249: Advancement to [Extraordinary 1]

Following the [Abyss Slime], Shi Li's next targets for promotion to Five Stars were the [hundred mountain vessel] and the [cloud sea vessel].

The Five-Star promotion tasks for these two cards were relatively troublesome.

They required using the [hundred mountain vessel] and [cloud sea vessel] to participate in and clear the final level of the [Firm Trial] and the [Listening Wind Trial].

Just finding the [Top-Tier Listen to the Wind Intervention] needed to allow the [hundred mountain vessel] to enter the [Listening Wind Trial], and the [Top-Tier Persistence Intervention] needed to allow the [cloud sea vessel] to enter the [Firm Trial], took him a considerable amount of effort.

Actually, it wasn't so much effort; these items were sold in the God Realm Point Mall.

They just weren't cheap.

After some maneuvering, he finally succeeded in promoting these two cards to Five Stars.

[hundred mountain vessel]

Persistence, 30 points, Five-Star Attack 30, 100/100, 0/100

[cloud mountain - Characteristic]: When the hundred mountain vessel is attacked, the cloud sea vessel gains 10→15 Energy. [Mountain Cloud - Trait]: The hundred mountain vessel and the cloud sea vessel share Health Points. [Defense Field - Passive]: The hundred mountain vessel gains 15→20 [Shield] every turn (T1)

[Support Protocol - Passive]: When the cloud sea vessel is on the field, the hundred mountain vessel receives -10 Attack Damage.

[Backup Supply - Passive]: During the turn the cloud sea vessel is [Still], the hundred mountain vessel gains 10→20 [Healing].

[Energy Saving Mode - 10→0 Energy]: The hundred mountain vessel enters [Defense] status this turn (T1).

[Dimensional Barrier - 30→20 Energy]: The hundred mountain vessel gains 1 stack of [Barrier], and its actions are unaffected (

T1)

([Barrier]: Nullifies the single largest instance of damage this turn.)

First, the [Characteristic]s and trait values received a general enhancement.

In particular, [Defense] now costs 0 Energy, meaning it can now perform [Defense] at any time for free

.

[cloud sea vessel]

Listen to the Wind, 0 points, Five-Star Attack 0, 100/100, 0/100

[cloud mountain - Characteristic]: During the turn the cloud sea vessel is [Still], the hundred mountain vessel gains 10→15 Energy. [cloud mountain - Characteristic]: The cloud sea vessel and the hundred mountain vessel share Energy Points. [Observer - Passive]: The cloud sea vessel can be placed in the Ace Row. [Band Synchronization - Passive]: When the hundred mountain vessel is revealed, the cloud sea vessel is revealed simultaneously. [Static Armor - Passive]: When the cloud sea vessel is [Still], Attack Damage received is -10.

[Ion Pulse - Passive]: The cloud sea vessel's attack consumes all current Energy and converts it into equivalent [Quantum Entanglement].

[Flowing Cloud Retrospect - 70→60 Energy]: The cloud sea vessel selects one square of a retired target, causing it to gain 30 [Return].

([Quantum Entanglement]: Lose 10 Energy; if there is no Energy, lose 10 Health Points.)

([Return]: The card reappears in its original position.)

The trait values and energy consumption of the [cloud sea vessel] were also optimized and enhanced.

The most crucial factor is the new traits added to these two cards.

Shared Health Points and shared Energy Points.

This means the two cards now have 200/200 HP and 0/200 Energy.

For them, this is undoubtedly a major enhancement.

Because 200 HP is enough to give the [hundred mountain vessel], which acts as the damage-absorbing frontline, extremely strong survivability.

After all, it already possesses many Damage Reduction traits.

Shared Energy Points can also further increase the efficiency of their combination.

Of course, combining is only a last resort.

Before that, the [cloud sea vessel]'s Still status can grant them 20 Energy.

This 20 Energy is enough for the [hundred mountain vessel] to release a [Barrier] every turn.

Coupled with the combined Charge of the two, the energy is practically endless.

Even if the [hundred mountain vessel] is not attacked, the [cloud sea vessel] can recover 35 Energy for them every turn.

If the [hundred mountain vessel] is attacked once, the total Energy Recovery is 65 points.

What does 65 Energy represent?

It means the [cloud sea vessel] can deal 65 points of [Quantum Entanglement], or release one [Return].

Even without being attacked, the [cloud sea vessel]'s Charge over 2 turns is enough to release one [Return].

This is practically equivalent to a permanent skill.

Therefore, if the opponent doesn't find a way to quickly eliminate these two cards, or at least the [cloud sea vessel], they will face Shi Li's very frequent [Return] and Revival.

These two cards can be said to have significantly increased Shi Li's damage absorption and fault tolerance capabilities.

Long, multi-turn sustained battles are their advantageous stage.

After these two linked cards, Shi Li promoted the [Flower Cudgel Leader] to Five Stars.

The task for the [Flower Cudgel Leader] wasn't actually difficult; it was just the card creation part that was expensive.

But he didn't care; with the God Realm as a massive treasure trove of resources backing him, gathering enough materials was only a matter of time.

[Flower Cudgel Leader]

Momentum, 40 points, Five-Star Attack 40, 100/100, 0/30

[Weight of Hua Gun - Characteristic]: The Flower Cudgel Leader has no Energy loss, and cannot use skills when at maximum Energy. [Shaping the Cudgel with Soul - Trait]: For every target the Flower Cudgel Leader participates in eliminating, Energy maximum +10.

[Thousand Junks Awaiting Bloom - Passive]: When the Flower Cudgel Leader's Energy is not full, Attack Power +20 → Damage dealt is doubled. [Crushing - Passive]: When the Flower Cudgel Leader attacks a target with a lower score than itself, Attack Power +10.

[Irresistible Force - Passive]: After the Flower Cudgel Leader reaches maximum Energy for the first time, attacks are converted from [True Damage] → [Absolute Damage].

[Gun Shadow Combo - 0 Energy]: The Flower Cudgel Leader attacks the target 1 extra time. [Knock the Mountain and Shake the Yue - 0 Energy]: The Flower Cudgel Leader attacks 1 target, applying 10 points of [Knockback] effect. [Heavy Flower Downpour - 0 Energy]: The Flower Cudgel Leader attacks targets in one row individually. ([Knockback]: Forces the target to [Movement] if there is an empty space behind them; if not, causes them to take [Collision] damage.)

([Collision]: The side with lower Health Points takes damage; if Health Points are equal, both sides take damage.)

First, its core trait changed. Previously, when Energy was not full, it only increased Attack Power by 20.

Now, it directly doubles the damage dealt.

This is quite formidable.

Previously, the damage dealt by the double attack was 60 + 60 = 120. Now it's (40 + 40) * 2 = 160.

If you add 10 points of [Encouragement] to it, it becomes even fiercer.

With doubled damage, the normal attack changes from 40 * 2 = 80 to (40 + 10) * 2 = 100.

The double attack becomes (50 + 50) * 2 = 200.

Although it's only 10 points of [Encouragement], the benefit it receives is 20 points, or 40 points.

If it attacks 3 targets in one row, the benefit even reaches 60 points.

Furthermore, a new [Characteristic] was added, greatly optimizing its mechanism.

Previously, after reaching max Energy, [Thousand Junks Awaiting Bloom] could no longer be triggered.

But now, its output cycle has changed.

First, Energy is not full, triggering doubled damage.

Then, reaching maximum Energy for the first time triggers the activation of [Absolute Damage] for the rest of the match.

Then, eliminating another target re-triggers doubled damage.

In this way, it becomes incredibly powerful.

Before, one had to drag out the fight, hoping it wouldn't reach full Charge; now, the goal is to quickly let it reach full Charge once.

The trait [Irresistible Force] also saw a slight change.

The previous description was "when Energy is fully Charged," and now it is "after the first full Energy Charge." The meaning expressed by the two is different.

After completing the Five-Star promotion for the [Flower Cudgel Leader], Shi Li's next target was the [Lotus Succubus].

[Lotus Succubus]

Berserk, 20 points, Five-Star Attack 20, 100/100

[Whip of Pleasure - Characteristic]: The Lotus Succubus's attacks are converted into [Healing].

[Forced Love - Passive]: The Lotus Succubus's Recovery effect ignores reductions. [Narcissism - Passive]: The Lotus Succubus gains 10 points of [Healing] every turn (T5).

[Pure Baptism - Passive]: The Lotus Succubus's attacks apply a [Purification] effect. [Caring Whip - Passive]: The Lotus Succubus's attacks apply 10 points of [Shield].

[Motivational Whip - Passive]: The Lotus Succubus's attacks apply 10 points of [Encouragement].

[Ardent Emotion - Passive]: The Lotus Succubus's attacks apply damage equal to 10% of the target's maximum Health Points. [Kiss of Betrayal - 30 Health Points]: The Lotus Succubus causes 1 target to gain the [Defection] effect for 1 turn (T0

[Fierce Love - 30 Health Points]: The Lotus Succubus attacks 3 targets this turn. ([Defection]: Forces the target to attack the adjacent target behind them.)

([Purification]: Purifies the target's negative effects.)

The mechanism of the [Lotus Succubus] also evolved.

Two passive traits were added, and two active skills were converted into passive traits.

This means its attacks automatically apply 20 points of [Healing] + 10 points of [Shield] + 10 points of [Encouragement] + [Purification] + 10% of the target's maximum Health Points.

Testing it on the Simulated Card Table showed that if it possesses [Shield] or [Encouragement], its attack priority will increase to T1.

If it then activates the skill [Fierce Love], it can attack 3 targets simultaneously.

This equates to 60 points of [Healing] + 30 points of [Shield] + 30 points of [Encouragement] + [Purification] x3 + 30% maximum Health Points, which is quite overwhelming.

Although Shi Li felt that its apparent strength wasn't as high as other Five-Star promotions, as a Healing card, and a mass Healing card at that, its status in his deck is definitely very high.

For example, since [Ardent Emotion] became passive, his future 'The Diner' Cow-Rearing Tactic will be much smoother.

Previously, when the [Lotus Succubus] healed 10% of maximum Health Points, she would lose HP herself.

This would actually slow down The Diner's growth speed significantly.

Or take the [red dragon beast master]'s Fire Stockpiling Tactic; previously, the [Lotus Succubus]'s HP loss was greater.

She had to consume 30 Health Points to activate the skill, and also be attacked by [Dragon Flame].

Now that the 30 Health Point cost is gone, it's much more comfortable and can help the [red dragon beast master] complete the Fire Stockpiling Tactic faster.

After the [Lotus Succubus], Shi Li promoted the [Demon-Defeating Dark Hunter] to Five Stars.

Upon completing the Five-Star promotion of this card, he reached 11 Five-Star Character Cards and was promoted to the [Transcendent 1]

rank.

Compared to the [Lotus Succubus], the Five-Star promotion of this card truly astonished him.

[Demon-Defeating Dark Hunter]

Wisdom System, 30 points, Five-Star Attack 30, 100/100, ∞/∞

[Demonbane - Characteristic]: The Demon-Defeating Dark Hunter possesses the [Magic Immunity] effect. [Source Interception - Passive]: When the Demon-Defeating Dark Hunter is revealed, it can prevent 1 target from recovering Energy this turn. [Mana Destruction - Passive]: The Demon-Defeating Dark Hunter's attack applies 10→20 points of [Quantum Entanglement].

[Enchanted Weapon - Passive]: The Demon-Defeating Dark Hunter's Pursuit Damage is converted into [Absolute Damage].

[Offensive Accumulation - Passive]: For every 3 pursuit-type attacks the Demon-Defeating Dark Hunter performs this turn, it gains a stackable 10 points of [Encouragement] next turn.

[Conditional Counter-Curse - 10 Energy]: The Demon-Defeating Dark Hunter automatically initiates [Echo].

[Thorough Elimination - 10 Energy]: The Demon-Defeating Dark Hunter automatically initiates a [Finishing Blow].

[Anti-Magic Tattoos - 10 Energy]: The Demon-Defeating Dark Hunter causes its side to be unaffected by the opponent's Hand Cards this turn (T0).

[Demon-Defeating Seal - 60 Energy]: The Demon-Defeating Dark Hunter selects 1 target to gain the corresponding effect for this match. ([Magic Immunity]: Immune to non-control negative effects.)

([Echo]: Immediately launches 1 attack when the enemy target uses a skill.)

([Finishing Blow]: Immediately launches 1 attack when the enemy target's Health Points first drop to 50% or below.)

First, the evolution of its mechanism is reflected in its Energy.

Infinite Energy is an extremely wonderful thing, whether for the Wisdom System or other Energy Systems—the [Flower Cudgel Leader] being the exception.

With infinite Energy, it no longer has to worry about insufficient Energy interrupting its pursuit attacks.

Furthermore, its Innate Hand Card also changed as a result.

[Mana Siphon]: The Demon-Defeating Dark Hunter selects 1 target to increase or decrease their Energy maximum by 50.

The former effect, increasing the Energy maximum by 50, is equivalent to increasing Energy by 50, which is like applying 50 points of [Charge] to an allied unit.

If bound to the [hundred mountain vessel] or the [cloud sea vessel], it allows them to reach the Energy required for combination faster.

Alternatively, if bound to Energy-consuming Character Cards like [Dragon Jumper], [Withering Dragon], or [Exploding Zombie], it can instantly bring them to full burst state.

Especially the [Breaker], a Momentum card that is difficult to warm up; 50 points of Charge allows it to continuously use its skill, greatly increasing its power.

If the [Breaker] has an extra 50 Energy, it can continuously cover the opponent's cards.

This is simply too rogue; in a PVP Card Match, if the opponent has no Counter measures, they essentially cannot reveal cards and are suppressed throughout the entire fight.

Of course, Shi Li has now faced many enemies with high-intensity Decks and knows that this is not so easily achieved.

For example, multiple reveals in one turn, or [Silence] and [Effect Reflection], can resist the [Breaker]'s move.

As for decreasing the Energy maximum by 50, that is used against enemies.

It should be known that many Character Cards don't even reach an Energy maximum of 50 even after being promoted to Five Stars.

Deducting 50 points from them is equivalent to preventing them from using skills altogether.

This is more effective than any [Silence].

After all, [Silence] can be removed with [Purification], but the effect of the Innate Hand Card cannot.

This effect is only removed if the [Demon-Defeating Dark Hunter] is eliminated.

Or perhaps certain Innate Hand Cards that can resist the effects of other Innate Hand Cards, though Shi Li hasn't encountered this often, even among [Diamond] Card Players.

However, the Five-Star promotion of the [Demon-Defeating Dark Hunter] didn't just enhance its support functions.

Its output capability was also significantly strengthened.

The trait [Offensive Accumulation] can provide it with a considerable Attack Power bonus.

Furthermore, the two pursuit traits also changed from the previous 10 points of [Echo] and [Finishing Blow] to removing the "10

points," directly linking them to Attack Power.

Especially in multi-sided chaotic, Unconventional Matches, Shi Li could hardly imagine how much [Encouragement] the [Demon-Defeating Dark Hunter] would stack after just one turn.

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