3: Monster Training Ground

Early the next morning, Shi Li took a public bus to the Monster Training Ground located in the suburbs.

Towering reinforced concrete walls formed a closed loop, enclosing an area of ten kilometers.

Standing beneath the wall and looking up, one could fully feel the insignificance of an individual.

This training field belonged to the Show Card Hall, one of the five major Card Halls on Blue Star.

If card-related universities focused on imparting knowledge and card-making theories, then Card Halls leaned more towards actual card game combat.

Among card players, Card Hall players were a very mainstream force and the main power protecting Blue Star and entering other realms.

The influence of the five major Card Halls spread across Blue Star, and their relationship was one of healthy competition.

Only three of them operated within the borders of Xia Kingdom.

Two of them were even founded by people from Xia Kingdom, establishing their headquarters there.

The Show Card Hall was one of the two.

When Shi Li walked into the hall, there were already quite a few people standing around sparsely.

It seemed these were socialites who had received inside information.

They were all Silver rank, without a single Gold.

Hunter card players, a term popped into Shi Li's mind.

Some card players, due to insufficient Talent, lack of opportunities, or other reasons, would give up on the path of further advancement.

They would instead hunt demons to obtain material cards, selling them to make a living.

Some even had full-time jobs, and hunting was just a sideline to earn extra money.

Wild hunting was full of uncertainties and dangers, while the Monster Training Ground offered a relatively higher safety factor.

Especially since there was no entry fee these past few days, they naturally wouldn't pass up such a free opportunity.

Card players could check each other's ranks through the card player system, and a mature Bearded Man caught Shi Li's attention.

“Silver 8” was the rank displayed above his head.

Although Silver 4 was the peak, if one consistently failed to acquire a two-star card and the number of one-star cards continued to increase, theoretically, the Silver rank had no upper limit.

However, the difference between Silver 8 and Silver 4 was only that the former had a deeper deck; in terms of the number of cards in play, there was no fundamental difference between the two.

Similar to Gold 1-4, both had a deck score limit of 120 points + 4 character cards in play (number of playable cards x 30 points = deck score limit).

Next to the Bearded Man stood two male teammates, whose ranks were Silver 5 and Silver 6 respectively.

Compared to others in the hall, their ranks were significantly higher.

When the surrounding people cast respectful glances, they also whispered among themselves.

“I didn't expect Big Beard and his team to also receive the news.”

“We should avoid them later; I don't want our prey to be snatched away.”

“You're overthinking it; the prey they're interested in isn't even on the same level as yours, alright?”

Evidently, this was an experienced and somewhat renowned team of hunters.

While Shi Li observed them, the Silver 6 man also noticed his presence.

After all, such a young face was unique here; it was hard not to notice him.

“Hey, little brother, are you also here to farm materials?”

As Shi Li walked past, the Silver 6 man greeted him kindly.

“Yes.”

Shi Li nodded.

“Are you here alone?”

Seeing that he was only Silver 3, the Silver 6 man extended an invitation: “Looking at you, you must be a high school student coming here for the first time, right? Do you want to join us?”

Those in their circle had a custom: to help newcomers just starting out.

As for who was most qualified to do this among those present, it was naturally only their team.

“Thanks, but I'll just look around by myself.”

Shi Li declined.

According to the rules, grouping up meant sharing profits.

He would get whatever he earned alone, and it would be more hassle-free.

“Are you sure? It might not be very safe by yourself.”

At this point, the Silver 5 man next to him spoke up.

After all, in his eyes, the theoretical knowledge students learned from textbooks naturally couldn't compare to their rich practical experience.

“Alright, young people have their own ideas.”

Seeing Shi Li's silence, the Bearded Man just waved his hand and smiled, “Then we'll be heading off first, little brother.”

After bidding farewell to the three, Shi Li was greeted by a staff member.

It was simply a matter of filling out some basic information and verification.

Soon, he obtained access permission.

After completing registration, Shi Li received permission to enter.

“We need to remind you that the further you go towards the center, the stronger the demons become. Please explore according to your personal strength.”

The staff member routinely gave a safety briefing.

“What's the highest-level demon in this training field?”

Shi Li asked curiously.

“Two-star LV5.”

This answer made him raise an eyebrow.

One-star demons corresponded to Silver card players, and two-star to Gold.

Gold 5, that was the peak of Gold, known as quasi-Platinum.

Demons of this level were not something he could handle.

After explaining the safety matters, Shi Li was finally allowed to proceed.

Following the signs, he walked through a long and narrow passage, arriving at an iron gate.

With a face scan, the thick iron gate slowly opened.

Rumble... A primeval forest appeared before his eyes, a stark contrast to the modern hall he had just been in, like two different worlds.

As a card player's rank increased, their physical fitness would also receive a corresponding boost to a certain extent.

At the very least, this level of trekking through mountains and rivers was not difficult for Shi Li.

After wandering aimlessly in the forest for about 10 minutes, he encountered his first demon of the trip.

It was a large monkey with red and blue markings, leisurely drinking water by a small stream.

In fact, this was Shi Li's first time seeing a demon with his own eyes.

“Icefire Ape.”

But he still spoke the name of this demon; many basic demons were recorded in textbooks.

He was intimately familiar with its habits and skill entries.

Opening the identification function of his card player system, he could clearly see the level above its head.

“One-star LV1,” equivalent to “Silver 1,” a level he could completely handle.

So without further thought, Shi Li directly cast a card player mark on it.

JIU!

The beam of light hitting its body immediately alerted the Icefire Ape.

【Goo goo ga ga!】

It bared its teeth and snarled at Shi Li in a display of aggression.

Buzz... A semicircular light barrier rose from the ground, enveloping Shi Li and the Icefire Ape.

Blue lines intersected horizontally and vertically on the ground, forming a grid-like pattern similar to a chessboard.

After the card grid formed, the Icefire Ape transformed into a stream of light and split into three.

Three cards were arranged in a column, with projections of the ape appearing on them.

“It's almost exactly as described in the book.”

After seeing the opponent's cards, Shi Li also summoned his three cards.

His three cards were also arranged in a column, front to back, and character projections quickly appeared on their faces.

The most prominent among them was the card projection at the very back.

It was a gigantic sika deer, with long antlers vaguely wreathed in lightning.

【Thunderhorn Deer】

Momentum type, 30 points, One-star

Attack 30, HP 100/100, Energy 0/30

【Double Strike - 30 Energy】: Thunderhorn Deer attacks the target 1 additional time.

This Thunderhorn Deer was currently Shi Li's main output card.

Momentum-type cards gained 10 energy with each attack, making them a type that burst after warming up, and their skill sustainability was strong.

When the Thunderhorn Deer was fully charged and used Double Strike, it could replenish 10+10 = 20 energy within one turn.

After warming up, this cycle meant it could activate its skill every other turn...