For Hu Tao, this stroll through Liyue Harbor truly turned into an unexpected harvest.
To stumble upon Luya's Duel Monsters Specialty Shop was nothing short of amazing.
From a single pack, she had pulled three adorable little [Skull Servants], one Rare [King of the Skull Servants], and most delightful of all, a Legend-rarity Field Spell [Wangsheng Funeral Parlor].
Though…
Hu Tao still only half-understood this Duel game.
Still!
She had full confidence that she could defeat all the future Duelists here, for after all, she was the first to pull a Legend card!
Hu Tao cradled the five cards in both hands, smiling brightly:
"You're all this Hall Master's little treasures now!"
"When we get back to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, I'll find a fine urn to keep you safe!"
"Hehe~"
While Hu Tao was still giddy…
Zhongli, with his vast knowledge and careful thought, had already pieced together the basics of the Duel game from Luya's simple explanation.
In his mind, he contemplated:
"Using monsters on the cards to fight on one's behalf. The strength of their Attack decides the outcome."
"Weak Skull Servants, but many together in the Graveyard…"
"Sacrificing themselves to empower the King of the Skull Servants… even standing against mighty dragons."
"And then, the Spell Card [Wangsheng Funeral Parlor] that could alter the field itself…"
To Zhongli, this Duel Monsters game felt much like waging war.
"Having monsters battle in place of humans—it is indeed interesting."
"Albeit, one thing may disappoint Hu Tao. The Blue-Eyes White Dragon… I must claim it."
Though Luya had not yet revealed the complete rules—
Zhongli was already devising a strategy.
Seeing Hu Tao beam with delight at her [Wangsheng Funeral Parlor], he too felt anticipation stirring within him.
The anticipation of clashing in such a Duel of monsters.
As a God of War, Zhongli finally had a new stage to display his might.
And as the God of Contracts, learning how to claim the Blue-Eyes White Dragon filled him with eager expectation for the Liyue Harbor Duel Tournament.
Compared to idle amusements… this promised far greater joy.
While Hu Tao laughed and Zhongli pondered, Luya's voice rang out:
"Hahaha, Master Hu, don't celebrate too soon. This Duel game is not as simple as you think!"
Hearing that, Hu Tao snapped back to her senses.
Zhongli too looked toward Luya, waiting to hear more of the rules.
Hu Tao blinked her plum-red eyes and hurried to Luya's side. Ever playful, she looked at him expectantly:
"Shopkeeper! Don't keep us in suspense~ Hurry and tell this Hall Master the rules!"
At her urging, Luya slowly took a Deck from his pocket.
This was the Starter Deck he had found in the warehouse when he first crossed over. It had no powerful single cards, just beginner staples of modest strength.
Cards you could also pull from the shop's boosters.
Looking at its composition, it was clearly made for newcomers to learn the basics.
No complicated Chains, no difficult effects—just solid, straightforward play.
The moment Hu Tao saw the stack of cards, her curiosity flared. Zhongli and the other citizens also watched with interest.
Hu Tao asked curiously, "Shopkeeper, why so many cards?! Isn't this just a game of Attack Points?!"
Luya chuckled and shook his head.
"Master Hu~ You can't start a Duel with only five cards."
Hu Tao pressed on, "Ten then? Is ten enough?!"
Luya adjusted her hat and waved the Deck before her.
"Ten isn't enough… You need at least forty!"
At his words, some ordinary Liyue citizens immediately grew anxious, feeling the strain on their wallets.
"What!?"
"Forty cards? That's at least 160,000 Mora!"
"Good grief…"
"One month's wages wouldn't even cover it…"
"Yeah… that's eight packs for a forty-card Deck—160,000 Mora…"
"My wife will kill me if I spend that much!"
"A bit pricey…"
"Buying one pack for fun is fine, but forty cards at once is rough."
While common folk hesitated over the cost, Hu Tao clearly was not among them. Grinning at Luya, she said:
"Shopkeeper, give me another 100 packs!!"
"I didn't bring much today, so take all of it!"
With that, Hu Tao slammed a 2 million Mora check from the Liyue Harbor Bank onto the counter.
"Just wait…"
"This Hall Master will build a forty-card Deck and Duel you! I'll show you the true strength of the current Master of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!"
...
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