With Zhongli's maneuvers in his Main Phase, the tide of battle swung back in his favor, reminiscent of his past campaigns—south to Tianheng, east to Yaoguang, west to Jueyun, north to Qingce—pacifying all directions.
Now Zhongli still held one card in his hand, enough to win this turn.
He raised his head and declared firmly:
"Next, I activate [Hieratic Dragon of Sutekh]'s effect.
By banishing three Normal Dragon monsters from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon it from my hand."
From Zhongli's Graveyard:
[Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress #1] Level 4│WIND│Dragon│1400 ATK / 1200 DEF
[Baby Dragon] Level 3│WIND│Dragon│1200 ATK / 700 DEF
[Luster Dragon #2] Level 6│WIND│Dragon│2400 ATK / 1400 DEF
[Red-Eyes Black Dragon] Level 7│DARK│Dragon│2400 ATK / 2000 DEF
Zhongli chose to banish the first three.
A golden hexagram magic circle flared on his field. The three dragons walked into it, their final strength forming a tri-colored vortex that opened a golden gate. From within spilled starlight and cosmic nebulae. A golden dragon emerged, its scales gleaming, its wings vast enough to rend the universe.
[Hieratic Dragon of Sutekh] Level 8│LIGHT│Dragon│2800 ATK / 2000 DEF
Its arrival dwarfed Xingqiu's [Conqueror of Demons – Xiao] and [Obnoxious Celtic Guardian].
"Whoa! Mr. Zhongli's dragon is so cool!"
"The entrance is insane!"
"So majestic… though the summon conditions are strict—three Normal Dragons in the Graveyard."
"No wonder he included [Graceful Charity] in his Deck. That discard became an advantage, thinning the Deck too. Brilliant!"
Zhongli continued:
"[Hieratic Dragon of Sutekh] has another effect. By banishing a Dragon from my Graveyard, I can destroy one card on your field. I banish [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] to destroy [Conqueror of Demons – Xiao]."
The real Xiao watching grew tense at seeing Zhongli so casually eliminate him—but reminded himself, "It's only a card."
Golden wings absorbed dark-red energy. Ten black orbs of cosmic power materialized and shot at Xingqiu's Xiao. He raised the [Cloudlance Greatsword] to block; the blade shattered into data fragments, protecting him.
"[Cloudlance Greatsword]'s effect activates: when the equipped monster would be destroyed, send it to the Graveyard instead," Xingqiu explained.
Regardless, Zhongli still had his Battle Phase.
BGM thundered from the Duel Stage—victory music, as though the system already foresaw the outcome.
Zhongli's field:
[Azhdaha] ATK 2700
[Lord of D.] ATK 1200
[Curse of Dragon] ATK 2000
[Hieratic Dragon of Sutekh] ATK 2800
"[Azhdaha], attack [Conqueror of Demons – Xiao]!"
Azhdaha's roar overwhelmed Xingqiu's Xiao. His spear snapped, body shattered into fragments. Xingqiu took 200 damage. [Xingqiu, LP: 4000 → 3800]
"[Curse of Dragon], attack [Obnoxious Celtic Guardian]!"
The dragon dove, skewering the elf. Xingqiu took 600 damage. [Xingqiu, LP: 3800 → 3200]
"[Hieratic Dragon of Sutekh] and [Lord of D.], direct attack!"
The golden dragon carried Lord of D. on its back, striking together.
Total damage: 2800 + 1200 = 4000.
[Xingqiu, LP: 3200 → 0]
Victory!
Xingqiu collapsed, defeated. Zhongli said calmly:
"Young Master Xingqiu, your talent is remarkable. With practice, you will surely surpass me."
Xingqiu smiled, nodding firmly: "You're right. I just need more training. Next time, I'll defeat you!"
The real Xiao, fascinated by the duel, approached Luya.
"Shopkeeper, how much for these cards…?"
Before Luya could answer, Keqing looked up from her packs, ready to speak, but Hu Tao cut in cheerfully:
"Each pack is 20,000 Mora, with five cards inside. How many would you like?"
Luya nodded: "As Hall Master Hu said."
Xiao fumbled at his pouch, producing 20,000 Mora with difficulty.
"I'll take one pack…"
Hu Tao gawked. "A few-thousand-year-old adeptus, and you're this poor?!"
Xiao replied gravely: "Wealth is but an external thing."
Luya thought it reasonable. Xiao had spent millennia fighting, unconcerned with money—only splurging on almond tofu. Likely eaten free at Wangshu Inn.
Still, Luya wasn't about to miss the chance to profit. He had 600 packs left, 100 already reserved. 500 were free to sell. Even if Xiao lacked Mora, his adeptus battles surely yielded rare materials. The Card Furnace could transform them into cards.
Luya smiled: "My shop also accepts materials. Even without Mora, you can trade items."
Xiao brightened, eager to repay Luya's kindness for easing his karmic debt. He opened his pouch and poured rare gemstones onto the counter, dazzling the room.
"This is [Prithiva Topaz], from defeating an Anemo Hypostasis three hundred years ago. This [Shivada Jade] from a Cryo Regisvine four hundred years ago. [Vajrada Amethyst], from last year's fight with an Ancient Geovishap… [Brilliant Diamond], I forget where."
Xingqiu's eyes widened. As Feiyun Commerce Guild heir, he knew jade—but Xiao's were priceless rarities! Even Inazuman and Snezhnayan merchants gasped.
"Unbelievable!"
"I'll pay 5 million Mora for that [Vajrada Amethyst]!"
"I'll give 6 million!"
Luya realized Xiao's materials were worth far more than packs. Abruptly, then Xiao said solemnly:
"All these gemstones—I give them to you, Shopkeeper."
Luya froze. "Wait… what?!"
...
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