Chapter 15: The Two-Star Green Card
“Eat meat… bask in the sun… grow stronger.”
Strange, awkward murmurs echoed in Wang Xi’s mind. Though not resembling any known human language, he understood their meaning.
Clearly, it was the voice of the timid goblin.
A memory echo unique to the moment before a card is drawn.
Buzz—
To Godaril’s astonished gaze, a card suddenly materialized before the young man.
Though invisible to her, a dazzling green light radiated from the card.
Wang Xi reached out and caught the card.
“Photosynthesis (Function Card)”
“Quality: Green Two-Star (Non-upgradable)”
“The timid goblin once dwelled at the very bottom of the cave, weak and frail. One day, while foraging outside, it found a black apple and ate it. Its body underwent a transformation. By basking in the sun, it grew stronger and eventually became a formidable presence in the cave, earning the respect of its peers.”
“Upon use, your skin will turn green and absorb sunlight to draw energy, slowly enhancing your physique.”
‘Hmm?’
Surprise flickered in Wang Xi’s eyes.
So that big, burly goblin was a mutant—no wonder it stood out. The description also mentioned a “black apple”; whatever rare treasure it was, the goblin happened to find and consume it, awakening its innate talent.
A green two-star universal card!
And it wasn’t a one-time-use function card!
It could be used repeatedly!
‘Getting stronger just by basking in the sun? That’s even simpler and more direct than cultivation skill cards!’
Wang Xi was overjoyed.
The only thing that slightly bothered him was that his skin would turn green after using the card…
‘Green it is, at least it’s not on my head.’
He comforted himself silently.
‘Having seen so many pale and yellowish skins, a green one might have its own charm. As long as it makes me stronger, it’s nothing. Besides, I can use it secretly without anyone noticing.’
In any case, he had at least convinced himself.
Wang Xi had no intention of testing the card immediately to avoid startling Godaril.
His childhood friend, a handsome young man, suddenly turning into a green-skinned goblin would surely leave an indelible psychological shadow on the simple farm girl.
Wang Xi was a gentleman who cherished the delicate and beautiful. He quietly stored the “Photosynthesis” card away.
Just as he prepared to rise and continue on his journey, he noticed a new change in his mind.
From the dark crack in his consciousness, Kars spat out some words, forming a series of entries:
“Blueberry Candy Coating (Skill Card)”
“Quality: White One-Star (Upgradeable)”
“Experience: 2/100”
…
“Elite Sergeant (Skill Card)”
“Quality: Green One-Star (Upgradeable)”
“Experience: 1/200”
…
“Rendall Body Conditioning Method (Cultivation Skill Card)”
“Quality: White One-Star (Upgradeable)”
“Experience: 0/100”
He wasn’t sure what had happened, but Kars had somehow revealed hidden information about the cards. These three universal cards all happened to be of the upgradeable type.
‘Experience points?’
Wang Xi was slightly stunned.
After comparing, he quickly understood.
During the earlier fight with the goblin, he used the first two cards, which led to a slight increase in experience. The Body Conditioning Method had yet to be used, so it showed zero.
‘So, only through continuous use can one increase the proficiency and experience of universal cards and complete their upgrades.’
Just like martial arts in wuxia novels, only through years of consistent practice and battles can one elevate their skills.
The upgrading of universal cards was similar.
Wang Xi pondered thoughtfully.
‘Compared to others who upgrade cards blindly, I can use Kars to materialize and quantify this process, making it simpler and more intuitive…’
This was an incredibly powerful feature.
He could clearly see even the smallest gains and feedback.
Kars, you truly are considerate!
At that moment, the dark crack in Wang Xi’s mind flickered again, releasing more text:
“Discovered unused card!”
“Shred into experience points?”
Wang Xi was momentarily stunned, then his heartbeat quickened.
Having been a product manager for a card game, he immediately understood the prompt.
This was just “feeding fodder”!
Game developers often design one or more resource management strategies to help players effectively utilize surplus, low-value cards to enhance core cards.
The most common method is to feed these “fodder cards” to core cards to achieve development.
Among the cards Wang Xi currently held, only one fit the notion of a “fodder card.”
—“Hit the Human, Knock Your Horse”
He pulled out this green one-star “quality junk” card and decisively tossed it to Kars.
Still cursing?
You’re about to die!
Wang Xi focused on his mind, noticing that whichever card he concentrated on would highlight.
In the corresponding experience bar, a mostly transparent shadow appeared, as if predicting the amount of experience to be gained.
“Shredding this card yields 50 experience points.”
“Confirm shredding?”
‘Shred it!’
Wang Xi responded.
Then, considering further, he fed the experience points to the “Rendall Body Conditioning Method.”
As the only cultivation skill card he currently had, he wanted to build a solid foundation. Only with a strong base could he further amplify the effects of skill cards.
An adult’s powerful body would always outperform a child’s Dragon Subduing Palms. Being practical, there was no use in refined moves if the body was weak.
Crack!
The green one-star card shattered in his mind.
Countless green lights cascaded down, absorbed by the cultivation skill card, causing its experience to surge rapidly until it reached halfway and stopped.
“Rendall Body Conditioning Method (Cultivation Skill Card)”
“Quality: White One-Star (Upgradeable)”
“Experience: 50/100”
‘This way, my energy wasn’t wasted.’
Wang Xi was quite satisfied.
‘I’ll try to practice the body conditioning whenever I can. I believe I’ll be able to upgrade the star rating soon. I wonder what the effect of a two-star Body Conditioning Method is…’
…
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky was painted with crimson clouds.
At the edge of the forest, two weary figures emerged. Across the fields and the winding dusty road, they glimpsed a peaceful small town in the distance.
Wang Xi, accompanied by Godaril, finally reached Buchanan before sunset.
Their journey had been relatively smooth, without any unexpected incidents. Even the Rendall pursuers they had been wary of were nowhere in sight.
Whether it was because they avoided the main roads or Count Bartor’s sluggishness due to senility, nothing happened.
“Guy, what do we do next?”
The girl, tired, asked Wang Xi.
“Let’s stay in town for a night to rest well. Tomorrow, I’ll inquire about any merchant caravans heading to the capital and try to hitch a ride.”
Wang Xi gazed toward the distant town.
Godaril nodded obediently.
Since she had decided to catch up with Guy and even wounded the count’s guard for him, it meant she had abandoned all ties to Rendall.
Guy had become her sole support.
Wang Xi led the girl across the field paths and entered the town.
At the gate stood only one guard, clad in worn studded leather armor, wearing a kettle helmet, leaning against the wall with a long spear, dozing and looking rather dispirited.
This was only natural.
Buchanan was but a small market town under a viscount’s domain, incomparable to Rendall.
The guard didn’t question Wang Xi, only glanced at the two a few times before returning to his nap.
Though dusty and weary, Wang Xi’s appearance was remarkable. Fine leather armor, sword at his side, crossbow on his back. The black and gold silk lining hinted at his young noble status.
The guard didn’t want trouble and simply ignored them.
A few silver coins a week wasn’t worth the hassle. He was already responsible enough by not spending his time drinking and gambling at the tavern.
Wang Xi raised an eyebrow at this.
His prepared excuses went unused.
But that was fine—less trouble.
He led Godaril straight into the town.
Most settlements had curfews, but night travel was not outright forbidden; torches were required, and one risked questioning by patrol guards, which was troublesome.
Godaril had told him this along the way.
So Wang Xi wanted to find an inn quickly.
As they walked into town, clusters of common folk dressed in bodices and long-sleeved skirts passed by, heading out of town.
These were the lower-class people of Buchanan, having no homes within the town and typically living outside near the fields.
They came into town during the day to work or sell produce, then returned home at dusk.
Wang Xi glanced at them.
Then he whispered something to Godaril.
She nodded obediently and went to ask a gentle-faced peasant woman for directions.
Returning, Godaril quietly said:
“Buchanan has more than a dozen inns. The closest one is on the street ahead, called ‘Three Trout.’”
“Alright, let’s go.”
Wang Xi smiled and quickened his pace.
Before long, the two arrived at the Three Trout Inn.
This tavern sat by the road, a three-story stone and timber building with a wooden courtyard.
The sky darkened gradually. Under the shelter in the courtyard, simple dining tables were set up. Many guests ate, drank, and chatted by torchlight.
Groups gathered around, some gambling dice, their exclamations, frustrations, and laughter filling the air.
Wang Xi glanced up at the wooden sign painted with three trout and led Godaril inside.
He waved to summon a young maid wearing an apron carrying a tray and spoke briefly with her.
In the end, he paid two silver coins for two rooms on the second floor. The price included a hearty dinner and bathing services.
Wang Xi had planned to save money, but with Godaril by his side, he couldn’t squeeze into a crowded attic with a bunch of rough, drunken men.
He was tired, too, and didn’t want his rest disturbed by snores and stinky feet. Spending a little more was worth it.
Night deepened.
After dining and bathing, Wang Xi felt refreshed.
Though the bread and vegetable soup, along with the poorly seasoned roast, left much to be desired, the bathmaid’s skillful hands restored some of his vigor.
In the cramped seven or eight square-meter room, a few candles flickered, their weak light dispelling the darkness.
Wang Xi sat cross-legged on the bed and silently activated the “Rendall Body Conditioning Method.”
Buzz—
A flash of white light.
“Ah!”
His expression changed slightly as he grunted softly.
Suddenly, pain surged through his body!
It felt as if someone was beating his limbs, chest, and back relentlessly with a stick. The skin burned fiercely, bones groaned in protest.
Thump, thump, thump!
Invisible forces hammered his body, bursts of muffled sounds erupting.
Wang Xi gritted his teeth, enduring the pain, sweat streaming down his face.