[Countdown to the official launch of the Global Card Master Game: 12:00:00]
"Did you see that?"
"That line of words in front of me!"
"What does this countdown mean?"
Jiang Ming lowered the paper in his hands, picked up his phone, and turned on the screen. The words hovering in the air matched perfectly with the ones on his display.
Meanwhile, the internet had exploded.
Countless people rushed to post on forums, websites, and blogs, eager to share what they were seeing.
After scrolling for a while, Jiang Ming turned off his phone.
It was clear now. Most people could see the same message.
That included Jiang Ming and other high school students over the age of sixteen.
"Brother Ming, you saw it too, right?" asked Fan Huai, his deskmate. He trembled slightly as he nudged Jiang Ming, his expression flickering between fear and excitement. "Those words!"
Jiang Ming nodded calmly and pointed ahead. "Looks like everyone in the class saw it."
Fan Huai's fear quickly melted into excitement. "Do you think it's real?"
Jiang Ming thought for a moment. "Logically speaking, if so many people can see the same message and still can't interact with it, then it's probably real."
Fan Huai nodded eagerly, about to agree, but Jiang Ming added, "However, it's also completely irrational… so it might not be true either."
That dampened Fan Huai's mood for a second, but when he glanced around at the faces of other students, his enthusiasm reignited. "I feel like this is my moment! My chance to rise!"
"Oh? Why?"
Jiang Ming didn't even look up, focusing back on his test paper. He had already lost a few precious minutes, enough time to solve a big question.
Fan Huai pulled out his phone and pointed at an app. "I play a ton of card games. Star Summoning, Yu-Gi-Oh, Card Master—I've got experience."
Jiang Ming remained focused on the question. "Okay. So what?"
"Oh, yes!" Fan Huai suddenly leaned in, whispering urgently. "Don't tell anyone I said this, but I think this Card Master Game might let you create your own cards. Like, write a background, draw an image, then boom—your own card. You should start reading mythology and collecting powerful backstories now."
Jiang Ming raised an eyebrow but didn't look convinced.
Fan Huai grew more animated. "I'm serious! That's how it works in all the card game novels I've read!"
Jiang Ming nodded with a sigh. "Alright, alright. I'll look into it."
He picked up his test paper and returned to his work, ignoring the glowing countdown in front of him.
As a time traveler, Jiang Ming had made studying his top priority from the moment he arrived in this world.
Right now, that was the most practical path to self-improvement.
After all, the Federation's population numbered in the tens of billions—far greater than in his previous life. With so many people seeing the same message and likely entering the game, standing out would be incredibly difficult.
In Jiang Ming's view, studying gave him a better shot. And for now, at least, his grades were excellent.
Just then, footsteps echoed outside the door.
A figure burst into the classroom.
It was their homeroom teacher, who had been absent until now.
"Everyone, quiet down," he barked, rushing to the front of the room. He quickly turned on the multimedia system, connected to the internet, and pulled up the Federal News Channel.
All eyes turned to the familiar news anchor on the screen.
"We interrupt with urgent breaking news."
"Due to unknown causes, abnormal text has appeared in the vision of every human across the Federation aged sixteen and older. So far, this phenomenon does not affect other species."
"The Federation has established the Card Master Management Bureau to investigate the matter fully."
"At present, aside from visual interference, no negative effects have been observed. Citizens are urged to remain calm and avoid panic. If you experience any abnormalities, contact your local authorities immediately."
The broadcast cut off.
The teacher knocked on the blackboard. "You've all seen the news. Don't panic. Do your best to ignore the words."
He paused before continuing.
"Due to these unforeseen events, school is closed today. Morning reading tomorrow is also canceled."
"Everyone, go home. Stay safe on the way."
With that, he left in a hurry.
As the countdown hovered, students who had been frightened now started buzzing with excitement.
The room filled with the rustle of backpacks being stuffed and zipped. Groups of classmates quickly formed and headed for the exits, their conversations loud with speculation and anticipation.
Jiang Ming returned to the small apartment he rented alone.
He opened the door, locked it, and walked straight to his computer. His pale reflection stared back at him from the screen.
[Prediction about the Card Master Game—Doomsday or Hope?]
[What impact will a new era have on society?]
[The New God Religion: Savior of the New World? Let us welcome the Lord's descent!]
As the countdown neared zero, online rumors exploded.
Jiang Ming scrolled quickly, but saw nothing trustworthy. He shut the computer off.
Heading to the kitchen, he measured out a scoop of rice and set it in the cooker. While it steamed, he sliced two potatoes, steamed them too, mashed them, and added seasoning.
Soon, he had a bowl of rice and mashed potatoes.
Outside the window, neon lights flickered like restless spirits. Jiang Ming ate in silence.
He washed the dishes, took a shower, and climbed into bed by eleven o'clock—his usual bedtime.
But tonight, the world felt different.
Sirens wailed intermittently outside. Someone was shouting and cursing downstairs. A burst of cheering erupted from upstairs. These sounds were normal here, but tonight, they pierced the silence more sharply than ever before.
[Countdown: 59:30]
[Countdown: 29:30]
[Countdown: 3:00]
As the timer dipped under three minutes, Jiang Ming could no longer sit still. He jumped up, rushed into a small storage nook, and grabbed a sharp knife. He pulled on his thick winter coat, then layered on two more for good measure.
His usually calm demeanor cracked with a hint of anxiety.
He grabbed a bag of breakfast bread.
[Countdown: 1:00]
What else? His mind raced.
Cell phone. Of course.
He dashed back to the bed and shoved the phone into his pocket.
[Countdown: 00:30]
Almost there.
[Countdown: 00:00]
"Alright… Let me see what this game really is."
The world around him froze.
Time itself seemed to stop.
The countdown numbers dissolved like smoke, fading into the air.
Then a sharp tone shattered the silence.
"Beep—"
"The Blue Star Card Master Game is now officially launched!"
The moment the voice faded, Jiang Ming's vision went white. The knife vanished from his hand. The bread in his arms was gone.
He floated in a space without direction, without form—just endless white.
A soft light flickered ahead. A transparent panel appeared before him.
[Name: Jiang Ming][Level: None][Strength: 0.83][Constitution: 0.91][Agility: 1.02][Spirit: 3.45][Spiritual Power: 0][Destiny Card: None][Card Slots: (empty) (empty) (empty)][Backpack: None]
At the bottom, a prompt appeared.
"Would you like to awaken your Destiny Card?"
Jiang Ming memorized the panel details before tapping "Yes."
"Beginning Destiny Card draw—"
The moment the message appeared, pain exploded in his skull. He couldn't move.
Then, a light rose from the center of his forehead and hovered before him.
As the glow dimmed, Jiang Ming's eyes widened.
Hovering in the air was the Shan Hai Jing, the ancient book that had once pulled him through time and space.
The book began to shrink, compressing rapidly.
Before his eyes, it condensed into a single thin card.
Then, the voice returned.
"Congratulations. You have awakened your Destiny Card."
"Classic of Mountains and Seas!"