146: Resist temptation and change your strategy

Chapter 146: Rejecting Temptation, Shi Li Changes Formation

"What do you want to do?"

Shi Li crossed his arms.

This guy is a little off.

...Lan Ji's eye twitched.

This guy is a little off.

"I'll just say it directly."

To avoid misunderstandings, he placed a card on the table: "Here are 500,000 cubic coins."

cubic coins are universal, so naturally there are universal storage cards for them.

"For tomorrow's Top 16 to Top 8 match, you drew my young master as an opponent.

Please accept this money and let him win the match."

"What rank is your young master?"

Shi Li was a little curious.

He left too hastily after the second stage ended, so Huo Guang drew lots on his behalf.

"Platinum 7."

"Even a Platinum 7 lacks confidence?"

"Lan Shan, whom you defeated in the last match, is recognized as the second strongest player in this tournament."

Lan Ji's words were a tacit admission that Shi Li was currently one of the top two players in the tournament.

"Sorry, but I'll have to decline."

But Shi Li just shook his head.

"Do you think 500,000 isn't enough?"

Lan Ji looked up at his rank label as if enlightened, and smiled: "Indeed, you are already Platinum 6.

The price naturally needs to increase."

With that, he took out another card.

"Another 500,000, for a total of 1,000,000."

Lan Ji didn't even blink when he took out a full 1,000,000.

In fact, even if he had to take out another 2,000,000 or 3,000,000, he would have done it.

Because Shi Li, as an outsider, clearly did not know the significance of the Torch Raising Ceremony to the Banlan Tribe.

Taking money to throw a match would absolutely be an insult to the Banlan Tribe.

If this matter were to be exposed, Lan Ji was absolutely confident that Shi Li would not be able to appear in the arena tomorrow.

So, money is a good thing, that's true.

But what if you have the chance to take it but no chance to spend it?

"Player Shi Li, 1,000,000 is already a lot."

Lan Ji stared into Shi Li's eyes: "Think about it carefully, how long would it take you to earn 1,000,000 cubic coins on your own?"

"About a month or so."

Shi Li estimated his recent income.

This answer directly stunned Lan Ji.

Master, what kind of work do you do? Can you introduce me to some opportunities?

"1,000,000 is indeed tempting."

The next moment, Shi Li changed the subject.

If this 1,000,000 fell from the sky, he would guarantee with Gong Ping's life that he would catch it before anyone else.

Gong Ping: So you don't lose anything either way, huh?

"But it's just—it's pretty boring this way."

Shi Li completely rejected the other party.

"But—"

"Someone! Show him out!"

Shi Li's shout made Lan Ji involuntarily look towards the door.

There was no one there; this kid was just messing with him.

However, he was also worried that being too loud would actually attract others.

"Alright, then I won't disturb you this late."

"You only say that after you've already disturbed me."

—However, you can always come to me if you change your mind before tomorrow's match begins."

Finally, Lan Ji could only leave this resentful remark and hastily departed.

"Don't tell me, the book my teacher gave me seems quite useful."

Shi Li took out the book "Introduction to Microexpressions" from under the table.

From the moment Lan Ji entered, he had judged that the other party had another motive.

It was definitely not as simple as bribing him to throw a match.

But he wasn't lying; such a thing was quite boring to him.

Money is something that, if lost, can be earned again.

Thus, the night passed uneventfully, and the matches officially began the next day.

The final stage of the Torch Raising Ceremony would complete all matches in three days.

Day one, Top 16 to Top 8.

Day two, Top 8 to Top 4, Top 4 to Top 2.

Day three, finals and third-place match.

On the first day of matches, Shi Li had a very smooth run.

The Platinum 7 he faced was not very skilled.

It felt like this person hadn't even mastered his deck, making two consecutive operational errors right from the start.

If he remembered correctly, the opponent was only Platinum 4 during the second stage.

This was the consequence of force-feeding like 'pulling up seedlings to help them grow'.

Did they really think everyone was a genius like him?

The other two players Shi Li was focused on were A Ya Jun, who still looked as listless as if he hadn't slept well.

But this didn't prevent him from continuing to crush his Platinum 7 opponent and easily advance.

The other was Chang Zhun, also a representative of Blue Star.

Chang Zhun encountered a very powerful opponent.

However, after a tough battle, he still defeated that Platinum 7 as a Platinum 6.

One could only say that although this guy's card-playing style was extremely annoying, he did have real skill.

After the Top 16 to Top 8 matches, chatting with Chang Zhun revealed that he had also encountered a strange visitor last night.

The other party not only offered the same 1,000,000 for throwing the match but also presented a honey trap.

However, Chang Zhun went to bed promptly at 10 PM every night, and it was already 9:59 PM at the time, so neither of the opponent's schemes succeeded.

Realizing the seriousness of the problem, the two then informed Huo Guang and Principal Su.

Huo Guang gave them a comforting yet serious warning, while Principal Su repeatedly pressed for details of the honey trap.

The matches continued on the second day.

In the morning's Top 8 to Top 4, Shi Li advanced without much difficulty.

Chang Zhun, however, finally lost to his opponent, which was quite satisfying.

Those who found it satisfying included Shi Li, his fellow countryman.

In the afternoon's Top 4 to Top 2, Shi Li secured the win with some minor scares while keeping his trump cards hidden.

That evening, in the cellar.

"My lord, everything is ready."

The subordinate knelt on one knee before the black-robed man.

"Hmm—"

The man was resting with his eyes closed.

"But you still haven't resolved Shi Li's problem."

A moment later, his words made the subordinate's heart tremble.

Today's Top 8 to Top 4 and Top 4 to Top 2 draws were all personally conducted by the elders.

So they couldn't manipulate them.

"Please rest assured on that point, three of the Top 4 have already embraced the black light.

Among the top three who enter the Sacred Fire Hall, two will be ours, plus the main person in charge, making three."

The subordinate hurriedly explained.

"Once the Sacred Fire Hall's doors are completely closed, the three of them working together will surely ensure Shi Li's death."

"The Sacred Fire Hall has been safe for many years, and its defensive strength is no longer what it once was; it is at its weakest."

"Seventeen of the twenty elders have returned to their hometowns to retire or are traveling around."

"At that time, as long as we coordinate from inside and out to open the Sacred Fire Hall's rank restrictions, our people will be able to swarm in."

"As long as any one person throws the Fel Energy they carry into the Sacred Fire, that one will descend."

"Then the Second Elder will restrain the First Elder, you, my lord, will restrain the Third Elder, and the rest will be left to us."

Although this was a pre-arranged plan, hearing that he was about to fight the Third Elder still brought an indescribable emotion to the black-robed man.

Because the Third Elder was his own father.

If it weren't for him disregarding their father-son relationship back then and preventing him from entering the Elder Candidate Group.

He would have already ascended to the position of Elder and enjoyed countless resources.

But now it didn't matter.

During this time, under the grace of his master, he had raised his rank to Emerald 10.

Even if he truly became an Elder and gained the qualification for Sacred Fire baptism, cultivating for another ten or twenty years might not even allow him to reach this realm.

Now, he was not afraid even when facing Elder-level combat power.

Early on the third day, the highly anticipated finals of this Torch Raising Ceremony were about to begin.

Due to an outsider entering the finals for the first time, the level of attention this year even surpassed previous years.

Blueberry City's largest arena, capable of holding ten thousand people, was already packed early on.

"Don't worry about winning or losing this match; just play freely."

Principal Su patted Shi Li's shoulder.

Although he had already advanced to Platinum 6, his opponent was A Ya Jun, a Platinum 8.

Platinum 8 not only has two more cards than Platinum 6 but also gets to reveal one more card at the start.

Even if Shi Li had synergy cards that could compensate for the disadvantage of starting with one less card, this battle would still be very difficult.

"Don't worry about winning this match; just play freely."

Huo Guang also spoke earnestly.

?

Shi Li immediately reacted: "Brother Huo, you never thought I would win, did you?"

"It's not that, it's just that I bet on A Ya Jun to win at the underground casino."

—How much did you bet?

"100,000."

Huo Guang's expression was firm.

Good heavens, he had so little faith in himself.

"Gambling is illegal."

At this moment, Chang Zhun suddenly spoke: "I just heard someone nearby say that the Banlan Guard raided all the gambling dens this morning, and all the stakes were confiscated."

Huo Guang's eye twitched wildly.

"Shi Li, you can only win this match, not lose."

So he changed his tune.

If Shi Li could truly win first place in the Torch Raising Ceremony, the Three Provinces Alliance would definitely reward him handsomely.

Now he was relying on the guide's commission to recover his losses.

On the other side, A Ya Jun was also receiving rewards from his elders.

“Child, your mission this time is very important.”

The Great Elder, with his pure white beard, gazed at him: “You must protect the Holy Flame.”

“There has never been a precedent for the first place in the Torch Raising Ceremony to fall into the hands of an outsider.”

The Third Elder beside him also encouraged: “You must preserve this honor for our Banlan Tribe, the honor of personally lighting the Holy Flame.”

Only the Second Elder, an old woman, remained silent, her expression somewhat gloomy.

“A Ya Jun respectfully obeys the Elders’ teachings.”

A Ya Jun bowed, then strode onto the arena.

Soon, Shi Li also arrived in the arena, and the two stood facing each other.

“We meet again, Shi Li.”

“We meet again, A Ya Jun.”

The Platinum 9 officiant stepped onto the arena and looked at both of them.

“If you are ready, you may lay out your cards.”

With a wave of his hand, a card table made of blue light floated between them.

The card table was embedded with image magic runes, which could project the real-time battle situation onto a large water screen.

Soon, both of them had laid out their respective decks and began to reveal their cards.

“I already understand your tactics.”

Before revealing his cards, A Ya Jun spoke.

“These two Unique Character Cards of the Persistence type, possessing Characteristics, have no particularly obvious shortcomings.”

“If it were me, I would also always deploy these two cards as my first-row cards.”

However, just as he finished speaking, Shi Li revealed his first-row cards.

“Jump!”

“Buzzing”

Contrary to expectations, it was the Tiao Tiao Guard and the Cicada Wing Patrol.

The Tiao Tiao Guard carried Stasis + Stasis Delay + Big Jump.

The Cicada Wing Patrol carried Blessing + Ace Reveal + 1 new entry.

The new entry was quite special.

“Nerve Slowdown - Passive”: The Cicada Wing Patrol’s Warcry effect is delayed by 1 turn. Although the Cicada Wing Patrol has many entries, not many of them can be used in a normal game with this deck.

So Shi Li spent some time specifically creating this for it.

Strictly speaking, this is a negative entry common to the Balance System type.

It belongs to the kind that is not very common but whose required materials are not expensive.

Its purpose is self-evident; 10 points of permanent Encouragement cannot be given to the Tiao Tiao Guard, and it is not cost-effective for itself as an external card.

So it’s better to delay it by one turn and give it to the subsequent Character Cards.

“This—”

It must be said that Shi Li’s card reveal was somewhat unexpected for A Ya Jun.

But it didn’t matter, it still hadn’t escaped his control.

“I studied every one of your duels in the Torch Raising Ceremony, and it can be said that the Tiao Tiao Guard card is the biggest core of your deck.”

“All your underdog victories are built upon the foundation it provides.”

“However, it’s a pity, this move is useless against me.”

As he spoke, A Ya Jun revealed his first-row cards.

“Offer!”

His first three slots simultaneously lit up with fire.

A blazing Wall of Spreading Flames slowly rose.

The burning flames were shaped like crimson arms, as if they wanted to pull people in at any moment to endure the infernal high temperatures.

Wall of Spreading Flames

Persistence, 90 points, three-star attack 50, 500/500, 0/40

“Bountiful - Characteristic”: Wall of Spreading Flames attack power -40, maximum health +150

“Giant - Passive”: Wall of Spreading Flames occupies 1 row and 3 card slots, maximum health +250

“Scorching - Passive”: Targets attacking Wall of Spreading Flames receive 5 points of Ignite effect. “Solid Wall - 20 Energy”: Wall of Spreading Flames enters Defense state this turn (T1)

(“Ignite”: Takes unavoidable damage next turn, and recovery effects are halved)

“Five, five hundred health!”

As soon as this card appeared, someone immediately gasped from the audience.

And the Void Commentators immediately began to analyze.

“Shi Li’s previous underdog victories all relied on the Tiao Tiao Guard’s survival ability to drag out the opponent’s attrition.”

“But this Wall of Spreading Flames will definitely not retreat earlier than the Tiao Tiao Guard.”

“Summon cards are also affected by blocking rules. If Wall of Spreading Flames does not retreat, Shi Li’s summon cards cannot be summoned on the opponent’s empty card slots.”

“And now he has been promoted to Platinum 6, even counting his own empty ace slot, he only has 2 empty slots available for summoning.”

“This greatly reduces the threat of the Tiao Tiao Guard’s summon cards. He considered this point, which is why he brought the Big Jump, which has higher energy consumption but occupies fewer slots.”

“Plus these 5 points of Ignite also have a great counter effect on Shi Li’s Red Blade Maiden. 5 points of damage + halved Healing can perfectly offset its Unceasing.”

While they were analyzing, the first turn had already entered the action phase.

“Your unique hand card is indeed powerful, but if my first attack target is the Tiao Tiao Guard, then the available empty summon card slots for it will be greatly reduced, minimizing the threat of those summon cards.”

As he spoke, A Ya Jun directly played his hand card.

“LV2 Healing”: Restores 40 health to 1 card. (T5)

The intention of this move was simple and clear.

If you make the Tiao Tiao Defense, then I will add health to extend the survival time of the Wall of Spreading Flames.

If you prevent me from adding health, then I will directly attack the Tiao Tiao, taking away a portion of its health.

This was the composure that rank advantage brought to A Ya Jun; he was not worried about insufficient output.

Shi Li’s choice was to have the Tiao Tiao Guard go into Defense.

Because for him, this was also a simple problem.

Taking 30 points of output in 1 turn versus taking 30 points of output in 2 turns.

Of course, it’s the latter.

So after the first turn ended, the board state was as follows:

Tiao Tiao Guard: 25/50+50/50, 15/60

Cicada Wing Patrol: 100/100, Ignite VS

Wall of Spreading Flames: 500/500, 15/40

The second turn arrived, and Shi Li was the first to reveal his next row of cards.

“Defense Field Activated.”

“Charge Field Activated.”

They were the bo shan, carrying Shield + Damage Reduction + Barrier.

And the cloud river, carrying Linked Reveal + Quantum Entanglement + Revival.

And the Cicada Wing Patrol also gave its 10 points of permanent Encouragement to the bo shan.

“Shi Li’s deployment of these two cards is correct.”

“A Ya Jun already essentially revealed 1 more card than him last turn, so he must make up for it this turn.”

“Furthermore, Listen to the Wind cards are better revealed as early as possible.”

However, the Void Commentators also noticed one thing: Shi Li placed two Persistence cards in the same column.

The Listen to the Wind card, however, was placed behind the Cicada Wing Patrol.

“Next, I will quickly deal with your Tiao Tiao Guard.”

Shi Li’s card reveal was also within A Ya Jun’s expectations.

“Mantis! Mantis!”

A double-bladed mantis with an armor-like exoskeleton leaped out from the card face.

Double-Bladed Mantis

Momentum, 40 points, three-star attack 40, 100/100, 0/50

“Double Blades - Characteristic”: Double-Bladed Mantis’s attack is divided into 2 segments. “Blade Break - Passive”: If Double-Bladed Mantis attacks 1 target twice within a turn, it triggers the Flaw effect (T2).

“Consecutive Blades - Passive”: Double-Bladed Mantis recovers an additional 5 energy every 2 attacks. “Blade Mark - 50 Energy”: Double-Bladed Mantis attacks 1 target and additionally releases 1 slot of Lock effect this game (T4 + T0).

(“Flaw”: Target cannot perform Defense)

(“Lock”: This card slot cannot be passed through or have cards placed on it)

“Another Characteristic card!”

“And it’s a Momentum card that can gain 25 energy in 1 turn!”

“Once this card is on the field, the Tiao Tiao Guard will no longer be able to stall for time through Defense!”

“Furthermore, this Lock effect can prevent both Revival and Movement!”

“He was indeed prepared, seeing through all of Shi Li’s tactical possibilities!”

People exclaimed one after another.

It can only be said that the Double-Bladed Mantis’s only drawback is that its multi-segment attacks are countered by the bo shan’s 10 points of Damage Reduction.

2 segments of attack, 20 points of damage per segment, when encountering 10 points of Damage Reduction, it becomes 10 points of damage per segment, greatly reducing output.

But they could understand A Ya Jun’s choice.

Anyway, for the other effects of this card, this sacrifice in output was completely acceptable.