Chapter 9

Chapter 9

The sudden appearance of “Judgment” forced the black-clothed attackers hidden in the shadows to reveal themselves.

There were actually six people!

Ning Zhu felt panic. “So there are this many of them!”

Bai Ze snorted coldly. “They’re quite cautious—not underestimating the Star God Card user.”

Ning Zhu didn’t think she was worthy of such attention. If this Libra senior hadn’t arrived in time, she would already be a dead Star God user.

While they were talking, the Libra Card user had already released multiple cards. Ning Zhu’s vision blurred with the flurry of activity, but Bai Ze quickly explained, “They’re two-star spiritual energy cards. His card-making level seems average. Hmm, the armor card works well. Oh, this weapon card has decent attack power. He doesn’t seem to have skill-type cards? Looks like a close-combat card user…”

Even with Bai Ze’s explanations, Ning Zhu could only understand vaguely.

She only saw the deep blue card ring flashing continuously, while a phantom-like layer of armor enveloped the Libra Card user.

Ning Zhu recognized this card since she had used it before, but the armor on him was clearly far stronger than hers.

A long sword landed in his palm, and in the next instant he shot forward like a streak of white lightning toward the black-clothed attackers.

Ning Zhu’s heart jumped to her throat.

One against six…

Could this senior handle it?!

She shielded her mother behind her and watched without blinking.

The black-clothed attackers had been injured to varying degrees by “Judgment,” but they reacted quickly. For example, the one who had used fire had already activated a “Water Flow Card” to extinguish the flames on himself.

While the six black-clothed men were still in disarray, the sword-wielding man had already closed in.

Sword light swept across with overwhelming pressure, forcing the black-clothed attackers to deploy “Armor Cards.”

But the armor cards were limited in effectiveness and were easily shattered by the long sword.

The attackers were not surprised. They retreated and widened the distance, their card rings flashing repeatedly as they instantly activated multiple cards.

Ning Zhu gasped. “What is this!”

Before each black-clothed man stood a “person”—or more precisely, a humanoid entity.

Bai Ze said, “Those are character cards.”

Ning Zhu asked, “So it’s like summoning a companion?”

Bai Ze replied, “Not really companions. They’re puppets.”

Companions or pets both have self-awareness.

But these character cards had no consciousness. They were puppets that obeyed only the card user.

Ning Zhu worried for the Libra Card user and asked, “Why doesn’t he use character cards?”

“Hmm…” Bai Ze pondered, then said, “He probably just obtained the Libra Card and doesn’t yet have the ability to summon the ‘Spirit of Libra.’”

Ning Zhu understood. It was like her—although she was a Star God Card user, she couldn’t fully unleash its power.

Bai Ze added, “The spirits of the constellations are not card spirits. Don’t confuse them. They are manifestations of constellation card energy—equivalent to higher-level character cards.”

Ning Zhu asked again, “Then why doesn’t he use ordinary character cards?”

Bai Ze said, “No need. Every card use consumes spiritual energy, and there’s a limit to spiritual energy cards. For example, you’ve already used five two-star spiritual energy cards—if you want to replenish spiritual energy within a certain period, you’d need a three-star spiritual energy card.”

“You should know, three-star spiritual energy cards aren’t easy to make…”

Before Bai Ze could finish, Ning Zhu already understood what it meant.

Using character cards required even more spiritual energy. For this Libra Card user, there were clearly better combat methods.

One of the black-clothed men placed a “Knight Card” in the front line. It had high health and defense but low attack power.

The Libra Card user moved extremely fast—first feinting an attack, then unexpectedly circling behind the Knight Card.

The black-clothed attackers had excellent coordination. Another “Warrior Card” stepped in to engage him head-on, seemingly prepared to trade damage. However, the Libra Card user’s ring flashed lightly, and an “Evasion Card” activated on him, causing the warrior’s blade to miss completely.

Ning Zhu watched with her heart in her throat.

Chapter 9

This sudden 【Judgment】 forced the black-clothed people hiding in the shadows to reveal themselves.

There were actually six of them!

Ning Zhu panicked: “There are so many people!”

Bai Ze snorted coldly: “They’re quite cautious. They didn’t underestimate the Star God Card Holder.”

Ning Zhu didn’t think she was worth such attention. If not for this Tianping senior arriving in time, she would already be a Star God dead holder.

While the two were talking, the Tianping Card Holder had already released multiple cards. Ning Zhu only felt dazzled, but fortunately Bai Ze was there quickly explaining: “They’re two-star spirit energy cards. Looks like his card-making level is average. Hmm, that armor card’s effect is decent. Oh, that weapon card’s attack power is good. He doesn’t have skill-type cards? Looks like he’s a close-combat card master…”

Even with Bai Ze explaining, Ning Zhu still felt confused.

She only saw the deep-blue card ring continuously flashing, while a phantom-like armor enveloped the Tianping Card Holder.

Ning Zhu had used that card before, so she recognized it at a glance, but the armor on him was clearly far stronger than the one she had used.

A long sword appeared in his palm, and in the next instant he shot forward like a white bolt of lightning toward the black-clothed people.

Ning Zhu’s heart rose to her throat.

One against six…

Could this senior hold them off?!

She shielded her mother behind her and watched intently.

The black-clothed people were more or less injured due to the 【Judgment】, but they reacted quickly. For example, the one who used fire had already given himself a 【Water Card】, extinguishing the flames on his body.

The six black-clothed men were in disarray, and the man with the long sword was already closing in.

The sword light swept across with overwhelming pressure, forcing the black-clothed people to release 【Armor Cards】.

But the 【Armor Cards】 had limited effect and were easily shattered by the long sword.

The black-clothed people were not surprised. They retreated, and the card rings on their hands flashed repeatedly as they instantly activated several cards.

Ning Zhu gasped: “What is this!” She saw that in front of each black-clothed person stood a “person”—more accurately, humanoid beings.

Bai Ze said: “These are character cards.”

Ning Zhu asked: “So it’s like summoning a partner?”

Bai Ze replied: “Not really a partner. Just puppets.”

Partners or pets all have self-awareness.

But these character cards had no consciousness. They were puppets that only obeyed their card master.

Ning Zhu worried for the Tianping Card Holder and asked: “Why isn’t he using character cards?”

“Hmm…” Bai Ze pondered, “He might have just obtained the Tianping Card and hasn’t yet been able to summon the ‘Spirit of Balance.’”

Ning Zhu understood. It was like her—although she was a Star God Card Holder, she couldn’t fully unleash the card’s power.

Bai Ze added: “Star constellation spirits are not card spirits. Don’t confuse them. They are manifestations of constellation card energy—higher-level versions of character cards.”

Ning Zhu asked again: “Then why doesn’t he use normal character cards?”

Bai Ze said: “No need. Every card usage consumes spirit energy. Spirit energy cards also have limits. For example, you used five two-star spirit energy cards now—if you want to replenish within a short time, you’ll need three-star spirit energy cards.

“You should know, three-star spirit energy cards aren’t easy to make…”

Before Bai Ze finished, Ning Zhu already understood.

Summoning character cards requires more spirit energy. For this Tianping Card Holder, there was clearly a better fighting style.

A 【Knight Card】 stood at the front among the black-clothed men. It had high HP and defense but low attack.

The Tianping Card Holder was extremely fast. He first feinted, then circled behind the knight.

The black-clothed group had strong coordination, and another 【Warrior Card】 engaged him head-on, seemingly ready to trade damage. But the Tianping Card Holder’s ring flashed, and a 【Dodge Card】 landed on him, causing the warrior’s blade to miss completely.

Ning Zhu watched with bated breath.

Bai Ze clicked its tongue: “This kid’s not bad. No wonder he was chosen by the Tianping Card.”

Bai Ze knew Ning Zhu couldn’t understand, so it explained: “The black-clothed people actually have a lot of skill cards. This is a very common combat setup—letting character cards hold the front while the card master attacks from behind.

“But this Tianping Card Holder fights too wildly. He’s the type who doesn’t care about his life. His speed and aggression make the black-clothed people afraid to use skill cards.”

Ning Zhu understood: “If they use skill cards, they might hit their own 【character cards】, right?”

Bai Ze: “Not just that. Skill cards consume a huge amount of spirit energy. If they miss, the loss is huge.”

So the black-clothed people hesitated and did not dare use offensive skill cards.

The seemingly reckless Tianping Card Holder had actually forced them into a position where they couldn’t act.

Ning Zhu was so focused she forgot to blink.

In the dim underground parking lot, the lightning-fast Tianping Card Holder, the eerie stone-like 【character cards】, the crashing weapon sounds, and the increasingly frantic black-clothed people throwing skill cards wildly…

The battle reached its peak intensity.

Ning Zhu’s heart was in her throat.

Unexpectedly, she wasn’t afraid at all. Instead, she felt a faint sense of longing.

Could she do it too?

If she went to the Spirit Card Academy, could she gain abilities like this Tianping Card Holder?

If she had such power, she could protect her father and mother!

Suddenly, a shadow flashed over.

Bai Ze: “Bad!”

Ning Zhu had been watching the battlefield, but she reacted instantly. She still had a 【Arson Card】 in her hand and didn’t have time to hesitate. She threw it at the incoming shadow.

Without a card ring, the 【Arson Card】 she released was very small—only a palm-sized flame…

But it was enough. The black-clothed attacker trying to ambush her recoiled in pain, but quickly used a 【Freeze Card】 on himself, extinguishing the flames precisely. Then he used a 【Speed Card】 and rushed toward Ning Zhu at astonishing speed.

Ning Zhu had no 【Armor Card】, and her physical ability couldn’t let her evade…

The black-clothed man held a short blade, aiming straight for her heart.

Stab!

The sound of blade piercing flesh, followed by a thick smell of blood.

Ning Zhu stared wide-eyed at the tall man standing in front of her.

The Tianping Card Holder had appeared at some point, blocking her at the moment the blade was about to strike.

The short blade pierced his lower abdomen. Blood soaked into the waist restraint and instantly spread across the white shirt like a blooming red flower—stunningly vivid against the white fabric.

Stab!

Another strike.

The remaining black-clothed men seized the opportunity. Blade after blade stabbed into the heavily injured man, turning the originally white, structured shirt into a blood-soaked garment.

Ning Zhu felt the presence of death.

This man, whose name she still didn’t know, was about to…

Was this the 【prophecy】?

No!

This was happening in the present moment!

Do something!

She had to do something!

But… what could she even do?!

The man, covered in blood, still stood in front of her. Even at the brink of death, he remained like a sharp, unyielding sword, deeply embedded into the ground, standing firm without falling.

He spoke. His thin lips were pale, and his voice was still cold and indifferent: “Justice.”

The lightly spoken word fell.

The golden scale suspended in midair erupted with dazzling light.

The Justice of the Scale.

Truth flattens all things.

The silent wave of light dispersed, and the six black-clothed men looked as if they had been “cursed.” There were clearly no visible wounds on them, yet their faces twisted in agony, as though they had suffered life-threatening injuries. They looked like they were about to collapse and die on the spot.

Ning Zhu was stunned.

Bai Ze said: “As expected of the Tianping Card, a calm madman.”

Bai Ze didn’t explain further, but Ning Zhu vaguely understood.

This was the exclusive skill of the Tianping Card, just like that 【Judgment】. This time, the 【Justice】 had “fairly” transferred his near-death condition onto the six black-clothed men.

This ability was too ruthless.

Especially toward himself—too ruthless!

Just as Ning Zhu was about to support the swaying man, she saw his card ring flash as he used a 【Spirit Energy Card】.

After recovering some spirit energy, he once again activated his weapon card. That long sword appeared in his palm, and he walked toward the dying black-clothed men like a blood-soaked Asura.

“Turn around.” This was the first time he spoke to Ning Zhu.

As he spoke, his steps did not stop. Blood flowed down his white sleeve, dripping onto his pale hand. Veins bulged on the back of his hand. With force, the long sword swept across and cut through the throats of the black-clothed men.

Ning Mu screamed.

Ning Zhu’s body trembled uncontrollably.

She did not turn around. Instead, she stared unblinkingly at the scene.

Suddenly, a red light descended, and a young man in a dark red robe strode over.

He also had a card ring on his wrist, but it was not deep blue—it was a vivid red. As the light flickered, he activated a 【Healing Card】.

“Another one…” Bai Ze looked closely. “A White Sheep Card Holder? Hmm, have Star Constellation Cards become this widespread?”

Hearing this, Ning Zhu relaxed slightly. This was the Tianping Card Holder’s companion—no danger.

Yang Huaizhou frowned tightly. He used a 【Healing Card】, then a rare 【Life Card】 to stabilize Li Jin’s condition.

“In this condition…” he turned to look at the black-clothed men whose throats had been cut, his eyes cold as frost.

If Li Jin had not arrived in time, the Star God Card Holder and her family would have been undoubtedly killed.

Even if members of the Special Affairs Bureau had come instead, facing these six members of the Yellow Path Society, they would have suffered heavy casualties.

Ning Zhu stepped forward and asked anxiously: “Is he okay?”

Only then did Yang Huaizhou notice Ning Zhu. He froze for a moment, then his gaze slightly shifted toward the blurred white figure.

Bai Ze: “Oh-ho, he can see me.”

Yang Huaizhou turned back to Ning Zhu. A flash of surprise crossed his handsome face. No matter how unbelievable it was, the fact was already in front of him.

This delicate girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old was the new Star God Card Holder.

“Hello, I am Yang Huaizhou, principal of the Spirit Card Academy.” Yang Huaizhou introduced himself to Ning Zhu seriously.

Ning Zhu heard it clearly, but still couldn’t help blinking: “P-Principal?!”

How was that possible!

The young man in front of her looked like a middle school student. Even though his clothes looked slightly mature, his appearance and voice were… all very young!

Yang Huaizhou’s card ring flickered as he activated a 【Flying Carpet Card】. He carefully placed Li Jin, who was severely injured and unconscious, onto it. Only then did he say to Ning Zhu: “His name is Li Jin. He is a second-year student at the Spirit Card Academy. Don’t worry, he won’t be in life-threatening danger.”

Ning Zhu first let out a breath of relief, then was instantly filled with question marks.

What?

That mature and powerful Tianping Card Holder is a second-year student…

And that youthful, handsome young man is actually the principal of the Spirit Card Academy…

Is your Spirit Card world this upside down?!