Want to play cards? I'll use my King's Deck!

Just as the eerie blue flames engulfed each cultist, the earth began to tremble and shake. Fearing being buried alive by the collapsing building, Yan Xiao and Saki led all their comrades out of the building, only to witness an unbelievable scene.

"What is that?"

A towering pillar of light rose not far from the building where they had just been, gradually expanding until its diameter engulfed a large area. Then, amidst the light that illuminated the surroundings as bright as day, a figure slowly floated up, its immense presence immediately attracting countless gazes that were impossible to look away from.

Some curious onlookers glanced over from a distance with their own binoculars and immediately let out a scream.

Although the light was not the sun, it still carried a heat that could scorch one's eyes.

It was as if the karmic fire of the red lotus burning in hell could burn everything in the universe to ashes.

Only by getting closer, thanks to the powerful Feel protection and fire attribute affinity, could Yan Xiao barely see who that person was.

Her snow-white hair had been dyed crimson, and her eyes, which should have been crimson as well, were now the color of molten gold, adding a touch of majesty to her already beautiful face.

She was still wearing the team uniform of Kiyosumi Duel Academy, but it was quickly enveloped by the Crimson Lotus Flame, transforming into a more magnificent and dignified robe.

Endless flames cheered and leaped around her, eventually solidifying into a giant "Flaming Mountain" for her to stand on, placing her at the highest point on the entire island and allowing her to overlook all the other mountains.

"Izayoi Yuki? How did she become like this? Did Yuki fail again?"

--fear.

This was the only thing Yan Xiao could sense from the girl at that moment.

He had never seen such a massive and overwhelming feeling and intensity from any duelist before.

The "Sky Dragon of Osiris" that appeared recently was also amazing, but it was a monster after all, and even that divine dragon was slightly inferior to Izayoi Yuki now.

After all, the "Sky Dragon" is only ranked last among the three Egyptian Gods, while the being called "Izayoi Yuki" is also one of the most ancient gods.

Its power was so great that it was once able to rival the supreme god of a civilization, and perhaps even defeat him.

"After thousands of years, it has finally awakened once again. Is this what the world looks like now?"

"Sixteen Nights Snow" opened her hands, then clenched them again, gently exhaling a breath of stale air, and quickly grasped the entire condition of this body.

It must be said that this greatly pleased Him.

Although she is petite with thin arms and legs and looks frail, you can tell that both her body and her sense of style have undergone rigorous and serious training, regardless of the weather.

Otherwise, it wouldn't be easy to accommodate one's own existence. Humans are, after all, humans; no matter how much physical training they undergo, they are still somewhat weak and cannot yet unleash their former full power.

Well, this level isn't a big problem.

The key is that after waiting for so long, He has finally waited for this day.

Of course, this was also thanks to the high priest's great help.

Without him, it wouldn't be easy for him to wake up on his own from his long slumber. It's a pity; if he were still alive, he could certainly be rewarded.

However, being able to become part of a great god must have been an immense honor for him.

Next, let's fulfill his little wish while we're at it.

In any case, it is necessary for Him to announce His return to the world.

Thinking of this, "Izayoi Yuki" opened her cherry lips and spoke in a voice that, though not loud, could be heard by everyone on the island.

And it wasn't just the hundreds of people on the island; Star Peak City, Morning Light City, Fireworks City... wherever there had been a live broadcast of the Star Cup, communication signals were suddenly restored, and the girl's divine and majestic face appeared on the screen.

It is not as evil as a local deity, but it is even more domineering.

"I am the strongest and primordial earthbound god—[Red Lotus], who has descended upon this land once more after thousands of years. Mortals, tremble! Prepare to welcome my arrival and kneel before my divine throne!"

As she spoke, "Sixteen Nights Snow"—no, "Flaming Mountain" at the feet of the Crimson Lotus—spread flames outwards, and the places swept by these flames changed color.

Darker and more somber than the night, it flowed with molten lava, and one could tell from intuition that it was not a place for the living to tread.

Those on guard duty at a high vantage point saw this strange phenomenon and quickly reported it to their allies below. Yan Xiao was still a little confused after hearing it, while Saki, who had a family tradition of education, pondered and said, "I've heard that some powerful ancient gods possess the ability to change their environment at will. They can transform their surroundings into the most suitable environment for their activities and survival."

“Earthbound gods are deities associated with the earth, death, and the underworld. Perhaps… this Crimson Earthbound God intends to turn this small island into His earthly divine kingdom?”

The earthly divine kingdom sounds nice, but in reality it's just...

"The Underworld? Hey, hey, this isn't a joke you can laugh off." Yan Xiao said with a serious expression.

They are living people, and it is never a good thing for living people to set foot in the underworld.

We must find a solution to this situation.

Everyone understands this, but when asked what they can do, Yan Xiao and the others honestly couldn't think of anything.

Escape from here?

This is an isolated, uninhabited island, with nowhere to escape as the teleportation beams are still being interfered with.

Defeat the Crimson Lotus?

That would mean stepping into the enemy's territory.

It's unknown what will happen to a living person who enters the underworld, but considering the most likely outcome, they will probably become a part of the underworld and never be able to leave.

This kind of price—winning but also certain death—is not something everyone is willing to bear. And whether they even win is another matter entirely.

Although the threat posed by the Doomsday Bell has been eliminated with the resurrection of Honglian, the situation facing Yanxiao and the others has become increasingly difficult. However, they no longer have much time to hesitate.

"In that case, I will..."

Gritting his teeth, Yan Xiao prepared to step forward and join the suicide squad, but before that—

"Roar--!"

An angry roar suddenly rang out like a thunderclap from a clear sky.

No, that wasn't just a metaphor. In the world dominated by the crimson karmic fire, a dazzling bolt of lightning truly appeared. Then, a crimson divine dragon emerged.

The dragon stretched out its wings, which were hundreds of meters long, and had two mouths. It took off from the bottom of the Flaming Mountain and soared into the sky.

In no time, it flew up to the same level as the red lotus amidst the howling wind.

The underworld is not a realm that living people can set foot in, but the gods of the underworld are an exception.

"come yet."

Honglian was not particularly surprised by this scene.

Its tyrannical and majestic golden eyes collided with the dragon's golden eyes, and flames and lightning clashed for a moment before its gaze shifted slightly and landed on the top of the dragon's head.

There, there lived a thin, frail boy.

That was the only being allowed to stand on top of the gods.

“I knew you’d be here, Izumi Yuuki.”

"red lotus."

You Xi's face was covered in dust from breaking through from underground, and her eyes were tired but still bright.

"I won't let you do whatever you want here. Give me back the snow!"

"Give it back to you? That's not quite right."

Honglian pressed one hand against her barren, remnant chest, revealing a rather alluring smile, and said, "For thousands of years, I have been wandering and slumbering within various human souls. In a sense, I am also Izayoi Yuki, and this body itself belongs to me. Izayoi Yuki is not your woman, so in terms of first come, first served, I am the first, okay?"

"Sleeping...does that refer to the 'Crimson Lotus Demon Dragon'?"

Youxi realized something.

"Exactly."

Crimson Lotus calmly replied, "The 'Crimson Lotus Demon Dragon' is both my guardian spirit and the sealed state I held while I slept. That's why Shinji and the High Priest recognized Izayoi Yuki as their sacrifice child. From the very beginning, I was one with Izayoi Yuki, yet our hearts were separate."

Contrary to Yuki's belief, it was not the strongest Earthbound God who descended and possessed Izayoi Yuki, who wielded the "Crimson Dragon".

Rather, like the second personality, the strongest Earthbound God has long been inseparable from Izayoi Yuki.

Even without the High Priest's interference, as Izayoi Yuki's strength continued to increase, this hidden danger was bound to erupt sooner or later.

That might have been when Izayoi Yuki's heart turned dark, or it might have been when the "Crimson Dragon" evolved into that new form...

"In any case, you are not snow. There's no point in making excuses."

You Xiping raised the duel disk and said seriously, "If you are unwilling to simply return your body to Xue, then let's resolve our issues using this method."

"A dueling ceremony? This method is indeed quite simple and straightforward."

Honglian did not refuse Youxi's challenge. As gods, they never refuse a challenge from someone who is qualified.

"Perfect timing, I also want to recover my full strength as soon as possible."

Honglian's gaze swept over the phantom god beneath Youxi's feet, her eyes filled with appetite.

At the same time, crimson flames coiled around its arm, transforming it into a crimson-gold duel disk—

"Duel!" x2

【Yu Xi LP: 8000】

【Red Lotus LP: 8000】

232: Challenging the Gods! First Round of Attack!

"My first strike!"

Once the duel began, no one had a chance to escape, and Yu Xi had no intention of running away either.

As Honglian leisurely drew cards from his deck, he had already taken the lead in grabbing his starting hand and playing cards from it.

"First, activate the Continuous Spell: 'Severed Darkness'! While this card is on the field, if you Normal Summon or Special Summon a monster, you can draw 1 card from your Deck. Then activate the effect of 'Magician's Twin Souls'. Send a Level 6 or higher Spellcaster monster from your Deck to the Graveyard, then send this card to the Graveyard; you can Special Summon 1 'Dark Magician' or 'Dark Magician Girl' from your Graveyard. Come, my most loyal servant!"

"Black Magician, ATK: 2500"

A deep blue soul was stained with color, and the cold-faced but warm-hearted magician was the first to be summoned by Youxi to the battlefield where he was fighting against the gods.

Then came the legendary dragon, its eyes gleaming.

"Because of the effect of a Continuous Spell, I draw 1 card from my deck. Then I activate the Spell Card: 'Eye of Timaeus'! 丒"

Yu Xi flipped a card over to reveal it, and a long, ancient dragon's roar emanated from the card.

"By fusing the 'Eye of Timaeus' with the 'Dark Magician,' be born, supreme mage, 'Super Magical Dragon Knight - Red-Eyes Dragon Knight'!!"

"Super Magical Dragon Knight - Red-Eyes Dragon Knight, Level 8/Dark/Mage/Fusion" "ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500"

With a roar, the legendary emerald dragon merged with the "Black Magician" amidst the light. The "Black Magician" reappeared, now clad in the "Red-Eyes Black Dragon" armor.