In a huge conference room.

The judges were watching the video projected on the enormous screen before their eyes seriously. Scenes of Lu Ming's competing at the pre-selection were playing on the screen!

Vanquished with five cards!

Killed in seconds!

Everyone was thrashed!

It was so simple and rough.

Be it a two-star or three-star cultivator, they could not persist for more than one match in his hands.

"What do all of you think?"

The chair of the judging panel said in a low voice.

Initially, they did not notice Lu Ming's existence. However, as the video increased in popularity and broadcast rate, it eventually captured their attention.

"It's just the pre-selection round. I don't think there will be any issue."

A female judge stretched herself before lazily shrinking back to her seat again.

What was there to be alarmed about?

This was just the pre-selection, right?!

There were many salted fishes in the pre-selection round and any Swordsman could defeat them! If one were to browse through the forums in detail, they would know that Lu Ming was not the only one who thrashed everyone!

Weren't there many such individuals?

We cannot target him just because the video became famous overnight?

"I disagree."

The other judge had a solemn expression. "The implication of this situation is frightening. Have you guys forgotten about the incident of stocking up the cards in the past?"

Everyone grew solemn.

Stocking up cards!

This was simply the greatest humiliation of the School Champions.h.i.+p Compet.i.tion in its history!

According to statistics, many years ago, many people did a career switch to Card Creator vocation after watching the School Champions.h.i.+p Compet.i.tion. This resulted in the phenomena of card surplus.

But now…

They had a hunch that the same situation was going to occur.

The Card Creator was a good profession and a good auxiliary but certainly not the best fighting profession!

"I don't think so."

At the mention of stocking up cards, everyone's tone turned more solemn.

"Actually, we don't need to be paranoid. It's very popular now only because the video is very well-edited. It did not have much to do with Lu Ming's prowess.

Lu Ming…

How should I explain it?

Ultimately, he's a Card Creator.

He can defeat everyone now because the quality of the pre-selection partic.i.p.ants are poorer and he has surmounting ability. Don't tell me that you guys didn't recognize the surmounting ability he has."

One of the judges sighed helplessly.

"How can I not recognize it?"

Everyone smiled bitterly.

In the School Champions.h.i.+p Compet.i.tion many years ago, they suffered a crus.h.i.+ng defeat by the same sword, alright?!

Autumn Water Sword Aura!

Surmounting ability!

This was Lu Yan's signature ability!

Many years ago, that lady simply crushed the School Champions.h.i.+p Compet.i.tion alone with that sword and clinched the champions.h.i.+p t.i.tle, okay?!

Right now…

Her younger brother was back.

It was just that… It was a good thing for Lu Yan to clinch the champions.h.i.+p because she was a Swordsman! It was a fighting profession! But Lu Ming…

"Aren't all of you being paranoid?"

One of the judges did not know whether to laugh or cry. "So what if a two-star Card Creator pa.s.sed the pre-selection? To put it bluntly, he is merely relying on Lu Yan's help to seal the Autumn Water Sword Aura.

So what if the video is popular?

When he is defeated in the subsequent rounds, things will be back to normal."

"I hope so."

That judge smiled bitterly.

There is nothing to be scared of!"

The female judge shrugged her shoulders. "He's only at two-star now. Hence, he can only come into contact with and pick up this ability of Lu Yan. Furthermore, the prowess has been halved. What is there to be worried about?"

Yes.

The prowess was halved!

For a true Swordsman, mental strength would follow when the Sword Aura was cast!

But for a Card Creator, they could only cast the Sword Aura and the full effects would not be unleashed.

Everyone glanced at one another and felt more at ease.

That was right.

So what if he was Lu Yan's younger brother?

As a Card Creator, and only a two-star one, this was already his limit!

"It's agreed, then."

The chair of the judging panel made the final decision. "Qing Ming City is greatly influenced by him. It's still alright in other places. In that case.. Don't we usually decide on the venue for the preliminary round based on the partic.i.p.ating schools nearby? Let their preliminary round be at Qing Ming City then. Find a formidable opponent for them and end this as soon as possible, so that we don't see him again the next time."

One size fits all - This was the policy that they were used to.

They could not be bothered.

What would they do if they were afraid of trouble?

One size fits all!

If Lu Ming was present, he would definitely have an in-depth discussion with them. In his past life, numerous departments had trained themselves into experts in using the one size fits all 'technique'…

"Understood."

All the judges agreed.

"Very good."

The chair of the judging panel revealed a satisfied expression. "Next topic on the agenda then. It's a discussion about the 'Hairline of partic.i.p.ating students becoming higher and higher during the cultivation period'."

…

Time actually pa.s.sed very quickly.

The heated up online discussions on Lu Ming were still on-going but most of the people maintained a wait-and-see att.i.tude. On the contrary, The First Academy was facing a lot of troubles.

For example—

That thread about 'the most powerful fighting vocation'.

They could not delete it.

They could not let it remain either.

As the school with a sacred place in the hearts of countless cultivators and also the trend-setter, they felt very awkward at this moment. They could only say that this was the area that they were researching…

The dean even had thoughts of beating Lu Ming up violently.

Look, what was happening?!

What was the Card Creator profession about? Don't you know yourself?

It was bulls.h.i.+t for it to be the strongest profession!

However…

He felt despondent now. Especially when he had not settled the numerous batches of applications for career switches in his hands…

There was no choice.

He could only contact Lu Ming personally.

"Lu Ming, can you issue a declarative statement or something?"

The dean sighed deeply.

"Statement about what?"

Lu Ming was very helpless too.

He was not in the know of this matter right from the start, okay?!

Previously, he only found out that The First Academy had such an activity after the polling ended. Oh, the Card Creator actually topped the polls…

On what basis should I become the scapegoat?

"This is considered a request from The First Academy."

The dean did not know whether to laugh or cry.

He also knew that he could not blame Lu Ming for the situation. However…

He had no choice!

In the past, someone secretly filmed a short video of Lu Ming and began to disseminate it to his circle of friends. Everyone then chose the Card Creator as the most powerful vocation.

It's better for the doer to undo what he had done. Regarding this matter, Lu Ming had to take some action.

"It's best if it can be resolved as soon as possible."

The dean pondered for a moment. "The impact is quite bad."

Yes.

The impact was rather adverse.

Why was Lu Ming that powerful?

Good innate talent!

He had an elder sister!

High intelligence!

Good affinity and luck!

It was a combination of various factors that resulted in the appearance of an oddball like Lu Ming. However, how many of such people existed?

There were many geniuses in The First Academy and yet, they had been trampled by Lu Ming!

What about the outsiders?

There were really too many people who were blindly following him!

If they were to really emulate Lu Ming's cultivation path and do a switch career to a Card Creator, they might end up tragically or be downgraded to an auxiliary vocation!

Not everyone could be Lu Ming!

As the dean of The First Academy, he felt that he had a responsibility to rectify this.

"Understood."

Lu Ming understood.

He was very familiar with such herd behavior.

In his past life, many hosts played a certain game and then lots of people would follow suit and purchase the game. Afterward, they discovered that it was a different ball game altogether when they were playing it themselves…

Quit fandom + Bad review + Verb abuse - All three go hand in hand.

However…

In his past life, the craze was on games.

Here, the craze was in cultivation. The First Academy had the greatest influence. If they, too, confirmed that Card Creator was the most powerful vocation, many people would switch careers and become a Card Creator!

"What should I say?"

Lu Ming became very serious.

"Praise yourself," the dean said strictly.

Lu Ming was a little confused. "T-this… Won't that be shameful?"

Hehe.

The dean gave a friendly smile. "Just bring into play your usual standards."

Lu Ming was speechless.

Why did these words sound inappropriate?

"Anyway…"

The dean continued, "Mainly, you just have to say that you have achieved this stage due to various chance encounters and luck, and emphasize the difference between an individual and the ma.s.ses! At the same time, you can also explain the Card Creator profession to everyone and let them understand that an ordinary Card Creator simply can't become that powerful!"

"Understood."

Lu Ming paused for a moment. "What if people still follow the fad?"

"Let them go and die then."

The dean's expression was calm.

He was responsible for education and not curing brain damages.

Those people did not have much understanding about a Card Creator now. Nevertheless, if Lu Ming had put it clearly and someone still wanted to follow the fad, he could not do anything then. You won't be able to control the logic and mindset of a damaged brain.

"Okay," Lu Ming agreed.

"Pa.s.s it to me after you write it. I owe you a personal favor," the dean said very seriously.

"No need, no need."

Lu Ming waved his hands continuously.

He felt that he had to bear a certain responsibility for this matter. How could this be counted as a favor?

"This is my responsibility and not yours."

The dean had good clarity on this matter. After pondering, he explained, "Rejecting your admission was a decision of the meeting. They are older and going to retire soon. Hence, they are a bit cowardly. We seek your understanding."

"Don't worry," Lu Ming expressed his understanding.

"Thank you."

The dean was thankful.

Look, this child was much easier to talk to than Lu Yan!

"Oh. Right."

The dean regained his senses and emphasized seriously, "The favor just now… it does not count for seven-star and above."

Bang.

He hung up the phone.

Lu Ming was dumbstruck.

What did this mean?!

Why was he acting in the same way as that guy Jiang Feng!

Was he looking down on me? Why would I provoke a seven-star for no reason?!

He felt a little sullen.

Seriously…

Why did these few big shots keep thinking that he would get into trouble?

Am I that kind of person who stirs up trouble?!

Also…

Why were these few big shots so cowardly?

Forget about Jiang Feng. He was a Card Creator after all. You're a dignified dean of The First Academy. Yet, you reminded me that seven-star is not counted. Aren't you a little cowardly?

He was really stingy!

Look at Chu Xiao!

I owe you a favor. You can contact me anytime you need!

How generous was that?

There were no conditions attached?!

"Forget it."

Lu Ming shook his head. He would finish writing the declarative statement first.

He had to settle what he had promised others. However… How should he write it? Lu Ming really did not know. In his past life, he had only written self-reflection letters…

He would search for some information.

Lu Ming browsed the web.

At this very moment…

In a place far away.

Chu Xiao, who was preparing to execute a mission, suddenly sensed deep danger.

This was…

He was suddenly startled awake.

His exceptional sense of perception seemed to have captured something.

"Am I being targeted by someone?"

Chu Xiao muttered to himself.

He could sense that the danger this time was extraordinary and seemed terrifying. It was also very wispy, like a chain that followed him wherever it went. It felt very odd.

This was strange.

Chu Xiao's heart grew solemn. He had not provoke any formidable characters recently!

Could it be that…

A certain case in the past had been reopened?

At this very moment…

The target that he was prepared to lay his hands on also stepped out from the door. He was stunned when he saw Chu Xiao. Immediately after, his expression turned ugly. "Who are you?"

The target had appeared!

Chu Xiao was preparing to make a move. However, when he recalled that uncanny feeling, he stopped.

That feeling…

Hence…

He bent his body slightly and moved forward skillfully, "Mister, do you need a screen protector?"