Chapter 474 The Sun Card!
It was very late at night.
A faint shadow emerged at the a.s.sa.s.sin a.s.sociation.
“I heard that… Zhao Yunshan escaped,” a hoa.r.s.e voice could be heard.
“Yes,” a figure replied.
“You shouldn’t have allowed him to live,” the hoa.r.s.e voice said.
“There is something wrong with the intel. His combat ability was stronger than expected,” the figure said.
“He is ultimately a disciple of the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation. His escape carries some level of risk,” the hoa.r.s.e voice could be heard.
“Don’t worry.”
The figure was very calm. “They have no evidence that we carried out the a.s.sa.s.sination. Our a.s.sa.s.sin a.s.sociation never gets involved in such situations, right? This is a very ordinary a.s.sa.s.sination. No matter what, they won’t blame it on the a.s.sa.s.sin a.s.sociation. Also…
“There are very few members in the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation.
“Do you really think Lu Ming will seek revenge for his disciple?
“He won’t.
“No one will.”
He was very clear-minded and logical.
The hoa.r.s.e voice paused for a moment. “Anyway, be careful.”
“Don’t worry.”
The figure was very calm.
After a long time…
The duo disappeared again.
…
At this very moment…
Sword Card Master a.s.sociation.
Lu Ming’s daily life had returned to normalcy.
He would research cards everyday and have test periods for their characteristics.
Xiao-Xiaojian had extraordinary ability and possessed the Sky Water Sword’s ‘intuition’ and the metal rod’s ‘reb.u.t.ting’ skills. However, not much of the legacy data had been pa.s.sed down.
He could only continue with the test period.
The data collected from the Original Card would then increase gradually.
All the Sword Card Masters had been working hard.
However, Zhao Yunshan was still worried.
He was used to a.s.sa.s.sinations and was not bothered by the a.s.sa.s.sin a.s.sociation. He had seen many of such two-face att.i.tudes in the past.
He would just deal them economic blows.
As for the rest…
It was not necessary.
He knew very well that if he were to be at odds with the a.s.sa.s.sin a.s.sociation at this point in time, given the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation’s current strength, the latter would be at the losing end!
As such, he had been worried that Master would seek revenge for him. Especially when he remembered his Master’s last sneer… To be honest, it was rather scary.
Thankfully, his Master had been creating cards in his room for the past two days.
“Master?”
Zhao Yunshan entered the room gingerly. “You are…”
“Creating cards!”
Lu Ming sighed. “We have to earn money. All the money we earned last time has been donated. The a.s.sociation needs to continue its operations.”
“O-oh. Oh.”
Zhao Yunshan felt relieved immediately.
Oo…
As long as he was not fighting the a.s.sa.s.sin a.s.sociation head-on…
“Master.”
“I can donate some pocket money.”
Zhao Yunshan patted his chest.
“Get lost!”
Lu Ming said unhappily, “You may be able to manage it now as the a.s.sociation has very few people. Are you going to support the a.s.sociation financially in the future when it grows bigger?”
Uh—
Zhao Yunshan’s body drooped.
If the a.s.sociation were to become as large as the Energy Warrior a.s.sociation, he would not be able to afford it.
“Anyway…
“Our making of money has to be sustainable. Understand?” Lu Ming said.
“Yes.”
Zhao Yunshan understood.
After a long time…
He left.
Lu Ming’s office fell silent soon after.
Whoos.h.!.+ Whoos.h.!.+
Lu Ming created cards quietly.
He had been too busy lately and did not have the time to research and create cards. He had to reach six-star and stabilize his level. Therefore, he had been putting aside the study of the cards temporarily.
Shus.h.!.+
Lu Ming created a card gingerly.
On it were the familiar lines of the Sunlight Card.
However, unlike the past, Lu Ming was seriously researching the lines of the Sunlight Card. All the data and information of the Sunlight Card flashed across his mind.
Strengthening…
Sun…
He corresponded the lines and the functions one by one.
In the end, Lu Ming removed one-third of the lines of the Sunlight Card, re-condensed the remaining lines and created a brand new castration card!
There was only one function left!
The Sunlight Card originally had powerful effects and the conditions of casting it were also very complicated!
Lu Ming’s research was essentially on how to weaken it and reduce the casting conditions so that people could cast the card easily!
Oo, this is not enough.
Lu Ming contemplated it for a long time. He added a huge number of lines and utilized top-notch techniques to fill the card with energy and then reduce the usage requirements of this card.
Lamination!
Lamination!
And lamination!
In the end…
The card became a card that could be used by three-stars — Sun Card.
Afterward, Lu Ming segregated the functions of the Sunlight Card into a few dozen modules and pa.s.sed them to his disciples to create them. Eventually, they formed an a.s.sembly line, combining the modules and creating the cards.
Two days pa.s.sed.
The a.s.sociation had acc.u.mulated a large number of Sun Cards.
“Haoran, send invitations to the various major a.s.sociations.”
Lu Ming smiled faintly. “Tell them that we have a new card for sale.”
“Huh?”
Li Haoran was puzzled. “D-don’t we need to encrypt it?”
What was the special characteristic of commercial cards?
Encryption!
They had to do encryption!
Even encrypted cards could be cracked.
Who would be like Master and put the card up for sale directly without encrypting it?!
“Don’t worry.”
Lu Ming looked very calm. “I have a plan.”
“Understood.”
Li Haoran went to make the arrangements.
After a long time…
Lu Ming’s new card was about to make its debut!
It caused a sensation in Tian Du City!
As the president of the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation and the inventor of various special cards, Lu Ming’s fame in the card industry was unmatched!
In the past, every card that Lu Ming put on sale had significant implications!
It was even rumored that Lu Ming had not created cards for a long time because each card he created would be bought by the various major a.s.sociations once they were out!
For example, the rumored Elimination card and so on!
As such, everyone was talking about it.
The various higher-ups of the a.s.sociations in Tian Du City were also high-strung. Their faces were aghast and they tried all ways and means to find out more about his new card.
“What is the energy consumption? What is the function?”
“You don’t know?”
“What’s the use of having you guys! Hurry! Go and investigate!”
The presidents were enraged.
They were not bothered about the strength of the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation. However, they were worried about Lu Ming. This guy had already stirred up trouble a few times in a row!
They had to be wary of him!
Especially those a.s.sociations that had been tricked by Lu Ming before!
For example, the Elementalist a.s.sociation which had been done in by the Family Bond Card, the Energy Warrior a.s.sociation that had been done in by the Stealing Card, the Summoner a.s.sociation that had been done in by the Elimination Card, and… the Swordsman a.s.sociation that had been done in by the Shadow Sword.
Why shouldn’t they feel anxious?
What if he were to target their a.s.sociation again…
They could then make some preparations in advance!
…
At the Summoner a.s.sociation.
The vice president patted the shoulder of a new disciple affectionately. “Child, I heard one of the disciples in the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation is wooing your sister?”
The disciple was speechless.
At the Energy Warriors a.s.sociation.
The branch president called a disciple to go to him, “Child, I heard your second auntie is a cleaner at the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation?”
The disciple was speechless.
After a long time…
Various a.s.sociations used all ways and means to get some information.
The Sun Card.
It was an Incremental Card. Therefore, they reckoned that it would have nothing to do with them?
“We have been too paranoid?”
The branch president of the Summoner a.s.sociation gathered all the presidents and they had a serious discussion about the sale of Lu Ming’s new card.
In the end, everyone agreed unanimously that Lu Ming’s main purpose was to earn money.
They heard that Lu Ming had donated all his money recently. The Sword Card Master a.s.sociation was penniless now! Therefore, they had to sell a card to make money!!!
Everyone heaved a sigh of relief at the thought of this.
“Should we give him an emergency loan?” suggested the president of the Summoner a.s.sociation.
The other presidents were speechless.
Aren’t you being too cowardly and over-the-top?!
“Hehe,” the president of the Summoner a.s.sociation laughed wryly.
They could not help it!
Because of Lu Ming, the Summoners had already been tortured twice! Last time, the big shots from the headquarters had gone there personally, if anything were to happen again this time…
He reckoned that, as the president, he would be dead meat.
“You guys don’t need to worry too much.”
One of the female presidents who majored in mind and soul said gently, “Lu Ming is reputedly very good. All the seniors are praising him!”
Shus.h.!.+
There was a dead silence in the group.
The presidents were at a loss for words for a long time.
Good reputation…
Does Lu Ming that guy have a good reputation?!
Do you think doing philanthropy can cleanse your dirty soul?
No.
It can’t!
Even the president of the Swordsman a.s.sociation who had thanked Lu Ming before looked sullen at the moment… d.a.m.n it. The money that Lu Ming donated was from the Swordsmen!
Good reputation! What bulls.h.i.+t!
Since this card is purely for the purpose of making money, it should not pose that much of a risk?
The next day.
The presidents of the various a.s.sociations arrived at the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation together.
At the press conference.
When Lu Ming first cast this not-so-spectacular Sun Card in front of everyone, the cultivators were unanimously dumbfounded.
This was a very ordinary card.
Its only function was to strengthen and the effect was very weak. The increase was only 10%!
It was negligible.
Besides this ‘garbage’ increase, it had another very minor function and characteristic that everyone almost failed to notice. It could annihilate shadows formed under all conditions!
In the new card demonstration…
Shus.h.!.+
When an a.s.sa.s.sin tried to a.s.sa.s.sinate an Elementalist…
Bang!
The Sun Card flashed.
A dazzling glow was suspended at the back of his head. It was so striking that one could not look at it directly. The terrifying lights dispelled all the shadows…
That a.s.sa.s.sin was dumbstruck on the spot.
Afterward, the a.s.sa.s.sin died.
“This is…”
The Elementalists’ eyes lit up.
With this card, their survival ability would increase tremendously!
Shus.h.!.+
The scene changed.
When an a.s.sa.s.sin moved silently towards a summoned beast with an anesthetic drug…
Bang!
The sun emerged on the summoned beast.
The thief who was about to succeed in his move was annihilated by the furious summoned beast immediately…
He was finished.
“This is very powerful!”
The Summoners were tempted.
Their summoned beasts not only died in fights but also disappeared during poaches! According to incomplete statistics, 12% of the summoned beasts were poached every year!
Converting this into numbers…
This was simply an astronomical figure!
This was the pain point of all the Summoner’s hearts.
And now, with the Sun Card as a trump card, they seemed to have gained some hope. They no longer needed to worry about those d.a.m.ned pet traffickers!
Shus.h.!.+
The eyes of the presidents of the various a.s.sociations shone.
This card…
This was truly a card that was beneficial to the cultivators!
To cultivators like them who cultivated normally, this kind of card was great.
“Lu Ming, this child…”
The tone of the president of the Summoner a.s.sociation softened slightly.
This child…
Perhaps he was not as petty as he imagined?
He had created a welfare card in the truest sense!
It could fulfill a lot of needs!
It had an ultra powerful effect!
“True.”
The president of the Elementalist thought so too.
Perhaps the Family Bond Card and Elimination Card were merely coincidences!
Perhaps, they had really misunderstood him in the past!
However…
At this moment.
The president of the Swordsman a.s.sociation said something quietly, “Well… I heard that a group of killers ambushed Zhao Yunshan a few days ago…”
Shus.h.!.+
The presidents fell silent immediately.
Zhao Yunshan — Killer — a.s.sa.s.sin a.s.sociation — Sun Card…
The presidents suddenly understood.
Yes.
True enough, they had misunderstood Lu Ming.
Lu Ming was not petty. He bore grudges to the point of hatred!
Just because the killer had ambushed Zhao Yunshan, Lu Ming planned to create a card that would eradicate the entire a.s.sa.s.sin a.s.sociation vocation…
They were terrified at the thought of it!
Although they could not a.s.sociate ‘killer organization’ with the ‘a.s.sa.s.sin a.s.sociation’, in essence, 50% of killers were a.s.sa.s.sins!! The aggregate number of inc.u.mbents from the other vocations was not more than that of the a.s.sa.s.sins!
As such…
They were happy and delighted to see this.
Shus.h.!.+
The few presidents glanced at one another. They made up their minds to never provoke Lu Ming in the future!
What about the a.s.sa.s.sin a.s.sociation?
The presidents glanced at one another.
“Lu Ming may run into some trouble.”
“Yes.”
“This a.s.sociation… is very difficult to deal with…”
The president of the Swordsman a.s.sociation narrowed his eyes. “Lu Ming has picked a good opponent this time. Ha… they are harder to deal with than your Elementalist a.s.sociation.”
The Elementalist a.s.sociation turned sullen.
“Aren’t they also tougher than your Swordsman a.s.sociation?”
This is the a.s.sa.s.sin a.s.sociation!
Rumors have it that…
Forget it.
All this had nothing to do with us.
Right now…
Since this card was already on sale, they had to buy, buy and buy it!
The Sun Card was sold out on the day of its release!
The thousands of Sun Cards that Lu Ming prepared were sold out in one hour. He had made up for the expenses of the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation for the past period of time.
…
After a long time…
The news spread to the internet and everyone was stunned.
The Sun Card…
Exterminating shadows!
Was there really such a card?!
Almost everyone who often went on expeditions had to bring with them such a card. This card had caused a sensation even before it was available for sale!
The most heated discussions about this card occurred in the a.s.sa.s.sin forum.
All the a.s.sa.s.sins were suffering from emotional breakdowns.
This card…
It had left them at the end of their ropes!
“We’re done for!
“Is it really that easy for me to make money?”
“I… I am not interested in a.s.sa.s.sinating. I chose to be an a.s.sa.s.sin for concealment and safety reasons….”
“Me too.”
The a.s.sa.s.sins were crying.
The a.s.sa.s.sin was a very powerful vocation. The cultivators opted for this vocation because of its strong survival ability and powerful concealment skills.
The combat ability was also extraordinary.
However…
Be it for an a.s.sa.s.sination or not, the nature of the a.s.sa.s.sin’s skill was to attack with a secret ambus.h.!.+
Be it a fight in the arena or a challenge match, they had to transform into a faint shadow and make their figures look blurry to create some visual conditions.
And now, they were done for.
When the lights from the 24K t.i.tanium alloy eyes on the Sun Card shone down on them, none of the shadows would be able to survive…
It was still not that bad for the other cities.
Tian Du City.
According to the data from a third party organization —
With the constant sale of the Sun Card from the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation, the a.s.sa.s.sin vocation was facing a steady decline.
On the day itself, the average success rate of a.s.sa.s.sinations went from 65% to 25%. At least 10 people encountered the counterattack of the Sun Card when they were executing a.s.sa.s.sination missions in the wilderness!
The chances of an a.s.sa.s.sin winning a duel decreased from 54% to 12%!
Yes, this was even more miserable.
The a.s.sa.s.sin was only standing on the spot. Once the Sun Card was released… the a.s.sa.s.sin surrendered.
An a.s.sa.s.sin who did not have any concealment ability had no place to hide. He was simply a live target!!! Unless their combat ability far surpa.s.sed the other party, otherwise…
They could only wait to be tortured to death!
In a techniques forum.
The a.s.sa.s.sins’ cries could be heard in all places with an internet connection. The netizens also affectionately termed this card the Sterile Card.
With this card, they could easily beat the a.s.sa.s.sins into calling them ‘Grandfather’.
On the third day!
A certain magazine published the vocation rankings for September. The a.s.sa.s.sin a.s.sociation, an amazing vocation named the child of the night which was originally ranked sixth, had plummeted to the 38th place!
The reason —
Of course, it was the Sun Card.
Many a.s.sa.s.sins in Tian Du City left the a.s.sociation and changed their vocations. Various a.s.sociations were also happy to poach the cultivators and took in the geniuses of the a.s.sa.s.sin a.s.sociation.
At this very moment…
Amongst the group of presidents in Tian Du City.
“Don’t go overboard!”
The president of the a.s.sa.s.sin a.s.sociation threatened, “How dare you poach my disciples! Beware your disciples!”
“Bring it on.”
The president of the Summoner a.s.sociation said happily, “We have placed a Sun Card on every one of our summoned beasts… Haha, I dare you to try it.”
The president of the a.s.sa.s.sin a.s.sociation was silent.
d.a.m.n it!
The situation was originally fine. How did it turn out like this?
Lu Ming…
The Sun Card…
The president of the a.s.sa.s.sin a.s.sociation furrowed his brows tightly.
He could not understand.
Seriously…
How could a three-star card be that valiant! Why did Lu Ming have to target his a.s.sociation by researching and creating this card! Why was Lu Ming’s card creation standards that high? How was he able to create such a card so effortlessly!
Of course.
Most importantly, he did not expect Lu Ming to be that crazy!
All because… he wanted to stand up for Zhao Yunshan, he attacked the entire vocation!
Had he gone mad?
The risk of offending the a.s.sa.s.sin a.s.sociation was greater than offending any other a.s.sociations!
Since ancient times, many self-professed righteous big shots who tried to exterminate the a.s.sa.s.sin a.s.sociation on the grounds of justice were eventually beaten to a pulp by the big shots of the a.s.sa.s.sin a.s.sociation!
And now, Lu Ming… He was merely a five-star peak and a president of an a.s.sociation which did not even have any seven-stars! He actually challenged their entire vocation!
Lu Ming…
Do you know that you’re courting death?
…