29: Principal's Reward

The melee mode lasted for almost an entire day, and the top 32 of this unified examination were finally determined.

Ten days later, they would participate in offline card games for the top 32 to 16 and top 16 to 8.

After Shi Li and Gong Ping emerged from the cubic cabin, their teacher called them to the principal's office.

They saw Principal Su, who naturally had a kind smile on his face.

"Not bad, very good."

Principal Su scrutinized both of them for a while before finally speaking.

"It's all thanks to the principal's excellent leadership!"

Teacher Wang's words earned a roll of the eyes from Teacher Li.

Isn't your flattery a bit too fast-paced?

"Both teachers have worked hard."

Principal Su nodded and praised, "It's rare for us to have two students enter the top 32 of the unified examination this year. Both of you, as homeroom teachers, have contributed immensely."

"It's all thanks to the principal's excellent leadership!"

Teacher Li shouted.

Then he shot a glance at Teacher Wang: See? This is the right timing.

"You two students, you must redouble your efforts from now on."

Principal Su, pleased by the flattery, handed a document to Teacher Li: "This year's city-wide unified examination is a bit different. Take a look first."

The title of the document was:

"Notice Regarding the Commencement of This Year's Provincial Internal Recruitment Tryouts"

The signatory was Jiangnan University.

Jiangnan University is the only key university specializing in card-related studies in their province.

"Jiangnan University has internal recruitment this year?"

Teacher Li was immediately surprised upon seeing it.

Jiangnan University selects one city within the province for internal recruitment each year.

Which city is chosen for internal recruitment depends on many factors.

The last internal recruitment in Durian City was two years ago, so it shouldn't be their turn again so soon.

The so-called tryout is to gather students who have performed exceptionally or possess potential, and put them through some form of assessment.

If they pass the assessment, they will receive a letter of intent from Jiangnan University.

After hearing Teacher Li's explanation, Shi Li's heart secretly rejoiced.

This meant that another path to a key university had appeared before him.

Whether he could seize it depended on his own performance.

"Just now, the municipal bureau contacted our principal to hold a discussion meeting, and after voting, the selection method for this tryout's quota was finalized."

After the document had been circulated, Principal Su said, "That is, the top 16 in this unified examination will receive a tryout quota."

In other words, as long as they make it into the top 16 next week, they will get the opportunity to participate in the tryouts at Jiangnan University.

"Unlike previous years, which only targeted a single city, this tryout is province-wide.

Talented students from across the entire province are expected to participate.

For you, if you can participate, it will be an excellent learning opportunity."

Looking at the two students, Principal Su said, "And I've also heard that due to the scale of this event, Tsinghua University and the other Four Famous Universities might also send people to observe.

Therefore, for the next battle, you must be two hundred percent focused."

The Four Famous Universities will come to observe?

Hearing this news, Shi Li and Gong Ping were both invigorated.

Does this mean that if they perform well enough, they might even have a chance to be noticed by the Four Famous Universities?

"Alright, it's still a bit early to go into detail about this. Just knowing about it is enough."

Principal Su waved his hand: "Let's talk about the immediate matters. Given your excellent performance, the school has decided to give you some rewards as a commendation."

After speaking, he glanced at Teacher Li.

"The rewards come in two forms."

Teacher Li understood: "First, each person will receive 10,000 cubic coins."

cubic coins, everyone loves them.

Shi Li, who relies on spending money to refresh and reset, especially needed them.

"Second, a two-star relic card and a one-star to two-star material card, choose one of two."

"Cough cough!"

"This second item was not originally included, but the principal admired your performance, so he generously decided to sponsor it personally."

At Principal Su's reminder, Teacher Li deliberately explained.

"Shi Li, you choose first."

Teacher Wang said at this point.

He knew very well that if Shi Li hadn't eliminated the seeded player from Second Middle School, the principal probably wouldn't have been so generous.

Gong Ping was just benefiting from Shi Li's light.

"Principal, which one should I choose?"

Shi Li, however, was clear-headed.

This was a reward from the principal's pocket, so he naturally knew which one was better, or rather, more suitable for himself.

"I have a general understanding of your deck."

Principal Su thought for a moment and began to analyze for him: "For a 3+1 deck, it possesses excellent output capability and decent sustain.

In contrast, its damage-taking ability seems somewhat insufficient, lacking a bit of proactivity."

"This set of steadfast-type material cards should suit you."

So he pulled out a set of 8 cards and handed them to Shi Li.

"Thank you, Principal."

Shi Li put the items away.

"Principal, what about me?"

Gong Ping also wanted the principal's analysis and guidance.

"You decide for yourself. I never interfere with students' thoughts."

Principal Su forced a strained smile.

"Huh?"

Gong Ping was dumbfounded.

No, Principal, you weren't like that with Shi Li just now!

How can you be so biased?

This isn't fair!

After leaving the principal's office, Shi Li went straight home.

"How was it? Did you advance?"

As soon as he opened the door, Shi Yuan poked his head out.

"Of course, who do you think I am?"

Shi Li spread his hands.

"Looks like you have good luck."

"What are you talking about? Pure skill."

Handing the cooking task to his younger brother, Shi Li walked into his room.

He opened the Card Player System and began to craft cards.

The material cards given by the principal were only one set, all two-star cards, totaling 8 cards.

Some of them were duplicates, and some might not be needed.

From this, it was clear that they indeed came from the principal's personal pocket, not the standardized material card packs sold on the market.

"This is my first time performing card crafting to upgrade a star."

He was a bit eager to try, pulling out the Crude Stone Demon.

The steadfast card the principal referred to was naturally this one.

Generally speaking, this type of card crafting for star upgrades essentially adds an entry slot to the card.

For a one-star to two-star upgrade, only 1 to 2 material cards are needed to add an entry slot.

The principal provided him with two sets of these material cards.

The rest were the materials required to create new entries.

Some people prefer to create new entries at the one-star stage first, and then upgrade the star.

This method has a lower difficulty.

However, some entries created at the one-star stage might sometimes have insufficient strength.

In such cases, reinforcement would be needed after reaching two-star.

The cost in terms of materials is similar, but it is time and labor-intensive.

Therefore, more people, when conditions allow, prefer to upgrade stars first and then craft entries, completing it in one go.

As it was his first time performing card crafting for a star upgrade, Shi Li did not complete it very smoothly.

Fortunately, the cost of refreshing and resetting was not high. After several failures and spending 5,000 cubic coins, he finally completed the operation.

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