23: D+ Grade Contract

“Okay, I understand.”

Director Hou indicated that he understood Curator Xiu’s intention and no longer had any objections.

This kind of setback was actually a test of a card player’s mentality.

Moreover, even if Shi Li’s performance wasn't good, he wouldn't suffer any losses.

What’s more, if his performance was good, the rewards would be quite substantial for a Gold card player.

Of course, that was just a 'what if'.

With Shi Li’s current deck strength, participating in the Climbing Tower Competition would only lead to hardship.

“Curator, this ranking…”

Director Hou finally raised a question.

If only the final results were considered, Xiang Bei single-handedly hunted 30 two-star LV3 demons, and Gong Ping hunted 28.

Both were more than Shi Li.

However, Shi Li was Gold 1, Gong Ping was Gold 2, and Xiang Bei was Gold 3, so the difference in their tiers also needed to be taken into account.

“Rank them as they should be ranked; you decide.

You may leave.”

Xiu Qingshan waved his hand.

“Okay, I understand.”

Director Hou nodded.

Upon returning to his office, he immediately finalized the rankings for this assessment.

First were the three individuals who completed the D+ Grade Contract assessment: Shi Li, Xiang Bei, and Gong Ping.

Shi Li was ranked first, Gong Ping second, and Xiang Bei third.

“As for the rewards for the assessment ranking…”

Director Hou pondered for a moment and quickly made a decision.

In terms of ranking, he didn't really give any special consideration.

Although Shi Li hunted the fewest, his tier was the lowest, making his achievement the most valuable.

Even without the Curator Xiu’s influence, the first place would have been undisputed.

“Since that’s the case, let’s start with the rewards.

For first place in the D+ Grade Contract assessment, a C-Level Contract ranking reward shouldn't be too much, hehe.”

Director Hou decided to subtly use his authority without violating regulations.

After finalizing everything, he was quite satisfied as he sent out the results.

…

Not long after, Shi Li and the others received notification that they could leave.

Before leaving the Monster Training Ground, they received their respective assessment results and rewards.

“Haha, I got a D+ Grade Contract!”

Gong Ping happily held up the small box he received.

Compared to a D-Level Contract, a D+ Grade Contract offered a significant improvement.

From D-Level to D+ Grade Contract, the monthly cubic coins issued increased from 6000 to 8000.

Access to the Monster Training Ground went from 50% off to 30% off, and material card purchases from 9.8 to 9.0.

In front of Shi Li, Gong Ping opened the box.

Inside was a small card with writing on it.

【Congratulations, you achieved second place in this assessment. The following item card is your ranking reward.】

Below the small card, naturally, was an item card.

From the back pattern, it appeared to be a consumable item card.

“Why is it this again!”

Gong Ping picked it up and immediately expressed a slight dissatisfaction.

【Retreat】: Use this card to immediately Retreat from card games involving two-star and below demons.

“But it’s fine, it fills a gap.”

He quickly came to terms with it.

“Hurry up and open yours to see what your reward is.”

After checking his own reward, Gong Ping urged Shi Li.

“Let me see.”

Shi Li also opened his box.

“What?! You’re actually first?!”

As soon as Gong Ping saw the small card, he exclaimed in surprise.

“…”

Shi Li didn’t react much, but Xiang Bei, not far away, had a somewhat unpleasant expression.

She had the highest tier, yet her final ranking was at the bottom.

Shi Li also received a consumable item card.

Just as he thought it would be the same Retreat card as Gong Ping’s, he flipped it over and saw a different pattern and text.

【Drop Rate Boost】: When using this card, significantly increases the drop rate of Character Cards (limited to two-star).

“No! This isn’t fair!”

Gong Ping’s voice was even higher than before.

A two-star Drop Rate Boost was almost equivalent to a two-star Character Card!

The market price for this item would be at least 10,000 cubic coins.

While his Retreat card was only worth 5,000 or 6,000 at most.

The two of them were only one rank apart, yet the value of their rewards differed so greatly.

“A fix, there’s definitely a fix.”

Gong Ping didn't realize he had accidentally stumbled upon the truth.

“You go back first, I still have some things to attend to.”

Shi Li ignored this loser’s remark.

This was like a pillow falling from the sky when one was sleepy.

After bidding farewell to Gong Ping, he quickly returned to the two-star demon area.

After a painstaking search, he finally found the demon he had been thinking about, the Fluorescent Vine.

It was not easy to find another one, knowing that their lair had been wiped out by him.

As for the card game process, it went as smoothly as before.

During the card game, Shi Li immediately used the Drop Rate Boost card.

Buzz…

As the card table barrier slowly dissipated, the fragmented light that the demon had turned into re-condensed, forming 1 Character Card.

“It actually worked!”

Shi Li was instantly delighted.

【Fluorescent Vine】

Listen to the Wind, 30 points, two-star

Attack 30, 100/100, 0/40

【Nutrient Absorption - Passive】: Recovers 10 energy points on the turn a skill is released.

【Nourish - 30 energy points】: Fluorescent Vine grants 1 target 30 points of Healing (T1).

After intensity correction, this Character Card’s Healing amount was not as high as the demon card’s, nor could it continuously release Healing every turn like the demon card.

But these were all within the normal range of corrections.

What made Shi Li most dissatisfied was its somewhat low conversion rate.

Spending 30 energy points for only 30 Healing points was, to be honest, a bit trashy.

“Let’s go home first.”

Checking the time, the last bus was almost due.

So he left the Monster Training Ground and went to the bus stop outside.

He waited for a while, and the bus didn't come, but a hovercar did.

Shi Li didn't pay much attention to the car's brand, but just from its appearance, he could tell it was high-end.

“Shi Li, still waiting for the bus so late?”

The car window rolled down, revealing it was Director Hou.

“Director Hou, I’m just about to head home.”

Shi Li nodded in greeting.

“Come on in, I’m going that way anyway, I can give you a ride.”

Director Hou waved his hand.

“Thank you, Director Hou.”

Seeing that the other party wasn't just being polite, Shi Li got into the car.

“Don’t be so formal; if you don’t mind, just call me Brother Hou.”

“Okay, Director Hou.”

“By the way, where do you live?”

“?”

Not cool, buddy.

You don’t even know where I live, and you say you’re going that way?

Shi Li suddenly felt that the other party might have some ulterior motive.

He heard that something was quite popular in Rong City.

“You must perform well in next month’s Climbing Tower Competition.”

As soon as the car started, Director Hou said this out of nowhere.

“Climbing Tower Competition?”

“Has Curator Xiu not told you yet?”

Director Hou feigned surprise, then explained with a smile: “The Climbing Tower Competition is actually also a contract assessment.

It’s an online assessment conducted by Show Card Hall irregularly nationwide for contractors; if the results meet the standards, you can upgrade to the corresponding contract.

In addition, its assessment rewards are more generous than regular contract assessments.

Originally, one needed at least a C-Level Contract to participate in the Climbing Tower Competition, but Curator Xiu has specially allowed you to participate.

So, for the coming month, you need to prepare well.”

“I see…”

Shi Li felt a faint sense of anticipation.

Key point: more generous rewards.

“Curator Xiu seems to value you highly, but you’ve also proven yourself capable.

It’s rare to have a Unique Character Card at this tier.”

As Director Hou said this, he secretly observed Shi Li’s expression.

“I also have to thank Curator Xiu for that; he gave it to me.”

What Shi Li didn’t notice was that when he finished speaking, the originally smoothly moving vehicle subtly trembled.

…

…