142: 【Dead Man's Talisman】

Chapter 142: Dead's Talisman

“Shi Li, you lost.”

Looking at the cards on the table, Lan Shan revealed a smile of relief and victory.

“Your Jumping Guard can only survive until T0 of the new round before it has to retreat.”

“So, strictly speaking, in the new round, you only have 1 regular card, totaling 100 HP and 40 attack.”

“As for me, I still have 3 regular cards, 185 HP, and 90 attack.”

“Surrender. No matter how you play, you can’t win.”

He began to speak confidently.

Principal Su, who was in the audience, also heard these words and felt worried about Shi Li’s situation.

The opponent was right; Shi Li had no hope.

Up until now, the Red Blade Maiden had only used her skill 4 times.

She would only be able to accumulate 5 uses in the next round.

The problem was that once 5 uses were accumulated, she had to use the skill, and using the skill meant she couldn't Defense.

Moreover, even with the Healing from Unceasing, using the skill would drop the Red Blade Maiden’s HP to 90/150.

And just in case, even if the opponent allowed Shi Li to play the LV2 Healing, bringing her HP to 130/150.

The opponent’s output, however, perfectly countered that line.

The Drill Goblin’s skill could deal 50 damage.

The Flying Sheep’s skill could deal 50 damage.

The Greater Stone Sprite’s normal attack could deal 30 damage.

So, when 5 skill uses were accumulated, that would be when the Red Blade Maiden retreated.

“Is this as far as I can go—”

Huo Guang didn't even know about the existence of innate cards and was even more despairing at this moment.

“It’s okay, Shi Li! You’ve already performed very well!”

Despite his despair, he still loudly encouraged the other party.

“Yes, you played quite well.”

“For Platinum 5 to go this far against Platinum 7, it’s already very good.”

“Just keep up the good work in the future.”

“You’re much more likable than that other Blue Starian.”

Chang Zhun: ?

The audience members also spoke up.

“Surrender, you are not disgraced.”

Lan Shan also showed a friendly side at this moment.

Looking at the atmosphere, Shi Li fell silent.

“You guys are—making me quite embarrassed.”

He scratched his head and once again issued an order to his cards.

“Jump!”

The Tiao Tiao once again stomped its foot under the command.

“Tiao Tiao Tiao~” 2

This time, small Tiao Tiaos were also summoned in the original positions of the [Child’s Hand] and [cloud river].

After completing this T0 summoning action, the Jumping Guard officially retreated.

“It’s useless.”

Lan Shan laughed at the sight.

“I admit, your summoning cards, once they reach a certain number, can have quite considerable output.”

“But even if you now have 8 small Tiao Tiaos, that’s only 40 attack.”

“You don’t really think these little things, with a combined total of 40 attack and 40 HP, can help you turn the tide, do you?”

In his opinion, this was simply a futile struggle.

This large group of chattering little zombies looked a bit scary, but in reality, 5 HP was too weak.

Moreover, 5 attack couldn’t even break the Greater Stone Sprite’s Defense.

The Drill Goblin, hiding behind the Greater Stone Sprite, would only need a few AOEs to clear them all out.

“You have a point.”

Shi Li nodded, but then changed the subject: “But let’s not talk about reason first.”

“?”

Lan Shan indicated he didn’t understand: “What do you mean, not talk about reason?”

“Innate cards, they don’t talk about reason.”

Shi Li pulled out a card from his pocket.

“The talisman lands, and Dark Qi overflows.”

“Dead's Talisman: When Jumping Guard retreats, all of its summoned cards’ attack power is doubled.”

It turned out that the 'talisman removal' here wasn't removing the Tiao Tiao's talisman, but rather removing the summoned cards' talismans.

On the field, all the small Tiao Tiaos suddenly quieted down, closed their eyes, and stood rigidly, with their hands extended forward.

A cold wind blew, and the yellow talismans on their foreheads fell to the ground, gradually turning into scattered light.

“Roar...—” 8

A unified, hoarse growl came from their throats, and when they opened their eyes again, they were a fiery red.

At this moment, the innocence they once possessed was completely gone, replaced by a chilling aura of Dark Qi surrounding them, exuding a menacing intent.

“What?! An innate card!!”

Lan Shan’s eyes instantly widened.

This guy, who was only Platinum 5, actually possessed an innate card!

“!!!”

Even Principal Su, in the audience, couldn't help but stand up.

Because he understood even more clearly what this represented.

Shi Li, the absolute number one genius in his career as an educator.

Actually possessed two innate cards!

Then, Principal Su sat down with a sense of relief.

He clasped his hands and slowly uttered two words:

“...Comfortable.”

He had been infected by Shi Li.

But it was indeed comfortable; such a person was actually his student.

What else could this be but comfort?

He had even envisioned the Twenty-sixth High School's future prosperity.

Crushing Third High School and Second High School underfoot, becoming a top high school in the entire city, no, the entire province, and even the entire country.

Everywhere he passed, everyone would respectfully address him as the great principal of Twenty-sixth High School.

“Hahahahaha!”

“?” 2

Huo Guang and Chang Zhun, who were also immersed in shock, were startled by Principal Su’s sudden burst of laughter.

However, he expressed understanding, as Shi Li was about to reverse the situation and win this round.

Summoned creatures with a full 80 attack power meant that anyone they touched in this endgame would die.

“No! Don’t think you can turn the tide just like that!”

Lan Shan became hoarse.

10 attack power still couldn’t break the Greater Stone Sprite’s Defense.

As long as he could take out the Red Blade Maiden first, he still had a chance to win.

So, he ignored everything and had the Flying Sheep and Drill Goblin activate their skills.

“LV1 Counter!”

At the same time, Lan Shan also played a card.

“LV2 Defense.”

But Shi Li responded calmly.

LV2 Defense could also make only 1 target Defense, and it would not be interrupted by LV1 Counter.

His choice was to have the Red Blade Maiden and the small Tiao Tiao in front of the Red Blade Maiden Defense.

His current situation had an infinite advantage; he just needed to play steadily.

So, after round 6 ended, the cards on both sides were as follows:

Red Blade Maiden: 60/150

VS

Greater Stone Sprite: 5/100, 25/40

Drill Goblin: 50/130

Flying Sheep: 30/100, 0/60

“Lan Shan lost.”

Looking at the situation, Huo Guang drew a conclusion.

“Clearly, Lan Shan no longer has LV2 Counter, and the Flying Sheep’s energy is also depleted.”

“In the next round, his theoretical maximum output will be 50+30+20 = 100 points.”

“Even without adding Unceasing’s 10 points of recovery, he still can’t instantly kill the defending Red Blade Maiden.”

“If he can’t instantly kill the Red Blade Maiden in the next round, Lan Shan will completely lose his chance to win.”

“His choice not to clear the small Tiao Tiaos in this round, but instead to attack the defending Red Blade Maiden, already cost him his last opportunity.”

“Of course, even if he had chosen to clear the small Tiao Tiaos, he would still have a very high probability of losing.”

Indeed, the subsequent situation unfolded exactly as Huo Guang had described.

In round 7, Lan Shan continued to have the Greater Stone Sprite Defense, while the other two cards focused fire on the defending Red Blade Maiden.

The Flying Sheep retreated, and the Red Blade Maiden was at 35/100.

In round 8, the Greater Stone Sprite used its normal attack + the Drill Goblin used its blood-burning skill.

The Greater Stone Sprite retreated, the Drill Goblin retreated, and the Red Blade Maiden was at 5/100.

In round 9, Lan Shan revealed his trump card.

“!!!”

A fierce beast with silver fur all over its body leaped out from the card.

Silvermoon Ramon

Balanced, 30 points, three-star attack 60, 200/200

King’s Radiance - Passive: When Silvermoon Ramon is revealed, all revealed enemy cards take 15 damage (T0)

Silverlight Body - Passive: When Silvermoon Ramon is the trump card, damage taken -10

Moonlight Bath - Passive: When Silvermoon Ramon is the trump card, gains 15 Healing each round (T1)

It was a balanced, non-Characteristic unique card that came with a full-screen clear on reveal + damage reduction + sustain.

But the problem was that the small Tiao Tiaos and the Red Blade Maiden didn’t have the special mechanism of the Jumping Guard.

Even if a regular character card took fatal damage at T0, it would still retreat at T5 of the current round.

Even with 10 points of damage reduction, it wasn't threatened by the small Tiao Tiaos, and even if it Defended.

It was still slashed for 35 HP by the Red Blade Maiden’s dying Vast, leaving it at 165/200.

Shi Li only needed to send out the Crowman Warrior to easily secure the victory in 3 rounds.

“That’s amazing, Shi Li!”

As Shi Li stepped off the stage, Huo Guang clapped him heavily on the shoulder.

Compared to Chang Zhun’s previous victory, Shi Li’s match was, of course, more spectacular and held more weight.

This was Platinum 5 fighting Platinum 7, and his opponent was also the Banlan Tribe’s second-ranked genius!

It was incomparable to Chang Zhun’s match, which made Huo Guang need to go to the bathroom twice and wash his shoes twice during one game!

“You little brat, you’re really bored to death. Do you spend all your time drawing hand cards?”

Principal Su scolded him verbally, but in reality, his face was beaming with joy.

“Principal.”

Shi Li glanced at him and also smiled, “What era is it? We’re still using traditional card making?”

Then he leaned in closer.

“They’re all mass 3D printed. This time, they’re absolutely indistinguishable from the real thing.”

“Uh—

Principal Su was speechless.

This kid, he’s even using technology for his crooked ways.

“I’m sorry, A Ya Jun.”

On the other side, Lan Shan was dejected, “I didn’t keep the promise. I can’t meet you in the finals.”

“It’s alright. Winning and losing are common.”

A Ya Jun reached out to pat his shoulder, but then frowned and pulled his hand back.

That trace of black light in his eyes flashed and disappeared.

Outside the arena, in another room.

“Lifebound Hand Card—that’s interesting.”

The black-robed man sat in front of the magic screen, his fingers rhythmically tapping the armrest of his chair, “What’s the name of this Blue Star person?”

“His name is Shi Li, the top scorer in the college entrance examination from Jiangnan Province, and also a B+ level contractor of Blue Star’s Show Card Hall.”

The subordinate standing beside him squatted down and reported, “We had a chance to recruit him in the first phase, but he resisted the Blacklight Whisper.”

This person was the male hunter who participated in the first phase.

“Oh?”

The black-robed man raised an eyebrow.

“Do you want to—”

The male hunter made a throat-slitting gesture.

“No need.”

The black-robed man raised his hand, “The identity of a Blue Star genius is still somewhat sensitive. If we eliminate him now, it might attract the intervention of the Show Card Hall, which would be detrimental to the plan.”

When he mentioned Blue Star’s Show Card Hall, a figure immediately appeared in his mind.

If possible, he didn’t want to encounter that man named Xiu Qingshan again.

“But we can’t just let him be.”

Although he didn’t think Platinum 5 had any chance of defeating A Ya Jun, he still decided to take some measures just in case.

After all 16 finalists were determined, they were uniformly summoned to the arena.

The person in charge of the first phase appeared again.

“Everyone, congratulations on making it to the top 16.”

His gaze lingered on Shi Li and a few others for a moment, “This time, there are also two Blue Star geniuses, which makes me even more pleased.”

“The second phase is officially over. In twenty days, the final phase will begin.”

“Before that, on behalf of this Torch Raising Ceremony, I will issue your rewards for the second phase.”

Subsequently, a stack of token cards was distributed to everyone.

“You can also view this reward as a competition.”

The person in charge looked at everyone, a smile in his eyes, “Because these are unique token cards.”

16 people, 5 cards each.

Whoever cleared the mission first, the token cards of the others would be automatically destroyed.

No wonder they called it a competition.

This approach drew dissatisfaction from many of the top 16 contestants.

In other words, once someone got there first, the others would essentially receive no reward.

However, these were just their thoughts, and no one would say them out loud.

“Thank you, long live the Banlan Tribe.”

Only Shi Li’s attitude was clear.

And so, everyone returned to their respective homes.

A Ya Jun, holding 5 token cards, returned to his residence.

His first priority was to hide in his room and start the simulation mission.

Now was a time where every second counted; if he was slower than others, he would suffer a great loss.

Clicking on the token card, several lines of text information popped up.

“This mission is called: Flower of the Staff.”

“The people on this continent worship martial arts, and among them, the art of the staff is renowned far and wide.”

“The once-a-decade Staff King Tournament is about to begin, and Qier, who has just come of age, decides to participate.”

“However, her idea was strongly opposed by her father.”

“‘To wield the Staff King, one must bear its weight,’ as the former Staff King, her father’s words carried deep meaning.”

“Please help her make a choice.”

“A. Agree on the surface, but secretly sign up to participate.”

“Although Qier knows she can’t hide it from her father, he might turn a blind eye.”

“B. Strongly resist and express her wishes.”

“If her father could assist in her training, the success rate would definitely increase significantly.”

“C. Ask her father how heavy the Staff King is.”

“Although it’s a genuine question, it will still be seen as looking for trouble.”

“Phew—”

Looking at these options, A Ya Jun let out a long breath.

Then he pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket.

This was a guide, a guide for the first 90% of “Flower of the Staff.”

It turned out someone had already paved the way for him, having cleared the initial obstacles.

“According to the guide, for this question, I should choose C.”

At that moment, A Ya Jun was like a student copying answers.

“After several provocations, the father will engage in combat with the protagonist.”

“Then the protagonist will discover that this is actually teaching by example.”

“However, this first battle is destined to be lost, so there’s no need to struggle too much.”

“The intelligent protagonist, through post-battle reflection, quickly comprehends the staff techniques and obtains the staff’s secret.”

He read the text from the guide.

Honestly, the person who wrote this guide was quite immersed in the story.

40 minutes later, A Ya Jun fell before the final boss.

“This mission is a bit difficult.”

Even with the help of the guide, and having collected a large number of powerful buffs.

He was still just a little short against the final boss.

He originally thought he could clear it in one go.

The final boss was an alien powerhouse using a nine-section staff in the Staff King Tournament finals.

Its mechanism was quite unique.

The Persistence card, whether attacking it or being attacked by it, would absorb the target’s energy.

Then, by absorbing this energy, it would release extremely powerful full-screen AOE skills.

“But it’s alright, I’ve already found a way to crack it, and their progress is definitely not as fast as mine.”

Seeing how difficult the mission was, A Ya Jun felt relieved.

When the cooldown time ended the day after tomorrow, this unique card would become his possession.

So, after completing his routine of washing hands → brushing teeth → washing hands → showering → washing hands, he went to bed peacefully.

When he woke up the next morning, A Ya Jun habitually organized his deck.

Then he discovered that one of the previously filled slots in his card library was empty.

“No, where are my cards?”

He was dumbfounded.

The same scene was gradually unfolding among the other top 16 contestants.

Flashback to one night earlier.

Shi Li leisurely finished his meal and leisurely returned to his room.

Regarding “Flower of the Staff,” he wasn’t actually in a hurry.

Because he definitely couldn’t pass it in one go, so rushing was useless.

If someone with foresight had obtained the guide beforehand, they would certainly get the card before him.

His advantage lay in the 48 hours while others were on cooldown.

After tidying everything up and comfortably lying on his bed, Shi Li finally began the Strategy (strategy/guide).

“For the first question, choose C.”

Since the answers behind each option were equally unknown, he might as well follow his own mischievous inclination.

After making several annoying choices, Qier and her father’s first card game finally began.

“What an unfilial daughter, daring to lay hands on her own father.”

“For such matters, it would be more filial to ask an outsider to step in, wouldn’t it?”

Shi Li put the Red Blade Maiden into his deck.

Five minutes later, he won the card game.

“Father! Father, what’s wrong, Father!” Qier cried out with concern, looking at her father lying on the bed.

“I didn’t expect you to have grown to this extent without my knowledge.” Her father pulled out a secret manual of techniques from his embrace.

“If I had known this, wouldn’t it have been easier to just hand it over, old man?”

The first mission naturally ended in failure, but Shi Li had a good look at the final boss.

This made him feel as if the Banlan Tribe’s release of this mission had some other meaning.

Foreigners, didn’t that refer to him and Chang Zhun?

But it wasn’t important; he could easily handle it while grinding.

After staying up all night and grinding 12 times, Shi Li cleared the mission.

Shi Li’s Card Game Quotations: 5. Lifebound Card, unreasonable.