For Zhongli, whether he stopped Hu Tao's [Mystical Space Typhoon] or let her destroy one Set card, the result was about the same.
MST's purpose was to destroy cards anyway—even if negated, it would just be a one-for-one trade.
Zhongli still had two Sets on his field.
Hu Tao's MST could only take one, so she hesitated—if she hit a useless one, it would be a waste!
After a moment's thought, she chose the left one. Activating MST, she laughed brightly:
"I'll destroy your left Set!!"
"Let this hurricane sweep the field clean~"
A blue whirlwind burst forth from Hu Tao's card, racing toward Zhongli's left Set.
This time, Zhongli did not respond.
The storm struck, and the card flipped face-up—
It was [Magic Cylinder]!
Two purple cylinders, aligned top and bottom, each marked with a large blue "?", holding unknown power within.
A magic tool crafted by a legendary Dark Magician, able to absorb all attacks and reflect them back—used for defense against enemies.
[Magic Cylinder] (Trap Card)
This card acted like recoil damage—the attack the opponent dealt would be turned back on them.
If Hu Tao summoned a 4500 ATK King of the Skull Servants and attacked Zhongli and Zhongli flipped [Magic Cylinder]...
The duel could have ended right there—Hu Tao would be struck down by her own monster, utterly devastated.
She had seen Zhongli pull this card before, and had worried about it.
Regardless, now, she had blown it away with MST!
Seeing the card, Hu Tao laughed with glee:
"I'm heartbroken, consultant!"
"To think you'd use such a cruel Trap... against me!"
"But~"
"Good thing I kept a backup. Otherwise, if you'd sprung it on me, I'd have been finished for sure~"
With Zhongli's Set destroyed, the crowd understood immediately.
"No wonder Zhongli spent 2000 LP protecting it with Solemn Judgment!"
"That card was perfect against Hall Master Hu, hahaha!"
"When she fought the shopkeeper yesterday..."
"She summoned a 4500 ATK King of the Skull Servants in just two turns!"
"I haven't seen a stronger monster yet!!"
"But if [Magic Cylinder] had reflected it, that would've been hilarious..."
Many in the audience had seen Hu Tao's Deck yesterday.
They knew she could bring out an extremely high-ATK King of the Skull Servants.
Right now, Duel Monsters had only just begun spreading in Liyue Harbor.
Most card combos weren't yet developed.
Anyhow, Hu Tao's Skull Servant + King combo was already well known—and many were trying to copy it.
Even so, without her Field Spell Wangsheng Funeral Parlor… Their Decks were nowhere near Hu Tao's strength.
"Looks like that was Zhongli's trump card!"
"Sigh, what a loss for him..."
"2000 LP plus Solemn Judgment, all just to protect [Magic Cylinder]—and now it's gone..."
With Zhongli's [Magic Cylinder]
Destroyed by Hu Tao's MST, everyone thought Hu Tao now had the win in hand.
She still had four cards unused, holding a huge advantage!
Zhongli, however, remained as calm as ever—no one could read him.
Hu Tao was overjoyed to have removed [Magic Cylinder], now she could attack without fear!
And her Deck never lacked for offense.
She pressed on, playing the Spell she had just drawn this turn: [Terraforming].
This card lets you search your Deck for a Field Spell and add it to your hand!
And Hu Tao's favorite card was none other than her Field Spell: [Wangsheng Funeral Parlor].
"Next, I'll get serious!"
"I activate the Spell!"
"[Terraforming]!"
"This card lets me add one Field Spell from my Deck to my hand!"
Just as Hu Tao played her Spell—the shop door opened. The arrival of a girl stunned the customers.
She had long purple hair tied into twin ponytails, styled into buns like cat ears or bamboo shoots.
Her violet eyes gleamed with resolve. A fitted violet outfit adorned with ornate gold patterns lent her an air of nobility. The skirt hem was trimmed with golden lace, matching her top.
Around her neck was a purple ribbon, a petal-shaped design on her chest, her slender legs clad in black stockings that showed graceful lines.
It was none other than Keqing, the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing!
Her appearance immediately set the shop abuzz.
"Whoa!"
"Isn't that Lady Yuheng herself?!"
"She came here too!"
"Could it be... Lady Keqing has come to duel as well?"
...
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