Forge a path to success

"No," Chu Hengkong said.

"Huh?" The stubborn demon didn't hear clearly.

“It’s just a game, and my card skills aren’t that great. It would be better to gather intelligence and then hand it over to a partner who knows how to play.” The assassin muttered to himself, his fingers gripping the cards tighter and tighter. “But no. What’s the point of giving up?”

"I don't care what game you play or what deck you use, but I don't like losing..."

"—I don't want to lose!"

He slammed the last card in his hand onto the duel disk, and a blood-red aura surged up, flowing into his deck along with his fighting spirit!

"I Special Summon Dragon Village Martial Arts Master - Chen Jun Swordsman from my hand. If this is the only card in my hand, I can Special Summon this card from my hand. When I successfully Summon this card by this effect, I can draw one card from my Deck."

He summoned a level one Chenjun Swordsman, whose attack power was a mere 500 points. Then, Chu Hengkong drew cards from his deck, which was infused with his fighting spirit, and his cards traced a blood-red path!

"Open the third face-down card. War Magic, Blood Burning Qi Talisman, pay 300 health points to increase the attack power of the Dragon Village Martial Arts Warrior on the field by 1000 points."

Chen Jun Swordsman's attack power increased to 1500 points, and the Tenacious Demon made no attempt to hide his disdain: "A mere martial artist with 1500 attack points! You don't think you're still playing a game of comparing sizes, do you? We've long since moved beyond that era—"

"You haven't seen the card I drew yet."

The tenacious demon scoffed: "What kind of game-changing cards could that Dragon Village Martial Arts deck, which only focuses on attack power, possibly have?"

“Yes, this is the Dragon Realm Martial Arts Cultivation Deck.” Chu Hengkong slowly turned the cards around. “All the cards in this deck come from the real-world path of martial arts cultivation; in other words, they are materialized martial arts. What cards I can draw… depends on the martial arts I control!”

The card depicted a martial artist covered in blood, his eyes blazing with fierce determination. The card's name was—

Warfare tactics, a single breath that lasts a thousand years!

Chu Hengkong played his last card: "This card can only be activated when your health is below 500. It increases your attack power based on your remaining health and the level of the fighter card!"

"Ridiculous. At most, the Qi of a Thousand Autumns can only double your attack power. Your swordsman skill has a maximum of 3000 attack power..."

The demon's voice suddenly weakened as it saw an almost tangible aura swirling around Chen Jun the Swordsman, causing the warrior's momentum to surge at an incredible speed. The card's attack power increased to 3000 points… 4500 points… 6000 points…

It's still improving, still rising, and its attack power has broken through five digits at an unbelievable speed, finally reaching 19500 points!

“You’re wrong,” Chu Hengkong said. “A martial artist with a particle level of 1 can increase their strength to… 13 times their original level when using the One Qi A Thousand Autumns technique!”

Chapter 304 Enjoying It (7)

"This is impossible!" The stubborn demon finally lost control of his emotions. "Only martial artists of level 3 or higher can use the 'One Qi Through a Thousand Autumns' technique. This secret technique exists in reality—"

"Unfortunately, in reality, there are martial artists with a particle level of 1 who can control the Qi of a thousand autumns~" Ji Huaisu added with a smile.

The tenacious demon stubbornly retorted: "Even so, it's impossible to reach 13 times!!"

“Little thing, you’re really ignorant. It’s actually possible.” Vande said calmly. “I told you these country bumpkins don’t understand what Dragon Township Martial Arts Cultivation is.”

The stubborn demon's expression was as if it had swallowed a fly, but its ghostly senses confirmed what it had said. That "One Qi Through a Thousand Autumns" technique achieved its altered effect through the infusion of experience within the rules. This meant…

That person really learned the One Qi Through the Ages during the first stage of the materialization process.

That man really did unleash a power burst of up to 13 times the normal amount!

The moment this realization dawned on the tenacious demon, it finally understood the kind of opponent it was playing against. Panic gripped it, its hand trembling as it held the cards. This was a true duel of darkness; if it were to be hit by that 19500-point attack…!

"Don't even think about it!" the tenacious demon roared, losing his composure. "I activate my strategic spell, Demonic Possession! It will take one of the opponent's Fighter cards—"

“Invalid,” Chu Hengkong said.

The colorless aura instantly pierced the overlay card, shattering the stubborn demon's spell. It was utterly dumbfounded: "How is this possible?!"

Vande pulled out the Leopard-Gazing Tube early and read out the card effect of One Qi Through the Ages: "...When the opponent does not have a fighter with higher attack power on the field, fighter cards that use this card to increase attack power will not be affected by the effects of other cards."

"The duel among Ascended Ones is a duel of 'strength.' Without the support of 'strength,' even the strongest mechanisms and effects are meaningless." Chu Hengkong pointed with one finger, "Chenjun Swordsman attacks the Dreamer. Heavenly Spear!"

Swordsman Chen Jun tossed his longsword into the air and unleashed a punch as sharp as a spear. The lightning-fast strike pierced the arena, shattering both the demon card and the warrior who controlled it!

“Ua ...

The tenacious demon's life points instantly dropped to zero. Its form blurred and dissipated in the wind of willpower, transforming into a card bearing a demon's image. That card automatically returned to Chu Hengkong's hand.

“You can announce it now,” the assassin said, looking at Gutaf. “Announcing my victory!”

Gutaf's fat face turned ashen, and he unconsciously plucked out a whisker.

"...The first duel is over." He said reluctantly, "The victor is Chu Hengkong of Huilong City!"

Instantly, thunderous applause erupted from the arena! The general audience, witnessing an attack power thirteen times stronger than before, spontaneously rose to their feet, clapping with awe and excitement! "Amazing!" "The Dragon Village Martial Artist is too strong!" "I need to learn the Dragon Village Fist Technique!!" "Demon decks are simply no good!"

Gutaf's supporters screamed in protest. "This isn't what we wanted to see!" "This is awful!" "I spent 400 Green Branches on the Demon Card!" "Are you idiots?!" "CMN, give us our money back!"

Before just one duel, the crowd was overwhelmingly in favor of the demon's supporters. But now the situation has completely reversed, because those engrossed in entertainment have no concept of "stance." They chase victory, a sense of superiority, and uniqueness—the pleasure derived from entertainment, embellished with various words. This fragile pleasure can be easily reversed with just one win or loss, something Gutaff himself knows all too well.

Gutafgaba crushed the microphone in his hand, but the Demon of Indulgence remained calm. It picked up the microphone, ready to regain control with a rap. But then the spotlight shifted from the two demons to the gray rabbit and dragon dolls that had somehow appeared on stage.

Mr. Grey sang in an extremely irritating tone: "The capitalists over there are really angry. Their henchmen are beating people up too stupidly."

His calculated card manipulation was no match for the martial arts master's spirit. He wanted to go on stage himself, but dared not face the murderous aura directly!

Mr. Lan chuckled and replied, "Why not leave now? Otherwise you'll end up as a card."

Know that the world is ever-changing. If you lack ability, get out of the world of fame and fortune!

The two small animals hopped aside, and the spotlight shone directly on Chu Hengkong's head. He leisurely arranged his deck and chuckled, "What, scared to play?"

"What a sharp-tongued martial arts cultivator! Then we'll personally be your opponents!"

Gutaf leaped into the arena, his heavy weight causing it to tilt slightly. At the same time, the Demon of Obsession jumped to his side.

"The format has changed! There will be no third round; this round will decide the winner. The second match will be a two-player duel!" Gutaf grinned maliciously. "Furthermore, when someone's life points reach 0, they will turn into a card!"

Knowing that the martial arts practitioner was stronger, they planned to rely on the demons' cooperation to overpower him—this was blatant cheating. However, this competition was organized by the demons, and they could change the rules at any time.

"It's become a two-person duel," Kanin said excitedly. "Who's going to step up this time?"

Ji Huaisu had already jumped out of the audience and stood on the stage next to Chu Hengkong.

"It's rare for the two of us to perform together, partners."

"I've already learned this game. You haven't forgotten how to fight demons, have you?" Chu Hengkong raised an eyebrow.

"You laughed. But you should be careful not to crash again."

"Don't cry after you get turned into a card."

Ji Huaisu slapped him on the shoulder: "I'll say the same thing back to you!"

The duelist partners chatted and laughed, completely disregarding the demons. Gutaf's expression grew even more grim. "Enjoy your laughter while it lasts, you'll be crying later." The four duelists faced each other, their decks simultaneously inserted into the duel disk. "Duel!"

The final match of the underground duel begins!

"I'll go first!" Gutaf declared, seizing the initiative with his booming voice. "I activate Demon Sacrifice, sending a Demon card to the Graveyard and Special Summoning a Demon Fighter from my hand. I send Bottle Man to the Graveyard and Special Summon Contractor. At the same time, I activate Bottle Man's effect to Special Summon it."

"Bottleholder and Contractor can both be Special Summoned by sending three cards to the Graveyard, so I'll send six..." Gutaff sent six cards to the Graveyard without even looking, including four Fighters and two Spell Cards. "Then I'll send the two Entertainment Demons - Mutants and two Entertainment Demons - Lost Ones sent to the Graveyard, along with Bottleholder and Contractor on the field, into my Deck for a three-stage Upgrade Summon!"

Three summoning circles appeared simultaneously in Gutaf's arena... and then, three high-level demon warriors emerged from the circles!

The first one is a mermaid in a blue leather coat. Level 4, attack power 3200 points, a daydreamer summoned by the tenacious demon.

The second one is a scantily clad blue-haired man. Level 5, Attack Power 3700, Entertainment Demon - Madman.

And a terrifying behemoth whose head has completely transformed into a soft-bodied creature. Level 6, Attack Power 4000, Entertainment Demon - Mad Fusionist!

"When Mutants are used as upgrade materials, they can be used as two cards," Gutaff sneered. "You don't have any cards on the field, so you don't need to use the effect of the Addict to flick your hand... But I can kindly introduce the effects of the other two cards to you. The Madmaniac can prevent all its warriors from being destroyed by battle when there are two different high-level demon warriors on the field. And the Madmaniac Fusion, under the same conditions, can grant all its demon cards the ability to negate and destroy the activation of the opponent's warrior effects or spell effects once per turn!"

Gulibo's expression turned serious: "Oh no, it's Kangbo!"

Vande also asked solemnly, "What is Kangbo?"

"It refers to cards that can negate and destroy the effects of 'Fighter's Effects/Spell Cards'," Mr. Gray explained. "For example, in the last match, Detective Chu made a comeback by using the effect of 'One Thousand Autumns'. But if the Tenacious Demon has a counter-attack card on the field, it can negate and destroy the activation of 'One Thousand Autumns'... leaving him with no way to counterattack."

"Damn, they came at us with three Kang right off the bat!"

“Generally speaking, there are relatively strict conditions for the appearance of Kang, or a corresponding price to pay,” Gulibo said angrily. “An opening move that can easily produce three Kang is completely unbalanced. Using such cards in a duel is too despicable!”

Gutaf patted his belly triumphantly, but the spell wasn't over yet. He activated a new spell: "And then this one, Called by the Deep! I declare a card and banish it from my opponent's hand and deck if possible. And what I declare, of course, is, A Thousand Years of Qi!"

A phantom longsword spun around in the arena, pointing at Chu Hengkong. Then… three cards vanished from Chu Hengkong's hand!

Gutaf broke out in a sweat on the spot, and even the Demon of Indulgence couldn't hold back: "You... you got three copies of One Qi A Thousand Autumns right from the start?!"

"I always start with this in a fight," the assassin shook his head regretfully. "What a pity..."

How on earth is he planning to draw three of these in the first round? What method is he going to use to reduce his health to below 500 at the start? Seriously, he's not really planning to put three copies of "One Qi Forever" on a single fighter card, is he?!

A chilling aura ran through all the onlookers, including the two demon duelists. Gutaff took a deep breath and played three face-down cards in quick succession.

"Cover three cards, end turn."

"Calm down." The Demon of Addiction cast a steady gaze. "No matter what, we have the advantage in experience and cards."

"Ah, I know," Gutaf scratched his head anxiously. "It's just that I'm annoyed. Annoyed!"

It has ample reason to be anxious. The demon cards, the "no war" shield established by exploiting the rules of the Fifth Order, and the blatant provocations in the lower city are all bait to lure Fifth Order Captain Harley Roa into a trap.

The intelligence gathering was thorough; Halillow was the strongest duelist. Even if the other captains of the Divine Guard came, they would be utterly unable to win the duel without her personal intervention. And as long as Halillow participated in the duel, the plan would be a success. However, the carefully prepared stage encountered an unexpected obstacle: the very people of Dragon City who had fallen into the trap…

Damn ambition. He glared at ambition with resentment, while ambition elegantly raised its glass in insistence. The demon of indulgence was now directed at Ji Huaisu.

"According to the order of standing, you're next."

Of course, they wouldn't let that troublesome martial arts practitioner from Longxiang attack first. They would eliminate their hand during Ji Huaisu's turn, then launch a full-scale attack in the next turn, securing victory without giving Chu Hengkong a chance to make a move!

"Hehe, I didn't expect to be here first~"

...But why does this woman look so happy even though she was clearly tricked?

Ji Huaisu happily drew a card, grinning mischievously, "Your setup is quite organized, but unfortunately your combat strength is still a bit weak. Let me give you a powerful card!"

She slowly turned the card around. It had the gold border typical of legendary cards, and depicted a round, plump seal. Its level was 5, and its attack power was… 0!

"What?" Gutaf exclaimed in surprise, "Could it be...!"

"This card can be Upgraded and Summoned on your opponent's field using your fighters as materials." Ji Huaisu slammed down the card. "Upgrade and Summon using your three Demon Fighters as materials. Come forth, Legendary Fighter - Fat Seal!"

"No no no no no no no no no no no—!"

Gutaff cried out in terror, but it was too late to stop it. His Conan ability could prevent the effects from activating, but it couldn't stop his own fighter from being used as summoning material!

A huge shadow loomed over the dueling arena as an enormous seal descended from the sky and crashed onto its ground, instantly flattening the three powerful demon warriors into three paper-thin sheets!

"The chubby seal will deal 1000 damage to you every round~" Ji Huaisu snapped his fingers, "Go, Seal Strike!"

The seal shop owner, now magnified almost ten times, turned around with a goofy grin and let out a powerful burp.

"Mum~"

The screams of two demons echoed through the arena: "Don't come any closer!!!"

Entertainment Demon's HP: 4000 - 1000 = 3000

The Demon's health points: 4000 - 1000 = 3000

Chapter 305 Enjoying It (8)

No sooner said than done. A seal descended from the sky, sending all three demons to the 2D world. Not only that, its enormous body also took up the space occupied by the three demons... Now Gutaff only has two spaces left on the field!

“Because the Fat Seal is quite large, this card will take up three fighter slots,” Ji Huaisu added cheerfully.

"What the hell?! Why would they print such garbage cards?!" Gutaf angrily slammed his hand down.

Gulibo, who was watching from the sidelines, became nervous: "It will get angry if you are impolite to the store manager."

"So what if I swore? Trash! Fatty! Dead fat pig! Get out of my way!"

Before the words were even finished, the giant seal on the field took a deep breath, and its already enormous body grew even larger, like an airship, taking up a full four squares!

"Oh, I forgot to mention, the chubby seal gets even bigger when it gets angry," Ji Huaisu said. "If it fills up the fighter slots, it will start taking up spell slots..."

"No! Stop! Please don't get bigger! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!!" Gutaf screamed.

The seal, now twice its size, looked down with a majestic gaze. Gutaf apologized frantically, and only then did the seal relent. However, the occupied space wouldn't be given up! And since this dual duel shared the arena, the demon side only had one fighter space left to use.

Ji Huaisu hummed a little tune as she played her card: "Then let's continue~ Summon Glimmer Warrior, use its effect to equip Shadow Sword from the deck, and upgrade it to Summon Purifying Judge."

The Purifying Flame Judge, wielding a flaming greatsword, makes his appearance (Level 3, attack power increases by 1000 points to 3500 due to Glimmer becoming a material). Ji Huaisu waves his hand: "Draw one card based on the Shadow Sword's effect. Then battle! Purifying Flame Judge attacks the Great Seal!"

The Purifying Judge swung his sword at the seal, and Gutaf's expression was as if he'd swallowed a snake ball... He wanted nothing more than to tear the seal to shreds and devour it on the spot, but at this moment, he had to save the seal. Because the seal's attack power was 0 points; if it took this hit, he would be instantly eliminated. The Demon Addict could lose, but he couldn't.

"Activate the strategic spell, Temporary Demonic Interference." Gutaf opened the first face-down card, "The Purifying Fire Judge is possessed by a demon; its attack target has shifted to Ji Huaisu—"

A demonic phantom drifted toward the Judge, but Ji Huaisu swiftly struck down a spell card: "Don't even think about it! I activate my strategic spell, Elemental Conversion. Return one fighter on the field to the deck and summon a fighter of the same type."