Chapter Seventy-One: The New Card

“Huh? How did it catch fire?” Tang Tian looked innocent.

Sai Lei stared blankly for a moment, then forced a smile and said, “It’s not your fault. Looks like there’s still a flaw in the design.”

Tang Tian tilted his head and pondered, “I think, although the Star Treasure has a martial soul and is clever, it can’t possibly compare to a human. If that’s the case, why not design it as an auxiliary combat tool? That way, it’d be really powerful! It could help humans fight, and it’s smart, too. If I had a weapon like that, capable of using five martial skills, then I’d have ten skills—no one could beat me!”

Sai Lei felt as if her mind had been struck by lightning, leaving her utterly stunned.

How had she not thought of that!

Yes, martial souls may be intelligent, but they’re still no match for humans. To pit them against warriors was a fundamentally flawed path. If this system were used to assist warriors, it would be immensely powerful.

No need to learn—one could instantly possess new martial skills. Sai Lei immediately grasped its value.

Suddenly, countless ideas surged through her mind, a storm of inspiration colliding within. She felt for the first time that her invention might change the world! The thought seemed ridiculous, but it thrilled her.

She stood there, lost in thought, while her ideas whirled like a tempest.

Tang Tian realized Sai Lei was best left undisturbed, so he tactfully refrained from speaking to her and instead chatted excitedly with Bing, gesturing energetically, “Uncle Bing, I feel like I’ve made progress again!”

Bing didn’t respond, but stared at Tang Tian. “How did you come up with that idea?”

“That idea?” Tang Tian looked puzzled. “Oh, I just thought of it casually. Isn’t that how it should be? Didn’t you think so too, Uncle Bing?”

Bing remained silent, still staring at Tang Tian. His combat experience far surpassed Tang Tian’s, and he hadn’t been surprised by Tang Tian’s battle against Sai Lei’s testing device. In the old Southern Cross Corps, there had been similar devices—remnants of the golden age of ancient machinery. Both machinery and martial souls were vital training tools for new recruits. Bing was intimately familiar with these; new soldiers would flounder at first during simulated drills, but as they gained experience, a competent recruit could always defeat a stronger simulated sparring partner.

Humans are always the most intelligent.

Sai Lei’s tester looked more refined, but Bing was unperturbed. The sparring machines of his time were cruder but far more destructive; compared to them, Sai Lei’s device was like an intricate toy.

Bing remained calm—even Tang Tian’s victory didn’t surprise him. In Bing’s eyes, Tang Tian possessed all the qualities of an outstanding soldier: his training was never half-hearted, and his dedication bordered on obsession. In battle, he never hesitated; he was a true battle prodigy, a genuine combat fanatic.

Bing found it hard to believe that such a person had been overlooked for years.

He never believed Sai Lei’s tester could defeat Tang Tian.

As expected, Tang Tian won. But Tang Tian’s words truly astonished Bing. With his vast combat experience, Bing immediately realized the immense value hidden in Tang Tian’s remark.

This kid… always manages to surprise…

Bing’s thoughts churned, far from the calm he displayed. In his eyes, Tang Tian had always been a scatterbrained youth, a single-minded creature who couldn’t even count to a hundred without his fingers, yet suddenly he’d uttered something so earth-shattering it left Bing dumbfounded.

Perhaps he’d underestimated the boy… Maybe Tang Tian actually had some intellect after all…

Bing began to doubt himself.

Tang Tian sensed Uncle Bing had been stunned by his remark and became even more smug. “Aha! The mind of a godlike youth—vast as the ocean!”

All water, huh…

Bing murmured inwardly, determined to set the matter aside. Clearly, Tang Tian had just stumbled upon the idea by chance; someone as green as him couldn’t possibly understand true combat.

“Haha! Truly worthy of the title ‘godlike youth’—you’ve helped me solve a big problem!” Sai Lei’s voice rang out from behind. Her enchanting eyes sparkled with confidence as she smiled sweetly at Tang Tian. “I’ve decided to give you two cards for free!”

Tang Tian’s pride soared, but his attention was immediately drawn to the Soul General cards. “Make sure they’re powerful!”

“Haha!” Sai Lei laughed heartily. “Oh, oh, oh, only the most powerful ones would suit a godlike youth!”

A gleaming silver Soul General card appeared in her hand. “You said you needed a fourth-tier cultivation method Soul General card to match the ‘Crane Energy Formula.’ I only have this ‘Four Heavenly Dragons.’ It’s the true cultivation method from the Dragon constellation. The Dragon constellation was once illustrious, though its decline was swift—much like the Crane constellation. I see you’ve mastered the Crane Body, the essence of the Crane Energy Formula. The Crane Body’s energy will serve you well up to the fifth tier. Once you reach the sixth tier, unless you learn higher-level Crane techniques, the Crane Body’s energy will become almost negligible. ‘Four Heavenly Dragons’ is only fourth-tier—Dragon cultivation methods are unique, from ‘One Heavenly Dragon’ up to ‘Seven Heavenly Dragons.’ When you reach the eighth tier, a true transformation occurs, known as ‘Eightfold Heavenly Dragons,’ which is extremely powerful. Aside from ‘Eightfold Heavenly Dragons,’ the most formidable aspect of this method is the Dragon Force.”

Tang Tian listened intently, murmuring, “Dragon Force…”

“Exactly. Crane Force is sharp, Dragon Force is fierce. If you can grasp the Dragon Force, your power will multiply. Your current style is already aggressive; adding Dragon Force will make it even stronger. Moreover, the transformation between Crane Force and Dragon Force will give you more versatility. Dragon Force is hard to master, but if you managed the Crane Body, godlike youth, I believe in you!”

Sai Lei winked at Tang Tian.

Tang Tian showed no humility, taking the Soul General card with confidence overflowing. “I’ll definitely master Dragon Force!”

Sai Lei’s admiration was clear as she flicked another card from her fingers. “You’re a natural close-combat expert, but I’ve noticed a weakness—your leg techniques. Your legs aren’t nearly as skilled as your hands. This card, ‘Twin Kick Combo,’ is perfect for close-quarter fighting. It’s obscure, uses borrowed force for continuous attacks, and its energy is strong; using it is like setting off firecrackers, quite fun. If you master Dragon Force and integrate it into your leg techniques, the power will be even greater!”

“Sounds amazing!” Tang Tian’s eyes shone. Both cards suited him perfectly.

He glanced at the scorched remains of Sai Lei’s testing device and turned to ask, “Sai Lei, are you going to build a new tester?”

Sai Lei shrugged. “I’ll refine my ideas first. Wusteel is easy to get, but treasures are hard to find. That treasure took a lot of effort to acquire. Right now, I can only play with low-tier cards. In this system, the higher the card’s tier, the more demanding the treasure requirements. It’s expensive—I’ll have to save up for a while.”

Tang Tian grinned, producing a sword from his hand and handing it to Sai Lei. “I’ll give you this treasure. I don’t use swords; it’s useless to me. You can use it to build a new tester.”

Sai Lei accepted it without fuss, teasing, “Tsk tsk, you really are a wealthy youth—handing out treasures like that, it’s enough to make even a sister’s heart flutter. I’m a gold-digger through and through, love rich men most of all. You’re a bit young, but why not consider marrying me? I’ll take good care of you…”

She examined the sword and exclaimed, “Oh! Rabbit Silk Sword, a bronze treasure from the Rabbit constellation, first time I’ve seen one.”

“I just beat a few guys. They ransomed themselves; one girl didn’t have a soul core, so I took her sword,” Tang Tian replied casually.

Sai Lei was momentarily stunned, then understood. “I know who you mean! Hehe, youth, how about you catch another opportunity and rob them again? They’ve got plenty of good stuff!”

Her eyes sparkled, stars drifting within. Tang Tian felt a chill and shook his head firmly. “Our grudges are settled. Unless they offend me again, I won’t do anything bad.”

Sai Lei looked disappointed.

Bing suddenly asked, “Do you have any books about the history of Three Soul City?”

“You’re interested in Three Soul City?” Sai Lei was surprised. “It’s not a major city in the Soul Region, just over a thousand years old.”

“Soul Region?” Bing caught the term.

“You don’t even know about the Soul Region? Where are you from—cavemen?” Sai Lei’s gaze was odd, but she soon frowned in thought. “If you go west, there’s a small library with some relevant books, very detailed introductions. To be honest, I’m only interested in ancient machinery.”

“Thank you!” Bing turned to leave.

Tang Tian was about to depart as well, when Sai Lei called from behind, “Hey, godlike youth, remember to check in on my new inventions in a few months!”

Tang Tian perked up and shouted, “It’s a deal! Godlike girl, do your best!” He was genuinely excited to see what strange new things Sai Lei might create thanks to his suggestion.

With that, Tang Tian waved, hopped onto the bronze mechanical ostrich, and rumbled away.

“Godlike girl…” Sai Lei paused, a smile spreading across her lips. “What an interesting fellow. Hmm, looks pretty rich—if I can’t snag a wealthy husband, I’ll make him my sponsor… Sai Lei with a sponsor, wow, sounds impressive!”

“Better check if there’s any wusteel left… I’m a bit hungry… Haven’t eaten all day…”

“Ah, even the last packet of biscuits is gone… Heaven help me… Why is this world so hopeless…”