"Then it's my turn, draw a card."
Yugen drew a card and gestured at his Duel Disc.
"During the preparation phase of the turn, the effect of the Monster Card in my graveyard is activated again... but I think you haven't forgotten, have you?"
Saio snorted lightly.
"Yellow Springs Frog? A card that can be Special Summoned from the graveyard when there are no cards in the Magic Trap Zone."
"Correct."
Yugen revealed the card exiting the graveyard.
"Once again, Special Summon 'Yellow Springs Frog' in defense position from the graveyard."
The little frog with Angel's Wings hopped back onto the field, flapping its wings with a halo above its head, even landing with a bit of holy light effect.
But just as it landed, the holy light effect suddenly dimmed. The little frog let out a low grunt, flickering with dark red currents, as if it couldn't even stand steadily.
"What is this...?" Mizuchi noticed something was wrong.
"Hehe... hahaha! You haven't realized it yet, but your monster is now deeply entrenched in the Light's Domain. In this realm, all unnecessary power is not needed, only light, purifying everything and simplifying the world into purity!"
Saio waved his hand broadly, pulling a facial art expression.
"The effect of the Field Spell 'Light Barrier'! All monster effects on the field other than those with 'Secret Ceremony Power' in their name become null and void!" (Original effect)
Mizuchi: "!"
The Light Barrier, as hinted by its name, was spawned from the evil power possessed by Saio after being overtaken by the Light of Destruction, which was not part of the original Secret Ceremony Power deck.
But this effect is indeed powerful, directly becoming a unilateral "Skill Extraction" under the premise that you're using pure Secret Ceremony Power.
No wonder Saio said the Light Barrier makes everything simple and pure, as everyone turns into Mortal Bone, reverting to the most primitive Axe King slash-and-hack, isn't that pure?
Of course, even such a powerful animation effect has flaws. The Light Barrier must be rotated once during each of the holder's preparation phases, and if it turns to the opposite position, this field will immediately become a blank slate, and all effects will be nullified.
However, with Saio's power added, the failure probability is very low.
"Activate the Magic Card 'Angel's Charity'."
Yugen said.
"Draw three cards from the deck, then discard two cards from the hand."
Saio continued to chuckle.
"Struggle, strive as you might. But the power of light has been fully unleashed now, nothing you do will matter!"
Yugen ignored him and continued: "Normal Summon 'Wise Centaur Chiron'."
The Monster Card projected onto his field, and even before the monster appeared, the sound of hooves echoed. The centaur warrior clad in silver armor stepped out from the card, holding a Magic Staff shimmering with red light, with a gem-like tip.
[Wise Centaur Chiron, Attack Power 1800]
"Now, begin the battle."
Yugen directly entered the battle phase, pointing a sword straight at Saio's field Fool.
"Wise Centaur Chiron, attack 'Secret Ceremony Power 0 - The Fool'!"
Mizuchi held her breath.
Indeed, regardless of the opponent's defenses, it's necessary to test the Fool. At this time, Saio's 0 attack Fool that cannot switch to defense is the biggest flaw, posing a lethal threat to Saio, who only has 900 Life Points remaining.
If Wise Centaur Chiron hits it, the outcome is directly decided.
"Weak, too weak!"
Saio shouted.
"A predicted attack! Activate the Cover Card, Continuous Trap 'Soul Barrier'!"
The trap activated, a transparent barrier unfolded in front of the Fool, like a glass shield blocking ahead. Wise Centaur Chiron's blow exploded on the barrier, yet the defense remained unmoved, and the Fool was unscathed.
"As long as Soul Barrier exists and there's a monster on your field, all battle damage you receive becomes 0!"
Mizuchi was shocked: "As long as there's a monster... Oh no! The Fool..."
Saio laughed heartily.
"Right! Thanks to the Fool you gave me, it has now become the strongest shield! Indestructible, unaffected by an opponent's effects, and now doesn't even take battle damage. It's invincible!"
In this way, the Fool's biggest flaw was filled and instead became Saio's strongest shield. As long as the Fool isn't defeated, he can never take battle damage.
"I see, that is a bit troublesome."
Yugen said calmly.
"Then the battle phase ends. Wise Centaur Chiron's effect, once per turn, discard a Magic Card from the hand."
Yugen discarded one Magic card from his hand to the graveyard.
"Destroy any one Magic or Trap card on the opponent's field."
Saio laughed loudly.
"Are you out of your mind? I already told you." Saio exclaimed, "As long as 'Light Barrier' is on the field, all non-'Secret Ceremony Power' monster effects are nullified!"
"I know. But having the effect nullified doesn't mean it can't be activated."
Yugen smiled slightly.
"Next, I chain Wise Centaur Chiron's effect with the Speed Attack Magic 'Mysterious Chinese Pot' from my hand. Use 'Wise Centaur Chiron' on the field as a sacrifice to recover LP equal to Chiron's Attack Power."
A gigantic black pot appeared on the field, with a roaring fire burning beneath it. Wise Centaur Chiron brandished his Magic Staff, just about to unleash a destruction spell, but was engulfed by the pot, reduced to golden light dots, merging into Yugen's body.
[Yugen, LP 2300→ LP 4100]
"Recovered your Life Points?"
Saio's mind raced, suddenly realizing something.
No, this guy's real purpose isn't that. This is...
"The Light Barrier can nullify all monster effects on the field." Yugen said, "Though Wise Centaur Chiron's effect was activated on the field, during effect processing, it was sacrificed by the Mysterious Chinese Pot to the graveyard, not on the field, thus escaping the effect of the Light's Domain, free from the barrier's restrictions.
The effect of Wise Centaur Chiron can be properly processed and take effect."
Saio's facial art once again twitched, his exaggerated expression as if eyes were shaking in legend.
"You dare, you dare..."
"Yes, I dare, and I'm going to do it now." Yugen said, "Destroy the Field Spell 'Light Barrier'."
The parting spell of Wise Centaur Chiron, barely exiting the field, managed to strike the gigantic barrier before disappearing.
The Light Barrier could confine everything on the field, but not the already departed spirit. The blasting spell shattered the barrier, breaking it like glass into pieces clattering to the ground.
It seemed that not only a layer of duel barrier collapsed, but even Saio's aura and strength seemed to weaken a notch the instant the barrier shattered.
Apparently, the field also played an essential role in enhancing his Power of Light.
"Very well... very well, Duel King."
Saio continued his facial art.
"You are genuinely starting to anger me now."