Natal Card

The crowd began surging forward, and soon it was the old man's turn.

Lin Qi stood nearby, where he could clearly see the scene on the awakening platform.

The old man braced his hands on his knees and walked shakily onto the platform. Guided by the bishop, he pressed his bony palm against the fist-sized amethyst at its center.

Almost the instant his palm touched the crystal, a soft white light shone from the amethyst and spread from his palm up his arm, finally gathering into a faint orb of light at his chest.

A gratified smile appeared on the church bishop's face. He stepped forward and patted the old man on the shoulder.

"Congratulations, Old John! You've awakened your Natal Card at the ripe old age of eighty-seven. Even the God of Source Cards would be moved by such perseverance."

Old John's eyes instantly reddened, and tears ran down his wrinkles.

He clasped the bishop's hands tightly, his voice trembling with excitement.

"I knew it... I knew I had what it took to become a card master! For decades, I sensed Source Power every day and never gave up... And now, I've finally done it! I've finally done it..."

Suddenly receiving what he had dreamed of all his life left him deeply overwhelmed.

Seeing this, the bishop hurriedly steadied him and called out to the crowd below:

"Is Old John's family here? Take him down and help him calm down. Don't let him get too worked up."

"His family's here!"

The middle-aged man who had spoken to Lin Qi earlier immediately squeezed through the crowd.

He dashed onto the platform and firmly supported Old John, his voice both anxious and joyful. "Dad, don't rush to cry yet. Let's see what Natal Card you've awakened first. That's what matters!"

At those words, everyone below the platform turned their eyes to Old John. Even those who had been praying with their heads lowered couldn't help craning their necks to look.

Awakening a Natal Card at eighty-seven was already remarkable. If he awakened a good card, it would truly be the stuff of legend!

"There are examples of people in the Lava Kingdom who came into their own after years of preparation. I heard there was a baron in the neighboring duchy who didn't awaken his Natal Card until he was forty, and it turned out to be a rare blue card. He later joined the kingdom's army and became a card master in just ten years!"

As soon as the speaker finished, someone shook his head in disagreement.

"That baron may have awakened at forty, but he was still young and strong. This old man is eighty-seven. Even if he awakened a purple card, how much time would he have to cultivate? If you ask me, awakening now won't do him much good."

Someone nearby nodded in agreement.

"Exactly! Unless he awakens a Natal Card related to life, he won't last more than a few years, no matter how good his card is..."

As everyone discussed the matter, Old John finally recovered from his excitement. He took a deep breath, and with a thought, a card glowing with white light appeared in his hand.

"White?"

Those below the platform who saw the card's color shook their heads in disappointment.

"Looks like there's no miracle after all. It's just an ordinary white card."

The people around them sighed as well, their anticipation vanishing in an instant. Many wore expressions that said it was just as they had expected.

But Old John didn't mind at all. His face was full of excitement as he channeled the faint Source Power within him into the card.

With a flash of white light, a wooden walking stick, smooth from top to bottom, appeared in his hand out of thin air.

Simple patterns were carved into the top of the stick. It was just the right thickness to hold and looked sturdy and durable.

"A white Implement Card..."

Lin Qi watched from a distance, taking in the whole scene.

Although he hadn't awakened a Natal Card, he knew a great deal about cards. After all, his father was a card master.

"Dad! You awakened an Implement Card—a walking stick! That's wonderful!"

The middle-aged man waved his arms and danced with excitement.

Someone below the platform couldn't help asking:

"Uh, brother, is there something special about that walking stick?"

The middle-aged man nodded emphatically, his expression serious.

"Of course!"

Everyone fixed their eyes on him, wondering if this white Natal Card might have some other special use.

The middle-aged man pointed at the walking stick in Old John's hand.

"With this stick, it'll be easier for my dad to go out from now on. Not only can he carry it with him, it's also very sturdy. We'll save the cost of buying a walking stick, and he can even use it until he dies."

The people around them heard this and thought he had a point.

"That's right. Not only can I use it until I die, I can also use it to beat you, you unfilial son!"

Old John promptly struck the middle-aged man with the walking stick.

"Ow, Dad, what are you hitting me for?"

"I'm hitting you because you're an unfilial son!"

The middle-aged man ran, and Old John chased after him, his legs moving with remarkable agility.

"Uh..."

"No wonder the old man didn't awaken his Natal Card when he was young. Turns out he didn't need it back then."

"Hahaha."

As they watched father and son retreat, the laughter below the platform gradually died down, and many faces showed envy. Though it was only an ordinary white card, being able to fulfill a lifelong wish in one's twilight years was a kind of happiness too.