175: Breakthrough on the spot, advance to [Platinum 9]

Chapter 175: On-Site Breakthrough, Promotion to Platinum 9

As the safe zone shrank repeatedly, its area rapidly diminished.

Similarly, when Shi Li and his two companions re-entered the safe zone, the number of participants had already dropped to 13/35.

Roughly 1/3.

The shrinking area increased the probability of teams encountering each other.

Shi Li and his team also encountered a depleted team with only two members.

The opponents chose not to share a card game, but instead opted to each start their own table.

Shi Li and Fernando each dealt with one opponent and defeated them.

“Aren't we being a bit too ostentatious?”

After eliminating the opponents, Fernando expressed his confusion.

Shi Li had been leading the way, specifically walking on flat terrain.

It was as if he was afraid of not being discovered.

And indeed, they were discovered by others.

“And ever since a while ago, I keep hearing something calling in the distance, like thunder.

Did you hear it?”

He felt a faint unease.

Gong Ping: “You must have misheard.”

Shi Li: “Maybe it’s a volcanic eruption.”

The attitude of these two made him even more uneasy.

“But didn’t you notice it’s getting closer?”

Fernando cocked his ear, listening.

Gong Ping: “It’s precisely because you misheard that it seems to be sometimes far and sometimes near.”

Shi Li: “Perhaps the volcano is approaching.”

After speaking, both of them cast a reproachful glance at each other.

“—Can’t you two coordinate your lies before you try to fool me?”

Fernando finally realized something was amiss.

【Roar!!!】

But he didn't need to realize it, because a deafening roar was already close.

“What the hell is that thing?!”

Fernando felt a dark cloud overhead, and looking up, he was instantly terrified.

The Withering Dragon had, at some point, begun circling above them.

Rotten flesh kept falling from its body, landing on the ground and emitting a nauseating stench.

A five-star Emperor-tier monster was an insurmountable existence for him.

In contrast, the reactions of the two people beside him were somewhat indifferent.

Gong Ping: “Roughly speaking––it’s the Regulator here.”

Shi Li: “It might be incredibly strong, you know.”

“What are you standing around for! Run!”

Fernando immediately took off running.

“It’s no use, even with a vehicle, you can’t outrun this guy.”

Shi Li stood still, leisurely saying.

“Are we really not running?”

Gong Ping knew running was useless, but he still asked.

Shi Li looked back at him, frowning: “I’ve been annoyed with you for a while now, daring to question me.”

With that, he shot a light marker over.

Buzz—

“Ah?!”

Gong Ping didn't react in time, and the Barrier had already risen, starting the card game.

“You two bastards tricked me!!”

But Fernando reacted.

Protected by the card game Barrier, these two could temporarily be immune to external interference!

【Roar!!!】

As expected, the Withering Dragon, which was originally headed for the three of them, immediately shifted its attention to the isolated Fernando.

A ghostly green dragon's breath charged over like a dump truck, and Fernando had nowhere to hide.

Swoosh...

He was also pulled into a card game by the Withering Dragon.

“See, isn’t this an opportunity for reconnaissance?”

It turned out that Shi Li had gone to all this trouble just to get a look at the Withering Dragon’s hand.

“I see!”

Gong Ping first praised, but then he was stunned: “But what do we do later?”

There are special rules here; once you lose a card game, you are eliminated.

“Shh.”

Shi Li, however, did not answer, instead looking at the adjacent card game.

More precisely, he was looking at the opponent’s cards.

First of all, despite the Withering Dragon's massive size, it didn't take up too many slots on the card table once it entered.

The three slots in the Ace column were fully occupied, leaving nine regular cards.

The nine regular cards were not identical in appearance, featuring various undead creatures like Skeleton Soldiers, Ghouls, and Abominations, which he had seen before.

Although they didn't possess the special mechanics of five-star character cards, they all had five attributes.

Their strength was absolutely not to be underestimated.

As for the opponent's Ace...

【Withering Dragon】

Balanced, ATK 530, ?/?

【Colossus - Passive】: Withering Dragon occupies 3 card slots 【Wither Immortal - Passive】: Withering Dragon possesses 【Invincibility】, 【Super Armor】, 【Magic Immunity】 effects in this world (【Invincibility】: Immune to attacks/damage) (【Super Armor】: Immune to all control effects) (【Magic Immunity】: Immune to non-control negative effects)

“We’re screwed.”

He didn't even need to read the rest; just the first line made Shi Li completely abandon any thought of resistance.

Never mind the question mark for health and the abnormal 530 attack power.

Just the combination of the three strongest positive BUFFs made it impossible to play.

“Shi Li! Gong Ping! I’ll remember you!”

Fernando, in the card game, pulled out an Escape card: “You want to use me as bait, huh? If I’m not well off, neither will you be!”

“No! That’s not fair!

What does it have to do with me? He planned it all!”

Gong Ping felt he hadn't really done anything and was somewhat wronged.

These guys, they don't count the good deeds for themselves, but they tally up all the bad deeds for him, right?

However, Fernando had thought it through clearly; he would not prolong the card game to buy these two scoundrels time to Escape.

So he crushed the card in his hand, transforming into a beam of light and leaving this world.

【Roar!!!】

Having its prey Escape right under its nose, the Withering Dragon seemed even more enraged.

It directly turned around, its massive head getting very close.

Its breath, glowing with green light, struck the Barrier and bounced off.

Its two ghostly fire eyes stared intently at the small figures inside the Barrier.

The card game wouldn't last forever; it could wait.

“Alas, people nowadays, they just can’t take any loss.”

Shi Li sighed and shook his head regretfully at the sight.

“No, then what should we do now?”

Gong Ping asked about the next step.

“Don’t you still have an Escape card?”

“Holy crap, how can you abandon your teammate?!”

He now understood the meaning of “meat Shield.”

So the only purpose of his existence in this plan was just to help him gather enough people to start a card table!

“But what if it just stays here and doesn’t leave?”

“Then we’ll just keep stalling.”

“What if the safe zone shrinks outside our position?”

“At times like these, you can only trust your luck.”

Shi Li was truly going to squeeze out every last drop of Gong Ping's utility.

Perhaps because they had escaped last time when they encountered it, the Withering Dragon seemed to hold a grudge.

It didn't go anywhere, just guarded outside the card game Barrier, watching intently.

But perhaps Gong Ping’s luck really did play a role.

The new safe zone indeed encompassed their position.

Meanwhile, Shi Li and Gong Ping simply laid out two sets of junk cards.

They slowly and leisurely conducted their duel, like they were just going through the motions.

If Chang Zhun were present, he would probably exclaim what a thrilling card game this was.

Second safe zone contraction, safe.

Third safe zone contraction, safe.

“It’s simply miraculous—”

Gong Ping could vaguely see figures moving in the distance.

“You should be proud of yourself.”

Shi Li also found it quite amazing.

Peeking at the strong comes with a price.

Honestly, after realizing it was impossible to defeat the Withering Dragon, he had already decided to leave it to fate.

He didn't expect that it could actually turn out this way.

At this time, the number of participants remaining was only: 7/35.

The range of the safe zone contraction was already visible to the naked eye.

At the edge of the safe zone, two students were engaged in a card game.

The danger zone slowly encroached, and the disadvantaged party, in a gesture of goodwill, actively used an Escape card.

However, the winning party also couldn't hold on, using an Escape card when still a dozen meters away from the safe zone.

5/35.

“Hahahahaha! I’m practically the chosen one!”

Gong Ping felt he had a chance; maybe they could just coast to victory.

Just keep stalling like this, and everyone else would eventually be eliminated, wouldn't they?

In a flash, the safe zone had shrunk to less than 50 meters in diameter, maintaining its current state.

However, at this moment, new information popped up.

【The final phase has arrived; there will be no more safe zone contractions.】

【The Regulator will no longer participate.】

【Every 10 minutes, all players who have not engaged in a card game and are an even number will be eliminated.】

【Every 20 minutes, for teams with more than 1 person that have not engaged in a hostile card game, 1 random person will be eliminated.】

Good news, the Withering Dragon was retreating.

【Roar!!!】

Indeed, with the pop-up of the information, the Withering Dragon finally stopped guarding the two.

It soared directly into the sky, leaving the safe zone.

But it didn't go far, instead circling the safe zone on the edge of the danger zone.

Bad news, the bug could only be exploited for a maximum of 20 more minutes.

That 20-minute rule was clearly aimed at them.

At this point, only four people were visible within the safe zone.

Shi Li, Gong Ping, Chi Xi, and a female student from Platinum 9.

“What are you two doing—”

Chi Xi walked brightly to the Barrier of the two men's card game.

“No choice.”

“You saw what happened just now, we were just protecting ourselves.”

Shi Li and Gong Ping echoed each other.

“You guys are just playing dirty, aren’t you?”

The female classmate watched the two slowly play their card game, how could she not understand what they meant.

“Fair duel, 1v1 man-to-man battle, don’t you two interfere.”

Gong Ping's expression was solemn.

“We still need some time, please wait a moment. If you're bored, you two can also start a game.”

Shi Li’s words made the two roll their eyes to the heavens even more.

But then the female classmate's gaze became somewhat evasive, not daring to look Chi Xi directly in the eye.

Because if she had a choice, she would rather face Gong Ping or Shi Li.

Fighting Chi Xi, she probably had no chance of winning.

“But there’s still a problem.”

Chi Xi didn't dwell on the other party's evasion, looking around: “There are 5 survivors, but we only have 4 people here.”

“Hiding so well, I really can’t tell where he is.”

“Definitely a veteran hider.”

“He’s probably planning to reap the benefits of others' struggles.”

“It could also be Teacher Dai or Teacher Huo, are they trying not to disturb us?”

“Don’t mention it, I don’t think I’ve seen them from beginning to end.”

“Maybe they saw there was no danger here and left early, or perhaps they were eliminated by the supervisor.”

Everyone spoke, offering various guesses.

“Actually, at this point, it’s purely about the card game.”

Shi Li took on the role of a rational mediator.

With the current rules, no matter who wanted to win, it would ultimately be decided by a card game.

Even if that person kept hiding, it would be useless; he would still have to face one of the four people.

“You’re right, then let’s do it.”

Chi Xi smiled at the words, confidence giving her a powerful aura.

“Alas…”

The female classmate let out a sigh of resignation.

All of this was seen by Xue Zhang, who was hiding in the dark.

The battle unfolding before him met his expectations.

He wanted to use the least amount of effort and the most reliable method to secure the Withering Dragon Fragment for his godfather.

Chi Xi's card game went smoothly, and she won in short order.

“Those two boys’ time limit is also almost up. Now I just need to wait for the winner among them to duel that red-haired girl.”

Xue Zhang planned to continue hiding.

However, the message that popped up before him disrupted his plan.

“You have not played a card game for more than 10 minutes, and you need to duel within 1 minute.”

“0:59”

“0:58”

A countdown began to tick.

“Hmph.”

It seemed he had stayed too long and had been warned by the rules.

Xue Zhang snorted coldly and revealed himself directly.

“Hmm?”

Before Chi Xi could react, she had already been pulled into a card game.

Buzz—.

The Barrier rose, and the card game began.

“You—who are you?”

Chi Xi was filled with confusion and horror.

There were only so many people on this trip, and this person was clearly not one of their classmates.

There was only one entrance to the foreign realm, how did he get in?

According to this mode, once the battle royale began, entry should have been temporarily restricted.

And Platinum 33, this rank was too high!

But Xue Zhang did not answer the question, merely silently arranged his cards.

“Fel Energy Player.”

Shi Li, next door, had caught the black glow in the other person's eyes.

When it came to experience with Fel Energy, he probably had more than all the freshmen in the school combined.

“Fel Energy Player?!”

Chi Xi’s expression immediately became cautious upon hearing this.

Although she considered Shi Li to be one of her biggest opponents in the placement match.

Now was definitely not the time to hold back.

Facing such a high-ranked Fel Energy Player, she had to use her full deck.

“If it doesn’t work, just use Escape.”

Shi Li kindly reminded her.

“I know.”

Chi Xi arranged her deck: “It’s 9+1 VS 9+1, who’s afraid of whom.”

However, events unfolded beyond their expectations.

Chi Xi had just finished arranging her cards, and the game had just officially begun.

Xue Zhang raised his hand and shot out streaks of black light from an item card.

“?!”

The black light entered Chi Xi’s body, and she immediately felt her head throbbing as if it would split apart.

“Th-this is—!”

Chi Xi couldn't even stand, collapsing directly to the ground.

“B-be careful—.”

She forced out her last shred of consciousness, twisting her head towards Shi Li: “My Energy was suddenly drained—.”

After saying this, the light of elimination shone down, and she was teleported out.

“You’re right, I can’t guarantee I’ll win the card game.”

Xue Zhang slowly began to speak then.

“But I must win.”

Even a lion uses its full strength to catch a rabbit; for this task, he wanted 100% completion.

There was no room for even the slightest chance of error.

“Blacklight Tremor: Can cause 1 player of the same major rank or lower to consume 99.9% Energy.”

This was the holy card his godfather had given him.

During a card game, a player's Energy continuously decreases.

Being consumed by 99.9%, plus this ongoing consumption, would instantly empty the opponent's Energy.

This was the holy card his godfather had given him, from the hand of the Holy Lord.

He had used 2 cards on those first two high-ranked Platinum players, and 2 cards on students.

Now there was 1 card left.

Xue Zhang's gaze pierced through the card game Barrier, falling upon Shi Li and Gong Ping.

Half a second later, it locked onto Shi Li.

By using this last holy card, he could confidently take away the Withering Dragon Fragment.

Gong Ping: Bushigomen, I'm telling you, you're judging by appearances.

“You go first, go out and tell the people outside what happened.”

Shi Li said to Gong Ping.

“Still going? Didn’t you hear what she just said?”

Gong Ping meant for them both to Retreat.

Having Energy drained was equivalent to automatically forfeiting the card game.

How could they still fight?

“How do you know if you don’t try?”

Shi Li glanced at Gong Ping.

“Then you be careful.”

Gong Ping understood that look, knowing he couldn't persuade him.

So he crushed Escape.

As soon as the card game Barrier disappeared here, Xue Zhang shot a beam of light over.

Buzz.

The card game began again.

“Choosing to stay and be a hero, commendable courage.

But you don't know what you're about to face.

If you choose to Retreat in the face of difficulty, you can avoid a spiritual torment.”

Xue Zhang waved his hand and arranged his deck.

“Come on.”

Shi Li said no more, directly arranging his deck.

Just like Chi Xi's encounter, as soon as the card game officially began, Xue Zhang shot a black light over.

The light was very fast, impossible to dodge.

Boom!

When it entered his body, Shi Li felt his brain struck by a heavy blow.

Then a very familiar sensation swept over him.

Energy depletion.

He often encountered it when he was pushing his refresh limit.

“You can still stand, it seems your Energy is very high.”

Seeing Shi Li’s performance, Xue Zhang was slightly surprised.

“So that’s it, is this the source of your confidence?

But it's a pity, it's useless.”

Blacklight Tremor reduces by percentage; as long as the player is not a high-ranked Emerald player, it will work on all of them.

Perhaps the only way was to have a corresponding defensive item card.

The immense drain on his mental Energy made it impossible for Shi Li to hear what others were saying at this moment.

He could only gather the last pitiful bit of mental Energy to open his player panel.

“[Can obtain character card ‘Escaping Ink (Three Stars)’ 1.]”

“[Can obtain hand card ‘Shield (LV2)’ 1.]”

“[Yes/No to consume 23000 cubic coins to reset this quest.]”

“No.”

He made his choice with all his might.

In an instant, text appeared.

“Balanced Resonance: 110% → 120%”

A warm current brought by Platinum-colored light swept through his body.

“Rank: Platinum 8 → Platinum 9”

“Stamina: 357 / 357 → 372 / 372”

“Energy: 0 / 370 → 382 / 382”

“Comfortable.”

Shi Li instantly Recovered.

When a player is promoted, Stamina and Energy are instantly refilled.

He had already completed the Star Ascension quest for Escaping Ink before setting off.

He just hadn't claimed it to preserve his strength.

So when he heard that the opponent's item card consumed Energy, he instantly felt confident in dealing with it.

“Then now, let’s begin the card game.”

Shi Li said with a slight smile.