CHAPTER 71: 071 THE REPLACED ASSASSIN_1

Chen Runyu was a familiar face, and he was decisive about buying cards. He hadn’t bothered her afterward, so Wen Jiang had a fairly good impression of him.

"Sure," Wen Jiang replied.

Wen Jiang could already use dual Spirit Cards to engage in tough battles while still in the B Level Group, Tang Qian recalled. She’ll only become stronger after ascending to A-Level.

As a result, the two pressing issues that had been weighing on her heart suddenly resolved, leaving Tang Qian scarcely able to believe her good fortune.

Tang Qian offered some token advice, "This is an important matter for anyone. Don’t you want to think about it some more?"

"I don’t mind," Wen Jiang said.

I haven’t forgotten my mission, Wen Jiang thought. It’s to get closer to the higher echelons of the Mount Flower Association and learn about the Jimo Family, so I can find out what that Heritage Card is all about. I’m not doing these tasks for any other reason; my curiosity about the System is actually greater. I just want to know what the System will ultimately give me as I complete each step. Zero Egg is clearly just a vessel for the System. Those higher-level tasks are obviously not something it can issue.

Seeing Wen Jiang’s casual attitude, Tang Qian didn’t press further, fearing she might talk her out of it entirely.

She couldn’t hide the elation in her heart. "I’ll go back and discuss your promotion and group transfer with my superiors. Also, regarding the cards, consider it a private collaboration between you and the Mount Flower Association. If you’re willing to give us exclusive rights, nothing could be better."

"Hmm," Wen Jiang acknowledged with a soft hum.

The negotiation was proceeding smoothly, with only the report to the higher-ups and contract signing remaining. Still, Tang Qian was curious about the background of the "Jade Rabbit Pestle Medicine" card. "Where did you hear the story behind the Jade Rabbit Pestle Medicine card," she asked, "or did you just make it up?"

Wen Jiang opened her eyes and gave her a meaningful look before saying, "When I was little, I lived in a slum. There was an old man there who often told me myths and legends not found in textbooks. Maybe he heard them from somewhere else."

Her answer was too casual.

It’s not that simple, Tang Qian sensed, but she knew when to stop probing.

Hearing this, she nodded and said, "Miss Wen, thank you for today."

As she was about to leave, Wen Jiang asked lazily, "You haven’t mentioned the card deck requirements yet. I could start preparing in advance. What kind of deck do you need?"

Tang Qian paused blankly for a moment, then said seriously, "Actually, our association generally relies on a variety of styles and strategic decks. This time, however, the leadership hopes the A-Level members can try to break through with a powerful offensive deck, similar to how the Holy Beast Association uses overwhelming offensive power to break stalemates."

So, an offensive deck, Wen Jiang mused. Even support and control roles need to lean towards dealing damage.

Wen Jiang nodded. "Understood. What’s the deadline?"

Tang Qian sighed. "After the Star Tournament ends, the preliminary screenings for next year’s World League will start in October. It would be good if the cards could be ready by then."

It was currently July, so there was plenty of time.

After settling everything, Wen Jiang had Nian Jian escort Tang Qian downstairs.

When Nian Jian obediently approached her, Tang Qian quickly waved her hands. "No, no, I can see myself out. There’s no need to be so polite."

Before Nian Jian could insist, Tang Qian practically fled out the door.

Nian Jian looked back at Wen Jiang, seemingly a little aggrieved. "Doesn’t that sister like me?"

Wen Jiang gave Nian Jian an incredulous look. "Isn’t it perfectly normal for someone not to like you? You’re not money; why would everyone love you?"

Nian Jian was speechless.

"Go clean your cabinet," Wen Jiang said.

Nian Jian fell silent.

Compared to her initial timidity, Nian Jian had clearly become much bolder. She huffed petulantly and returned to her tasks.

Wen Jiang frowned. If I provide the deck in October and represent the A-Rank Group in the competition, doesn’t that mean I can’t advance to S Rank for a year? Otherwise, if our cooperation with Chen Runyu’s team is going well and I suddenly advance to S Rank, their team would be finished.

Zero Egg expressed surprise, "You can advance to S Rank within a year?"

In this world, many people can’t break through even one level in their entire lifetime. Wen Jiang’s advancement from B-Level to A-Level is already preposterous.

Wen Jiang didn’t answer. The thought of the Tribulation weighed heavily on her heart. True, the heavenly lightning for the A-Level Tribulation had been blocked by someone else’s SSR Card for so long. The S Rank Tribulation will likely be even more outrageous. Without powerful cards, I won’t be able to withstand it; even an A-Rank Card doesn’t offer a sense of security. If I want to advance to S Rank, I’ll probably need to create one or several SSR Cards. Considering this, a year should be enough time to prepare.

After returning to the association, Tang Qian held an overnight video conference with the management to discuss matters concerning Wen Jiang.

At the same time, she was also trying to gauge the attitude of the higher-ups.

The Jimo Family was currently unstable, and the members of the Mount Flower Association were restless. The higher-ups hadn’t said anything about abandoning the association, so Tang Qian was unsure of their future direction.

The appearance of someone like Wen Jiang at this time might bolster their morale, Tang Qian thought. At the same time, I don’t want someone of her caliber to stay in an association already in decline, just like I advised Chen Runyu before.

Soon, the higher-ups gave Tang Qian some good news.

"What happened to General Jimo Xiao is regrettable. However, the Jimo Family still has a pillar: a woman named Hua Zhuo, rumored to be General Jimo Xiao’s sworn sister. She has handled his affairs this time. For now, the Jimo Family hasn’t suffered too great an impact. The future is uncertain, but the current unrest has been somewhat quelled."

"Additionally, they said they might inspect the association in the coming days and possibly visit the A-Rank Group. Inform the Spirit Card Masters to be on their best behavior and not cause any trouble."

After all, most people in the association were commoners, while those from the Jimo Family were true Nobility.

This news lifted Tang Qian’s spirits. After discussing Wen Jiang’s situation with the higher-ups, it was only natural that the newly promoted Wen Jiang would be assigned to her group.

Having settled these matters, Tang Qian gathered several A-Rank team members early the next morning.

It was Chen Runyu’s group.

This team was highly regarded and expected to compete in the World League’s A-Rank team tournament. Chen Runyu was one of them. The other three teammates were veteran Spirit Card Masters who had been with the Mount Flower Association for several years and possessed formidable combat abilities. Only one person was somewhat problematic.

This person was an assassin, and Tang Qian was already quite dissatisfied with him. Yesterday, when she inquired and learned that Wen Jiang was willing to join the team competition, her biggest worries were resolved.

The four, including Chen Runyu, obediently arrived, but the assassin was nowhere to be seen. Tang Qian pinched the bridge of her nose and asked the support-role Spirit Card Master, "Where’s your roommate?"

The support player was silent for two seconds before replying, "He didn’t come back yesterday."

To facilitate training, they usually lived at the association.

Upon hearing this, a look of disgust flickered in Tang Qian’s eyes.