CHAPTER 31: 031 WORLD LINE_1

The little girl’s sister looked at Wen Jiang, unable to believe what she was hearing. "You’re an A-Level Spirit Card Master?"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the onlookers changed subtly.

If Wen Jiang was A-Level, then using a B-Rank card to fight the little girl would be considered bullying.

Wen Jiang smiled and shook her head. "Of course not. Would an A-Level Spirit Card Master come here?"

While some A-Level Spirit Card Masters might seek to affirm their status, most wouldn’t be so unscrupulous. A Card Trial Hall like this typically only saw B-Level and R-Rank Spirit Card Masters; this was a common understanding among those who entered.

The little girl’s sister was even more incredulous. "Fat Orange is just a B-Rank card, but its speed just now was clearly faster than the Red-Beak Eagle. If you’re not an A-Level Spirit Card Master, how is this possible?"

Her words implied Wen Jiang was using a higher level to bully others.

Wen Jiang showed her phone, where the B-Level Spirit Card Master registration was quite eye-catching. "How about now?"

Spirit Card Masters wouldn’t dare fake their level; a mismatch in actual combat could be fatal.

Seeing Wen Jiang’s B-Level status, the little girl’s sister’s face turned somewhat embarrassed and flushed an odd crimson.

Her younger sister was very skilled, leading her to believe her sister possessed extraordinary, unparalleled talent. Now, faced with someone of the same B-Level who had used a Card Spirit—one practically considered ornamental—to defeat a flying Card Spirit so decisively, she felt a loss of face. Her first instinct was to question if Wen Jiang was a higher-level master intentionally bullying them.

After all, such incidents were not unheard of.

She hadn’t expected Wen Jiang to be truly stronger than her own sister...

She bit her lower lip, an indescribable heat rising in her cheeks.

Little Winter Melon looked up to comfort her older sister. "You’re strong and amazing."

She curiously looked at Wen Jiang. "Are you a player from another association?"

She herself had been chosen by the Card Association; someone as strong as Wen Jiang surely had to be from a major one.

Wen Jiang slowly shook her head, a faint smile on her lips. "No, I haven’t joined the Spirit Card Master Association."

"Ah?!"

"Holy shit, she’s without an association."

"So strong! Could it be that she has just started and hasn’t been discovered yet?"

The onlookers indeed found it hard to believe that someone as strong as Wen Jiang was unaffiliated.

Little Winter Melon was also quite surprised; she exchanged a glance with her sister. Wen Jiang then asked from where she stood, "Does winning mean I can continue fighting?"

Little Winter Melon nodded, stepped aside, and let other Spirit Card Masters come forward.

Unfortunately, Wen Jiang’s defeat of Little Winter Melon with Fat Orange was too overwhelming. The others were merely there for the spectacle; no one dared to step up for a real challenge.

Wen Jiang had participated in only one ordinary trial, yet no one dared to face her. She left the Card Trial Hall with a hint of regret.

After losing to Wen Jiang, Little Winter Melon was dispirited. She returned to the association with her older sister.

Little Winter Melon was curious. "Sis, that young woman is an unaffiliated Spirit Card Master, and she’s even stronger than me. Do you think our association can recruit her?"

Wei Qing clenched her fists, her gaze complex. "I don’t know. Recruiting Spirit Card Masters isn’t up to us, is it? Besides, it’s not like just anyone can join the Holy Beast Association. Strength isn’t the only factor; other reasons are considered too."

Little Winter Melon seemed pensive. "Is that so?"

Wei Qing looked at her younger sister, her mind drifting to the past.

Wei Qing was an ordinary person; Little Winter Melon was her half-sister. Years ago, their father had an affair. Wei Qing’s mother, consumed by grief over the matter, passed away early. Wei Qing despised the man. Her resentment only deepened when she heard he had married his mistress and had a daughter with her.

Then, her father and his new wife suddenly passed away, leaving eight-year-old Little Winter Melon orphaned. Little Winter Melon was initially slated for an orphanage. However, after some searching, it was discovered she had an older sister, and so the government sent her to Wei Qing. Wei Qing had initially refused to take her in.

How ridiculous, she thought. Why should I take care of that despicable man’s brat?

That was until the staff told her Little Winter Melon had been identified as a Spirit Card Master.

A Spirit Card Master—a being of a status ordinary people could only dream of achieving in a lifetime.

Spirit Card Masters received a monthly stipend of 10,000 yuan and their own house.

Ordinary people like her, aside from government-provided low-rent housing, received no significant benefits.

She hesitated for only a few seconds before deciding to take in Little Winter Melon.

Little Winter Melon was well cared for. She knew nothing of the sordid history between the adults. Having just lost her parents, she cried pitifully and grew dependent on this sister she had never met. After all, she had been told Wei Qing was her last living blood relative.

Wei Qing felt conflicted. She enjoyed the benefits Little Winter Melon brought. Despite her inner contempt, she couldn’t bring herself to show it outwardly, and this internal conflict intensified.

Recently, Little Winter Melon’s exceptional talent was recognized by the Holy Beast Association, and she was invited to join.

The Holy Beast Association also provided Spirit Card Masters with a monthly stipend. If they placed in competitions, they could earn even more prize money. As her guardian, Wei Qing became Little Winter Melon’s agent. This elevated their social standing and expanded her connections, allowing her to meet people previously far beyond her reach.

Although Little Winter Melon was only B-Level, Wei Qing knew that exceptionally talented Spirit Card Masters had a high probability of advancing. If Little Winter Melon could ascend to a higher level...

And she was Little Winter Melon’s only guardian.

As long as she could keep a firm hold on Little Winter Melon.

At these thoughts, Wei Qing’s fingers clenched tighter.

Oblivious, Little Winter Melon snuggled contentedly against Wei Qing’s arm and asked happily, "Sis, what are we having for dinner tonight?"

Wei Qing subtly pushed her away. Looking down at Little Winter Melon, her expression turned stern. "Little Winter Melon, you’ve just joined the Holy Beast Association; you need to perform well. You just lost out there to some unknown rogue Spirit Card Master. That’s unacceptable! You’re both B-Level; how could you let her suppress you so badly? The Holy Beast Association must never find out about this. Starting tomorrow, you must spend more time training in the Card Trial Hall!"

"Ah?"

Little Winter Melon seemed somewhat bewildered. She saw the coldness in Wei Qing’s eyes and, after a long moment, meekly lowered her head. "Okay."

As Wen Jiang headed to other Card Trial Halls, Zero Egg suddenly spoke up, "That little girl and her older sister just now... they seem to have some connection to you."

"Oh? What kind of connection? Long-lost relatives?"

As an orphan, suddenly having relatives pop up would be ’plausible,’ I suppose.

"No," Zero Egg replied. "According to the data from the original world line, those two are supposed to be cannon fodder in your story."

Wen Jiang stopped in her tracks. Her interest piqued, she asked, "World line? Why haven’t you explained these details before? Oh, I remember now. You keep saying I’m the protagonist of some tragedy. How exactly was that determined?"

"Aiyah, it’s basically about your future." Thinking about the world line that had already deviated by thousands of miles, Zero Egg decided it was time to reveal the secret.