[Wu Song] (Fire)
Card Level: 1
Evolution Level: ★
Available Uses: 1/1
Base Attributes:
Health: 300
Defense: 300
Attack: 300
Agility: 10
Critical Strike Chance: 20%
Additional Skill:
Wu Song Slaying the Tiger – Wu Song punches the tiger's head, inflicting massive damage with a 15% chance of triggering an instant death effect.
This card's attributes were significantly better than [Lin Daiyu]'s. [Lin Daiyu]'s base health was 100, defense 15, and attack 0, while [Wu Song]'s health, defense, and attack stats were all at 300—over ten times those of [Lin Daiyu]. However, its additional skill was only effective against tiger cards, limiting its broader utility. Still, [Wu Song]'s high base attributes and handsome appearance made it stand out. Since [Lin Daiyu] sold for 30 gold coins, wouldn't [Wu Song] fetch a higher price?
Xie Mingzhe decided to bring his card to the black market first to gauge its market price. If it sold well, he'd consider making a few more.
Upon arriving at the black market, he noticed a stall called "High Prices for Collectible Beauty Cards" at the entrance, where many people were selling beauty cards. The lowest purchase price seemed to be 50 gold coins. Since his [Lin Daiyu] cards had sold out, he ignored the stall and ventured deeper into the market.
The black market was a haven for hidden talents. Many seemingly ordinary vendors were, in fact, backed by major clubs in the game. The business volume of these large-scale card-buying stalls rivaled that of the shops in the central square.
Xie Mingzhe wandered around, researching the selling prices for cards with attributes similar to [Wu Song]. After getting a sense of the market price, he approached a stall labeled "Purchase Cards with High Attributes." He handed over his [Wu Song] card to the stall owner. "Hi, what do you think of this card? How much is it worth?"
The owner examined it and said, "Its attributes are balanced, and its additional skill is common, so its utility is limited. Cards like this one-star version typically sell for about 50 gold coins."
Xie Mingzhe chuckled and took the card back. "Trying to fool me just because I'm a low-level newbie? I'll try my luck somewhere else."
Xie Mingzhe didn't want to deal with such a cunning merchant. It was fair to buy a card worth 100 gold coins for 70, but the owner's offer of 50 was an insult. Xie Mingzhe had learned that cards with base attributes similar to [Wu Song] could sell for around 100 gold coins at nearby stalls.
Ignoring the stall owner's protests, he turned to another stand.
The next stall owner was a cute girl dressed like a princess, who greeted him cheerfully, "Uncle Chubby, looking to sell an original card?"
"Yes, please take a look." Xie Mingzhe handed over the card. The girl examined it and said, "Its base attributes are well-balanced. I'll generously offer 100 gold coins."
"Isn't that a bit low? This one-star card has 300 attack, and if upgraded to seven stars, its attack could reach tens of thousands. It also has an instant death effect on tiger cards," Xie Mingzhe pitched, "How about 140 gold coins?"
The stall owner, finding his argument convincing, nodded after a moment of thought. "Alright, 140 gold coins it is!"
Nebula paper only cost 7 gold coins, so selling the card for 140 brought in a profit of 20 times that amount. Xie Mingzhe was ecstatic, though he managed to keep his cool. After the sale, he asked with a smile, "I designed this card myself, so I can make more [Wu Song] cards. Would you be interested in a bulk purchase? I could offer a discount."
The stall owner waved him off with a laugh. "You really know how to market! But I'm not looking to buy in bulk. Thanks anyway."
Disappointed, Xie Mingzhe moved on.
Can Yang wandered around the black market, looking for unique cards but hadn't found anything interesting. When he passed by Shuang Shuang's stall, he paused and asked, "How's business?"
Shuang Shuang was setting up the stall to purchase cards on behalf of her Shifu. With limited knowledge of cards, she'd bought [Wu Song] because it seemed unusual. Seeing the vice president approach, she respectfully replied, "Business is good, Vice President. I bought a unique card just now. Here, take a look." She handed the [Wu Song] card to Can Yang.
Can Yang examined it carefully. The card's base attributes—attack, defense, and health—were balanced, making it average. But the additional skill, Wu Song Slaying the Tiger, which had a 15% instant death effect on tiger cards, caught his attention.
Can Yang's grip on the card tightened. If their legend Nie encountered this card in PvP, his white tiger card would be at risk of instant defeat.
With a surge of excitement, Can Yang glanced around to make sure no one familiar was nearby, then whispered urgently to Shuang Shuang, "Who sold you this card?"
"A beginner player named Uncle Chubby, level 15. He said he designed the card himself."
Can Yang's voice trembled. "Do you know where to find him? Bring him to the club immediately. Tell him we want to buy his cards in bulk."
Understanding the situation's importance, Shuang Shuang handed her stall over to a nearby club member and chased after Xie Mingzhe.
She pursued him through the black market, spotting the familiar chubby figure up ahead. She called out, "Uncle Chubby, wait—"
But before she could finish, he opened a portal and returned to his apartment.
Gemini's countless apartments had strict privacy settings, and without his address, finding him would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. Players' privacy was protected, allowing only nearby players or friends to send voice messages. Otherwise, they could only send emails.
Remembering his name, Shuang Shuang sent him an email relaying Can Yang's message.
However, Uncle Chubby logged off right after the email was sent.
The reason? He'd been summoned by Brother Chen, the boss of the game studio, for dinner.