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

However, in that version, the "Flame King" faction still had "Snake Eyes" as a right-hand man. Now, both "Snake Eyes" and the "Black Witch" series are in Yuki's hands. Yuki is also very curious about how much strength the "Flame King" can exert after losing this general.

Yan Xiao didn't keep You Xi waiting for long; he quickly took action.

Chapter 252 Destruction and Rebirth, Endless Power of Fire

"My turn, draw a card!"

After glancing at the card he had drawn, Yan Xiao placed it into his Duel Disk: "Let's start with this card! Activate the Spell Card: 'Flame King's Unleashed Assault'!"

【Fire King's Assault (Normal Spell): You can activate this effect if your opponent controls a monster but you control none. Special Summon 1 FIRE Beast/Beast-Warrior/Winged Beast monster from your Deck. Negate the effects of the monster Special Summoned by this effect and destroy it during the End Phase. You can only activate 1 "Fire King's Assault" per turn.】

"Right now, only you, Yuki, have monsters on your field. I'll take the rest from my deck..."

A vibrant green card appeared before Yan Xiao, and scorching flames were about to burst forth from it.

But at that moment, a bright sword light flashed and completely tore the magic card to shreds.

"The effect of 'Silent Swordsman' has activated!"

Yu Xi said, "Once per turn, when a Spell Card is activated, negate that activation and destroy it!"

"I know your monster has this effect, but that means it can't negate other spell cards."

Despite seeing his important magic card being countered, Yan Xiao remained unfazed.

Just as Yuki studied his deck, he naturally studied Yuki's strategies. This is a fundamental skill for anyone aspiring to become a professional duelist. Even if you don't plan to become a professional duelist, studying your opponent is an essential course on the road to victory.

"Flame King's Strike" was initially thrown out as bait to lure Kang.

"Then, the usual summoning sequence is 'Fire Queen, Phoenix Goddess of Fire.'"

"Phoenix Queen of Flames, Level 4/Flame/Bird Beast" "ATK: 800/DEF: 2000"

He slammed the card back onto the duel disk, and flames rose, coalescing into a beautiful and radiant woman.

She was draped in a rainbow-colored dress and danced gracefully, accompanied by fire.

"If 'Flame Queen' is successfully Summoned or Special Summoned, its effect activates! Destroy 1 FIRE monster you control or have in your hand (excluding this card), and add 1 FIRE Beast/Winged Beast/Beast-Warrior monster (excluding the same card) to your hand. Destroy 'Volcanic Bomb' and search your Deck for 'True Flame Queen Phoenix'. If this card is destroyed by battle or card effect, it can be Special Summoned from your hand."

"At this very moment, activate the trap card: 'Reversal of the Trap Card'!"

[Reversed Card (Normal Trap/Animation): When your opponent adds a card to their hand outside of their draw phase, you draw cards until your hand has the same number of cards as your opponent's.]

Just as Yan Xiao was about to launch an attack, You Xi's cover suddenly flipped up.

Those were cards from Uncle Izayoi Hoshino, and he is still using that power even though the Star Cup is not over yet.

"Because Captain Yanxiao, you retrieved 'True Flame King' from your deck, the effect of 'Reversal of the Cards' applies, so draw a card from your deck."

After using up "Flame King's Strike" and "Flame Queen", Flame Sky now has 4 cards left in his hand.

Yu Xi placed her fingers on the deck and skillfully picked up three cards, instantly replenishing her originally meager hand to an equal number.

Yan Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly.

"You've managed to take advantage of my card's effect, haven't you? Not bad, Yuuki. But I won't lose to you either. Special Summon 'True Flame King Phoenix' in Defense Position."

"True Flame King Phoenix, Level 1/Fire/Bird Beast" "ATK: 500/DEF: 200"

Spiral flames rose up along with the card, from which a plump, crimson bird emerged, flapping its wings.

"If the effect of 'True Flame King' is activated, and it is successfully Normal or Special Summoned, add 1 'Flame King' Spell/Trap Card from your Deck to your hand. Activate the Continuous Spell: 'Flame King's Sanctuary'! As part of the effect's processing, add 'Flame King's Isle' from your Deck and immediately activate this Field Spell!"

A new emerald green card was projected in front of him, and the flames that hadn't yet died down burned even more fiercely. The dueling arena, which had been quite spacious, was transformed into a volcanic island floating on the sea.

...To be honest, judging from the card art and projection presentation alone, Yuki felt a lot like the school island that served as the stage background in Yu-Gi-Oh! GX.

"Activate the 'Team King's Isle' effect!"

[This effect can only be activated during your Main Phase. Destroy 1 monster from your hand or field, and add 1 "Fire King" monster from your Deck to your hand.]

"Destroy 'Fire Queen Phoenix,' search for 'Saint Flame King Phoenix,' then C1, 'Saint Flame King Phoenix,' C2, 'Fire Queen Phoenix,' activate the effects of 2 monsters. Special Summon 'Fire King Phoenix' and 'Saint Flame King' from your Deck!"

"Flame King Divine Beast Roc Phoenix, Level 8/Flame/Bird Beast" "ATK: 2700/DEF: 1700"

"Holy Flame King Roc Phoenix, Level 8/Fire/Bird Beast" "ATK: 2700/DEF: 1700"

Whether it was due to the sunlight or not, the crimson flames were tinged with golden light and transformed into two enormous divine birds before everyone's eyes.

These two giant birds possess a magnificence comparable to that of peacocks, with golden rings and armor further highlighting their sacred solemnity.

By now, even those who have never encountered "Flame King" before probably understand the strategy behind this deck.

It is very similar to "Nephthys" in that it relies on destroying monsters to unfold the story. "Destruction" and "rebirth" are the themes of the "Flame King" series.

"The effect of 'Holy Flame King Great Roc Undying Phoenix' has activated!"

[If this card is Normal or Special Summoned, you can activate this effect. Destroy 1 Beast/Beast-Warrior/Winged Beast monster from your hand, Deck, or field (face-up), except "Holy Flame King Phoenix". This card gains ATK equal to half the ATK of the monster destroyed by this effect until the end of this turn.]

"Destroy 'Flame King Baron' in your deck. This monster has 1800 ATK, therefore 'Holy Flame King Phoenix' gains 900 ATK."

"Holy Flame King Great Roc Phoenix, ATK: 2700→3600"

The flames of life bursting from the deck were absorbed into the body of "Holy Flame King," further boosting its momentum. However, Yanxiao did not intend to attack with "Holy Flame King" so easily. Instead, with a wave of his hand, a magnificent nebula vortex unfolded before his eyes.

The two giant birds transformed into crimson soul light and surged into it.

"Here it comes, Yuuki! Let me show you my ace! Constructing a shimmering network with the two Level 8 monsters on the field, Flame Starquake, let's burn the history of victory here! Xyz Summon, Rank 8, 'Eternal Flame King Phoenix'!"

"Eternal Flame, Rank 8 / Flame / Bird/Beast / Xyz" "ATK: 3000 / DEF: 2000"

"2 or more 8-star monsters"

Golden divine flames surged violently from the nebula vortex, almost completely covering the monster's entire body. Accompanied by a loud bird cry, a golden fire bird soared majestically in the sky, seemingly vying with the sun for brilliance.

And the incredibly hot golden flames swept down mercilessly.

"If 'Flame King' is successfully Xyz Summoned, all other monsters on the field are destroyed. [Great Sun Blaze]!"

The flames, like a storm or a tsunami, instantly engulfed "Isolde" and "Silent Swordsman," leaving only "Flame King" still flying high in the sky. But the next second, a silver sword light cleaved through the sea of ​​fire, creating a haven of peace for the surrounding area.

"If a 'Silent Swordsman' on the field is destroyed by battle or an opponent's card effect, you can Special Summon 1 'Silent Swordsman' monster from your Deck, ignoring its conditions. I'm Special Summoning 'Silent Swordsman LV7'!"

"Silent Swordsman LV7, Level 7/Light/Warrior" "ATK: 2800/DEF: 1000"

Instead of disappearing under the baptism of flames, it has grown even stronger.

"But even at this level, it's still no match for 'Eagle King,' and 'Eagle King' has a second effect."

Yan Xiao said, "Once per turn, detach 1 Xyz Material, destroy 1 Spell/Trap Card on the field, and gain 500 ATK. The one I'm going to destroy is, of course, your face-down card, [Sunfire Bullet]!"

"Then let's chain together a quick-attack spell: 'Sword of Silence'!"

Seeing the "Ember God King" flap its wings and smash a golden fireball towards them, Yuki raised his hand and flipped open the last card.

That's a magic card exclusive to the "Silent Swordsman".

"Target 1 'Silent Swordsman' monster you control; that monster gains 1500 ATK and remains unaffected by your opponent's card effects until the end of this turn!"

The "Silent Swordsman" transformed into LV7 would normally apply a "Nullify Spell Card Effects" debuff to the entire field; however, the activation and effect of "Silent Sword" will not be negated. It is unaffected by this.

Although the card was burned to ashes by the fireball, the greatsword of "Silent Swordsman LV7" still exuded a powerful sword aura, clearing a large area of ​​the surrounding flames outwards.

"Silent Swordsman LV7, ATK: 2800→4300"

"Attack power 4300... Looks like there's no way to take that guy down this round."

The activation of "Silent Sword" undoubtedly disrupted Yanxiao's plans slightly, but it wasn't a major problem.

He immediately adjusted his strategy, saying, "I'll set three cards face-down on the field, then activate the effect of 'Volcanic Bomb.' Pay 500 Life Points to add the second 'Volcanic Bomb' from my deck to my hand. End of turn."

"It's my turn, draw a card!"

As the turns alternated, Yuki drew a card from her deck, and Yanxiao spoke again: "During my opponent's Standby Phase, I activate the effects of 'Fire King Beast Baron' and 'True Fire King Phoenix Phoenix' in my Graveyard. If these two monsters are destroyed by card effects and sent to the Graveyard, the latter returns to my hand, and I add 1 'Fire King' card from my deck to my hand. My choice is 'Fire King Divine Beast Kirin'!"

Thanks to the last words after blowing up the monster in the previous round, Yanxiao replenished his hand to 3 cards, achieving a card advantage that was equal to Youxi's.

Recalling the monster that Yan Xiao had captured, You Xi frowned slightly.

"The Flame King Divine Beast Qilin," this monster is a bit troublesome, but...

“I activate the effect of ‘Silent Sword’ in my graveyard,” Yuki said, reaching for her graveyard. “I banish this card from the game, and add 1 ‘Silent Swordsman’ monster from my Deck to my hand. I choose ‘Silent Swordsman Zero’.”

"And that's how we enter the battle phase..."

"Activate the effect of 'Eagle King Divine Beast Kirin' before you enter the battle phase."

Yan Xiao interrupted Yu Xi's subsequent actions, flipping over a card in his hand and saying, "During both players' Main Phases, you can destroy 1 FIRE monster from your hand or field, and Special Summon this card from your hand. Destroy 'Flame King,' and then descend, 'Flame King Beast Kirin!'"

"Eagle King Divine Beast Qilin, Level 8/Fire/Beast" "ATK: 2400/DEF: 200"

Emerald flames surged from the card, engulfing "Flame King God Roc Phoenix - Eternal Flame," from which a graceful unicorn emerged. Its four hooves pounded the ground, triggering a new burst of flames.

"If a 'Teostra' monster with Xyz Material is destroyed, you can Special Summon up to that number of 'Teostra' monsters from your Graveyard. 'Sacred Teostra' will also be revived by its own effect. Return once more, 'Teostra's Queen, the Phoenix!'"

The giant bird and the goddess were reborn in the flames and perched before and after the blazing sky.

"The effects of these two monsters need no further explanation, right? C1 'Holy Flame King', C2 'Flame Queen', destroy 'Flame King Divine Beast Kirin', add 'Flame King Beast Hanuman' from the deck to your hand. Then destroy 'Flame King Beast Ganesh' with 1800 ATK from the deck, increasing 'Holy Flame King's' ATK by 900. At that instant, the effects of the destroyed 'Flame King Divine Beast Kirin', 'Flame King Beast Ganesh', and 'Flame King Beast Hanuman' activate!"

"Hanuman is Special Summoned in Attack Position, then Ganesh negates the effect of 'Foal Beast Phoenix' and Special Summons it in Attack Position. Finally, based on the effect of 'Foal Beast Kirin,' 'Foal Beast Ganesh' is Special Summoned from the Graveyard. After that, 1 card on the field is destroyed."

"Teostra Ganesh, Level 4/Fire/Beast Warrior" "ATK: 1800/DEF: 200"

"Teostramon Hanuman, Level 4/Fire/Beast Warrior" "ATK: 1600/DEF: 200"

In an instant, three flames burst into flames, and in Yanxiao's front field, a new "Flame King" monster appeared, completely filling his main monster zone.