My Card Girl's Infinite Evolution

Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Who Gets Favor Tonight?



Returning home.

Luo Sheng didn't see Qin Jianjia's figure; she was likely still locked in her room, meditating and exploring her dreamscape. She was trying to harmonize her spiritual core with the resonance of her new card.

This was the only way for card users to communicate with their cards and improve compatibility.

Particularly since the [Frost Wyvern] was originally a full-star, ten-star bronze card—three stars above Qin Jianjia's level—its initial compatibility with her would naturally be much lower than other standard cards.

Thus, if she wanted to use this card, she'd need to work hard to establish communication and continually improve compatibility. Of course, the rewards for doing so were significant.

Resonating with a higher-level card could refine a card user's mental strength. After advancing from Card Disciple to Card Master, there were two ways to level up:

Continuous meditation to temper the spiritual core. Communicating with higher-level cards and receiving feedback to improve one's level.

Both methods had their pros and cons.

The former had a slower growth rate, and those with poor talent were more likely to hit bottlenecks unless they found higher-level meditation techniques, though it was relatively low-cost.

The latter allowed for quicker, easier advancements, but the expenses were sky-high—a luxury only afforded by conglomerates or powerful factions.

However, Luo Sheng didn't need either of these methods. He could simply strengthen his cards and, through a mysterious force, increase his level as a Card Master.

"Now, who gets favored first tonight?"

Luo Sheng pulled out [Flame Maiden - Acoley] and [Battle Maiden - Alice].

After a brief thought, he set Alice aside, planning to find suitable material cards later to strengthen her alongside his mecha.

As for Acoley, he already had the materials ready for her enhancement. Besides, she was his very first combat card.

Activating his spiritual core to communicate with Acoley's card, the world of the card appeared in Luo Sheng's mind.

Crossing the void, Luo Sheng vanished from his room. In an instant, he was in a magical world, his glowing figure now part of this realm.

The [Flame Maiden - Acoley] card disappeared from his hand and fused with the world. She would only return to his hand once he left.

Night had already fallen, and a crescent moon hung high in the sky.

Equipping his mecha, Luo Sheng summoned Bai Moxue, who concealed herself in the darkness.

Using his spiritual senses, he located Acoley and followed her trail.

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Deep within the forest.

Branches bore traces of blood. Hiding in a tree hollow, Acoley wiped at her wounds.

Her black-silk-covered legs, part of her JK uniform, were riddled with injuries. The taut black fabric had torn, exposing large swaths of alabaster skin beneath. Not just her thighs—her entire body was covered in bruises, scars, and bleeding gashes.

After being chased and fighting magical beasts for five straight days, her body had reached its limit, and her magic was utterly depleted.

Acoley wondered if that man would appear again. Yet, it was only a fleeting fantasy. Even if he did come, he'd likely end up trapped in the same dire straits as her.

"So tired…"

In the end, exhaustion and weakness overcame her. Her eyes fluttered shut as she drifted into a deep sleep.

Feeling the night's cold, her curled-up body shivered, reminiscent of that snowy night when she had sold matches for warmth.

In the darkness, magical beasts sniffed out the scent of blood and began closing in.

Unaware of the danger, Acoley remained asleep. Even if she knew, she would have been too powerless to do anything. All she wanted was a proper rest.

Three Wind Demon Giant Wolves appeared outside her tree hollow, their glowing, savage eyes locked onto her scent as they crept closer.

Suddenly, a golden light flashed.

One wolf's head separated from its body. The other two immediately retreated, but they failed to notice a shadowy figure—like a grim reaper with a scythe—waiting for them.

A glint of silver light sliced through the air, and another wolf was halved silently, leaving no bloodstains as it died with eerie grace.

"Awoo!"

The last wolf howled, trying to alert its pack of an enemy presence.

Before it could finish, a metallic fist slammed into its skull, crushing it instantly.

In the span of a single breath, three Wind Demon Giant Wolves lay dead.

"These three wolves alone couldn't have pushed her to the brink." Luo Sheng emerged from the shadows, inspecting his handiwork. His metallic fist was a testament to the power of his mecha.

Not long after, he heard the sounds of an intense battle nearby.

Rushing over, Luo Sheng saw Alice already engaged in combat with more wolves. Sparks flew as claws clashed with her folding knife.

Though Alice's deft martial arts allowed her to dodge killing blows and counterattack, the fight was evenly matched.

Luo Sheng's arrival tipped the scales, and within the time it took to brew tea, six more Wind Demon Giant Wolves lay lifeless.

Returning to the tree hollow, Luo Sheng found Acoley.

Her tattered clothing barely covered her, her consciousness was fading, and her torn black stockings revealed deep, bone-deep wounds. Her swollen, bloodshot eyes hinted at many sleepless nights.

Without intervention, she wouldn't survive the night.

"Those aristocrats are really trying to kill her!" Luo Sheng's fury flared at her miserable state.

He knew that if Acoley died, the [Flame Maiden] card would shatter.

Remembering her classmates who had driven her to this state just for their own glory, Luo Sheng was livid.

"She's burning up…"

Luo Sheng gently touched her forehead, frowning. Activating the [Holy Light Technique] card he had obtained earlier, he began healing her.

Unfortunately, its low level only prevented fatal injuries and stabilized her condition; scars and other wounds would need time to heal naturally.

Fortunately, Luo Sheng had brought a medical kit in his travel bag. After giving her fever medicine dissolved in warm glucose water, her condition began improving.

Acoley started to sweat lightly, her temperature stabilized, and her breathing evened out.

Luo Sheng covered her with a blanket, wrote a letter in the dim light, and placed an evergreen vine wand by her side before beginning his meditation.

When dawn broke, he left the hollow, refreshed and ready for the day.

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In the bright morning light, Acoley slowly opened her eyes, squinting against the glare.

She hadn't felt so rested in days. Warmth suffused her body, banishing the biting cold she had endured.

Then she noticed something was off.

Covered in a thick blanket, she jumped up, startled, her rabbit-like expression wary.

But there was no one nearby—just freshly cooked food, a letter, and a wand imbued with magic.

"Was it him who saved me?"

Acoley's face was filled with doubt. Memories of last night surfaced, recalling the care she received while unconscious.

She was certain it was the boy who had once bought all her matches, secretly given her gold coins, and had that adorable face.

Opening the letter, she couldn't help but cry at the first line:

"You're too weak!"

Despite her tears, she continued reading. The letter detailed how the magical beasts had been dealt with and left her the wand, encouraging her to grow stronger and never cower in a corner again.

"Who are you…"

The letter ended with one word: Traveler.

"Traveler? Well, maybe we'll meet again someday." Acoley whispered the name softly, gripping the wand with care.

Tears streamed down her cheeks, a mix of relief and joy at her miraculous survival.

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Meanwhile, Luo Sheng hadn't left the card world. Instead, he headed straight for Acoley's academy.

His fury burned bright.

His card maiden had been bullied, and as her Card Master, it was time to settle the score.

(End of Chapter)


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