"Tails! I'll go first!"
"Draw!"
Chen Mo stared intently at the coin as it landed on the Duel Disk. When he confirmed that it was indeed the tail side, the sharpness in his eyes became even more intense.
Against an underworld-type Deck, seizing the first turn was already an advantage.
If the opponent were allowed to develop freely on the field, the pressure would only increase.
Chen Mo understood this very well, which was why he placed extreme importance on turn order.
"First, I activate the Spell Card [Terraforming] from my hand!"
"Add one Field Spell from my Deck to my hand."
"I add [Fire King Island] to my hand, and immediately activate the Field Spell [Fire King Island]!"
"Welcome… to the domain of the Fire Kings!"
Chen Mo slowly raised his head. His deep eyes revealed a burning fighting spirit.
He lifted the card in his hand and placed it into the Duel Disk.
In an instant, the entire Duel Arena transformed.
Green mountains surrounded a solitary island, waves crashing endlessly against its shores. At the center of the island, a towering volcano erupted violently, lava surging skyward.
The sheer scale and presence were comparable to [Lost World], Tyranno Hassleberry's iconic Field Spell.
"The Fire King… archetype?"
You Chen raised his gaze, pinched his chin, and fell into brief contemplation.
Seeing this reaction, Fang Qing in the audience couldn't help but slap his forehead, the corner of his mouth twitching.
"So he didn't even know until now? The opponent is running Fire Kings?"
"How careless is this guy about studying his opponents?"
"We've already had so many duels!"
Zhang Cuihua muttered beside him, unable to hold back.
"But this kid keeps winning nonstop. That's already abnormal."
"Why didn't I ever feel he was this strong before?"
It wasn't just them.
Even Chen Mo frowned slightly.
Could it be that You Chen had only just realized his Deck type?
Did this guy not research his opponents at all?
Or worse—
Did he simply not regard Chen Mo as a threat?
If that was the case, then it was nothing short of arrogance.
With that thought, Chen Mo's offense became even sharper.
Though usually quiet, once he entered a duel, he transformed into an overwhelmingly aggressive presence.
"Activate the effect of the Field Spell [Fire King Island]!"
"This effect can only be activated during my Main Phase."
"Destroy one monster in my hand, and add one 'Fire King' monster from my Deck to my hand!"
"I choose to destroy [Fire King High Avatar Garunix] in my hand!"
Chen Mo held the card between two fingers and slowly revealed it.
A deafening cry echoed across the arena.
The blazing phoenix exploded into flames and vanished into the Graveyard.
It appeared destroyed—
Yet it was merely waiting to rise again from the ashes.
Duoduo, Commentary:
"It's here! The Fire King Deck's signature mechanic is unfolding!"
"Endless destruction, revival, and searching—forming a continuous suppression loop!"
"This is the terrifying core of Ichigao High's strongest Deck!"
Mi Shuo, Commentary:
"This opening is almost perfect!"
"Honestly, I don't think You Chen has good odds this time."
"The Fire King Deck thrives on destruction, and Chen Mo has also teched in multiple Spell and Trap removal cards."
"Unless his hand completely bricks, You Chen is really in trouble."
Due to [Fire King Island], Chen Mo searched his Deck.
"I add [Fire King Beast Yaksha] to my hand!"
"Next, I chain the effect of [Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys]—no, correction—"
"Chain the effect of [True Fire King Phoenix] from my hand!"
"This effect can only be activated when a FIRE monster is destroyed by battle or card effect."
"Special Summon this card from my hand!"
Chen Mo's movements were smooth and uninterrupted, his tempo precise.
The oppressive rhythm of his setup began to take shape.
This single sequence assembled nearly everything he wanted.
Gasps echoed from the surrounding audience.
Many spectators felt that You Chen must have offended fate recently—running into Chen Mo at this moment seemed like divine punishment meant to end his winning streak.
You Chen's expression grew serious.
Compared to previous opponents—even other three-star duelists—Chen Mo's Deck was clearly more refined and powerful.
No wonder he had secured first place at No. 1 High School.
Whether it was Deck construction or personal skill, he was unquestionably strong.
This duel was shaping up to be unprecedentedly intense.
A crimson bird descended from the sky.
Its body was compact yet refined, with dark green pupils, a golden crest on its chest, and five flame-shaped tail feathers blazing behind it.
[True Fire King Phoenix]
FIRE Attribute ★1
Winged Beast
ATK 500 / DEF 200
"When this card is Normal or Special Summoned," Chen Mo declared,
"I add one 'Fire King' Spell or Trap from my Deck to my hand!"
He quickly searched out another card.
The flow of his plays was clean and relentless.
"And that's not all!"
"I still haven't used my Normal Summon this turn!"
"Now—step forward!"
"I Normal Summon [Fire King Beast Yaksha]!"
Chen Mo slammed the card onto the Duel Disk, a confident smile forming.
Crimson flames erupted.
From the fire emerged a fierce beast warrior wielding a blazing staff, its tiger-like face twisted with savagery.
[Fire King Beast Yaksha]
FIRE Attribute ★4
Beast-Warrior
ATK 1800 / DEF 200
"I set one card face-down!"
"My turn ends!"
Chen Mo concluded decisively.
Although it seemed like he had played many cards, he still retained three cards in hand.
On the field, there were already four cards present.
And once the phoenix in the Graveyard revived, that would make five.
The sheer resource advantage was terrifying.
You Chen lifted his gaze.
After a brief scan, he fully understood Chen Mo's opening formation.
"Alright…"
"Now it's finally my turn to really play Yu-Gi-Oh."
"Draw!"
You Chen placed two fingers atop his Deck and drew a card.
Just as he lifted it, Chen Mo calmly raised his hand.
"Wait!"
"The effect of [Fire King High Avatar Garunix] in the Graveyard activates!"
"When this card is destroyed by a card effect and sent to the Graveyard—"
"During the next Standby Phase, this card is Special Summoned from the Graveyard!"
"So, during your Standby Phase—"
"[Fire King High Avatar Garunix] returns to the field!"
"Descend!"
"Let the opponent kneel beneath your blazing wings!"
"Release your boundless fury!"
Chen Mo's voice rang out powerfully, his arm raised high, radiating an unmistakable, over-the-top duelist spirit.
If nothing else, his presence alone made it clear—
This was no ordinary opponent.
"KRAAAAAAA!"
Blazing flames surged from the Graveyard, forming a colossal pillar of fire!
From within the inferno, a massive silhouette spread its wings, casting shadows across the arena.
With a thunderous cry, the divine beast soared skyward, flames trailing behind it.
[Fire King High Avatar Garunix]
FIRE Attribute ★8
Winged Beast
ATK 2700 / DEF 1700
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