https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-597-A-Few-Things-About-the-1v1-Mode/13548840/
Chapter 596: Ah Friend Goodbye
Chapter 596: Ah Friend Goodbye
Liu Yue 12th, 7 PM.
"Another mountain of emails…" Feng Bu Jue’s first action after entering the Login Space was checking his mailbox.
"Hmm", he murmured, glancing at the page number at the bottom of the inbox before breaking into a smile. "Thankfully, it’s much better compared to last time. The number of emails is actually comforting!"
For Feng Bu Jue, receiving only a few hundred emails after logging in after several days offline was practically a celebration.
This also indicated that the Peak Conquest Tournament’s hype was gradually fading, with players’ attention shifting away from him.
Of course, another factor contributing to this shift was the revised "Player Comprehensive Strength Ranking" update, which had canceled the "Anonymous" setting and replaced it entirely with "Not Displayed on Leaderboard." This drastically reduced the chances of new players discovering the ID 【Mad Bu Jue】.
Speaking of this, one couldn’t help but criticize the previous ranking system. The old "Anonymous" setting was practically useless—anyone could cross-reference intelligence from major studios to uncover the anonymous player’s identity.
The typical result was clueless onlookers spotting a high-ranking 【anonymous】 player, then desperately hunting for their identity online until they inevitably discovered, "Oh, it’s so-and-so."
Now, however, the situation was different. There were no more anonymous entries. Players were either on the leaderboard or completely off it. Those absent could be hiding, have declined in strength, or even deleted their accounts. Over time, people stopped caring—who would bother investigating, at least among casual players?
Additionally, the new ranking system’s confidentiality had revived the "secret weapon" tactic.
Theoretically, powerful studios could now secretly cultivate one or more capable players in the shadows, keeping them from participating in public deathmatch modes and ensuring all team modes were played exclusively within the studio. By the time Summit ConfrontationS2 arrived, these players could emerge as wildcards.
In fact, some studios had already begun doing this, though their debut would be another story for another time…
Returning to Feng Bu Jue, he had spent the past few days at home, locked away writing to meet Liu Yue’s mid-month deadline. He chugged coffee and worked furiously during the day, then slept on schedule at night, refusing to play games.
After four days of this, he’d completed 90% of his workload, leaving only a fifth of it to wrap up in the next two days with five or six hours of work.
Thus, after finishing dinner and washing the dishes, Feng Bu Jue relaxed as he entered the Gaming Pod and logged into Terrifying Paradise.
"OK, done in ten minutes flat." Feng Bu Jue swiftly processed his emails in under ten minutes.
He then opened the social menu to check if his Hell Front comrades were online.
But something unexpected caught his eye—
"Eh? Who is 【Shi Shang Hua Jian】?" Feng Bu Jue noticed a new name in the guild list at first glance.
Though the person was offline, their nickname was clearly displayed in the 【guild members】 list.
"Can’t be…" Feng Bu Jue’s expression shifted after a few seconds of thought. He seemed to have figured it out. "Shou Wu Shi Shang Yue, Xi Heng Hua Jian Qin. Guo Ci Yi Hu Wai, You You Fei Wo Xin…" he muttered the poem’s lines. "Huh… My memory’s still sharp."
The moment he deduced the new member’s identity, Feng Bu Jue felt a chill run down his spine. He immediately realized that the one who had invited this person into the guild could only be Li Ruoyu.
Feng Bu Jue would undoubtedly reply with some domineering response like, "You’re the eternal uke—that’s why!"
"These two girls…" Feng Bu Jue paced alone in the Elevator Room, muttering, "Their relationship developed shockingly fast. This vibe of instant camaraderie and shared hatred… doesn’t bode well…"
After some hesitation, he admitted he had no good countermeasures. It seemed inevitable that his movements were being monitored by his superior. Fortunately, he hadn’t logged in for these past few days, maintaining the appearance of someone diligently working without time for games. Even if he encountered her today, he could proudly say his pre-written chapters were completed.
"Sigh… Why do I feel like a primary schooler? Like the subtext is, ‘I finished my homework—can I play now?’…" Feng Bu Jue mused, then continued, "Eventually, I’ll hit rebellious phase—lines like ‘Don’t control me! I’ll die if you try!’…"
Shaking away these chaotic thoughts, Feng Bu Jue muttered, "Whatever. A great scholar adapts to circumstances, bends and bows when needed…" As he spoke, he entered the Storage Room, "How did Han Xin survive? Gou Jian? Sun Bin? Sima Qian… Well, maybe not that last one…" By now, he had reached the storage chest. "In any case… we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it."
By now, he’d retrieved all seven puzzle piece cards from the chest: Puzzle Piece Card - Strawberry, Puzzle Piece Card - Banana, Puzzle Piece Card - Plunger, Puzzle Piece Card - Ping Pong, Puzzle Piece Card - Father, Puzzle Piece Card - Spider, Puzzle Piece Card - Countdown.
With that, he briefly returned to the Login Space before heading to the mall.
Feng Bu Jue’s destination was none other than the "Puzzle Piece Card Exchange."
Nestled in a corner of the Mall Space, the Exchange resembled a deformed sphere embedded in a vaulted ceiling. Entering the main entrance revealed rows of two-way counters and numerous players darting between them. To any observer, the interior resembled an arcade.
"What’s this… everyone playing slot machines?" Feng Bu Jue muttered, continuing forward.
This was his first visit since the update. After ten days, most players had already mastered the new facility’s usage. Feng Bu Jue, however, was clearly among the tiny minority of clueless newcomers.
"Ha! Feng Bu Jue!" Suddenly, a familiar voice system activated.
Feng Bu Jue turned, greeting the newcomer. "Oh, it’s Jian Shao. Long time no see."
"I heard from Blade Guild that you might appear in Zone 101…" Jian Shao approached as he spoke. "Didn’t expect to actually run into you today."
"You wanted to find me, why not just use the comm system or send a message?" Feng Bu Jue countered logically—they were friends on each other’s contact lists.
"Haha, I don’t actually have anything urgent to discuss", Jian Shao grinned. "Oh, right, let me introduce…" He stepped aside.
Feng Bu Jue had already noticed the adolescent youth behind Kuangzong Jianying—a skinny boy in traditional martial artist attire, bearing the "Jianghu" emblem on his chest.
"This is our newly recruited rising star from ‘Stars’", Jian Shao announced, "Bu Tian Ge."
"Hello", Feng Bu Jue offered a casual greeting.
"Wow! You’re Mad Bu Jue?!" Bu Tian Ge’s eyes widened, staring at Feng Bu Jue like a supernatural creature. "You look way more real in person than in videos!"
"Idiot!" Jian Shao flicked the boy’s forehead. "Obviously? Who talks like that to someone’s face? Where’s your manners?"
"Sorry…" Bu Tian Ge rubbed his head, glancing up with a wronged expression. "Feng Bu Jue, hello."
Before he finished speaking, "Dong!" Another flick from Jian Shao landed. "Who told you to call him by his full name? Call him ‘Feng Bu Jue’!"
"Yes, Feng Bu Jue!" Bu Tian Ge obediently corrected himself.
"You’ve turned this rising star into a yakuza lackey vibe", Feng Bu Jue deadpanned. "Seriously… you two, with your seme and uke act… why hasn’t the system security intervened?"
“No problem,” Jian Shao replied. “Oh, forgot to mention—it’s his sister who asked me to discipline him properly.”
“Ah…” Feng Bu Jue’s expression shifted slightly as he turned to Bu Tian Ge. “Little Bu, you’ve survived this long… how’s that even possible?”
“You’re telling me…” Bu Tian Ge responded, his tone heavy with weariness.
“Alright, alright, why don’t you take a break for a bit? Feng Bu Jue and I need to chat,” Jian Shao said, attempting to shoo Bu Tian Ge away.
“Fine,” Bu Tian Ge muttered, shrugging before walking off.
Once he’d moved a safe distance away, Jian Shao leaned in. “Feng Bu Jue, let me tell you a secret—the kid’s got talent. He might even become an expert-level player someday.”
“I’m aware,” Feng Bu Jue replied coolly. “I remembered about sixteen seconds ago. He fought against Xiao Tan in the Bug Arena. Xiao Tan told me about that match.”
“Right, right, he mentioned it to me too…” Jian Shao nodded. “Said something like… he almost beat Wang Tan Zhi in the Summit Confrontation finals.” He shook his head. “I scolded him right there—what does ‘almost win’ even mean? If you didn’t win, what’s there to be proud of?”
“I’ve noticed you’ve become quite the chatterbox lately,” Feng Bu Jue said, ignoring the remark and casting a disdainful glance at Kuangzong Jianying. “Constantly indulging in the martial arts techniques of young girls must’ve caused a hormonal anomaly in you…”
“Haha, come on, don’t tease me like this,” Jian Shao dryly chuckled. “I was just letting her win in front of everyone else…”
“The lust and anticipation in your eyes have already betrayed you,” Feng Bu Jue added flatly.
“Hey! Why do you get to keep roasting me like this? Did the system’s censorship function break down or something?!” Jian Shao grumbled.
“I didn’t say anything offensive,” Feng Bu Jue countered. “The only possibly sensitive word was ‘lust,’ and it wasn’t blocked… which means the system agrees with my assessment.”
Naturally outmatched in verbal sparring, Jian Shao quickly turned flustered. “Tch… even if that’s true, so what?! I’m just thrilled, okay?! Haha!” He spread his legs, hands on his hips, and cackled three times toward the ceiling.
Feng Bu Jue fell silent for two seconds. “Alright…” He sighed. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“What?” Jian Shao asked.
“When you said, ‘I scolded him right there,’ your Fearless was already walking into the lobby,” Feng Bu Jue said, his gaze shifting past Jian Shao’s shoulder. “When you added, ‘What’s there to be proud of?’ she was already walking toward you with Little Bu. And now… she’s been standing behind you this whole time, listening to us.” He paused. “Her expression looks… ominous.”
At this, Kuangzong Jianying swallowed hard, his face paling as he slowly twisted his stiff neck to glance behind him.
A few seconds later, Jian Shao’s vision filled with a smiling face.
It was a rare expression for Caibu Painotafraid—a smile that failed to mask the killing intent in her eyes…
Bu Tian Ge watched Jian Shao with a look of pity. “I tried to warn you… but my sister wouldn’t let me.”
Jian Shao’s lips trembled as he turned back to Feng Bu Jue. “Why… why would you do this?!”
“Such a rare opportunity—why not take advantage?” Feng Bu Jue spread his hands, his grin widening.
“Huangfu Mingkang!” Fearless snapped.
“Oh no… she used my full name…” Jian Shao’s eyes brimmed with resignation.
“Would this be the part where I add, ‘If I call your name, do you dare answer?!’” Feng Bu Jue teased, grinning ear to ear.
Without another word, Fearless grabbed Jian Shao by the collar and dragged him toward her conference room.
“Ah~ mountains high, waters long~ The road ahead stretches into the unknown~ Ah, friends, farewell~ Farewell~ Farewell~” Feng Bu Jue waved and sang as he watched Jian Shao vanish into the distance.
“What kind of song was that?!” Bu Tian Ge asked, still standing there.
“It’s from a Yugoslav movie called The Bridge. You should watch it sometime,” Feng Bu Jue said, turning back with a smile. “Oh, and one more thing—I’d like to kindly remind you… the first step to becoming strong is to stop letting people punch your head around.” With that, he strolled off, leaving behind only a distant, heroic silhouette…
Bu Tian Ge stared after him, his face filled with reverence. “I don’t know what just happened… but he sure seems amazing…”
…
Fifteen minutes later, Feng Bu Jue returned to the Login Space.
After studying the rules of the Puzzle Piece Card Exchange, he quickly became a pro. Soon, he’d swapped out all seven of his original cards.
The new cards he’d acquired were: Puzzle Piece Card – Sheep x2, Puzzle Piece Card – Ox, Puzzle Piece Card – Scorpion, Puzzle Piece Card – Crab, Puzzle Piece Card – Fish, and Puzzle Piece Card – Lion.
Clearly, Feng Bu Jue’s goal was to assemble the Zodiac Twelve Constellations deck.
With this foundation set, his exchanges became focused and purposeful. Since the Exchange operated via a self-service counter, no haggling was needed. He simply used the search function to locate cards matching the zodiac signs with the condition “1-for-1, any type,” then confirmed the transactions.
Players who listed cards in the Exchange generally fell into two categories. The first: those too lazy to sort through their collections, who randomly listed whatever they’d gathered, checking back days later to see if new combinations emerged. The second: those who’d planned a specific combination but couldn’t find the needed cards, so they listed irrelevant ones with strict conditions, hoping to swap for the right pieces.
As for Feng Bu Jue… he was the type to hold only seven cards yet already dream of assembling a twelve-card zodiac deck.
Still, Feng Bu Jue knew his current collection was far from complete. Market logic dictated that assembling a five-card combo required at least seven spare cards; for ten cards, you’d need around fifteen. The principle was simple—everyone wanted multi-card combos, but the challenge grew exponentially. Take the Zodiac Twelve Constellations—what if the final one or two cards were nowhere to be found in the Exchange? Your only option would be to list your own, waiting for someone to trade. Yet for specific cards, players often resorted to listing two unwanted cards for a 2-for-1 swap. That’s where the real strategy came in—what you deemed useless might be another’s treasure.
In short, the Puzzle Piece Card Exchange was a complex game. Those patient enough to master it could theoretically expand their collections endlessly. Once you reached Card King status, even offline trading could become profitable. After all, the world teemed with Wealthy Players—those rich enough to buy every card, whether assembling twelve or even one hundred and eight legendary heroes. Some would simply post tasks on trading sites, buying each card at a fixed price. Eventually, they’d complete their sets.
“Hmm… warehouse space is getting tight…” Feng Bu Jue muttered, staring at his storage box with only ten slots. “The Jazzy Moves card will self-destruct eventually, but the Poker Hero Hero ID Card will always take up a slot. My current Item Slots are barely enough—no room to spare. Carrying stacks of cards in my pockets isn’t practical either…”
With that, he made his decision. Opening the storage interface, he quickly purchased five extra storage slots through the shortcut.
Like the Satchel Menu, each five-slot upgrade cost 1,000,000 Game Currency. This expense was inevitable, so he might as well handle it now. What if he emerged from his next scenario rewarded with even more Puzzle Piece Cards? That would be awkward indeed.
“Alright,” Feng Bu Jue said, watching the Game Currency vanish from his Menu, then turned toward the Elevator. “Time to grind for gold.”
(End of Chapter)
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