170: 【Tao Tao Mo】Special Mechanism

Chapter 170: The Special Mechanism of [Escape Ink]

The next morning, Wei Po Jun, who was fishing by the pond, slowly stood up.

Today, he should be called Wei Kongjun.

“Forget it, forget it.”

He packed his things and walked back, his hand in his pocket suddenly touching something hard.

“The key to the 2nd floor, this time I must keep it safe and not spend half a day looking for it again.”

He planned to find a place to put it away properly, but then he stopped.

“Speaking of which, I should go to the Card Hall to replenish 1 card, hmm?”

However, when he opened his system’s card library, he found that the token card for [Brave Heart] had disappeared.

Before, there were clearly dozens of them.

“No way—”

Wei Po Jun immediately understood the reason.

Only two people possessed this token card: himself, and Shi Li, who had just taken 1.

“No wonder Hu Lan thinks so highly of him.”

Wei Po Jun suddenly became a little interested.

On the other side, Shi Li was sitting on his bed.

“Comfortable.”

After obtaining [Escape Ink], he immediately purchased the corresponding one-to-two token card online from District 11.

Then he spent an entire night completing the one-to-two simulation mission.

[Can obtain Character Card [Escape Ink (Two Stars)] x1.]

[Can obtain Hand Card [Movement (LV2)] x1, [Healing (LV2)] x1.]

[Yes/No to reset this mission for 7500 cubic coins.]

He clicked “No,” and new text immediately popped up.

[Balance System Resonance]: 100% → 110%

“The third system’s resonance has also broken a hundred.”

Shi Li felt a bit emotional, looking at his resonance panel.

[Frenzy]: 120%; [Wisdom]: 60%

[Persistence]: 110%; [Momentum]: 40%

[Chasing Wind]: 60%; [Listen to the Wind]: 40%

[Balanced]: 110%

“After the [Balanced Trial] opens, I can go and get a unique one-to-three token card for Balance System.

Saving nearly 100,000 cubic coins, delightful.”

However, before that, he still wanted to admire the card face.

[Escape Ink]

Balance System, 30 points, Two Stars, Attack 30, 50/50

[Timid Instinct - Characteristic]: Escape Ink’s maximum HP -50. Re-cover card at the start of each new turn (T0).

[Charming Ink - Passive]: On the turn Escape Ink is revealed, inflict [Blindness] on 1 non-Trump target (T2).

[Camouflage - Passive]: The first time Escape Ink is re-covered, it becomes untargetable for 1 turn. [Deep Sea Immunity - Passive]: Escape Ink is immune to all delayed effects. “Added [Charming Ink] and [Camouflage] two entries, very good, very good.”

Shi Li was quite satisfied with this result.

It can be said that [Escape Ink] has a very special mechanism.

Especially its [Characteristic], although it carries a relatively strong negative cost, the return it brings is very special.

This [Characteristic] mainly functions in two aspects.

First, it repeatedly covers and reveals cards to frequently trigger Battle Cry effects.

It is important to know that Battle Cry effects are usually quite strong because they are mostly one-time.

Shi Li has already made a plan to see what Battle Cry entries he can personally create for [Escape Ink] in the future to improve its versatility.

Second, it involves covering and replacing cards.

After a card is covered, it can be replaced during the T0 replacement phase of the next turn.

Playing [Escape Ink] first to trigger a Battle Cry effect, and then switching to other character cards, is not a bad tactic.

In addition, [Escape Ink] can be played first as a delaying tactic, observing the opponent's revealed card, then re-covering it and replacing it with a character card that counters the opponent.

He also specifically tested its 50/50 HP in simulated card games.

If it is reduced to 10/50 and covered, then when another card is revealed next turn, it will have 60/100 HP.

It is calculated based on actual HP loss.

But if it is defeated, there is naturally no chance to switch.

These are the advantages of [Escape Ink].

Its disadvantages are also quite obvious.

First, its low HP of 50 means it has almost no damage-absorbing capability.

A slight mistake and it will be defeated by the opponent, thus losing the opportunity to switch cards.

Second, it consumes reveal opportunities.

Covering and then revealing a card seems wonderful.

But don't forget, in PVP duels, reveal opportunities are a very important strategic resource.

If you repeatedly cover [Escape Ink] and reveal [Escape Ink], the number of reveals essentially does not increase.

Reveal a few more times, and the opponent will be ahead of you by several reveals.

Therefore, this card is actually best used as the last regular reveal to avoid this drawback and maximize its effectiveness.

“Anyway, I'm not sleepy yet, let's try the [Balanced Trial].”

After thinking for a moment, Shi Li opened the trial entrance panel. The [Balanced Trial] is considered by everyone to be the most friendly of the seven major trials.

The reason is simple: each system's trial card game has its own different special rules.

And the special rule of the [Balanced Trial] is that it allows the use of character cards from other systems.

Of course, the difficulty of the trial does not decrease because of this.

On the contrary, because the conditions are more lenient, its stage difficulty will be even higher.

But why do card players find it friendly? Naturally, it's because the cost of strategy is low.

You can directly use your usual main deck that you have cultivated and matched.

In one morning, Shi Li reached [1-9].

Then he stopped.

It's not that he couldn't beat the later stages, but that he ran out of money.

The two-star mission for [Escape Ink] no longer had a bunch of random options like the initial mission, but it was still quite difficult to complete.

After completing the mission, he had very little assets left, and now after brushing the Balanced Tower, it was completely used up.

“There are just too many places where I'll need money next.”

Shi Li counted them off.

Lotus Succubus's two-to-three evolution.

Escape Ink's two-to-three evolution.

Demon-Defeating Dark Hunter's innate hand card mission.

If the two two-to-three evolutions are successful, there's also Cicada Wing Patrol's innate hand card mission.

Calculating each item at 500,000, he currently has a deficit of at least 2,000,000.

“I remember passing the 8th floor of the [Abyss] gives a 2,000,000 bonus—”

Shi Li thought of this.

However, he actually didn't know if he could complete the challenge of the 8th floor.

Before coming to Qingchuan University to report, Director Hou had also synced information with him.

Only 17 people nationwide had successfully challenged the 8th evolution.

It has been almost a month now, and he doesn't know how much this number has increased.

“I feel that with my current deck, challenging the 8th floor might still be a bit difficult.

But the 7th floor is actually worth considering.”

Actually, Director Hou had omitted a small detail at that time, which Shi Li only found out later.

Successfully challenging the 7th floor also came with an official subsidy.

However, because this floor was not among the floors in the team mission, the subsidy given was not much.

It was the same as the 6th floor's subsidy, both 400,000.

But if you add the rewards from the [Abyss] itself, that's another 150,000.

In addition, if the 7th floor drops something good, selling it would probably fetch nearly 100,000.

In total, about 650,000.

Although 650,000 is still far from 2,000,000, it can at least quench his thirst.

“I heard that Chi Xi had already cleared the 7th floor when she was Platinum 9. I'm Platinum 8 now, so there should be some hope.”

Thinking of this, Shi Li couldn't sit still.

“I want to go back to Jiangnan.”

He jumped off the bed.

“What? Are you skipping class?”

Gong Ping poked his head out from the bed: “That would violate discipline, be careful not to get caught by the counselor.”

“...”

Shi Li looked at him, silent for a moment: “You say that as if we aren't skipping class right now.”

A Ya Jun was showering, Gong Ping was sleeping, and he himself had just finished the trial tower.

Only Chang Zhun had gone to class in the dorm.

“Why do you want to go back to Jiangnan?”

“Just to go back and take a look.”

“I want to go back too—”

Gong Ping was, after all, a young man, and it was inevitable to miss home when so far away.

“Why don't you call the counselor and ask for leave?”

He rolled his eyes.

Shi Li's chances of successfully taking leave were clearly higher; if he got approved first, it would be easier for him to follow suit.

“Okay.”

Shi Li didn't mind and dialed the counselor.

[Hello~ Shi Li, what's up?]

The counselor's voice sounded very enthusiastic.

“Teacher Liu, I'd like to ask for a few days off to go back to Jiangnan.”

[No problem, you go ahead, just let me know if you need anything.]

The counselor was very straightforward.

After thanking him, Shi Li hung up the phone.

“It seems the counselor is in a good mood today, haha, it's my turn.”

Gong Ping also dialed.

[Hello, who is this?]

Clearly, the counselor hadn't even saved Gong Ping's number.

“Hello, Teacher Liu, I'm Gong Ping.”

[Oh, what's up?]

“I'd like to ask for a few days off to go back to Jiangnan.”

“I’m not saying this about you, but students should prioritize their studies.

Do you think Qingchuan University is your home, where you can come and go as you please?”

“But at the welcoming party, you clearly said we should treat this place like our home—”

“Still talking back? Denied!”

“Beep beep beep—”

The counselor directly hung up the phone.

“No! This isn’t fair!”

Amidst Gong Ping’s shouts, Shi Li left the dorm.

He hadn’t told anyone about returning to Jiangnan, and besides, he wasn’t some important figure; private jet Healing wasn't something he could just get.

After half a day of flying on a civilian aircraft, he returned to Durian City.

It was class time, so Shi Yuan definitely wasn’t home, making it unnecessary to go back.

Shi Li directly hailed a taxi and headed to the Abyss Base. He had originally thought that after some time, the popularity of the Abyss would have decreased.

However, it seemed to have become even more popular than when it first opened, with queues stretching into long lines, and some people even setting up makeshift beds.

Fortunately, Shi Li had a special access pass, so he didn’t need to queue.

After waiting for about ten minutes, as soon as someone came out, he immediately took their place and entered.

“Abyss No. 68, current stage mission:”

“Kill 4th Evolution: 1015 / 10000”

“Kill 5th Evolution: 121 / 1000”

“Kill 6th Evolution: 9 / 100”

“Kill 8th Evolution: 0 / 10”

“Kill 10th Evolution: 0 / 1”

Compared to last time, the mission progress had made significant strides.

While waiting, he had asked a staff member and heard that the Abyss in Huadu was even almost halfway complete.

Along the way, he found the area quite lively; taverns and inns were bustling with people, and those walking on the streets had rosy cheeks and light steps.

Most Card Players clearly no longer had their initial tension, but instead were enjoying themselves here.

“It seems the Abyss truly makes people fall into decadence?”

Shi Li, however, wasn’t interested and walked past quickly.

“Wang Defa?”

But his figure was caught by a half-drunk Card Player.

Arriving at the leaderboard monument, Shi Li saw the real-time rankings.

His codename was still prominently displayed at the top of the 6 leaderboards, but what was worth paying attention to was the 7th floor’s leaderboard.

A solitary name was conspicuously listed there:

1. Wu Tianjin, Elimination Rank: Platinum 14

“This person seems to have a close relationship with Wu Tianjin.

Shi Li noticed that the other party was 1 rank lower than Wu Tianjin.

As for Wu Tianjin himself, he was still on the 6th floor leaderboard, now in 3rd place.

“If I succeed in the challenge, the top spot on the 7th floor leaderboard should be mine.”

Just as he was about to step into the teleportation portal, a voice sounded from behind him.

“Brother, please wait.”

“?”

Shi Li turned his head and saw a distinguished-looking man.

Wu Tianjin, the codename above his head, already revealed his identity.

“Hello, I am Wu Tianjin, the Vice-Leader of Fang Plus.”

Wu Tianjin smiled and introduced himself.

“I met you today because I wanted to make friends with you.”

He stated his purpose.

Originally, Wu Tianjin wanted to recruit the other party.

Inviting him to clear dungeons together, or even to join their team.

But when he saw Shi Li’s true face, he immediately dismissed that idea.

Because the other party was simply too young.

To possess such strength at such a young age, he would definitely not be an ordinary person in the future.

He was probably too big for their small group to contain.

“This is my business card.”

So Wu Tianjin’s goal shifted to making friends, and he handed over his business card.

“Business card—”

Shi Li took it and looked, then pulled out one of his own in return: “This is mine.”

“Oh?”

Seeing that the other party also had a business card, Wu Tianjin was even more certain of his thoughts.

How could an ordinary young person get something like this on their own? It must have been arranged by the power behind him.

The other party indeed already had an affiliation.

But when he took the business card and looked at it.

Durian City Show Card Hall, Office Director, Hou Wai Da.

“This—”

Wu Tianjin was slightly stunned, but quickly noticed a small line of text after Hou Wai Da’s name: “’s friend.”

“Above is my agent’s phone number; just contact him if you need anything.”

“Brother, you really like to joke.”

He smiled and put the business card into his pocket.

“By the way, is the 7th floor difficult?”

Since the person in question was present, Shi Li decided to ask.

“To be honest, it’s very difficult.”

When it came to serious matters, Wu Tianjin’s expression became solemn.

He was originally busy gathering resources in another realm.

It was only after his younger brother, Wu Tianjin, repeatedly failed challenges that he was called in to help.

And to clear the 7th floor, Wu Tianjin had diligently cleared dungeons for many days.

It wasn't until yesterday morning that he had just cleared the 7th floor.

“Then do you think I have a chance?”

“Of course.”

Wu Tianjin nodded affirmatively: “I think your chances of succeeding in the challenge are very high.”

“Thank you then, I’ll go try it first.”

Shi Li returned a nod and walked into the teleportation portal.

Wu Tianjin, meanwhile, watched the disappearing teleportation portal and fell into thought.

“Leader, do you really think he has a chance?”

At this moment, the team member next to him who had provided the information asked curiously.

“Just being polite. Am I supposed to tell him directly that he has no hope of passing?”

Wu Tianjin smiled.

“It only took me 2 days to clear the 6th floor, but it took me a full 15 days to clear the 7th floor.

With such a direct comparison, you should understand the difficulty of the 7th floor, right?

He’s only Platinum 8. Even if you gave him 30 days, he wouldn’t have a chance.”

He waved his hand and turned to leave.

Shi Li arrived in the Abyss space, looking at the quietly suspended Abyssal Kind.

“0 / 7.” Before evolution, this thing didn’t show much difference.

Then a cursor swept across, and the card game officially began.

And then, he was defeated during the 6th evolution.

There was no way around it; even with one more character card for battle than before, these 6 evolutions were still not easy to clear.

Last time he passed, it was by taking advantage of multiple dungeon resets.

Luck played a big part.

However, even after being promoted to Platinum 8, it still couldn’t erase this reliance on luck; it only meant that the weight of the luck factor was reduced somewhat.

“It’s fine, I have plenty of time.”

He was very open-minded, leaving the dungeon and re-entering.

He spent an entire day grinding like this, but Shi Li didn’t achieve very good results.

He couldn’t even consistently clear the 6th evolution, and the times he saw the 7th evolution were few and far between.

However, having the experience of challenging the 6th floor before, he knew that these were all necessary and normal occurrences.

As long as he refreshed enough times, he would eventually encounter a run he could clear.

At that point, it would be a one-shot kill.

Platinum Card Players have strong stamina, so Shi Li fought for another 24 hours without eating or drinking.

“Finally—”

Looking at the enemy who had completed its 7th evolution in front of him, he breathed a sigh of relief.

This time, it seemed he could try to contend with it a little.

The opponent still had a 9+1 deck, with the ace being a goat-horned demon with bat wings.

It had three heads and six arms; some hands held weapons, while others made strange hand seals.

Abyss Goat Demon

Balance System, Attack 60, 400 / 400

Odd/Even Demon - Passive: Abyss Goat Demon’s attack power is 0 on odd turns, and all its stats are doubled on even turns.

Leader - Passive: When Abyss Goat Demon serves as the ace, its Health is doubled.

Hidden Endurance - Passive: If Abyss Goat Demon does not attack this turn, it can attack twice next turn.

Abyssal Fire - Passive: Abyss Goat Demon’s attacks apply 10 stacks of Ignite.

Abyssal Poison - Passive: Abyss Goat Demon’s attacks apply 10 stacks of Poisoned.

Abyssal Carbuncle - Passive: Abyss Goat Demon’s attacks apply 10 stacks of Bleeding.

Abyssal Judgment - Passive: Abyss Goat Demon’s attacks apply a Slaughter effect equal to its own attack power (Slaughter: If target’s Health is less than or equal to this value, it is instantly reduced to 0).

The strength of this thing, although it didn’t have the abnormally powerful mechanics of a five-star character card.

But its traits were absolutely overpowered.

All stats doubled meant attack power, Health, and skill damage.

Which means in its optimal state, it could deal 120 + 120 attack damage in 1 turn.

And it also came with 120 Slaughter, and 20 Ignite, 20 Poisoned, 20 Bleeding.

One might ask, if there wasn’t a damage reduction mechanism of a five-star character card level, who could withstand this kind of damage?