Chapter 3: Due to the five-round system, and the possibility of one or even multiple draws between both sides, the rules for this round will undergo adaptive changes to ensure that within five rounds, a final winner is definitely determined.
...
This life-and-death gamble is not a battle of blood splattering and spatial fragments flying, but a test of the knowledge mastered in the past.
"In our lives, we always face many choices. This time, have you really chosen correctly?"
Koin Molber placed the five [Knowledge Cards] in front of him onto the table before him.
"..."
Su Xiao did the same. After a brief wait, the first round of the gamble began. He placed a [Knowledge Card] onto the technique node in front of him. This groove was just the right size to hold one [Knowledge Card].
Koin Molber on the opposite side did the same. A few seconds after both had placed their cards, the two cards flipped up on their own.
Su Xiao's card was [Basic Alchemy · 95].
Koin Molber's card was [Alchemical Pharmacy · 95].
That's right, the level of knowledge-type abilities was the number on the card. For example, Su Xiao's Basic Alchemy was Lv.95, corresponding to 95 knowledge points.
Koin Molber had only delved into pharmacy in his later years, yet he had reached this level. It could only be said that this old fellow had considerable strength and foundation. The final advantage in this gamble seemed to lie more with Koin Molber.
From the two cards, a dark red representing alchemy and a life-giving green representing pharmacy surged forth. The two forces spread forward along the technique patterns, their speed increasing until they finally collided with a boom.
With a draw, both cards were ejected from the technique nodes. The [Basic Alchemy · 95] merged into Su Xiao's chest. The previous feeling of vagueness about alchemy, as if that part of his memory was shrouded in mist, quickly faded.
[This round is a draw. Next round begins in 5 seconds.]
The Void Tree's prompt appeared directly as a text projection above the technique table.
Su Xiao tapped his finger repeatedly on the stack of four remaining [Knowledge Cards]. His frequent experiences of fighting powerful enemies and facing life-or-death moments kept him calm now, even though losing this gamble would mean his immediate and gruesome death.
After weighing his options, Su Xiao picked up the second [Knowledge Card] and placed it on the technique node.
Koin Molber on the opposite side showed a hint of a smile in his eyes. Without much hesitation, he placed a card. A few seconds later, both cards flipped open on their own:
Su Xiao's card was [Alchemical Pharmacy · 99].
The trump card was revealed!
Koin Molber's card was [Basic Alchemy · 99].
The knowledge power represented by the two cards spread towards each other along the technique patterns. With a roar, both [Knowledge Cards] were ejected. Another draw.
"It seems your final trump card isn't that big."
A smile appeared on Koin Molber's face. He naturally knew that the Law Destroyer before him had high attainments in pharmacy, but at this moment, the other party's pharmacy only resulted in a draw.
The third round began. Su Xiao placed a [Knowledge Card] on the technique node. Koin Molber did the same:
Koin Molber's card was [Alchemical Biology · 100].
Su Xiao's card was [Sealcraft · 94].
With a roar, the bright red power representing [Alchemical Biology] on the opposite side spread along the technique patterns, quickly overwhelming the colorless power representing sealcraft, and surged towards Su Xiao.
Su Xiao felt every cell in his body wail. In an instant, the world before his eyes turned blood red. His skin felt as if it were being torn apart, his flesh went berserk, turning into tentacle-like shapes writhing wildly, his bones cracked, and marrow surged out. Fortunately, all of this was just a painful illusion, not reality.
Drip, drip~
Blood dripped from Su Xiao's nose, falling onto the technique table.
"Kid, you have strong willpower. To endure such pain without changing your expression."
Koin Molber said this, but his hands moved without any delay. He placed another [Knowledge Card] onto the technique node on his side. Su Xiao did the same, but this time, the card he placed was stained with a few drops of his blood.
The cards flipped open.
Koin Molber's card was [Alchemical Mechanics · 100].
Su Xiao's card was [Abyssology · 102]!
The smile on Koin Molber's face froze. The next second, the darkness of the abyss surged towards him. The veins and tendons on his thick right arm bulged, his teeth ground together with a cracking sound, and blood seeped from between his teeth. His large hand gripped the edge of the table tightly, producing a creaking, grinding sound.
A few minutes later, the outpouring of abyssal power ended. Koin Molber directly spat a large mouthful of black blood onto the technique table.
"Old thing, not bad willpower."
Su Xiao, with blood dripping from his chin, spoke. Koin Molber, whose expression was somewhat twisted, opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing. Because these were the words he had just spoken, now being returned to him.
The current situation was: 2 draws + each side had 1 win and 1 loss. This meant the fifth round was the decisive one.
With a slap, Koin Molber slammed his last card into the technique node. His face, with black blood oozing from all five orifices, was filled with an irrepressible smile. The price of surviving after creating the [Causal Lock Ring] was the inability to leave this library.
But as long as he wasn't dead, there was still a chance. Even though Koin Molber was now somewhat latently insane, as long as he became the winner, he could proceed with his subsequent plans.
Su Xiao also placed his last card onto the technique node on his side. After a very brief wait, the two cards flipped open:
Koin Molber's card was [Alchemical Causality · 116]!
Su Xiao's card was [Original Sinology · 282]!!