Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

Qing Ming City.

 The next day.

 Lu Ming woke up early in the morning, feeling full of energy.

 The Illusory Realm had finally come to an end. He was quite pleased with it. Although the process was not as smooth, the outcome was good.

 First of all, he had finally broken through!

 Although it was cool to combat beyond his level and it was amazing to skip two or even three levels in combat…

 Since he was a peak three-star, it was certain that he would have limited energy. He had to resort to ‘flipping the tables' in combats beyond his level.

 Besides, his body would be hollowed out after he used all his abilities…

 It was too unreliable!

 Besides…

 What if there was a day where he used up his explosive abilities and then ran into his enemies?

 He would be done for.

 This breakthrough had solved Lu Ming's top most concern: energy! His energy had evolved from peak three-star to four-star quality!

 Other than that, he had more than one hundred thousand points of energy!

 This was something that a peak four-star could not achieve!

 After all…

 For an ordinary cultivator, if their energy improved from ten thousand points to one hundred thousand points, he would have broken through to five-star. No one would waste time and risk their life to increase their energy!

 “This amount…”

 Lu Ming sensed the energy inside him.

 He reckoned he would be in a better position to combat levels higher than his in the future!

 For example—

 Fight against a five-star!

 In the past, he was able to wipe out all the four-stars with his standard combat abilities. However, when his opponents were five-star cultivators, he had to flip the tables…

 This was because he could not beat them!

 Right now…

 Lu Ming smiled faintly.

 Perhaps, he could test which stage of five-star he was at.

 As for four-star…

 It was not in his consideration.

 Secondly, the Lunar Shadow legacy.

 There were different abilities at different levels of the Lunar Shadow legacy! He had learnt Moonblade when he was a three-star and it resulted in the Z-shaped Lightning Slas.h.!.+

 And now…

 Now that he had broken through to four-star, he had a new ability inside his mind and it was the second move in the Lunar Shadow legacy!

 “It's coming!”

 Lu Ming was thrilled.

 Afterward…

 He looked at it and…

 He could not figure it out.

 In the legacy, a figure danced. It held a light sword in its hands and he showcased swordplay. Full Moon was taught in the exact same manner!

Oh.

 It was no wonder we were a.s.sessed with Full Moon back in the legacy…

 Wait a minute.

 How did I master Full Moon back then?

 Sealing…

 Forget it.

 Lu Ming sighed.

 The details of the legacy would appear in his memory. In general, compared to looking through the materials by himself, knowing the details inside his mind was faster. It was just that he needed to learn the foundations.

Well…

 “Xiaobai?”

 “Yes.”

 Xiaobai, who was preparing food turned to look at him.

 “Have you been reading the books diligently these past few days?” Lu Ming asked.

 “Yes,” Xiaobai said happily, “I have finished all the books at home.”

 At home…

 Everything…

 Cough.

 “That's good.”

 Lu Ming thought about it. “In that case, after this stage, it's time to learn the real meaning of the Sword Card Master vocation. Before that, I will buy the book “Introduction to Swordplay Foundations. Remember to tell your father to reimburse it.”

 “Okay,” Xiaobai replied obediently.

 Lu Ming felt gratified. Xiaobai was the best.

 Oo…

 He would look through the swordplay foundations these next few days…

 Wait a minute.

 Lu Ming suddenly came to his senses. There was no need for him to read through the materials. Although he did not understand swordplay, Xiao-Xiaojian was a sword spirit!

 “You will do it.”

 Lu Ming beckoned Xiao-Xiaojian over.

 “What is the matter?”

 Xiao-Xiaojian who was talking to Xiao-Xiaobai was very displeased.

 “Were you really a sword spirit before?”

 “Yes.”

“Do you understand swordplay?”

 “Yes.”

“Then why don't you use it?”

 Lu Ming was surprised.

 d.a.m.n!

 It turns out that it understands swordplay!

 Since it is so powerful, why didn't it use its abilities a few days ago when we were in a fight? 

Xiao-Xiaojian gave Lu Ming a deep gaze.

 It remained silent.

 What was the use of knowing swordplay?

 In essence, a sword spirit was meant to maximize the power of the swordplay!

 For example—

 After using a certain move, the sword spirit could control the direction, angle, speed and all kinds of other factors. A Swordsman would need to cultivate many years before achieving that!

 An ordinary Full Moon could only spin.

 What if a sword spirit was around?

 It could spin, turn it upside down, spin diagonally…

This was the function of a sword spirit!

 However…

 With Lu Ming, the spirit body not only had to maximize its power, it also had to self-cultivate, read books, and fight in battles…

 This was not all.

 Now, Lu Ming wanted the card to pick up new abilities…

 Where was his shame?!

 This was a new vocation…

 Bam!

 Lu Ming stepped on it.

“Can you do it or not?”

 “Yes.”

 Xiao-Xiaojian felt helpless.

 “Why didn't you do it before?”

 Lu Ming was curious.

 “This is because you don't know swordplay.”

 Xiao-Xiaojian was speechless.

 “You can't use swordplay by yourself?”

 Lu Ming frowned.

 “No!”

 Xiao-Xiaojian stared at Lu Ming as if he was an idiot.

 Although the sword spirit was in essence a representation of a sword, one needed to have the sword itself, the mental strength, energy, and many other things to use a swordplay!

 As a spirit body in the Original Card…

 It had no right to dictate Lu Ming's body, energy, and mental strength!

 Therefore…

 This would not do!

 If this would work…

 Xiao-Xiaojian had an evil thought. In the future, he would be the master!

 “Alright,” Lu Ming compromised.

 However…

 He thought of a new solution the next instant.

 The main motivation behind technological advancements was that one was lazy. Since Lu Ming liked to lead an idle life, he thought of the best way to utilize Xiao-Xiaojian.

 “In that case…

 “Since I don't know anything about swordplay and you understand it, you will be responsible for it in the future!

 “You can let me know how much energy and mental strength are needed to use this ability. You have to let me know its effect as well.

“As for the rest, you will handle the complicated matters.”

 Lu Ming pondered deeply.

“Huh?”

 Xiao-Xiaojian was confused.

“That will work?”

 “Of course.”

 Lu Ming was excited. “This is called ‘sealing functional modules'. All I need to do is decide the settings. If anything is needed in the future, I only need to take it out through the interface…”

 “Let's give it a try.”

 Lu Ming thought about it. “For example, the Full Moon swordplay, all you need to do is to tell me what I need to do and you can complete the rest.”

 “Is this for real or not?”

 Xiao-Xiaojian was very doubtful. However, it was curious to know if it could work.

 “Full Moon: energy consumption: eight hundred points; mental strength consumption: not needed; effect: the Sword Aura will spin like a ring of light, having a lethal effect; release method: direct energy into the Original Card, aimed at the victim, then… I can complete the rest by myself!”

 Shus.h.!.+

 Lu Ming aimed and released energy in a certain direction.

 Buzz—

 The Full Moon was magical.

 Xiao-Xiaojian displayed it perfectly.

 “Very good.”

 Lu Ming was very pleased. “Look, our cooperation was successful.”

 “Huh?”

 Xiao-Xiaojian was dazed.

 Was that considered as a success?

 “In the future, after I shout ‘Full Moon', I will direct the energy.”

 Lu Ming said meaningfully, “I will leave the rest to you. To me, this method is so much simpler. This is called allocating modules.”

“Oh! I see.”

 Xiao-Xiaojian suddenly saw the light.

 This is allocating modules?

 It sounds profound…

 Wait a minute.

 It suddenly came to its senses.

 d.a.m.n!

 In the past, it only needed to control the Full Moon that Lu Ming released. Right now, it had to release the Full Moon…

If it needed anything, he would make it known to Lu Ming.

 It more or less worked that way.

 In this situation, the ability was Full Moon, what about some other new abilities?

 First of all.

 It would have to a.n.a.lyze and break down the ability. Lu Ming would take care of the energy, mental strength, and other sensory factors, while it would take care of the rest…

Lu Ming was only responsible for fulfilling the requirements when the ability was released!

 In a simpler sense…

 Lu Ming, the b.a.s.t.a.r.d, only wanted to know the consumption, damage and CD (Cooldown) in the skills panel of the games!

As for the rest…

 Xiao-Xiaojian would have to handle it!

 Xiao-Xiaojian was silent.

 Did Lu Ming have misconceptions about what a sword spirit was?!

 It was a sword spirit!

 It was not the CPU!

 It did not have such powerful computational abilities!

 “You are a sword spirit.”

 Lu Ming patted the Original Card. “You have said that you only need to rely on perception and intuition for swordplay!”

 “Did I say that?”

 Xiao-Xiaojian was very skeptical.

 “Yes.”

 Lu Ming sighed. “Work hard. I don't know what being a spirit body in the ancient times was like, but this is what being a sword spirit is like in modern times.”

 With that…

 Lu Ming looked at Xiao-Xiaobai that was bursting with lights in the corner.

 Whoos.h.!.+

 Whoos.h.!.+

 Xiao-Xiaobai was bursting with lights happily.

 There was a book, “Introduction to Differential Geometry and General Relativity Theory” in front of it and it was turning the pages slowly…

Puff!

 Puff!

 It carried a row of custom-made bricks, moving up and down, exercising.

 Xiao-Xiaojian was silent.

 Is this the case?

 After it had awakened, it had never been in contact with a sword spirit. It never imagined that sword spirits in the modern times would be different from those in its times…

 Yes!

 Xiao-Xiaojian is a very hardworking card spirit. What about other sword spirits?

 Perhaps…

 Did I misunderstand Lu Ming?

 “Come on!”

 Lu Ming smiled. “As a sword spirit, you should be happy to be able to master swordplay. This is just as nice. I can teach you a new swordplay!”

 “Haha.”

 Xiao-Xiaojian would not spare a glance at him.

 Swordplay?

 I have seen all kinds of swordplay!

 Since ancient times, eh, what is this?!

 Shus.h.!.+

 Lu Ming showed it the second move of the Lunar Shadow legacy. Xiao-Xiaojian had never seen it before. This was to say…

 This was a new swordplay!

 Whoos.h.!.+

 Whoos.h.!.+

 Xiao-Xiaojian's glow dazzled.

 “Go ahead. Learn well.”

 Lu Ming smiled. “Remember to tell me the requirements after you've mastered it.”

 “Got it.”

 Xiao-Xiaojian walked to the corner impatiently, as it began to mull over it seriously.

 Oo…

 This swordplay…

 Over here…

 Lu Ming looked at Xiao-Xiaojian that was mulling and a.n.a.lyzing, before he added a few bricks to it, so that it could think while it tempered…

 It was perfect!

 Hence…

 In the corner of the shop.

 Two Original Cards stayed side by side, bursting with lights…

 In that case…

 He could skip the stage of learning swordplay.

 Lu Ming felt grateful.

 It was difficult to double major. One's energy was limited. One could not compare to others when one cultivated two vocations.

 Therefore…

 The real strength of a Sword Card Master was to major in the creation of cards while the spirit body majored in swordplay!

 And so…

 He had the sword.

 He had the card.

 And his cultivation speed was not compromised!

 It was perfect!

 Lu Ming looked at Xiao-Xiaojian and he suddenly felt that he was amazing.

 It was true.

 Back then when he had captured Xiao-Xiaojian, what did it look like? It was hot-tempered and there was even a bar spirit. It was not to be trifled with!

 But now?

 It worked hard on cultivation.

 It controlled the Original Card and worked hard on drawing lines!

 It carried the bricks and worked on tempering its body!

 It thought hard and worked on a.n.a.lyzing swordplay!

 It cultivated, tempered and learned. It was very hardworking.

 He was the one who had taught it and guided it!

 “Master, let's eat first~”

 Xiaobai waved her hands.

 “Sure,”

 Lu Ming went to have his meals. “Did anything happen these past two days?”

 “Hmm…”

 Xiaobai thought about it. “Nothing much. It's just that third junior brother came over, saying that he is going to promote the Sword Card Master vocation. But I didn't hear from him.”

 “That's good.”

 Lu Ming felt very satisfied.

 That made sense too.

 He had only been away for a few days, what could have happened?

 Many cultivators roamed the streets of Qing Ming City, waiting for the birth of spirit bodies. But given the situation, they did not dare to make any reckless moves, lest they created trouble!

 Therefore…

 This was a peaceful time!

 As for the cold aura…

 Lu Ming got used to it.

 After a period of time, when there were no longer any ‘spirit bodies' in Qing Ming City, he reckoned these guys would leave. Well… things would get better soon.

Lu Ming was very calm now.

 As for publicity…

 What was there to advertise about being a Sword Card Master?

 It was just a bluff…

 Cough.

 But on second thought, he felt slightly guilty. Li Haoran was much more invested in the Sword Card Master vocation than he was. But in terms of publicity…

 How should they advertise?

 Should they hand out flyers?

 Should they paste advertis.e.m.e.nts?

 Oo…

 He checked the Sword Card Master forum.

 Lu Ming gasped as he slurped his Liangpi [1. Liangpi is a noodle-like Chinese dish made from wheat or rice flour. It is a specialty dish originating from the cuisine of the Shaanxi Province but has now spread to many other places in China.]

 “Master!”

 Xiaobai glared at Lu Ming angrily, taking away his Liangpi.

 That's annoying!

 Master is too much!

 It has been some time, but he has not fixed his bad habit…

 Snort!

 No more food!

 “Li Haoran, he…”

 Lu Ming was taken aback.

 Li Haoran really started publicizing the vocation.

 How did he advertise?

 He took part in a compet.i.tion!

 He got his adorable cla.s.smate Salted Crispy Chicken to join him to partic.i.p.ate in a Minor Professional League Challenge and had entered the finals…

 Lu Ming looked sullen.

 Was this a joke?!

 At this very moment…

 Lu Ming saw the screen at the bottom right corner. Li Haoran sent messages to him.

“Master, fourth junior brother was the only one to pa.s.s the qualification!

 “The rest were too old.

 “They don't have the looks as well. They are not even one-tenth as good looking as you are!

 “Therefore, I have decided that the target audience of the publicity campaign will be younger people. Master, what do you think about the second senior brother partic.i.p.ating in the Minor Professional League Challenge?

“Master, they are minors. They are from the legendary genius preparatory cla.s.s. They have completed nine years of compulsory education and have just begun to cultivate…

 “They are easily influenced at this age.

 “It is the easiest to re-cultivate at this age.

 If we start with them, I think there will be many new members in the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation… I feel that the training of a Sword Card Master has to start from a younger age!

 “Master, what do you think?”

 “Master, we are off to partic.i.p.ate in the compet.i.tion. We have already notified Senior sister!”

 “Master, we have been selected in the pre-selection!”

 “Master, we are in the quarter-finals!”

 “Master, we are in the finals!”

 d.a.m.n!

 The more Lu Ming read, the more shocked he was.

 c.r.a.p! Starting from a younger age?!

 These guys were too brilliant!

 However…

 He was the only one who knew that ordinary people would not be able to continue their cultivation with the Sword Card Master vocation. By then, if the parents of the children came asking for an explanation, they would be in deep trouble…

 Hence…

 Lu Ming hurried to send a message. “Haoran, it is alright to lose in the finals. We will retreat in order to advance…”

However…

 He had yet to finish when his wristband vibrated and a new message was sent. “Master, we won the finals. Second senior brother won the first prize. I told him to give a speech. I wonder whether it will be useful O(∩_∩)O haha~”

 Lu Ming turned sullen.

 He was about to say something when the wristband vibrated madly.

 Ding!

 Ding!

 Ding!

 There was a ma.s.sive number of applications to join the a.s.sociation.