Chapter 202: 202 top ten_1
She could create Card Spirits of historical figures, and her cards could enhance a person’s spiritual power.
In a way, Wen Jiang had become a ’national treasure’ that Yunxia now needed to protect.
If this became public, the cards would undoubtedly spread beyond Yunxia’s borders. Allowing foreign powers to benefit from them would be a significant loss, not worth the risk.
Yunxia was generally benevolent, but not to that extent.
After all, Wen Jiang was one of Yunxia’s own people. If there was room for discussion, they would certainly try to negotiate.
"There’s no problem with that," Wen Jiang readily agreed. However, she had one condition: "I want the cards I make to be notarized on the card website, but they don’t have to be sold."
Yan Moling quickly understood. "So, not selling them, just displaying them for everyone to see, right?"
Wen Jiang replied, "Yes. They don’t have to use them, but they must know they exist."
This wasn’t her requirement, but the System’s. There was no way around it.
"No problem," Yan Moling said joyfully. "If ordinary people can’t use them, the military can!"
Who else would such strength-enhancing cards be for, if not the military?
"Of course, we will compensate you for any losses."
This compensation could flow to the Jimo Family, helping to expand her card-making business. Wen Jiang wasn’t so generous as to refuse it.
Yan Moling wasn’t just making small talk; she had come with an urgent matter. It was an open secret that Wen Jiang’s cards could enhance strength. Yan Moling mentioned, "Someone in our military has created Shark People Cards based on your data, and they work quite well."
Yan Moling paused, then added, "But we still need to commission cards from you."
"Not a problem at all. I’m just about to start working on new cards. What kind of abilities are you looking for?"
Yan Moling raised an eyebrow. Those capable of making cards are truly formidable, offering to tailor abilities like this is quite a luxury! She couldn’t help but say, "Nothing too picky. They are for military use. A synergistic card set would be best; you know the military needs cards that excel at large-scale combat."
Understood. So the card abilities need to have a wide range.
Wen Jiang thought for a moment. Realizing that her own ideas didn’t conflict with the request, she said, "I have an idea for three cards. I guarantee they’ll be a synergistic set. Would you be interested?"
"Absolutely!" Yan Moling agreed without hesitation. "I trust your skills. I’ll wait for your good news. Of course, you have a competition coming up, so please prioritize that."
"Yes, I’ll make the cards you commissioned after my competition ends."
Three Moon Palace Cards, five Investiture of the Gods Cards, plus these three—that makes eleven cards. More than enough to complete the System’s mission requirements.
And the characters Wen Jiang planned to create were, almost certainly, figures renowned from legend.
The family of Red Child.
Bull Demon King, Iron Fan Princess, and Red Child—a complete family of three. A synergistic card set, undoubtedly. Their combat power would be immense. What a perfect combination!
Their backstory could even incorporate Brother Monkey, considering nearly every demon in *Journey to the West* was beaten by him at some point.
There was still some time before the competition ended, so she wasn’t in a hurry. It was a good opportunity to think about what kind of cards this family of three should become.
The fact that Yan Moling’s military could now create new cards meant her general approach was correct.
Zero Egg asked a key question: "If her people can already create cards, why does she still need you to make them?"
Wen Jiang smiled. "Perhaps the cards I make are different from others."
Shi Qi and the others had already shown slight improvements in their strength during training. Combined with the power of the Moon Palace Card Set, it was quite clear why Yan Moling still needed cards made by her.
Of course, this matter touched upon their mutual interests. Asking directly could risk damaging their relationship, so Yan Moling had chosen not to pry, opting instead to trust Wen Jiang.
A Card Maker capable of creating strength-enhancing cards naturally had her own secrets.
By now, Zero Egg’s System-brain was finally catching on. "Oh, the cards you make are indeed all peculiar. Perhaps others can’t make them as powerful as you do."
While Wen Jiang was contemplating card designs, the tournament matches were fiercely underway.
Setting aside the S-Rank Group for now, in the A-Rank Group, Mount Flower remained undefeated, displaying overwhelming strength. Those who had previously doubted them might still be grumbling, but their actions spoke louder—Mount Flower’s betting odds kept climbing as they approached the top ten.
Currently, their odds were only slightly below those of Sanctuary’s top team, Divine Punishment, and Frost Moon from the Temple of the Gods. Mount Flower was considered Yunxia’s greatest hope this year.
Other veteran Yunxia associations, like the Mountain Ghost Association and Broken Heart, had also advanced. However, compared to Mount Flower’s perfect record, their journeys had been more turbulent, resulting in less favorable betting odds.
As for the others, associations like Holy Beast had the misfortune of encountering Temple of the Gods and Divine Punishment early on and were eliminated prematurely.
Moreover, Mount Flower had been lucky so far, not yet having to face any teams from within their own broader association.
The downside, however, was that this couldn’t be spoken of openly.
When the draw for the round of 15 advancing to 10 was announced, Mount Flower remained steady, but the Mountain Ghost Association was distraught. "Damn it! Why are we pitted against our own allies?"
Their hopes of advancing were instantly extinguished.
The members of the Mountain Ghost Association knew very well that facing Mount Flower, with Wen Jiang on their team, gave them almost no chance of winning.
However, as professional players, they wouldn’t simply concede defeat, though their morale was undoubtedly shaken.
Even their coach sighed and said, "Just try your best."
Even Tan Heming, upon hearing the news, could only remark, "Indeed, their luck is quite poor."
His statement essentially conceded that their association’s A-Rank Group had no hope of winning.
The day before the match, the Mountain Ghost coach approached Tang Qian. "Tell me the truth," he asked, "was your new card set made by Wen Jiang?"
Rumor had it that either Wen Jiang herself had made the cards, or a hidden genius was supporting her. That’s why the Mountain Ghost coach asked so directly.
Tang Qian, of course, couldn’t confirm anything. She just grinned evasively. "A Card Maker’s identity must be kept confidential. If they don’t wish to be publicly known, how could I reveal it?"
"Those cards are enough to make anyone famous. If the creator is reluctant to reveal their identity, it must be because the truth is astonishing. It’s highly likely Wen Jiang, isn’t it?" the Mountain Ghost coach pressed. Tang Qian just smiled without speaking, and he realized he might have overstepped.
After all, without a public announcement, proving it was Wen Jiang would require concrete evidence.
He changed the subject with a sigh. "We really are unlucky to be matched against you."
Tang Qian didn’t know what else to say, offering only, "It’s not entirely hopeless. Good luck."
The Mountain Ghost coach retorted, "Save that nonsense. If Wen Jiang actually lets us win, I’ll let you kick my head like a ball."
"Ah, well," Tang Qian said, unsure whether to laugh or cry, "it doesn’t have to come to that."
"HUMPH! It’s just your good luck!"
The Mountain Ghost coach ended the conversation with a hint of bitterness and envy. And, in the end, the result was indeed as everyone had expected.
The Mountain Ghost Association lost the match, officially ending their run in the A-Rank Group’s world competition.