My monster cards can evolve infinitely.

The flickering campfire illuminated the young faces of the gray-robed apprentices and also lit up the unfathomable dense forest behind them.

"I am currently undergoing a training program."

"I also take on some adventure quests."

Xiuqi gazed at the campfire, the orange-red flames reflected in his black pupils.

This isn't the real answer, but it's not a lie either; it just doesn't reveal any more information.

Captain Ryan nodded blankly, without pressing further; he seemed to simply want to start a conversation.

He grabbed the water bag and took a large gulp, his gaze piercing through the gray fog to the depths of the distant, dense forest:

"Something's not right about this forest today."

"Those wolves are never this crazy before; they would never hold out here like this."

"Yes, I heard travelers mention it at the tavern last night," Xiuqi continued, "Recently, the monsters in this forest have started to go crazy."

Ellie, the mage apprentice, sat beside him, clutching the oak staff, her voice trembling slightly: "It's said that the witch who dwells in the deepest part of the Grey Forest has awakened!"

"It was her immense power that made the forest begin to go increasingly mad!"

"That's just a legend, Ellie!" a shrill voice came from the dwarf Bucky. "You should listen to those bards' stories less often!"

"Hearing too many of those stories will only make you as stupid as some muscle-bound wimps!"

"Captain, are you right?"

The dwarf turned to look at Captain Ryan, who didn't answer immediately but remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking:

"Recently, some unusual things have been discovered deep in the forest."

"It's said that someone saw a monster that shouldn't be here..."

"I've heard that some people have also passed through the gray fog and entered an ancient ruin..."

"There are many claims, but most of them have not been verified."

"However, the only thing that is certain is that this ancient monster forest is changing at an alarming rate!"

"And this change is probably only just beginning!"

The people around the campfire fell silent, with only the rustling sound of the night wind blowing through the treetops.

Xiuqi habitually reached for his waist, where ten one-star cards that had already been made lay.

The forest is changing in a crazy direction, but that might be a good thing for him.

The more powerful the monster, the higher the star rating and quality of the monster card can be crafted.

The family misfortunes and the difficult life he experienced at the Royal Academy over the past two years made him realize at a young age—

Weakness is the original sin.

His only pursuit in the future is to become stronger and keep becoming stronger.

"How are we going to keep watch tonight?" he broke the silence.

Ryan glanced at him, then at his teammates: "We'll take turns, two hours each. You…"

"Count me in," Xiuqi said. "Five people take turns, so everyone can get a little more sleep."

This proposal is reasonable, and Ryan has no reason to refuse it.

"Alright! You'll guard the first shift, Bucky the second, Ellie the third, I'll guard the fourth, and Bonecrusher the last."

"Is there a problem?"

The crowd shook their heads.

Time passed in the darkness.

After finishing his first shift, Xiuqi returned to the cave.

He covered the entrance to the cave with pebbles and branches, leaving only a crack for observing the outside.

The "princess" curled up at his feet, her big eyes warily observing the darkness outside.

Xiuqi sat cross-legged, with "Bavarian Moonlight" lying across his knees, its faint, cool glow emanating through the tiny gaps in the scabbard.

Today's continuous battles had taken a toll on his physical and mental strength, but Xiu Qi did not go to sleep immediately because there was an extremely important matter he decided to complete tonight.

Xiu Qi mustered his strength, immersing his consciousness deep into his mind and entering the [Monster Card Maker System].

Eleven one-star cards, gleaming with a faint white light, floated silently in the air.

Five of them are one-star Goblin Squire cards, and six are corrupted Timber Wolf cards.

In the center of these cards, one card, radiating a soft green light, stands out particularly brightly.

This is Princess Alice.

"It's time for an upgrade!"

Xiuqi currently has 11 one-star cards, and he plans to first strengthen the one-star premium card, [Princess Alice].

According to the system rules, each card has one chance to be enhanced at the same star level.

One-star cards have one chance to be upgraded, and after being upgraded to two-star cards, they can be upgraded again, and so on.

One-star cards can be strengthened before being promoted to two-star cards, or they can be directly promoted to two-star cards, but this will permanently remove the valuable strengthening opportunity from the one-star stage.

Card enhancement requires five cards: one as the main card and the other four as sub-cards.

He used his mind to lock onto Princess Alice as the main card.

Then choose the following side cards to sacrifice: [Fat Goblin Servant], [Clumsy Goblin Servant], [Lazy Goblin Servant], [Sleepy Goblin Servant].

[Confirm enhancement? Main card (Princess Alice), 4 sub-cards.]

【confirm!】

Instantly, the space within the [Monster Card Maker] burst into light!

A clear, moonlit glow began to shimmer, and the four secondary cards transformed into four streams of light, which were completely absorbed and fused by Princess Alice.

After a while,

The green of the main card, Princess Alice, quickly faded and transformed into a deep and luxurious dark purple!

Fine, ancient silver patterns appeared on the border, and the silver-gray figure in the center became clearer and clearer, like a high-definition image, with a faint dark red light swirling around it.

What is most striking is the thick wooden stick in its hand. The stick, which was originally covered with bumps, has undergone a terrifying transformation, evolving into a thick, gleaming, and chilling hammer.

At the same time, a series of messages flooded into Xiu Qi's mind:

[Enhancement successful!]

The monster card [Princess Alice] has been upgraded!

Current quality: Rare (purple)

Attribute Boosts: Strength +1, Agility +1, Constitution +1, Perception +1

Awakening Trait [Undying Ember] (Unstable Version): The undying embers surrounding the user inflict continuous burning damage on the target, with additional damage bonuses against undead and dark creatures. This effect is currently unstable.

"Purple! A quality of unparalleled rarity!"

Xiu Qi felt an overwhelming surge of excitement.

Although the card's level remains at one star, the improvement brought by this enhancement is comprehensive!

Whether it's the improvement of attributes and weapons, or the awakening of traits, all indicate the extraordinary potential after advancement.

There are six one-star Timberwolves cards left in my pocket. I need nine secondary cards to advance to two-star, and I'm three cards short.

Xiuqi plans to make three more one-star cards tomorrow to directly upgrade "Princess" to two-star, which will give him much more confidence in his duel with Fernan the day after tomorrow.

He exited the space of consciousness and opened his eyes.

Outside the cave, the dwarf Bucky was on night watch, crouching in the shadow of a tree, almost blending into the darkness.

The others seemed to have already rested.

Xiuqi also felt a wave of fatigue wash over him.

He leaned against the rock wall, with the "princess" by his side, and entered a shallow meditation, recovering while remaining vigilant.

Time flowed by in silence.

The campfire was about to go out, and Captain Raine took over the watch.

He sat like a stone statue at the edge of the camp, longbow at his side, his gaze sweeping across the dark forest like that of a hawk.

In the latter half of the night, all was quiet; even the chirping of insects had disappeared.

The gray fog seemed to be thicker, flowing slowly, as if it were alive.

Just then—

A song drifted over without warning.