Chapter 77

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Chapter 77: Card-Crafting Exercise

"Our Card-Crafting profession is a supporting role and

a reserve force. When the soldiers fight in frontline, they need our

assistance." Ali begins explaining to Yu Jin Li about the role of their

profession.

"Although card craftsmen are not strong in combat, the

energy cards we make have a vital role for ability users. It can be said that they

must relied on our energy cards to fight." Ali said proudly, taking

tremendous pride in his craft.

"So amazing." Yu Jin Li's eyes widened.

In ancient times, although masters in the art of talisman were

considered powerful, they were not what cultivators had to rely on. A talisman

could increase one’s attacking power and become a life-saving tool in the hands

of cultivators, but it was rarely ever more than that.

Yu Jin Li didn't expect that in this world, ability users

had to depend on energy cards, which is enough to show the status of the card

crafting profession.

"Of course, not only does ability users, themselves, need

energy cards, but even their mecha are equipped with energy cards. Once

equipped, the attack power will increase dozens of times." Ali continued.

Probably because it’s rare to encounter someone who’s a total

blank in regard to card crafting, Ali rambles on endless. Mostly, he kept on repeating

himself and even said some stuffs unrelated to Yu Jin Li.

"Of course, there are such things as high-level card

craftsmen and low-level craftsmen. An A-level craftsman like our Master Kamon is

one of an only few in the entire Federation. There are no S-level craftsmen. Originally,

in the entire human history, there was ever only one S-level card craftsman,

but, unfortunately, no one has been able to reach S-level for hundreds of

years." Ali continued.

"S-level? Is that great?" Yu Jin Li asked,

uncleared on the craftsmen’s classification.

"Naturally. The craftsmen classification ranked from F

to S, low to high, respectively. S-level is at the very top. If our Federation

can produce even one S-level, there is no need to worry about invasion from the

empire next door."

There was a hint of resentment in Ali’s words, but he

quickly skipped over the topic and continued with the basic knowledge for beginner.

Eventually, the newbie-orientation task that Master Kamon had assigned was

completed.

After understanding the relevant information about card

crafting, Yu Jin Li obediently followed the instructions of Master Kamon,

staying in the yard and carefully feeling the flowers and plants.

He finally understands why Master Kamon wants him to “feel”

these plants.

Energy cards are generally divided into two major types: beasts

and plants.

Most beast-type cards are offensive, while most plants-type

cards are defensive. More importantly, many of those featured in energy cards

are actually native species of the Federation.

A card craftsman would carefully observe the existing

flowers and plants, observes their characteristics, finds out the ones that can

be used, and then draws them into the energy card using mental power, giving each

one a unique defensive ability.

Of course, there are also some totally original energy

cards. This requires the craftsman to use his own imagination to perfectly draw

the image onto the energy card and give it the proper function. As such, the

production of ‘original energy card’ is extremely difficult, and therefore the

birth of each one will certainly cause a massive commotion.

Furthermore, due to its difficulties, most craftsmen capable

of creating original energy cards are either at the A or B level.

Yu Jin Li carefully felt the movement of the flowers and

plants in the courtyard. He himself was a spirit, so he was very sensitive to all

the creatures of nature.

Close one’s eyes tightly, listen with one’s heart, leave

the world behind, and only the whispers of the flowers and trees are left.

"Hee hee, that human being is so funny. Is he not

afraid of falling while sleeping standing up?" A soft voice sounded, with

a brisk tone.

"I don't know, maybe he likes to sleep like this."

Another clear voice echoed.

"Humans are really poor. They are busy every day. Whereas

we are so relaxed and laid back. We even have people to water and fertilize

us."

"That is to say, even though there are plants that envy

humans and wishes to become human, I don't want that. It's so leisure to lazily

bask in the sun every day and stretch out our branches and leaves."

Numerous voices of flowers and plants filled Yu Jin Li's

ears. In just a few moments, through the "dialogues" of these flowers,

Yu Jin Li learned a lot about the characteristics of plants in this world

Opening his eyes, he saw the flowers and plants in front of him

stretched freely under the breeze, carefree and enjoying themselves. Although

their voices have stopped, Yu Jin Li felt extraordinarily comfortable just

standing here.

He squatted down and gently stroked the mimosa plant beside

him. He just heard from the surrounding flowers said that the mimosa is very

shy, and its branches and leaves shrink when they are touched. Its a kind of

self-protection ability. 1

Next to the mimosa is a wuling grass2. This plant

has serrated edges around its leaves, which are very sharp, and if you are not

careful, you will be cut by it. It seems very aggressive.

After carefully observing the various characteristics of the

surrounding flowers and plants, combined with the sounds that he

"heard" just now, Yu Jin Li had a general understanding of these

plants.

Master Kamon stood in front of the bedroom window on the

second floor, looking down at the little figure standing among the flowers

below with unconcealed satisfaction and appreciation in his eyes.

It’s rare for someone to seriously complete the tasks

assigned by him without complaint. The students he has taught before are always

unwilling to waste time communicating with flowers and plants, but can't wait

to learn how to make energy cards. In the eyes of Master Kamon, this is like a

child wanting to learn how to run before he can even walk, which is simply unattainable.

Now he finally has an obedient student. It's a pity that this

kid’s mental power is only D-level. Even if he works hard, he can only produce

a C-level energy card at most.

What a pity.

Yu Jin Li spent the afternoon observing the flowers and plants.

When he finished this task, the sun was about to set, and the person who picked

him up was about to come.

"Come here." Master Kamon waved to Yu Jin Li.

Yu Jin Li hurriedly walked from the courtyard to Master

Kamon, and then saw that the other party handed him a book.

“Read this book when you get home." Master Kamon said

in a faint voice, before turning around and went back upstairs.

Yu Jin Li looked at the [Encyclopedia of Unique3 Level-One

Plants] and was pleasantly surprised. Before he came, I remembered to read it.

The person who picked him up would come.

"Little Chestnut." Qiao Mu Lan and Jiang Mo Sheng

walked in with the guide, and saw Yu Jin Li holding a book with a happy face

and an uncontrollable grin.

"Mom, Ah Sheng." Yu Jin Li ran over with a smile.

"How was your stay here?" Qiao Mu Lan asked

gently, touching the boy’s soft hair.

"Very good. Master Kamon is also very good, and he even

gave me this book." Yu Jin Li happily replied.

Although Master Kamon did not teach him anything today, Yu

Jin Li felt that he had learned a lot and was very happy.

"Really? That’s great." Qiao Mu Lan and Jiang Mo Sheng

looked at the book in Yu Jin Li's hand, and a hint of surprise flashed across

their eyes.

[Encyclopedia of Unique Level-One Plants] is a collection

personally compiled by Master Kamon, and is one of the official textbooks for

first-year craftsman students at the First Military Academy. Currently, it is not

in circulation on the market, and no one could have expected that Yu Jin Li

would receive one on the first day as a gift from Master Kamon himself.

Both Qiao Mu Lan and Jiang Mo Sheng are very proud.

"Yeah." Yu Jin Li held the book in his little arms

and couldn't wait to open the book on the way home.

The content written in [Encyclopedia of Unique Level-One Plants"

comprised of all the unique plants that can be craft into F-level energy cards.

It includes their appearances, characteristics, as well as abilities, all of

which are written in full detail, and is extremely valuable for a craftsman’s

learning progress.

Yu Jin Li had a ravenous look, and couldn't wait to memorize

all the knowledge into his mind at once.

Of course, for a koi spirit, such things are not at all

difficult, and Yu Jin Li has already memorized half of the book just on the way

home.

Jiang Mo Sheng sat next to Yu Jin Li and saw the situation unfolded

in full view. The excited expression on Yu Jin Li’s face and the surprised glint

in his eyes signaled his love for the book. After observing everything, Jiang

Mo Sheng’s eyes became extraordinarily gentle.

"Mom, stop the car in front. Let's buy some F-class

blank energy cards." Jiang Mo Sheng said to Qiao Mu Lan who was driving.

"Alright." Qiao Mu Lan responded immediately.

When they arrived home, Yu Jin Li had not only harvested a

copy of [Encyclopedia of Unique Level-One Plants], but also a lot of F-level

blank energy cards and an energy board used by card craftsmen to practice.

The energy board is also blank, but it does not contain any

mental energy. It is very suitable for craftsmen to have hands-on practice

without the fear of an explosion.

When it comes to real blank energy card, there cannot be any

interruption during the crafting process. All the drawing must be

done in one go. If there is even a little mistake, the entire energy card may

be damaged, or even an explosion may occur.

Therefore, a craftsman would usually only start to draw

after proficiently practicing on the energy board.

After Yu Jin Li got this, he couldn't put it down, and he

couldn't wait to give it a try. He didn't even want to eat dinner or live

broadcast, and just wanted to study the production of energy cards.

In the end, under the supervision of Jiang Mo Sheng, Yu Jin

Li ate the evening meal before he was allowed to practice making energy card.

Yu Jin Li first found a heart-shaped grass with a very

simple shape as a training target.

This heart-shaped grass is a soothing plant that can be used

to calm F-class restless beasts.

Yu Jin Li carefully memorized a sketch in his mind, took out

the blank energy board, released his spiritual consciousness, and carefully

probed it. He was surprised to find that this energy board was different from

the previous energy card. Although they’re both very similar, there is a

difference in the dimensional space inside, which is where the plant is to be

depicted.

Yu Jin Li was a little excited, and his spiritual consciousness

trembled. He hurriedly stabilized himself, and then began to follow the

heart-shaped grass outline in the book to draw a three-dimensional image in the

board’s dimensional space.

Yu Jin Li can be regarded as a great spirit, with excellent control

over his spiritual consciousness, but this is the first time he gets to use it

as a paintbrush.

As such, the first-time drawing was not easy. Fortunately,

this is an energy board, not an energy card, and even if it fails, he can just start

over.

Halfway through the plant’s drawing, the lines of the image

broke due to excessive force, and Yu Jin Li's first attempt ended in failure.

However, Yu Jin Li was not discouraged. After erasing all

traces of the first attempt, he began the second attempt. With the previous

experience, Yu Jin Li's drawing was obviously much smoother this time.

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TN:

1) Mimosa

pudica (Shameplant/Touch-me-not): an actual plant that reacts to external touch

by closing its leaves and drooping.

2) 五菱草 (Wuling grass):

As far as I know, this is not a real plant. If you know of any other meaning

feel free to divulge.

3) 异 (strange/abnormal/exotic/alien/different/unique):

This word has many different meanings according to the context. For YJL’s

book’s name, I believed that it refers to the unique characteristics and

properties of the plants, so it will be translated here as “unique.” In other

places, a different translation may be more suitable.