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Xue Yuan staggered back, his Celestial Energy dropping by a total of 2150 points, leaving him with 2850. The audience erupted into an uproar.

"She hit him directly?! How?!"

"That [Spell Card], [Blossoming Requiem]. Doesn't it look like an ultimate move?!"

"It's only the first round, and the so-called genius has already lost close to half of his energy! This girl is something else! She's even better than the Shopkeeper!"

Xiao Ya placed her hands on her hips and proudly grinned at Xue Yuan. "Hehe! Not so easy, is it?"

The [Blossoming Requiem] was a [Spell Card] that dealt 50% damage of one of her opponent's Units on the field if a unit of hers successfully evaded an attack. The [Fiery Warhound] had 1300 so that's the additional 650 on top of 1000 that the [Sakura Mist Priestess dealt].

Lin Mo, who was watching from behind her, couldn't help but praise the young girl in his head. Her talent seemed to be blooming further through the game. To think that she was just a frail mortal girl a few days ago… his Celestial Providence truly gave the girl a great boon.

But then again, when he thought about how the girl successfully picked those poisonous mushrooms in the outskirts of the Abyssal Forest, she must've been filled with luck and armed with a skill.

Xue Yuan clenched his fists. His confident smirk was now strained as his pride took a hit.

He had expected this to be a simple match, yet the mechanics of this 'game' were proving to be far deeper than he initially thought.

Elder Shen Liang, watching from the sidelines, narrowed his eyes. "This isn't just some mindless game. Strategy, resource management, adaptability… It's a battlefield of its own. It's like commanding a whole battlefield."

"Shopkeeper Lin… I must admit, this so-called game is quite complex. It's not simply about brute force. Positioning, strategy, and timing. It truly mirrors a real battle, yet remains distinctively its own thing." He said that through voice transmission.

Lin Mo subtly nodded as he replied, "Of course, dear customer. [Celestial Duel] was designed to reward those with wits. A battle of the mind, if you will. This is a level field for everyone. One's talent in cultivation – I hope you don't get offended by this – which is actually determined by one's luck at birth doesn't really matter in this game."

"None taken, Shopkeeper. There is truth in your words. A prodigy shouldn't just be someone talented in cultivation, he must also be someone with a great mentality who can overcome any kind of situation," Elder Shen Liang gave him a long look before shifting his attention back to Xue Yuan, who was fuming.

Indeed, their Rising Sun Ocean Pavilion's prodigy seemed to be lacking in that department. And this… is an opportunity for Xue Yuan to be humbled by someone he's looking down on.

As the [Battle Phase] ended, the golden display shimmered indicating the start of the next round. Discover exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire

[Round 2: Setting Phase. Start!]

Xiao Ya wiggled her fingers at her opponent. "Aw, did the young master underestimate me? Should I go easy on you?"

Xue Yuan clenched his fists, "Tch. Don't get cocky just because you had one good turn! This duel isn't over!"

Soon, two new cards were drawn from their decks.

"Fine. I underestimated you. But don't think you can win that easily." Xue Yuan glanced at his new cards and smirked.

Xiao Ya stuck out her tongue. "Hmph! We'll see!" She also examined her new cards and her grin widened even more.

"I summon [Crimson Battle Monk]!"

A new figure emerged on the battlefield. A bald warrior dressed in deep-red robes as flames swirled around his fists. He was a Level 3 Unit that could clearly complement his remaining unit.

"Next, I activate the ability of my [Fiery Warhound]. Since it survived the last round and was enhanced by [Crimson Retribution], its attack power increases further!"

The warhound howled, its flames burning hotter, its form becoming more menacing.

"I also set one more Spell Card."

He smirked. "Let's see how long your tricks can last."

Xiao Ya placed her cards down with confidence. "I summon [Moonlit Petal Dancer]!"

A graceful woman appeared, her twin fans shimmering with moonlight and floral energy. Her movements were fluid, almost as if she were part of the wind itself.

"And I'll also set two Spell Cards."

She met Xue Yuan's glare with a wink. With three units in her field, she's confident enough to take down the bald monk and the dog of her opponent. "

The golden display flickered again.

[Round 2: Battle Phase. Start!]

Xue Yuan wasted no time. "No more running! [Fiery Warhound], attack [Sakura Mist Priestess] again!"

The warhound roared and lunged, its flames blazing fiercely, now even stronger than before.

Xiao Ya's smile remained as she raised her hand. "I don't need to run! Activate [Floral Mirage]!"

One of her [Spell Cards] activated once again as a glowing mist enveloped her priestess and just as the warhound was about to land its blow, the image of the priestess split into three, confusing the beast. It lunged at one only for it to disperse into cherry blossoms!

Xue Yuan's eyes widened. "Another illusion?! What the hell is that deck? Do you only know how to run?!"

Before he could react, Xiao Ya pointed forward. "And now, my turn! [Blossom Guardian], attack [Crimson Battle Monk]!"

The towering floral warrior raised its shield before charging forward, its heavy steps shaking the battlefield.

Xue Yuan's eyes flashed. "Hmph! You think you can take down a Level 3 Unit with your Level 2?"

"Why not?" Xiao Ya impishly replied as she activated the other [Spell Card], "[Verdant Strength]!"

A pulse of emerald energy surged around the [Blossom Guardian], intertwining with its floral armor. The once sluggish giant now moved with a newfound agility. Its vines tightened, making its shield radiate with more power.

The audience gasped at the turn of events..

"That's a power-up spell!"

"But it's just a Level 2 unit! Even with a buff, can it really take down a Level 3?"

With a mighty swing, the [Blossom Guardian] bashed its shield straight into the [Crimson Battle Monk]. The monk crossed his arms, flames bursting outward to counter the blow.

"Do you think I don't have something prepared?! Activate Spell Card [Crimson Counterstrike]!"

A wave of crimson energy burst from his Battle Monk, intercepting the guardian's charge. The energy rebounded, redirecting half of the damage back toward Xiao Ya's Celestial Energy!

[-650]

Xiao Ya's eyes widened as her Celestial Energy dropped for the first time.

"Whoa! That spell can reflect damage?!"

"So he's not going down without a fight after all!"

Xiao Ya winced but quickly regained her smile. "Not bad. But that's not going to save the life of your baldy!"

As the [Blossom Guardian] disappeared, the battlefield became consumed in a fiery explosion.

Then, the golden display above flickered. The attack of the [Blossom Guardian] still managed to connect to the [Crimson Battle Monk], destroying it but without a direct hit on Xue Yuan's Celestial Energy.

The crowd erupted into cheers and disbelief as the monk shattered into embers, leaving Xue Yuan's Celestial Energy reduced once again.

"What?! It actually won?!"

Xue Yuan's fists clenched. "[Verdant Strength] must have increased its attack power enough to destroy it… In the first place, it was supposed to die against my monk as well. Tch. I should've commanded it to dodge!"

Xiao Ya giggled, waggling her fingers playfully. "Aww, looks like your monk wasn't tough enough."

Xue Yuan growled, but before he could counter, Xiao Ya pointed at her second unit.

"[Sakura Mist Priestess], direct attack!"

The priestess, having gracefully evaded the [Fiery Warhound] yet again, now floated toward Xue Yuan. She raised her hands, the swirling sakura mist solidifying into a gleaming ethereal blade.

Xue Yuan raised his hand.

"Wait—"

Slash!

[-1000]

His Celestial Energy dropped to 1850.

The crowd exploded into cheers.

"She landed another direct hit?!"

"This girl is a monster! Xue Yuan can't touch her!"

"Wait, she still has another unit! Look!"

And sure enough, the [Moonlit Petal Dance] also arrived in front of Xue Yuan], its long legs hit him and his Celestial Energy went down further.

[-1100]

The betting stall buzzed as Zhou Rui smirked, his hands rapidly adjusting the odds. "Heh. Guess our 'genius' isn't looking so invincible anymore."

Elder Shen Liang stroked his beard with his eyes gleaming with intrigue. "So this is the true depth of this game… That young girl is great at commanding her units. If Shopkeeper is telling the truth about this being her first time playing, her talent is astonishing."

Meanwhile, Lin Mo sipped his tea, utterly relaxed.

Xiao Ya stretched her arms and tilted her head with a teasing smile. "Still think this game is all about brute strength, Young Master Xue?"

Xue Yuan trembled with frustration.

But despite his anger, he couldn't deny it. His cultivation was useless in this game. A mere Spirit Gathering Stage young girl had already reduced him to this state.

She still has two units on the field, meanwhile, his Fiery Warhound missed twice. Even if he managed to draw two more units to summon, he'd be done in by one direct attack of any of her units.

Will there be a miracle?

Apparently not.

Because as soon as the [Setting Phase] began, the two new cards he drew were both [Spell Cards] that wouldn't be able to turn the table for him.

"I admit defeat." Xue Yuan begrudgingly declared even before Xiao Ya could look at her new cards.