The Card Apprentice

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Chen Mu raised his right hand with no hesitation, and a strange whistling suddenly filled the crowd's eardrums. A faint, pale blue shadow cut through the sky, shooting toward someone's figure in the crowd.

Hugo's face shifted. He was in the middle of preparing to emit the powerful Aurora Beam with all his might. He hadn't thought his adversary would be able to react so quickly! Moreover, the timing was just right; unless he could dodge it, the blow would be inevitable.

What he was using would create the most powerful blow he knew of—the Aurora Beam Tubular Cannon. It had massive power, but it required that he deploy all of his perception to emit it. There would be no way to erect an energy cloak to protect himself.

Still, Hugo didn't intend to stop his firing of the Aurora Beam Tubular Canon.

The two card artisans beside Hugo immediately reacted at the same time. They simultaneously emitted wavy blades and energy shuttles, hoping to intercept their adversary's shot. Right when they erected their energy cloaks, one of them stepped to the side to block Hugo.

Those two card artisans had been with Hugo for many years and had rich experience. They had a tacit ability to complement one another, and their series of adaptations was impeccable.

Their expressions deepened but showed no panic.

The faint, light blue shadow was as fast as lightning—basically too fast to react to. But, for a card artisan, that tiny bit of time could still allow them to make some response.

The shadow was visibly about to collide with two other faint shadows, one red and one white. The two card artisans looked pleased. Although the faint shadow had shocking speed, it would be no problem to intercept it given their ability. In the organization's assessment, their accuracy was the absolute best.

Hugo was obviously aggressive to the bone. Most people would bring defensive-style card artisans with them, but the two with Hugo were both classically offensive card artisans. The tactic of using offense as defense was something they had perfected.

They had blocked such a blow hundreds of times, no matter how it was counted. The energy bodies they shot off would be sufficient to annihilate their adversary's energy body.

Suddenly, their expressions both shifted. The blue shadow's speed was actually increasing!

For the speed to break upward allowed it to perilously avoid all of the energy bodies the two of them had shot off. Their hearts plummeted, and a look of panic floated helplessly over their faces. Given so little time, the slightest mistake would be fatal. They couldn't react that time and could only stare as the faint shadow slammed into the card artisan's energy cloak in front of Hugo.

Ping! There was the crisp sound of glass being shattered.

The other card artisan looked on in panic at his comrade making such a splendid scene in front of him.

That faint, light blue shadow was like a sharp arrow flying from outer space. It plunged headlong into the yellow energy cloak! The energy cloak couldn't sustain such a huge blow; it turned into a shower of yellow starburst rain in an instant, enshrouding Hugo and the card artisan by his side.

A gush of blood was shooting out from the smoky fog of yellow, glowing rain. The card artisan in front of Hugo covered his throat as fresh blood gushed out from between his fingers. His throat gurgled as he tried to say something, but he couldn't get it out. His protruding eyes expressed a panicked hopelessness.

Behind him, Hugo's left arm was gushing blood in the same way. The penetrating power of their adversary's energy body was shockingly powerful. Hugo's hand shook, and the white starburst concentrated there scattered into the void like a school of fish.

Hugo's mask looked demonic inside the shower of yellow shreds. He had an icy expression as his right hand supported the slowly collapsing comrade in front of him. He raised his head and turned his gaze to where Chen Mu was, completely ignoring the blood gushing from the wound on his left arm. Then, with no hesitation, he disappeared into the crowd with the other card artisan.

* * *

Bogner was dumbfounded. Jiao Si was dumbfounded. All of the card artisans were dumbfounded.

"Was that just… Did you just emit that?" the always-sharp Bogner asked hesitantly. Jiao Si was also looking at Chen Mu full of astonishment. The gazes of the other card artisans toward Chen Mu were full of admiration.

To tell the truth, that blow had certainly been gorgeous. From Chen Mu lifting his head to shooting from his hand went as fast as lightning. In one go, he showed how solid his training was. Those card artisans had brilliant discernment, and they had clearly seen that the blow had been five in one.

To shoot off five energy shuttles within three-tenths of a second was equivalent to firing off at least 15 energy shuttles within a second. That kind of firing frequency was high enough to be terrifying!

Then, there was the strange urgency of the light blue energy shuttle to keep increasing its speed after leaving his hand. If it weren't for that characteristic of the tailless shuttle, those two high-grade card artisans of his adversary would never have been so easily hit.

Because of his perceptual strength and acuity both having increased so much at the same time, the tailless shuttle's power had metamorphosed in Chen Mu's hands. Compared to the previous damage of over 700, it had now reached about 1,200. Who knew how much faster its firing frequency was?

As he was then, with regard only to his strength as a card artisan, he could already be at about the stature of some high-grade card artisans.

Chen Mu couldn't help but ask out of curiosity, "Is something wrong?" He had never thought Bogner would have such a big reaction.

"No, no!" Bogner rushed to wave his hands.

Jiao Si and the Origins Academy card artisans looked similarly astounded. Only when they lowered their heads could he see the shock flashing past in their eyes.

In his eyes, that Mr. Cao could be called extremely mysterious. As the one who'd made the numbered series of cards, his identity already had a dazzling aura. He believed once this news got out, half of the big powers in the entire federation would be inviting him over. But, as outrageously young as he was, he seemed as sophisticated and low-key as some middle-aged person.

Jiao Si had finally found out he was also a card artisan!

That information was shockingly bigger than even seeing the folding Yanbo card. After the Van Sant System was established, card artisans and card masters started to split completely apart. The means to train perception also gradually diverged, which then led to fewer and fewer people studying them both. Those who did were generally a lower level.

The numbered series of cards had sufficiently explained Chen Mu's card making ability, but in regard to being a card artisan, that blow had lit up Jiao Si's eyes. And, Jiao Si was a picky person.

What astounded him still more was that Chen Mu had actually discovered the enemy's position before he did. Such terrifying insight was shocking. Whether it was as card master or card artisan, his ability was exceptionally high! That utterly subverted the common sense of the Van Sant System. Such a situation hadn't occurred for who knew how many years.

Jiao Si's gaze then fell onto Chen Mu's face. He was still so young. His later development would be limitless!

Thinking again about Bogner, who was so proficient in tactics as a commander, how far would he go? He was afraid no one knew what to expect!

Suddenly, Jiao Si thought of what Ru Qiu had spoken with him about, wondering if Cao Dong was the legacy of some sect from the age of the sects. Looking at it now, that certainly seemed likely. According to what he knew, because the use of card technology was rare during the age of the sects, and everyone was comparatively dispersed, there would often be people from the sects who would study as both card artisan and card master. Only the larger sects would be likely to have their students and disciples specialize in one of them.

However, it wasn't important where he came from or which sect he was from. The power he demonstrated had already made Jiao Si pay attention to him. The development of any firm was inseparable from the cooperation of other strong people. If nothing happened to him, Jiao Si believed Cao Dong would be one of the strongest from then on.

He still hadn't sprouted his wings by that time. What Jiao Si needed to establish a fine relationship would cost a lot less for him, though friendship would still be a lot more important.

Not even considering everyone else's reaction, Chen Mu was pretty satisfied with that blow of his. That was apart from not having hit any of Hugo's vital places, which he rather regretted. Still, if he was pursuing firing frequency, of course the accuracy would be affected.

* * *

There was a woman in the crowd wearing a veil, and following her was a pretty but ordinary young girl. Such a combination could be seen all over the crowd.

"What should we do now, Madam?" the young girl asked in a low voice while unavoidably casting her gaze to the base.

If Chen Mu was there, he would certainly have discovered that the voice of the girl belonged to Butchie of Faya.

Seeing Hugo injured, a look of hatred flashed through Butchie's eyes. She had just gotten 013 of the numbered series of cards. On one hand, she wanted to avenge Hugo; on the other, she wanted to see how 013 would actually perform in battle.

"Our adversary has a base with aces deployed. There is nothing we can do for now." The woman spoke slowly, her voice sweet while also a little languid. It was none other than the masked madam from Faya.

"So, should we just let them go like this?" Butchie asked with hate.

"Ha ha, Butchie shouldn't worry. This little corner of the chess game is insignificant to the overall situation. When we've settled the big picture, it won't be too late to come back to it." The masked madam lightly laughed. "Anyway, I imagine a lot of people will want to bother them. I'm afraid it's not just us."

Butchie was taken aback by what she said. The apparatus on her wrist suddenly sounded, and Butchie's spirit was stirred. "It's them! I guess there's some result!"

The masked woman abruptly straightened up.