My Card Girl's Infinite Evolution

Luo Sheng chatted casually with Zhao Haifeng for a while, getting a better understanding of Pingcheng's current state. The Ghost Domain, thanks to the involvement of the academies, had retreated, and even the Demonic Realm had ceased its expansion due to Luo Sheng's efforts. The city had largely returned to normalcy, though vigilance remained heightened.

However, there was a tinge of regret.

This crisis had claimed the lives of many Card Masters, with over 200 casualties from the Armed Forces and Security Guards. Each academy also reported the disappearance of over a dozen students.

To stabilize Pingcheng, the Card Alliance dispatched reinforcements from other cities. They apprehended numerous members of evil organizations, including Paul, the notorious Card Collector Master. Luo Sheng saw Paul's subdued figure in news photos, escorted by the Alliance envoy and loaded into an armored vehicle en route to prison.

"It seems this ordeal has finally come to an end," Luo Sheng thought as he saw the perpetrators brought to justice. "Five days, and so much has happened."

Just then, Zhao Haifeng messaged him:

"Hey, Sheng, got time? Want to hit the black market together?"

"Sure, I've been meaning to check it out too." Luo Sheng agreed without hesitation, knowing he still had an unused [Black Mask] card. The timing was perfect.

"Ten minutes at the academy gate?"

"Got it."

After ending the chat, Luo Sheng browsed the school forum while waiting.

Forum Highlights:

[Forever Young: "Finally! The task delegation is over. This Ghost Domain invasion had me so busy I didn't even have time to date! My girlfriend's threatening to break up with me. So frustrating!"

Radiant Sun: "Open up! I'm a master at prying doors now. Your girlfriend has been requisitioned by me!"

Dark Sun: "I heard there's some kind of competition announcement in 15 days. Anyone know the details?"

Kawaii Fan: "Yay! I finally pulled a [Close the Door] card!"]

Most posts expressed relief that the crisis had ended, though some lamented its conclusion because they'd become addicted to the rewards of card hunting. Luo Sheng checked the Card Master rankings next.

Card Master Rankings:

1. Qin Jianjia - Bronze 10 Stars, 99%.

2. Wang Ke'ai - Bronze 9 Stars, 83%.

3. Xu Yourong - Bronze 9 Stars, 82%.

4. Li Shiyu - Bronze 8 Stars, 79%.

5. Zhao Haifeng - Bronze 8 Stars, 77%.

Luo Sheng noted how closely packed the rankings were, impressed by Qin Jianjia's rapid ascent toward Silver level. He glanced at his own rank, finding it had dropped to around 50th place. Previously listed as a Bronze 7-star, he was now a Bronze 8-star Card Master.

"Let's go," Luo Sheng called out.

"Wait! Let me finish this match!" Dongfang Muqing yelled, furiously clicking her keyboard and moving her mouse with lightning speed. "Are you guys elementary schoolers? Playing like noobs! Ugh, you don't deserve to be on my team!"

"She's addicted to gaming…" Luo Sheng muttered, exasperated. He made a mental note to enable "Youth Gaming Restrictions" later.

Suddenly, Bai Moxue intervened, her icy yet tender hands pulling Dongfang Muqing away from her desk. "Time to go," she said firmly.

"Nooo!" Dongfang Muqing whimpered, staring at the "Game Over" screen in despair. She turned her puppy-dog eyes to Luo Sheng, pleading, "You have to summon me first when we get back!"

"No way! Summon me first—I'm your elder sister!" Bai Moxue shot Dongfang Muqing a stern look, pinching her chubby cheeks playfully.

Luo Sheng watched the heartwarming bickering between the two and chuckled. "This is just a normal, friendly scene. Don't overthink it," he reassured himself, though the thought of their antics made him smile.

Both girls transformed into cards and slipped into Luo Sheng's card box. He hopped on his motorcycle and sped to the academy gate, where Zhao Haifeng was waiting with his ride—a sleek metallic velociraptor. The raptor's titan-steel patterns made it look incredibly imposing.

"Nice ride," Luo Sheng said, impressed.

"Yours isn't bad either—did you know this bike used to belong to Qin Jianjia?" Zhao Haifeng remarked.

"What?" Luo Sheng was stunned. "How do you know that?"

Haifeng explained, "She got this card not long after forming her Spirit Gem. I saw her riding it at a financial summit a few months ago."

Luo Sheng froze, realizing he was now riding the very bike Qin Jianjia had once owned. "This… this is like an indirect…" He shook the thought away.

"You guys must have a great relationship," Zhao Haifeng teased, clearly envious. "I hear plenty of heirs are after her."

"What about you?" Luo Sheng asked.

"Me? I'm into more mature women—especially married ones. They know how to take care of a guy," Haifeng admitted sheepishly.

"Respect," Luo Sheng said, giving a thumbs-up. "You have the spirit of Cao Cao!"

He added with a smirk, "You like other people's wives, and I like other people's goddesses. Looks like we both have bright futures."

The two burst into laughter, their shared quirk deepening their camaraderie.

Soon, they reached the black market's hidden entrance in a desolate part of Pingcheng. The route wound through abandoned, dimension-corrupted streets before arriving at the concealed entrance.

"The black market is discreet," Haifeng explained, "but anyone with enough status or strength knows where it is."

"Is that why someone gave me a [Black Mask]?" Luo Sheng asked.

"Exactly. While the black market looks lawless, it's actually under the Card Alliance's regulation. Rumor has it the market's overseer is an Alliance insider. By controlling the black market, the Alliance suppresses competing factions and keeps the balance."

Luo Sheng nodded, absorbing the information as they approached their destination.

(End of Chapter)