27: When you are unlucky

“No, it’s another guy named Shi Li.

Although his rank isn't as high as Gong Ping's, his deck strength is definitely superior to Gong Ping's.”

Xiang Bei's expression was solemn.

Although the last card game was too fast, she didn't even have time to see all of Shi Li's cards.

But from the fact that he was able to take down so many Fluorescent Vines by himself, it could be deduced.

Xiang Bei had checked the list before and knew that Shi Li was not a seeded player.

So, in her opinion, this guy was definitely today's biggest jinx.

Shi Li, who wasn't a seeded player but possessed strength not inferior to one.

Any unlucky soul who ran into him would surely suffer a great loss.

“Shi Li, that name rings a bell.”

Fang Jinghai recalled the high school entrance exam that year.

The person who became the city's co-valedictorian with him, having the same score, seemed to be named Shi Li.

However, from a card game perspective, his highest reaction to the students of this year was merely “interested.”

Because he himself knew very well that no one was worthy of being his opponent.

Liang Dan from Third High School?

Even if she was promoted to Gold 5, she probably wouldn't be qualified to reveal his trump card.

“Xiang Bei, I heard that in your Show Card Hall's assessment ranking this time, you lost to those two guys from Twenty-sixth High School, right?”

Just then, an unpleasant remark for Xiang Bei rang out from the side.

The speaker was named Guo Tian, and due to the competition for the second-best spot in Second High School, he had always been at odds with her.

“So what? I admit their strength.”

Xiang Bei's reaction was cold.

The top students from Second and Third High Schools either signed with Li Card Hall or Star Card Hall; only she, for some personal reasons, chose Show Card Hall.

Show Card Hall had entered Durian City a few years later, and thus had always been suppressed by the two other Card Halls in the city.

As a signee of Star Card Hall, Guo Tian naturally was even more at odds with Xiang Bei.

“Students from a school like Twenty-sixth High School couldn't possibly be that good.

I mean, is there a possibility it wasn't because your opponents were too strong?”

Guo Tian didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was already clear.

“Hmph.”

Xiang Bei's face stiffened, and she no longer replied.

If it had been before, she would have at least retorted a few times.

But three days ago, Guo Tian received the first-place reward in Star Card Hall's contract assessment.

And he took this opportunity to advance directly to Gold 4.

So, let alone being second in Second High School, he and Liang Dan from Third High School could now be considered tied for second in the entire city.

The current Xiang Bei truly lacked confidence.

Seeing his rare advantage, Guo Tian originally wanted to say a few more words.

But before he could even open his mouth, he felt his vision blur, and he was standing in the free-for-all arena.

He knew it was his turn for field H.

“Hmm?”

Quickly scanning the opponents on the field, he immediately spotted a conspicuous guy.

The opponent's Gold 2 title stood out among a group of Silvers.

And he was standing less than 10 meters away, with his back to him.

“Please select your opponent within 5 seconds, otherwise the system will force a match.”

If it were a more cautious person, for this first battle, they would definitely choose the weakest opponent to conserve strength for subsequent battles.

But Guo Tian was different; having just been promoted, he was a bit arrogant today.

“A mere Gold 2, heh heh.

I'll show you what real strength is.”

His gaze drifted towards the audience, in the direction where Xiang Bei was.

Then, without waiting for the system to match, Guo Tian sent over a player mark.

Buzz...

The barrier rose, and the card game immediately began.

At this time, in the largest teacher conference room of Twenty-sixth High School, all the teachers of the third year were watching the unified exam live broadcast on the big screen.

Among them, the grade director and three homeroom teachers sat in the first row with the best view.

Sitting in the same row as them and in the center position was a middle-aged man with flowing hair and a dashing demeanor.

It was clear that this man must have been very popular with the opposite sex when he was young.

He was Principal Su, the principal of Twenty-sixth High School.

“Shi Li's luck isn't good...”

Teacher Wang of Class Three felt a bit regretful.

“There are only two Gold 4 third-year students in the entire city, and he managed to run into one of them.”

Teacher Zhao of Class Two also felt it was unfair to him.

As they spoke, they were secretly observing the principal.

But at this moment, Principal Su had his arms crossed and an expressionless face, so no clues could be seen for the time being.

Under everyone's gaze, Guo Tian was the first to reveal his four cards.

The first card was a Firm card with a health bonus and Defense damage reduction.

The second card was a Wise card with Stun hard control.

The last card was a Balanced output card with dual special attack attributes.

The trump card was a Chasing Wind card with continuous Healing ability.

“This Second High School student's deck combination is good.”

“More than good, this is basically the ultimate 3+1 two-star deck, isn't it?”

“Damage absorption, control, output, and Healing—all four elements are complete.”

The teachers of Twenty-sixth High School all highly praised Guo Tian's deck.

Teacher Li listened to these words, feeling somewhat uneasy.

Because the higher the praise for Guo Tian, the more it implied a lack of optimism for Shi Li.

But this was indeed a fact, and he couldn't refute it.

Even with the existence of a unique card, Shi Li's deck strength was still inferior to his opponent's.

“Student, it's such a pity that you, a Gold 2, are not a seeded player.

If it were other Gold 2 seeded players, you would definitely have a fighting chance.

It's just unfortunate that you ran into me.”

Evidently, Guo Tian was also very confident in his deck.

“So what?”

Shi Li's reaction was calm, and he revealed his first face-down card.

He revealed his trump card first.

A giant stag emerged from the card's light pillar, with faint lightning swirling around its long antlers.

Thunderhorn Deer

Breakthrough type, 30 points, one-star

Attack 60, Health 200/200, Energy 0/30

Double Strike - 30 Energy: Thunderhorn Deer attacks the target an additional 1 time

“Although it's only a one-star card, it's a good choice for a trump card.”

Teacher Zhao nodded: “The trump card's 30 points of extra attack power bonus can change the damage of Double Strike from the original 30+30=60 to 60+60=120.

This output capability can be said to be quite considerable.”

“And Breakthrough type cards recover energy through attack frequency, so the biggest process they usually face is the warm-up time.

According to today's card game rules, the card's energy status will be retained for the next card game.

That is to say, starting from the second game, the warm-up time of Thunderhorn Deer will be greatly shortened.

Placing it in the safest trump card position is definitely a wise choice.”

Teacher Wang also expressed approval, but he didn't say half of what he was thinking.

That was, if Shi Li lost this game, there would be no second game for him.