turn ineffective.”

However, Lan Shan had already prepared for this.

Whether Shi Li played Isolation or Defense, he would encounter this hand card of his.

So defending might lead to a disadvantage; attacking was the correct choice.

Thus, what remained was for both sides to exchange attacks.

And just as Lan Shan himself said, he wanted to deal with bo shan first.

He even went so far as to have Medusa Lion use its 30 HP damage skill.

After the first turn ended, the card states were as follows:

bo shan: 40/100, 40/100 (Poisoned)

Medusa Lion: 90/130

“Lan Shan’s aggression is very strong, especially since he has the Condemned Prisoner to back up his Healing.”

“Moreover, the 6+1 deck also has a hidden advantage: both of his regular card columns are full, making it difficult for the opponent to determine which column the ace card is in.”

“So even if Shi Li wanted to go all out and take down the ace card first, it would actually be very difficult.”

The second turn arrived, and Shi Li once again took the lead in revealing his last row card.

Located behind cloud river, Red Blade Maiden.

“please teach!”

Red Blade Maiden carried Unceasing + Abundant + Vast.

“So… so strong! He’d been hiding such a card all this time?!”

When that red-clad figure appeared, even Huo Guang was shocked.

...But Principal Su, sitting next to him, looked unwell.

Because it had been confirmed in advance that the top scholar would participate in the Torch Raising Ceremony, the information about Shi Li's card game was sealed.

Unless the Banlan Tribe specifically paid attention to Shi Li and had some corresponding special intelligence channels on Bluestar,

otherwise, the matter of his innate hand card would not have been exposed.

“The fact that Shi Li brought out this card shows that he also knows the pressure in this game is truly immense.”

Principal Su sighed.

He also knew that it was unavoidable.

Because only if Red Blade Maiden was revealed early enough would there be a chance to meet the activation conditions for Crimson Liberation: True.

“Moreover, the opponent prioritizing attacks on bo shan instead of the Bouncing Guard also indirectly increased the number of turns Red Blade Maiden could survive.”

“bo shan’s HP is already more than half gone; if it’s ignored to attack the Bouncing Guard instead, it would be a losing proposition.”

“I think Shi Li also saw this situation, which further solidified his decision to reveal Red Blade Maiden in this position.”

“He wasn’t changing his formation for the sake of changing it, as the young man on the other side said; instead, it was more like luring the opponent to attack bo shan first.”

Principal Su understood Shi Li’s deck and his style.

So his analysis was very clear.

“Awesome.”

Even Lan Shan couldn't help but marvel at this card.

As the saying goes, comparing people makes one angry, comparing goods makes one smash them.

Look at his Medusa Lion, then look at someone else’s Red Blade Maiden.

30 Abundant versus 50 Abundant.

Damn it.

“But even if you have an excellent card, it won’t help.”

However, Lan Shan quickly smiled slightly.

He picked up the covered card in the next row, located behind the Condemned Prisoner, and flipped it over.

“The Time Has Come!”

A burly, red-headed man walked out from the card face.

He was holding a large saber.

“Executioner”

Rage, 30 points, Three-star Attack 30, 100/100

“Decapitation - Passive”: If Condemned Prisoner’s HP becomes 0 in the adjacent front position, Executioner’s attack power for this game +30.

“Head Falls - 30 HP”: Executioner attacks 1 target, with a Finishing Blow effect (Slam - 30 HP: Executioner attacks 1 target, dealing an additional 30 damage (Finishing Blow: The target killed cannot re-enter the field)).

This was another unique card, no Characteristic, but with an exclusive linked entry.

“So the ‘Counter Revival’ Lan Shan spoke of was this Finishing Blow effect.”

“Good heavens, this linked entry is literally ‘decapitation’.”

“Although the conditions are a bit strict, a 30 attack power bonus is too tempting, isn’t it?”

“And with the ‘Feast Together’ entry, having several Rage cards also yields high returns.”

Everyone commented animatedly.

After the card reveals were complete, the action phase began.

Both sides played the same hand card this turn, LV2 Counter.

Lan Shan was determined to trade cards with Shi Li and prevent him from protecting bo shan.

And Shi Li was equally afraid that the opponent would protect Medusa Lion, so he played Counter.

But he had another move, which was to have bo shan activate its Defense skill on its own.

10 damage reduction + 10 Shield plus Defense, it was truly very tough.

Lan Shan's two Rage cards activated their skills, barely managing to focus fire and kill it.

After the end of the 2nd round, the cards on both sides were as follows:

【bo shan】: Withdrew, instantly killed 【Jumping Guard】: 20/50+50/50, 15/60

【Red Blade Maiden】: 130/150

VS

【Medusa Lion】: Withdrew 【Atonement Hand】: 70/100

“The output of the 【Red Blade Maiden】 card is too strong, forcing Lan Shan to change his strategy and have 【Medusa Lion】 and 【bo shan】 self-destruct.”

“But it doesn't matter much; after this round, Shi Li has no cards left to reveal, while Lan Shan can Still reveal 3 more cards.”

“Platinum 7 fighting Platinum 5 is really an easy win.”

Even though the Red Blade Maiden was strong, everyone Still overwhelmingly disfavored Shi Li.

There was no other way; the tier difference was clear.

Even Principal Su had some doubts, wondering if even if Shi Li played the Red Blade Maiden's fated hand, he wouldn't be able to turn the tide.

After all, after 5 rounds, it would be too late.

The 3rd round arrived, and Lan Shan revealed his 4th regular card.

“Roar!”

A familiar short, stout Stone Demon emerged from the card.

This time, he didn't reveal a Rage card.

Instead, it was the upgraded version of the Crude Stone Demon, the upgraded version of the Stone Demon, the Greater Stone Sprite.

【Greater Stone Sprite】

Persistence, 30 points, three-star attack 30, 100/100, 15/40

【Child of Stone - Passive】: When Greater Stone Sprite is revealed, it gains 15 energy.

【Solid - Passive】: When Greater Stone Sprite is in Defense, damage taken -10.

【Defense - 15 Energy】: Greater Stone Sprite enters Defense state this round (T1).

“It seems Lan Shan is changing tactics, starting to go for a survival and endurance route.”

“Because as soon as the Jumping Guard withdraws, Shi Li's side will collapse.”

“So his goal is just to hold on.”

As the audience said, Lan Shan wanted to hold his line until the last regular card was revealed before launching a full assault.

This round, Shi Li was a bit awkward.

Because the opponent had two outer cards, one preparing to hang the Death Row Inmate.

One was the Greater Stone Sprite, which would definitely be in Defense.

But no matter what, at least this round he was the one in control.

So it was his turn to play LV2 Counter, interrupting Lan Shan's attempt to cast LV2 Healing on the Greater Stone Sprite.

Then, both sides exchanged attacks.

After the end of the 3rd round, the cards on both sides were as follows:

【Jumping Guard】: 0/50+50/50, 30/60

【Red Blade Maiden】: 120/150

VS

【Greater Stone Sprite】: 55/100, 30/40

【Atonement Hand】: 70/100

【Death Row Inmate】: Stasis The 4th round arrived, and Lan Shan revealed 1 more card.

The last row card behind the Greater Stone Sprite.

“I drill, drill, drill!”

On the card was a goblin in punk style, holding a large digging drill.

【Drill Goblin】

Rage, 40 points, three-star attack 40, 130/130

【Abundant - Passive】: Drill Goblin's maximum health +30.

【Mechanical Fanatic - Passive】: When Drill Goblin casts a skill, its attack power +10.

【Big Drill - 40 Health】: Drill Goblin attacks 1 target, with a Pierce effect (Pierce: When attacking a target not in Defense, the adjacent target directly behind it takes damage).

“If the Jumping Guard doesn't defend, the cloud river will be attacked.”

“I can completely understand Lan Shan's choice.”

“He can tolerate the fact that the Jumping Guard is forced to survive for more than 3 rounds, but he is unwilling to accept that the Jumping Guard is forced to survive for 3 rounds while also recklessly dealing damage.”

“Or, he's using it to attack the cloud river and pierce through to the Red Blade Maiden.”

However, facing the threat of Pierce, Shi Li Still chose to continue the offense.

Because the opponent's output was too high, even if he defended, it would be useless; he would Still lose 50 health.

Better to trade.

“LV2 Counter.” 2

Both played their hand cards at the same time, which was effectively not playing anything.

“You're quite generous; your LV2 Counter should be used up, right?”

Lan Shan sneered at the sight.

“I think you're the one who's used up theirs.”

Shi Li directly pulled a handful of cards from his pocket: “I have nothing to be reluctant about; I have plenty.”

He spread them out, and they were all LV2 Counter.

“Huh?!”

This made Lan Shan completely stunned.

He actually had so many LV2 Counter cards?!

One must know that card players at the Platinum tier generally don't lack LV2 hand cards too much.

However, among regular hand cards, Counter is relatively rarer.

He considered himself very lucky, only having 3 LV2 Counter cards.

Shi Li: My apologies, I actually am too.

After both sides finished playing their hand cards, the character cards began to exchange attacks.

When the Death Row Inmate withdrew, he also treated his own cards to a feast, recovering a lot of health.

After the end of the 4th round, the cards on both sides were as follows:

【Jumping Guard】: Stasis, 60/60

【cloud river】: 50/100, 90/100

【Red Blade Maiden】: 110/150

VS

【Greater Stone Sprite】: 40/100, 40/40

【Atonement Hand】: 100/100

【Drill Goblin】: 120/130

【Death Row Inmate】: Withdrew A new round arrived, and Lan Shan revealed his last regular card.

The last row card slot behind the Atonement Hand.

“~”

A small sheep with wings, its fluffy white wool made its body look very bloated.

【Flying Sheep】

Wisdom, 20 points, three-star attack 20, 100/100, 60/60

【Inspiration - Passive】: Flying Sheep's energy cap +10.

【Ram Attack - 30 Energy】: Flying Sheep attacks 1 target, dealing an additional 30 damage.

【Wool Protection - 30 Energy】: Flying Sheep grants 1 target a 30-point Shield (T1).

“Now it's 4 cards against 3 cards. It's clear that Lan Shan's Shield card is intended to protect his outer cards and stall for rounds.”

“As long as he survives this round, with the Jumping Guard withdrawing and him not losing any cards, next round it will become 4 cards against 2 cards.”

However, after Lan Shan revealed his card, the reveal phase didn't end.

Under Shi Li's command, the Jumping Guard took action.

“Jump!”

He stamped his foot furiously, and circles appeared in all the empty card slots on the field.

Small Tiao Tiao, each with a yellow talisman on its forehead, short limbs, and a tiger-like head, crawled out from the cards.

“Tiao Tiao Tiao ~” 6

They kept bouncing in place, looking very excited.

They looked like a group of harmless children.

Lan Shan's two empty slots in the first row, Shi Li's three regular card slots in the left column + one ace card slot.

Exactly 6 slots, exhausting all of the Jumping Guard's energy.

One's own ace card empty slot could summon cards, but the disadvantage was that it would expose the true location of the ace card.

However, in this situation, it didn't matter.

“Heh, what a waste.”

But Lan Shan didn't even consider these summoned cards, which only had 5 attack power.

Especially the Greater Stone Sprite, which specifically countered them.

The Greater Stone Sprite in Defense state had 10 damage reduction.

If it were the 30-attack Jumping Guard, it could Still deal 10 damage.

Now, the Jumping Guard wasted its action opportunity, replaced by 6 small Tiao Tiao.

Although their total attack power was equal, split into 6 portions, they couldn't even break its Defense.

After both sides finished revealing their cards, the action phase began.

Lan Shan played 1 LV2 Defense, targeting 2 outer cards.

Shi Li played 1 LV1 Isolation, targeting the Atonement Hand.

Then, the cloud river, which had been in a Still state, finally made its move.

90 energy was converted into 90 Quantum Entanglement, plus its own original 20 attack, for a total damage of 20+90 points.

It hit the Atonement Hand in Defense, instantly killing it.

And the Drill Goblin, taking advantage of the Jumping Guard's inability to act after summoning, once again used Pierce.

As for the choice of the 6 small Tiao Tiao, it was very strange: 2 chose Still, while 4 chose to attack the Jumping Guard.

After the end of the 5th round, the cards on both sides were as follows:

【Jumping Guard】: Stasis, 60/60

【cloud river】: Withdrew 【Red Blade Maiden】: 100/150

VS

【Greater Stone Sprite】: 5/100, 40/40

【Drill Goblin】: 80/130

【Flying Sheep】: 100/100, 30/60

【Atonement Hand】: Withdrew