“Walking towards us is another young girl from Lanxi, Su Liqian, and on the other side, it’s a student from Xingqi University, Ji Yanxi!” 

“What! It’s a student from Xingqi University, one of the top-ranked schools in all of Katya! To see such a prestigious university represented in the district preliminaries is a big deal! It seems that Su Liqian isn’t having much luck today!” 

The two commentators spoke in turn, introducing the identities of the two contestants while highlighting the key points of the match. 

Xingqi University is a prestigious institution! It is the alma mater of the famous card master Zi Lian! Students from such universities are rarely seen in the Star District preliminary. 

But, unfortunately, Su Liqian is having a rough day, encountering such a strong opponent in her very first card game competition. 

Ji Yanxi didn’t want to bully anyone in the preliminary round, but since his previous results were canceled, he had no choice but to start from the preliminary rounds. 

“Little sister, I made a bet with someone. During this match, I will only use one card. If you can beat this one card, I’ll admit defeat.” 

Ji Yanxi smiled, and his handsome appearance immediately caused many viewers in the livestream to scream. 

The livestream, which had been quiet, suddenly saw a surge in viewers, and the barrage of comments began to scroll rapidly. 

【Xi Xi has finally appeared! I’ve been waiting for so long!】 

【 Wow, the livestream just suddenly got so crowded. 】 

【Haven’t kept up lately, why is Ji Yanxi participating in the district preliminaries?】 

【Here’s a quick fact: Ji Yanxi had his results canceled last competition for fighting another contestant outside the arena.】 

【It’s because that O’Neill killed one of Ji Yanxi’s classmates! But the committee claimed it was accidental homicide and didn’t charge anyone! 】 

【 Isn’t it just an accident… Injuries and even fatalities happen in high-level competitions; I saw that match, it was because Xuan Yi didn’t dodge in time, and the judges failed to act quickly enough to provide aid.”】 

【 Can we stop arguing? Let’s just watch the match! 】 

【I heard Ji Yanxi made a public bet, saying he’ll only use one card in the preliminaries.】 

【Even with just one card, Ji Yanxi can’t lose. He’s already a well-known player!】 

【Ahhh! Ji Yanxi is so handsome!】 

【Xi Xi, go! You’ll win for sure!】 

Despite the heated discussions in the livestream, Su Liqian had no idea about any of this. Her mind was spinning as she quickly planned her moves for the upcoming match. 

Although her opponent said he would only use one card, she couldn’t let her guard down. 

With his calm demeanor, this was bound to be a tough battle. 

“The match begins!” 

Su Liqian took out a B-level Illusion Card, The Starry Sky She Watches Over, from her Star Moon Stone belt, and with two fingers, she quickly drew the card across the middle of her belt. 

“Unlock.” 

This was one of the twelve Star Messengers from The Starry Sky She Watches Over—the Aquarius Illusion Card, which granted an attack boost and allowed her to use water elements in combat. 

A flowing, water-blue fishtail gown and a pearl chain woven into her long hair surrounded her with a faint blue mist. 

“It’s the Aquarius Star Messenger’s Illusion Card! It looks like the newcomers this year are not simple!” 

“Yes! The Aquarius Star Messenger’s illusion form is also known as the Goddess of Water. It is an illusion card that combines both beauty and power!” 

“Wait? Su Liqian has already launched an attack, but Ji Yanxi still hasn’t brought out his card?” 

With Xingqi University’s reputation, this match drew a lot of attention, and before they knew it, the venue was filled with more spectators. 

Su Liqian raised her right hand, and a water ball formed from the flowing water elements in her palm before shooting out rapidly. 

But Ji Yanxi, on the other hand, remained calm and unhurried, even dodging the attack without using a card. 

Su Liqian continued to channel the elemental force, and a water column suddenly appeared behind Ji Yanxi, hitting him at lightning speed. 

Ji Yanxi glanced back, and while rolling sideways, he took out a card from his belt. 

“Unlock.” 

As the command was issued, a huge roar erupted from the center of the field. 

“Raaaawww—” 

The mist cleared, revealing a giant beast with long horns standing in front of Ji Yanxi. The commentator excitedly slammed the table. 

“It’s Ji Yanxi’s signature B-level summoning card from The Beast’s Legacy, the Beast, Falxius!” 

“Ji Yanxi came out strong with a powerful card!” 

“But it’s only a B-level card. Looks like he’s holding back.” 

“Falxius, end this quickly!” 

Standing on one side of the arena, Ji Yanxi slipped one hand into his pocket, while the other pointed forward. The giant beast responded immediately. 

The appearance of the massive beast stirred the atmosphere in the arena. This was the first time Su Liqian had seen such a gigantic creature. Without hesitation, she took out her strongest card. 

“Oh? It seems Su Liqian has brought out another card!” 

The commentator couldn’t help but stand up, eager to see the unfamiliar card in Su Liqian’s hand. 

Until a small light gathered into a staff half the height of a person, neither of them could identify it. 

“The Great Magician?” 

“It seems like a new Illusion World card! Is Su Liqian planning to surprise us?” 

Whether or not it was a surprise, Su Liqian didn’t know. At that moment, she held the Bone Magician’s Staff, preparing for the full-force strike of the beast charging towards her. 

The black magic temporarily trapped the body of the beast, like vines, but this was not a long-term solution. 

Repeated attempts to attack also seemed ineffective against Falxius. 

Some of the cards had specific counter attributes, but it was clear that the great magician card was not the right one to defeat it. 

Su Liqian understood that, in order to win this match, it was impossible with the cards she currently had. She had to take a gamble. 

Her hand swept across her waist, and a transparent card appeared out of nowhere. 

Su Liqian had to use the brief moment of time gained from the black magic to quickly finish crafting her card. 

A card capable of defeating the beast… 

Countless ideas flashed through her mind. 

“Got it!” 

A smile tugged at the corners of Su Liqian’s lips: “It’s you.” 

In the next moment, the card hovered in the air. Su Liqian closed her eyes in meditation, continuously channeling her spiritual strength into the card. 

“Here it is! The first contestant to ‘draw a card’ live! What kind of card will she create? This match is becoming more exciting by the minute!” 

The card gradually started to take on color in mid-air, with the words Journey to the West slowly appearing on its back. 

If she could just summon some monster-catching artifact or directly bring Sun Wukong into this, she’d have a chance of winning! 

“Roar—” 

Falxius howled toward the sky and instantly broke free from the magical restraints. 

The card immediately formed and fell into Su Liqian’s hands. 

“Purple Gold Red Gourd…” 

Su Liqian looked at the B-level weapon card in her hands, not bothering to think too much, and immediately said: “Unlock.” 

In that instant, the familiar BGM seemed to echo from behind her. 

The golden gourd-shaped artifact was now in her hand, and as she opened its mouth, she quickly retreated a few steps, putting distance between herself and the beast. 

Just now, Ji Yanxi had called this beast Falxius. 

Su Liqian’s gaze sharpened. She raised the gourd, pointing its mouth at the beast. 

Falxius, already irritated by the human’s repeated taunts, couldn’t hold back any longer. Now, hearing the human hold up a strange little bottle and say to it, “I call you once. Do you dare to respond?”   

“Falxius!” 

“Roar—” 

Falxius roared in anger, unable to tolerate the provocation anymore. With a loud cry, it charged at her. 

At this moment, not only the commentators stood up in confusion, but even the livestream’s comments were filled with questions about Su Liqian’s strange actions. 

【What’s this? Is this contestant trying to make me laugh to death? Hahahahahaha】 

【Oh no, I can’t take it! This match is funnier than a variety show kkk】 

【 What is this girl doing? Calling it and asking if it dares to answer? What kind of confusing move is this? 】 

【By the way, what’s that thing in her hand? Can someone explain?】 

【Let’s wait and see. The little stick she took out seems pretty impressive.】 

【This Su Liqian keeps pulling out weird things we’ve never seen before】 

【Journey to the West? What illusion world is that from? Anyone heard of it?】 

【I’m having a hard time watching this. Isn’t the judge going to step in and stop her?】 

【I just checked the Star Net, couldn’t find any information about these illusion world cards… What’s going on?】 

【Why isn’t this girl dodging… Does she really think that little thing can withstand Falxius attack?】 

【Looks like Ji Yanxi is only bullying a high schooler now.】 

【Actually, I’m really interested in that stick that can attack. This girl seems extraordinary.】 

… 

Just when everyone thought the outcome was already determined, a miraculous scene unfolded— 

The purple gold red gourd flashed once, and Falxius, rushing toward her, instantly turned into a beam of light. Its massive form was drawn into the tiny opening of the gourd as it traced a curved line. 

Su Liqian swiftly closed the bottle, her movements smooth and seamless. 

“!!!” 

【!!! 】 

In an instant, the entire arena fell silent. Both the commentators, the audience, and even Ji Yanxi were stunned. 

“What just happened?!” 

The loud sound of table slapping came through the microphone as the two commentators rubbed their eyes, almost running off the stage to confirm the situation. 

“It… it disappeared! Or rather, it was sucked in by that strange container in Su Liqian’s hand!” 

“That was the beast Falxius! It just vanished so easily on the spot! Su Liqian truly surprised us all—she’s a dark horse, rising to fame with one incredible move!” 

“I’m sure many people, just like me, are dying to know what kind of amazing card Su Liqian used! The power of this card is unheard of!” 

“Former star contestant Ji Yanxi is having a rough start in his first match! Looks like he’ll need to review his performance after this one!” 

“Finally, let’s congratulate today’s unexpected dark horse of the card competition—Su Liqian!” 

The audience erupted into an unprecedented round of applause. Su Liqian took a deep breath to calm her hurried breathing, and only when she heard the cheers around her did she belatedly realize— 

She won! 

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TL note: I can totally imagine their surprised reactions when Falxius got sucked into the gourd—it’s just too funny! 😂 Here’s a picture of a gourd for fun. Disclaimer: I just added the picture to help enhance the reading experience 😄🍃 Happy reading! 📖✨

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