Li Shi’an then noticed a new entry on his card panel.

【Card Name】: Novice Monk Zhu Yuanzhang (Current Rank: Green Card · Lower Grade)

【Bonds】:

Huangjue Temple (Temporary Bond): While within the temple’s vicinity or under the watchful eye of Elder Gaobin, HP slowly regenerates (1 point per turn), and you gain the learning acceleration effects of “Basic Literacy” and “The Art of Survival.”

As Li Shi’an’s thoughts touched upon the 【Huangjue Temple】 bond entry, a sudden anomaly occurred. A faint golden glow abruptly shone around Zhu Yuanzhang!

The light rapidly spread and coalesced, projecting a hazy yet incredibly clear silhouette behind him.

Blue-gray tiles atop green bricks, a rustic temple gate, and gnarled ancient trees—it was none other than Huangjue Temple, which had sheltered him during the “Turbulent Times.” The phantom solidified at an astonishing speed, as if it had always belonged there.

Finally, a card radiating a soft, earthy yellow glow, with a faint Buddhist aura flowing along its edges, coalesced beside Zhu Yuanzhang and became fully integrated into his card data.

【Core Bond Triggered: Pure Land of Buddhist Affinity!】

【Building Card: Huangjue Temple】 has been bound to 【Novice Monk · Zhu Yuanzhang】! 

【Binding Status: Symbiotic Causality (Special)】 Card Name: Huangjue Temple

Card Type: Building Card · Special/Sanctuary

Rarity: Green Card (Intermediate) – Grows alongside the core character’s development. Bound Core: Novice Monk · Zhu Yuanzhang (Cannot be transferred)

Core Effect:

Buddha’s Light Sanctuary: Creates a Buddha’s Light barrier with a radius of 50 meters centered on Zhu Yuanzhang. Within the barrier: Allied units (including Zhu Yuanzhang) regain HP faster (2 points per turn).

Slightly increases resistance to mental debuffs (such as Fear and Charm). Slightly suppresses Yin-evil and Resentment type energies.

Nurturing of Wisdom: While within the barrier, Zhu Yuanzhang and the units he authorizes (requires permission) experience a slight increase in the speed at which they learn and master knowledge-based and survival-related skills (the effect is weaker than within the original temple, but it persists).

Karmic Node: This projection serves as a symbolic anchor for “Huangjue Temple,” a pivotal node in Zhu Yuanzhang’s destiny, and contains a faint trace of historical fortune. It is a crucial medium for triggering a chain of events specific to this character.

Consumption: Maintaining the barrier requires Zhu Yuanzhang to continuously supply a trace amount of card energy (currently negligible).

Note: This is not a physical structure, but a spiritual projection manifested through the causal ties of the central figure’s destiny. Its strength and range increase as the central figure grows and their understanding of the bonds of “Buddhist Affinity.” To destroy it, the central character must be completely defeated, or the causal ties between them and the roots of Huangjue Temple must be severed.

“A building card! And a bound building card at that?!” He Bieshan was so startled he nearly jumped out of his skin, his eyes wide with shock. “Shi’an! He was just a Novice Monk before, right? Didn’t he just join the temple? How did the entire temple become his card? And a bound one at that?!”

Hao Yun was also utterly stunned. She muttered, “Interdependent causality… This… this is extraordinary. Does this mean that the fate of Huangjue Temple is now completely intertwined with that of Zhu Yuanzhang? This is far beyond what an ordinary Building Card could achieve.”

Li Shi’an suppressed the wild elation surging within him and quickly analyzed this unexpectedly appearing building card.

“I get it! In the previous ‘Turbulent Times’ scenario, the ‘Buddha’s Connection in the Bowl’ event we triggered was, in essence, the first step in activating Zhu Yuanzhang’s exclusive historical trajectory: ‘Entering Huangjue Temple to Become a Monk’! The appearance of Elder Gaobin and my acquisition of the status of a Novice Monk are both manifestations of this trajectory! And the appearance of this ‘Huangjue Temple’ building card is a field rule—it serves as the “validation” and “reward” for our successful anchoring and entry into this exclusive character event chain.”

He grew more and more excited as he spoke: “This isn’t just an ordinary scene card—it’s a symbol of the turning point in Zhu Yuanzhang’s destiny. That’s why it’s bound to him and will grow alongside him. This means the path we’re taking is a unique journey that perfectly aligns with Zhu Yuanzhang’s historical trajectory! Every event along this path will revolve around him, serve him, or become a trial that hones his growth!”

In the VIP section, Sui Yan, who had been closely monitoring Li Shi’an’s platform, lost all trace of the relaxed demeanor he had maintained ever since the “Huangjue Temple” card took shape. 2 He suddenly sat up straight, his pupils contracting sharply. 

“Causal symbiosis… Destiny Projection…” Sui Yang analyzed, “He… he didn’t just trigger a chain of events! He anchored a historical juncture! He’s solidified a key landmark from a segment of ‘lost history’ into his own exclusive building card through ‘Destiny Projection’?!”

The bespectacled man beside him gasped and exclaimed, “Captain! How is this possible? This card is still just a Novice Monk who’s only just crossed the temple threshold! By all logic, he should have gained at most a temporary ‘Stronghold Shelter’ status—how could he possibly bind the architectural projection of the entire temple directly? That level of authority… that symbolic significance…”

“Unusual—this card is so unusual!” another seminary student exclaimed breathlessly. “Ordinary building cards are either part of the default scene or obtained through quests. I’ve only seen the rudiments of a special building card like this—one tied to a central character, with symbiotic causality, and capable of growth—in the descriptions of the exclusive ‘Royal Court’ and ‘Sanctuary’ cards for Legendary-tier heroes. Those are the kind of cards that might appear only in the late game as Red or even Orange cards! How could he—a newly promoted green-card Novice Monk—possibly possess it?!” 

“Because he’s ‘Zhu Yuanzhang’!” Sui Yang declared with absolute certainty, his eyes blazing with intensity. “The appearance of this card completely confirms my hypothesis! What Li Shi’an discovered during his awakening was definitely not an ordinary white card! Through some means—most likely by entering a dream—he precisely located and bound himself to this ‘high-star card origin’ that had been buried under the dust of history! This means… what he’s triggered is an exclusive, unique chain of historical events and figures that faithfully recreates the historical trajectory! From this moment on, within this ‘Huaiyou Smoke of War’ field, all historical factors related to Zhu Yuanzhang will be activated, converge, and revolve around him. He is no longer a participant in the scene—he is about to become… the center of the stage in this historical fragment.”

As if to confirm Sui Yang’s conjecture, just as the barrier around Huangjue Temple had stabilized and the group of displaced people had begun to feel a little more at ease under the protection of the Buddha’s light…

【Warning! Driven by the exclusive historical destiny of the central figure “Novice Monk Zhu Yuanzhang,” the field’s background events are being forcibly overwritten!】

【Exclusive Event Chain Branch: ‘Yuan Dynasty Oppression · Shattering the Buddha’ has been triggered!】

【Event Description: The Yuan court is tyrannical, and its oppressive policies are as fierce as tigers! Local garrisons, under the pretext of “suppressing bandits,” are in fact plundering the countryside! A brutal cavalry squad (White Card Elite, 20 riders), led by a “Yuan Army Hundred-House Commander” (Green Card High-Rank), is currently sweeping through villages along the way, with their advance directly targeting Huangjue Temple, rumored to hold ‘Buddhist treasures’!】

【Enemy Characteristics (Enhanced by Exclusive Event)】:

‘Anti-Buddhist’ Will: Grants 15% additional penetration against “Buddha’s Light” protection effects! 

“Plunder Frenzy”: After destroying a sanctuary or killing a garrison unit, Attack Power is temporarily increased by 10%! 

“Hounds of the Yuan Court”: Blessed by the faint fortune of the Yuan Court, morale is less likely to collapse.

Rumble, rumble.

In the distance, clouds of dust swirled as twenty cavalrymen—clad in standard Yuan leather armor, wielding scimitars or spears, and with ferocious glints in their eyes—charged toward Zhu Yuanzhang’s squad like a pack of wolves that had caught the scent of blood, led by a hundred-house officer in vivid armor with a hideous expression!

Their objective was crystal clear.

Destroy the Buddha’s Light and plunder the “Buddhist treasures”!

“Here it comes! A special event!” Li Shi’an, however, wasn’t the least bit worried about negative events at that moment.

This was pure proof that this overarching storyline was truly paving the way for Zhu Yuanzhang.

The Yuan army’s plundering was an inevitable ordeal in Zhu Yuanzhang’s early life—the spark that would ultimately force him to leave the monastery and throw himself into the chaos of war.

As He Bieshan and Hao Yun watched the elite Yuan cavalry charging toward them with murderous intent, they felt a surge of indescribable excitement alongside their terror.

Exclusive! Their path was one of a kind.

“Form a formation! Use the barrier as cover! The refugee squad—long staffs and farming tools to the outside! Protect the Novice Monk!” 

Li Shi’an swiftly gave the order.

Although the refugees were terrified, under the protection of the Buddha’s light and bolstered by the “United We Stand” buff, they managed to muster their courage and formed a makeshift circular formation with Zhu Yuanzhang at its center.

He Bieshan channeled all his energy into 【Basic Forging】; the phantom of an energy hammer flickered wildly as he began to reinforce the refugees’ crude weapons. However, the results were minimal—it merely made the tips of a few wooden sticks slightly sharper.

Hao Yun, meanwhile, kept her eyes fixed on Zhu Yuanzhang, with 【Basic Holy Light Healing】 poised to be cast. Boom!

The Yuan army’s iron cavalry crashed violently into the defensive line formed by the refugees.

Curved swords slashed, and spears thrust forward!

The elite White Card cavalry held an almost overwhelming advantage over the White Card refugees.

Amid the screams, the light forms of several refugees instantly dissipated, and the Buddhist light barrier rippled violently.

“Die, you bald-headed monk! Hand over the temple’s treasures!” The Yuan army’s hundred-house commander grinned savagely as his spear, cutting through the air with a piercing whistle, lunged straight at Zhu Yuanzhang, who was being shielded in the center!

At the critical moment, a refugee volunteered to sacrifice his life, allowing Zhu Yuanzhang to quickly create some distance between them as he fought his way out. Swords and blades flashed, and the battle cries shook the heavens.

Li Shi’an and his two companions, controlling Zhu Yuanzhang and the group of displaced people, began a desperate flight as they were pursued and hunted down by the Yuan cavalry. The Buddha’s Light Barrier flickered violently under the onslaught of the “Destroyer of the Buddha’s” will.

The number of refugees had dwindled to just a handful; battered and bruised, they barely managed to form a final line of defense with their bodies.

“We can’t hold out any longer! We’re done for!”

He Bieshan’s face was deathly pale; his inner energy was completely depleted.

Hao Yun was also on the verge of being unable to cast her healing spell, managing only to barely sustain Zhu Yuanzhang’s life bar, which was as fragile as paper and nearing its end. The Yuan army captain’s savage grin was just inches away as he thrust his spear viciously toward Zhu Yuanzhang, who was shielded at the center of the formation and had nowhere to dodge!

Thud!

The spear pierced through the last refugee standing in front of Zhu Yuanzhang; though its momentum was slightly reduced, it still carried terrifying force. Zhu Yuanzhang’s body was struck as if by a sledgehammer, and he was sent flying backward!

The pale green energy bar above his head, representing his health, instantly dropped below the 10% warning threshold and continued to plummet at a visible rate, on the verge of hitting zero and collapsing completely!

“It’s over!” He Bieshan closed his eyes in despair.

Li Shi’an stared intently at the card on the field, which was on the verge of disintegrating. A flash of reluctance crossed his eyes, yet he was powerless to do anything. With his 1-card reserve depleted and his trump cards exhausted, he was truly in a desperate situation.

“Ah…” Off the field, the principal let out a heavy sigh, his face etched with profound regret. “What a shame… such a shame! That Yuan Dynasty cavalry unit was a ‘Shatter the Buddha’ enhanced unit exclusive to this event chain—highly targeted and far beyond what they could handle at this stage. No matter how powerful the purple talent or how unique the Novice Monk card, it’s ultimately a low-grade green card; its foundation is simply too shallow…” 

“That’s right,” Teacher Wang, who was in charge of evaluating the actual combat performance, shook his head as well, his tone filled with deep regret. “They actually did everything they possibly could. Card upgrades, binding building cards, Buddha’s Light Protection, refugee support… Every step pushed the limits of what the rules allowed, and their tactical thinking and teamwork were nothing short of stunning. In any ordinary Green Card scenario, they would have absolutely shone. But they just happened to run into this tailor-made ‘exclusive calamity’… It’s not their fault—it’s purely bad luck! This card’s potential is definitely top-tier, but it’s such a pity…”

Teacher Zhang was deeply distressed: “Starting in a time of chaos and triggering the exclusive advancement—that was supposed to be the beginning of a legendary journey! But it was brutally cut short by this ‘Shatter the Buddha’ incident! It’s like a promising young sapling that had just broken through the soil, only to have its stem snapped by a hailstorm! A purple talent… and the first stage was ruined by that exclusive event! This luck… I can’t believe it!”

He slammed his fist down hard on the armrest of his chair.

At the main examination desk, the chief examiner overseeing the joint exam monitored the situation on Li Shi’an’s platform. After confirming that Zhu Yuanzhang’s health points were about to hit zero and that there were no effective means of resistance, he announced over the PA system:

“Class 5, Senior 3, Li Shi’an’s team, Phase Two: Regional Melee Simulation—‘Huaiyou Smoke of War.’ Final verdict: Failure!”

“Their core card, ‘Novice Monk Zhu Yuanzhang,’ suffered a fatal blow and is on the verge of collapse. Although they demonstrated extraordinary potential and excellent tactical acumen in a desperate situation, the team’s efforts were thwarted at the last moment due to an ‘exclusive negative event chain’ of such intensity that it exceeded the limits of what could be endured at this stage.”

“Overall Evaluation: Core Card Potential (S-Rank), Tactical Response (A+-Rank), Scenario Utilization (A-Rank), Teamwork (A+-Rank), Final

Survival Result (F). Overall Phase 1 Rating: A (Outstanding Potential, narrowly defeated in a high-difficulty exclusive event)!

The exact moment the score was announced—!

Just as everyone thought Li Shi’an’s team’s first practical joint exam would end in disappointment right there, and just before the cards—on the verge of disintegration—were about to vanish into specks of light…

BOOM—!!!

From behind a mountain pass not far ahead, earth-shaking battle cries suddenly erupted! On one side stood a rebel force of about eighty men, their heads wrapped in striking Red Turbans.

They were none other than the Red Turban Army under Guo Zixing’s command, but at that moment, they were locked in a bitter struggle. Most of their weapons were battered and broken, and they were being forced into retreat by the well-equipped enemy forces.

On the other side stood over 120 Yuan Dynasty infantrymen, clad in uniform armor, wielding standard-issue swords and spears, and formed into a tight military formation! They were advancing step by step, closing in, determined to completely wipe out the rebel forces!

The small squad of Yuan cavalry pursuing Li Shi’an and his men, along with that ferocious hundred-house officer, was instantly swept into the fringes of this massive main battlefield.

A fierce Red Turban soldier charging at the very front happened to spot the Yuan army captain who was about to stab Zhu Yuanzhang to death. He roared, “You Mongols, don’t get too cocky!”

Wielding a long sword with a determination to take the enemy down with him, he recklessly swung at the hundred-house commander. The clang of metal echoed across the battlefield!

Caught off guard, the Yuan army centurion had his spear knocked from his grasp by the soldier’s desperate, all-or-nothing strike, and the sheer force of the impact sent him stumbling backward.

On the battlefield platform, the card that should have been destroyed had its health forcibly “frozen” at the final 1% just as it was about to hit zero. 

The entire arena fell deathly silent!

Everyone stared in utter astonishment at this supremely dramatic scene.

Just as the loss was ruled and the scores announced, the Grand Battlefield seamlessly overlaid the scene, forcibly freezing Zhu Yuanzhang’s card—which was about to “die”—on the brink of death.

Li Shi’an, He Bieshan, and Hao Yun all looked up abruptly.

Li Shi’an looked at Zhu Yuanzhang—frozen on the brink of death yet miraculously “surviving”—then turned his gaze to the chaotic battlefield outside Haozhou City, which had suddenly descended upon them, a scene of utter chaos yet brimming with infinite possibilities.

He straightened abruptly, his gaze blazing.

“Phase Two: ‘Beacons of Huaiyou’!”

“It looks like… we’re not done yet!”

— Author’s Note —

Hey everyone, just treat this like a game. For example, as long as your health bar doesn’t hit zero, you’re still alive. Also, if you’re on the same team, you’ll stay on that team unless another event triggers.