As Hu Tao successfully activated [Harpie's Feather Duster],
Zhongli closed his eyes, smiled faintly, and prepared to reveal his Set card.
At that moment, Hu Tao leapt into the air, feather duster in hand, and swung it with force toward Zhongli's backrow!
A storm infused with elemental energy and ether burst forth, a white-green tempest racing toward Zhongli with irresistible might.
The spectators—especially those who had placed bets—all held their breath, eyes locked on Zhongli's hand, waiting to see what card he would flip.
"I activate [Solemn Judgment]."
"In the name of the gods."
"I negate the activation of [Harpie's Feather Duster]."
Though his voice was calm, in that moment Zhongli radiated divine authority, like a god of judgment himself.
The instant his words fell,
A thick white mist appeared over Zhongli's field, as though descending from another world.
The fog spread wide,
Concealing all within.
When it cleared…
An elderly priest with white hair had descended!
Though aged, his countenance carried a transcendent divinity that inspired reverence. At his side stood two golden-haired angels, radiant and solemn.
Together, the three manifested on Zhongli's field.
The priest suddenly raised his hand and waved toward Hu Tao—Her [Harpie's Feather Duster] vanished instantly.
Even the exorcising storm she had summoned dissipated at once.
"Whoa!"
"Mr. Zhongli had that hidden all along!"
"Hahaha!!!"
"Brilliant!"
"What a domineering effect—[Solemn Judgment] can negate an opponent's Spell Card!?"
"Tch, don't celebrate too soon. It's powerful, yes—but it comes with a terrible price..."
"Gods are no benevolent saints..."
"To summon such power, one must pay the price, as surely as a binding contract..."
Those who knew [Solemn Judgment]'s effect clearly recognized it, having pulled the card themselves.
[Solemn Judgment]
In short, with Solemn Judgment, whether it's a Spell, Trap, Normal Summon, Flip Summon, or Special Summon—It can all be negated and destroyed!!!
Still...
Such great power demands a great price.
When the god intervenes, the user of [Solemn Judgment] must surrender half their Life Points.
Though Zhongli himself was a god, in this game he still had to pay the price.
The spectators paled as they realized it:
"That cost... for Zhongli at full Life Points..."
"It's steep..."
"Brutal card, but... so strong!"
The priest waved again—
This time, striking Zhongli himself.
Zhongli felt a sharp pain, but remained steady as stone.
With that second judgment, Zhongli lost 2000 Life Points, leaving him with 2000!
However, his two other face-downs remained safe.
The onlookers began speculating:
"What exactly did Mr. Zhongli set?!"
"Worth paying 2000 Life Points to protect?"
"No idea!"
"Keep watching... it must be something worth such a costly contract."
In this duel, paying 2000 LP was fair for Zhongli.
As the God of Contracts, he upheld conditions strictly—even trading his own Gnosis away.
Albeit for now, his self-staged "rite of parting" had yet to begin, and his Gnosis remained untraded.
The activation of Solemn Judgment left Hu Tao stunned twice over.
First, it negated her [Harpie's Feather Duster], shocking her.
Then, it instantly cost Zhongli half his LP—leaving him at just 2000 before Hu Tao had even attacked!
"Consultant~ what kind of play is this?!"
"I haven't even started attacking..."
"And you're already nearly finished!"
Hu Tao glanced at her hand—she was confident...
She could finish Zhongli in one turn!
So long as his two remaining face-downs didn't spring a nasty surprise.
She played her next card!
"I activate!"
"Spell Card [Mystical Space Typhoon]!"
"Destroy one Spell or Trap on your opponent's field!"
The moment Luya saw it, he burst out laughing.
"Hahaha!"
"So Hall Master Hu plays MST too~"
Hu Tao grinned:
"This moment, this scene, deserves a poem!"
"Ahem~"
"Typhoon, typhoon, power untold—smash the consultant, none can oppose!"
Luya clapped in delight:
"Wonderful verse, Hall Master~ Go, go!"
Zhongli only sighed and shook his head.
[Mystical Space Typhoon]—its effect was plain and devastating: destroy one Spell/Trap on the field.
During yesterday's duel between Hu Tao and Luya, he had used it too.
So everyone already knew its effect.
As Hu Tao's words fell, the crowd grew restless.
"Whoa!"
"Hall Master Hu is playing it so safe!?"
"Again!?"
"If this destroys another, Zhongli will be down to just one face-down..."
"And only one face-down monster and one card in hand."
"Damn, is it too late to switch my bet to Hu Tao..."
The audience was starting to worry for Zhongli... because no matter what, one of his Set cards was about to be blown away.
...
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