Chapter 51 Card Making: The Sentimental Lin Daiyu

Gu Ye's gaze inadvertently swept over the [human-head evil willow] card-making materials on the coffee table, and a sudden flash of inspiration struck his mind.

Willow trees were called "Ghost-Dread Wood" by the ancients. As early as the Wei and Jin Dynasties, there was a custom of sticking willow branches into doors during the first lunar month to ward off ghosts. This object naturally possesses a special restraining power against ghost-type monsters.

It can both drive away ghosts and ward off evil, as well as attract ghosts and gather malevolence.

"Perhaps I can use it as the main material to create a card specifically designed to counter ghost-types!"

Gu Ye's eyes lit up, and he began searching his memory for characters or weapons related to "willow."

In myths and legends, a willow branch is inserted into Guanyin Bodhisattva's Jade Pure Vase, but that vase is an Innate Spiritual Treasure. With his current strength, even if he took himself apart and sold the pieces, he couldn't refine even a fraction of it.

Just as he was deep in thought, an internet meme from his past life suddenly popped up, instantly striking his inspiration.

In ancient times, the Hegemon King lifted a cauldron; today, Daiyu uproots a willow.

In that old meme, Lin Daiyu possessed infinite strength and the power to uproot a weeping willow, yet she also had a sentimental nature. So Gu Ye prepared to make a card based on this. For the world background, he would use Lu Zhishen from "Water Margin" combined with Lin Daiyu from "Dream of the Red Chamber," where Lu Zhishen is both Buddha and Demon.

Buddha also delivers ghosts. In mythology, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva vowed not to become a Buddha until hell was empty. Now, I, Gu Ye, will perform physical salvation, wishing they can soon pass on to the Pure Land.

"One [human-head evil willow] isn't enough; I need more materials." Gu Ye leaned over and carefully selected from a pile of card-making materials.

He finally decided on four card-making materials, all of which possessed the [Ghost] attribute.

Using [Literary Soul] to point toward [Talented Woman];

While [bodhi grass] represents [Buddha];

Using [Xiangfei Bamboo Flute] to symbolize [Sentimentality] and [Flower-Burying Tears];

The [Ghost] attribute echoed Lin Daiyu's status as a Demon Star descended to earth.

The [human-head evil willow] suppresses ghost-creatures, transforming into a sharp weapon in her hand to suppress all enemies in the world.

card-making sequence: [Literary Soul] + [bodhi grass] + [Xiangfei Bamboo Flute] + [human-head evil willow] = Lin Daiyu.

With the materials gathered and the sequence complete, the card-making began.

Gu Ye silently recited the famous description of Lin Daiyu:

["Her frame is slender, her posture graceful. A pair of eyes ripple like autumn waters, two brows are faint as painted smoke. Her shoulders are as if carved, without a trace of the mundane world's dust; her voice is soft, containing a wisp of the melancholy of burying flowers under a cold moon. Her heart is as fine as silk, like a weak willow in the wind leaning against a railing; her bones are soft as jade, like a misty peony standing in the courtyard.

However, her nature is fierce, and her strength reaches the heavens. She once uprooted a weeping willow, her awe shaking the four directions; she also once punched bullies, saving the people from fire and water. She cannot tolerate a grain of sand in her eye, striking the wicked of the world; her heart holds compassion, protecting the elderly, weak, women, and children. She scolds hypocrisy and acts with true emotion; she possesses a Bodhisattva's heart but hides thunderous methods!"]

As thousands of words flowed out, the image of a Daiyu who was "delicate as a willow in the wind yet strong enough to uproot one, sentimental yet hating evil as an enemy" had already taken shape.

Above the spiritual space, the Heavenly Dao seemed to sense it. An invisible gaze swept over the card and vanished in an instant—Heavenly Dao appraisal: Qualified!

Gu Ye opened his eyes, his consciousness returning to reality, and a shimmering card had appeared in his palm.

card: [Xiaoxiang evil willow Ghost-Burying Buddha · Lin Daiyu]

Quality: [Light Blue · 5-Star]

Category: [Combat · General/Summon/Humanoid]

Traits:

[Demon Bone, Buddha Heart] Lin Daiyu is both Buddha and Demon. She has a powerful physical body and a sincere Bodhi heart, possessing extremely high resistance and affinity for both [Ghost] and [Buddha] attributes.

[Willow Nature Ghost-Burying] Lin Daiyu holds the evil willow and sheds a single ghost-burying tear, wiping out all ghost-type monsters.

[Poetic Soul Dream-Haunting] Lin Daiyu's talent is unsurpassed. She applies a 'Poetic Soul' buff to allies, adding a shock and evil-breaking effect.

Skills:

[Three Evil-Suppressing Punches]:

Lin Daiyu hates evil as an enemy, delivering three consecutive rapid punches. It has a stun and critical damage effect against ghost-type enemies.

[Evil Willow Strike]:

Lin Daiyu possesses infinite strength. She activates the power of the demon bone within her body and swings the evil willow, ignoring defense to strike directly at the flesh and soul.

[Xiang Bamboo Tear Marks]:

The branches of the evil willow condense into bamboo-patterned tear crystals. When thrown at the enemy, they explode, and the splashing tear shards corrode the enemy's armor.

[Ghost-Burying Blood-Weeping]:

The evil willow buries ghosts. It digs into the ground to grow countless willow branches and vines, entangling all enemies on the field. If they are ghost-types, they are directly buried and slain; if not, they are made to weep blood, adding a permanent bleeding effect.

Burying flowers is not as good as burying ghosts; being sentimental is not as good as moving forward bravely.

Gu Ye was very satisfied with this Lin Daiyu card. It could be considered more protection for the trip to [Tianding Mountain]. All he needed to face now were those Card Masters.

Gu Ye sat cross-legged on the bed, concentrating his mind and calming his breath. He began to refine the pure energy fed back after the successful card creation. A warm current traveled through his limbs and bones, and the barrier that had been stuck at the peak of Bronze Rank Seven shattered at the sound.

"Bronze Rank Eight!"

Gu Ye felt the surging spiritual energy in his body, a flash of joy in his eyes. He didn't stop, taking out all the accumulated [Breath of Spiritual Energy] and stuffing them into his mouth, swallowing in large gulps. He wanted to strike while the iron was hot and push his level up further.

As he consumed them, his aura gradually grew stronger. Gu Ye vaguely heard the sound of glass shattering; his level had reached Bronze Rank Eight, 60%.

Gu Ye frowned slightly with a hint of regret. The effect of [Breath of Spiritual Energy] was becoming weaker and weaker. He needed higher-level natural treasures for his strength to improve rapidly.

Gu Ye opened his eyes, and the familiar light screen appeared before him, with a stream of light darting out from within.

He flipped it over to look and his vision instantly went dark.

"A white card?"

...

It seemed that getting the field card last time had truly used up all his luck.

"Forget it, let's summon the cards and see."

Gu Ye didn't want to think about it anymore. He put away the white card and took out two cards from the spiritual space: [Furious Flame Heart-Burning · Red Wolf] and [Xiaoxiang evil willow Ghost-Burying Buddha · Lin Daiyu].

Two flashes of light flickered, and Red Wolf and Lin Daiyu appeared in the living room simultaneously.

Both were 5-star cards with extremely high intelligence.

Suddenly arriving in an unfamiliar environment, both were stunned for a moment but quickly calmed down. At the moment they were refined into cards, the Heavenly Dao had already branded basic knowledge of this world into their minds.

"Master?" Red Wolf looked Gu Ye up and down, her tone carrying a hint of hesitation. She wore a golden crown and a red robe, holding a frying pan, and a regal aura washed over him.

Beside her, Lin Daiyu frowned slightly, her autumn-water eyes looking at Gu Ye. With a tone full of grievance, she softly called out, "Husband Gu..." (This isn't meant literally!)

"Madam Red, there's no need for that. Just call me Gu Ye. I'll need you to protect me in the future."

The few of them chatted for a while. Red Wolf and Lin Daiyu gained a preliminary understanding of Gu Ye, and soon turned back into cards.

"Let's continue. I'll finish strengthening all the cards that need it today."