Su Li continued testing cards like [Blood Wolf] and [Ice Blue Shield]. In the end, the compatibility rating for every card reached 80.
He let out a long breath. The initial compatibility rating for every card he used had actually started at 80!
It was so astonishing that if he reported it to Third High School, he would be immediately recognized as a top genius and might even draw the attention of the entire Card Master society.
It had to do with his mysterious ability. Su Li made his decision: he could let himself be seen as a "genius" to some extent, but he absolutely could not reveal his ability to enter the Card World and strengthen cards—a power that upended the entire Card Master worldview.
He had once seen many reports about the dark side of society buried in obscure corners of the internet. For instance, a legendary Card Master had been born with a Supreme Card Bone, only for his clan brothers to secretly try to take it from him when he was young. Or a mysterious organization had captured Card Masters with special physiques to conduct inhuman scientific experiments on them.
Taking a deep breath, Su Li put away his cards and left the Many Cards Building.
He headed to the Card Master Alliance to get certified as a card enhancer that day!
Once he had his card enhancer credentials, Su Li would be able to take on jobs strengthening cards and earn money, while also concealing his ability to some extent.
"Damn it, I'm actually a Madan!" At the entrance to the Card Master Alliance Building, a young man pounded the wall.
Some card apprentices who failed to condense a Spirit Jade by the time they turned eighteen continued trying after graduating from their final year of high school. At that point, they had to go to the Card Master Alliance to get certified as Card Masters.
The black-haired beauty at the entrance had grown numb to it. Hadn't she, too, felt utterly unwilling to accept her lot? But she still had to face life with a positive attitude.
Seeing Su Li arrive, she smiled. "Honored Card Master, how may I help you?"
"I'd like to get certified as a card enhancer," Su Li said.
The black-haired beauty's manner grew even more respectful. She bowed slightly, then led Su Li along.
The card enhancer certification cost 30,000 yuan. Since it involved using up cards, the fee also discouraged ignorant Card Masters from messing around just to "give it a try."
After paying the certification fee, Su Li went to the certification hall, where he unexpectedly ran into Card Master Yan Mo, the discipline director at Third High School.
"Su Li?" Yan Mo had a strong impression of him. He had strung up the little princess of the Beast Taming Family and transported her from a tree, stirring up quite a buzz. He had also personally taken charge of the injured Card Masters.
"Teacher Yan Mo." Su Li bowed slightly in greeting.
"You're here to get certified as an enhancer?" Card Master Yan Mo looked a little surprised. He browsed Third High School's forums in his spare time, and people had compiled information on Su Li. He hadn't stood out before—in fact, he'd barely registered at all.
"Yes." Su Li explained, "I looked into the information on enhancers, and it fits the unusual nature of my Spirit Jade. I've also tested myself already."
Rumor had it that, alongside being a powerful Card Master, Yan Mo was also a highly respected card enhancer.
"Good. Very good." Card Master Yan Mo was pleased.
The enhancer hall was quiet, since there were so few people there. Smiling, Card Master Yan Mo said, "Su Li, you still have one chance to draw a random card. If you pass the certification, the school will reward you with another chance as well."
"Thank you, teacher." Su Li smiled. Third High School had a fairly strong faculty, and they weren't stingy when it mattered.
Just then, a door deep inside the certification hall suddenly opened, and a familiar figure slowly came into view.
"Jiang Mingyue?" Su Li was surprised. Was this girl also a card enhancer?
With her familiar long legs in black stockings, Jiang Mingyue wore a black leather jacket, leather shorts, and black boots. Her golden hair and blue eyes framed a face as beautiful as a painting, and she had a stunning figure.
"Su Li?" Jiang Mingyue had clearly noticed him. She had learned about him through the forum, too.
Su Li thought for a moment, then greeted her.
Jiang Mingyue remained expressionless and somewhat aloof, her gaze sharp. She had gone out only twice recently. The first time, she'd run into Su Li at the library, then encountered him again in the Forest of Blood. The second time, she'd come to the Card Master Alliance Building to get certified as an enhancer, and had bumped into him again. It was hard not to suspect that Su Li was tracking her movements.
By now, she had already put Su Li in the same category as the men who pursued her.
Even though you saved me once, that card was enough to repay you. Third High School must have had the forest under comprehensive surveillance. At worst, I'd have been embarrassed.
With that thought, Jiang Mingyue still politely greeted Card Master Yan Mo and Su Li, then left.
Su Li felt that there was something strange about her gaze. He rubbed his chin. Could it be because I'd sneaked a couple of glances at her black stockings?
I'm not one of those ridiculously upright male leads from web novels who, in a suggestive scene with the heroine, somehow manage to keep their gaze pure and untainted.
My waifu made of paper is better.
Card Master Yan Mo smiled at the sight, patted Su Li on the shoulder, then turned and left as well.
Su Li went to the workstation. The staff member said:
"Honored Card Master, to be certified as an enhancer, you'll need to temporarily deposit all the cards on your person with us, then undergo a card scan."
Su Li nodded. The card enhancer certification was strict and carried considerable authority.
The mighty Card Master Alliance wouldn't covet the cards of a mere Bronze-tier Card Master like him. After Su Li deposited his card case, he passed through the security gate. Red beams scanned his entire body, and nothing unusual was detected.
"Honored Card Master, this way, please." The woman in a small suit and white gloves bowed slightly and showed him the way.
"Card Master, the enhancer certification requires you to successfully strengthen cards three times in a row. In each of the three rooms you're about to enter, there are one hundred Bronze One-star cards.
"Our professional card enhancers have assessed every card. Each one can be fused with three or four of the other ninety-nine cards. You must successfully strengthen a card three times in a row to be certified for the profession of card enhancer."
The staff member carefully explained everything to Su Li.
Su Li nodded. The requirements were extremely strict. It would be difficult to pass the certification on luck alone; only a true enhancer could succeed three times in a row.
"Are there different grades?" Su Li asked.
The staff member smiled. "Each card has at least three possible fusion choices. Our enhancers have assessed them as excellent, ordinary, or poor, giving nine possible grades for the three results combined.
"Because of the special nature of enhancers, once you complete the certification, you can choose whether or not to make your rating public.
"If your rating is high, many major organizations may invite you to join them."
Su Li nodded. Due to the unusual change in their Spirit Jade, even the least talented enhancers could cultivate to Silver Tier or higher. Major organizations and companies might not be interested in them, but they were still highly sought after in society at large.
By then, he had reached the door.
"Esteemed Card Master, there are no surveillance devices inside the room. If a strengthening attempt fails, please don't keep trying; you'll be responsible for any additional losses," the staff member warned him.
The presence of surveillance would keep the Spirit Jade on constant alert and affect a Card Master's performance. Having staff members present would also put pressure on the Card Master, so the enhancer certification provided the best possible environment for strengthening cards.
Before you continue