Chapter 468 - There Are Too Many Jerry-built Building Projects Nowadays!
Chapter 468 There Are Too Many Jerry-built Building Projects Nowadays!
Sword Card Master Association.
Lu Ming’s life had also returned to normal.
The [quasi seven-star] storm was over. After the defeat, Lu Ming could only stare at the dozens of tons of calming fluid in the association, feeling dejected, getting over his defeat.
At this moment…
In his room.
Lu Ming was working hard on studying cards.
He thoroughly understood the effects of the Sunlight Card. When used on a target, it would result in an increase in strength and energy. When there was no target, it was a group-based AOE[1] explosion.
As for the Moonlight Card, its effects when released on a specific target were obvious. It would result in an increase in strength and energy, similar to the transformation of Sailor Moon… But what would happen if the Moonlight Card was released when there was no target?
Hence…
Lu Ming specially went to the association’s testing area for testing.
Buzz—
He released the Moonlight Card. A familiar moon emerged from the sky, turning into a crescent. Data flashed on the machine, saying that it was peak five-star.
It was similar to Lu Ming’s current energy. It was a very ordinary ability.
Lu Ming began to take notes conscientiously. When the Moonlight Card was released towards no specific target, the effect would be a group based AOE wipe out.
It was still a pretty good ability.
It was a pity…
It had no effect on him now.
It was the Stars Card that Lu Ming was most concerned about!
This was the first six-star card that he integrated and it was his strongest card. It was a top-notch six-star card that had an astounding enhancement effect!
With the increase from the sun, moon and stars, Lu Ming’s combat abilities had increased tremendously!
However…
What would it be if he released the card by itself?
What would the effect of a top-notch six-star card be?
Hence…
Lu Ming took out the card.
Afterward…
He looked at the card testing area at the association. There was a moment of silence and he put aside the card quietly.
It had been very long since he had gone to The First Academy.
As a graduate of The First Academy, Lu Ming felt that he already had some small achievements and hence that he should make more trips back to his alma mater as one should not forget one’s roots.
Hence, Lu Ming quietly returned to The First Academy.
…
The First Academy.
The dean was eating a freshly cooked steak.
It was fresh and tender.
It was crispy.
“This is indeed the golden sacred bull.”
The dean was filled with emotions. “I heard that the price of beef has dropped?”
“Yes.”
The assistant was glad.
For some reason, the price of pork had soared. The canteen in the school was under immense pressure and their expenses had doubled! They were considering whether to use the mountain behind the school to raise pigs in the next month and to train their students’ breeding skills…
They did not expect the price of beef to drop!
With the increase in the price of pork and the decrease in the price of beef, their spending was balanced out.
“I heard that the place of origin of the golden sacred bulls collapsed and many bulls died, resulting in a large amount of top-notch beef to be sold in the market. This was why the price of beef dropped drastically,” the assistant explained.
“Oh?”
The dean was interested. “What happened there?”
“It seems to be related to the internal conflict of the Swordsmen,” the assistant said.
“Swordsman… legacy site…”
The dean frowned slightly and he remembered something. “I remember Lu Ming was also there?”
“Yes.”
The assistant nodded.
The dean fell silent.
The assistant was silent.
“Well…
The dean pondered briefly. “Do you think if…”
“Dean.”
The assistant sighed. “This is the internal conflict of the Swordsmen. It was said that the unconvinced conservatives launched a counterattack, wanting to snipe them.
“Instead…
“According to what the investigation concluded, Lu Ming defeated them and saved the Swordsmen.
“To that…
“The Swordsman Association even issued a public statement thanking Lu Ming. It really had nothing to do with Lu Ming,” the assistant said earnestly.
The dean was a good man except that he was very suspicious of Lu Ming.
“The legacy site…”
The dean was skeptical.
“I heard that the ancient Sword Embryo exploded,” the assistant explained.
“Alright.”
The dean understood.
Oo…
Perhaps he had misunderstood him again?
The dean rubbed his head. It did not matter whether he misunderstood him or not!
As long as Lu Ming did not make trouble for him…
Right then.
The assistant spoke up. “Dean.”
“Yes?”
The dean looked up.
“Well…
The assistant looked at the communication device and said in a low voice, “Lu Ming is going to the testing area now.”
Shush!
The dean stiffened.
Lu Ming…
Again?!
He still remembered the last time Lu Ming went to the testing area, he had no idea what Lu Ming and Xiao Yuntian were up to, but the entire testing area was almost destroyed!
It had just been fixed!!!
Again?!
Although every time it was proven that it had nothing to do with Lu Ming, he still felt ill at ease.
This child…
Even if he was not the culprit, he was also the bane of others’ existence!
Who could afford to offend him!?
“Hurry.
“Close the doors!”
The dean was in a panic. “Tell him that the testing area is not ready.”
“Well…
“Lu Ming has already gone inside.”
The assistant sighed.
“Who let him in?”
The dean was furious.
“You gave Lu Ming special permission last time,” the assistant said softly.
“Oh.”
The dean came to his senses.
Damn it.
This was not easy to deal with.
The kid was already there. He could not possibly send him away?
He was after all a president of an association. Besides, Lu Ming was polite with everyone. He could not stop him from testing his cards just because he was unlucky!
As a big shot in the Ministry of Education and the dean of The First Academy… he must not be superstitious!
“In that case…
“Let’s go to the testing area.”
The dean sighed deeply.
Every time Lu Ming was here, there would be trouble. He wanted to know what was the reason!
The time was just right.
He had just finished his work. He wanted to see if anything would happen during Lu Ming’s testing!
Hence, the dean went to the testing area as well.
Over there, Lu Ming was getting ready to do the testing.
“Lu Ming.”
The dean smiled.
“Dean,” Lu Ming said respectfully.
“Well…”
The dean smiled. “I am just here to look around. You can go ahead and test your card.”
“Okay.”
Lu Ming nodded slightly.
The dean…
It was good that he was around.
Although theoretically this place could withstand attacks at the seven-star level, look at what had happened last time! A machine exploded and half of the testing area was destroyed!
Testing areas nowadays were jerry-built building projects!
The quality was really bad!
Lu Ming felt more safe with the dean around.
Hence, Lu Ming refocused his attention.
Shush!
The Original Card silently materialized a card—a top-notch six-star card: Stars Card.
Phew…
Lu Ming took a deep breath.
When the Stars Card was released on a specific target, there would be a radiance of starlight between the eyebrows. One’s energy would increase significantly and the combat abilities would be increased. It could be used with the Sunlight Card and the Moonlight Card.
When there was no specific target…
Shush!
Lu Ming raised his hand.
Buzz—
The Stars Card dissipated.
Countless crystal clear blue light particles dissipated in the air.
At this very moment, the dean in the lounge suddenly squinted his eyes.
This was the power of a peak six-star!
Given his abilities, he could tell the power of the card with one glance. He had seen hundreds of thousands of similar cards being tested there everyday. There was nothing to worry about.
Oo…
It seemed that he had been worrying for nothing.
He was more at ease now.
Lu Ming was merely a peak five-star. Even if he skipped levels, he would not go too far. There was nothing to worry about.
Hence…
He savored his tea.
At this very moment…
Lu Ming was still testing.
The Stars Card turned into countless particles and dissipated. There was no special effect. After a long while, data popped up on the testing area—
Peak six-star, 1.0 realm.
Afterward, there was nothing.
It was as calm as water.
The effects were similar to the four-star Moonlight Card.
Although he could not see any attacking effects or how were the attacks being executed, given the flash of the blue lights…
Star flash?
That should be it.
Moonlight Card: The slash of the full moon.
Sunlight Card: The bursting of the sunlight.
Stars Card: Starlight flash.
It seemed that this was a group attack that had ordinary power.
The Moonlight Card, Sunlight Card and Stars Card were essentially Incremental Cards!
Although they could be released at no specific targets, they only had average effects. If not for the sunlight characteristics of the Sunlight Card that could eliminate shadows, it would be an average card.
The three cards were relatively weak. They were not even comparable to ordinary advanced cards.
“A—alright.”
Lu Ming understood now.
He was somewhat disappointed.
After all…
Were his expectations too high?
This was his most powerful card so far. But it could only be created through integration. He had too high expectations for it.
Forget it.
Incremental Cards were fairly good as well.
Especially after the integration of the moon, sunlight and stars!
Lu Ming clearly remembered that when the three cards were used together, he was like the Monkey King[2]! The sunlight shone brightly behind him, blue lights condensed around him, and starlight shone between his eyebrows!
His combat abilities had improved tremendously!
What else could be dissatisfied with?
Hence…
Lu Ming felt much better.
“Dean.”
“I will go back now,” Lu Ming said respectfully.
“Okay,”
The dean had a kind smile on his face as he watched Lu Ming leave. The next thing he did was check the entire testing area for any changes.
The energy was normal.
The equipment was normal.
The air pressure was normal.
He had checked every place that could be tested.
He even checked the toilet.
With his powerful perception abilities, he turned the entire testing area upside down. Everything was normal. There were no changes. Everything was intact.
Phew.
The dean breathed a sigh of relief.
It was alright!
That was great!
It seemed that what happened recently had nothing to do with Lu Ming.
That was true.
If every testing would end up in trouble, Lu Ming would not be able to come up with so many cards! However, at the thought of this, the dean felt guilty.
After all…
He had misunderstood the child again!
For unknown reasons, every time something happened, he would feel that it was related to Lu Ming…
Heh.
At the thought of this…
The dean had a wry smile on his face. True enough… as people became older, they were more paranoid… He was an outstanding child…
“Tell me…
“Am I really getting old?”
The dean was somewhat melancholic.
“How can that be?”
The assistant comforted him. “You are the role model for many cultivators.”
“In the future…
“There is no need to report to me when Lu Ming uses the testing area.”
the dean said.
“Okay.”
The assistant smiled faintly.
The dean had finally sorted out his thoughts!!!
“Also…
“You can tell the spy in the Sword Card Master Association to come back.”
The dean waved his hands.
“Yes.”
The assistant nodded slightly.
After a long time…
They finally left.
…
At this very moment…
Lu Ming had returned to the Sword Card Master Association.
The testing with the Stars Card was completed. Lu Ming made sure that he was in the right state and got ready to study other cards.
However, previously he went to the legacy site and had no time to rest, he had just come back and was being challenged. He had been tensed up all the while. Right now, it was just right for him to have a good rest.
Hence…
When night came, he went to bed early.
The next day.
Xiaobai woke him up as usual.
“Master!
“It’s time to wake up.”
Xiaobai knocked on the door.
“Okay,”
Lu Ming stretched, washed up and had breakfast.
Well…
There were beancurd, oil-fried fritters, porridge… except for Liangpi[3].
“It was sold out.”
Xiaobai blinked her big eyes, speaking in an innocent voice.
Humph!
She decided to make sure that her master kicked the habit of slurping Liangpi! This was a bad habit! Slurping something so long all the way to the throat…
It would hurt the body!
Therefore, she deliberately avoided buying it today.
“It’s okay.”
Lu Ming shrugged.
It was fine that it was sold out. She could buy it next time.
Shush!
A screen popped up.
The young and old looked at the news while eating.
The content was…
It was as usual.
The first half of the news: Everything was good in Tian Du City. The second half of the news: Other cities were in dire straits. All kinds of beasts scurried about everyday. Legacy sites collapsed and murderers were on the run.
This was generally the case.
They would usually only pay attention to the messy news during their meals, and to have a rough understanding of the current situation in this world.
However…
As the news broadcast reached the end, there was suddenly an insertion of emergency news.
“News report on Tian Du City.
“Today around four o’clock in the morning, a passing planet meteorite affected by unknown forces, broke through the atmosphere and fell onto The First Academy…”
Ss——
Lu Ming slurped half a bowl of beancurd.
Meteorites?
The First Academy?!
Suddenly, he had a bad premonition.
Xiaobai was silent.
“Master!
Xiaobai puffed up her face in anger.
“Be good.
“Wait a minute.”
Lu Ming fixed his eyes on the news.
“As this incident happened in the middle of the night, and people who did testing were six-star and above, it did not result in any casualties, but…”
Over there…
In the news, it showed how the testing area looked like now.
That place…
It had become a meteorite crater.
Lu Ming was speechless.
Damn!
It was really gone!!!
“This…”
Lu Ming’s mouth felt dry.
He supposed that this had nothing to do with him?!
“i don’t think so?”
Xiao-Xiaojian felt super guilty as well.
Lu Ming was silent.
Damn it!
He tested in The First Academy for everyone’s safety… After all, if he was elsewhere, even in the wilderness, he might also hurt innocent people!
The existence of the testing area…
Was to provide people with a place to test their abilities safely and accurately!!!
Who the hell knew this would happen!
This would not do!
He had to go to The First Academy to take a look!
At the thought of this…
Lu Ming stood up.
“Master?”
Xiaobai was slightly worried.
She noticed that her master did not look good.
Oo…
“Master.
“Did you slurp too much beancurd just now?”
Xiaobai was worried.
She told him not to slurp!
“It’s okay.”
Lu Ming had a forced smile, as he stroked Xiaobai’s head. “Hey girl, don’t worry. This type of white viscous liquid won’t hurt the throat.”
“Huh?”
Xiaobai blinked her eyes.
“Be good.
“I have some matters. I will be going out for a while.”
Lu Ming reassured Xiaobai and hurried to The First Academy.
…
At this very moment…
The First Academy.
In the testing area.
A crowd had already formed near the meteorite crater.
The disciples of The First Academy took photos of the meteorite crater out of amazement. Some even recorded videos, doing live streaming…
As for the dean, he looked dumbstruck.
The testing area…
Why was it gone?!
Yesterday he was worried that the testing area would be demolished by Lu Ming, and had specially checked the area. He did not expect that after one night, it would be gone today…
Meteorites?!
Damn! Did this make any sense?!
However…
Why were there meteorites?!
And…
There had never been a problem since the testing area was built, why would this happen today…
Unknowingly…
He remembered that Lu Ming tested the cards yesterday.
However…
He tested the cards right in front of him. He could sense the card from beginning until the end. It was indeed an ordinary six-star card.
That was all.
Therefore…
What the hell was going on with the meteorite?
Or was it really a coincidence?
Very soon…
Lu Ming reached the college in a hurry and saw the dean next to the meteorite. The two of them glanced at each other, both of them looking doubtful…
“You are here.”
The dean sighed deeply.
“Yes.”
Lu Ming felt very helpless too.
“This situation…”
The dean looked toward the front.
“I don’t know,”
Lu Ming said honestly.
“A newly researched card?”
The dean asked.
“Yes.”
Lu Ming nodded.
“Can you still use it?”
The dean asked.
“Yes.”
Lu Ming nodded.
“Very good.”
The dean thought it through and decided that it was actually very easy to figure things out. “I’ll take you to a place to test this card a few more times.”
“Okay,”
Lu Ming said earnestly.
He also wanted to understand the function of this card.
“Let’s go.”
The dean got up and left with Lu Ming. “I will help you to find a very good place for testing.”
“Okay.”
Lu Ming was very cooperative.
This time…
He was not going to fool anyone.
The testing area was gone. If it was really his responsibility, he would be accountable for it! He only wanted to find a safe place to do testing…
He did not plan to fool others.
Of course.
If it had nothing to do with him… he would not take the blame!
As such…
It was better to figure it out.
“Very good.”
The dean felt glad.
Given that Lu Ming was so cooperative, this incident must have nothing to do with him. After all, it would take a lot of power to attract a meteorite…
“By the way, what is the name of your card?”
“Stars Card.”
The dean stiffened.
…
[1] Area of effect is a term used in many role-playing and strategy games to describe attacks or spells that can affect multiple targets within a specified area
[2] The Monkey King, known as Sun Wukong in Chinese, is a legendary figure best known as one of the main characters in the Chinese novel Journey to the West.
[3] Liangpi is a noodle-like Chinese dish made from wheat or rice flour. It is a specialty dish originating from the cuisine of the Shaanxi Province but has now spread to many other places in China.