Drawing Cards Will Naturally Make You Stronger (Thanks to Alliance Leader Qingqiu Lichou)

What does it take to achieve the first server-wide clear?

Skill, endurance, game understanding... personal abilities like these are naturally indispensable, but beyond that, there's a condition that seems beneath notice yet is actually more important than any individual skill.

Money.

Even in fair competitive games that don't sell stats, ample funds mean better equipment, better network conditions, more sparring partners, boosting resources, and even RMT transactions... and besides, how much fairness is there really in this world?

As a professional who's achieved multiple first-clear records, Wu Ming never shied away from using money to gain an edge. Now that he's in another world, there's even less reason to neglect this most vital resource.

The moment he called upon the system in his mind, the world froze.

All the noise and splendor around him faded like a discolored painting, turning pale and blurry... only a Star Vortex slowly spun at the center of his vision, countless rays of starlight gleaming within the whirlpool!

Inexplicably, knowledge about this Star Vortex surfaced in his mind.

This was the true benefit of his transmigration—a Card Pool containing every possibility.

Just like the common gacha games before his transmigration, as long as he invested a certain amount of "resources," he could extract items from the pool that didn't belong to this world.

The so-called resources were Spirit Crystals. One hundred sixty could be spent on a single pull. For now, the only way to obtain them was by submitting guides. Wu Ming had just barely saved up enough for a ten-pull from two guides, and he was using it at a critical event to turn his fate around!

With his intent set, the accumulated Spirit Crystals transformed into thousands of fine streams of light, surging out from his body, swirling into the Star Vortex, and colliding with countless tiny stars... moments later, several stars were pushed out from the collisions, breaking free of the vortex's pull, and hurtling straight toward Wu Ming's forehead!

Boom!

At the moment of impact, Wu Ming felt a blue light fill his vision, followed by a wave of warmth flowing into his body... it seemed to have the effect of healing pain. The qi and blood disorder caused by forcibly comprehending the Human Emperor Scroll immediately calmed down a bit.

Before he could savor it, another blue light flashed. This time, a cool sensation spread through his feet, making his entire body feel slightly lighter.

Wu Ming instantly understood: so these blue lights were for enhancing physical attributes. The first two probably corresponded to health regeneration and agility. The effects were solid, all boosting useful stats, but the potency... was truly worthy of the blue light's status!

Even with this almost foundationless mortal body, the blue light enhancement didn't produce any qualitative change. Each blue light was roughly like raising a stat from 100 to 101. Even as a percentage boost, the effect was barely better than nothing!

Unless he had an adult's credit card to make these blue lights rain down endlessly, otherwise, just like the convention before his transmigration, the key to pulling cards was always...

Swish!

After the eighth blue light, a purple light suddenly burst forth, then flowed smoothly into his dantian, condensing into the shape of a jade tree. The moment the jade tree took form, Wu Ming felt a faint, intangible resonance with the surrounding plants and trees... and this was precisely the power of the Wood Spirit Root!

So, at the purple light stage, it could improve a person's spirit root aptitude? In this immortal cultivation world, that was undoubtedly one of the most important attributes. Just the slight increase in Wood Spirit Root aptitude alone made Wu Ming feel that the Human Emperor Painting in his mind had sprouted new vitality, and his memory limit had increased by at least ten more characters.

However, in this Star Vortex shining with billions of stars, the purple star was not the end. Above the purple light, there was another layer...

Boom!

A muffled thunderclap exploded overhead. A majestic meteor tore through heaven and earth, its dazzling golden light seemingly smelting away one's rationality.

As a newcomer's bonus, after eight blues and one purple, the golden light arrived right on schedule!

This time, the image in his mind was exceptionally clear. Surrounded by golden light, a blue-covered book slowly floated, the three characters "Human Emperor Scroll" on its cover standing out prominently.

Human Emperor Scroll? The highest rarity reward in this Star Vortex was the Human Emperor Scroll, which was displayed in front of Dinghuang Prefecture for anyone to browse?

Just as the doubt arose in his mind, the Human Emperor Scroll turned into fine powder, spreading and flowing along with the golden light.

When the last trace of golden light faded, the faded world began to warm up again.

The gacha time was over. Likewise, the time to comprehend the Human Emperor Scroll was also used up... Wu Ming's ears were once again filled with the clamor of the crowd. Liu Sanlang, surrounded by people, had already started walking up the stage, preparing to claim the grand prize prepared for him today.

And behind him, as expected, came cold sneers and mockery—though his result of infinitely approaching the fifth realm was already very good, since it was the achievement of a Desolate Person, it had to be met with doubt and belittlement.

But none of that mattered anymore.

All of Wu Ming's attention was now on the open book in front of him... With the bit of stamina restored by the blue light, his vision had cleared again. However, the part after the five hundredth character was still twisted and blurry, hard to discern. Even with his enhanced aptitude, he could at most recognize another ten or twenty characters.

But there was no longer any need for him to risk his life memorizing the text. An invisible force from all directions of heaven and earth suddenly descended, like a baptism of wisdom, causing the crystal jade that had just solidified in his mind to burst forth with brilliance!

Without needing the exclamations of those around him, Wu Ming clearly realized that his Human Dao Seal had once again sublimated, reaching the sixth realm. Although the Heavenly Book text in his mind was still only five hundred characters, the actual result presented exceeded six hundred... to be precise, six hundred and twenty-five characters.

The golden light that burst from the Star Vortex was a refinement, an overlay... an independent boost that perfectly increased the cultivation art's effect by a quarter!

With the refinement of the golden light, Wu Ming, though unable to break the shackles of his bloodline, had easily surpassed the bloodline itself. A realm exceeding the sixth layer, without him needing to announce it, had already stunned the entire venue.

"..."

"..."

When something truly unbelievable happened, the distracting noise and clamor were swept away in an instant... Feeling the sudden silence around him, Wu Ming confirmed that he had won this round.

Then he opened his eyes and looked around. What met his gaze were faces full of disbelief, mouths agape. As he swept his gaze around, it was as if a dense barrage of question marks and exclamation points was looping through the air.

"Huh??"

"Holy shit!!!!"

"How much!!!???"

Though the surroundings were silent, it was deafening... At this moment, that familiar feeling had finally returned.

Speechless shock was the best applause for the number one.

It was a long time before scattered voices gradually arose.

"Is this a mistake!? Sixth realm?!"

"No, sixth realm and two-fifths... Cheating, definitely cheating!"

"Fuck his mother, a result that's obviously crooked, what's that little bastard so smug about!?"

"Shameless wild bastard..."

Doubts, anger, and even direct insults gradually filled the air... Without opening his eyes, Wu Ming could tell that the latter half of the hysterical roar likely came from some old acquaintance whose blood was surging so hard it burst both internal and external hemorrhoids.

If Liu Xi's earlier face-to-face snark was a kind of HP-1 comedic beauty, then now... it was an HP+10 pleasure.

The impotent rage and hysteria of the defeated were always so melodious... Wu Ming lifted his head, looking down on Liu Xi and his pack of cronies with a condescending gaze, then spread his arms, a smile slowly spreading across his face.

Your trifecta of cheap shots is exactly what drives me forward. Next time, I'll take first place again, thanks!

Bang!

Vaguely, Wu Ming seemed to hear the snap of some important blood vessel bursting.

But before the fury could reach him, his master Gu Bai's figure drifted over.

"Alright, don't bother with people like them. Since you've taken the top spot and become today's protagonist, it's best not to stir up trouble. Also, next time you achieve such results, remember to get them notarized immediately, or petty people with loose tongues might turn public opinion against you."

The old man spoke, then handed a pure white circular jade pendant to Wu Ming.

"This is the token issued by Dinghuang Prefecture according to the law. With it, your Human Dao Seal attainment has the backing of Dinghuang Prefecture. No matter how unwilling those petty scoundrels are, they can't question your results."

At these words, not only Wu Ming was surprised, but even the few cronies beside Liu Xi showed shocked expressions.

"Dinghuang Prefecture has such a token?!"

"Why have I never heard of it? Could that useless old man be making it up?"

As for Liu Xi, his face was ashen, teeth clenched, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Meanwhile, not far from the long table, a middle-aged Daoist in white robes and a tall crown explained unhurriedly: "In the past, the Immortal Alliance vigorously promoted the Human Emperor Scroll in Qiongzhou. Those who cultivated the Human Dao Seal, if their levels were close, could see each other's attainments, making forgery nearly impossible... However, most beings in Qiongzhou lack cultivation and cannot distinguish the presence or authenticity of the Human Dao Seal. Some old cultivators transferred from other prefectures also haven't practiced the Human Emperor Scroll and lack the ability to discern... Hence, Dinghuang Prefecture issued the 'Mingren Jade.' But in the last hundred years, Qiongzhou has been peaceful, the Immortal Path orderly, and few have needed this item."

This middle-aged Daoist was named Qiu Wen. Though his position in Dinghuang Prefecture wasn't high, he had worked diligently for nearly a century, an undeniable veteran, even outranking the current prefect Kong Zhang.

So when Daoist Qiu spoke, it caused an uproar.

The Mingren Jade had rarely been used, so many didn't recognize it... But as an old clerk of Dinghuang Prefecture, Qiu Wen's testimony was beyond doubt! With his corroboration, Wu Ming's six-layer Human Dao Seal left no room for questioning!

So, within Qiongzhou, could there really be a Desolate Person from the countryside who achieved a six-layer Human Dao Seal on their first enlightenment?!

Under the gaze of the crowd, Wu Ming looked at Gu Bai with mild curiosity.

"Master, when did you apply for certification for me? So well-prepared, did you suffer losses before?"

Gu Bai smiled and said, "When you broke through the fourth layer, I went to find Daoist Qiu. I just didn't expect you to let us witness such outstanding results... Fortunately, Daoist Qiu upheld justice and didn't give petty scoundrels a chance to exploit the situation."

Qiu Wen said, "Achieving a six-layer Human Dao Seal on first enlightenment is something Qiongzhou hasn't seen in years... According to prefectural law, as long as you apply formally and pay the processing fee, Dinghuang Prefecture will verify and issue the token. Finally, congratulations to Sect Leader Gu for taking on a fine disciple."

After exchanging a few bland pleasantries, Qiu Wen clasped his hands and left on the pretext of official business, as if the commotion before the prefectural office meant nothing to him.

By now, the crowd's excitement had peaked.

If Wu Ming's six-layer Human Dao Seal was genuine, today's top prize winner was beyond doubt... Gradually, countless gazes focused on the temporary stage.

At this moment, the Fragrant Dye Dharma Sword, symbolizing today's champion and carrying extraordinary significance, had long been handed by Kong Zhang to Liu Sanlang.

But Liu Sanlang had just taken the sword when he saw Wu Ming's six-layer Human Dao Seal shatter the daily record he had just set, stunning everyone.

Now, the sword in his hand seemed to burn with inextinguishable true fire, abnormally hot to the touch.

Under the crowd's gaze, Liu Sanlang was silent for a moment, then shook his head, shrugged, chuckled lightly, and carried the sword down the stage in a few steps. He walked straight to Wu Ming and extended the sword forward.

"Take it. Whoever's first holds it."

Wu Ming didn't stand on ceremony and took it casually: "Thanks."

One dared to give, the other dared to take. Their composed demeanor momentarily silenced the surrounding clamor.

It wasn't until Liu Sanlang grasped Wu Ming's hand and raised it, along with the sword, high into the air that the cheers erupted again like thunder.

Amid the cheers, Liu Sanlang said in a low voice, "Wu Ming of Gujian Sect, I'll remember you. I'm Liu Qi of the Wu County Liu Clan. Next time you come to the county seat, I'll treat you to a drink... Make sure to grace me with your presence, haha."

With that, Liu Sanlang released his hand, smiled, and retreated into the crowd, no longer stealing the champion's spotlight.

Wu Ming wanted to say a few more words but couldn't catch up.

Seeing the enthusiasm surging from all sides, Wu Ming had to adjust his state to fend off the crowd and solidify his victory, but suddenly felt his head grow heavy, his eyelids drooping... Before his consciousness sank, he vaguely heard his master approach and let out an apologetic sigh.

"Alas, fellow Daoists, my disciple is frail. Today, he has truly exhausted himself and needs to return to the mountain gate for rest. In the future, we master and disciple will surely come back to the county seat to personally thank you all for your kindness..."

Thanks to Qingqiu Lichou for the patron support! Thanks to Gege's Godzilla and Butterfly Falling into a Dream for their support! Thank you, everyone!