When they arrived at the entrance of Card Hall No. 2, there was already a humanoid Gundam waiting for Shi Li and others.
This humanoid Gundam is dressed in a black mecha and has a tall stature, about 2 meters tall.
But his limbs are rather slender, and his hands are very long, hanging over his knees.
At joints such as the inner elbow, you can see flesh tissue that resembles muscle fibers.
This race looks very similar to the Bang Bang Knight statue in the city center.
Secretary He introduced that they are a half-flesh and half-mechanical race.
Under the outer shell of the mecha, there is a certain proportion of flesh, blood, and internal organs mixed with mechanical circuits.
Standing in the back were several people of different races wearing the same uniform. They were probably the coaches of this card room.
Among them, there are two who are similar to pure humans, five who are mechanical races, one who is an energy race, and one who is a beast-head race.
"Welcome, everyone from the Show Card Hall."
"I am the current director of Card Hall No. 2, Nestea."
"You can call me Boss N."
The other party introduced himself like this.
He is a real boss and has money.
The projects currently being managed include more than just Card Hall No. 2.
"Boss N, we meet again."
Secretary He extended his hand to the other party.
"Hello Secretary He, Xiu Wushuang is still not here this time."
Boss N glanced at the line at the card show hall and seemed a little disappointed.
It has been a while since he last saw his old friend, so he still wanted to ask for advice at the card table.
Afterwards, Secretary He introduced other people to Boss N.
Slime and Ah Qing were not among them, as they teamed up again to play.
"I heard that this Coach Shi defeated Director Feng of Lanlan City some time ago."
Boss N's gaze lingered on Shi Li for a while longer.
As a friend of Xiu Wushuang, he had also heard of Director Feng.
I heard that he is a player who excels at playing situational cards.
To be able to become the director of a place like the Balance Card Hall in Lanlan City, his ability must be very good.
"It was just luck. I can only win one game."
Shi Li told the truth.
"You can't say that. Sometimes victory or defeat depends on just one game."
Boss N smiled and continued, "If the timing is right later, we can play a round."
"Don't worry, I don't know your deck."
It can be seen that he is still somewhat interested in Shi Li.
"no problem."
After trying a card game with Director Feng, Shi Li began to like the feeling of playing cards with unfamiliar and experienced players.
"You haven't eaten yet, please come this way."
"We had dinner together first, and then started the formal communication."
"By the way, let's also let you taste the specialties of our Kuang Kuang City."
After the greetings, Boss N led everyone in.
As you walk into Hall No. 2, you can feel the strong sci-fi decoration style.
The walls are made of silver-grey metal, giving it a solid and high-tech feel.
The indoor air is fresh, the temperature and humidity are constant, and the comfort level is very high.
There is even a slight feeling of weightlessness, making walking quite effortless.
Every few steps there is a projection screen showing various card games or images related to cube cards.
Shi Li took a casual look and found that the content being played was all useful information.
Even just standing in this corridor and staring at the screen, you can learn a lot.
Across this walkway is a fully automatic suspended escalator.
The escalator sloped slightly upward, taking them to the upper floors.
"Wow! So many people!"
Lan Pi stood on the escalator and looked down, and saw a floor as big as a square.
Blue-light card tables are arranged on one level at appropriate intervals.
Basically more than 80% of the card tables are occupied.
One end of the card table is usually occupied by mechanical employees, while the other end is occupied by coaches wearing card hall uniforms.
"The first floor is our regular student area. This period is the peak period, so there are more people."
Boss N introduced it with a smile, with a hint of pride in his tone.
The top floor of Hall No. 2 is a small banquet hall, where the staff had already prepared the dinner.
"We mechanical people don't have high requirements for the temperature of food."
"But I know you guys like warmer food."
"So let's not waste time and talk while we eat."
As everyone sat down, Boss N waved his hand and said, "Serve the food."
Others said that this is the specialty food of Guangguang City.
Therefore, including Shi Li, several people who had just arrived at the Show Card Hall showed varying degrees of interest.
Only Secretary He looked as if he wanted to say something but was hesitant.
Soon, the dishes were served one after another.
Look at the presentation and color, it's really tempting.
Even the smell stimulates everyone's taste buds.
It's very fragrant and contains an indescribable flavor.
"In order to suit your taste, I specially asked the chef to adjust the food so that it tastes more like the human race."
"Every dish is a solid one, I hope you like it."
It must be admitted that his arrangements were very thoughtful. All the people who came to the card show hall were pure humans or humanoids.
"Let's pour this one out."
Boss N raised his glass as he spoke.
"?"
Hearing this, Shi Li was a little at a loss.
Is this some special drinking culture? Pour out the first glass when you come up?
Or, was it just a joke?
The several card show gym coaches next to him were also confused.
Everyone raised their glasses, neither deciding nor not wanting to pour them out.
"This is a toast."
Secretary He, who knew a little bit about it, was not surprised and explained with a smile: "This is the tradition of Card Hall No. 2."
"In some important occasions, some formal words should be said in reverse."
"Boss N means that everyone should drink this cup."
After hearing his explanation, everyone felt relieved.
"I see."
Shi Li thought this tradition was quite odd, and it felt somewhat similar to the style of Lanpi’s hometown.
I wonder if they would be happy if I asked him to go up and give everyone the middle finger now.
Seeing that everyone picked up the cup, Shi Li didn't make any special arrangements.
I picked up the cup and saw that it contained a carbonated drink that looked like cola in color, with clear little bubbles floating in it.
I sniffed it and it tasted sweet, just like Coke.
"Dear guests, I will drink first as a sign of respect."
A big, burly coach from the Mechanical Clan simply pried open his metal skull and poured the drink into it.
Yes, it doesn't have a mouth and can only eat in this way.
Then several other coaches in Card Hall No. 2 followed suit and drank up their cups.
Shi Li saw that the two humanoids had done it, so he felt that there should be no problem, so he took a long bite.
This thing shouldn't contain alcohol, after all, we're going to play cards later.
As for the taste, it's pretty much the same as Coke.
It's just... there's a lingering smell of gasoline lingering on the tongue.
"What do you think? This is our popular gasoline-flavored cola in Kuang Kuang City."
"As far as I know, gasoline is really added to it."
After hearing what Boss N said, I didn’t expect it was really Coke + gasoline.
“Hmm…!”
A coach at the show card hall who had a sensitive constitution covered his mouth on the spot when he heard this.
The smell of gasoline is really unbearable.
"It's okay, just drink it."
Seeing the other party like this, Boss N waved his hand generously and said, "I have specially prepared a gastric lavage machine. You can eat and drink as much as you want tonight."
“…”
When Shi Li heard this, he began to doubt the attitude of Card Hall No. 2 for the first time.
This behavior doesn't seem like welcoming them.
Asking guests to have their stomachs washed, are you sure this is the way to treat guests?
The coaches of other card show gyms have roughly the same idea.
Just as he finished complaining in his heart, he saw one of the coaches in the card hall No. 2 who had small horns on his head stand up.
"Director, I have to excuse myself for a moment."
The man walked straight to the gastric lavage machine and lay down.
The staff waiting nearby skillfully inserted the gastric lavage machine tube into the coach's mouth.
Shi Li: “…”
Everyone: "..."
Well, even their own people are like this.
It seems that this is really how other people treat guests.
All we can say is that each cultural circle has its own characteristics.
"I'm fine! Come on! Drink more!"
The coach who had his stomach washed returned to the table as if he were fully revived.
"Deputy Director, I feel a little uncomfortable too."
The coach next to Lan Pi came closer and asked, "How about we go take a shower too?"
"Why are you in such a hurry?"
Lan Pi just rolled his eyes at the other person, and endured the discomfort in his esophagus and said, "Eat the meal first. Wouldn't it be more convenient to do a gastric lavage all at once later?"
"What you said makes a lot of sense."
The coach quickly raised his middle finger.
"...If you feel uncomfortable, why don't you just not eat?"
Shi Li, who was standing nearby, could hardly bear to listen any more.
"Everyone, please put down your cutlery and leave the table!"
At this time, Boss N called out loudly.
Shi Li didn't react at first, the other party was speaking sarcastically.
But this time he learned his lesson and didn't move immediately.
Instead, he looked at Lan Pi next to him and saw him pick up a plump fried squid ring with chopsticks and put it into his mouth.
Crack!
"Ouch!"
The next second, he saw white particles popping out of Lanpi's mouth, like a corner of a tooth.
Then he opened his mouth with an ugly look and spit out the fried squid rings, which fell onto the table.
"Good fellow."
Shi Li took a look and realized that it was not fried squid rings at all.
But it is a nut wrapped in a layer of fried dough!
"Why are you in such a hurry?"
Secretary He looked at Lan Pi with disdain when he saw his funny look. He picked up a piece of fried nut and demonstrated, "This is not the way you eat it."
As he spoke, he sucked with his mouth and then spit.
Bang.
A clean nut fell out.
"When you come here, you have to eat slowly, and mainly breathe."
"Don't ask me how I know that."
His new porcelain teeth seemed to sparkle as he spoke.
"It seems that the human race in the Balance Region has bad teeth."
The little corner coach looked at Lan Pi and showed an honest smile.
Then he picked up a piece of fried nut and ate it.
For a moment, one could hear a crackling sound coming from his mouth.
This little horn coach seems to be a tough guy.
Seeing this scene, the blue skin felt that he could not lose the momentum of the Show Card Hall and the Balance Zone, so he picked up another piece of fried nut.
"Okay, why are you competing with others?"
Shi Li stopped the other person and said, "It's obvious that this person is not a normal human being."
"Director, I have to excuse myself for a moment."
As a result, Coach Xiaojiao, who had just finished speaking and swallowed the nut, stood up again and walked to the gastric lavage machine.
"Good man, it seems that he is just mentally ill."
Shi Li finally couldn't help but complain.
Who is this coach? He is just ruthless, right?
So after the meal, I didn't feel very comfortable eating at the Show Card House.
The dishes prepared by Boss N were, just as he said, all genuine and delicious.
The group could only follow the example of the experienced Secretary He and suck and lick it to taste the salt.
After the meal, I felt hungry.
"There are also fruits after the meal. Please feel free to ask for them."
Afterwards, the staff presented the fruits.
Just when everyone thought it was another metal product, they discovered that they were all real tropical fruits.
The hungry people in the show card hall were so moved that they wanted to cry, so they all started eating without restraint.
Seeing their appetites completely different from before, several mechanical coaches nearby started whispering.
"See, I told you that the humans in the Balance Region love to eat fruit the most."
"I never thought that bonsai would eat with gusto."
"Last time I tried a piece of that, watermelon, my throat was rusty for two weeks."
After everyone in the card show hall had had their fill, Boss N had the tables cleared.
"Secretary He, how about we just have a brief exchange tonight?"
"It's just an exchange meeting anyway, there's no need to get serious about it."
"Just play 6+1. The main purpose is to learn."
"After we finish communicating later, I'll take you to my club."
"Is this arrangement okay?"
He said so.
"No problem, everything will be arranged by Boss N."
Secretary He nodded.
So he discussed with Boss N and finalized the arrangements for tonight's card game.
Each side sends one player to play, and a total of 5 rounds are played.
Secretary He was not involved.
This exchange is not just for the city competition.
It is also to promote the friendship between the two card halls and learn the card playing methods of each region.
At the show card hall, Shi Li was the only participant in this city competition.
To be more precise, they are prospective participants.
Because he hasn't actually gotten the spot yet.
And in Card Hall No. 2, there are two.
They have all secured places in the city tournament.
One is the big poker player with a metal skull that can be lifted up.
One is another human coach besides Coach Xiaojiao.
A woman wearing glasses.
When announcing his name, Shi Li forgot what the other party was called, so let's just call them the head-lifting coach and the glasses coach.
The first match was between Blue Skin and the Coach with Glasses.
In the middle, there is a PK between their respective coaches, and the last match is between Shi Li and the coach of Jie Tou.
Basically, it can be said that the strongest and second strongest on both sides faced each other in the first and last rounds.
The blue-skinned and bespectacled coaches didn't set up any barriers, they just spread out the card table and started playing.
At this time, Shi Li was sitting next to Secretary He, while the people from Card Hall No. 2 were sitting opposite him.
"Which side do you think will win this game?"
While waiting for both parties to place their cards, Shi Li asked Secretary He.
In fact, he is quite optimistic about Blue Skin.
After all, this guy is a little flattering, a little snobbish, and his middle finger is a little annoying.
But being able to be the head coach of a card gym (once) does require a lot of ability.
What's more, this is a card show hall.
The requirements for coaches in the show card gym are a little high. When he had the opportunity, he observed some coaches from other card gyms.
To be honest, the average level of the coaching staff at the show card hall is half a level to a grade higher than the coaches outside.
The level here includes card skills as well as card decks.
As a blue skin above the average level, one can imagine its strength.
"Let's not talk about that for now."
But Secretary He looked at Shi Li and changed the subject: "I need to give you a task for this exchange meeting."
"oh?"
It was quite rare for Shi Li to see the other party being so formal.
"You can't lose a single match in the next few days of exchanges."
Secretary He said this.
"no problem."
Shi Li shrugged, thinking it was some great task.
What matters in a communication meeting is the quality, not the number of games played.
Looking at the situation, he estimated that in the next few days, he would at most play 1 to 2 games with each of the opposing coaches, and then the exchange meeting would be over.
And it's a 6+1 game , so you can just disassemble the deck and play in different ways.
"But there is another premise."
Secretary He then added: "You can't play the Kung Fu deck."
"Hmm? Why?"
This request surprised Shi Li a little.
My strongest weapon is my Kung Fu deck, and I want to win without being allowed to use it...
That’s hard to say.
"Don't ask me why. I have my own plans."
When Secretary He said this, he looked at Boss N: "You can use it when I tell you to."
"Okay, I'll try."
Shi Li really wanted to say a riddle: "Get out of Bang Bang City."
But Secretary He would never let himself down.
So, just give it your best try.
While the two were talking, the card game over there had already begun.
The first three cards that Blueskin sacrificed were an Orc deck.
Orc cards, mostly violent cards.
These three cards in the first row are violent cards that are strong in attack but weak in defense.
It seems that he intends to adopt a strong offensive tactic.
At the cost of self-harm, it will cause greater cost to the other party.
The kind that loses 500 of its own money but kills 1,000 enemies.
As for the three first-row cards of the glasses coach, they are very powerful.
All three are mechanical cards, and are somewhat similar to the blue side, in that they are three wisdom cards.
For smart cards, most of them adopt the approach of strong attack at the beginning of the game.
It seems that both sides have the same idea. In the first round of exchange competition in the card hall, both sides intend to take the lead.
A beautiful, satisfying victory.
When both sides attacked each other, the situation became extremely tragic.
At the end of just the first round, Blue Skin and the Bespectacled Coach had each lost two cards.
Two cards, that's 200 health points total.
This means that both sides' first row of cards have a very strong burst of output at the beginning, and it also means that neither side intends to take a defensive stance.
"It seems like both sides have lost 2 cards, but the blue side has a slight advantage."
Shi Li also acted as a void commentator for a while based on the real-time card situation.
However, after only the second round of the game, he found that he seemed to have helped the blue skin to plant the flag.