21: Unexpected trump card

Shi Li and Gong Ping continued their journey.

During this time, they encountered a LV4 monster, which was easily dealt with by their combined deck.

When Card Players team up, their decks are combined.

For example, if one of them was Gold 1 and the other Gold 2, they would each deploy at least one character card, forming a 3+1 deck.

It only deepens the deck; it doesn't cause a qualitative change.

However, with Gong Ping and Shi Li's decks combined, dealing with a mere two-star LV4 was no problem at all.

During the process, Gong Ping once again marveled at the Red Blade Maiden's strength, and his confidence in conquering the training ground's overlord increased significantly.

After about two hours of searching, the two finally arrived at the central area of the training ground.

"I didn't expect us to search for so long, only to find out this guy can't even Movement."

Looking at the enormous creature in front of him, Gong Ping felt a bit frustrated about the wasted journey.

Dry Domain Man-Eating Flower, Two-Star LV5

Its name and level were clearly visible above its head.

The Gan Domain is one of the major exotic that connect to Blue Star.

It is also the main battlefield that their Xia Kingdom Card Players are responsible for guarding, as the entrance is in Xia Kingdom.

Clearly, this giant sunflower with a gaping maw was transplanted by the Show Card Hall from the Gan Domain.

"It looks like it won't be easy to deal with."

Because it was an unfamiliar monster, Shi Li maintained due caution.

"Don't worry, I've already prepared."

Gong Ping patted his shoulder, indicating that everything was fine.

Then he sent out a Card Player marker.

"Gulp!"

The stimulated Man-Eating Flower suddenly became active.

Buzz...

A barrier rose, and a card table was generated.

"I'll play one damage absorption, one Healing, and one hard control; the task of output is up to you."

Gong Ping set up his deck according to their previous strategy.

"These stats are a bit high."

Shi Li, however, was the first to clearly see the monster's card face.

Dry Domain Man-Eating Flower

Frenzy, ATK 150, 800 / 800

"Giant - Passive": The Dry Domain Man-Eating Flower occupies 5 card slots, and its attacks come with a "Silence" effect.

"Greed - Passive": If the Dry Domain Man-Eating Flower participates in killing a target, it gains 100 points of "Healing" (T5).

("Silence": Prevents the target from using active skills)

Giant cards refer to cards that occupy more than 2 card slots.

They usually have stat panels far exceeding those of single cards.

But they also have many drawbacks, such as reducing the total number of deck terms, overly concentrated output, and being disadvantaged by negative effects.

The fact that this Man-Eating Flower was a Giant card was actually good news for both of them.

"Haha! Come on, come on!"

Gong Ping showed an excited expression.

Being able to defeat a two-star LV5 monster with Gold 3 was a feat worth boasting about.

"If it's just this card face, then it's indeed no problem."

Shi Li was more concerned with the outcome.

If this guy dropped a material card, they would make a profit.

A two-star LV5 material card could easily sell for several thousand to nearly ten thousand cubic coins.

"Let's stick to the plan. In the first round, I'll use hard control first."

Gong Ping's "Shadow Apprentice" could unleash one "Stun."

And the front-row cards, under "Defense," could withstand two BOSS attacks, which made for 3 rounds.

Three rounds were enough time for the Red Blade Maiden to deal nearly 700 damage to the BOSS.

Coupled with the focused fire from the middle and back row regular cards, the BOSS's HP was depleted within 3 rounds.

As for their battle damage, it was only their front-row cards that were taken out.

Just as the two thought the card game would end smoothly, an unexpected change suddenly occurred.

"Gulp!"

The Man-Eating Flower's massive plant body rapidly withered, leaving only a flower bud standing in place.

A few seconds later, the flower bud slowly opened, revealing a figure inside.

This figure was neither male nor female, with naturally transitioning plant-green skin, and a gaping maw identical to the Man-Eating Flower's, running vertically from its neck to its navel.

Its card face also changed as a result.

Dry Domain Man-Eating Flower (Phase Two)

Frenzy, ATK 200, 1000 / 1000

"Blade Edge - Passive": Targets attacked by the Dry Domain Man-Eating Flower gain 5 points of "Bleeding."

"Bloodlust - Passive": The Dry Domain Man-Eating Flower gains 50 points of "Healing" with each attack (T1).

("Bleeding": Continuously takes unmitigated damage at the start of the next turn; any recovery effect can remove it)

"Oh no, it actually has a second phase!"

Gong Ping's face changed dramatically.

Leaving aside the attributes of the new terms, just the fully restored health was enough to make them choke.

They no longer had any damage-absorbing cards and couldn't withstand the BOSS's attacks.

With 200 attack power, even with "Defense," they would be taken out one by one.

"Didn't you say you were prepared?"

Seeing Gong Ping's expression, Shi Li felt like he might have been tricked.

Did this guy not know the BOSS would transform?

"At this point, there's nothing else we can do."

Gong Ping heard this, put on a serious face, and sighed, "Originally, I didn't plan to use this Movement."

"You'd better use it."

The more the other party talked, the more unreliable Shi Li found him.

"Watch closely!"

Then, Gong Ping said in a deep voice, and with a flick of his wrist, pulled out a card.

Shi Li: "This is...!"

Gong Ping: "Item card, Retreat!"

Shi Li: "..."

Buzz...

As the item card was played, the card table barrier indeed began to fade away.

"Hurry up and run!"

Gong Ping grabbed Shi Li and fled. Fortunately, the BOSS had no feet and couldn't Movement.

By the time the Man-Eating Flower reacted, the two had already run out of its attack range.

"How was that? I didn't lie to you, did I?"

Gong Ping laughed.

"To be fair, it was a bit of a waste."

Shi Li knew that such a life-saving item was not cheap.

The cost of this BOSS exploration was too high.

"It's fine, I didn't buy it with money; it was a reward from the assessment ranking."

"Assessment ranking?"

"That's right, the top few in each contract assessment have a chance to get item cards."

Gong Ping's "Retreat" was obtained as a reward from the last contract ranking.

"I won't talk to you anymore; my assessment task isn't finished yet."

Since the challenge failed, he took his leave proactively.

Watching the other party's hurried departure, Shi Li, who had originally planned to relax after meeting the assessment standards, dismissed the idea.

So there were ranking rewards after all.

It seemed that merely meeting the standards wasn't enough; he had to strive for better results to climb the ranks.

...

As soon as the twelve-hour assessment period ended, everyone returned to the hall.

However, this time, they were not greeted by Director Hou, but by a lady instead.

Her rank was only Platinum 6, so in terms of rank, her position should be lower than Director Hou's.

"Students, you've all worked hard. Your results will be announced tomorrow.

The Card Hall has arranged rooms for you upstairs. Please rest well."

The lady said.

"That's strange, I've never heard of contract assessments requiring an overnight stay."

Someone noticed that the hall, which should have been reopened, was now closed and empty.

"Teacher, can I go home now and come back tomorrow morning?"

Someone else raised an objection.

"I'm sorry, this is an order from above; everyone must stay overnight."

Although the lady still smiled, there was a sense of no refusal.