Yu Hanjiang slept soundly until dawn. When he woke up in the morning, he felt refreshed. After washing his face in the bathroom, he happened to run into Xiao Lou, who was coming out of the next room.
Xiao Lou, who had just woken up, was still sleepy-eyed. He rubbed his eyes as he walked, looking groggy. His hair was also slightly messy. Compared to the usually elegant and refined Professor Xiao, Xiao Lou seemed more down-to-earth, which made Yu Hanjiang feel particularly close to him.
He couldn't help but smile slightly as he greeted her, "You're awake?"
Hearing the man's deep voice, Xiao Lou was stunned for a moment, finally fully waking up. He smiled slightly at Yu Hanjiang and said, " Captain Yu, up so early?"
Upon seeing that smile so early in the morning, Yu Hanjiang's mood instantly brightened. His heart felt as soft as if it were enveloped in a feather, and his gaze softened involuntarily. He wiped his hands clean, walked up to Xiao Lou, and asked in a low voice with concern, "Did you sleep well last night?"
Xiao Lou nodded: "I was probably too tired from being at sea for seven days. I slept very soundly last night and slept until dawn."
Seeing that his cheeks were rosy and he was full of energy, Yu Hanjiang was relieved and said, "If you keep going through challenges, everyone's energy will run out. This is a good opportunity to rest for a few days and prepare for the future."
Xiao Lou said, "I think so too."
Ye Qi from next door suddenly pushed open his door and saw two people talking at the bathroom door. He hurriedly said, " Professor Xiao, do you need to use the bathroom? I'll go to the fourth floor, I need to go!"
Before Xiao Lou could answer, he vanished in a flash, moving as if he had used a teleportation card.
Xiao Lou glanced helplessly at Xiao Ye's retreating figure, quickly washed her face, and went downstairs.
At 8:30, the teammates who lived on the third floor also got up. After everyone got ready, they met downstairs. Yu Hanjiang said, "Let's get ready to have breakfast. I checked online and there are breakfast shops nearby."
Ye Qi glanced around: "It seems like someone's missing!"
They looked at each other and quickly realized that Shao Qingge had not come down yet.
Xiao Lou went up to the second floor and knocked on the door: " CEO Shao? Are you still asleep?"
There was no sound from inside, so Xiao Lou had no choice but to push the door open and go in—there was Shao Qingge, sprawled out on the bed like a cat, fast asleep. Xiao Lou didn't have the heart to wake him, but the whole day was packed with plans, and without CEO Shao, the financial manager, everyone's plans to buy cars and clothes wouldn't be able to proceed smoothly.
Xiao Lou had no choice but to go up to him and call out, " CEO Shao, wake up."
Shao Qingge snorted twice through his nose, turned over, and continued sleeping on his stomach.
Xiao Lou said helplessly, " CEO Shao, why don't you get up and have breakfast?"
Shao Qingge rolled over and continued sleeping. Yu Hanjiang frowned and said, "Your gentle way of calling him will never wake up a lazybones. How about I get a glass of ice water and pour it into his blanket?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Shao Qingge sprang up from the bed with a swift motion.
Xiao Lou was both amused and exasperated: " CEO Shao actually woke up a long time ago, but he just didn't want to get out of bed, right?"
Shao Qingge squinted, a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice: "We don't have to pass any challenges today, can't I even stay in bed a little longer?"
Normally, with his hair tied in a small braid, revealing the entire outline of his face, Shao Qingge's features would appear quite handsome. But now, having slept and messed up his hair, the disheveled hair gave him a lazy air, like a cat sprawled out in the sun.
Xiao Lou resisted the urge to ruffle his messy hair and laughed, "Alright, alright, you can sleep in tomorrow. There's too much to do today, so please bear with it and hurry up and wash your face before we go get something to eat."
Shao Qingge yawned, turned around to wash his face, and went downstairs to go out with everyone.
***
The weather was lovely today. The bright sunshine streamed down the tree-lined paths, making the entire neighborhood feel like a giant garden. The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers, and everyone strolled through the woods, marveling at the beauty of the environment.
In the upscale villa area, there weren't many pedestrians on the road early in the morning. Xiao Lou led everyone to the entrance of the community, found a breakfast shop for a quick meal, and then followed Lao Mo to the suburbs to buy a car.
There are many 4S stores here, all brands that Xiao Lou doesn't recognize. He's never had a driver's license in the real world and doesn't know much about cars. He looked blankly at Lao Mo and asked, "Which brand should we buy?"
Old Mo scratched his head and said, "I don't know much about car brands in this world. Anyway, it's just for getting around. The performance of the cars should be about the same. If the price is right, I'll buy it."
Shao Qingge glanced at the spacious car showroom and suggested, "Let's buy a small tour bus so Lao Mo can drive it when the group is traveling together. We can also buy a sedan; it will be more flexible when we split into smaller teams."
Xiao Lou turned to look at him: "Two cars, do we have enough money?"
Shao Qingge said with a smile, "Don't worry, it doesn't matter if we run out of money. Don't forget we still have the cat's eye stone bracelet. We'll inquire around these next few days to see where there are jewelry auctions. We can make a fortune by selling the cat's eye stone bracelet."
Hearing this, Xiao Lou was completely relieved. After all, CEO Shao had many ways to make money; he could just spend it all and then make more.
After some haggling with the shop owner, he bought a small tour bus that could seat 16 people. Immediately afterwards, they went to the shop next door and bought a 5-seater sedan.
The 4S stores in this world have a large inventory of vehicles, so you can complete the paperwork on the spot after paying.
In just two hours, everyone was able to pick up their cars smoothly. There are parking spaces downstairs at the villa, and with these two vehicles, getting around will be very convenient.
Old Mo drove a white bus, while CEO Shao drove a black sedan, and the group headed to Moon City's largest shopping mall.
They parked their car in the underground garage, went to the mall and each bought several sets of summer clothes to change into, and also went to the off-season discount section to buy several sets of winter clothes. They put all the bags and packages into the trunk before driving home.
After arriving home, everyone went to their rooms to unpack their wardrobes, while Xiao Lou took out his phone and dialed Xue Mingyue's number.
At the time, Mr. Gui Yuanzhang invited them to join the Distant Place Association. Xiao Lou and Yu Hanjiang did not agree immediately, but politely said that they "needed to consider it" and left Xue Mingyue's contact information.
After the call connected, upon hearing Xiao Lou's voice, Xue Mingyue smiled and said, " Professor Xiao, have you thought it through? Our president has been waiting for your reply."
Xiao Lou said, "I'd like to arrange a meeting with Mr. Old Gui. I wonder when he'll be available today?"
Xue Mingyue said, "Wait a moment, let me ask him..."
A moment later, Xue Mingyue's voice came through the receiver: " Mr. Old Gui said he has time at noon today and is waiting for you all at his villa." She paused, then asked, "Where are you all? Would you like me to pick you up?"
Xiao Lou smiled and said, "No need, thank you, we drove here ourselves."
The original plan was to go to the trading market in the afternoon and meet Old Gui in the evening. However, Old Gui happened to be available at noon, so Xiao Lou changed the arrangements and went to the Distant Place Association to meet with Mr. Old Gui first.
At noon, Lao Mo drove the bus and took everyone to the headquarters of the Distant Place Association.
This is a detached villa nestled in the mountains. To get here, you need to travel a long mountain road, which is heavily guarded. If Xue Mingyue hadn't sent her location, it would have been very difficult for outsiders to find it.
It is said that the president of the Distant Place Association bought the land and built the house himself, making it very secluded.
Yu Hanjiang and Xiao Lou had been here once before and quickly found Old Gui's villa.
The villa nestled in the mountains was exceptionally quiet. The midday sun was blocked by the trees, and the light that peeked through the gaps was incredibly soft.
The last time I came, it was late at night, and I didn't pay attention to the scenery around me. But now, when I looked closely, I found that there was a large bamboo forest behind the villa. The bamboo forest stretched as far as the eye could see, lush and green. The bamboo forest was surrounded by streams, making people think that they had come to the secluded place of a hermit in a martial arts novel.
Xue Mingyue was already waiting for them at the door. Upon seeing Xiao Lou, she greeted him with a smile and led everyone inside.
Old Gui, with his gray hair, was brewing tea, the fragrance of tea filling the room. Hearing footsteps, he slowly looked up, his gaze gentle: "The guests have arrived, please sit down, have a cup of tea first, and then we'll have lunch together later."
Seeing Xiao Lou and Yu Hanjiang sitting next to the old man, the others exchanged glances and quickly found seats to sit down as well.
When they first met the legendary president of the Distant Place Association, they could hardly believe it— Mr. Old Gui must be 60 years old! How did he survive until now in the cruel Card World?
Although Gui Yuanzhang was old, he did not appear hunched over or decrepit. Sitting there, he stood as upright and dignified as the bamboo planted behind the villa. The skin on his hands had lost its moisture, and the wrinkles were very obvious, but when he picked up the teapot, his fingers were very steady, without the slightest tremor.
He handed the teacups to everyone one by one, pouring tea as he said, "This is this year's new tea, Zhuyeqing. People in this world don't really like drinking tea, so I went to great lengths to get someone to buy it for me."
Compared to his other teammates, Xiao Lou knows Mr. Old Gui better.
Gui Yuanzhang is a renowned calligraphy master in real life, one of the vice presidents of the National Calligraphy and Painting Association. He has excellent handwriting and can also imitate the calligraphy of many ancient celebrities. Xiao Lou's father is a special calligrapher, has some acquaintance with Mr. Gui, and even owns a piece of calligraphy by Mr. Gui.
It is said that the old gentleman was an expert in the art of tea, and his students would always present him with tea on his birthday.
The rumors were indeed true. Mr. Old Gui's tea-making technique was very meticulous. Xiao Lou politely accepted the teacup, took a small sip, and the delicate fragrance was refreshing. He rarely drinks tea, but the tea brewed by Mr. Old Gui was truly special.
Gui Yuanzhang poured tea for everyone before asking, " How did your first Weekly Routine go?"
Xiao Lou said, "Overall, it went smoothly."
Gui Yuanzhang looked at Yu Hanjiang: "I heard you chopped up 56 sharks?"
Everyone was surprised that he knew about this, but Xiao Lou quickly realized, "Did the Intelligence Bureau tell you?"
Gui Yuanzhang smiled and said, "Yes. These newcomers are truly courageous. I knew I hadn't misjudged you."
Yu Hanjiang asked directly in a low voice, "Senior, is there anything you would like to tell us?"
Since their elder brother sent them to find Old Gui, Old Gui must have something to tell them. Sure enough, Gui Yuanzhang didn't beat around the bush and said bluntly, "You need to clear the B-grade secret room and the A-grade secret room as soon as possible. I have prepared some cards here, which I hope will be helpful to you."
He glanced at Xue Mingyue, and the long-haired beauty immediately turned around to get a card holder.
She handed the card holder to Yu Hanjiang, smiling as she said, "These were prepared by our guild; they're all resource cards."
Gui Yuanzhang nodded: "The low-level Heart Room is not life-threatening; you can pass it as long as you solve the puzzles on time. There are no Hunters in the low-level Diamonds either; you can get out by finding the maze exit and solving the mechanisms. Plum Blossom is all about luck. The most dangerous one is Spade."
Old Mo encountered the Hunter in Diamonds during the Weekly Routine. However, the Hunter will not appear in the fixed escape rooms below Diamonds J.
Xiao Lou asked, "Senior, could you tell me how far the elite team of the Distant Place Association has progressed?"
Gui Yuanzhang said, " The strongest elite teams from the Distant Place Association, Luoying Pavilion, and Intelligence Bureau have all reached the S-level secret chamber. There are no more than 50 people in this group, but everyone stopped and did not dare to continue. This is because the difficulty of the S-level secret chamber is a level higher than that of the A-level. I have told you before that there was once a very powerful team that was completely wiped out in the S-level secret chamber."
Lu Jiuchuan had clearly already spoken to Old Gui, deliberately concealing information about that team.
In fact, the team led by Lu Jiuchuan was not wiped out; Old Gui was one of the survivors.
Xiao Lou didn't call him out on it, and just picked up the card holder and glanced at it.
The card holders Old Gui provides are quite plentiful—
The B card [Toiletries Kit] contains 8 cards, which can be opened to obtain a towel, toothbrush, cup, shampoo, and shower gel.
Card B [Laundry Detergent][Dryer] is the same card that the girl lent them in the Weekly Routine; it can instantly clean clothes.
Card B [Double Tent] is a waterproof tent that can be used in the wild. It can sleep up to 2 people and comes with its own pillow and blanket. 4 cards are given.
Card B [Travel Backpack], a backpack that can hold a lot of supplies, was also given 4 times.
In addition, there are some household items cards such as needles and thread, iron pots, and bowls and chopsticks.
Everyone was utterly stunned— Mr. Old Gui was practically like an NPC handing out rewards! He gave them so many daily necessities all at once!
Xiao Lou had originally planned to go to the card market to buy some supply cards, but it turned out that Mr. Old Gui had already made preparations.
He looked at Old Gui and said gratefully, "Thank you, senior. These cards are very useful."
Gui Yuanzhang smiled and said, "You're welcome. Most of these resource cards come from Weekly Routine rewards and the Plum Blossom Secret Chamber lottery. They'll be quite useful in the Spade Survival Chamber. But later on, besides Spade and Hearts, Plum Blossom and Diamonds will become increasingly difficult to obtain. Resource cards won't be useful in those two chambers. If you want to increase your strength, you'll need to get more control and combat cards."
Xiao Lou and Yu Hanjiang both knew very well that from the S-level Secret Chamber onwards, Plum Blossom was no longer about playing cards or drawing lots, but about directly competing against the Hunters. To survive with a tenfold difference in numbers, they couldn't just throw iron pots and bowls at people, could they?
These pots, pans, and shampoo were just to make things a little easier for them in the Spade Secret Room.
Whether they can survive depends on the combat cards. For example, Yu Hanjiang has drawn four very strong weapons: Night Demon Military Knife, Bloodthirsty Golden Shark, Silver Moon, and Starburst. However, with only Yu Hanjiang as the damage dealer, it is far from enough for the team!
Just then, Gui Yuanzhang suddenly took out a pen and said with a smile, "Aren't you all wondering how an old man like me has survived in Card World until now?"
Meeting everyone's curious gazes, he stood up and gently flicked his brush.
Suddenly, the air currents before him began to fluctuate violently, like a gust of wind, blowing all the teacups into the air! Then, he slowed his brushstrokes, drawing a graceful arc, and the teacups, as if possessed, quickly arranged themselves into a circle. Finally, he pointed his brush downwards and gently brought it down—and all the teacups instantly returned to their original positions!
Throughout the entire process, not a single drop of water leaked out of the teacup!
Ye Qi, Liu Qiao, and others were stunned. Xiao Lou was completely shocked, as if he had just watched a martial arts blockbuster. The white-haired Mr. Old Gui was the reclusive master in the martial arts movie who could kill people without leaving a trace while writing with a brush.
Mr. Old Gui put away his brush and said calmly, "I survived because of the brush in my hand."
Everyone was filled with admiration.
The old man actually has such a powerful card; he can use his brushstrokes to make the target float in the air and control the target's trajectory as it moves through the air!
In comparison, Xiao Lou's Compass control of the Ring to float in the air is practically a mini Pediatrics Department.
Old Gui's gaze slowly swept over everyone, and he said, " Card World, the true essence lies in [ cards ]. As long as you have a good hand and use it flexibly, no matter if you are old, weak, sick, or disabled, you will have a terrifying fighting power."
He paused, lowered his voice, and said earnestly, "This is the thing I wanted to tell you most today—never underestimate your own power. This is a magical world; believe in yourself, and you can create miracles."