The Mysterious Card Maker: Starting with Zhang Jiao's Deification

The moment he activated the card, a warrior clad in armor appeared beside him. The bronze-clad warrior held a long spear and wore a tattered red robe.

His imposing appearance drew gasps of admiration from those around him.

"Master, may I become your disciple?"

"Master, how did you come up with this card-making formula? It's amazing!"

Lin Fan's gaze fell on Xiang Qian, his pupils contracting slightly.

Because at this moment, the aura emanating from Qian was more primal and direct, a strange and eerie presence.

"Master Xiang, what's the name of this purple card?" someone asked.

"The Prison Guardian." Xiang Qian's voice was somewhat hoarse, completely different from the spirited Master Xiang he had been before. "I just made it during my seclusion these past few days."

"That's amazing! Master Xiang has also entered the ranks of those who create Purple Domain Cards!"

"Wasn't there an intern who also made the Purple Domain Card before?" Someone said at this moment, and the air seemed to grow colder.

Xiang Qian didn't reply. His gaze passed through the crowd and landed on Lin Fan: "Those were just coincidences. Who knows what underhanded methods that person used?"

"Yes, yes, our card-making department still needs to look to our master, our pillar of strength."

Xiang Qian didn't respond. He had no desire to continue the conversation. The purple light faded, and he retrieved his [Prison Suppressor], then turned and walked towards the card-making room.

The interns following behind him were like little shadows, sticking to him like glue.

As soon as Zhou Chen saw Xiang Qian disappear into the card-making room, he immediately approached Lin Fan.

"Brother Fan, look at his face! He really thinks he's the only one in this department who can make Purple Domain Cards!" he said angrily.

He spat quietly in the direction where the money had disappeared, "No matter what, he's a veteran card maker. He's only just caught up with you now, and he still has the nerve to show off."

Lin Fan was still in a daze, not listening to anything Zhou Chen said. At this moment, his eyes were fixed on the direction Xiang Qian had left, and he had only one thought in his mind.

A strange aura, a symbiotic relationship between humans and monsters, the Gathering of All Souls!

Did Xiang Qian also join the All Souls' Church? Or was he originally planted here by the All Souls' Church?

Was it a coincidence that the cards were suddenly shown today, or was there some other purpose behind it?

Zhou Chen nudged Lin Fan, "Brother Fan, what's wrong? You don't look well. Were you scared by Xiang Qian's card?"

"It's nothing." Lin Fan looked away and forced a smile. "I didn't rest well yesterday, I'm a little tired."

Zhou Chen glanced at him suspiciously, but didn't press further. Instead, he said loyally, "It's okay, you can go to sleep. I'll wake you if anyone comes!"

After getting off work, Lin Fan didn't go straight home as usual. Instead, he circled the neighborhood a few more times to make sure no one was following him before quickly walking into the building.

Lin Fan knocked on Qin Muyao's door and quickly went inside.

This sudden scene startled Qin Muyao. "What's wrong? What happened?"

Do you remember the company I work for now?

"What's wrong? Isn't it just a card company under our Qin Group?"

Lin Fan recounted Xiang Qian's story to Qin Muyao. When he mentioned the strange aura emanating from Xiang Qian, Qin Muyao was completely stunned.

"Are you sure?" His voice was lowered.

"Yes." Lin Fan nodded, speaking with absolute certainty.

Qin Muyao was silent for a few seconds: "So what do you plan to do?"

Lin Fan thought for a moment: "Xiang Qian got off work very late today and didn't let anyone near him while he was making cards. I'll find an excuse to stay tomorrow and see what he's up to."

Qin Muyao immediately said, "No, that's too dangerous. What if he's making something shady in the card-making room? You won't be able to handle it alone!"

"It's okay. If anything really happens, I can just run away."

Qin Muyao stared at him for a few seconds, sighed, and said, "Okay, I'll be downstairs at your company tomorrow. If anything happens, just call me and I'll come up right away."

After Lin Fan left, Qin Muyao closed the door. She leaned against the door, found "Second Uncle's" number in her contacts, hesitated for a moment, and then pressed the button.

The phone was answered after only two rings, which surprised her. Usually, her second uncle would be out socializing at this time.

"Second Uncle," Qin Muyao said first, and the clinking of glasses on the other end of the phone immediately stopped.

"Oh, Miss Qin, you've finally remembered you have me, your second uncle. I'm quite flattered." Qin Chuan's voice came through the receiver, tinged with sarcasm.

Qin Muyao opened her mouth, but for a moment she didn't know where to begin.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Qin Chuan's tone changed, becoming more concerned. "What happened? Did that kid Lin Fan bully you?"

"No, huh?" Qin Muyao paused, then realized what she meant. "You know Lin Fan, you guys..."

"You think we really didn't know you ran off to live elsewhere?" Qin Chuan sighed.

"When you were buying things for your new house, the old man found out where you were. Your usual habits of using things won't change, so the old man had people keeping an eye on you. He knew as soon as you appeared."

After listening, Qin Muyao couldn't help but roll her eyes: "Second Uncle, you always tell me the whole story. Aren't you afraid you'll never be able to find me again?"

"Hmph, there are plenty of ways to find you, so you don't need to worry about that!" Qin Chuan said casually.

"Now tell me, what happened?"

Qin Muyao took a deep breath and recounted the matter of Xiang Qian. When she mentioned the "All Souls Society," Qin Chuan's voice on the other end of the phone immediately rose.

"Are you sure?" His voice turned serious.

"Lin Fan saw it with his own eyes. He said there was a strange aura about Xiang Qian." Qin Muyao paused.

"Second Uncle, that person works in a company under the Qin Group. What if he..."

"I understand." Qin Chuan interrupted her, his tone becoming calm. "I'll have someone investigate. Be careful yourself and don't get involved."

"Mm." Qin Muyao nodded.

"Also, there have been some strange occurrences in your neighborhood lately. Why don't you come back home and stay here? We won't restrict your freedom anymore."

Qin Muyao paused for two seconds before asking, "Is it because of the Demon King's mark?"

She immediately thought of herself; she was the one who was suspected of being marked, and her heart jumped into her throat.

"It's not because of you," Qin Chuan denied immediately.

"The Card Association said that strange things have been gathering in that area since the last strange tide ended, and they didn't just appear after you went there."

Qin Chuan paused for a moment, then continued, "As for what they are looking for, the Card Association hasn't found out either."

"Really?"

"Well, don't worry too much about the mark. The Card Association said that the possibility of being marked is very small, otherwise we would have brought you back long ago."

Qin Chuan said comfortingly.

Holding her phone, Qin Muyao suddenly felt a little more at ease.

"Second Uncle, thank you."

"What are you thanking me for?" Qin Chuan's tone softened again, tinged with a hint of helplessness. "When are you planning to come back?"

"Later!"

"Is it because of Lin Fan?" Qin Chuan paused, as if choosing his words carefully, "Or is it that live stream you guys organized?"

Qin Muyao was stunned for a moment, her face slightly flushed: "Second Uncle, what are you saying! It must be because of the live broadcast; the broadcast can't go on without one person."

"Alright, call me anytime if you need anything, no matter the time," Qin Chuan said before hanging up.

"It's a bit hot!" Qin Muyao put down the phone, her hand quickly fanning herself to try and reduce the blush on her face.