"Shanghai First High School, Russell."Seeing that it was a cardmaker from the Cardmaker Association, Russell couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Xiao Yifei glanced over the scattered corpses of the ghouls on the ground, clicking his tongue in admiration.All seven ghouls were slain in a single strike—it was obvious Russell's card wasn't just Black Iron grade Blue quality.
"Your card isn't just Blue, is it?" Xiao Yifei asked curiously.
Russell nodded. "It's Purple."
But then he asked with concern, "My card was only made today. I haven't had time to report it to the Cardmaker Association yet. Will I get in trouble for that?"
Russell was technically still an unregistered wild cardmaker. According to the rules, using a Blue-quality or higher Black Iron card in public without association approval wasn't allowed.Naturally, he was worried he might get penalized afterward.
Xiao Yifei froze for a second. He had assumed the teenager in front of him was a soon-to-be university student.A Purple-quality Black Iron card made by a high school senior after a full year of training wouldn't be shocking—especially from someone talented enough to create Blue-quality cards on their first try.
But to think Russell had just made his first-ever card today...
"Don't worry, I'll report everything truthfully to the Association," Xiao Yifei said with a grin. "But hey, you've got real talent. I hope we see you at Shanghai University next year."
Though surprised by Russell's potential, Xiao Yifei had met his fair share of geniuses as a student in the cardmaking department at Shanghai University.
Patting Russell on the shoulder, Xiao Yifei continued,"Relax, Russell. I'm guessing the Association will actually reward you for what you did.""Honestly, if it weren't for you, the residents here might not have..."
He trailed off, shaking his head.After receiving the order from the Association, he had rushed toward Xingfu Garden riding on Xiaoyue at full speed.But encountering a Silver-tier Gluttonous Beast on the way had delayed him significantly.If Russell hadn't been here, the consequences would've been unimaginable.
Of course, the Cardmaker Association wouldn't blame him—no one could predict what monsters might appear in the fog.
Shaking off the thought, Xiao Yifei put on his usual lazy smile and said loudly:"Alright, residents of Xingfu Garden, I'll now escort you all to the Ning'an District—"
Before he could finish his sentence, the sky suddenly shook with a violent fluctuation, causing everyone present to look up.A massive, ethereal figure appeared above Shanghai, its emotionless eyes gazing toward the secret realm known as [Demon Nest].A dignified voice echoed from above:"Spirit Petition Society, you've overstepped your bounds this time."
As the voice fell, the massive figure exhaled gently—That one breath blew away all the dense fog covering Shanghai.
And with the fog gone, the monsters within it disintegrated into trails of black ash.
Russell stared blankly at the sky.Cardmakers... could really be this powerful?Just one breath—and the entire crisis in Shanghai was over.
He couldn't help but ask Xiao Yifei beside him,"Brother Xiao, who was that cardmaker?"
Xiao Yifei stared solemnly at the sky, then slowly said:"Master Byron Moonwhite, also known as [Reaper King].""His core card—[King of the Five Halls of Hell: Bao Zheng]."
Reaper King...
Only now did Russell truly understand what that title represented.
Just then, a raspy, grating laugh echoed across Shanghai:"Byron Moonwhite, you may protect them for a while, but can you protect them forever?"
Byron Moonwhite was silent for a long while before responding:"As long as I live, the coastal defense line will not fall.""And besides—while Lucas Steel is still in Daming, do you Spirit Petition fools really dare to go all out?"
The raspy voice seemed to choke for a moment, then gave a cold snort:"Lucas Steel won't last many more years anyway. Time is on our side. Let's see what happens."
As the voices faded, the massive [King of the Five Halls of Hell: Bao Zheng] gradually disappeared.
Russell's eye twitched.That Spirit Petition Society may not be strong, but boy were they good at talking tough.
Seeing the situation stabilize, Xiao Yifei clapped his hands to get the crowd's attention."Alright everyone, as you've seen, Master Byron Moonwhite has crushed the Spirit Petition Society's plot. You can all return to your homes now."
Watching the residents of Xingfu Garden slowly head back, Xiao Yifei turned to Russell."Russell, how about this? No better time than now—want to come back to the Association with me and get registered?"
Russell thought for a second.Even if he didn't go today, his homeroom teacher would drag him there tomorrow anyway.
"Sure, sorry to trouble you, Brother Xiao."
Seeing Russell agree, Xiao Yifei materialized two sets of saddles using a card.It was worth noting—there was no limit to the number of equipment-type cards a person could own.But you could only have one of each biological card at a time.
Xiaoyue knelt obediently at their feet.
"Hop on—riding Xiaoyue is way faster," Xiao Yifei said, tossing Russell a saddle and mounting first.
Russell followed his example and climbed onto Xiaoyue's back.As the wind howled past his ears, he couldn't help but ask:"Brother Xiao, are we even allowed to ride these things on public roads?"
Xiao Yifei glanced at the messages in the cardmakers' penguin chat group on his phone and replied casually:"Yeah, as long as you've registered your rideable creature card with the Association, it's fine.""Same goes for vehicle-type equipment cards."
Russell nodded thoughtfully, then asked again:"So... do humanoid cards count as rideable?"
"...?"Xiao Yifei put down his phone and looked at him blankly.
"...I was just joking."
But Xiao Yifei suddenly remembered something."Actually... maybe? I think there's a female cardmaker at Jing University who likes riding muscle men."
"...Huh?"Now it was Russell's turn to be bewildered.He had really just been joking...
Feeling the conversation take a weird turn, he quickly changed the subject."Brother Xiao, what do you think the Association's gonna do with me?"
Xiao Yifei waved his phone."I already reported everything. They said to bring you back first, then decide."
"...Is it too late to jump off now?"
Xiao Yifei burst out laughing."If there really were a problem, I'd already have detained you.""If the Association wanted you arrested, I wouldn't be so polite right now."
The Cardmaker Association was notoriously strict when it came to illegal cardmakers.You only had to look at the Spirit Petition Society to know what kind of people those were...Always trying to pull some grand stunt to "enlighten the masses."
As the two chatted, they quickly arrived at the Ning'an District branch of the Cardmaker Association.
A middle-aged man was already waiting at the gate.The moment he saw Xiao Yifei, his eyes lit up.
He turned his gaze to Russell and said,"You must be Russell, right? Xiao here already filled me in."
He stepped forward and shook Russell's hand firmly."The Ning'an District Cardmaker Association thanks you for your assistance, Russell."
Russell was briefly confused by how friendly they were.But he quickly realized—They were planning to turn him into a poster boy!