Card maker? No, I'm a mechanic!

"Buzz!"

The moment the card is activated,

The teleportation array, which had been buried underground in the square, lit up simultaneously, and a golden halo instantly enveloped all the candidates who had passed the test.

A wave of dizziness followed.

The next second, everyone felt a blur before their eyes, and then the surrounding environment became bright.

……

Tianlan City Card Masters Association.

It's much quieter here than in the square, and the interior has a strange style, like some kind of curiosities museum.

For example, those strange head sculptures hanging on the wall.

Inside the certification hall, staff had been waiting for quite some time.

"Line up and submit your artifacts for evaluation."

"Those without products, please register on the left."

"Once the judgment is made, hurry home and don't block the way."

With the examiners maintaining order, the candidates in the hall began to line up in an orderly fashion.

Just as Jiang Zhe was about to move Lin Xiaoyou forward, he was stopped by a hand.

"Jiang Chul?"

A staff member politely said, "The examiner is waiting for you in his office. Please come with me."

"office?"

Jiang Zhe raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.

Are you trying to get special treatment?

But it seems to be just me... so it's okay.

He nodded, bidding a temporary farewell to Xiaoyou, and then followed the staff through the lobby into a quiet corridor.

After pushing open a heavy wooden door, Jiang Zhe walked into the office.

Inside the room, Zhao Tie was sitting behind his desk.

Two other people were sitting on the sofa next to him, one of whom was Examiner Liu, who was looking at him with a complicated expression.

The other was an elderly professor with gray hair, wearing an academic gown.

"You're here? Jiang Zhe, please have a seat."

Zhao Tie pointed to the chair opposite him, his attitude much more amiable than it had been in the square.

Jiang Zhe didn't dawdle; as soon as he sat down, he placed the crystal directly on the table.

"The quality is very good."

Looking at the crystal that emitted a soft light, Zhao Tie was full of admiration.

"These fragments of relics are different from complete relics; only level one card masters can enter them."

"We weren't expecting much this time, this is really unexpected."

"But as you know, according to the assessment regulations, this needs to be submitted."

Jiang Zhe nodded and readily pushed the crystal over.

While this thing has value, it's still a bit too early for him.

Moreover, this thing is too hot to handle; if he were forced to keep it in his hand, he might not be able to hold it.

Learning to let go at the right time to gain other advantages is also a kind of wisdom.

"but……"

Zhao Tie paused, his gaze sweeping over the stone tablet peeking out of Jiang Zhe's bag.

"Given your outstanding performance in this assessment, and the fact that you even exceeded expectations by bringing back a core member..."

Zhao Tie gave a rare smile, then took a box out of the drawer.

"So we've decided that you can keep that stone tablet as your personal trophy."

"Here is also a Level 1 Card Master certification badge and an Association Black Card with 10,000 points."

"Points?" Jiang Zhe asked, somewhat puzzled.

It's normal that you don't know some things.

The examiner, Liu, explained with a smile.

"Points are the association's internal currency. If you want to exchange them, one point is worth about ten yuan."

"Only ten yuan?" Jiang Zhe was taken aback.

Is 10,000 the same as 100,000? It's a lot, but not as exaggerated as I imagined.

"Superficial," Examiner Liu rolled her eyes at him, annoyed. "Points aren't something that's easy to come by."

"Many materials and blueprints, and even some special permissions, cannot be bought with money; you have to use points as a stepping stone."

"For example, if you want to open a store to sell trading cards, the business license alone costs 10,000 as a threshold."

"I see."

Jiang Zhe's eyes lit up.

While 100,000 yuan might be a lot, a business license is a valuable asset that allows one to fully utilize their capabilities.

If he could open a legitimate illegal workshop in the academy, wouldn't he make a fortune?

"And don't think that 10,000 points is a small number."

Seemingly sensing Jiang Zhe's thoughts, Examiner Liu added.

"Do you know how long it would take an average level 1 card dealer to earn 10,000 points?"

"How much?" Jiang Zhe asked curiously.

"At least five years, and it has to be the kind of role where going to the ruins is like coming home."

"Or someone who takes on five or six tasks a day."

Examiner Liu waved his hand, his tone wistful.

"Generally speaking, hunting a Tier 1 magical beast from the ruins only yields a few points."

"Even a first-tier advanced level close to second-tier would only score around a hundred points at most."

"Your move is equivalent to someone else risking their life for several years."

"Is that so?" Jiang Zhe exclaimed in surprise.

No wonder Chen Ming didn't mention this to him. Judging from his carefree attitude, he's probably lucky to have a few hundred in savings.

Not to mention that his main job is dealing with stationed card dealers.

"Thank you, examiner!"

Jiang Zhe happily put the card away, just as he was about to leave.

The old professor who had been silent on the sofa finally spoke.

"Ahem... wait a moment, young man."

He cleared his throat, then looked intently at Jiang Zhe.

"Zhao Tie, is this the promising young man you were talking about?"

"That's right, Professor."

"His performance in this assessment can be described as excellent, even exceeding the standard."

"Exceeding the standard? That's quite a high evaluation."

Professor Lin raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

He was just bored when the academy assigned him to recruit the candidate who had brought out the core.

After all, those promising talents who can be nurtured should definitely be carefully cultivated.

But that's about it.

In his view, this was just a kid with decent luck or ability.

Moreover, he was even an 18-year-old repeat student.

"Professor, this guy is quite different from the ordinary guys."

Zhao Tie shook his head upon hearing this, his tone carrying a hint of mystery.

"I saw his entire performance clearly."

"It's not just that he treats second-tier magical beasts like monkeys, but more importantly, his cards..."

Zhao Tie paused, then looked at the card box at Jiang Zhe's waist. "Very interesting."

"Cards?"

Professor Lin's gaze also turned in that direction.

"Young man, may I take a look?"

Although his tone was polite, there was still a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

What kind of cards could make Zhao Tie, a level 3 card master, find them interesting?

"Since the professor wants to see it, then I won't refuse."

Jiang Zhe didn't waste any words, got up, took out the modified escape card, and handed it over.

Anyway, the core of this thing relies on his knowledge; these people definitely won't understand it just by looking at the structure or something.

Moreover, it would be even better if this move could demonstrate some benefit.

As soon as Professor Lin received the card and prepared to scan its internal structure with his mental energy, his brows furrowed instantly.

"What...what kind of nonsense is this?"

The loop of this card is absolutely bizarre.

He could tell the escape card, but what were all those completely incomprehensible loops and dark things on it?

What's even more outrageous is that this card is so ugly!

"This is supposed to be card making? It's utter nonsense!"

Professor Lin shook his head in disappointment and handed the card back.

"You actually changed a perfectly good card like this."

"Zhao Tie, is this what you call interesting?"

Zhao Tie felt a little embarrassed upon hearing this and was about to explain.

"I don't think so."

Calmly taking the card, Jiang Zhe lightly pinched it between two fingers, then looked at Professor Lin.

"Professor, usability is more important than aesthetics."

"You..." Professor Lin was about to reprimand the boy for his ignorance.

"Zira!"

Just then, a current of energy began to swirl around Jiang Zhe's entire body.

"Bang!"

Immediately afterwards, everyone felt a blur before their eyes, and the place where they had been standing was now empty.

A strong gust of wind blew past, and Jiang Zhe appeared directly on the other side of the office, several meters away from where he had been before.

"What?!"

Professor Lin's eyes widened, and the wrinkles on his face deepened.

He stared intently at the simple card in Jiang Zhe's hand, his mind racing with thoughts.