Chapter 267: 267 I’m stubborn, I’ll stay for a while longer_1
Not being able to use cards... doesn’t that mean his spiritual power is completely crippled? Wen Jiang was somewhat surprised. She knew that in this world, spiritual power was everything for a Spirit Card Master. Tan Heming’s situation was more serious than she had imagined. That meant Mountain Ghost’s trump card had been directly destroyed. For next year’s competition, it was equivalent to losing half of it in advance. Finding someone to replace Tan Heming at this time would not be easy.
"Mountain Ghost..." Wen Jiang said, "The copyright for the Black Tortoise card, isn’t it in Mountain Ghost’s hands?"
"That’s right," Tang Qian sighed. "That’s why some suspect this might be targeting the Card Maker of the Black Tortoise, especially since Yunxia has produced another UR-Rank Spirit Card Master, something other countries wouldn’t want to see."
"I heard that person had been undercover in Mountain Ghost for many years, which nobody expected. Now they’ve suddenly struck, clearly revealing their hand in advance."
As for why Tan Heming was targeted? That left outsiders baffled. It was true that Tan Heming was currently Mountain Ghost’s top star Spirit Card Master, but destroying him to target the Card Maker of Black Tortoise didn’t quite add up.
"Is the person connected to the Fiend?" Wen Jiang asked. She naturally didn’t tell Tang Qian that she was currently in Ceylon Cemetery, the Fiend’s lair.
"Yes, that’s what the disseminated information says. It’s unclear where the person has fled. Moreover, we don’t know how they accomplished it; currently, no card on the market has demonstrated the ability to seal another’s spiritual power."
When considering a Spirit Card Master’s combat methods, cards were naturally the first thing that came to mind. A card that could seal another’s spiritual power was indeed terrifying.
Wen Jiang said, "If you get a chance, send me a photo of that person. I’d like to familiarize myself with their face."
If the assailant who targeted Tan Heming hasn’t been caught, they will definitely flee back to Ceylon Cemetery.
She just didn’t understand the Fiend’s motive for targeting Tan Heming. If it truly turned out to be someone from the Fiend, she estimated Yunxia wouldn’t let it slide easily. They would likely demand an explanation from the Fiend, given Tan Heming’s extraordinary status.
"I can do that," Tang Qian replied. She had also called Wen Jiang to remind her, "You’re currently out and about. I called to urge you to be cautious."
If Wen Jiang wanted to participate in the S-Rank group, she was about to advance to S Rank. Such a rapid promotion speed would certainly attract attention. Coupled with Wen Jiang’s sudden disappearance, people had recently been speculating about what she was up to.
After hanging up, Wen Jiang returned to her temporary home and checked the domestic news. So far, no news about Tan Heming’s incident had leaked. The matter was too serious; it would surely be concealed by the higher-ups.
It won’t be kept secret for long...
Zero Egg also said, "Indeed. Mountain Ghost’s competition begins next month. If Tan Heming doesn’t show up, it will definitely arouse suspicion."
Wen Jiang clicked her tongue. Tang Qian calling means his spiritual power has been completely suppressed. This isn’t something a card can do. If it’s related to the Fiend, then it must be related to that woman, Yu Jian. Has she gone mad, targeting Tan Heming? Then again, it might not be her. But that woman has obtained who knows how many items through the System. It’s also possible someone else used these items against Tan Heming. Just like how Yu Jian targeted Hua Zhuo back then.
Hua Zhuo’s spiritual power had not fully recovered. Although she was S Rank, her hopes of advancing to UR Rank had been utterly dashed. According to her, she could use Spirit Cards but not create them—a devastating blow, not to mention her leg injury.
Tang Qian soon sent over a photo. Wen Jiang examined it carefully. The person was quite memorable, with a notably thin and long face and a shrewd expression; their features were striking enough to be etched into memory at first glance.
After memorizing the person’s face, Wen Jiang asked Zero Egg, "Can you still not fully deploy surveillance?"
Due to the Heaven’s Mandate System’s monitoring, Zero Egg was somewhat restricted in Ceylon Cemetery, at most serving as an additional internet tool for Wen Jiang.
"It’s a bit difficult," Zero Egg said. "Currently, I can only confirm that the Heaven’s Mandate System isn’t in Ceylon City, but the measures it left behind are still effective. Causing too much of a disturbance would attract attention."
Otherwise, Zero Egg would have already infiltrated Ceylon Castle’s surveillance systems and watched everything hundreds of times over.
Wen Jiang nodded. She had just handed a card set to Karin and received a summons from the Blood Emperor. And now, he had warned the Mech King on her behalf, which was a bit strange.
Zero Egg likely sensed Wen Jiang’s thoughts. "Do you think there’s something wrong with that Blood Emperor?"
"A big problem," Wen Jiang admitted. "He must be a UR-Rank Spirit Card Master."
Zero Egg was shocked. "Ah? Isn’t it rumored that he’s only S-Rank?"
"If he were merely S-Rank, he wouldn’t be managing the most profitable Sixth Division." Wen Jiang lowered her head, a dark glint flashing in her eyes. "It now seems the entire Ceylon City is under the Blood Emperor’s control. Otherwise, no one would have escalated the conflict between me and the Mech King to the Blood Emperor."
Zero Egg was worried. "If he’s UR-Rank, I don’t think you can necessarily beat him. For safety’s sake, should we make a run for it?"
Wen Jiang said, "Let’s wait and see."
After all, she had a trump card she didn’t want to use unless absolutely necessary.
However, events took a slightly unexpected turn. The next day, Karin brought Wen Jiang a file, saying with a smile, "The Blood Emperor said this is a reward for the excellent card set you made. It includes some information about the Underground Arena. We know you came to Ceylon Cemetery for your brother."
After Karin finished speaking, Wen Jiang looked up, a timely trace of ferocity appearing in her eyes. It wasn’t too obvious, but it matched Karin’s imagination.
Karin shrugged, unconcerned by Wen Jiang’s expression, and said, "Perhaps there’s information about your brother in there. Helena, you’re quite good to have caught the Blood Emperor’s attention. But... you’d better pray his interest in you is only because of your performance. After all, the Celestial Maiden..."
She stopped there.
It was just that this time, her mention of the Celestial Maiden’s name was no longer an unconscious slip. Wen Jiang was already certain Karin was also being deliberate. These people in Ceylon City... each one is more interesting than the last.
Wen Jiang slowly accepted the file. Karin smiled, turned, and left.
Zero Egg was shocked. "Your brother is fake! Where did the Blood Emperor get information about him for you?"
Wen Jiang said, "He knows I fabricated information."
Zero Egg exclaimed, "Ah?! Then why don’t you run!"
Wen Jiang said, "That’s to be expected. He knows I fabricated information, but the persona of Helena is real. At most, he suspects I have other motives for entering Ceylon City."
Zero Egg was confused. "I’m a bit lost with all your human twists and turns. So, will you run?"
Wen Jiang said, "No rush. I’m stubborn. I’ll stay a bit longer."
At least the disguise in her documents was convincing enough. The Blood Emperor saw through it but didn’t expose her. He either wants to see my true objective or wants to get more cards from me. After all, the cards I make are genuinely high-quality items.
Zero Egg was speechless. "...Alright then."