Chapter 118: Chapter 117: Never Had Such a Wonderful Opening
"Huh? Xu Tianzhi seems to be here for the Ranking Tournament? Who’s unlucky enough to encounter Xu Tianzhi in the Ranking Tournament."
The spectators noticed Xu Tianzhi engaging in conversation with the Exploration Bureau personnel and the referee, initially thinking he was here for the Promotion Tournament and gathered around to watch. The more they watched, the more off it seemed, and after asking around, they found out Xu Tianzhi was someone’s opponent in the Ranking Tournament.
"Don’t put it that way, reaching the fifth rank in the Ranking Tournament already makes you a master, right?"
"Yeah, that’s why I said they’re unlucky." The crowds were buzzing with discussions.
When some people recognized Shen Sui, things got even more interesting.
"Whoa! It’s the God of Age? No wonder Xu Tianzhi would lower himself to participate in the Ranking Tournament, he must be seeking to redeem his honor."
"God of Age? Who’s that?" Those who didn’t know Shen Sui were baffled.
Watching the lively discussion among the spectators below, Xu Tianzhi chuckled wryly and said:
"Sorry, seems I’ve dragged you into trouble."
Although Xu Tianzhi was keen to regain his standing, that was within the duel arena; privately, Xu Tianzhi remained very friendly.
"I originally planned to do some disguising," Xu Tianzhi said, "since now I seem to easily bring trouble to others. But my coach insisted I show up without disguise, saying it keeps the buzz going."
"That sounds less like your coach and more like your agent," Shen Sui quipped.
Xu Tianzhi shrugged his shoulders and said, "In a way, yes."
The trend of turning Life Card professional players into celebrities is sweeping the Life Card duel industry worldwide, something Huaxia cannot avoid.
Shen Sui actually dislikes this trend of celebrity-fying competitive players.
What I want to see is the duel, not the gossip of the dueling parties before and after the match.
"Alright, no more words, let’s begin." Xu Tianzhi activated his Dueling Device and said to Shen Sui, "Today’s duel is very important for you."
Shen Sui didn’t waste words either, and activated his Dueling Device.
"Duel! Start!"
As the referee’s voice fell, the initial move’s cards turned over, coming to Shen Sui’s side.
"My first move!" Shen Sui shouted, drawing five cards from his deck.
"I’m really curious, why would you choose to come to my Ranking Tournament right after winning the championship," Shen Sui curiously asked, "What if you lose again?"
"If I lose, then it proves losing to you wasn’t a fluke, but because you’re genuinely strong, right?" Xu Tianzhi smiled and said, "No one can say the champion of the Light of Light Duel Invitation Tournament is weak, can they?"
No matter what, crashing as an instructor during the dueling test was a stain Xu Tianzhi could never escape.
Xu Tianzhi’s idea was very simple, a fair and open duel witnessed by everyone with Shen Sui.
If he wins, he’ll redeem his honor.
If he loses, it shows Shen Sui is too strong; it wasn’t because he crashed while bullying novices.
Win or lose, either outcome is favorable for Xu Tianzhi.
Xu Tianzhi always has a laid-back attitude; if someone is truly stronger than him, he doesn’t mind being a stepping stone for them.
"Paying 1 Soul Point, I normally summon from my hand, [Alice’s Little Mare]." Shen Sui raised his hand and summoned the little mare.
"Activate the effect of Alice’s Little Mare."
Shen Sui drew a card from his deck.
Since this card is not [Magic Apprentice Alice], Shen Sui specially summoned Alice from his deck.
"Then!" Shen Sui waved his hand to showcase Alice’s various forms on the field.
"Wow!" Seeing Alice transform, the spectators below exclaimed.
Even Xu Tianzhi opposite was momentarily stunned.
Where did this guy get so many Soul Card forms?!
Magic Apprentice, Junior Mage, Arson Master, Red Lotus Fire, Ghost Cold Flame.
Flame Witch, Rebellious Witch, Enchanting Witch.
Counting Alice’s disguise, she now has eight forms.
"Oh my gosh! Am I seeing things? Does this Soul Card have eight forms?"
"Damn! What kind of divine card is this? Eight forms, even the world champion’s Soul Card might not have eight forms."
"Wait, is this the Ranking Tournament? A contestant in the Ranking Tournament bringing out a Soul Card with eight forms, what is this? A rare genius? Bright future ahead?"
"I initially thought Xu Tianzhi came here to bully novices, now I’m worried Xu Tianzhi might crash again. Oh, the opponent is God of Age? Then it’s fine, it’s not the first time he’s crashed."
One Soul Card with eight forms almost matches half an extra deck.
Remember, Alice is only at Rank Five now.
That’s the advantage of Soul Card Followers growing stronger.
More forms mean more possibilities in a duel.
And since Soul Card Followers cannot be turned into Forbidden Cards, it means you don’t have to worry about the Forbidden Card List limiting your deck’s strength.
For someone like Shen Sui, who enjoys spreading joy in duels, having an additional deck that won’t be banned is marvelous.
"Paying 5 Soul Points, I convert the form of my Soul Card Follower [Magic Apprentice Alice]!"
"Form Transformation! Enchanting Witch Hozerville!"
Alice’s figure began subtle changes with the form transformation.
The originally ragged robe turned into a refined Daylight Church Robe, which was borrowed from Oshana to disguise Alice as the Daylight Postman.
The effect of the Enchanting Witch is actually very simple, during the opponent’s Battle Phase, once per turn, as long as there are more than two followers on the opponent’s field, it can be activated; compare all the spirit values of the opponent’s followers, keep the one with the highest spirit value, and send the rest to the graveyard.
Shen Sui in the first turn switched Alice to the Enchanting Witch form primarily to establish first move suppression.
His current deck has too few Follower Cards, although first move has its advantages, the gained advantage isn’t significant, but once you play followers like the Enchanting Witch or Fairy Rose, the opponent will definitely be very uncomfortable.
Moreover, as long as there are two or more followers on the opponent’s field, the Enchanting Witch cannot be targeted for attacks or card effects.
This effect Shen Sui did not modify, fitting the Enchanting Witch form’s setting.
This card was introduced when Alice incited internal conflicts.
As long as there are more than two people on your side, I won’t be attacked, and you two must defeat each other before targeting me.
This card suits First Encounter Kill and is useful against reckless duelists who don’t check opponent card effects before the match.
As long as you don’t know the Enchanting Witch’s effect, once you enter the Battle Phase, it’s game over.
Shen Sui spent the remaining Soul Points and set three cards on his field.
"My turn ends," Shen Sui said to Xu Tianzhi.
He felt a bit unlucky not drawing Fairy Rose in the first turn; otherwise, one card could suppress Xu Tianzhi.