C34 – Equipment and Enchantment!
“That’s absolutely correct. You must use caution when absorbing a card because once it’s absorbed, there’s no turning back. Even if you don’t absorb it, you can still utilize the Spiritual Card, but you’ll only tap into about half of its potential. The effectiveness also hinges on how well the card and the battle spirit match up,” Fu Tian replied with a smile.
“Compatibility? What does that mean?” Qin Hongyu inquired.
“Compatibility refers to how well the battle spirit and the Spiritual Card align with each other. For instance, pairing a fire attribute Spiritual Card with an ice attribute battle spirit wouldn’t just fail to boost its power—it would actually weaken the battle spirit’s attack. Take the metal attribute Screeching Hedgehog you’ve just acquired; it’s an excellent fit for you. It won’t diminish your lightning abilities but will enhance your defense instead,” Fu Tian explained as he stood up leisurely, hands clasped behind his back like a seasoned teacher.
“Now that you’ve broken it down for me, I think I’ve got a handle on it,” Qin Hongyu acknowledged with a nod.
“Remember, there are always exceptions. The synergy between a Battle Spirit and a Spiritual Card is complex and unpredictable, defying conventional wisdom. It’s all about the Battle Spirit Fighter’s ingenuity,” Fu Tian continued, shifting the conversation.
“So, how exactly does one use a Spiritual Card?” Bo Miaojiao chimed in.
“Using a Spiritual Card is straightforward. Just pronounce the card’s name and follow it with either ‘armor’ or ‘enchantment’ to activate it,” Qin Hongyu cheerfully clarified.
“Armor and enchantment? What’s the distinction between them?” Qin Hongyu queried, puzzled.
“The Screeching Hedgehog you’ve just received is an armor card. It can provide your battle spirit with an additional layer of protective armor. On the other hand, an Enchantment Card can directly amplify a battle spirit’s abilities. For example, the bronze-level Spiritual Card, the Purple Electric Beast, might yield an Enchantment Card that can boost your battle spirit’s lightning power. However, Enchantment Cards are quite rare,” Fu Tian elaborated.
“Fu, you’re truly a wellspring of knowledge from the big city!” Bo Miaojiao exclaimed, clapping in admiration.
Scratching his head modestly, Fu Tian chuckled, “It’s just some foundational knowledge. You’ll learn all this and more from the experts once you start school. I’ve just picked up a bit here and there—nothing to make a fuss over.”
Curiosity brimming, Qin Hongyu eagerly pulled out a Spiritual Card and exclaimed, “Screeching Hedgehog!”
But before he could utter the final word, Fu Tian clamped a hand over his mouth.
“Using that Spiritual Card consumes a great deal of Spiritual Energy. We’re merely first-rank Battle Spirit Fighters at the moment, and our own energy is likely only enough for two uses of a Gray Iron Rank Spiritual Card. If you waste it like this, we’d be in a real bind should a Demon Beast ambush us,” Fu Tian cautioned urgently.
“You’re right, Fu. I’ll save it for next time,” Qin Hongyu said, pocketing the card with a hint of reluctance.
“The sun’s about to set; we should hurry up and pitch a tent to sleep,” Fu Tian suggested, glancing at the dipping sun.
Night in the Iron Woods was far more daunting than the day. With many Demon Beasts emerging to hunt under the cloak of darkness, and humans naturally at a disadvantage, it was wise to avoid nocturnal conflicts with these creatures.