The sound of sword clashing reverberated through the arena. 

The audience barely had time to register what had happened. By the time they came to their senses, they only saw that thin, strange-looking sword thrusting straight at Ye Zilan, blocked just in time by the Sword of Judgment. 

It was clear that Ye Zilan wasn’t having an easy time—just lifting the sword required a considerable amount of spiritual strength, and worse, Su Liqian’s move had been far too fast. 

Even though that delicate-looking sword was blocked, it still delivered a heavy impact, pushing Ye Zilan back several meters. 

This is bad… 

Ye Zilan frowned. 

Every new card Su Liqian used was never simple. 

What made things worse was that none of these cards existed in any known Star Net records. He couldn’t even plan a strategy—he didn’t even know the name of the Illusion World they came from. 

In contrast to the already-sweating Ye Zilan, Su Liqian looked way too relaxed. 

She hadn’t even moved from her spot, yet she’d managed to push someone wielding the Sword of Judgment to the brink. 

With a small flick of her wrist, that thin sword suddenly split into dozens, all circling around Ye Zilan and ready to strike. 

Okay, now this was seriously weird. 

No one in the interstellar had seen a weapon like this before, and curiosity about this Illusion World only grew. 

【What the heck! Can someone tell me what this tiny sword is?! Is it really that powerful?】 

【??? What’s going on? How can it split into multiple swords?】 

【Whoa, it didn’t break after hitting the Sword of Judgment? What material is this sword made from?】 

【This ability is a bit overpowered, is the opponent going to lose? I thought the Sword of Judgment was an automatic win.】 

【Does anyone remember that weird container the female contestant used earlier? I think this card game has some serious surprises.】 

【From what I observe, the opponent is probably unable to use the Sword of Judgment to attack anymore. For someone of that age, this is probably his first time using such a powerful card.】 

【Who exactly is Su Liqian?】 

【Please, when this person becomes famous, can they promote these new Illusion World? I really love them!!!】 

【Anyone know Su Liqian’s Star Arts account? I need to follow her ASAP.】 

【…】 

As most people had guessed, Ye Zilan was running on fumes. 

It was his first time using a card like the Sword of Judgment, which required both powerful spiritual strength and rich experience. For someone his age, it was a bit too much. 

The outcome was already clear. 

Ye Zilan was no fool. 

As those swirling sword shadows blurred his vision, he knew how this match would end. 

“I lost.” 

Forcing a smile, Ye Zilan walked over, congratulated Su Liqian, and left her with a slightly despondent back as he exited. 

Su Liqian had won, and it was a hard-earned victory. 

From the corner of her eye, she noticed that Ye Congyi had already left his seat in the audience, but the cheers still echoed across the arena. 

The live audience was hyped, and viewer numbers in the livestream were still skyrocketing. Even though the match was over, the comment section was still going crazy. 

Without her even realizing it, Su Liqian had already made it onto the Star World trending list, becoming one of the “Top Ten Dark Horse Competitors” of this card competition. 

Her Star Art account, once just an ordinary profile, was now quickly gaining tens of thousands of followers, turning her into a rising star of the star district. 

Her match clips were getting replayed constantly, but no matter how hard people analyzed them, no one could figure out how her strange cards worked—or where they came from. 

Everyone agreed on one thing: she was full of surprises, and not someone you wanted to go up against. 

This was the summary of most viewers after watching the video. 

As for all the discussions online, Su Liqian wasn’t paying much attention. She’d been deeply immersed in studying The Illustrated World lately. Before she even got around to crafting a new card, she received a sudden message from Ning Yishi— 

Ning Yishi: There’s a lecture at Xingqi University this week. It should be quite enlightening. Would you like to attend? 

Ning Yishi invited her to a lecture at Xingqi University? 

Su Liqian was totally caught off guard. She wasn’t even sure how to respond. 

Was this just a casual invite, or did Ning Yishi want her help with something? Maybe it was about one of his new research projects? 

Su Liqian: Sure. 

After thinking it over, she agreed. 

Lectures at a place like Xingqi University usually featured top-tier experts or big names in the field—even students from the university had to fight for seats. 

Moreover, since Ning Yishi said it would be useful to her, it was definitely something she shouldn’t miss! 

This was a rare opportunity, one she couldn’t afford to let slip, and it would be a good chance for Su Liqian, as a “newcomer” to the card game world, to learn more. 

Soon enough, Ning Yishi sent over the time, location, and even an e-ticket. 

The lecture was titled “How to Dissect an Illusion World…” 

Su Liqian opened the ticket and scanned the details. Other than the name and venue, there wasn’t much else on it. 

A lecture that required a ticket? 

The more she thought about it, the more she realized this lecture must be special. 

And she was right. 

Xingqi University wasn’t in the Sixth Star District, but in the distant Second Star District. 

Su Liqian explained the reason to Qi Feng. Since it was a lecture hosted by Xingqi University, her school was pretty generous and granted her a few days off, even telling her not to rush back. 

Her parents, Su Mingyang and Bai Yao, were a bit worried about her traveling that far alone, so they both took time off work to go with her. 

This was actually the first time their whole family had traveled somewhere so far together. 

Although the Second Star District isn’t too far from the First, the style and landscape are completely different. 

If the First Star District is known as the “Energy District,” then the Second is definitely the “Rising Star District”—free-spirited, open, and famous for producing top-tier Card Masters. 

Here, you’ll find the ultra-modern, fashion-forward, towering interstellar skyscrapers, the largest “Jiuyao” chain store on Katya Star, and one of the top five famous universities on the entire Katya Star—Xingqi University. 

This is a place full of passion and hope, an incredibly inclusive star district, and a paradise that many interstellar people dream of. 

Compared to the Sixth Star District, this place feels more like a fast-paced “metropolis,” with people rushing around, busy with their own affairs. 

But just like the Sixth Star District, this one is also all about cards. With its natural advantages, it’s produced loads of star card masters, and the card culture here runs deep. 

Besides the scheduled tournaments, there are tons of training and challenge arenas all over the place. As long as you book in advance, you can drop in anytime for a solid match. 

As soon as Su Liqian’s family stepped off the ship, they spotted a guy in the distance waving at them. 

Su Liqian glanced past him, looking around instead for the nearest flying transport. 

The guy didn’t give up though. He jogged a few steps forward, putting himself right in her line of sight, and waved again with a friendly grin. 

Su Liqian looked around, a little confused, before realizing—oh, he’s waving at her. 

“Hi, you must be Su Liqian, right? I’m Shi Yue, Professor Ning’s student. He sent me to pick you up.” 

It clicked for Su Liqian then. She smiled awkwardly and thanked him. 

Shi Yue was a tall, thin young man who smiled with his eyes squinted into a narrow line. He was easy-going and very likable. After walking together for a short distance, he was already chatting excitedly with Su Mingyang and Bai Yao. 

Professor Ning had everything arranged perfectly. Even though Xingqi University doesn’t allow outsiders to stay on campus, he had booked rooms for them well in advance. 

“Your rooms are all set. I’ll come pick you up tomorrow when the lecture starts.” 

Shi Yue and Su Liqian exchanged contact info, and then he disappeared just as quickly as he’d shown up. 

After a long day of travel, the three of them naturally decided to rest early. Although the Second Star District was a “shopping paradise,” Bai Yao, who had been going non-stop for days, couldn’t keep going and headed back to their room first. 

Su Liqian had her own room. 

There must’ve been some kind of recognition tech installed at the door, because as soon as she stepped up, it slid open automatically. 

“Welcome to Qiya Hotel. I’m your smart assistant, Kiki. Let me know if you need anything at all.” 

As soon as she entered, the voice of the hotel’s built-in AI greeted her, and the room lit up like daytime. 

This place was way fancier than any hotel Su Liqian had ever stayed at! 

Everything was fully equipped, and there were even a few transparent cards laid out on the desk for free. 

A huge section of the wall near the bed was streaming a live card match. All she had to do was ask the smart assistant, and the wall would slide away to reveal part of the living room. 

How much would a night here even cost? 

Su Liqian ran her fingers across the newest model smart computer she had seen advertised just days ago on the Star Net. 

It didn’t sit right with her to accept such generosity without giving something in return—especially since just attending this lecture was already a favor from Professor Ning. 

It might’ve just been a small gesture for Professor Ning, but Su Liqian never liked owing people. 

Su Liqian: Professor Ning, about that research you mentioned last time—I’m willing to give it a shot. 

She barely had to wait a few minutes before getting a reply. 

Professor Ning: You’ve made up your mind so quickly? Alright, I’ll notify you when it’s time. 

Professor Ning: By the way, how’s the hotel? Everything comfortable? 

Su Liqian glanced around the extravagant room again. 

If she had to be honest… she wasn’t really used to staying somewhere this fancy. 

Su Liqian: It’s great. Thank you for arranging everything. 

Even though she was awkward, her soul carried the wisdom of someone with years of life experience, and she still knew how to navigate social interactions. After exchanging a few more casual messages with Professor Ning, she shut off the communicator and grabbed one of the transparent cards. 

She wasn’t tired yet. 

She’d spent the past few days getting familiar with The Illustrated World, but hadn’t had time to actually create any new cards. Now that she had some free time, of course she was going to give it another go.