178: Alien card, the eleventh unique card

Chapter 178: Abyssal Card, The Eleventh unique Card

“Hmm—”

Seeing this card, Xue Zhang's brows furrowed slightly.

His opponent finally stopped playing Tiao Tiao Mo (Jumping Ink).

It was understandable, as losing 3 regular cards in a row in the previous round meant the game was nearing its end.

If he still had any tricks up his sleeve, not using them would undoubtedly be a path to self-destruction.

“The output strength of this card is indeed rare.”

“I find it strange, though. Why is such a powerful card only in the regular card slot?”

“Wouldn't it be better in the trump card slot? A 30 attack bonus would make its burst even more terrifying.”

The Bone Dragon's question was answered the next second.

“please teach!”

A red-clad, dragon-horned woman with a red blade stepped out from the card.

Red Blade Maiden

Rage System, 40 points, Three-star attack 70, 250/250

Tenacity - Trait: Red Blade Maiden has a Block effect. Vast - Passive: Red Blade Maiden gains 10 Healing and 10 Healing each round.

Abundant - Passive: Red Blade Maiden's maximum health +50.

Vast - 20 Health: Red Blade Maiden attacks one target, dealing True Damage equal to 20% of her maximum health.

“This—!”

Such terrifying stats astonished Xue Zhang.

A top-tier output card!

“Good card!”

The Bone Dragon, meanwhile, let out its strongest exclamation of admiration in this game.

Perhaps part of the reason was that Red Blade Maiden carried a dragon card tag.

But even in its eyes, this card was considered excellent.

No wonder Flower Cudgel Leader was only placed in the regular card slot; it turned out there was something even better.

However, at this point, Shi Li's actions during the reveal phase were not over.

Before the Jumping Guard left the field, he activated Jumping Summon again.

The third Big Jump was summoned.

Finally, he played his innate hand card: “Talismans fall, nether Energy overflows.”

“Dead's Talisman: When Jumping Guard leaves the field, all summoned cards gain double attack power.”

“Tiao Tiao Tiao!!!”

The three Big Jumps on the field instantly grew several sizes, their eyes glowing crimson.

“What?!”

If the previous two revealed cards were strong but still within an acceptable range, then with this hand card played, Xue Zhang felt something was wrong.

Double attack power, which means 20 points.

20x3 = 60, which on this card table, was an undeniable force.

His gaze quickly moved between the cards, and Xue Zhang soon calculated the result.

The opponent's theoretical maximum output for this round was:

bo shan 30 points + Big Jump 60 points + Flower Cudgel Leader 120 points + Red Blade Maiden 130 points.

A total of 340 points.

This even exceeded the total base attack power of a 9+1 deck, for crying out loud.

And on his side.

Evil Energy Train 30 points + Xie Neng Nangua Deng (Fel Energy Pumpkin Lantern) 30 points + Evil Energy Slime 30 points + Evil Energy Poison Fang 120 points +

Xie Neng Liushengji (Fel Energy Phonograph) 30 points + Xie Neng Gangqin Guai (Evil Energy Piano Monster) 30 points.

A total of 270 points.

“It's fine, I have more cards and recovery methods!”

He told himself this.

Then, during the action phase, Shi Li took out the LV2 Counter, which he hadn't used until now, directly interrupting any of Xue Zhang's hand card plans.

The rest was a damage exchange.

After the round ended, the card layout was as follows:

Empty Slot, Phonograph, Empty Slot

Empty Slot, Empty Slot, Poison Fang

Empty Slot, Pumpkin, Slime

VS

bo shan, Empty Slot, Empty Slot

Empty Slot, Empty Slot, Empty Slot

Flower Stick, Empty Slot, Empty Slot

Red Blade, Facedown Card, Empty Slot

In just one round, the field was much cleaner.

Shi Li eliminated the opponent's Evil Energy Train and the newly revealed Xie Neng Gangqin Guai (Evil Energy Piano Monster), and also reduced the Evil Energy Slime to critical health.

Xue Zhang, on the other hand, gritted his teeth and spent one round clearing all three Big Jumps, incidentally damaging bo shan's health.

For Xue Zhang, it was fortunate that he still had Evil Energy Poison Fang, a stable and powerful output card.

Otherwise, without Counter in hand and Isolation unable to be played successfully, he even feared he wouldn't be able to break through bo shan's defenses.

Finally, at the cost of two cards, he managed to defeat bo shan.

The situation was one regular + one trump card against two regular cards.

After defeating Flower Cudgel Leader, all of Xue Zhang's regular cards were also wiped out.

And with Red Blade Maiden at full health, it evolved into a one-on-one duel between trump cards.

“You—what's your name?”

Xue Zhang's attitude was more serious than ever before.

Just Platinum 9, and he could push him to this extent.

Just Platinum 9, and he possessed three innate hand cards.

This Blue Star human was definitely worth remembering.

“My name is Wang Defa, and I don't change it for anyone.”

Shi Li said with a serious expression.

“You should be proud to have pushed me to this extent.”

Xue Zhang nodded.

“My name is Xue Zhang, don't end up not even knowing who you lost to.”

After saying this, he revealed his trump card.

“Come on, come on! We won't go home until we're drunk tonight!”

On the card, a swordsman walked out, swaying with a wine cup in hand.

Black Energy coiled around his body, but his eyes seemed to reveal a hint of reluctance and sadness.

Xie Neng Zuike (Fel Energy Drunkard)

Rage System, 30 points, Three-star attack 30, 250/250

Xie Neng Zuiyi (Fel Energy Drunkenness) - Trait: Xie Neng Zuike (Fel Energy Drunkard) attack power -30, gains 30 Healing each round.

Xie Neng Baojian (Fel Energy Treasure Sword) - Passive: Xie Neng Zuike (Fel Energy Drunkard)'s attacks come with Healing Inhibition and Indulgence effects. Xie Neng Chongpei (Fel Energy Abundance) - Passive: Xie Neng Zuike (Fel Energy Drunkard)'s maximum health +50.

Xie Neng Mengji (Fel Energy Fierce Strike) - 30 Health: Xie Neng Zuike (Fel Energy Drunkard) attacks one target, dealing an additional 40 damage (Indulgence: Doubles the skill cost of Rage cards).

Healing Inhibition and Indulgence were both very effective against Red Blade Maiden.

But to think of winning with a trump card of merely 30 attack power was too condescending.

So Xue Zhang still had a backup plan.

“Drunken dreams eventually end, but the hatred of a lost nation is most awakening.”

“Drunkenness Cleansing: When Xie Neng Zuike (Fel Energy Drunkard) is the trump card, he gains an enhancement.”

A hand card transformed into a beam of light and shot into the Drunkard's body.

“Hahahahaha—Ah!”

He immediately let out a drunken, skyward laugh, which eventually turned into a wail.

After stopping, the drunkenness on his face had completely disappeared, leaving only two lines of clear tears and endless hatred.

Two of the entries changed.

Xie Neng Zuiyi (Fel Energy Drunkenness) - Trait: Xie Neng Zuike (Fel Energy Drunkard) gains 30 Healing each round.

Xie Neng Mengji (Fel Energy Fierce Strike) - 30+0 Health: Xie Neng Zuike (Fel Energy Drunkard) attacks one target, dealing an additional 40 damage. Indeed, the simpler the trigger condition for an innate hand card, the less extraordinary its effect.

But 30 Healing per round was indeed extremely powerful, especially for a trump card.

“Interesting, this changes the situation again.”

“Healing Inhibition and doubled cost mean the little human's trump card deals 130 output per round, losing 40 health.”

“Losing 40 plus the opponent's 100 damage means it would lose 140 health per round and be defeated in two rounds.”

“If it doesn't use its skills, it becomes even less threatening.”

The Bone Dragon's analysis was correct.

“The outcome is decided.”

After playing his hand card, Xue Zhang's lips curved into a slight smile: “If you still have any cards hidden away, bring them out, otherwise you won't have another chance.”

“Alright, Crimson Liberation: True.”

“???!!!”

30 seconds later, the game ended.

“Pfft!!!!”

Xue Zhang spat out a mouthful of blood: “Wang Defa! I'll remember you!”

“If you have the guts, come find me on Blue Star. I'll be waiting for you.”

Under Shi Li's gaze, the opponent gradually transformed into a light of elimination.

“Winner decided.”

This line of text that popped up confirmed Shi Li's victory.

Phew—

The boundary of the safe zone began to expand rapidly.

The danger zone instantly receded into the unseen distance, as if it had never existed.

Boom!

The giant Bone Dragon landed in front of Shi Li.

Since his victory had been announced, it probably wouldn't attack him anymore, right?

“—”

However, Shi Li didn't speak, and neither did the Bone Dragon.

It was as if its ability to speak earlier was granted by a Void Commentator possessing it.

After a moment of silent staring at each other, the Bone Dragon finally opened its mouth.

However, this was not to speak, but to open its mouth to the widest extent.

A massive orb of light gathered in the Bone Dragon's mouth.

Shi Li thought the opponent was about to fire a blast at him; Escape was already clutched in his hand.

However, that was not the case; the ball of light subsequently grew smaller and smaller.

As it shrunk, Shi Li could see the surrounding objects visibly collapsing as if a program had malfunctioned.

It was as if this process was extracting the world's primordial power.

Until it compressed into a card and floated into his hand.

“You have obtained [Withering Dragon] 1.”

“Withered System Resonance”: 0% → 20%

“???”

Just as Shi Li was about to ask, the scene before him went dark.

The last thing he saw was a cosmic black hole appearing behind the Bone Dragon, which spread its wings and flew into it.

Then he was already standing outside the entrance.

“Shi Li!”

“You're out!”

“How is it? Are you alright?”

“What was the situation inside?!”

“Did you win or lose?”

The classmates who had been waiting outside immediately gathered around him.

Facing the flurry of questions, Shi Li didn't know how to answer for a moment.

From their words, he learned that Chi Xi's condition was still acceptable.

She was merely suffering from Energy depletion and would be fine after some rest.

Besides her, the other two teachers and one classmate also suffered from Xue Zhang's [Black Light Shockwave], and their conditions were the same.

In fact, because the two teachers were eliminated first, they had already mostly recovered their mobility:

As the winners of this great Escape, Shi Li and his three companions each received 200,000 cubic coins.

This was automatically added to their Card Player panel accounts, a reward from the will of the Exotic world, not from the school.

Earning 200,000 in one day, this efficiency was enough to make people envious.

However, the original plan was for 30 days of Exotic practice, but it ended in 1 day.

There were still 29 days left, and the 16-into-8 and 8-into-4 matches would only begin after these 29 days.

While resting in place, Shi Li hid in an unoccupied corner by himself.

He wanted to see what kind of character card he had just obtained.

The result was completely beyond imagination.

The projection of the card was the miniature version of the Bone Dragon from the Exotic.

Its pale skeleton and rotting flesh continuously peeled off, while scarlet granulation tissue frantically grew, wriggled, and wove its wings, leaving only the bone frame, with eerie green ghost fires burning in its eye sockets.

[Withering Dragon]

Withered, 30 points, One-Star Attack 30, 50/50, 0/30

[Withered Immortality - Trait]: Withering Dragon's maximum health is fixed at 50 points, and its health is reset every turn. [Withered Bomb - Passive]: When Withering Dragon leaves the field, it applies 30 points of [Withered] effect to 1 target ([Withered]: Loses a corresponding amount of maximum health this game, stackable).

“What kind of card is this? What kind of effect?”

Shi Li was puzzled by this card.

According to the description on the card, [Withered] gains 15 Energy whenever 1 card leaves the field.

This condition is neither harsh nor not harsh.

The advantage is that it's somewhat similar to the Chasing Wind System, where the Charge situation is not linked to the card's own actions.

And the Charge burst power is strong; if a large number of cards leave the field at once, its Charge will be extremely fast.

It's important to know that cards leaving the field here also include derivative cards, such as those anemic summon cards.

As for the disadvantage, the conditions for activation are actually quite strict, and it's passive.

The Listening Wind System's Charge conditions are also considered strict, but at least the initiative is in one's own hands.

The Persistence System's Charge conditions are also considered passive, but at least they are easier to trigger than cards leaving the field.

In short, for Shi Li, his mood at this moment could not merely be described as puzzled.

It should be described as groundbreaking.

Because he had never known or imagined that there were other card systems beyond the seven major systems.

From the perspective of its [Characteristic], this should be a damage-absorbing card.

As long as it's not instantly killed, it will regain full health every turn.

The current obvious flaw is that the maximum health is ultimately too low.

50 points, very easy to be instantly killed.

If the health reset cannot be triggered, then this [Characteristic] is not very meaningful.

The most crucial question is—

“How do I Star Ascension this card?”

He had never seen or heard of the existence of such cards.

So where would he find Star Ascension token cards for it, and it was a Unique Character Card at that.

However, Shi Li quickly found the answer.

Because in the detailed information of this card, there was also a note.

[Star Ascension Quest]: Withering Dragon participates in killing non-duplicate cards, 0/1000

This made Shi Li's head ache a bit.

1000 enemies, and they couldn't be duplicates.

Even if he assumed that each time the 9+1 enemies were 10 non-duplicate cards, he would still have to play 100 games.

“It seems I can only go to the Monster Training Ground.”

Shi Li had a plan.

The [Withering Dragon] card was a bit strange, so he temporarily didn't plan to tell anyone.

But holding such a card, it was impossible not to use it at all.

His idea was to tell Xiu Qingshan first, and the sooner the better.

After the collective rest, the group took a flying vehicle back to Qingchuan University.

As soon as Shi Li landed, he immediately rushed to the Card Hall in District 11.

“ Xenomorph Card.”

At the first sight of [Withering Dragon], Xiu Qingshan smiled and spoke its name.

“A small portion of card systems that are outside the conventional seven major systems are what we call Xenomorph Cards.”

From his relaxed expression, it was clear that he had seen Xenomorph Cards before.

“Are there many other types of these external cards?”

Shi Li heard that there was more than just [Withered].

“Yes, I know of at least 4 types: [Withered], [Warfare], [Birth], and [Wandering]. In reality, there are only more, not fewer, types of Xenomorph Cards.”

“So many—has anyone achieved resonance with an Xenomorph Card?”

Shi Li then remembered his own [Withered System Resonance].

“Yes.”

Curator Xiu glanced at him: “Li Mu, the current Chief Curator of Li Card Hall, is said to have achieved resonance with the Birth System and the Wandering System.”

Then Shi Li told Xiu Qingshan about the Star Ascension of [Withering Dragon].

“This isn't difficult. First, go to the Monster Training Ground in the Card Hall and take a look; you might be able to gather a hundred types.”

“Also, you should have already achieved resonance by now. One good thing about Xenomorph Cards is that I hear they can participate in the trials of the Seven Systems' Trial Towers. You should be able to increase some quest counts there.”

“Furthermore, I think the enemies in the Chess Domain should also count towards the quest, you can try it. According to the time, your Chess Domain cooldown should have already expired; you can tell me anytime you want to enter.”

“Additionally, perhaps the best place to execute this quest is the [Abyss].”

Xiu Qingshan gave four solutions.

After saying goodbye and leaving, Shi Li did not immediately go to the Monster Training Ground.

Instead, he requested a VIP room and began climbing the Trial Tower.

With the remaining 50,000, plus the 200,000 reward from the great Escape, he now had a total of 250,000 in hand.

He could go get the Star Ascension token card for [Lotus Succubus], and at the same time, work on the Star Ascension quest for [Withering Dragon].

During this time, Shi Li wanted to exploit a bug, kill a few monsters, and then quit, to see if he could achieve the goal of increasing the quest count.

The result was no; only won card games counted.

“I wonder if it's possible in the [Abyss].”

In the Abyss, each evolution of an Abyssal Kind monster counts as the end of a card game, and the monsters in the level refresh. He didn't know if monsters before and after evolution counted as duplicate cards.

At worst, he could just enter and do a 0-evolution run, then come out and refresh.

Unfortunately, Shi Li could only enter Abyss No. 68, so he temporarily abandoned this idea.

After all, this matter wasn't urgent, and he didn't want to run back and forth between two places.

He spent 50,000 cubic coins to refresh and completed [3-3] of the Rage Tower.

He obtained the Star Ascension token card for the Rage System's unique card, from two to three stars.

Then he spent another 100,000 to refresh and completed [2-10] of the Balance System System.

He still had 100,000 left, which he decided to save for now.

Having completed these, Shi Li then went to the Monster Training Ground.

In just one session, he had defeated most of the monsters in the field.

Currently, [Withering Dragon]'s Star Ascension quest was: 151/1000.

It was still quite far from completion.

“It's time to go to the Chess Domain.”

Shi Li looked at the date.

The grade positioning competition was still 25 days away, which was enough time for him to venture into the Chess Domain.

After tidying up a bit, Shi Li found Xiu Qingshan.