57: Chapter 57 Ten Thousand Rainbow Cards!

The entire room fell silent.

Director He Jin's pen stopped.

The corner of Lin Xiao's eye began to twitch.

Li Qingyue's face darkened at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Xiao Hongyan."

Li Qingyue's voice was as cold as the permafrost glaciers on the border of the abyss.

"What did you just say?"

"I said I want to be her first tester. Using the Kyubey Card to sign a contract, this old lady is going to become a Magical Girl too!"

Xiao Hongyan spoke with absolute confidence.

"What about it?"

"You, a Rank 9 Deputy Commander—becoming a Magical Girl? What about your military rank? What about your dignity? How will the thirty thousand soldiers under your command look at you in the future?"

"Then let them all transform with me."

Xiao Hongyan answered without a single moment of hesitation.

"If an entire company transforms into Magical Girls, then no one can laugh at anyone else. Everyone wears skirts, everyone does twin tails, and we all shout the transformation slogan together during battle. Half the enemies will die laughing before we even make a move. This is called tactical deterrence."

"You—"

Li Qingyue's cheeks puffed up.

"You are being completely unreasonable."

"I am speaking reason."

"What kind of reason is that? A Magical Girl legion? Do you think war is a cosplay convention?"

"What's wrong with cosplay? As long as cosplay can break through the Abyss Defense Line, it works!"

Director He Jin squatted in the corner and muttered in a low voice.

"We're doomed, two Supremes are fighting."

Lin Xiao stood next to Su Bai, watching the two Rank 9 powerhouses bicker over a sophomore transforming into a Magical Girl with a dead-fish look in her eyes. Then she turned her head to look at Su Bai.

"How do you feel right now?"

"I feel—"

Su Bai looked down at his black-and-gray Magical Girl dress, then at the hourglass on the shield in his left hand.

"I feel like I'm participating in a reality show so absurd it feels fake. The title is 'Whose Master is More Outrageous'. But I haven't even agreed to take either of them as my master yet."

"You'd better agree quickly."

Lin Xiao pointed out the window.

"Because they've already started airing each other's dirty laundry."

Xiao Hongyan was pointing right at Li Qingyue's nose.

"—That Sanctuary of yours! All year round, it's meetings, meetings, meetings! Writing papers, writing papers, writing papers! A single research topic can drag on for three years! If Su Bai goes to your place, his cat will be suffocated to death by bureaucracy before it even leaves the lab!"

"It's still better than being in your military camp."

Li Qingyue refused to back down. She took a step forward barefoot, her silver-white long hair swaying slightly behind her.

"What do you have over there? Waking up at five in the morning for drills. Cross-country runs with a three-hundred-kilogram load. Only fifteen minutes to eat. Su Bai is a Card Creator—not one of your grunts. His hands are meant for holding card creation pens, not carrying artillery shells!"

"Still better than in your Sanctuary! The average hairline of your Sanctuary disciples is about to recede to the back of their heads!"

"That's because they are doing research!!"

"Researching what? Researching how to go bald in the most elegant way?!"

"Xiao Hongyan—say that one more time."

"I'll say it a hundred more times. You old hag, that Sanctuary of yours—"

"Enough."

Just two words.

They didn't come from Su Bai. It was Li Qingyue.

Her voice suddenly grew calm. However, the temperature of the entire room plummeted by over ten degrees, centering around her. A thin layer of ice formed on the windowsill. At the same time, the Flame Throne at Xiao Hongyan's feet flared up.

"Xiao Hongyan."

Li Qingyue's voice returned to its usual coldness.

"I admit, your battlefield environment can test the upper limits of a Magical Girl's combat capabilities to the maximum. But Su Bai is not just a combatant; he is a Card Creator, the creator of the Rainbow Card. Do you think sending a genius who created a core card of a system in his sophomore year and even mastered the laws of time to stay in your front-line outpost, where even ink is frequently out of stock, is a reasonable way to nurture him?"

Xiao Hongyan opened her mouth.

Then she closed it.

Not because she was convinced.

But because Li Qingyue was telling the truth. The front-line outposts indeed frequently ran out of supplies. Even ink was scarce.

"Then what about you?"

Xiao Hongyan crossed her arms. "What can you give him?"

Li Qingyue turned around to face Su Bai.

In those crimson eyes, the childish petulance from her bickering with Xiao Hongyan was gone. In its place was something so serious it was almost solemn.

"Su Bai."

She spoke.

"I now formally invite you to join, in the name of the Truth Sanctuary."

Su Bai did not answer immediately.

He recalled what Li Qingyue had said in the miniature world on the day the Monthly Exam ended: 'After the Monthly Exam is over. Come see me.'

He had originally thought it was just a standard apprenticeship.

But now, it seemed to be far more than that.

"May I ask a question?"

"Ask."

"If I join the Sanctuary—what do I gain? And what do I have to give in return?"

Li Qingyue's eyebrows twitched slightly. Not out of displeasure, but surprise. A sophomore student, when faced with a personal invitation from a 9th-tier Supreme, did not react with excitement, gratitude, or by nodding frantically and saying 'I do'.

Instead, it was: 'What do I gain, and what do I have to give in return?'

Rationality.

An extremely calm, almost merchant-like rationality.

"Interesting."

Li Qingyue murmured softly.

Then, she raised a finger.

"First. After joining the Sanctuary, you will receive the Sanctuary Blessing. All basic attributes—Strength, Speed, Mana, Health, and Endurance—will each increase by two hundred points."

The ice bow slipped from Lin Xiao's hand.

Two hundred points!

As a Rank 1 Card Creator, all of her basic attributes combined probably didn't even reach fifty points. Yet the introductory blessing of the Sanctuary—just by entering—granted two hundred to each?

What kind of concept was this?

It was equivalent to a newly registered intern being given a set of basic stats on their first day of work that could rival a Rank 3 professional.

"Second," Li Qingyue continued, "special attributes such as card creation success rate and luck will receive a twenty percent bonus."

Lin Weiwei stood up from the corner. She stared intently at Li Qingyue, her lips twitching silently. As a Rank 4 Card Creator, she knew all too well what '+20% card creation success rate' meant—it was a statistic that could drive any Card Creator wild.

"Third. You can receive a batch of rare card creation materials for free every month. The grade and quantity will depend on your contribution level—even for the lowest-ranked disciple, the allowance is enough for you to experiment on at least three quasi-high-tier cards."

Su Bai's eyebrow twitched.

Three cards.

It had cost him 2.05 million to make a single Kyubey. If the Sanctuary could provide materials for free—that meant he would no longer have to worry about Chairman Lin's approval when conducting experiments in the future.

No—it wasn't that Chairman Lin was hard to deal with. But free was always better than owing a favor.

"Fourth—within the Sanctuary's Guild Shop, all materials are fifty percent off."

Chairman Lin's lips trembled silently. He was a businessman. He knew exactly what 'fifty percent off' meant to a Card Creator. Especially for those high-tier materials with market prices in the hundreds of thousands or even millions—fifty percent off. That wasn't saving money. That was burning money. Burning it in reverse.

"Fifth. Receive free forging guidance. The Sanctuary has a complete mentorship system—from disciples to sovereigns, corresponding to Rank 1 through Rank 9. The higher the rank, the greater the bonus."

She paused.

"Unlike the levels of combat systems, the contribution rank in the Sanctuary is mainly raised through card creation results, paper publications, and completing designated missions for the Sanctuary. You can accept time-limited missions if you want, or refuse them if you don't."

"There is only one requirement—"

Her voice dropped half a beat.

"In times of national crisis, Sanctuary disciples must shoulder the responsibilities expected of a top-tier power."

Su Bai was silent for a few seconds.

He waited for a moment.

Confirming that Li Qingyue had nothing more to say.

"Is that all?"

He asked.

"—Is that all?"

Li Qingyue repeated his question, her voice carrying a trace of disbelief. "Su Bai, do you know what the entry requirements for a Sanctuary disciple are? At least Rank 4 or above, at least three core papers, and at least one Sovereign recommender. You, who haven't even reached Rank 2—a Magical Girl—I'm personally inviting you, and you ask me 'Is that all'?"

"Yes."

Su Bai replied righteously.

"Because it sounds like an employment contract. And the kind where the addendums are longer than the main body. Isn't it perfectly normal for me to double-check if there are any hidden clauses?"

The corner of Li Qingyue's mouth twitched.

Beside her, Xiao Hongyan clutched her stomach.

"Pfft—hahahahaha!! You old hag Qingyue!! You finally have a day like this!! He's treating you like an HR representative!!"

"Shut up."

"Why should I shut up? This is too funny! A grand 9th-tier Supreme, personally coming down to recruit someone, only to be treated like a recruitment specialist—"

"I said, you, shut up."

"No! It's rare to see you get shot down!"

Xiao Hongyan doubled over with laughter, her military boots making several crisp thuds on the floor. Then, she suddenly looked at Su Bai and blinked.

"Then again—it doesn't really matter whether you join the Sanctuary or not, Su Bai. The key is—the two of you standing together."

She gestured with her hands.

Su Bai—after transforming, a girl in a black-and-gray Magical Girl dress, with deep purple eyes and jet-black hair reaching down to her waist.

Li Qingyue—with the body of a twelve- or thirteen-year-old, silver-white long hair, crimson eyes, and bare feet.

"Two lolis."

Xiao Hongyan said seriously.

"Perfect for some snuggling."

The air froze.

Even more thoroughly than a Time Stop.

Li Qingyue's cheeks turned from pale to deep crimson at a speed visible to the naked eye. It wasn't shyness—it was rage. Pure, unadorned rage after a 9th-tier Supreme was publicly teased about 'snuggling'.

"Xiao! Hong! Yan!"

"What? I'm speaking the truth. You two really are eye candy standing together. One with silver hair and crimson eyes, the other with black hair and purple eyes. One with an ice-type aura, the other with a dark-type style. It's a waste not to pair you up—"

"Say one more word!!"

"I just did. What of it?"

[part:gemini-3.0-flash]

Deputy Commander Xiao Hongyan crossed her arms, her chin tilted up, and a dangerous light flickered in her amber eyes—the kind that only appeared when a top-tier powerhouse provoked another.

Li Qingyue's hand had already reached into her sleeve.

The golden light of the universal balance began to flicker between her fingers.

Su Bai raised his hand.

"You two—interrupting for a moment. I haven't answered yet."

Both of them looked at her simultaneously.

Su Bai took a deep breath.

"I agree to join the Sanctuary."

Four words.

Clean and crisp.

Li Qingyue smiled.

"Very well."

She raised her right hand. Her slender fingers emerged from the dark blue sleeve, and a pale golden light emanated from her fingertips.

"Kneel."

"—Huh?"

"Become my disciple. It's not just joining a guild. It's an apprenticeship."

Li Qingyue's tone was somewhat helpless. "I've personally spoken up; did you think it would end with just pulling you into the Sanctuary? Su Bai, you are the first second-year student who could make me say 'come see me' on the spot during a Monthly Exam. You are also the first person I've fought over in front of Deputy Commander Xiao Hongyan. What I mean is—"

She paused.

Her voice dropped slightly.

"I am taking you as my Progeny Disciple."

Su Bai was stunned for a moment.

Then he—no, she—knelt on one knee.

Her right hand pressed against the soul gem on the back of her hand.

"Master."

Just one word.

Li Qingyue raised her hand and gently pressed it onto the top of Su Bai's head.

The next moment—a pale golden light surged from her palm, directly enveloping Su Bai. It wasn't the suffocatingly majestic golden light of the law from the universal balance before. It was warmer, gentler—as if someone were spinning starlight into yarn.

The system notification sound exploded in her mind.

[Detected external law blessing—Truth Sanctuary · Progeny Disciple Brand]

[All base attributes significantly increased]

[Strength +200][Speed +200][Mana +200][Health +200][Stamina +200]

[Card Creation Success Rate +20%][Luck +20%]

[Truth Sanctuary · Guild Interface Unlocked]

[Guild Chat Channel Connected]

[Guild Trading Market · 50% Discount Privilege Activated]

[Guild Shop · Disciple-level Quota Registered]

[Monthly Free Materials Collection Right Activated]

[Forging Guidance System Connected—Instructor: Li Qingyue (9th-tier Supreme · Founder of Spacetime Theory)]

[Huaxia Card Creator Association · Database Access Opened]

[Abyss Front · Military Intelligence Access Opened]

[Jinghai Academy · Core Archive Access Opened]

...

The notifications exploded in Su Bai's mind like a barrage of cannon fire.

Every notification represented a resource, privilege, or stat bonus he had never encountered before. He felt his body—which was already far beyond an ordinary Rank 1 professional after the Magical Girl transformation—being washed from the inside out by a warm current.

Strength. Speed. Mana. Health. Every stat was surging upward at a speed he could clearly perceive.

Then the Sanctuary assets became active.

A translucent guild interface appeared in Su Bai's vision—messages were scrolling frantically in the chat channel:

[[Heavy Armored Dharma Emperor] Armored Mage Emperor Lu Chen]: [Welcome, newcomer. I heard it's a second-year student? Made a Rank 1 Rainbow Card?]

[[Phantom Sovereign] Phantom Sovereign]: [Lu Chen, your news is outdated. They've already transformed into a Magical Girl. Time Manipulation. Just gave Deputy Commander Xiao Hongyan's Logistics Director a beating.]

[[deconstructor of all things] Qi Yuan]: [Wait a minute. Time Manipulation?! Rank 1?! How many basic laws does that violate?!]

[[phantom spirit sovereign] phantom spirit sovereign]: [Qi Yuan, you're only asking this now? Has that cat violated few enough laws already?]

[[deconstructor of all things] Qi Yuan]: [I don't care. I want to see the recording. @Li Qingyue, Qingyue, you're responsible for uploading the recording. I want to analyze it frame-by-frame.]

[Li Qingyue]: [Wait a moment. Still taking a disciple.]

The chat channel went silent for exactly three seconds.

Then—

[[Heavy Armored Dharma Emperor] Armored Mage Emperor Lu Chen]: [What disciple?]

[[Phantom Sovereign] Phantom Sovereign]: [What do you mean, taking a disciple?!]

[[deconstructor of all things] Qi Yuan]: [Li Qingyue, you took a disciple?! Haven't you refused to take disciples for a hundred years?! Why did you suddenly take a Rank 2 Magical Girl as a disciple?!]

[[Heavy Armored Dharma Emperor] Armored Mage Emperor Lu Chen]: [Old Chu. You've missed the point. The point is—Qingyue took a disciple who can stop time. In the future, whoever provokes her, that disciple will stop time and plaster hundreds of Explosion Cards on you—]

[[phantom spirit sovereign] Phantom Sovereign]: [...Did I just say 'Su Bai gave Deputy Commander Xiao Hongyan's Director a beating'? I'm retracting that statement now. Qingyue, pretend I never said anything.]

Xiao Hongyan leaned against the window, watching the pale golden pillar of light on Su Bai gradually dissipate. Her expression was subtle—it wasn't anger or jealousy. It was more like someone who had set their eyes on the same item at an auction, only to be outbid by another buyer by a single dollar.

"Forget it."

She finally said.

"Little Su Bai. The military's doors are always open to you. Whenever you get tired of staying in the Sanctuary—"

"Xiao Hongyan."

Li Qingyue interrupted her.

"You came here today to snatch someone. You lost."

"For now."

Director He Jin crawled up from the corner, still clutching that risk report which had been crumpled into a mess of rotten cabbage. He put his glasses back on and said in a dejected voice:

"Deputy Commander Xiao. So—do I still need to transform into a Magical Girl for testing?"

Xiao Hongyan glanced at him.

"No need."

"Really?!" A glimmer of hope ignited in Director He Jin's eyes.

"We'll test next time."

The glimmer of hope died out.

Director He Jin buried his face in the unfinished risk report in his arms.

Su Bai stood up from the ground. The pale golden light on her body had completely integrated into her form. On the system panel, the numbers in the attribute column had at least tripled compared to before.

She looked down at her hands.

Clenching her fists, releasing, then clenching again.

Power surged through every muscle fiber. It wasn't the vague feeling of "becoming stronger" from the previous Magical Girl transformation—it was concrete, quantifiable enhancement where every point of attribute had a corresponding number on the system panel.

"Master."

Su Bai looked up.

"I have a question."

"Speak."

"Right now, my base stats—roughly what level of combat professional do they equate to?"

Li Qingyue glanced her up and down.

"Even though you're only Level 19, with the Sanctuary blessing adding two hundred to all attributes plus the base boost from the Magical Girl transformation—your actual attributes likely exceed many Level 30 combat professionals. Combined with Time Stop, most Level 40 professionals wouldn't be a match for you either."

"Then what if—"

Su Bai thought for a moment, "After I'm able to use Time Reversal?"

Li Qingyue was silent for a beat.

"At that time—"

She paused.

"You will likely become a nightmare for all your enemies. Thirty days of Time Reversal means that before any battle, you can use trial and error for every possible failure that could occur within the next thirty days. Then, you choose the only correct path."

She looked into Su Bai's eyes.

"That's not combat. That's precognition. It's a causality-level dimensionality reduction strike."

Su Bai nodded solemnly.

Then he suddenly remembered something.

"Master. Li Chengyuan and Li Haoran—"

"The Sanctuary Guard is already handling it."

Li Qingyue's voice returned to its cold indifference.

"The Li family's four generations of heritage have colluded with the Abyss for over twenty years. We found enough evidence in his secret room to sentence him to death a hundred times. As for Li Haoran—"

Her gaze swept toward the corner.

Li Haoran was still kneeling on the ground. His dust cloak had finally gone completely limp. That face, which had once worn an elegant smile in the exam hall, now held only a pale, hollow collapse—as if all his organs had been scooped out from the inside.

"He will face judgment alongside Li Chengyuan."

Su Bai looked at Li Haoran.

Li Haoran did not look up.

Su Bai did not speak either.

Outside the window.

The sunset over Jinghai City was sinking. The glass shards shattered by Xiao Hongyan's Flame Throne were still suspended in mid-air—Li Qingyue had just repaired most of the spatial damage, but a few shards were still slowly rotating in the twilight, refracting pale golden light.

Like a signal that something was coming to an end.

Deputy Commander Xiao Hongyan walked up to Su Bai and pulled a small black crystal core from her military uniform pocket.

"Here."

"What is this?"

"A core fragment of a Shadow Demon."

She slapped the black crystal core into Su Bai's hand.

"You almost died at its hands today; this is what you deserve. Take it for research, make whatever card you want, and remember to let me have a look once it's done."

Su Bai looked down at the fragment.

Dark purple black mist was still slowly dissipating from the surface of the core. Within the mist, distorted eyeballs, half-opened mouths, and appendages that looked like fingers but with the wrong number of joints occasionally surfaced.

But this thing—was a Rank 9 material.

Rank 9...

"Thanks."

Su Bai put the fragment into the shield storage space.

Xiao Hongyan winked at her, then turned and walked toward the door. Halfway there, she looked back.

"By the way, little Su Bai."

"Hmm?"

"In your next test, if you happen to draw a magic that can turn the transformation back into a boy—remember to tell me. I have three thousand rough men over there who don't want to wear skirts. There's a huge market for it."

"—I'll look into it."

"Very good! Now, next, we must discuss the supply issue for this Rainbow Card. We want ten thousand Rainbow Cards!"

"Huh?"