Chapter 208: 208 Mount Flower VS Temple of the Gods 3_1
They knew more than the outside world did. For instance, the sudden appearance of those cards, the Card Factory that had seemingly come back from the dead—all signs indicated this was no simple individual. So, when Sheng Hongying heard Wen Jiang would join their S-level group next year, she wasn’t overly surprised. What she didn’t understand was how Hua Zhuo could be so certain Wen Jiang would definitely make it to S Rank. If promotion were so predictable, there wouldn’t be so many Spirit Card Masters stuck at one level for their entire lives.
Unfortunately, Hua Zhuo didn’t want to elaborate, only saying, "After watching S-Rank matches for so long, it’s sometimes fun to watch A-Rank matches. Whatever you want to say, save it until after the match. It’ll be good for me to hear your thoughts on it."
"What more is there to say?" Song Yi, who had a short temper and had been spoiled by his mother since childhood, expressed his emotions plainly. "In the A-Rank Group, besides Wen Jiang, who else plays dual-card battles? Seven against nine means we’re bound to lose. There’s no room for struggle."
Song Jue, however, hesitated for a moment and softened his brother’s statement, "So far, there haven’t been any instances of winning with fewer cards on the battlefield, especially when short by two cards."
Hua Zhuo placed her hands on her lap and lowered her eyes. Thinking about Wen Jiang’s confident demeanor when she first met her. It truly was incredible, but if it was Wen Jiang, perhaps she could create a miracle. Just how capable she was, today’s match would offer a glimpse.
The live broadcast of the match had already begun, with Temple of the Gods making the first ban. Their first move was to BAN Mo Liqing. The speed of this decision made it clear: Temple of the Gods truly wasn’t going to let Mount Flower obtain the Four Heavenly Kings and intended to nip Mount Flower’s hopes of victory in the bud.
Upon seeing this, Hua Zhuo commented, "Lucky."
This meant Mount Flower could secure at least two cards from the Moon Palace Card Set, a tactic Tang Qian and the others had previously discussed. Hua Zhuo didn’t need to ask; she could already infer Wen Jiang’s thoughts regarding her own matches. To achieve the impossible and win with fewer cards, choosing her—Hua Zhuo’s—system cards was the best option.
Hua Zhuo said slowly, "Wen Jiang will take Hou Yi."
Hou Yi, the strongest offensive card; there was no reason for Wen Jiang not to pick him.
The people present didn’t understand A-Rank Cards very well. After all, they were S-level Players who controlled SSR Cards in the arena, so they didn’t care much for A-Rank cards. Even if the Moon Palace Card Set was strong, it couldn’t appear in S-Rank matches. They had only heard rumors about it; their knowledge didn’t go deeper.
Unexpectedly, Sheng Hongying added, "Hou Yi and Chang’e. If she gets both, her chances of winning are indeed quite high."
Hua Zhuo looked meaningfully at Sheng Hongying. "What about the third card? What do you think Wen Jiang will take?"
An astonished look flickered in Sheng Hongying’s eyes. "She’s playing with three cards?"
Du Zhaiyue was also shocked. "She can play three cards?"
Song Yi instinctively said, "Impossible! She dares to play with three cards? Does she have a death wish? Her opponent is Temple of the Gods! Does she think they’re some low-tier association?"
Shaliye would be an absolute idiot to let Mount Flower get their system cards and suffer an instant defeat. Considering the potential outcome of this match, even the S-Rank group was mocking Shaliye, saying he must have gone crazy.
Hua Zhuo’s gaze returned to the video, and she murmured softly, "What’s so impossible about that? In this world, there are plenty of impossibilities."
Wen Jiang was a miracle, one that had appeared out of the blue. Whatever cards she chose for the battle, Hua Zhuo wouldn’t be surprised now.
Mount Flower banned the strong offensive A-Rank cards from the Temple of the Gods team—all according to Wen Jiang’s intentions. The final ban results were as follows:
All Four Heavenly Kings plus Su Daji were banned.
Mount Flower didn’t BAN the Moon Palace Card Set but banned two of the opponent’s damage output cards, two healing support cards, and one control card.
Mount Flower indeed made the first move to snatch Hou Yi.
Unfortunately, Temple of the Gods seemed to have realized something. The Moon Palace Card Set was also in their submitted deck, and they secured Chang’e as their second pick.
As a result, Mount Flower could only take Jade Rabbit Pestle Medicine. The final card selections were:
Mount Flower: Shi Qi Unknown Mother, Chen Runyu Seven-Star Butterfly, Ruan Chunen Jade Rabbit Pestle Medicine, Dou Yuan River Maiden, Wen Jiang controlling Hou Yi, Wind’s Dandelion, and Ghost Wood.
This actually surprised Hua Zhuo. "She’s using Ghost Wood?"
She used Ghost Wood instead of Jade Rabbit Pestle Medicine; that was unexpected. Normally, cards Wen Jiang created would be most valuable in her own hands.
And the viewers watching the match were even more surprised.
[No way, is Wen Jiang really playing three cards?! WTF?!]
[Utterly ridiculous, controlling three cards. I’ve really learned something new this year.]
[Wen Jiang with three cards... impressive.]
[She dares to use three cards against Temple of the Gods! She’s incredible!]
[Didn’t use Jade Rabbit Pestle Medicine, but Ghost Wood?]
[If Temple of the Gods just drags out the time, Wen Jiang is done for...]
[Ah, Mount Flower, really pinning all their hopes on Wen Jiang. Can this team last?]
The Little Goat, who was originally watching the S-Rank matches live, immediately switched angles upon hearing that Wen Jiang was indeed using three cards. "Sorry, guys and girls, three-card plays are too rare. I have to stream this three-card battle today!"
Some viewers expressed understanding, and those who were watching the S-Rank matches were also curious—who would dare play with three cards? After finding out it was Mount Flower against Temple of the Gods, they were all stunned for a moment.
"She’s crazy! She’s an absolute madwoman!" exclaimed the commentator Cyrus on the spot. "She dares to use three cards against Temple of the Gods! I bet she won’t last three minutes before she’s knocked out of the arena!"
Whether a card is damaged or uses its abilities, it greatly exhausts the Spirit Card Master. Her pace of exiting the match would definitely be faster than others.
Lillian was both deeply impressed and admiring. "I didn’t expect her to truly play three cards. But facing Temple of the Gods’ lineup, I think... it’s looking precarious."
Because to everyone, Mount Flower’s lineup looked like a desperate struggle. And no matter how Temple of the Gods’ A-Rank Group cards were banned, they always maintained a dominant position.
Temple of the Gods Card Set: Their sole support-control card, Chang’e.
The Little God of Love, Eros, is traditionally the deity in legends who facilitates romantic connections. If his arrow strikes someone, they fall hopelessly in love with the first person of the opposite sex they see. In card battles, however, his ability is particularly nasty because it has become damage reflection. The Little God of Love shoots an arrow that always hits its mark. For a set duration, all damage dealt by the afflicted target reflects back onto themselves, attributed to ’uncontrollable affection.’ This card is clearly intended to counter Wen Jiang’s Hou Yi.
For example, if Hou Yi were to act while hit by the Little God of Love’s arrow, the damage from Hou Yi’s shot would directly bounce back to Hou Yi himself.
However, the Little God of Love’s arrows have a recycling time, roughly a cooldown (CD) time, typically used once within two minutes, so timing is imperative. But if it continuously targets Hou Yi, it doesn’t need to take much other action.