Card Master: My Special Feature - Choose One of Three

"Ah Miao is here," Aunt Mei Ruofang looked Bai Miao up and down and took the fruit and drinks he was carrying.

"You've grown taller and thinner. The last time I talked to your mom on the phone, she said you look completely different from before."

"I thought she was exaggerating, but I didn't expect her to become a card master. Her energy and spirit are really different."

"You've come all this way, and you even brought all this. We have everything we need at home. I just hope you can come often."

Mei Ruofang warmly welcomed Bai Miao into the room, and Fen Yuan perched on its shoulder, looking around curiously.

"I just bought them downstairs. Auntie, aren't Uncle, Brother Ming, and Sister Xu home?"

"Something happened at the East City Patrol Station. Your uncle led a team to inspect it. Congming went too. Congxu is at school and will be back later."

"Ah Miao, what card did you summon? Your uncle was asking about it just a few days ago, saying he wanted to find you an internship so you could work part-time while you're in school and then get a full-time job after graduation."

Bai Miao poked Fen Yuan, whose eyes narrowed into crescent moons. "Hello Auntie, I'm Fen Yuan, Bai Miao's card, meow."

"Hey, Pink Ball, hello," Mei Ruofang patted Pink Ball's head, then asked, "A summoned creature that can speak human language, belonging to a special category. Does it have the potential to be a combat-type?"

Bai Miao recalled the abilities of the tapioca pearls, then shook his head, "No."

"Then I'll keep an eye out for some clerical positions for you. I remember you're good at spiritual arts, but card games aren't combat-oriented, so it'll be quite difficult for you to climb the ranks based on combat strength."

Mei Ruofang wanted to say something more, but Bai Guodong, who had heard Bai Miao's voice, walked out of the house with a stern face. Without saying a word, he struck a Tai Chi starting hand gesture.

"Ah Miao, have a go!"

"Go quickly," Mei Ruofang said, giving up her seat.

Bai Miao adopted the same stance as Bai Guodong, the only difference being that Bai Miao used the Bagua step instead of the Tai Chi step.

With a raised eyebrow, Bai Guodong attacked, but Bai Miao calmly faced him.

The two exchanged more than ten moves.

Bai Guodong's moves were fluid and skillful, each action drawing in Bai Miao's energy and using his own strength against him.

Bai Miao integrates the Eight Trigrams, making his movements unpredictable and allowing him to foresee Bai Guodong's intentions.

For a time, the fight was evenly matched.

Suddenly, Bai Guodong let go, panting:

"I'm not fighting anymore. I'm too old to beat you youngsters."

"Grandpa couldn't bear to hit me," Bai Miao laughed happily.

"All you do is say nice things. Is that how you got Old Man Jiang to teach you the Bagua Steps?"

Before Bai Miao could answer, Bai Guodong continued, "You've practiced quite well. The Bagua is unpredictable, and the Tai Chi is harmonious. You're much better than your father."

"Cough cough," Bai Guodong coughed for a while, and Bai Miao helped him to sit down on the sofa. Mei Ruofang went to pour water for Bai Guodong.

Bai Guodong grasped Bai Miao's hand; the old man's hand was thin and cool.

"Ah Miao, you must remember that only the skills you hold in your own hands are true skills."

Your dad is an idiot. He told me times have changed and not every card master needs to be good at combat.

But let me tell you, things are no different now than they were before.

Your father is able to live a peaceful life in Yujiang City because so many people at the patrol stations are bearing heavy burdens.

"Grandpa, I know."

Bai Miao understood Bai Guodong's meaning: as long as the demon beasts existed, the card masters had to fight.

No one knows how long the peace in the Shenzhou Alliance will last.

"These are the cards you summoned?"

Bai Guodong raised his hand towards Fen Yuan, and after receiving a reassuring look from Bai Miao, Fen Yuan jumped into Bai Guodong's arms.

After pinching the base of the tapioca pearl, Bai Guodong determined that it wasn't very strong.

"I heard from you and Ruofang that it has no combat ability, so when you reach the second tier, summon another card."

Card Masters are not limited to summoning only one card; they have one more chance to choose a card each time they advance to the next rank.

You can choose to strengthen existing cards or summon new cards.

Most card players would choose the former, as summoning new cards is too unpredictable, and it is better to strengthen existing cards for a more stable improvement.

"Okay, Grandpa."

Even without Bai Guodong saying so, Bai Miao was going to summon new cards.

His cheat ability allows him to gain experience by defeating monsters, thereby strengthening his cards.

Choosing to enhance cards is completely unnecessary.

Clang.

The sound of a water glass shattering came from the kitchen.

Fen Yuan immediately jumped onto Bai Miao's shoulder and followed Bai Miao and Bai Guodong to the kitchen.

Mei Ruofang braced herself on the kitchen counter with one arm, holding her phone in the other, her body trembling uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face.

After choking back tears for a long time, he finally managed to piece together a complete sentence.

"Dad, Xianjun took Congming to inspect the patrol station, but an accident happened, and both of them went missing."

Bai Guodong coughed suddenly, and Bai Miao helped him to the dining table to sit down first.

He said to Mei Ruofang, "Auntie, I'll try to see if I can lure my uncle and cousin back."

"Catch it back?" Mei Ruofang was taken aback; she didn't know what Bai Miao was talking about.

Bai Miao briefly described his experience of fishing for the rotting bone stingray in the spirit realm.

Mei Ruofang suddenly felt a surge of power within her, and she chased after Bai Miao, asking:

"Whatever you need, Auntie will prepare it for you right away."

"I need some personal belongings from my uncle and cousin, and then send them to the patrol station immediately."

Bai Miao hasn't had time to test the maximum range of the tapioca pearl's ability.

Going to the patrol station is the safest course of action.

"Okay, then wait for me."

Mei Ruofang staggered into the room, quickly packed two bags, handed them to Bai Miao, and said anxiously:

"These are the clothes your uncle often wore, and Congming, these are his clothes. I also found this flesh-colored soft cup in his wardrobe."

"Is that enough? If not, Auntie will go find some more."

"That's enough, Auntie, let's go!"

Bai Miao was about to help Bai Guodong into the house first, but Bai Guodong waved his hand.

"You all go on your way, don't waste your time on this old man."

Like Bai Miao's uncle Bai Xianjun, Mei Ruofang served in the military and was known for her decisive and efficient actions.

He had been momentarily overwhelmed by the news, but now he was able to calmly drive Bai Miao to the patrol station.

However, Bai Miao could still tell from her trembling lips that she was uneasy.

The patrol station was on high alert, with dozens of armored vehicles surrounding it.

Bai Xianjun held a high-ranking position in the military, so his disappearance is a major event.

Fortunately, Mei Ruofang was Bai Xianjun's wife and worked in the same system, so the two quickly entered the patrol station.

Mei Ruofang found a quiet room for Bai Miao, giving him space, and then walked to the wall, clasped her hands together, and looked at Bai Miao hopefully.

She didn't know if Bai Miao would succeed, but she was willing to try anything, as it concerned her husband and son.

"Are the tapioca balls ready?" Bai Miao gestured to the tapioca balls.

"Hey! Ready?"

A dark golden light emanated from the cross-shaped mark on Pinky's forehead, enveloping her, before dissipating.

A magician's hat floated in front of Bai Miao, and in his hand was a dark fishing rod.

[Shared Vision] activated.

Bai Miao picked up the flesh-colored soft cup that his cousin Bai Congming often used, and among the many threads of fate wrapped around the cup, he searched for the one that intersected with his own.

Casting rod.

The fishhook falls into the magician's hat, and guided by the threads of fate, it weaves through layers of mist.

The fishing rod suddenly bent downwards.

"Found it!"

Bai Miao activated his third spiritual technique, "Force to Uproot Mountains," in an attempt to lure Bai Congming over.

A violent struggle came from the fishing rod, the force pulling at Bai Miao, even trying to drag him along the thread of fate.

Seeing this, Mei Ruofang rushed over and grabbed the fishing rod from Bai Miao's hand without hesitation.

The power of a second-tier combat card master erupted completely, and together with Bai Miao, they lifted the fishing rod.

"Let me go! Who are you! Let me go! I'm warning you—"

Bai Congming landed from the sky, filled with shock and anger. The longsword formed from the cards protected him until he saw that the people in the room were Bai Miao and Mei Ruofang.

"Ah Miao, Mom, what are you doing here? I—"

"I need to notify the military immediately! My dad and I were dragged into the spirit realm; it's a conspiracy by those lunatics from the Lionheart Society!"