Chapter 466 The Price of Becoming Stronger
Somewhere.
A certain Card Creator grandmaster was bending over a table and creating cards.
It was late at night. There was silence except for the sounds made by the pen. Dozens of cards were suspended in the air and each of the card surfaces had a different data and outcome.
“Oo… This bottom layer is like this… like this…”
“You’re not sleeping yet?”
His wife’s voice could be heard.
“I’ll sleep after I complete this.”
He said in a low voice, “Our child requested this. I heard thateveryone in the Sword Card Master Association is a talent. They are also very good at words and our child loves that place. It is rare that he wants to understand more about card creating techniques. Since he made this request, I will do my utmost to help him!”
What kind of place was the Sword Card Master Association?
Everyone from the association was a genius!
I heard that even the youngest disciple called Xiaobai was a peak five-star!
What did that mean?
In the future, everyone in that place might become seven-stars!
This was truly a place of congregation for super geniuses! How could he allow his child to fall behind at the beginning?
For the past decade, his child had never been interested in card creating!
Card creating was something that his father was most proud of. However, it was worthless in the eyes of his child. This was the first time that his child felt some admiration for him…
He was very grateful.
“You have not slept for a few days.”
His wife sighed.
“It’s okay.”
He shook his head. “I can endure this. Moreover, the bottom layer optimization of the Sword Card Master vocation core will achieve the same amazing outcome as that of the Card Creator, albeit in a different way!
“I see this as a challenge…
“Since I retired from the Card Creators Association, I’ve not felt this way for a long time.
“I feel that…
“I’ve become stronger!”
He was certain of one thing.
He could sense his foundational knowledge of card creation deepening.
“I can tell.”
His wife sighed at the floor of fallen hair. “You’re already of this status. Why do you need to become stronger? Do you think you don’t have to pay a price for becoming stronger?”
However, it was not easy to persuade him otherwise.
As such…
She could only prepare supper.
“Come, hubby, eat some braised egg…”
“Oh.”
“Come, take another one…”
The grandmaster Card Creator was puzzled. Why is it braised eggs again? I’ve eaten it for many days!”
“Wife…
“Can you change the supper to something else?
“I feel like vomiting when I see a braised egg now,” he said softly.
“This is my intention.”
His wife felt gratified. You will know why when you look in the mirror next time.
“Huh?”
“It’s okay. Come, continue to eat.”
The grandmaster Card Creator was very puzzled. He was not a fool. He had a feeling that his wife was hinting at something. However, he could not figure out what it was.
Sigh.
Could it be that he had neglected his wife because he had been immersed in card creating?
“If you don’t eat them, I’ll change them next time,” his wife said blandly.
The grandmaster Card Creator trembled in shock.
He could not figure out the hint behind the braised egg. However, he knew…
“Eat, I’ll eat them.”
Gritting his teeth, the grandmaster Card Creator finished his supper and then continued to create cards.
His wife sighed deeply.
Was this a good or bad thing?
…
Somewhere.
In the dark night, two figures appeared.
“You are here.”
“Yes.”
“How are you doing recently?”
“Not very good. The best ones have already been taken.”
“There shouldn’t be too much of an impact? After all, the numbers are very small.”
“I’m not afraid of the present but the future! It’s already September and the freshmen have started going to school. There may be more in the future. When that time comes…”
“So are you saying that…”
“Resolve this. There will ultimately be a battle. The earlier it happens, the better.”
“Very good.”
At that instant.
That figure dissipated.
…
The next day.
Early morning.
Sword Card Master Association.
Lu Ming woke up in a good mood.
The Swordsmen’s challenge would be delayed for a few days and he had time for a breather. He might even be able to improve his ability during this time.
Well…
The challenge might not be a bad thing.
Lu Yan was once challenged all over the world.
Hence…
Lu Ming began to prepare for the challenge. Since he had some time to think, he found the only chance of attaining victory in the challenge — Stars Card!
Yes.
It was this card that he had only used once!
That time, the Stars Card increased his combat ability by 1.2 realms and forcefully killed one 2.8 realms man in black… If he were to utilize it appropriately…
It was feasible!
Furthermore, he had been wanting to figure out these few cards!
Hence…
Lu Ming focused all his energy and time on the Stars Card.
However…
He was aghast to discover that this card could not be used in a normal way!
He specially took out many peak five-star vocation cores to try and was terrified to discover that there was only one outcome when the Stars Card was cast on them…
Crash!
Explosion!
There was no doubt!
Wait a minute.
Could it be that this card was not an Incremental Card but an Self-destruction Card?
Something was wrong.
Obviously, that man in black’s ability had improved!
With many doubts in mind, Lu Ming began a large amount of testing. After a few hours, he finally figured out what happened — His current body could not endure this at all!
The other party was peak six-star. Of course, there was no problem!
But, Lu Ming…
He could not endure this!
The strengthening method of the Stars Card was too brutal. The only solution was to use the Moonlight Card to endure and mitigate. There would no longer be a problem then!
Therefore…
In other words…. The Moonlight Card’s function was to lubricate?
Anyway.
After a large amount of testing…
Finally, the Stars Card and Moonlight Card integrated completely and improved a advanced five-star vocation core to six-star. It could be termed as perfect!
“If I use it on myself…”
Lu Ming felt excited at the thought of it.
Oh.
Right.
There was also the Sunlight Card!
Lu Ming’s heart stirred. He was very curious about the specific uses of the three cards.
However…
Just as he was prepared to continue researching the third Incremental Card, a disciple who was running a food delivery outside sent him a piece of news, “The Swordsmen have arrived at Tian Du City!”
Wait a minute. Did they manage to buy the tickets?!
Lu Ming was confused.
“Old Meng!”
“What is happening?!”
Lu Ming contacted Meng Shisan.
“Wait a minute. Let me go and take a look.”
Meng Shisan felt ridiculous too. He went to investigate and then replied to Lu Ming, “One of the Swordsman seniors is going to Tian Du City. These Swordsman disciples coughed up some resources and gave them to the senior. That senior brought them along to Tian Du City.”
“How did he bring them?”
Lu Ming was puzzled.
“Sword Kinesis Flight,” Meng Shisan said with a low voice.
Lu Ming looked dumbstruck. “Can Sword Kinesis Flight take that many people?!”
“Yes.”
Meng Shisan explained, “Well… They can hang on the sword, as long as their body can take it.”
Lu Ming came to his senses.
Damn!
Think about it.
A seven-star Swordsman senior executing Sword Kinesis Flight in the sky. Beneath the sword was a row of peak six-star Swordsmen, dangling…
This scene…
This was crazy!!
Lu Ming did not know whether to laugh or cry. “Are they that anxious to challenge me?”
“They are afraid that other Swordsmen will kill you before they do,” Meng Shisan said honestly..
Lu Ming turned sullen.
Damn! Did they look down on him that much?
However…
Come to think of it…
The status of a seven-star in the making had too much limelight and all of them wanted to challenge Lu Ming to make themselves famous. They believed that their swordplay was more powerful than Lu Ming’s!
After all…
Lu Ming was only a Sword Card Master.
It was a fluke that he invented a phenomenal swordplay. So what?
Now.
They had also learned the same phenomenal swordplay and they were ten times more powerful than Lu Ming. They could defeat him easily with the same swordplay!
To this…
What else could Lu Ming say?
After hanging up the call, the Sword Card Masters began to hold an urgent meeting. They were furious and willing to fight for the Sword Card Master Association! However, the chances of victory…
Nil.
“We can’t beat them.”
Zhou Yun felt very helpless.
Their advantage was their youth!
They were certain that when they reached the age of these Swordsmen, they would be able to beat them to a pulp! However, now…
It would be very hard!
The only one who could beat these peak six-stars was Zhong Chu!
It was a pity…
This guy was in seclusion.
Furthermore, Zhao Yunshan was still at the legacy site!
No one in the Sword Card Master Association could beat them!
There was still a huge gap between this group of people who were mainly 16 or 17 years old and those dignified Swordsmen who were around 30 years old!
“I will do it!”
Xiaobai’s child-like and tender voice could be heard.
“Don’t fool around.”
Lu Ming was between laughter and tears.
“No.”
Xiaobai said seriously, “I can beat them.”
“Be good.
Lu Ming glanced at this girl. Well… This girl’s ability had been catching up with him. She was also a peak five-star now and was very powerful!
However…
This was a challenge!
No one would care about how old you are!
“In that case…
“You can take the challenge when you’re a six-star, alright?”
Lu Ming said gently.
“Oh.”
Xiaobai understood.
“Wait a minute.”
Just as she finished her words, she immediately sat cross-legged and shut her eyes. A rare, serious expression emerged on her exquisite little face. After a long time, a trace of aura spread quietly.
Six-star, breakthrough.
Lu Ming was speechless.
The Sword Card Masters were speechless.
Was it a joke?!
She broke through just like that?!
“You are long ready to break through?”
Lu Ming suddenly recovered from his senses.
“Yes.”
Xiaobai sounded a little embarrassed.
“Why didn’t you break through earlier then?”
Lu Ming was curious.
“Well…”
Xiaobai clutched the corner of her clothings and lowered her head. She said softly, “Xiao-Xiaojian said if I advance too quickly, Master’s dignity will be affected…”
Lu Ming was speechless.
He looked at Xiao-Xiaojian expressionlessly.
Damn it.
He would beat this guy to death sooner or later!
“I…
“I can really beat them!”
Xiaobai raised her hand weakly.
Lu Ming frowned.
Xiaobai’s ability…
He had witnessed it once. Xiaobai cast the Tai Chi Eight Parts sealing effortlessly and beat the other party to a pulp. However, facing a peak six-star Swordsman…
“Don’t worry, Master!”
Xiaobai said seriously, “I will concede defeat if I can’t beat them!”
“Alright.”
Lu Ming sighed.
Alright.
It was also quite good to allow Xiaobai to take the challenge.
Unlike him who often went on expeditions at legacy sites, Xiaobai researched techniques in the association everyday and lacked actual combat experience. It was good for her to improve her combat ability too.
Hence…
Lu Ming relented eventually. “You can participate in the challenge but you have to listen to me!”
“Okay!”
Xiaobai agreed.
…
After a long while…
The Sword Card Master Association.
The Swordsmen finally dashed here.
“Lu Ming!
“I heard you’re a seven-star-to-be!
“Do you dare to take this challenge?!”
One Swordsman pointed at Lu Ming.
“If you want to challenge Master, you have to beat me first,” Xiaobai interrupted on the spot.
Her small figure was exuding a powerful six-star aura. That Swordsman’s expression turned serious and grave. This was such a young six-star. The Sword Card Master Association was indeed extraordinary.
However…
It was a pity. She was too young.
“I can challenge Lu Ming after I defeat you?”
He smiled.
“Yes,”
Xiaobai nodded with a serious look on her face.
“Can I?”
That Swordsman looked at Lu Ming.
“Yes.”
Lu Ming nodded slightly.
“Very good.”
That Swordsman took a deep breath.
Since they came for a challenge, they were prepared that people would make things difficult for them. This was merely a beginner six-star young lady… It should not be a problem to defeat her?
“Young lady, please.”
A Sword Embryo emerged in the hands of that Swordsman.
Opposite him.
Following Lu Ming’s instructions, Xiaobai put down her small school bag quietly and took out the cards inside. There was an entire schoolbag of top-notch cards!
One stack, two stacks, three stacks…
Shush!
That Swordsman’s body froze suddenly and he felt his scalp turning numb.
To hell with it!
What kind of demon are you?
Even Card Creators have a custom-made card bag?!
Damn it! Who would use a schoolbag!!!
“Make your move,” Xiaobai said.
The Swordsman was silent.
Crap!
He estimated the combat ability and then looked at that primary school student’s schoolbag which seemed as deep as a sea. He felt that he might be buried to death by these cards…
“This is not fair?” he protested.
“I created these cards myself,” Xiaobai said in a very serious manner.
She was a Sword Card Master and could create cards. Of course, she could use them too. However, unfortunately, she seldom leaves the house and all her cards piled up…
Afterward…
The rest was history.
That Swordsman was silent.
After a long while…
He glanced at Xiaobai and then backed off. “Sorry to disturb you.”
He cowered.
Shush!
There was total silence at the entrance of the association.
The Swordsmen faced one another.
That…
What did this mean?!
They had forgotten that the Sword Card Master not only knew swordplay but also card creating! They had that many cards. They did not have a way too!
Furthermore, this was a young lady!
“What should we do?”
The Swordsmen glanced at one another.
“It’s okay!”
Another Swordsman smiled faintly. “I’m already prepared for the situation of Lu Ming shamelessly refusing to fight… There.”
He pointed afar.
Over there.
A crowd was rushing toward them from afar. Everyone took a closer look. These were actually some DouYu’s popular live streamers and a group of reporters from Tian Du City.
“This is…”
Lu Ming squinted his eyes.
“Freshman live streaming channel.”
The Swordsman chuckled. “Their main audience is students. Schooling college students, high school students who are going to cultivate and future geniuses.
“I know you don’t wish to fight.
“But…
“Over here.
“Under so many people’s gazes, you have to fight!”
“Our associations have many similarities. The Sword Card Masters can also change their vocation and become Swordsmen. If you reject…
“People will see the Sword Card Master Association’s decision.
“Now…
“You will decide,” the Swordsman said blandly.
He was very sure.
As an Internet celebrity association, the Sword Card Master Association was very particular about this area.
As such…
He had to use such a way to force Lu Ming!
He had to fight!
He had no choice!
They had traveled all the way to this place. They had suffered from the cold in the sky for a long time. Were they here to play with the young lady?! No! They wanted a true battle!
A dignified and open one!
Shush!
Shush!
One by one, the live streamers and reporters began to aim their cameras at the association’s entrance.
“A—alright.”
Lu Ming understood. “Xiaobai, come back.”
“Master.
Xiaobai was worried.
“It’s okay.”
Lu Ming rubbed her tiny head. “Trust me.”
“Yes!”
Xiaobai nudged.
Hence…
Lu Ming took the initiative to step forward.
Heh.
The Swordsman chuckled.
Look…
This was simple, wasn’t that so?
“Come on!”
The Swordsman raised his sword.
Buzz—
Lu Ming responded with his Original Card.
Shush!
Shush!
Cold beams of lights flashed across the Swordsman’s hands.
When he struck…
It was a swordplay!
Yes.
The Lunar Shadow Swordplay!
As a unique phenomenal swordplay, this sword could enter into the state of two becoming one and unleash extreme prowess! It was invincible!
For the past few days.
They had been cultivating without any sleep and rest for this moment!
They wanted to prove themselves!
It did not matter if they had the same swordplay!
It did not matter if the swordplay was researched and developed by Lu Ming.
It would be more powerful when they cast it!
Shush!
That sword vanquished the air.
Right then…
All the cameras were focusing on that sword. A faint afterimage followed the sword closely, displaying the terrifying prowess of it. It was certainly much more powerful than that of Lu Ming….
Was this the power of peak six-star?!
Even though they were in the 1.3 realm, Lu Ming could not contend with them!
However…
It was not without a chance. If he could integrate the Moonlight Card and Stars Card completely…
Shush!
Lu Ming raised his hand and crushed a card.
Moonlight Card!
Condense!
At that moment, a surge of powerful force entered his body and his physique strengthened rapidly. Lu Ming then waved his hand again.
Shush!
Through the Original Card, a card was materialized in Lu Ming’s hands — Stars Card!
Buzz—
The stars were flickering in the sky.
Right then…
Countless power of star surged into Lu Ming’s body and combined with the power of moonlight, eventually, they transformed into a faint asterism on Lu Ming’s glabella.
Such powers…
Lu Ming’s heart skipped a beat. It was very powerful!
However…
This was not enough!
Lu Ming could clearly sense how terrifying that sword pouncing at him was. This was the Lunar Shadow Swordplay. This was a phenomenal swordplay!
He knew the powers of this move too well!
Therefore…
This was not enough!
Well…
Shush!
Another card appeared in Lu Ming’s hand again — Sunlight Card.
According to his prior investigation, the Sunlight Card, Stars Card and Moonlight Card could compliment one another. In that case, if he also cast the Sunlight Card into his body…
Should he give it a try?
At the thought of this…
Lu Ming stimulated the Sunlight Card without any hesitation.
Right then…
The Sunlight Card, Moonlight Card and Stars Card finally integrated.
Buzz—
Lu Ming’s body was shining brightly!
“Humph!”
That Swordsman sneered.
He saw Lu Ming crushing three cards rapidly and the powers entering his body. Lu Ming’s powers began to strengthen. However… he was still too weak!
Sorry.
You’re not the only one who knows how to engage in combat of a higher level!
If you strengthen your ability to peak six-star, I will only become stronger than you!
Right now…
You shall be defeated by your own swordplay!
Swoosh!
Cold beams landed.
The Lunar Shadow Sword finally slashed in front of Lu Ming at this moment. That phenomenal swordplay appeared even more terrifying with the horrifying combat ability of 1.3 realm…
Shush!
The sword landed.
There were many overlapping shadows.
The Lunar Shadow Sword was about to erupt its powers.
However…
Just at this moment…
Bang!
There was a striking, white glow on Lu Ming’s body. It swept across the place with terrifying speed. When the Lunar Shadow Sword that was about to land on Lu Ming, it melted down…
No.
More precisely, its shadows had been melted down!!!
What was the core of the Lunar Shadow Sword?
Sword Shadow!
Overlapping!
But now, all the Sword Shadows had transformed into nothing. When that lonely Sword Embryo landed, the prowess of this strike had weakened tenfold!
Bang!
There was a crisp and clear sound.
Xiao-Xiaojian blocked the attack easily.
“How… is this possible?”
That Swordsman did not dare to believe this.
When he adapted to the striking, white glow from Lu Ming’s body and when he next opened his eyes and looked at Lu Ming, he was more dumbstruck…
Over there.
Lu Ming was standing on the spot calmly.
Azure lights were surging all around Lu Ming and an asterism was flickering on his glabella.
Of course, this was not the main point.
The main point was… Behind Lu Ming’s head, a golden sun was unknowingly suspended and emitting golden lights!!!
The Swordsmen were completely baffled.
Wait a minute.
This looks…
Why did it resemble the child-sending Goddess of Mercy that much???
…