As Hu Tao finished speaking, Qiqi's body began to emit a piercing blue light, illuminating the entire Duel Stage. Her Vision released the power of Cryo, and the temperature of the Duel Stage plummeted.
Fortunately, Xiangling had Guoba by her side, and the warmth radiating from him kept her comfortable.
After about three seconds, Qiqi seemed to have finished charging up.
"Ah!" With a sharp cry, a blue ring spread out from Qiqi's body. When it touched [Zombie Master], he was instantly frozen into an ice sculpture. Qiqi herself was encased in golden amber. The ring continued outward—nothing happened when it touched [Breaker the Magical Warrior] or [Culinary Apprentice]. Near [Demon God of the Stove – Marchosius], the ring vanished.
But when it touched the five [Lost Ghostlings], they too were frozen solid.
The frozen [Zombie Master] and five [Lost Ghostlings] shattered into fragments, while the amber-encased Qiqi was sent to the Graveyard.
"[Bubu Pharmacy Sword Saint LV3]'s effect! Send [Bubu Pharmacy Sword Saint LV3] to the Graveyard! Destroy all Level 4 or lower Zombie monsters on the field! For each destroyed, gain 300 Life Points. At the next Standby Phase, Special Summon [Bubu Pharmacy Sword Saint LV7] from your Deck or hand!"
Qiqi's effect resolved successfully. Five Zombies besides herself were destroyed and sent to the Graveyard. Hu Tao regained 1500 LP, raising her Life Points from a perilous 200 up to a steadier 1700. She was no longer on the brink of defeat.
"Next! I activate the effect of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor~ I send [Ox-Head Oni] and [Spirit Reaper] to the Graveyard!"
With her preparations complete, Hu Tao crouched down, then leapt into the air.
"Hu Tao can jump three meters high that's about three Xiao tall skr—!"
Some spectators, hearing such irreverent words, scolded her loudly. "Show respect to the Adeptus!" But Hu Tao, still airborne, paid them no mind, grinning as she continued:
"Now comes the final ripple of this Hall Master!!"
She struck rapper-like poses with her hands. "Yo! Yo, yo~!"
Still a Xiao's height above the ground, she shouted:
"I activate the Spell Card! [Peachbranch Fire Scales]!"
A stage materialized on Hu Tao's field, and she landed steadily upon it, beginning her performance:
"I am the voice unmatched across heaven and earth! Though the world knows me not, within my heart lies the universe yo! Coiled dragon, crouching tiger, envy and shame Zhang San and Li Si, in debt and pain~ With nothing gained, there is no fear—yo! yo!"
At that moment, all the monsters in Hu Tao's Graveyard—and Xiangling's as well—became her audience. Listening to Hu Tao's song, they ignited. Not just metaphorically, but literally, bursting into flames. The longer she sang, the stronger their flames grew. The spectators clapped and cheered in rhythm.
As the current Hall Master of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and a popular figure in Liyue Harbor, Hu Tao had always showcased her talents at the Lantern Rite in recent years—whether it was skits, songs, or rap, she could do it all. So when she began performing here, the crowd wasn't surprised; they clapped naturally in time.
"She really deserves to be called Master Hu!"
"I wonder what she'll do for the Lantern Rite this year?!"
"I can't wait to see it!"
"It's only two or three days until the Lantern Rite!"
"Yes, I'm so looking forward to it!"
Hearing the crowd's talk about Hu Tao's performance, Luya remembered—it was almost Lantern Rite. As one of Liyue's most important festivals, every year the night skies and seas above Liyue Harbor filled with countless lanterns, carrying people's wishes far into the distance. The festival resembled the Mid-Autumn Festival from Blue Star, celebrated under a full moon.
Luya thought to himself, how nice it would be if he could bring his grandfather here to Liyue Harbor, to watch the Lantern Rite and young people playing cards in the shop. Though old, his grandfather was still a devoted otaku, a veteran user of Bilibili for decades, a level 7 premium member, even spending his pension and savings on figures.
Now in Teyvat, Luya had no family around. How should he spend the Lantern Rite? With Hu Tao? Or with Keqing?
As Luya pondered, the system's voice rang in his mind:
"Ding! Optional side quest available!"
Looking at the system panel, he saw the task:
"The Lantern Rite of Liyue approaches. During the festival, host a Duel Tournament! The System Shop has opened—you may purchase items with Mora. Use them wisely to host a grand tournament! The more participants, the more magnificent the event—the higher the reward rating. After the Lantern Rite ends, you will be rewarded according to the rating."
After reading the system prompt, Luya no longer hesitated. Since he'd be free during Lantern Rite anyway, hosting a tournament would be easy—and completing it would earn rewards. If the rewards were good, great; if not, no loss. To him, it was like completing a simple daily task.
He had often hosted tournaments with his grandfather back when they ran a card shop, so arranging one now was no trouble at all. He just needed to begin promotion over the next few days.
Luya glanced around—Hu Tao, Xiangling, Keqing battling Seto Kaiba at the game machine, Feiyun Commerce Guild's second young master, exorcist Chongyun in the screening room, and Xiao, who would surely bring materials back by nightfall. Xiao reminded him of the travel frog game: sent out each day to gather materials, which Luya used to make cards, before giving Xiao a few cards, he needed to go out again.
By now, Luya's shop had earned fame in all walks of life in Liyue—funeral, culinary, commercial, political, even adeptal. Hosting a tournament would surely draw many.
Hu Tao's performance neared its end. As her song concluded, the monsters on stage burned to ash in the flames erupting beneath them.
"[Peachbranch Fire Scales]'s effect activates! Banish all monsters in both Graveyards. For each banished, inflict 200 damage to both players. If the banished monster is a Zombie, inflict double damage!"
In Hu Tao's Graveyard were [Zombie Master], [Goblin Zombie], [Bubu Pharmacy Sword Saint LV3], [Lost Ghostling], [Ox-Head Oni], [Spirit Reaper], and five more [Lost Ghostlings]—eleven monsters total, all Zombies. Each would deal 400 damage. In Xiangling's Graveyard was only [Flamvell Firedog]. Altogether, Hu Tao's effect would inflict 4600 damage.
But Hu Tao had only 1700 LP, and Xiangling only 2400. The result would be a draw.
"Whoa… is this going to end in a tie?!"
"A draw's not bad!"
"Master Hu's self-sacrificial [Peachbranch Fire Scales] is amazing…"
"Shame her Life Points won't hold. So close to a comeback."
"The Stove God really is incredible. 5400 ATK and immune to all effects…"
"Still, Master Hu did amazingly well!"
As the damage from [Peachbranch Fire Scales] began to resolve, flames engulfed both Hu Tao's Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and Xiangling's Guili Plains. The fire swept toward both duelists without discrimination. Hu Tao only smiled, shook her head, and revealed her final card.
"This duel ends here! The victory belongs to this Hall Master~!"
...
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