So it was Master Che Moxihe's work. Understanding dawned on Chen Mu. That grandeur really was beyond what an ordinary person could create. With such a rare chance to experience a master's work up close, Chen Mu studied it all the more intently. But clearly, a subject as profound as Astral Studies was beyond the appreciation of a complete novice like him.
After watching for a while, his eyes began to blur. With no other choice, Chen Mu gave up.
The short-haired young woman seemed quite accustomed to reactions like Chen Mu's. She smiled faintly and did not interrupt him, waiting until he rubbed his eyes before asking, "May I see your membership card, please?"
"Oh." Chen Mu hurriedly took out his membership card.
She took it and glanced at it, then gave him a professional smile. "I assume this is your first visit. Would you like me to show you around?"
"Yes." Chen Mu nodded, readily accepting.
The young woman stepped aside and extended her right hand, gesturing for him to proceed.
"I'll explain as we look around." She paused briefly, then continued, "Here is your membership card. It contains your information. You can choose to visit the Records Department to complete your details, such as your appearance. That way, no one else will be able to use your membership card. Of course, this isn't mandatory. If you prefer not to, it won't affect your use of it.
"Our club's mission is to fully explore the various uses of low-level Illusion Cards, so they can be applied more widely in our daily lives. To that end, we use a points system. The number in the upper-right corner of your membership card displays your contribution score, or points. There are many ways to earn points. The club regularly offers public-service projects. They don't pay much, but you can earn a corresponding number of points.
"For example, we're currently working with a school to help them create teaching Illusion Cards. Since this is a public-service project, you won't receive any monetary payment, but we do award points. Naturally, we provide the materials.
"Many members of other clubs post requests for help when they encounter problems they can't solve. If you can help them resolve those problems, you'll receive the points they offer as a reward. Generally speaking, requests for help offer more points, but they're also more difficult.
"If you encounter a problem you can't solve right away, you can seek help in the same way.
"Of course, there are other ways to earn points, though they're less common. For instance, if you win a major award in card making, we'll grant you a corresponding number of points based on the award's prestige.
"Every month, some relatively rare materials or cards are put up for sale here, and they can only be purchased with points. This is also the club's way of rewarding your enthusiastic participation in its affairs.
"Generally, we hold regular exchange meetings every week. You're free to choose whether to attend. Each time you participate, you can earn a small number of points. Here, you'll meet many like-minded card makers and exchange insights on card making with them.
"Of course, if you have an ingenious idea but lack the funds, the club can help you. We have a dedicated review team. Once we determine that your proposal is sound and feasible, we'll provide financial assistance through a partnership."
The short-haired young woman poured out her explanation, leaving Chen Mu, who had never encountered anything like this before, reeling from one surprise to the next.
When Chen Mu entered the main hall, he froze.
There were few people in the spacious hall, but it was enormous, practically a small plaza.
Yet it was not the spacious hall that stunned Chen Mu, but the light screens flashing throughout it and the illusory text constantly scrolling across them.
With thousands of translucent, colored light screens of every size spread throughout the hall, the visual impact was enough to leave anyone utterly dazed.
Seeing Chen Mu's stunned expression, the short-haired young woman smiled softly. This was hardly the first time she had seen that look. Probably only someone as mad as the Club President could have dreamed up a layout like this.
Still, she had not forgotten her duties. "These light screens are our information windows. You can find information that interests you here. Requests for help also scroll across them. These screens use a very advanced technology-two-way Illusion Card technology. Using the special pen beside a screen, you can enter content on it, allowing information to flow in both directions.
"The entire hall is divided into three main sections. We're currently in the information posting area.
"There's also a display area, where the latest Illusion Card products are exhibited. This time, we're displaying more than thirty models of Illusion Card game consoles. It's an astonishing concept, and we've already begun working on bringing them to market. Personally, I believe they'll soon take the entire Tianyou Federation by storm."
Her words were filled with pride.
"The other section is the trading area, where various materials and cards are sold. Ordinary materials and cards can be purchased with Odi, but some of the rarer, more valuable ones can only be bought with points. If you have any work of your own, you can also sell it here on consignment. This is also the only area open to nonmembers."
"Please feel free to browse and look around. If you have any questions, you can come find me. I'm always in the Astral Evolution Hall. For now, I'm afraid I'll have to excuse myself for a while." The short-haired young woman maintained her professional smile throughout.
Staring blankly at the enormous hall, the multicolored light screens of varying sizes, and the translucent illusions floating in midair, Chen Mu felt a little at a loss as to where to begin.
He walked over to the nearest light screen and carefully read the text slowly scrolling across it.
"How can low-level Illusion Cards be used to alter a person's individual features, creating a visual illusion for the observer..."
With just a casual glance, Chen Mu was drawn to the idea.
It was a fascinating concept: using illusions to alter the contours of the face and certain small details, effectively giving someone an entirely new face. For example, an illusion could add shadows around the eye sockets to make them look slightly sunken. Or flesh-colored illusions could be added to the nose to make its bridge look higher and straighter. If done skillfully enough, it could make someone seem like a completely different person.
Chen Mu could only marvel at the idea. There really were all sorts of formidable talents out there these days!
But the idea had now run into a problem: how to keep the illusions pressed close against the face at all times.
The person behind the concept had discovered that, no matter how he modified it, even the slightest movement could easily cause the illusions to wobble and shift out of place.
Chen Mu checked the posting time and found that the idea had only just been proposed. He thought for a moment, then unhesitatingly wrote his answer on the light screen: Attach the Wrist Device to glasses or a hat.
The sentence flashed repeatedly, then the light screen prompted Chen Mu to enter his membership card number. Once he entered it, his answer turned into a streak of light and vanished.
(End of chapter)