CHAPTER 35: 035 WRITTEN ON FACE LIKE A DUNKED CALF_1

Jimo Xiao’s death also cast a shadow over the Mount Flower Association.

It wasn’t that the Mount Flower Association was doomed, but with the loss of their greatest supporter, the association was uncertain about its future.

The Card Association’s network was complex. Many were eyeing the Jimo Family’s remaining businesses, a coveted prize, and the Mount Flower Association was inevitably caught in the middle.

Some of the Mount Flower Association’s management didn’t want to see it merely end up being acquired by other associations.

When Chen Runyu arrived at the Mount Flower Association today, he could feel the oppressive atmosphere within.

His master, Tang Qian, greeted him with a troubled expression and said, "Shang Lang is demanding to terminate his contract ahead of schedule."

Chen Runyu was taken aback, and a surge of anger rose within him.

There weren’t many S-Rank Spirit Card Masters in the association, and Shang Lang, skilled in the assassin role, was one of them.

The S-Rank teams were divided into a first and second team. The first team was Sheng Hongying’s group. The Mount Flower Association had already disrupted it by removing the other four members, reportedly to make room for Shang Lang.

And now, just as news of General Jimo Xiao’s death in battle broke, he wanted to dissolve his contract?

Chen Runyu said angrily, "General Jimo Xiao just died in battle! Is he that impatient?"

"He already had this idea. Rumor has it that Aurora offered more generous terms, and they were pressing him hard. He submitted the request last night, never expecting this to happen today. Shang Lang is truly in a bind now," Tang Qian explained, pinching the bridge of her nose, her irritation palpable.

"I think," she continued, "once Shang Lang sets this precedent, it’s bound to cause unrest in the association."

Even if Shang Lang hadn’t intended to, he had set a bad precedent.

Chen Runyu suddenly thought of Sheng Hongying. "Sister Hongying still hasn’t agreed to renew her contract?"

Tang Qian shook her head.

She looked at Chen Runyu, the disciple she had personally chosen, and said suddenly, "If someone else tries to poach you, just... consider it."

Chen Runyu’s expression turned ugly at once. "Master, what do you take me for? I won’t leave."

"I’m not asking for your loyalty," Tang Qian shook her head. "The situation is what it is. Every Spirit Card Master wants to move to a better association. An influx of fresh blood leads to the creation of more new cards, and powerful cards will continuously emerge. Guarding Mount Flower, an association with no fresh blood, offers such a slim chance of success."

"Our association hasn’t produced a new S-Rank Card in over a year, let alone a new SSR. That’s why we were repeatedly defeated in the world competitions. Others have long since figured out our cards. On top of that, there was the incident with Hongying, so the outside world has harbored grievances against our association for a while now. If you move to a better place, no one will blame you," she added.

Chen Runyu vehemently shook his head. "I won’t go, Master. No one has approached me. I’m just an A-level Spirit Card Master; I don’t have such grand ambitions. I’m fine staying here."

"Whatever you choose, your master won’t hold it against you," Tang Qian said. As soon as she finished, her phone rang. She answered, and upon hearing the message, there was an unexpected note of delight in her voice. "Really? She agreed?"

Apparently, the news was unexpected. Tang Qian, still on the call, headed for the elevator. Chen Runyu didn’t know what had happened. He thought about it for a moment but didn’t follow her. Just then, his phone vibrated. Taking it out, he saw a new message.

Wen Cangtian asks the world (Private Message): Does your Mount Flower Association still need a Card Maker?

A flash of surprise lit up Chen Runyu’s eyes. We’re definitely lacking! he thought. It was impossible to hope for A-Level or above; even B-Level Card Makers were scarce.

Wen Cangtian messaged privately, "I’ll come and have a look later."

She agreed?!

Chen Runyu had truly not expected her to agree to visit the Mount Flower Association at such a critical juncture. He was overjoyed. Although recruiting didn’t seem to be his responsibility, he decided to personally greet Wen Jiang.

The Mount Flower Association occupied an imposing building of its own.

The first three floors housed office spaces, with card training rooms located above. Each of these upper floors was designated for Spirit Card Masters of different levels.

After receiving Chen Runyu’s message, Wen Jiang headed to the Mount Flower Association. Coincidentally, just as she entered, she saw two factions facing off near the entrance. They were causing a loud commotion in the first-floor lobby, drawing a lot of attention.

"Runyu, I’ve told you before, with your current situation, can your A-Rank Group even make it into the top ten in next month’s National League preliminaries? I’m truly looking forward to competing against you in the tournament." A boisterous young man with striking red hair patted Chen Runyu’s shoulder. A smirk of undisguised pride and disdain played in his narrow eyes as he spoke.

Chen Runyu wasn’t one to lose his temper easily; he was generally even-tempered. So, even when provoked by his cousin, Chen Yunbai, he managed to remain composed. "The tournament is still a month away. Why bring this up now?"

"HAHAHAHAHA." Chen Yunbai laughed triumphantly. "It’s just a coincidence that I came to discuss some matters with your association. Imagine my surprise running into you here today."

After saying this, he leaned in slightly and whispered sarcastically into Chen Runyu’s ear, "You have no idea, do you? Your Master Tang Qian bought a new A-Rank Card Set from us because your Mount Flower Association isn’t capable of making one itself. I’m here today, representing my association, to deliver that very card set."

When Chen Yunbai straightened up, he indeed saw a flash of shock in Chen Runyu’s eyes.

"Tsk, Runyu," he continued, his voice dripping with mock concern, "I’m not saying this to criticize you as your cousin. But what’s the point of staying in an association that can’t even produce new cards? General Jimo is gone now, and other big associations are eyeing Mount Flower. The best outcome for Mount Flower is to be acquired by another association. Otherwise, even with Sheng Hongying around, how long do you think your association can last without an influx of fresh blood, relying on those outdated cards?"

"I’m afraid that by next year, your association won’t even make it into the top twenty nationally."

He spoke these words very softly, yet loud enough for those immediately around him, including Chen Runyu, to hear.

And upon hearing that Tang Qian had bought a card set from them, Chen Runyu was left speechless, his face turning ashen.

Chen Yunbai and his group left arrogantly.

Wen Jiang heard it because her spiritual power was strong.

Zero Egg heard it because it was the System.

Zero Egg sighed. "This red-haired guy... he really does seem like a stereotypical, brainless villain, doesn’t he?"

Wen Jiang said, "I think you’ve got a point."

"Right?" Wen Jiang’s agreement made Zero Egg somewhat excited, but it quickly tsked. "But he was right about some things," Zero Egg continued. "This year, the Mount Flower Association hasn’t produced many new A-Rank Cards, and they’re being suppressed in competitions. The card set you created did alleviate some pressure for the B-Level Group. However, overall, the Mount Flower Association really can’t hold on for much longer. If Sheng Hongying doesn’t renew her contract, their association won’t even have a star player. Without that, no one new will join them."

Their impending doom was practically written on their faces.