CHAPTER 18: 018 MISS QIAO_1

Since that disaster, the natural environment on Blue Star had suffered greatly, including land pollution, air pollution, and other such issues. It took humans a long time to repair some of the environment. Leveraging past technology, information technology developed rapidly. Examples included virtual computers and card-based wall displays. However, due to Blue Star’s limited resources, other technological fields hadn’t advanced excessively.

Nevertheless, as the capital, Imperial City’s prosperity was beyond doubt. The orderly layout, bustling streets, and towering skyscrapers all brought Wen Jiang a sense of familiarity.

Directly beneath the area where Spirit Card Masters were active, there was a large mall. Life was convenient now with home delivery available, yet the streets were still bustling with people. As Wen Jiang pushed a shopping cart into the mall’s underground supermarket, the large screens in the mall were broadcasting a live card competition. Among the passing crowd, one could occasionally hear discussions about cards.

"Did you manage to get any of the limited-edition card merchandise released by the Holy Beast Association last time? Ah, it’s a pity they were too expensive; I really couldn’t afford them."

Two young girls chattered as they walked by. One of them said, "The Holy Beast Association’s merchandise is still somewhat reasonable. But look at the Mountain Ghost Association I’m a fan of! They’re practically using Crane Emperor as a cash cow. Their card merchandise gets more expensive with each release. That SSR limited-edition merchandise was snapped up by a wealthy fan for the auspicious price of 8.88 million—almost ten million for a mere Ordinary Card!"

Wen Jiang overheard their conversation, and the System chimed in, "[Speaking of which, the B-Rank cards you make are so good-looking. Why don’t you sell them yourself? It’s much more profitable than selling them to the Mount Flower Association.]"

Wen Jiang pushed her cart into the supermarket, where densely packed goods were neatly arranged, a dazzling sight. She walked into the snack aisle, casually picking out some food she wanted, then responded to the System in her mind.

Wen Jiang: Because Nobility exists in this world.

Zero Egg: "[Huh? What’s the problem with Nobility?]"

Although Zero Egg came from a higher civilization, it clearly hadn’t undergone tests of human nature. It only processed system data and thus couldn’t grasp the deeper meaning here.

Wen Jiang: Why do you think I started by making B-Rank cards right off the bat? My initial idea was just to make a custom card; it was pure chance. I hadn’t expected people from the Mount Flower Association to approach me. I had looked into their association’s details a few days prior. Mount Flower is an established Card Association with a glorious past. However, it has been on the decline in recent years, its online reputation isn’t good, but I sense their management does want to change this situation.

As for the Nobility?

I’m an ordinary person, and then there’s also Song Yingchen, that ’grandson’ of mine, holding me back. Despite being a talented Spirit Card Master, he’s a hindrance. Making B-Level cards doesn’t draw much attention. By taking advantage of the situation to establish a suitable connection, I can peacefully create cards and build my strength. Conversely, if I suddenly stood out and the Nobility noticed me, I’d either have to cooperate with them or be eliminated by them.

Zero Egg was stunned: "[Your connection to the Nobility... wait, you only know that ’grandson.’ How could you get involved with the Nobility, and why would they want to eliminate you?]"

Wen Jiang chuckled. So, I advise you to collect data properly. The Nobility are not a good thing.

This was the conclusion she had drawn from information she found online. In the era she came from, only a few countries had nobility; it symbolized status but didn’t have a severe impact. But in this world, the Nobility stood on equal footing with the state; even an empire like the Yunxia Empire currently struggled to control them. What’s more, the Nobility monopolized cards.

Among the well-known noble families, Wen Jiang found that none of the SSR-Rank Cards they possessed had ever appeared in the military. In contrast, cards produced by the nation’s own Spirit Card Masters were primarily for collective use by the military. Even for powerful SSR-Rank Cards, if one of a nation’s S-Rank Spirit Card Masters had one, others in similar positions would likely also have them or be able to create them.

In the Yunxia Empire, out of five UR-Level Spirit Card Masters, only Li Huijun was affiliated with the state and not the Nobility.

A card master capable of creating new cards, yet lacking power or influence, might not immediately attract the Nobility’s attention. However, the cards she made would inevitably threaten their core interests in the future. Because from the very beginning—she was opposed to the Nobility. She was, after all, an unwavering believer in Yunxia’s socialist principles—how could she accept the existence of Nobility?

Wen Jiang clarified straightforwardly in her mind: My purpose in making cards is to select a suitable Card Association. Initially, I considered the Holy Beast Association because it’s state-affiliated. But then I realized that joining now would mean sticking my neck out. So, it’s better to collaborate with the Mount Flower Association first. Once I have money, other matters will be easier to handle as well.

Zero Egg listened, baffled. However, observing this world’s history, it could indeed discern some telltale signs. It fell silent for a long moment before saying, "[It sounds like you really dislike the Nobility.]"

Wen Jiang: Mm.

She admitted it quite honestly. Although Zero Egg didn’t understand, it had been with Wen Jiang for several days, and they’d muddled through together. It still sided with its host.

After buying a large pile of snacks, Wen Jiang was pushing her cart towards the checkout when an exquisitely beautiful young girl, also pushing a shopping cart, approached her. The girl was looking left and right in the supermarket aisle, wearing a white batwing shirt and a small, elegant round hat. She exuded an aura that seemed out of place in such ordinary surroundings, like a princess from a fairy tale. Her movements were somewhat awkward; she gripped the cart handle tightly, her eyes darting around aimlessly.

Around her stood several individuals who were clearly well-trained. Despite their plain clothes, their formidable presence was undeniable. They watched the girl intently, a hint of nervousness in their eyes. These were her protectors.

"[Enemies certainly have a way of finding each other!] Zero Egg suddenly issued a warning. "[Host, this person is in the database! She’s your number one love rival in the future! The young lady from the Qiao Family—Qiao Yuxiao!]"

Zero Egg was a small system. It could only deduce future trajectories based on data from headquarters and the original story template. So, naturally, certain key characters would trigger its radar upon appearing. That was about the extent of its functionality.

Wen Jiang was familiar with Miss Qiao. Before dropping out of school, the original Wen Jiang had overheard bullies gossiping that Song Yingchen had recently been in close contact with Miss Qiao.

The current Wen Jiang had no interest. She merely glanced at Qiao Yuxiao and even remarked to the System, Very pretty. Too good for my ’grandson.’

Yet, her face expressionless, she walked past Qiao Yuxiao.

However, as she passed by, her strength having recently increased, her hearing was astonishing. She overheard a voice transmitting from a small butterfly-shaped stud on Qiao Yuxiao’s ear: "Miss, that’s Wen Jiang."

Qiao Yuxiao seemed somewhat surprised and couldn’t resist turning her head to look at Wen Jiang again. She only saw Wen Jiang’s back: a tall, lean figure. As they brushed past, a faint scar seemed visible on Wen Jiang’s cheek. She exuded a unique, cold aloofness.