A Card In Hand

Chapter 83: Weakness Is the Greatest Sin!

The water surface of the river bend sank into a huge depression.

Li Ao was suspended in mid-air.

He slowly retracted the turbulent surge of Source Energy, transforming it all into a state of still energy.

Watching him, shining all over as if a deity, Fuxi’s mouth was wide open enough to stuff half a rock bear’s head in.

The rock bear behind him, proudly making faces at Poppy Sparrow, indicated that this was its master.

There was no helping it, the master was just that handsome!

After a while.

Li Ao finally calmed the violent surge of Source Energy.

Before finishing, Li Ao did not forget to enter his Native Card space with his consciousness, making some modifications and disguises to the information there.

He randomly changed his Combat Power from 7200 to 8100 to 4396.

Li Ao estimated that when Shuanghan, Cang Yue, and Tie Zheng returned to their families, they would definitely receive special guidance from the elders, causing a significant boost in combat power.

If he reverted to the original 2018, it wouldn’t be appropriate anymore, so he needed a higher number.

As for why it was 4396? It was a subconscious choice, or perhaps it was a reflection of the cosmic will!

The breakthrough was a good thing.

Unfortunately, it was still far from ten thousand; otherwise, Li Ao could awaken the third stage of the Golden Giant.

“Little Li Ao, can you increase your combat power by sleeping?”

Fuxi, unable to contain his exploding curiosity, blurted out as Li Ao returned.

“Of course!”

Li Ao nodded as if it were a matter of course, then looked at Fuxi with a puzzled expression: “Can’t you, boss?”

“I definitely can, I’ve always improved that way!”

Fuxi nodded affirmatively.

“So, the boss can do it too, I was really worried it was just me!”

Li Ao’s face was full of relief.

“…”

For some reason, Fuxi suddenly felt like crying.

Ling Yin, unlike Fuxi’s complex feelings of wanting to cry, was simply happy for her brother’s breakthrough.

Apart from Li Ao’s guidance, she had never formally studied, so she believed everything her brother said.

Brother said sleeping could increase combat power.

Ling Yin did not doubt it at all.

After all.

In her eyes, her brother had become an omnipotent figure.

The villagers of New Light Manor, although they saw the disturbance at the river bend, tacitly kept it to themselves.

Could the affairs of summoners be something they, as commoners, could inquire about?

Besides, Little Li Ao was one of their own, and Master Fuxi was not a bad person.

Whatever they did wouldn’t harm the village, so why should everyone worry unnecessarily?

The village continued its celebratory feast that evening.

Men and women, young and old.

Everyone let loose and ate to their heart’s content.

One day, Li Ao decided to head to the capital, and Fuxi was somewhat reluctant to leave the warm hospitality of the villagers.

Of course, if Li Ao decided to go, he naturally had to follow, especially since the trip to the capital had already been arranged with Boss Tie Zheng.

“Aunt Niu Shui, I’ll leave this money with you to manage. You all must eat well for three months and celebrate to the fullest, okay? Is there any excess? Don’t be too frugal. Oh, and I see that everyone’s houses are quite old and need repairs, I’ll pitch in some more money to help everyone fix up their houses! Don’t worry, I’m the big young master, I’m not short of money! Ahahaha, yes, rest assured, I have more money than I can spend! And these wooden houses won’t cost much, I’ll cover it all!”

Fuxi spent lavishly, unable to express his reluctance in any other way.

“Master Fuxi, let’s build you the most beautiful house in the middle of the village!”

Uncle Niu decided to build a house for Fuxi. Whether or not Fuxi would live in the village, this gesture could symbolize his inclusion as a member of the community.

“Alright, I’ll leave it to you!”

Fuxi did not refuse this proposal; he truly wished to become a part of this joyful village.

He bid a reluctant farewell to Aunt Niu Shui, Ling Yin, and the group of little ones including the small nursing child.

He also said goodbye to the villagers who insisted on carrying them on their shoulders and escorting them all the way to the main road.

Li Ao, accompanied by Fuxi and the rocky bear, set off once again.

They were preparing to head to the Upper Capital.

Before leaving,

Fuxi and Li Ao went to their main family branch in Silverlight City to inform them of their upcoming itinerary.

Unexpectedly, the family head, Storm Roar, did not meet with them, sending Yuan Chi instead to deliver a message.

“My father instructed me to tell you, as you head to the Upper Capital, to maintain a humble spirit. There are many powerful figures and prestigious families there, far surpassing our Silverlight City. You must avoid conflicts; otherwise, if you cause a major issue, we will have no choice but to expel you from the family to avoid further complications,” Yuan Chi warned Fuxi and Li Ao, the two inexperienced youths, to not stir up trouble, emphasizing that the family would not support them in such cases.

“We understand. We are just visiting the main family branch, and then under the guidance of Elder Tie Zheng, we will reunite with our classmates. We definitely won’t cause any trouble for the family!” Fuxi managed to squeeze out a smile in response.

“If the family head is willing to meet you, you will represent our father and pay respects to the family head, telling him that all is well with Silverlight City. If the family head is busy, then you should convey my greetings to Young Master Tie Zheng. Here is a gift token; use this gold shield to buy a ‘Purple Gold Gift Box’ from the summoner’s gift shop. Make sure not to get the wrong specification; my standard for gifts is at least a Purple Gold Gift Box. Don’t mess it up and make us a laughing stock to the main family!”

Yuan Chi took out another gold shield and handed it to Fuxi.

“Don’t worry, we won’t make a mistake!” Fuxi nodded and took it.

“Doing good work comes with rewards. Rest assured, I won’t let you run errands for nothing! In my charge, merit is rewarded!”

Yuan Chi then conjured a silver star from his native card, counting out five and giving them to Fuxi, and also rewarded Li Ao with one, adding, “Do a good job, and there will be more rewards when you return!”

“Thank you, Fourth Young Master!”

Li Ao was excited, nodding repeatedly, “We will definitely handle everything perfectly!”

“Go then!”

Yuan Chi, satisfied that Li Ao did not call him ‘brother,’ nodded in approval.

“Fourth Brother, we’re off then.” Fuxi clenched his fist.

In the end,

He accepted the five silver stars.

Exiting the courtyard and then the main gate, Huo Mei, a tall and lean figure with notable scars on his forehead, was waiting for them.

“Second Brother, is there something you need?”

Fuxi really wanted to understand the point of such infighting among family members.

“I have no issues. I’m just telling you, if one day you can’t stand living like dogs, feel free to turn back and come to me! I am truly a villain, and I don’t mind saying it openly; I’m different from some hypocrites. If you are willing to follow me, I’ll treat you as brothers, unlike someone who treats you as subordinates. I think you understand what I mean!”

Huo Mei placed a hand gently on Fuxi’s shoulder, “Just graduated and already at 400 combat power, you actually have potential. With the right war beast and focused training, it’s not impossible for your combat power to break a thousand in the future! Fuxi, I won’t say more, but what can you get in front of someone like that? Five silver stars!”

“…”

Suddenly, Fuxi found Huo Mei’s words quite reasonable.

If it weren’t for Li Ao and Tie Zheng, he might consider joining forces with Huo Mei, the true scoundrel, which could be better than being a personal guard for Yuan Chi.

However,

His ambitions had grown now.

Never mind a future combat power of a thousand, even the position of the family head no longer mattered in his eyes.

He had decided to follow Li Ao and strive to the end, to achieve legend status and

establish his own family branch.

What did it matter if his combat power was only 404 now?

I have a subordinate of a great devil king!

Li Zheng, the boss’s thigh, I don’t even hold, and I will hold you two guys’ thighs? Just let you dogs fight among yourselves; with your level, you can only act tough within Silverlight City!

Fuxi took a deep breath, looking towards Huo Quan, “Second Brother, I’ll give it a try first. If it doesn’t work, I’ll come back to you!”

Huo Quan was very pleased with Fuxi’s response.

If Fuxi had agreed.

He wouldn’t have believed it!

Just a teenager, and with a combat power of over 400, how could he not give it a shot?

In the end, whether Fuxi could make it out or not, Huo Quan guessed it was unlikely. Fuxi failing and his dreams shattering in the capital was almost a foregone conclusion.

Because he had also walked this path before, going there full of confidence, only to be ruthlessly struck by reality, and finally coming to his senses.

And even if Fuxi really made it.

Combat power breaking a thousand.

That would be a headache for Yuan Chi, not his; he was just responsible for driving nails into Fuxi’s heart!

“Give it a shot, Second Brother hopes you can succeed in breaking out. If your combat power surpasses Yuan Chi, how about Second Brother supports you to take over as the future family head? As long as you can defeat Yuan Chi, Second Brother won’t say much, and plead with Father to appoint you as the future family head!” Huo Quan patted Fuxi’s shoulder again, “Ugly words first, if you can’t make it, just come back to Second Brother, at least I won’t treat you like a servant with five silver stars! And you, Li Ao, if you want to stand out, you definitely need to find a way to break your combat power into the hundreds. Reality is so cruel, if your combat power doesn’t break a hundred, you’ll always be a weakling, at best only able to mix as a family guard! To be my brother, you at least need to contract a bronze-grade war beast!”

“Second Young Master, I understand, I will try hard to contract a bronze-grade war beast!”

Li Ao quickly expressed his thanks to Huo Quan.

“Weakness is the greatest original sin, remember this!”

Huo Quan turned and left.

“…”

Fuxi somehow really wanted to laugh out loud.

You guys!

You’re right!

Weakness is the greatest original sin, and you belong to those who possess this original sin!

With your kind of vision and mind, including Uncle Feng Hou, you will never be able to hope to see Li Ao’s back in your lifetime!

The year 35,891, April 20th.

Li Ao’s fifteenth day since his return.

Capital.

War God Square.

A circular shape of a teleportation gate slowly expanded from a predetermined mark.

A fat man stepped out from inside, laughing crazily with his face full of tears.

Behind him was a simple-minded rock bear.

And behind that.

A sunny young man with an expression of utter calm, nibbling on a rice cake.

“Eh? Is it you guys? Fatty, what’s wrong with you? Did you take the wrong medicine? You wouldn’t have gone mad with mad cow disease, would you?”

Suddenly, a voice nearby fired off a barrage of taunts.