152: The seventh unique card

Chapter 152: The Seventh unique Card

During the period that followed, the entire Banlan Tribe was bustling with activity.

Cleaning up the battlefield and apprehending the remnants of the enemy would require a great deal of time.

In this atmosphere, the negative impact of Shi Li, an outsider, winning first place in the Torch Raising Ceremony, was minimized.

However, the Great Elder still kept her promise, making time amidst her busy schedule to preside over the Sacred Fire Baptism for Shi Li.

But when Shi Li and A Ya Jun arrived at the inner hall, they didn't see the Great Elder; instead, they saw another unexpected figure.

An old woman, bent and hunched, leaning on a cane.

“Great Great Grand Elder?!”

A Ya Jun's line inexplicably felt familiar to Shi Li.

Even though the Great Great Grand Elder now looked frail and aged, Shi Li had personally witnessed her soar through the air as if practicing qinggong.

Then, like a cannonball, she was sent flying backward, collapsing a stone wall.

However, he had indeed heard that the Great Great Grand Elder was the only one of the six ancestors still freely active.

The reason was simple: the Great Great Grand Elder was the weakest among the elders who had fought against the Withering Saint Lord.

Therefore, she was also the most severely injured and was still not out of danger.

This caused the Great Great Grand Elder's [Lifespan Lock] to continuously trigger, preventing her from entering a dormant state.

But for Shi Li and A Ya Jun, it was a blessing in disguise.

“Hello, you two young men. I will preside over today's Sacred Fire Baptism.”

“That's wonderful! It's our honor!”

A Ya Jun was overjoyed to hear this.

It was said that Elder-level figures possessed some profound techniques that could elevate the baptism's effects to a higher level.

And the more experienced and powerful an Elder was, the better the effect of the baptism they presided over.

It should be known that for several previous Torch Raising Ceremonies, no Elder-level figure had presided over the Sacred Fire Baptism.

Let alone someone of the Great Great Grand Elder's caliber.

So, the two followed the Great Great Grand Elder's footsteps and ascended the long staircase.

Standing on the altar, a spherical Sacred Fire, over 5 meters in diameter, burned fiercely.

But there was no oppressive heat, only a gentle and comfortable warmth.

In truth, after the Blacklight Society's disruption, the so-called “ignition ceremony” had lost its meaning.

So the Great Great Grand Elder didn't even go through that process, skipping it entirely.

Then she began to chant a spell and form hand seals, finally casting a card into the Sacred Fire.

Miao!

A clear breeze inexplicably swept over them, and Shi Li and A Ya Jun seemed to hear a sound similar to an ancient bell.

As for the Sacred Fire, no visible difference could be seen on its surface.

“Who will receive the baptism first?”

After the activation ceremony was complete, the Great Great Grand Elder looked at the two of them.

“Me first!”

A Ya Jun volunteered.

Besides the person presiding, the affinity between the person being baptized and the Sacred Fire would also affect the outcome.

It was said that with similar Sacred Fire affinity, the one baptized first within a short period might gain more.

“I have no objection.”

Shi Li didn't understand and didn't care; he just wanted to see what this baptism was all about first.

“Alright, then come here.”

The Great Great Grand Elder pointed to the prayer mat in front of the Sacred Fire. “Don't sit, squat.”

“Place your hands on the ground, head down, yes.”

“Then, follow my instructions, keeping your hands on the ground, slowly stand up.”

?

Under her guidance, A Ya Jun adopted a preparatory stance similar to a runner at the start of a track race.

His butt was sticking up high.

“Great Great Great—ouch!”

However, just as A Ya Jun opened his mouth to express his confusion, the Great Great Grand Elder kicked him in the butt.

The kick was not light; A Ya Jun tumbled forward and fell directly into the Sacred Fire.

“?”

Inside the Sacred Fire, he was about to say it wasn't hot, just like outside, but in the next second, his expression immediately contorted: “Ahhhhhh!”

Just as he was about to rush out of the fire, the Great Great Grand Elder spoke.

“Stay inside, endure as long as you can.”

Hearing her words, A Ya Jun grit his teeth and stopped moving.

“How can it be called Sacred Fire Baptism without entering the fire?

The Sacred Fire will continuously temper your willpower. The weaker one's willpower, the stronger the burning illusions they will experience.

And the longer you persevere, the more it will acknowledge you.”

The Great Great Grand Elder's words reminded A Ya Jun of the teachings of a senior who had undergone Sacred Fire Baptism.

“I am strong!”

So, he endured the burning pain, forcing out this sentence with a firm resolve.

As soon as he shouted this, the sensation on his body indeed eased considerably.

“Not bad.”

Seeing this, the Great Great Grand Elder nodded. “Sacred Fire Baptism not only values personal potential but is also a very idealistic matter.

The more confident a card player is in themselves, the easier it is to endure.”

Ultimately, A Ya Jun persevered for nearly 5 minutes, enduring until he was almost unconscious, before being pulled out by the Great Great Grand Elder.

At this moment, there were no actual burn marks on his body, but sweat had soaked him from head to toe.

“My stats have increased by a significant margin!”

Looking at his personal panel, he said with surprise.

Especially his [Stamina] and [Energy], which had increased by at least 10%.

But the most crucial thing wasn't that; it was the addition of 1 card to his hand.

“[unique] Token Card!”

This was what surprised A Ya Jun the most.

The greatest benefit of Sacred Fire Baptism was the acquisition of corresponding cards based on the duration of tempering.

At least 30 or more one-star Token Cards would be needed, and success in the strategy was only a matter of time.

“Not bad.”

Seeing A Ya Jun's gains, the Great Great Grand Elder couldn't help but nod. “5 minutes is already a very long time.”

In her memory of baptisms she had participated in, no more than 10 people had ever managed to endure the Sacred Fire tempering for 5 minutes.

It could be said that A Ya Jun's Talent was absolutely worthy of recognition.

If he didn't die prematurely, given time, he would certainly grow into a pillar-level fighting force for the Banlan Tribe.

“Your turn, Shi Li.”

A Ya Jun showed a smug expression.

As far as he knew, the highest-level tangible reward for Sacred Fire Baptism was a one-star [unique] Token Card.

Of course, the difficulty of the [unique] Token Card's simulation mission and the quality of the card itself were other factors indicating its worth.

However, this varied from person to person, making it difficult to have a completely fair judgment standard.

Another factor was the number of Token Cards acquired.

The more cards, the better.

After all, if there were only 1 or 2 cards, it was unlikely anyone could complete the [unique] series of missions.

“Alright, I'll give it a try.”

Shi Li didn't want to be kicked in so awkwardly by the Great Great Grand Elder, so he actively walked into the Sacred Fire.

“Wait, never mind.”

Seeing him like this, the Great Great Grand Elder hesitated to speak.

Actually, her kick wasn't just an ordinary kick.

It was a kick imbued with Card Power, which could provide protection to the person being baptized for the first few seconds, giving them a buffer to adapt.

But this silly boy from Blue Star just swaggered in.

“Hmm?”

However, the Great Great Grand Elder quickly noticed something different.

After Shi Li walked in and stood still, his expression remained normal.

“How do you feel?”

“I'm out of the cabin, feeling good.”

“?”

A Ya Jun was a little stunned.

Why did it feel different from his own experience?

Shi Li initially didn't feel anything too obvious, but the scorching sensation on his skin began to increase rapidly.

Following this trend, he seemed to understand why A Ya Jun had appeared so pained earlier.

At this moment, he recalled the Great Great Grand Elder's words.

“I am the strongest card player under heaven.”

So Shi Li immediately declared loudly.

The burning sensation indeed subsided by more than half.

Comfortable.

“Uh, she told you to be confident, not to lie.”

A Ya Jun was a bit speechless.

The Great Great Grand Elder, feeling the changes within the Sacred Fire, couldn't help but marvel.

“If one can reach a level where they can even deceive themselves, this can also be considered a form of confidence.”

It was her first time witnessing such a situation; at least, the Sacred Fire had acknowledged it.

“So, this guy lies without batting an eyelid, right?”

A Ya Jun rephrased his explanation.

Moreover, being able to endure in the early stages didn't mean being able to endure in the later stages.

He wanted to see when Shi Li would finally break.

As a result, the two waited outside for a full 30 minutes.

“Alright, come out.”

It was the Great Great Grand Elder who spoke, and only then did Shi Li walk out.

Because she could feel that the fluctuations within the Sacred Fire had completely stabilized.

In other words, staying any longer would not result in any further improvement.

“Comfortable.”

Shi Li looked at his panel; indeed, it had improved quite a bit.

[Rank]: Platinum 6

[Stamina]: 275 / 275 (3.8 ↑) → 333 / 333 (4.0 ↑)

[Energy]: 286 / 286 (2.4 ↑) → 348 / 348 (2.6 ↑)

Feeling full of strength, he tried punching the stone pillar next to him.

A crack actually appeared on the hard stone surface.

“Hey! Why are you destroying the temple?!”

A Ya Jun shouted.

Fortunately, Great Great Grand Elder only twitched her eye and did not pursue the matter.

“What card did you get? Let me see it.”

A Ya Jun approached curiously.

“Just— — — 1 card.”

Shi Li raised his hand, and a card appeared in his palm.

“Ah, it’s fine, it’s fine.”

A Ya Jun patted Shi Li’s shoulder, feigning sincerity, then genuinely wiped his hands.

“You are, after all, an outsider. Even if the tempering time was long enough, it’s understandable that your affinity with the Sacred Fire isn’t high enough.”

He consoled her.

“Hmm.”

Shi Li didn't know how to respond to this comfort, so he simply handed over the card.

【Token Card (One-star)】: Consume this card to immediately complete the simulation mission 【Magic Resistance War Record】

“What?!”

A Ya Jun’s eyes bulged.

“A 100% successful 【unique】 Token Card?”

Even Great Great Grand Elder felt it was miraculous upon seeing this card.

She had never seen anyone receive such a reward in the Sacred Fire baptism.

Just by touching the card face and feeling the patterns and subtle Energy flow on it,

Great Great Grand Elder could already determine that this must be a very high-quality Character Card.

If possible, she even wanted to ask Shi Li if he was willing to sell it.

It was just a pity that items bestowed by the Sacred Fire were bound and could not be traded.

“This isn’t logical—”

A Ya Jun murmured.

He had originally thought his reward was good enough, but what in the world was this one-shot 100% 【unique】 Token Card?

“It’s fine.”

This time, it was Shi Li’s turn to comfort the other party: “You are, after all, a native, so it’s understandable that your affinity with the Sacred Fire isn’t high enough.”

“?”

Do you even hear what you’re saying?

A Ya Jun’s melancholy deepened.

Since such a major event had occurred within the Banlan Tribe, Shi Li and the others, being outsiders, were in a somewhat sensitive position here.

Therefore, after completing the Sacred Fire baptism, Shi Li did not linger.

Half a day later, he left Blueberry City and returned to Durian City.

On the aircraft, Shi Li pulled out the Token Card he had obtained during the Sacred Fire baptism.

He rubbed it a few times, then used it.

【This mission is named: Magic Resistance War Record.】

【In this world where magic is prevalent, mages hold unparalleled social status.】

【Everyone awakens their own magic Talent upon reaching adulthood.】

【However, A-Liu was deemed a heretic by the Mage Association for awakening a forbidden pattern.】

【Under the persecution of the mages, she became homeless and her family was ruined.】

【Therefore, she swore that she would make these magic-wielding scoundrels pay for their blood debts.】

【But this time, the enforcers sent by the Mage Association seem exceptionally powerful.】

【Please help her make a choice.】

Four options, A, B, C, D, appeared before Shi Li, but before he could analyze them carefully, the simulation mission automatically made a selection.

So, this was what 100% success meant.

Even the battles that unfolded were automatically completed.

So, Shi Li simply treated it as a short story.

As the aircraft was about to arrive over Durian City, this simulation mission finally completed.

【You can obtain Character Card 【Defeated Mage (One-star)】 1.】

【You can obtain Hand Card 【Counter (LV1)】 1.】

【Yes/No to consume 3500 cubic coins to reset this mission.】

“Of course, no.”

Shi Li directly took the card.

The next second, text popped up before his eyes.

【Wisdom Resonance】: 0% → 20%

His Wisdom progress had finally begun.

【Rampage】: 100%; 【Wisdom】: 20%

【Persistence】: 110%; 【Momentum】: 40%

【Chasing Wind】: 0%: 【Listen to the Wind】: 40%

【Balance】: 80%

Now, only one Chasing Wind system was missing to activate all seven systems.

By then, achieving seven-system resonance and conquering the seven-system trial towers would be within reach.

Let’s look at the card face again.

【Magic is the source of all evil.】

In the card projection, a lithe young woman walked out.

She wore simple warrior armor, and her exposed skin was covered with various twisted and strange patterns.

With brown hair, a half-face metal mask covered her mouth and nose, revealing only a pair of weather-beaten, resolute eyes.

Her left hand was fitted with a fixed crossbow, and her right hand held an empty sword hilt without a blade.

She looked nothing like a “mage.”

Like 【Red Blade Maiden】 and 【Flower Cudgel Leader】, she had Humanoid and Martial tags.

Like 【Red Blade Maiden】, she had the Blade Weapon tag.

【Defeated Mage】

Wisdom, 30 points, One-star Attack 30, 100/100, 30/30

【Defeated Mage - Characteristic】: Defeated Mage possesses the 【Magic Immunity】 effect. 【Source Intercept - Passive】: When Defeated Mage reveals her card, she can prevent 1 target from recovering Energy this turn. (【Magic Immunity】: Immune to non-control negative effects)

“Comfortable.”

This card immediately delighted Shi Li.

It actually possessed 【Magic Immunity】, which was comparable to 【Red Blade Maiden】’s 【Overlord Body】.

Moreover, couldn’t this 【Source Intercept】 effect perfectly synergize with 【Flower Cudgel Leader】?

One doesn't want to Charge, the other prevents Charge.

It’s like snail noodles with a fried egg, a perfect match.

“But it’s only one-star, so the strength is somewhat insufficient.”

Shi Li looked at the balance in his account.

After winning the Torch Raising Ceremony, the Banlan Tribe rewarded him with 300,000.

Jiang Sansheng’s side had no other additional rewards, much less than the Banlan Tribe, but still 200,000.

However, this was understandable, as the Torch Raising Ceremony was a grand event for the Banlan Tribe, not for Jiang Sansheng.

Adding the money he had on hand, he had a total of 600,000.

However, strengthening the attributes of three Character Cards was not a cheap endeavor.

It was his first time adding attributes to a three-star Character Card, and it was a high-difficulty Unique Character Card, so it was normal to be inexperienced.

He considered it tuition fees, spending a total of 250,000.

‘Now I have 350,000 left. If I buy one-to-two and two-to-three Token Cards…

Factoring in the contract welfare discount, it would be roughly 120,000 to 130,000.

Then, if I add in the refresh fees, it might be a bit tight; it might be just enough or slightly insufficient.’

Shi Li estimated in his mind.

However, at least completing one-to-two, and then buying a two-to-three, was definitely not a problem.

“It’s fine; if I’m short on money, I’ll just find a way to earn more.”

There are still about ten days until school starts, so I should be able to reach 【Platinum 7】 before then.”

On the day the college entrance examination duel ended, Hu Lan had mentioned the placement match to him.

She said that as of that day’s timeline, at least 10 freshmen confirmed to enroll in Qingchuan University had already reached 【Platinum 7】.

Who knew what rank those peers would reach after a summer vacation.

“Although I took advantage of the Evil-Slaying Cards, I did ultimately defeat a 【Platinum 9】 player, so it shouldn’t be a big problem.”

Shi Li was still very confident about the freshman placement match.

So, he had a plan for his next itinerary.

At his signal, the aircraft landed on the helipad of the Show Card Hall.

Shi Li entered the Card Hall and walked towards the vending area, but found many Card Hall members hurrying along the way.

He faintly heard someone mention something about “Abyss.”

In short, the atmosphere was quite strange.

Arriving at the designated two-star counter, he spent 40,000 cubic coins to buy one Wisdom-type unique Card one-to-two-star Token Card.

Just as he was about to go to his private room to do the mission, he ran into Director Hou walking towards him.

“When did you get back?”

Director Hou seemed to have been waiting for him.

“Uh, just arrived, haven’t had a chance to say hello yet.”

Shi Li forgot that the entire Card Hall was Director Hou’s eyes and ears.

Director Hou led him to his office and, after they were seated, spoke.

“You must have heard some rumors on your way here, about the Abyss.”

“What are you saying? I don’t understand. I don’t know anything.”

This unchanged line made Director Hou’s eye twitch.

“Alright, stop messing around.”

However, his expression quickly turned serious: “The 【Abyss】 has fully erupted. Globally, 100 Abyss entrances have appeared, and our country has a total of 12, one of which is in Chalian City.”

“Oh?”

Shi Li had not fully anticipated this point.

“Moreover, this time’s Abyss might not be entirely what you perceive.”