Aftermath

"Do you know why Principal Xie of Shanghai City No. 1 High School arranged for you to enter a Secret Realm for practical training ahead of time, even if it's only the lowest-level Secret Realm?" Seeing Lu Su's confusion, Jiang Wang did not answer directly. Instead, he posed another question.

Lu Su had originally thought it was for the upcoming Ning'an District Four-School Joint Examination, but Jiang Wang's reaction clearly suggested otherwise. Somewhat bewildered, he replied, "Isn't it for the Ning'an District Four-School Joint Examination afterward?"

Hearing Lu Su's answer, Jiang Wang chuckled softly. "That's right. You're right, but only half right."

"More importantly, it's for the Secret Realm you'll be able to enter after winning the Four-School Joint Examination."

A Secret Realm? Was there something special about this one? As waves of doubt rose within Lu Su and he was about to ask, Jiang Wang continued, "This Secret Realm is just an ordinary Bronze Grade Secret Realm."

"But even a Bronze Grade Secret Realm is a rare opportunity for Third Year High School students like you."

Lu Su scratched his head at that. Even so, was it really necessary to take it this seriously?

Jiang Wang looked at Lu Su. If the boy had not saved his daughter and displayed such extraordinary talent, he would never have said so much to a high school student.

As if seeing through Lu Su's thoughts, Jiang Wang smiled. "By entering a Bronze Grade Secret Realm, you'll have the chance to climb higher ahead of schedule. It will also give you a better shot at the Jiang Province Unified Examination at the end of this year."

Most selected Third Year High School students were generally still at the Black Iron Grade. Only a small number of students with both wealth and talent would reach the Bronze Grade before entering university.

"The Jiang Province Unified Examination?" Lu Su could not help asking. After hearing the term, he searched through all his memories but found no corresponding explanation.

"That's right, the Jiang Province Unified Examination." Since Jiang Wang had already brought it up, he naturally stopped being cryptic and explained, "It is being held for the first time this year. Students who perform exceptionally well can be admitted early to Great Ming's institutions of higher learning."

Only then did Lu Su understand. No wonder Jiang Wang had reminded him to take this Bronze Grade Secret Realm seriously.

After all, even if Shanghai City No. 1 High School failed to win, Jiang Nanxi could still rely on Jiang Wang to obtain resources in the future.

But Lu Su was not so fortunate. As an orphan, he had to rely on himself every step of the way.

Still, why was the Jiang Province Unified Examination being held for the first time this year? And in his memories, the Spirit Summoning Society had not been nearly so brazen before.

Had something happened to Great Ming?

Lu Su silently pondered this, but soon buried those doubts in his heart. They were still too far removed from him.

Seeing that Lu Su understood his meaning, Jiang Wang smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "Work hard, Lu Su. I think highly of you."

Jiang Wang was not merely being polite. He truly thought highly of Lu Su. Back when he had been Black Iron Grade, the highest-quality card he could create was only a gold card, and that had taken more than half a year of accumulation before he succeeded.

Unlike Lu Su, who had only gathered the materials yesterday and created a Black Iron Grade Red Card today.

"Thank you, Uncle Jiang. I'll work hard." Lu Su did not grow arrogant at Jiang Wang's encouragement. After all, he had only created Kaneki by standing on the shoulders of giants.

And in the future, he would still have to count on Kubo and Kishimoto to bless him.

As Lu Su and Jiang Wang spoke, several Card Master Association vehicles with flashing red and blue lights arrived at the Happy Home residential complex.

A Young Man Lu Su knew very well stepped out of one of the vehicles.

Xiao Yifei, a third-year student in Shanghai University's Card Making Department.

"Big Brother Xiao, why are you here?" Lu Su could not help but be surprised upon seeing him.

Xiao Yifei looked Lu Su over a few times before recognizing him. "Oh, it's you, Xiao Luo."

Then he sighed. "What can I do? It's an internship assigned by the school. I can't exactly refuse."

Basically, third- and fourth-year students in the Card Making Departments of Great Ming's higher institutions all went out for internships. Some found their own placements, while others were assigned by their schools.

Xiao Yifei did not want to intern outside either. Wasn't it nice enough to stay at school, enjoy the air conditioning, and play games?

Why did people have to work just to live?

Jiang Wang spoke up then. "Xiao Yifei, so you know Xiao Luo. That makes things easier."

Only then did Xiao Yifei notice Jiang Wang standing beside Lu Su, and he was immediately stunned. "Director Jiang, why are you here?"

As a Gold Grade Card Master, Jiang Wang was already considered a pillar of strength in a city, so he naturally held a position in the association.

"Xiao Luo is my daughter's classmate. I happened to have something to do and brought him home today, only to run into some Spirit Summoning Society scum." Jiang Wang gave Xiao Yifei the account he had previously coordinated with Lu Su.

Xiao Yifei froze, thinking that when he had received the call, the person on the other end had clearly said that only Xiao Luo was involved.

Thinking of this, he could not help asking, "Didn't they say on the phone that Xiao Luo was the only one who ran int—"

Halfway through, Xiao Yifei saw Jiang Wang's smiling expression and immediately changed his tune. "Director Jiang did well. Everyone has the right to execute Spirit Summoning Society scum."

Xiao Yifei was lazy, not stupid. With Jiang Wang vouching for it, as long as the dead man was confirmed to be from the Spirit Summoning Society, he naturally would not dig any deeper.

After a moment of silence, Xiao Yifei cautiously said, "Then, Director Jiang, would it be convenient for you to come back with us and give a record of what happened?"

Since they were putting on an act, they had to see it through. Jiang Wang had already come, so he naturally would not refuse. Turning to Lu Su, he said, "Xiao Luo, I'm afraid this place has been damaged too badly by me for you to keep living here. You'd better find somewhere else to stay."

Lu Su immediately understood. Jiang Wang was reminding him not to keep living in the Happy Home residential complex. Even if Jiang Wang could help him smooth things over with the association, there had been too many people around today. It was hard to say whether this place was still safe.

So he nodded slightly. "I understand, Uncle Jiang. I'll look for a new place later."

Seeing that Lu Su understood him, Jiang Wang said no more and directly got into the back seat of Xiao Yifei's car.

Only then did Lu Su hesitantly ask, "Big Brother Xiao, how is Aunt Xu, my neighbor across the hall?"

Because neither Lu Su nor Jiang Wang had any healing cards, Aunt Xu had remained lying on the ground until the Card Master Association arrived and carried her away.

"Don't worry. Our people checked on that auntie. She just broke a few bones and passed out. Her life isn't in danger," Xiao Yifei reassured him, seeing what was on Lu Su's mind.

When Lu Su heard that Aunt Xu was all right, he could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. After all, she had suffered an undeserved calamity today.

"Then we'll be off, Xiao Luo." Seeing that the scene had been dealt with, Xiao Yifei greeted Lu Su before leaving the Happy Home residential complex with his men.

Generally, the association reimbursed damage and injuries caused by illegal Card Masters like this, so Lu Su would not have to pay out of pocket.

Returning to his shabby old apartment, Lu Su looked at the mess inside and silently sighed.

He had only been here for a little over half a month, yet a dangerous organization had already set its sights on him. His future seemed utterly bleak.

But his most urgent task now was finding a new place to live. He definitely could not stay in the Happy Home residential complex anymore.