The Card Apprentice

Chapter 174: A Slight Change

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

The disappearance of the future heir of the Eastern Nings created quite a stir in the Eastern Reaches, which sent the region into turmoil. Still, Bo Wen’s disappearance hadn’t made the slightest splash in the entire Heavenly Federation. Not only wasn’t it the most important news there, it wasn’t even the most important news in the Eastern Reaches. A poll would show the most newsworthy event having been from Eastern Shang-Wei City, which had just undergone the turmoil of war. That bit of news was very simple. The rather well-known, low-grade fantasy card club in Eastern Shang Wei City had launched their new product—a fantasy card receiver.

That kind of so-called fantasy card receiver had proliferated across the entire Heavenly Federation with astonishing speed as soon as it was launched. Its composition wasn’t very complicated. At its core was something like the card play generator, although it had undergone massive innovation. The illusions emitted didn’t need to be processed by a card play emitter to be seen; they were transmitted by signal to the receiver. It wasn’t like the communications card, in which a special information transmission line needed to be installed first. It was lower level, as were its costs, which naturally meant it was cheaper. It was quite popular after launch.

And, the little-known president of the low-grade fantasy card club had stunningly emerged as a huge producer. Within a very short time, he had united with several of the oligarchic clans of the Eastern Reaches to establish the first communications platform. At the same time, since the composition of the fantasy card receiver wasn’t very complicated, the market was quickly flooded with copies. But, the low-grade fantasy card club took advantage of that decisive moment.

All kinds of communications platforms soon appeared like bamboo shoots after the rain. Even the government of the Heavenly Federation quickly realized how important such platforms were, and they immediately set up an official federation platform. Once launched, it shot to the top of the viewership.

After purchasing a fantasy card receiver and paying the platform a certain fee, one could watch all sorts of programs transmitted by the platform.

It only cost 500 Oudi for a fantasy card receiver plus only another 200 to install the cable, which was quite cheap for most residents.

The Low Fantasy Platform established by the low-grade fantasy card club was the most popular platform. Its most popular shows were serial releases of the card plays “Chance Encounter” and “The Legend of Master Shi.” Those two card plays had drawn countless customers, nearly pulling the official Heavenly Federation platform from the top spot. They had become the second most-watched platform with the third lagging far behind. The outstanding business acumen of the magisterial president was easy to discern.

What had preserved the position of the official federation platform had been a different item of news, which could be called explosive.

It was the first time in history that news had been broadcast in real time, shattering the assumption that news would always be delayed. According to the statistics, there were more than 2 million watching. But, within only ten minutes, the numbers surged up to 30 million. According to the statistics, there were another 40 million or more who watched recordings of the news after the event.

The Gemini, the twin stars of the Desert Camp, had sought out Moon Frost Island of the Heavenly Drum District hand-in-hand!

Who knew where the official federation platform had gotten the information, but they had actually accompanied the Gemini to Moon Frost Island.

No wonder after people had heard the news, they all put aside what they were working on without exception and paid attention to it. The Desert Camp was one of the Big Six, and the card artisans who came from there were consistently swift and fierce fighters. No matter whether it was the federation armies, the oligarchic clans, or large-scale card artisan firms, they all looked quite fondly on the card artisans from the Desert Camp.

That year, the Gemini from the Desert Camp had made a stir across the federation for having passed the so-called “nightmare” exam, the most difficult of all exams. That doubtlessly had drawn quite a few eyeballs since it was said that battles among aces fired people up the most.

While Moon Frost Island had plenty of relations beyond it, as one of the Big Six it would have been difficult to determine how many. And, although the pair of stars was young, they had already ascended into the ranks of aces.

Both sides were heavy hitters! A clash between two of the academies would naturally fill countless people with anticipation.

Moreover, any chance to see such battle aces as the Gemini was simply too rare to miss! Everyone was grateful to the unknown low-grade fantasy card club president. The first moment the Gemini set foot on Moon Frost Island, all the recording apparatus were focused on them.

The arrogance of the Gemini was met with an uncontrollable chill from the students of Moon Frost Island, which immediately created a conflict.

Among the crowds watching in front of their fantasy card receivers, some were even shaking their fists uncontrollably, yelling, “Fight! Start the fight!”

The card artisan from Desert Camp was known for his fiery temperament, and the Moon Frost Island students were just as partisan. At that moment, Mars collided with Earth.

The Gemini were the first to make a move, naturally without any pleasantries. The ensuing battle went immediately fierce with the power of the Gemini finally on display. The one fighting was one of the pair, Su Wei, who had defeated ten people in a row! Not to be defeated, the student ace from Moon Frost Island mounted a series of attacks, though they were too weak in the face of Su Wei’s power. He took the victory.

The faces of the students from Moon Frost Island went as cold as ice, that having been the biggest humiliation in the history of the school. And, it had played out live in front of them, which left the youth’s blood boiling and all of them gritting their teeth.

Just when everyone assumed Moon Frost Island had been humiliated by the Gemini, a young woman swooped in.

The young woman covered in white had an ice-cold expression, flesh-like jade that could be shattered with a musical note, and a tall hair style from ancient times. She looked like a goddess who had flown out from an ancient painting!

It was that young, frosty looking woman who picked up the fight with the Gemini. The two of them fought fiercely for nearly ten minutes with Su Wei finally suffering the loss. Just as the crowd was worried that Su Hu was about to take advantage of the goddess-like beauty’s challenge, Su Hu gathered up the wounded Su Wei without a word and swept off after a respectful nod.

That frosty, young woman who had appeared out of the blue immediately captivated the residents of the federation, becoming the idol of countless people. Because of the young woman, who hadn’t even uttered a word, there were already quite a few young people pledging to sign up for the exam at Moon Frost Island.

The originally subdued Moon Frost Island then entered everyone’s field of view. Everyone found out just how unfathomable the Big Six were. Just then, Moon Frost Island had the top young ace when it had normally been considered off in a corner by itself.

The excitement built on itself, and those looking for a way in were polishing their resumes.

It would have been a joke to say the performance of the Gemini didn’t have the backing of the Desert Camp. But, the Big Six had always been restrained among themselves. Everyone carefully preserved the peace, so how could Desert Camp want to disturb it or do something in secret?

What happened afterward exceeded anyone’s expectations and made things abruptly jittery.

Along the way back to Desert Camp, the Gemini were ambushed, and Su Wei was killed on the spot. Su Hu broke away with heavy wounds.

The affair made a lot of waves in the federation. Desert Camp was immediately pointing the finger at Moon Frost Island, which protested vociferously that the matter had nothing to do with them. They even wanted to assist the local garrison to conduct their investigation.

No matter what, relations between Desert Camp and Moon Frost Island had become frosty.

Sensitive people could already smell the agitation in the atmosphere.

* * *

During that time, Chen Mu had just led the remainder of the Moqi line to complete its migration. Although the city below was dilapidated beyond endurance, it was a lot more secure than the crude valley, which didn’t add up to much. The elevator to the surface and the air circulation system had been repaired thanks to Chen Mu. Those empty rooms in the base, which weren’t good for more than living in, held seven or eight children each.

Having been so terrified outside for so long, the young people were full of hope for the future. It was good to be living someplace out of the wind and rain where they didn’t have to worry about the wild beasts.

Chen Mu cautiously slid a card into the card slot of the apparatus in front of him, which made a light sound as the green lights lit up. That finally calmed his nervous mind.

“The energy system has been restored to five percent,” the emotionless voice of the system said.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Chen Mu asked, “How much is five percent?”

“Power to live in the base.” The system’s response was as sparse as could be.

Chen Mu looked resigned, having pulled out all the energy on hand while also making his highest-level repair to the system. It was still at only five percent of the base’s customary operation. Well, five percent was five percent. If it was sufficient for everyone to live, then it would have to do.

The energy mine could be slowly exploited, and with machinery being produced incessantly, it would be able to supply more power in the future.

“Teacher, teacher!” Alfonso called excitedly from the distance.

Chen Mu looked around and saw Alfonso wildly waving his hand at him. Could he have made some new discovery?

Chen Mu walked over and asked, “What’s up?”

“I’ve found something good,” Alfonso said with exaggerated mysteriousness.

“What good thing?”

“Come with me.” Alfonso hurriedly led the way.

Alfonso took Chen Mu in the direction of the warehouse. Every level of the base was pretty independent, and each would have a warehouse. The first level was no different. So they could move in a little sooner, he hadn’t taken any opportunity to go exploring around the first level. He had been busy repairing the backup system and the air circulation system. Even though it was only one level, it covered a huge area and was filled with all kinds of weird installations.

Pushing open the door of the number 12 warehouse, a pungent, rotten smell came out from it. Taking a look, the air circulation system had already started up, though it would take a while for the turbid air inside to clear out. There were all sorts of miscellaneous things that had been corroded beyond recognition.

Alfonso’s expression hadn’t changed at all, seeming to have become used to that kind of air.

Chen Mu went with Alfonso into a corner. Alfonso’s expression became excited, and he pointed toward some object covered in dust, saying, “That’s it!”

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