Who says I can't become a Grand Master?

Chapter 35 [Magic Paths], increased to 50.

After pondering for a long time—

Zhang Qingzhe decided to put these troublesome matters aside for the time being.

The most urgent task is to continue producing [size 8 batteries] and steadily enhance our strength.

Only when he is strong enough can he protect himself and his sister.

Zhang Qingzhe worked until late at night, consuming countless [No. 8 batteries], and finally increased the number of [Magic Circuits] to fifty.

If you want to continue improving, the number of cards consumed will increase exponentially.

Given his current financial situation, he is really struggling to make ends meet.

He had no choice but to temporarily put aside this "project" and instead took out the note that Professor Xia Qiwei had given him and studied it carefully once again.

This theory of "card chain" is truly profound and ingenious.

Zhang Qingzhe let his thoughts wander and casually jotted down a few hypothetical scenarios on the draft paper:

[Flying Knife Card] + [Wasp Card] = [Knife-Wasp Card]?

[Wasp Card] + [Poison Card] = [Highly Venomous Wasp]?

……

However, the notes in the manuscript are very brief, only providing a theoretical framework.

If you want to understand the specific principles, you'll probably have to consult Xia Qiwei.

Zhang Qingzhe suddenly realized that this might be a trap set by the professor.

She first piqued his interest with an opening line, and when he couldn't resist asking her for advice, he naturally fell into her "trap"...

Zhang Qingzhe scratched his head helplessly, feeling extremely conflicted.

He longed to acquire this new knowledge, yet instinctively didn't want to cause trouble.

Zhang Qingzhe stood up and punched the air a few times, trying to vent his frustration.

After his [Magic Circuits] increased to fifty, his strength became equivalent to that of a [Formal Card Master].

The force of the punch whistled out, causing the curtains to sway and a slight cracking sound to break the silence.

"Slap! Slap!"

From the next room, the younger sister's complaints immediately came through:

"Brother! I'm about to fall asleep, can you please stop 'slapping' me... what are you doing?"

"Oh! It's alright, it's alright! Go to sleep—"

Zhang Qingzhe let out a long sigh of relief and collapsed onto the bed.

-----------------

the next day--

Zhang Qingzhe sat in the classroom, overlooking the summer campus.

The new leaves of the osmanthus tree are glossy and shimmer in the bright sunlight.

A warm breeze blew in from the sea, causing all the leaves on the trees to flutter and ripple, creating a shimmering, emerald-green expanse.

The sunlight dappled on the tree-lined path as a female student in a short skirt walked by, her cheerful laughter echoing in the wind.

Xia Qiwei arrived at the classroom early in the morning.

She first relayed a safety notice issued by her superiors, the content of which was somewhat related to yesterday's news—

The main purpose is to warn the "Deadpool organization" that they may launch terrorist attacks again, and to raise everyone's awareness of safety.

She then gave a few more instructions, urging everyone to behave themselves during this special period.

As she said this, her gaze swept towards Zhang Qingzhe.

But Zhang Qingzhe remained staring blankly out the window.

After the routine procedures were completed, Xia Qiwei got down to business, calling out the names of the five selected individuals and heading to the training ground together.

Wang Dong seemed unusually excited; he and two other people had been drinking until midnight the night before.

Having heard enough flattery during the meal, his confidence was practically overflowing.

The group arrived at the [Dream Simulation Arena].

The dream simulation room's decor exudes a cold and austere atmosphere, somewhat resembling a laboratory from a science fiction movie.

The students lay in experimental chairs with their hands and feet secured by safety locks, and wore immersive helmets.

Then insert the special [Dream Card], and your consciousness will be completely immersed in the virtual battlefield.

Seeing Xia Qiwei enter with her students, the professors who had arrived earlier greeted her with smiles.

But the students around them had a competitive look in their eyes.

After all, the final number of spots is limited, and everyone faces fierce competition.

While the professors were exchanging pleasantries, a student from the next class strolled over.

He was large and tall, half a head taller than others, with a habitually slightly raised double chin.

His round head was topped with a thick, stiff buzz cut, and a few strands of hair on his forehead were styled with hair gel to create a deliberate curl.

She looks like the kind of person who, despite having an ordinary appearance, is confidently trying to strike a pose.

He curled his thick, sausage-like lips, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt:

"Zhou Keming, I heard you didn't perform very well in the recent training camp."

He wanted to psychologically damage his opponent before engaging in the "dream simulation."

Zhou Keming adjusted his glasses and gave a cold snort:

Even if I stay in the same place, you still can't surpass me.

"Heh! Quite the boast, isn't it? That's definitely your style."

The chubby boy chuckled dismissively, his gaze sweeping over the group behind him. "But look at the ones from your class who made the cut—what a bunch of weaklings. Don't complain about getting ganged up on during the mock battle later."

Zhou Keming turned his face away, too lazy to reply.

But Wang Dong, standing to the side, couldn't hold back any longer and retorted, his neck stiff:

"Zheng Hangfei, what do you mean? Zhou Keming isn't the only one in our class!"

"Oh?"

Zheng Hangfei raised his thick eyebrows and looked at Wang Dong with disdain. "What, you want to have a match with me later?"

His classmates behind him burst into laughter, clearly feeling that the two were too different and incomparable.

Zhang Qingzhe listened to the pointless verbal sparring and sighed in boredom.

He was still troubled by that old problem:

In order to gain more knowledge, should I "sell" myself to the "Great Witch"?

Zheng Hangfei's gaze swept around again:

Zhou Keming still maintained his aloof attitude, while Wang Dong and the other two looked somewhat dejected.

Zhang Qingzhe, standing at the very back, appeared indifferent, as if he were detached from the world.

But it was precisely this nonchalant attitude that drew the attention of several girls.

Occasionally, their eyes would meet, and they would shyly purse their lips and smile.

Zheng Hangfei gritted his teeth in resentment.

So what if he's handsome?

Once we're in the [Dream Simulation], I'll prioritize attacking you.

He deliberately raised his voice and said to Zhang Qingzhe:

"Excuse me, you look unfamiliar."

Zhang Qingzhe had been too low-key before, and indeed didn't leave much of an impression on people.

"Okay!" Zhang Qingzhe responded.

"Hey! Hey! I'm saying hello to you, what do you mean by that?"

Zheng Hangfei was extremely dissatisfied with Zhang Qingzhe's attitude. "How did you get in? Did you get in through connections just because you have that face?"

Hearing this provocative remark, Zhang Qingzhe finally glanced at it and replied somewhat impatiently:

"You wouldn't understand even if I told you, you ugly person."

"you……!"

Hit people without slapping their faces, and expose people without revealing shortcomings.

But Zhang Qingzhe had no time to care about the feelings of such an idiot, and immediately delivered a "critical blow".

Zheng Hangfei's chubby face immediately scrunched up.

He tried to open his mouth, but couldn't find a way to refute it.

Finally, he could only clench his fist tightly and squeeze out a sentence through gritted teeth:

"Good! Your class is pretty tough. Don't blame me for targeting you when we enter the [Dream Simulation] later."

Wang Dong forced a cold snort at him, putting on a show of stubbornness despite his own weakness.

But as soon as Zheng Hangfei turned to leave, he immediately deflated like a punctured balloon, sidling up to Zhang Qingzhe and whispering:

"Bro, you were too arrogant just now. If we really ran into Zheng Hangfei in the [Dream Simulation], we'd definitely be eliminated early."

Zhang Qingzhe shrugged indifferently.

For him, being eliminated might be better, as it would free him from Xia Qiwei.

Just then, a beautiful and stylish figure brushed past Zheng Hangfei.

Zheng Hangfei only felt a blur in the corner of his eye as a light white gauze skirt fluttered by.

A whiff of gardenia fragrance brushed past my nose, and I was momentarily stunned.

He had never seen such a beautiful girl.

He subconsciously turned his head to look over, only to see the girl standing in front of Zhang Qingzhe.