43: Su Ge's Bet

In the private room where all the principals gathered, Principal Su's expression instantly soured when he saw two identical Stone Demons.

"Old Xue, oh, Old Xue, you truly are despicable and shameless."

He pointed at a gaunt old man beside him, "First Liang Dan, and now Yan Hao, actually teaching their students to copy my students' cards."

"Stop trying to take credit for yourself."

Principal Xue rolled his eyes at him.

The Stone Demon is a universally recognized useful damage-absorbing card in the Platinum tier, easy to acquire and highly practical.

Not to mention the Platinum tier, even its upgraded version, the Great Stone Demon, is widely used in the Platinum tier.

This old geezer is just making a fuss.

"But then again, Shi Li seems to be the hope for your Twenty-sixth High School's unified exam this year, doesn't he?"

Principal Xue, in a calm and composed manner, retorted, "Let me apologize in advance, but Yan Hao is our Third High School's second seed."

"That's not right," Principal Su said with a serious expression.

"Strictly speaking, he should now be your Third High School's number one seed, because Liang Dan has already been eliminated."

"Care to make a bet?"

For Old Xue, such sarcasm was undoubtedly a provocation.

"Alright, how much are we betting?"

Principal Su, of course, couldn't afford to lose his momentum.

"I know you went to a Level 4 exotic a while ago; you must have had quite a harvest, right?"

Principal Xue held up a palm, "Fifty thousand cubic coins, what do you say?"

"Fifty thousand it is!"

Principal Su waved his hand.

It's worth noting that fifty thousand cubic coins, even for him, was not a small sum that he wouldn't feel bad about losing.

This price could completely buy several sets of one-star to two-star material card packs, or even one or two two-star artifact cards.

But he always believed in losing the battle, but not the spirit.

At this moment, even a hint of hesitation would be considered a defeat.

"Hahaha, that's quite a stake you two have."

"Interesting, it's making me itch to join in."

"This round seems to have gotten exciting."

Seeing the two reach an agreement, the other principals all became interested.

What was originally just a very ordinary Round of 16 match became something to look forward to because of this considerable bet.

While the principals were talking, the first round on the card table had already ended.

Since both sides revealed the same first card, no winner could be determined.

They would have to see the real outcome in the next round.

"I understand your deck."

Yan Hao's hand rested on his face-down card as he began to analyze, "Actually, in a PVP card game, Red Blade Maiden is a card that looks strong but is weak on the inside.

It costs 50 health, but only deals 20 extra damage to regular cards.

It's not as good as the berserker-type generic keyword 'Smash,' which costs 30 health to deal 30 extra damage.

As long as the target has Defense, Red Blade Maiden dealing Crimson Blaze can even result in a health loss."

It was clear that he had truly studied the Red Blade Maiden card and understood its weaknesses.

After speaking, Yan Hao then revealed his second-row card.

"The Supreme Sacred Fire!"

His second card was also a fish-tailed siren holding a harp.

Purple Tide Naga

Wisdom, 30 points, Two-star

Attack 30, 100/100, 40/40

Cheer - Passive: When Purple Tide Naga enters the field, one target gains 10 Charge.

Tidal Song - 20 Energy: Purple Tide Naga grants 1 target 30 Healing (T1).

"Besides that, your deck has damage absorption, output, and Healing.

However, it also has a significant drawback."

After revealing the card, Yan Hao pointed out from a superior position, "That is, it has no hard crowd control."

Yang Lai lost to Shi Li before because she tried to use a tank strategy to absorb damage.

In reality, the best strategy for him should have been a steady and sustained Defense.

In the face of an unyielding Defense, Red Blade Maiden had no room to perform.

"You are absolutely right."

Shi Li did not deny the other party's statement but instead revealed his next card.

"I will protect my home!"

A black whirlwind swept out from the pillar of light.

When it landed on the card face, its true form was revealed.

It was a young man with a bird's beak and black wings, and a completely jet-black long spear was his weapon.

Crow Warrior

Chasing Wind, 30 points, Two-star

Attack 30, 100/100, 10/30

Son of Wind - Passive: Crow Warrior gains 10 Charge on the turn it is revealed.

Diving Strike - 30 Energy: Crow Warrior attacks 1 target, with a Stun effect (T2).

The monsters in the Climbing Tower Competition were not entirely fictional.

The two-star artifact card rewarded by the Card Hall allowed Shi Li to almost perfectly transform this monster card into a character card he owned.

"What?!"

Yan Hao didn't expect the other party to be able to pull out such a new card.

And it was precisely the hard crowd control card that he had just said the other party lacked the most!

What was the most crucial thing?

Yan Hao's pointing out of Shi Li's weakness was, in fact, precisely the weakness of his own deck.

Now that this Crow Warrior was revealed, he became the one who truly had no hard crowd control!

In the subsequent card game, the situation became clear.

Shi Li's third revealed card was a one-star Thunderhorn Deer.

Yan Hao revealed a two-star output card.

However, one side had hard crowd control that could break through Defense, while the other side had no hard crowd control to break through Defense.

The result was that Shi Li cleared out the opponent's regular cards first, forcing the ace card to be revealed.

Revealing the opponent's ace card first meant taking the initiative.

After the Thunderhorn Deer made a glorious exit with a Double Strike, Yan Hao's ace card was left with only 140/200 health.

Originally, Shi Li could have ended the battle faster, but he chose to send out the Youyou Slime, with a base stat of only 20 points, as his ace card.

Even so, with the advantage established in the early game, he still easily secured the victory.

"I'm sorry, I forgot you could easily blow up Red Blade Maiden."

Shi Li, having won, showed a look of annoyance, "Too bad I didn't get a chance to play this card this round."

"You...!"

Yan Hao's expression instantly turned to shame and anger.

When did the other party hear his conversation with his classmate?

Right now, he was clearly the one who had been blown up, wasn't he?

Not only did the other party not use his strongest card, but in terms of total deck score, he even gave himself a 20-point handicap!

Such a record was absolutely a disgrace!

By defeating Yan Hao, Shi Li also broke Twenty-sixth High School's city-wide unified exam record, successfully advancing to the Top 8.

"Hahahahaha! Sorry, Old Xue!"

In the private room, Principal Su patted Principal Xue's shoulder, whose face was ashen.

"Impressive, Old Su, you finally broke the record."

"If I remember correctly, your school is the tenth school to enter the Top 8, right?"

"From now on, you can rightfully say that your school is among the top ten in the city."

"This Shi Li looks pretty good to me."

"You won money, you have to treat us to drinks tonight!"

The principals of other schools around offered their congratulations.

"No problem, I'll treat everyone to drinks tonight, please all honor me with your presence!"

Compared to winning money, Principal Su cared more about winning face.

Thinking of this, he quietly sent a text message to Teacher Li.

Not long after, Shi Li knocked on the door of the private room.

...