My Card Girl's Infinite Evolution

"The black market is actually a domain card. When you leave, you don't need to worry about anyone knowing your information. Although there are only a few exits, the teleportation locations are random. The black market has more than seventy entrances in Pingcheng, and you won't know where you'll emerge," Zhao Haifeng explained in detail.

Then he turned to Luo Sheng and said, "Alright, I have some matters to handle. If you encounter any problems, just message me on your phone."

"No problem."

After giving simple instructions, Zhao Haifeng headed toward a crowded market. Along the way, a few dwarves and beastmen uncles draped their arms around him, speaking in flirtatious tones.

"Hey, little guy, wanna play with uncle? Your fluffy ears are just my type~"

"…"

Seeing this, Luo Sheng was speechless.

The black market was bustling with people, a prosperous hub despite its strict rules. Yet, Luo Sheng couldn't shake the feeling that it was still a lawless place.

"It seems like he's got it tough," Luo Sheng thought, watching Zhao Haifeng dodge into the crowd as if fleeing.

Left to himself, Luo Sheng wandered the vibrant market filled with neon lights and everything imaginable. He even took the opportunity to register as a card enhancer.

The process was surprisingly simple. All it required was presenting his enhancer certificate issued by the Card Association and paying a 1,000-yuan fee.

"No wonder so many people like mingling in the black market. Even the basic fees are cheap here."

He recalled how registering as an enhancer at the Card Association a few months ago had cost him 30,000 yuan, a painful expense that lingered in his memory. The Card Association treated card users like sheep to be sheared, exploiting them whenever possible.

Luo Sheng then wandered into the section designated for enhancers to set up shop. Here, enhancers could charge clients about 10–20% more than the rates at the Card Association.

For example, a four-star bronze card priced at 40,000 yuan could be enhanced to a five-star card worth 80,000 yuan. The client would then pay the enhancer 60–70% of the increased value, about 24,000–28,000 yuan.

If the card were enhanced to six stars, raising its value to 150,000 yuan, the reward would increase to over 66,000 yuan. The better the success rate, the more the client would pay.

"At the Card Association, enhancers only earn about half the value increase, sometimes as little as 40%. This place is a true black market." Luo Sheng crossed his arms, analyzing the situation.

Furthermore, competition between enhancers wasn't a concern here. The demand for card enhancement far exceeded supply, as less than 1% of card users could awaken as enhancers.

As Luo Sheng observed the scene, he felt someone watching him.

Following the gaze, he spotted a blue-haired elf woman walking gracefully out of a café. Her figure resembled an elegant hourglass, with a full chest, slender legs, and a tall, statuesque presence. She wore a blue-and-white knightly battle dress paired with blue thigh-high stockings. A delicate braid adorned her long sapphire hair, framing her flawless face with gemstone-like eyes and soft, rosy lips.

She exuded a mature, enchanting allure.

"Do I know her?" Luo Sheng wondered, puzzled.

Despite the black market's transformation abilities, which could make anyone unrecognizable, Luo Sheng felt the woman's gaze linger. Could it be his new appearance was too handsome?

"Oh no, this damn vanity…"

"Do we know each other?" Luo Sheng decided to break the ice.

The woman, who bore a striking resemblance to Asuna, stepped closer and sniffed lightly before speaking in a clear, bell-like voice, "Don't you recognize me?"

"Uh… no," Luo Sheng replied, shaking his head.

Such an exquisite beauty approaching him felt suspicious, perhaps a scammer or honey trap.

"Black masks can conceal voices, appearances, and levels, but not a person's unique mannerisms or scent," the woman explained, her melodic voice like flowing water.

That voice...

"Wait, Ice Queen? No… Jianjia?" Luo Sheng blurted out in surprise.

"Call me Asuna!" Qin Jianjia glared at him, visibly annoyed. Being addressed by her real name in the crowded market made her feel exposed.

"Oops, sorry," Luo Sheng said, scratching his head awkwardly.

Realizing the elegant beauty before him was his cold, distant roommate was surprising. Playing along, he acted as if meeting her for the first time.

"Hello, call me Kirito!" he said, offering his hand for a handshake.

"Kirito?"

"That's Asuna's lover," Luo Sheng said cheekily, clearly referencing the famous duo.

Qin Jianjia, unfamiliar with the reference, gave him a disdainful glance, her icy expression unchanged. Then she stepped on his foot—lightly, but enough to make her point.

With a sigh, she said, "I'll let it slide this time. Follow me."

Her soft, fair hand grabbed his arm, dragging him along.

"Where are we going?" Luo Sheng asked, confused.

"To help me," Qin Jianjia replied without looking back.

"For what?"

"If it works out, I'll cancel the Chu River and Han Boundary*."

"Uh…"

"Treasure split six-four."

"Deal!"

"Idiot…" Qin Jianjia rolled her eyes, her expression saying, "I should've known."

Luo Sheng felt like a boyfriend being dragged into a romantic outing, only to realize it was a ploy to make him work.

Curious, he asked, "Why are you in the black market?"

"For the same reason as you," Qin Jianjia replied coolly.

Luo Sheng was stunned. "Wait, even I don't know why I'm here!"

"Fine, then I'm going to the pink district," he teased.

Suddenly, the grip on his arm tightened like claws. Qin Jianjia stopped abruptly, turned, and stepped hard on his foot this time, her gemstone-like eyes narrowing dangerously.

"Does that amuse you?" she said coldly, her voice laced with menace.

"No, just kidding! I'm a model citizen, the epitome of virtue!" Luo Sheng quickly backtracked, smiling through the pain.

(Chapter End)