Chapter 398: Provoking the Champion
Chapter 398: Provoking the Champion
"An Elemental Hero?"
Xiang Hongye was equally surprised, but soon narrowed his eyes.
"I've been underestimated," he muttered.
The deliberate choice of his opponent's strongest deck, the Elemental Heroes, was a direct challenge to his dignity as a champion.
"Let the duel begin. Elemental Hero Phoenix Enforcer, attack 'Elemental Hero Skyedge'!" the Judge declared.
The Phoenix Enforcer flapped its wings and charged forward, its fiery fist piercing through Skyedge's chest and engulfing it in flames.
[Xiang Hongye: LP 4000 → 3700]
Hongye crossed his arms in front of him, swaying from the aftermath of the fiery attack.
"This pain..." he gritted his teeth.
Indeed, it was another Shadow Duel, reminiscent of that fateful night.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of his sister in the audience, her eyes filled with worry.
Xiang Hongye straightened his posture and flashed her a reassuring smile, signaling that he was alright.
"I activate a Trap Card, 'Hero Signal'!" Hongye announced, waving his hand to reveal his backrow. "When an Elemental Hero on your field is destroyed by battle, Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Elemental Hero from your hand or Deck!"
He drew from his Deck, swiftly pulling out a card.
"Come forth, Elemental Hero Wildman!"
A bulky hero with a green body, dressed like a caveman, appeared guided by the projection of the mark. He crouched, landing in front of Hongye, using his thick tree-like arms to block.
[Elemental Hero Wildman: ATK 0 / DEF 2000]
"Not bad," Judai commented. "A defense of 2000 might just be enough to withstand further attacks!"
"Then, I end my turn," the Judge slowly raised his hand. "'Guardian Sphinx' can switch to face-down Defense Position once per turn. I set 'Guardian Sphinx' in Defense Position."
The sphinx-like guardian returned to the face-down card, placed on the Judge's field, as if waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
"I'll also set one card face-down. End turn."
Hongye frowned. He remembered the effect of that card. Guardian Sphinx—when successfully flipped face-up, it returned all monsters on the opponent's field to the hand. It was an incredibly powerful effect.
If he didn't deal with that troublesome monster first, he would find himself at a significant disadvantage.
"My turn, draw!" Hongye declared. "During the Standby Phase, I activate the effect of 'Elemental Hero Wildman' on the field. Once per turn, during your Standby Phase, you can add 1 'Polymerization' Spell Card from your Deck or GY to your hand."
Hongye drew the searched card from his Deck.
"Then, I activate the Spell Card, 'Polymerization'!" Hongye played the searched card. "Fusion Summon! Merge 'Elemental Hero Ocean' from my hand with 'Elemental Hero Wildman' on the field!"
"Ocean combined with Forest," the Judge stated calmly. "Here it comes."
The forest and ocean converged into the fusion vortex, transforming into the embodiment of the third planet. A white giant stood tall, shaking the earth with each footstep.
[Elemental Hero Gaia: ATK 2500]
"The Planet Series, Earth."
The Judge looked up at the white giant, a smile of interest spreading across his face.
"Heh, this is getting interesting."
"Then, I activate the Spell Card, 'Legacy of a Hero'!" Hongye continued. "When there are 2 or more Elemental Heroes with 4 or more stars in your Graveyard, draw 3 cards from your Deck." (Original card)
Hongye drew three more cards.
"Gaia, attack the face-down 'Guardian Sphinx'! Earth Impact!" Hongye commanded.
As his words rang out, an unprecedented powerful gravity burst from Gaia, pulling the Judge's face-down monster and even the surrounding air toward the earth, as if chained by invisible restraints.
"Elemental Hero Phoenix Enforcer!"
"What?!" exclaimed Xiang Hongye in surprise.
Why is there a Phoenix Enforcer?!
"Trap Card, 'Allure of the Earthbound Spirit', allows you to change your opponent's target of attack," declared the Judge.
Indeed, the Trap Card had been flipped face-up on his backrow at some point. The surrounding ghosts and spirits altered Earthquake's attack trajectory, and a powerful punch slammed into Phoenix Enforcer.
[Elemental Hero Phoenix Enforcer: ATK 2100]
"Then, the effect of 'Elemental Hero Phoenix Enforcer'... But I assume that Xiang Hongye, an expert in Elemental Heroes, should be well aware of it," said the Judge.
Xiang Hongye gritted his teeth and said, "Phoenix Enforcer cannot be destroyed in battle, but you will still take the battle damage."
[Judge: LP 4000 → 3600]
It was a soul-stirring damage, but the whirlwind only ruffled his hair and clothes. The Judge didn't even blink, as if he couldn't feel this level of damage.
Hongye took a deep breath.
Even his ace monster, Earth, failed to work. Guardian Sphinx was successfully preserved by his opponent, and if it were to be flipped face-up next turn, it would be dangerous.
However, Xiang Hongye's eyes swept over his hand, and a smile appeared on his face.
There's still a way.
"I set three cards in the backrow. End turn." Xiang Hongye declared.
"Then it's my turn. Draw!" The Judge casually waved his hand.
"Guardian Sphinx is flipped summoned."
The lion-bodied and human-faced giant reappeared from the covered card, towering majestically on the field. A powerful energy burst forth from its massive body.
"When Guardian Sphinx is successfully flipped summoned, all monsters on your opponent's field are returned to their owner's hand," the Judge explained. "Earthquake, it's time for you to leave the field."
As expected, it came.
Xiang Hongye said in a deep voice, "Then I activate my face-down, Counter Trap, 'Ascending Horn of Heaven'! By tributing one monster on your field, negate and destroy the summon, special summon, or flip summon of your opponent's monster."
He pointed to his field. "I tribute 'Elemental Hero Earthquake'! The flip summon of Guardian Sphinx is negated and destroyed!"
Earthquake, as the tribute, transformed into a burning soul-like state, its body engulfed in golden flames as it rushed out! It hugged the Sphinx like a suicide bomber, burning brilliantly, and exploded along with the Sphinx, turning them both into smithereens.
"He finally got rid of that troublesome Sphinx," Judai said worriedly. "But at the cost of sacrificing Earthquake, Mr. Hongye's field is now empty."
The Judge also smiled lightly. "So that's how it is. Xiang Hongye, the champion, is determined to do whatever it takes. Well, it's a pity that in a duel, just like in most things in life, sheer determination alone won't change the outcome."
Now,
His expression turned even colder.
"It's time for you to truly understand the meaning of those words."
(End of Chapter)
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