Chapter 430 - Something Did Not Seem Quite Right.
writer:-90°      update:2022-08-22 14:56
  430 Something Did Not Seem Quite Right.

  Tian Du City.

  Sword Card Master Association.

  Lu Ming felt that his hopes of breaking through to a nine-star had been dashed…… The talent enhancement of Sky Water Sword did not help much.

  “Useless!”


  Lu Ming threw the Original Card onto the floor.

  Xiao-Xiaojian was speechless.

  Damn! Why did he throw it around!

  However……

  Lu Ming soon thought of a problem.

  If Ye Liangfei only increased his talent by 0.1%, where did his river-like cultivation level come from? Right now, he was able to reach the level of an ordinary genius!

  Perhaps……

  All of it was him?

  Hence……

  Lu Ming took a brief glance.

  Well……

  Ye Liangfei: 0.1%.

  Lu Ming: 0.001%.

  Lu Ming became sullen. It turned out that he had very poor talents!?

  “Are you alright?”


  Xiao-Xiaojian looked at him. “At the very least, you are better than the cleaning aunties and the aunties at the canteen.”


  Lu Ming was silent.

  Forget it.

  He only had 0.001% at the genius level cultivation speed. It seemed the 100% had nothing to do with him. It was mainly due to the increase brought about by the disciples!

  It was just that……

  If it was impossible for Ye Liangfei, who was the one who had caused the increase in talent?!

  Hence……

  Lu Ming and Xiao-Xiaojian scrutinized the red lines.

  Well……

  The talents who were from the same batch as Ye Liangfei were more or less the same. However, Lu Ming was stunned when he saw the output of a certain red line……

  Bang!

  Energy was surging.

  Lu Ming saw a 20% increase in cultivation level from the red line!

  This person……

  Lu Ming sensed the red line and was shocked to discover that this was the teenager in white whom the grandmaster had forced on them! It was the boy!

  “I am surprised that he is that talented!”


  Lu Ming was shocked.

  He knew that the teenager had a fast cultivation speed, but he never expected that……

  20%!

  He was 200 times more powerful than Ye Liangfei!

  How was that possible?!

  “I know what it is.”


  Xiao-Xiaojian came up with a reasoning. “The difference between talents and the increase of the Sky Water Sword is not a simple multiplying relation. The more powerful the talent, the greater the increase!”


  “Is that true?”


  Lu Ming instinctively looked further down the data.

  Bang!

  There was another surge of energy on a red line.

  Jiang Yuebai: 48%!

  Lu Ming gasped a breath of cold air.

  Xiaobai……

  48%?!

  Wait a minute.

  Lu Ming quickly scanned through the rest. He was shocked to discover that with the difference in the talents, the increase brought about by the Sky Water Sword was hugely different!

  Some were at 0.08%!

  Some were at 0.2%!

  Some even reached 1%!

  And the lady whom they just saved was as high as 12%!!!

  The water from Heavenly Mountain Sect……

  It was indeed different!

  The small difference in talents between cultivators became obvious after the increase due to the Sky Water Sword. It showed that the Sky Water Sword was very useful when one had good talents.

  True enough.

  Just like what Xiao-Xiaojian surmised, the more powerful the talent, the larger the increase!

  Recruiting many disciples with poor talents was not as useful as recruiting one very talented genius! Such geniuses would have a larger increase!!!

  “I see.”


  Lu Ming completely understood now.

  These days, it was easier to recruit ordinary cultivators!

  It was a pity……

  The special increasing mechanism of Sky Water Sword dashed all hopes of Lu Ming who was thinking of cheating. Otherwise, he might be able to change his destiny by recruiting millions of ordinary cultivators!

  “It’s such a pity.”


  Lu Ming was filled with regrets.

  In that case……

  The Sword Card Master Association still had to take the elite route……

  Wait a minute……

  Lu Ming suddenly thought of one thing. “I remember that Xiaobai belonged to the family column! Isn’t that considered as unreviewed disciples? It’s not supposed to be taken into account!”


  “I have upgraded it.”


  Xiao-Xiaojian explained, “The Sky Water Sword and the Art of Equalization have integrated. It is more accurate in terms of the control of energy and luck. Your method of cheating……

  “It is naturally useless.”


  Xiao-Xiaojian was contemptuous.

  Lu Ming rolled his eyes.

  It was similar to the reverse upgrade of ios.

  With the talent of the Sky Water Sword, there was no need to exclude Xiaobai. Therefore, Lu Ming included all the disciples.

  Talents……

  Recruitment……

  Lu Ming pondered for a moment and suddenly called Li Haoran over. “How’s the preparation for college going?”


  “It’s all done.”


  Li Haoran was very excited. “Recently, the Sword Card Master Association has become very popular. Many people were enrolled in the college. We have chosen the most suitable 100 students.”


  “Okay.”


  Lu Ming felt very satisfied.

  This was the first time the college at the crossroads opened admissions to the association. If there were too many students, they would not be able to manage the situation well.

  100 students…… was sufficient.

  “Get them to register first and condense the vocation core,” Lu Ming said.

  “Huh?”


  Li Haoran checked the date. “School will only start on the 1st of September……”


  “They can condense the core and play around with it.”


  Lu Ming looked calm. “They should be even more anxious than us. After all, they have to condense the vocation core to begin cultivating. Don’t you think they are curious?”


  “Yes.”


  Li Haoran listened to him and notified the students.

  True enough.

  The students arrived excitedly the next day.

  They enrolled in the school as per Lu Ming’s request, joined the Sword Card Master Association, and condensed their Original Cards before going back home.

  Right then……

  Lu Ming’s cultivation speed had indeed increased!

  Buzz—


  Lu Ming tried to cultivate.

  Compared to the day before, his speed had increased by about 10%.

  After choosing the most talented and outstanding one hundred students from the massive number of students who wanted to enroll in the college at the crossroads, his increase was only at about 10%!

  “It is too weak!”


  Xiao-Xiaojian sighed.

  “You should be content with that!”


  Lu Ming said unhappily.

  10% was already a lot.

  He studied the data. Among the 100 students, there was one who was very talented, he had made up 2.5% of it, the remaining 99 students made up the remaining 7.5%!

  Well……

  Although the data was not very good, on average, the 100 disciples were equivalent to Ye Liangfei’s talent!

  Wasn’t that satisfactory?

  “It would be good if there were a disciple like Xiaobai.”


  Xiao-Xiaojian looked forward with eager expectancy.

  It had calculated it.

  Seriously……

  There was no need for them to recruit billions of disciples. All they needed were one hundred Xiaobais and its cultivation speed would be very different! It could break through to seven-star, eight-star or nine-star anytime!

  By that time……

  Snort! Snort!

  No cats or dogs would dare to make trouble!

  Crash!

  A black shadow flashed.

  Xiao-Xiaojian was dangling from the wall.

  This card……

  Lu Ming was between laughter and tears.

  He was very pleased with the increase due to the Sky Water Sword. Although it did not change his destiny like he had imagined it would, he did not need to worry about the future consequences of the Art of Equalization!

  His talent increase would definitely get stronger and stronger!

  “Xiao-Xiaojian.”


  “Yes.”


  “At the current rate, when can we become an advanced five-star?!”


  Lu Ming was in high spirits.

  He had calculated it. His current overall talent increase had already surpassed Ye Liangfei and the rest! His cultivation speed would certainly be faster than theirs!

  “Let me do the calculation.”


  Xiao-Xiaojian pondered for a moment.

  Shush!

  Shush!

  Countless figures flashed inside it.

  After a long while……

  It came to a conclusion. “You will need three years to become an advanced five-star.”


  Lu Ming turned sullen.

  Three years!?

  Damn, are you kidding me!

  Given his current talent as well as the assistance of the shadow, why was he still so slow?!

  “Did you forget that the upper limit of your energy is one hundred thousand points?”


  Xiao-Xiaojian pursed its lips.

  Other people only had ten thousand points hence it was faster to enhance their talents. He had one hundred thousand points of energy. It was ten times harder than others to enhance his. Therefore, he would be much slower!

  Three years……

  Lu Ming squinted his eyes.

  It was too slow!

  Look at his enemies during the last two encounters!

  One was a peak six-star elder while another was a peak six-star golden cow. Although Lu Ming eventually won, he knew very well the limits of his combat capabilities!

  If he had a direct confrontation with them……

  He would be dead.

  Therefore……

  The two consecutive crises made him anxious to become a six-star!

  Once he was a six-star, his energy quality would be the same as others. Only then would he be able to unleash the optimum effect of his cards!

  He would not be afraid even when he encountered peak six-stars!

  Given his current combat capabilities, energy, as well as the cards and abilities he had, once he was a six-star, he would be invincible!!!

  This was true.

  Lu Ming was confident about it!

  It was difficult to fight a peak six-star with five-star combat capabilities. That was because one had to cross the huge gap of ‘energy tempering and transformation’ of the six-star realm!

  But once everyone was a six-star……

  Hehe.

  Lu Ming was not afraid of anyone anymore!

  For him, Yan Suya was the only one who was worthy of being called a peak six-star! He had a vivid memory of the sky that was filled with flames and the quiet flash of white!

  He had to become a six-star!

  Of course, the key to the breaking through in his cultivation was the increase of his talents!

  And that was dependent on his disciples!

  He could leave the cultivation to ‘Xiao-Xiaojian’ and the shadow. It would be double the cultivation and double the joy. As for recruiting talented disciples……

  He had to do it himself.

  However, he had to take things one step at a time for the recruitment of disciples. He had tried his best to advertise the association. As a small association, it was already the best they could do!

  To become stronger, he needed time!

  Of course, before that, Lu Ming could indirectly increase his cultivation speed.

  For example……

  Make more friends.

  “Senior Qiu?

  “Are you interested in joining us only in name?”


  Lu Ming contacted Qiu Shuyi in excitement.

  “Huh?”


  “I belong to the Swordsman Association.”


  Qiu Shuyi was puzzled.

  “It’s alright. It is only in name. You will only be a visiting professor,” Lu Ming explained.

  “Okay.”


  Qiu Shuyi nodded.

  Hence……

  Qiu Shuyi filled in the documents to join the Sword Card Master Association. However, Lu Ming was disappointed to know that she did not increase the overall talent!

  “Like I said, I have upgraded the system.”


  Xiao-Xiaojian was smug. “It is impossible to cheat!”


  “Alright.”


  Lu Ming sighed.

  It seemed that being a member only in name would not work. The determining factors of the Sky Water Sword had gone beyond the so-called system of the association to calculate one’s legacy in the true sense!

  If he wanted to include her talents……

  Qiu Shuyi had to re-cultivate to become a Sword Card Master!

  In that case……

  Qiu Shuyi’s talent increase would be calculated.

  “It turns out that it is calculated according to the legacy.”


  Lu Ming understood now.

  Perhaps……

  The method of increasing via the Sky Water Sword was an increase in the real sense! The foundation was calculated based on the legacy and the increase was calculated based on the legacy’s overall destiny!

  It did not matter if one joined the association or not!

  It would be calculated as long as one was a Sword Card Master!

  As long as one’s vocation was a Sword Card Master, one was included!

  In that case……

  This was the complete secret talent skill!

  Buzz—


  The Original Card floated in the air.

  The Sky Water Sword that was condensed from lightning kept flashing. Lu Ming could actually feel the trace of an ancient vastness as well as a mysterious majestic might on it.

  It was after all an ancient Excalibur!

  “Does it have other abilities?”


  Lu Ming swept his gaze over it.

  He was certain that the current Original Card had more abilities than he knew of!

  “It can’t be used.”


  Xiao-Xiaojian sighed. “It is too weak. The past abilities cannot be enabled. They have been crushed in the Original Card. The abilities are also limited by the Original Card. As a Sky Water Sword that controlled water, I used to have a lot of water……”


  “Shut up!”


  Lu Ming quickly interrupted it.

  At this moment.

  The study of the talents had come to an end.

  Lu Ming focused once again on the transformed Original Card. Although he was sure about the talents, he was still not too sure about the effects of the Original Card.

  Shush!

  Shush!

  Lu Ming tried to activate seven cards.

  Well……

  The integration was a success!

  Lu Ming took a look. There did not seem to be any changes.

  However, during the materialization of the Original Card, Xiao-Xiaojian realized that it could control the timing of the materialization as well as the loss of energy!

  For a traditional Original Card, all the energy would be released when the Original Card was materialized!

  Lu Ming’s unique one hundred thousand points of energy would always be wasted. However, under Xiao-Xiaojian’s control, Lu Ming could materialize the Original Card in a more efficient manner!

  Afterward……

  There was nothing else.

  Lu Ming spent a lot of time on testing. However, this was the only function that was related to one’s ability.

  The Sky Water Sword in the Original Card worked mainly to increase talent, as well as to increase strength and robustness.

  Well……

  Should he give it a try?

  Lu Ming glanced at Xiao-Xiaojian.

  “That is not necessary!”


  Xiao-Xiaojian turned green.

  “Let’s try it out.”


  Lu Ming sighed. “It will be safer only after we know the limits of the Original Card. Think about it, in the future when you are outside, you have to know how strong you are.”


  Xiao-Xiaojian was silent for a long time. “How do we test it?”


  “Perhaps we can try attacking it?”


  Lu Ming went to the testing area of the Sword Card Master Association.

  It was a pity……

  The strongest cultivator in the Sword Card Master Association was a six-star and the association did not have very powerful equipment. Lu Ming tried all kinds of methods and he still could not test the Original Card.

  Well…… He had to change his method.

  “That should be able to do the testing.”


  Lu Ming glanced at Xiao-Xiaojian.

  Xiao-Xiaojian had tears in its eyes.

  This method was very dangerous!

  “Bear with me for the time being.”


  Lu Ming sighed. “We have to test it sooner or later.”


  “I understand.”


  Xiao-Xiaojian gritted its teeth and yelled. “Damn the eunuch cat! Since you have the guts to shove me inside the card, I dare you to continue to beat me!”


  Crash!

  A black figure flashed.

  Lu Ming observed a moment of silence for Xiao-Xiaojian.

  After a long while……

  Xiao-Xiaojian came out from the Sea of Consciousness in a miserable state. There were cracks and scratches all over its body. After a long time, the scars began to recover.

  “The t-testing is completed……”


  Xiao-Xiaojian collapsed.

  In the end……

  The testing result was the Original Card was as strong as an advanced six-star!

  This meant that……

  Although Lu Ming was an intermediate five-star, given his energy level, the Original Card that he materialized surpassed an ordinary advanced six-star!

  This strength referred to here was its robustness during direct confrontation!

  “Understood.”


  Lu Ming looked at the data and was filled with emotions. “It has been hard for you.”


  Xiao-Xiaojian had tears in its eyes.

  At this moment.

  The testing of the Sky Water Sword had come to an end.

  After completing all aspects of testing, Lu Ming’s life had also returned to normal. Next, he intended to recruit disciples as soon as possible.

  Well……

  Lu Ming thought about it and decided to look for Zhang Yang.

  Although he was a conman and was not very reliable, he was effective.

  Hence……

  Lu Ming told Zhang Yang, who was in a wheelchair, about the requirements that the disciples of the Sword Card Master Association had to have. Zhang Yang agreed right away. “Leave this to me.”


  “Really?”


  Lu Ming was still a little worried.

  “Don’t worry!

  “Isn’t this just recruiting talents?”


  Zhang Yang said proudly, “I will try my best to help you to recruit as many talents as possible.”


  “You must not use illegal methods!”


  Lu Ming reminded him.

  “Don’t worry.”


  Zhang Yang was confident. “I won’t spread any rumors!”


  “Okay.”


  Lu Ming felt reassured.

  Well……

  Zhang Yang would be responsible for the publicity. Lu Ming had just walked out of the door when he saw the teenager in white who was having lessons and he had an idea.

  Wait a minute……

  The teenager in white seemed to have strong talents as well!?

  In the previous test, his increase seemed to be as high as 20% and was second only to Xiaobai!

  In that case……

  Was it possible for him to fool his friends into joining the association?

  Yes!

  Lu Ming felt excited at the thought of it.

  That was right.

  If he could fool a cultivator like the teenager in white to join the association, the new disciple would be comparable to two hundred Ye Liangfeis! If he fooled a few of them into joining, it would not be too long before they saw a huge increase in talents!

  The more Lu Ming thought about it, the more tempted he was.

  Fooling talents……

  Well……

  “Come here.”


  Lu Ming waved his hands.

  “President!”


  Upon seeing him, the teenager in white excitedly ran over to Lu Ming.

  “Do you have friends who are as talented as you?”


  Lu Ming asked.

  “Yes.”


  The teenager in white scratched his head.

  The friends in his social circle were the descendants of seven-stars. They were naturally very talented. It was just that ordinary people would not be able to see them easily.

  “Oh?”


  Lu Ming was excited. “Is there anyone who is interested in joining our association?”


  “It’s unlikely.”


  The teenager in white thought for a while. “These people are generally personally taught by their parents. I felt that the Card Creator vocation was too weak and hence learnt something else. Besides, even if they don’t like their parents’ vocations, their grandparents are seven-stars as well. If not, they could do an exchange as well.”


  “Exchange……”


  Lu Ming did not come back to his senses for a long while. “High society…… sure knows how to have fun.”


  “What are you talking about?”


  The teenager in white scratched his head, feeling embarrassed.

  “It’s alright.”


  Lu Ming smiled at him. “It’s alright if they don’t feel like joining. All you need to do is to write down their contact details and information.”


  “Huh?”


  The teenager in white thought for a while. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”


  “For every person for whom you give me the details, your contribution points will increase by one thousand points!”


  Lu Ming maintained a calm expression.

  “Where should I write them down?”


  The teenager in white was interested.

  Very soon……

  He wrote down all the talents that he knew. Some were stronger than him and some were weaker than him. There were a total of 100 people!

  “I don’t think I know any more people.”


  The teenager in white was deep in his thoughts.

  He had even written down the six-year old talented child from his second auntie’s family who could pee liquid energy!

  Well……

  Lu Ming looked at the name list, feeling pleased with it.

  Hehe.

  Recruiting many people with a low efficiency was not that great!

  There were many people in the Energy Warrior Association, but they all ended up salted fish[1]! Besides, the added cultivation increase due to recruiting a large number of disciples and using the Sky Water Sword was too low!

  The best way was to fool these people into joining the Sword Card Master Association!

  This was a list containing the most top-notch talents in the world!

  If he fooled all of them to join……

  Hehehe……

  “Master~”


  Xiaobai’s voice could be heard.

  “Huh?”


  Lu Ming came to his senses and stroked her head. “Aren’t you teaching the spirit bodies? Why do you have the time to be here?”


  “Well……”


  Xiaobai blushed, looking at her master with an embarrassed face, before she passed something to Lu Ming secretly. “Master, you can use this in the future.

  “Junior Brother Haoran will find out if you damage the association’s property.”


  With that……

  She shoved the item into Lu Ming’s hands and ran off.

  Eh?

  Lu Ming looked at the item in his hand, dumbstruck. It was a 30-centimeter tall garage kit! The only thing that was different from the one he had experimented on last time was that it looked like Xiaobai.

  Lu Ming was confused.

  What is going on?

  Wait a minute.

  What did Xiaobai mean when she said to use it?!

  Lu Ming was deep in his thoughts.

  He felt that…… something did not seem quite right……

  [1] Chinese internet slang for a boring and idle person with no ambitions