Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Deck Star Promotion

Wang Xi lay on the sofa, fiddling with his new card.

After a while, he discovered something.

The "Bang Bang Candy" Seal in his mind was still there!

It originally belonged to the "Blueberry-flavored Sugar Coating (Ultimate)," and after two syntheses, it was now inherited by the "Lord of Sugar Water."

’So can the Seal be passed down through synthesis?’

Wang Xi stared at the ceiling, blinking as he thought.

However, he had a feeling that this inheritance wasn’t a 100% success rate and was perhaps linked to compatibility.

If the new card created through synthesis had too low of a compatibility with the Seal, then the Seal would very likely disappear.

Wang Xi closed his eyes again.

He carefully sensed the status of his "Tidal Blade," and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

As expected.

It had also received the Enhancement effect from "Lord of Sugar Water," and its attack range and power had both increased to a certain extent.

To be specific, it was like a Deep Green One Star card that had the effect of a Deep Green Two Stars card.

The core of his system was basically complete.

Wang Xi felt that his current combat power had risen by another level compared to before the assessment.

"Done."

He rolled over and sat up, glancing at the wall clock.

It was 2:30 in the afternoon.

"Time to go to the Fairy Tale Otherworld."

Wang Xi poured a glass of water and downed it in one gulp.

CLANG.

He put down the glass and fell asleep on the sofa.

He planned to wait until his projection synchronized, then use the Experience Points stored in his mind to perform a Star Promotion on his cards.

He was eager to see just how much he could improve.

He was very much looking forward to it.

...

...

「Fairy Tale World.」

「Daphne, Stag Kingdom.」

「Inside a private room on the second floor of The Snoring of the Wild Boar in the Rye Forest inn.」

Dawn’s first light shone through the tree branches onto the simple windowsill, casting a patch of swaying light. Birds chirped as they flitted past, their wings fluttering.

WHOOSH—

The black-haired young man flipped over and sat up.

He looked around but didn’t see Pinocchio, wondering where the guy had run off to play this time.

"Has it been twenty days here?"

Wang Xi murmured.

He quickly focused his attention on his mind, reading the "Projection Review" to check on things.

Over the past period, his projection had been diligent and hardworking. Aside from going downstairs to eat and bathe, it had stayed in the inn training with the cards.

In his past life, he’d at least be a top-tier booster for a gaming studio. With that level of dedication, he’d definitely be living the high life.

But you’d always have to worry about some kid blocking you and running off without paying, making weeks of hard work go down the drain.

Wang Xi wasn’t that shameless.

He would definitely go to the bathhouse and let the maids reward him handsomely...

Being a booster is such hard work.

All my effort and sweat.

After synchronizing, Wang Xi looked through the card information in his mind, a satisfied smile blooming on his face.

Before returning, he had issued new orders for the projection to focus on practicing three main cards, all of which showed significant progress:

「Moonlit Night Breathing Technique (Technique Card/Blue One Star): 120/400」

「Bloody Knight (Skill Card/Deep Green One Star): 135/300」

「Tidal Blade (Skill Card/Deep Green One Star): 90/300」

Wang Xi checked his other cards.

"Lord of Sugar Water" had inherited some of the old card’s Experience Points, so it started at "40/300".

Meanwhile, "Pinocchio’s Heart," after his cringey performance during that interview in the Main World, had shot up to "201/1000."

In fact, Wang Xi had figured out a pattern a long time ago.

The Experience Points required for a Card’s Star Promotion seemed to be related to its Quality. The higher the Quality, the more Experience Points were needed to start.

The amount was in increments of 100.

For example, a White Card’s first Star Promotion required 100, a Green Card 200, a Deep Green 300, a Blue Card 400...

And after a Star Promotion, each subsequent one would also increase the requirement by 100.

Through this pattern, Wang Xi also deeply understood that the 1000 Experience Points required for the Star Promotion of the unique Black Cards, "Chekhov’s Gun" and "Pinocchio’s Heart," proved just how precious they were.

’Time to use the Experience Library.’

Wang Xi mused.

His first target was, naturally, the foundational Technique Card, "Moonlit Night Breathing Technique."

「Consumed 280 Experience Points (1890 remaining)」

DING!

The Breathing Technique was promoted from Blue One Star to Two Stars!

In Wang Xi’s mind, a brilliant blue light erupted!

He sat cross-legged on the bed, his eyes shut tight.

"HSSS—"

With his teeth clenched and lips slightly parted, he sucked a large torrent of air into his body. His sturdy pectoral muscles expanded with his chest, as if his entire body had inflated.

GURGLE.

The muscles on his body bulged, and some inconspicuous muscle groups began to vibrate at a high frequency with extremely subtle movements.

"TSSSS—"

Wang Xi exhaled a sharp, long stream of air from the corners of his mouth. He then opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them.

His body, like a deflating leather ball, slowly returned to its original state.

But he alone knew that his body had gotten stronger.

It had gotten stronger by more than just a little bit.

If you were to quantify it, his overall Physique, a combination of strength, agility, and endurance, had gone from about a 10 to a 15.

This was an incredibly exaggerated increase!

Furthermore, according to the characteristics of the "Moonlit Night Breathing Technique," it also raised Wang Xi’s maximum Magic Power capacity.

But then came the problem.

What was he to do if he had no Magic Power at all?

He was just a humble barbarian with no mana bar!

So, to put it in numerical terms again, it was like his non-existent mana bar had gone from "0/10" to "0/12."

Wang Xi carefully sensed the strengthening of his body.

He couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.

As expected of a Blue Quality Technique Card. A single Star Promotion was roughly equivalent to maxing out the White Quality "Randall Body Refining Technique" to its "Ultimate" state.

’Continue.’

He glanced at his Experience Library and allocated another portion to his main melee card, "Bloody Knight."

「Consumed 165 Experience (1725 remaining)」

This card was promoted from Deep Green One Star to Two Stars!

His Swordsmanship, Fighting, Crossbow Skill, and Equestrian abilities were once again refined, and high-level techniques and traits like Armor-Piercing, Beheading, Parry, and Defense and Counter were enhanced.

If he were to fight the Demon Hunter Colin to the death one-on-one without using any other cards, the enhancement meant that what would have originally taken him ten minutes to kill his opponent would now only take seven or eight.

’Next up is the Water Magic Card Set.’

Wang Xi thought, then proceeded to give "Lord of Sugar Water" and "Tidal Blade" a Star Promotion.

「Consumed 260 Experience (1465 remaining)」

「Consumed 210 Experience (1255 remaining)」

Both cards were promoted from Deep Green One Star to Two Stars!

"Time to try it out!"

Wang Xi’s heart surged with excitement; he could hardly wait.

He raised a hand.

His five fingers spread open.

GURGLE—

He could faintly hear the sound of flowing water.

A fist-sized Water Ball quickly condensed in his palm, shaking nonstop.

But with a bit of control from Wang Xi, it instantly stopped moving, looking like a stationary crystal ball.

With a crook of his index finger, the Water Ball began to squirm violently, transforming into the shape of a dagger in the blink of an eye.

He continued to manipulate it, and the water dagger then turned into a small Round Shield, an apple, a sea urchin, a squirrel...

Wang Xi could even micromanage the water squirrel to perform actions like running and jumping, making it look incredibly lifelike.

If any Wizard were to see this, their jaw would drop. Never mind an ordinary Wizard; not even Demons who are naturally attuned to the Water Element—like Merfolk, Sea Sirens, or Land Turtles—could do it...

This level of control over the Water Element had almost reached an inhuman level. If the three Witches were here, they would probably exclaim that he was a monster.

’Although I can control the water flow and turn it into any shape I want, its strength is far inferior to the three specific forms: "Arrow," "Flying Knife," and "Jellyfish Cannon."’

Wang Xi thought.

He knew it was because he was influenced by the old cards used as synthesis materials.

GURGLE!

Wang Xi clenched his fist and raised it.

The Water Ball transformed into a blue, translucent jellyfish. It floated in mid-air, pulsing and contracting, sometimes taking the shape of an arrow, other times an umbrella.

It commanded the water out of thin air, circling around Wang Xi a few times.

SNAP!

Wang Xi suddenly snapped his fingers.

The jellyfish instantly expanded like an opening umbrella, forming a hemispherical barrier in front of him. The Water Element then crystallized at a visible speed, turning into azure hard candy.

"Impressive."

Wang Xi praised in satisfaction.

With a wave of his hand, the candied jellyfish in mid-air crumbled into a brilliant shower of dust and scattered.

As for the "Tidal Blade," which had been enhanced several times, Wang Xi didn’t test it.

Because he had a gut feeling.

If he were to use it, he would probably make a huge mess of the inn... and there might even be a risk of it collapsing.

’This will have to do for now.’

Wang Xi thought to himself.

He decided to save the little over one thousand Experience points for a rainy day.

After all, he could use them whenever he wanted.

...

...

「An hour later.」

Pinocchio returned.

Wang Xi learned an important piece of intelligence from him.

A few days ago, a Palace Announcer, along with a group of Guards, had posted notices in the squares, streets, and churches of Daphne, announcing the date of Queen Xianna’s grand wedding.

It was on the Sabbath in two weeks, which was a Sunday.

Fortunately, he had made it in time.

Wang Xi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

If he had delayed his return from the Main World by even a few more days, Daphne would probably have been burned to a pile of rubble...

"There’s not much time, Gai."

Pinocchio said, scratching his head.

"What are we going to do next?"

"Let’s go." Wang Xi patted the boy’s shoulder and started walking out. "We’re going to find my three good sons."

"Huh?"

Before sunset, Wang Xi took Pinocchio to a private room on the second floor of the "Madwoman" tavern, where they waited for Minister Ando, Coinage Officer Dick, and Marco the Pharmacist.

Meeting again after twenty days, the three of them still revered Wang Xi as if he were a god. They knelt before him and kissed his shoes.

But Wang Xi keenly noticed an unusual flicker in their eyes and a hint of struggle in their expressions.

’Looks like the effect of the candy is about to wear off.’

He understood at once.

To ensure the operation went smoothly, Wang Xi unhesitatingly took out the "Sweet Words Candy Jar" and removed the last three candies from inside, rewarding each of them with one.

The three of them were once again firmly under his control.

And the "Sweet Words Candy Jar," a Blue Artifact Card, finally completed its mission, disappearing in a flash of blue light with a buzz.

"Ando, the three of you need to find a way to contact the Queen and arrange a secret meeting between her and me as soon as possible."

Wang Xi said in a low voice.

"Yes, Lord Gurui."

The three of them bowed and scraped, respectfully agreeing.

But just as Wang Xi was about to leave, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"On second thought," Wang Xi said, turning back, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "To avoid any complications, you three will provide cover. I’m infiltrating the Royal Palace tonight!"

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