My monster cards can evolve infinitely.

At dawn, Xiuqi was awakened by Ado's deep gurgling.

The ogre finished his last shift, his bright yellow eyes still shining in the morning light.

Its enormous hand was poking at the embers of the campfire, clumsily trying to reignite the flames.

"Good morning, Ado." Xiuqi stood up and stretched his somewhat stiff body.

The forest was shrouded in a thin mist in the early morning, the air fresh and moist. Birdsong drifted from afar, and the gray forest seemed to have regained its former vitality.

Link was still fast asleep, the boy curled up in his sleeping bag, his face showing a tired but peaceful expression.

Xiuqi didn't wake him. He walked to the edge of the open space and began his morning practice.

The longsword was drawn, its cool gleam flowing through the morning mist. The basic thrusts, slashes, parries, and block were executed with precision in every movement, and with perfect coordination in every exertion of force.

Precise power is fully displayed in the swing of the longsword, and the ultimate sense of body coordination makes the movements as smooth as flowing water.

In conjunction with [Xiuqi's Elementary Deflection Field], he tried to combine the force field with swordsmanship during practice—the force field formed a miniature deflection layer on the blade, making the slashes more difficult to block; the force field flowed around his body, ready to deflect the attacks of a hypothetical enemy at any time.

This is a completely new fighting style that perfectly blends magic and swordsmanship.

Half an hour later, Link woke up. The boy rubbed his eyes and sat up. Seeing Xiu Qi practicing his sword, he immediately became alert.

"Sorry, I overslept..."

"It's still early," Xiu Qi sheathed his sword. "Let's pack up and get ready to go."

After a quick breakfast, the three extinguished the fire, covered up the traces, and set off on their way back to Summertown.

The morning sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows on the leaf-strewn path. Unlike the tension of yesterday, the atmosphere on the return journey was much more relaxed.

Link led the way, his steps light and quick. Ado followed behind, carrying a spiked club; his massive body startled several forest beasts as he moved through the forest.

"Mr. Hugh," Link turned and asked, "what should we do with the spoils of war when we get back to town?"

"First, go to the blacksmith and sell all the goblin equipment," Xiuqi had already planned. "Then go to the Adventurers' Guild to submit the quest and collect the bounty."

Link's eyes lit up. For low-level adventurers, a successful mission meant they wouldn't have to worry about making a living for a long time to come.

Around noon, the outline of Summer Town came into view.

As the three entered the town, they once again attracted a lot of attention.

Ado's massive body and full armor have become Xiuqi's signature features, and Link following by Xiuqi's side has drawn envious glances from many people.

They went straight to the "Steel Hammer" blacksmith shop.

Before even entering, they heard Baal's familiar roar from inside: "I told you, the quenching temperature of this sword is wrong! Start over!"

Pushing open the door, a wave of heat hits you.

Baal was standing before the furnace, reprimanding a young apprentice. Upon seeing Xiuqi, his expression immediately changed: "Ha! Our great hero is back! What did he gain this time?"

"A large quantity of goblin equipment," Hugh said. "Can you handle it?"

Barr's eyes lit up: "How much?"

Xiuqi walked to the open space of the blacksmith's shop and activated his spatial ring with his mind.

slam-la-

Short swords, bone clubs, wooden bows, leather armor... more than thirty pieces of equipment were piled up like a small mountain. Although they were all junk, the quantity was astonishing.

"So much??" The dwarf Baal gaped in astonishment. He had just heard the other party mention a large quantity of equipment, and wondered how much loot a three-person team could possibly have—

"Did you raid a tribe?" Baal thought to himself.

He crouched down and began to examine each item. Baal's large fingers traced the blade, tapped the armor, and tested the bowstring's resilience.

"Fifteen short swords, heavily rusted and need re-sharpening, 4 silver coins each. Eleven bone clubs, we won't accept those. Five wooden bows, two of which have loose strings, totaling 15 silver coins each. Three pieces of leather armor, some damaged, 12 silver coins each."

他快速计算：「短刀共60银币，木弓75银币，皮甲36银币。总共171银币、即8金11银。」

The price isn't high, but it's reasonable. The goblin's equipment was in terrible condition to begin with, so it's already pretty good to sell it for this price.

"Deal." Xiu Qi nodded.

Baal readily counted out the coins. Xiuqi put the money into his spatial ring, then took out the steel weapons he had obtained from the goblins—a battle axe, a longsword, and a mace.

These three pieces of equipment are significantly better than the previous junk. Although the design is simple, the materials are solid and the equipment is well-maintained.

Baal picked up the battle axe and examined it carefully: "Hmm... the steel is good, the blade is warped, but it can be repaired. This one is worth 1 gold coin." He then examined the longsword and mace, "Longsword 1 gold and 10 silver, mace 1 gold and 10 silver. 4 gold coins in total."

Xiuqi had no objection to the price. Steel weapons were a form of hard currency in the town, and the price was fair.

In the end, all the loot—a total of 12 gold coins and 11 silver coins—was sold.

As Baal handed the coins to Xiuqi, he couldn't help but ask, "Kid, how many goblins did you actually take down?"

"A tribe," Xiuqi replied simply.

Baal whistled, "You're pretty good, kid!"

Leaving the blacksmith shop, the three headed towards the Adventurers' Guild.

The association hall was busier than usual in the afternoon, with several adventure teams exchanging missions. The noise immediately subsided when Xiu Qi pushed open the door and entered.

All eyes were on the strange team of two people and an ogre.

Lina looked up from behind the counter, her eyes lighting up when she saw Xiuqi: "Mr. Xiuqi! You're back!"

Her gaze swept over Ado and Link behind Xiuqi, finally returning to Xiuqi: "Is there anything I can help with this time?"

"Submit the mission." Xiuqi placed two leather bags on the counter. "Exterminate the goblin tribe that is robbing caravans."

Lina opened the leather bag and gasped when she saw the dense array of ears inside.

Exclamations came from the surrounding area.

"My God... how many is that?"

"Two leather bags...at least thirty, right?"

"And the goblin's ears! Look at the size!"

Lena quickly regained her composure, displaying the professionalism of a receptionist. She rested her ear on the tray and began to count and categorize the items.

"Thirty-one goblin ears on the left." She pushed the goblin ears aside. "Three goblin ears on the left."

她在记录簿上快速书写：「哥布林左耳每只赏金30铜币，三十一只共930铜币，即46银币10铜币。大地精左耳每只赏金8银币，三只共24银币。」

「这里总共是70银10铜、即3金10银10铜。」

"In addition, there are extra rewards for recovering the stolen caravan's supplies." Lina flipped to the mission details, "According to the list provided by the caravan, if more than half of the supplies are recovered, the reward is 5 gold coins. If all the supplies are recovered, the reward is 10 gold coins."

She looked at Xiuqi: "How much did you find?"

"All of them." Xiuqi took out the wooden boxes from his spatial ring—linen, tools, and daily necessities—and neatly stacked them next to the counter.

Exclamations of surprise rang out again in the hall.

Lina inspected the wooden crate and, after confirming that everything was in order, wrote in the logbook: "All supplies retrieved, reward 10 gold coins."

她开始计算总额：「任务赏金3金10银10铜，物资奖励10金，总共13金10银10铜。」

She started working on the counter, and after a while, with a "ding," Lina took out a money bag from the cabinet behind her: "Please sign for this."

Xiuqi signed his name on the parchment and accepted the heavy money bag. The coins clinked pleasantly inside.

"There's one more thing." Xiuqi took out the water-soaked notebook. "This was found in the goblin cave; it should be the caravan's accounts. Please give it to them."

Lina took the notebook, a hint of appreciation flashing in her eyes: "You've thought of everything very carefully. The caravan owner will certainly be grateful to you."

She paused, then lowered her voice: "Mr. Xiuqi, your swift and excellent completion of this task will soon make you famous throughout Summer Town. In the future, someone might even request you to carry out their own missions."

Xiu Qi understood what she meant. In the world of adventurers, reputation is capital. Completing a high-difficulty mission means more trust, higher rewards, and better opportunities for cooperation.

"Thanks for the reminder." He put the money pouch into his spatial ring.

After the mission was handed over, the three left the association.

Walking on the streets of Summertown, the setting sun cast long shadows of them.

Ado's massive body cast a huge shadow on the stone road, attracting the attention of passersby, but this time their gazes were filled with more awe than fear.

"Mr. Hugh," Link suddenly said, "I...I want to continue learning from you. Not just as a guide, I want to become a real adventurer, like you."

Xiu Qi stopped and looked at the boy.

Link's eyes shone with a determined light, a light that signified finding the way and seeing the future.

"This road is dangerous," Xiuqi said.

"I know." Link nodded vigorously, "but I don't want to be just a hunter or guide for the rest of my life. I want to become stronger, I want to go to farther places, and see a bigger world."

Xiuqi remained silent for a moment.

He definitely needs more partners. Link has potential, is of good character, and has proven his worth in today's battle.

"Okay." Finally, Xiuqi said, "Then let's distribute the mission bounty first."

"The total harvest is 26 gold, 1 silver, and 10 bronze. We'll divide it equally into four parts: one for me, one for Hodor, one for Link, and one for the princess. Does anyone have any objections?"

Link and Ado both shook their heads.

Link never expected to receive a quarter of the bounty; he had originally thought that getting 20% ​​would be good enough.

"Ado and Link will each receive 6 gold, 10 silver, and 8 copper coins!" Xiuqi counted the two piles of coins, put them into money bags, and handed them to the two men respectively.

"This is too much!" Link exclaimed, taking the money bag with delight. His monthly income as an adventurer was less than half of this bounty. He repeatedly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Mr. Xiuqi! Thank you, Mr. Ado!"

"You deserve it!" Xiuqi smiled and shook his head. He had high hopes for Link and looked forward to his growth.

"Xiuqi, keep this safe for Ado!" Ado didn't take the money bag, "Last time, the armor cost money!"

Xiuqi immediately understood the other party's simple thoughts, and he did not refuse.

"Okay, then I'll keep it safe for you." Although he paid for the 55 gold coins that Ado's equipment cost, hearing the ogre's sincere words still warmed his heart.

Of course, he wouldn't deduct it from the other party's bounty; he considered this set of equipment a gift from him to Ado.

Because of the ogre's talents, the help it brings is far beyond what 55 gold coins can measure.

As the sun completely sank below the horizon and night fell, the dim streetlights lit up one by one.

Xiuqi gazed in the direction of Harbor City, planning his next move.

The goblin tribe's mission was successfully completed, and they reaped a rich reward.

In addition, he acquired a total of 20 one-star cards in this battle, which, combined with the previous 6 Timberwolves cards, brings his total to 26 one-star cards.

There are actually three premium (green) cards – originating from those three goblins.

He had a vague understanding of the rules for creating monster cards; monsters such as goblins and forest wolves were basically one-star common cards.

Advanced monsters like goblins are basically one-star premium (green) cards.

The challenge level for goblins and forest wolves is 1/4, while the challenge level for goblins is 1/2.

If we infer from this, monsters like the Kobolds, whose challenge level is only 1/8, would probably only produce one-star inferior (grey) cards.

Similarly, it can be deduced that if the challenge level is higher than that of the Goblin, the cards produced can break through the one-star premium level.

Of course, if killing a goblin can produce a one-star premium (green) card, then that goblin's strength is at least at the elite level among goblins.

Similarly, if killing a goblin can create a one-star rare (blue) card, then that goblin's strength is at least at the rare elite level among goblins.

Xiu Qi vaguely sensed his own strength, and with the continuous effect of the rare meditation stone, his intelligence would soon break through to 9 points.

First, use these cards to strengthen one of them as a new card, then upgrade [Princess Alice] to a two-star card.

Standing on the streets of Summer Town, looking at Ado and Link beside him, Xiuqi felt a long-lost sense of fulfillment.

He is no longer alone.

We have reliable partners, clear goals, and ever-growing strength.

No matter what dangers lie ahead, he is confident in facing them.

As night deepened, the lights of Summertown flickered in the darkness, like stars guiding people home.

Xiuqi took a deep breath and, with Ado and Link, headed towards "Traveler's Rest".