Myriad Ghosts Night Parade at the Start

The only regret was that, in the end, it was combined with an [eerie object], so there would still be negative drawbacks. Lu Zhishen would easily become enraged and disobey commands.

This kind of drawback was actually very acceptable.

After all, Lu Zhishen was a [Fighter] card. He was meant to be reckless and just charge forward, requiring no control. The goal was to be unstoppable.

But as a Card Master, Lin Chen still had a responsibility to explain the pros and cons of Lu Zhishen's card to Chen Xiao Diao.

He first explained Lu Zhishen's drawback of being too reckless to be reined in, then wanted to hear Chen Xiao Diao's opinion.

Chen Xiao Diao replied, "You've explained the advantages, so what about the disadvantages?"

Lin Chen: "??? I was just explaining the disadvantages?"

Lin Chen remembered that what Chen Xiao Diao wanted was to be unstoppable and to attack endlessly.

In that case, it was perfect.

Besides, Chen Xiao Diao didn't have any micro-management commands. She would just mindlessly shout "Charge! Charge! Charge!" It was indeed better to let Lu Zhishen fight on his own.

It was also worth mentioning that Lu Zhishen surprisingly had a precious self-recovery ability.

This was the [Wine and Meat Pass Through the Bowels] trait. As long as he was provided with enough wine and meat, Lu Zhishen's endurance would be invincible, greatly reducing the Card Master's spiritual power burden.

So, Chen Xiao Diao should probably prepare another [Item Card] related to wine and meat.

After explaining all the details, Chen Xiao Diao was happy but also troubled. 'This card fits me so perfectly, how much more should I pay Brother Chen?'

She skillfully hugged Lin Chen's thigh again.

"Brother Chen, I really don't have much money right now. Just consider it a debt. When I get paid, I'll pay you back slowly!"

Lin Chen realized that he had made a blue card for Chen Xiao Diao, which was beyond his usual performance. The crafting fee should indeed be increased.

The initial 150,000 was the price for a default green card.

Lin Chen waved his hand, indicating that it was fine. He would let Chen Xiao Diao continue to owe him a favor.

Besides, this girl was quite likable. In this eerie world with extreme survival pressure, she possessed a rare purity and optimistic personality.

Lin Chen himself was also very happy. He had created another unique card, one that he had invented himself.

However, there was one thing Lin Chen needed to agree on with Chen Xiao Diao.

The copyright for the card [Xiangguo Temple Mad Zen Demon Monk - Lu Zhishen] belonged to Lin Chen. Lin Chen had also registered the copyright for this card on the Card Association's official website.

He had also set the information to be encrypted.

Chen Xiao Diao could not casually replicate it, nor could she sell the information to other Card Masters for research.

This was a rule in the card-making industry, and Chen Xiao Diao naturally understood it.

As the joy of successful card making faded, Lin Chen began to recall the spiritual phenomena of the stars at that time.

When he made Wu Song, Lin Chen hadn't had any obvious premonitions, but this time he had clearly captured a boost of star power from the unseen.

Both Wu Song and Lu Zhishen had the hidden trait of [Fallen Evil Star].

Lin Chen took out [Qinghe County Exile Fighter - Wu Song] and placed it next to [Xiangguo Temple Mad Zen Demon Monk - Lu Zhishen], observing them closely.

The borders of both cards shimmered with the silver light of stars.

Could it be that these two cards had truly invoked the stars in the sky?

Or was it that this world truly had historical legends of evil stars descending to the mortal realm? And he had coincidentally echoed them.

It was also plausible, as different mythologies had legends of stars descending to become heroic spirits, such as the classic Western twelve constellations and the Eastern twenty-eight mansions.

The exploration and worship of celestial stars had been a habitual human behavior from ancient times to the present, combining scientific and romantic contemplation.

Combining this with Lin Chen's previously deduced formula for faith power in this world, as long as there was human belief projected, it would generate a large amount of spiritual power, even leading to godhood.

Therefore, it was very reasonable for stars to have spirits.

With that said, Wu Song and Lu Zhishen, as fallen star spirits, both had the potential to become God Cards!

The future was promising!

Suddenly, the two cards, Wu Song and Lu Zhishen, generated a faint, almost imperceptible connection. The weak starlight on both cards converged like a small galaxy.

The cards trembled, and both Lin Chen and Chen Xiao Diao felt the card spirits' urge to manifest on their own.

Chen Xiao Diao looked helpless, while Lin Chen nodded, indicating that it was acceptable.

The starlight flickered, and both Wu Song and Lu Zhishen were summoned.

The two heroes stood simultaneously in Lin Chen's card-making room. One was as robust as a tiger, the other as burly as a bear, making the room feel crowded.

One was a Human Tai Sui god, the other a Buddhist demon monk; one angrily wielded his cudgel, sweeping away the world's filth and corruption, the other smiled and swung his Zen staff, battling the heroes of the world; even Vajras had to bow, and Dharma protectors had to frown.

The two heroes glanced at each other, both finding the other very familiar and imposing.

They clasped their fists in greeting and began to communicate.

The two card spirits ignored their masters and started socializing!

The two heroes from Water Margin chatted and found they had much in common, eventually even swearing brotherhood: "If my brother does not mind, I wish to become sworn brothers!"

Lin Chen was stunned, but after reacting, he began to rejoice. This was a hero linkage from the Water Margin series!

In Water Margin, Wu Song and Lu Zhishen had a very close relationship, even living together on Mount Liang before joining the Liangshan outlaws.

Since both Card Spirits were descended from Star Spirits, it was only natural they would feel a sense of mutual appreciation.

"This is so touching, Brother Chen! It makes me feel so fired up too!"

Chen Xiao Diao watched with tears welling up in her eyes.

"Why don't we become sworn siblings too! Brother Chen!"

"Huh?"

Lu Zhishen makes his debut! With the new book added to the library, the author and Master Lu are seeking readership and monthly votes, which are crucial for future exposure!

Lu Zhishen: "Vote for this humble monk, and I'll repay you in the future!"

Chapter 18: Never Bully a Young Man's Poverty! Chen Xiao Diao Challenges!

"Why don't we become sworn siblings too! Brother Chen!"

The spirited young girl Chen Xiao Diao insisted on dragging Lin Chen into a ritualistic kowtow.

"Aren't we moving a bit too fast?" Lin Chen couldn't help but quip.

Chen Xiao Diao declared righteously, "Seize the day! We only wish to die on the same day, in the same month!"

Lin Chen was speechless. "How did you even come up with that couplet?! Does it even fit?"

As the two "siblings" were bickering, they felt a flash of starlight from the cards.

A new column had appeared on the card information for Wu Song and Lu Zhishen!

Bond: [Sworn Brotherhood] Wu Song and Lu Zhishen hit it off immediately and became brothers. When both are present on the field, their power and presence increase, and they will apply the [Shared Hatred] mark to enemies. They deal critical damage to marked enemies.

Chen Xiao Diao's jaw dropped again. "A [Bond] actually appeared!"

This card-making process had already shattered her understanding countless times.

Lin Chen asked in confusion, "Are [Bonds] that rare? I saw in the card encyclopedia that in the mainstream [Holy Light] sequence, the [Nun] and [Holy Knight] also have a [Holy Blessing] bond with each other."

Chen Xiao Diao's words came out in a rapid, excited rush. "Yes, but Brother Chen, like you said, that's the mainstream [Holy Light] sequence! It's backed by the officially recognized Benevolent God and God of Light! Card combinations that qualify for [Bonds] have been painstakingly researched and discovered by generations of Card Masters over many years. But you just casually made two cards and got one? What does that even mean?!"

After Chen Xiao Diao finished explaining, all that remained was her reverence for Lin Chen.

"Brother Chen, you can continue making cards in this direction. I have a premonition that this series of cards you're creating will shine brightly in the future! By then, perhaps I, Chen Xiao Diao, will be recorded in card history for being the first user of the [Lu Zhishen] card!"

The Water Margin Heroes series, empowered by Star Spirits, was full of spiritual energy and immense potential. Furthermore, the heroes had strong connections with each other, making them natural [Bond] combinations. It was indeed worth developing extensively and creating more cards to build a Water Margin sequence deck first!

Lin Chen further pondered that the scarcity of [Bonds] in this world might be due to historical legends being fragmented, leading to the dispersion of connections between cards. Only card sequences like the God of Light's Church, which have continued to exist and be passed down, have mature [Bond] systems.

Chen Xiao Diao, her chatterbox now open, couldn't stop. She continued to imagine: "Brother Chen, since our cards have [Bonds], they are best suited for team operations! Why don't you join our Card Association Security Bureau Patrol Team! Then, our brother-sister team will be invincible!"

This was already the second person from the Card Association Security Bureau to invite Lin Chen. It seemed the Security Bureau was indeed short of talent and eager for skilled individuals. However, Lin Chen was still hesitant about the Divine Spirit card. He currently lacked irrefutable proof that the Door Gods were benevolent deities. Lin Chen planned to let the worship of the Door Gods spread on a small scale for a while, and once their protective effects became significant, he would then reveal the existence of the Door Gods to the authorities. This trump card was not yet ready to be revealed. Therefore, he still declined Chen Xiao Diao's invitation.

Chen Xiao Diao didn't mind. She knew she just needed to stick close to Lin Chen in the future.

After finishing a Blue Card, Lin Chen's mental power was greatly depleted, so he decided to rest early. Chen Xiao Diao then took her leave.

Alone and quiet, Lin Chen once again felt the mental feedback from the successful card creation. His spiritual sense had been further strengthened. He could now handle three Green Cards simultaneously, which, according to the definition of a Card Master's mental power level, meant he had barely stepped onto the threshold of an intermediate Card Master.

He continued his daily offerings to the Door God statue. Combined with Uncle Qin's faith power, Lin Chen could clearly feel wisps of incense and faith power flowing into the card, refining the Door Gods' spirituality. Although this incense and faith power was very weak, it was like a small stream that could eventually form a great river.

Lin Chen briefly reviewed his gains for the day – the biggest one being Chen Xiao Diao's 150,000 transfer. Satisfied, he closed the ledger. With this 150,000, Lin Chen could add at least one more card. With money, the choices also increased. Should he make another card to perfect his card build?