Everyone followed Zhongli's suggestion. They fanned out from Luya's card shop as the center, searching for participants wearing red gloves and carrying Duel Disks. Chongyun and Xingqiu worked together to look for targets.
Ganyu, Keqing, and Yanfei also formed a small team, while Hu Tao hummed a cheerful tune, standing atop Feiyun Slope and surveying from above, searching for opponents.
Zhongli wasn't in any rush, strolling unhurriedly as he looked for duels. In no time at all, open spaces big and small across Liyue Harbor were filled with projections of Duel Monsters. Participants were all wagering the Metal Stars on their hands. Shouts from the duelists echoed through the streets and alleys of Liyue Harbor.
"Duel!"
"My turn, I draw!"
"I activate [Pot of Greed] to draw two more cards..."
"I Tribute [Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress #1] and [Celtic Guardian] to Summon [Dark Magician]!"
"I activate the Trap Card [Bottomless Trap Hole]!"
"Entering the Battle Phase!"
"I activate a Spell Card..."
"..."
"I win! Hand over your Metal Star!!!"
...
With the first Lantern Rite Duel Tournament underway, many bystanders—who had never heard of Yu-Gi-Oh!—were shocked the moment they saw the Duel Monster projections. Cries rose up everywhere:
"Ah!"
"That... that's a monster, a monster!!!"
"Millelith! Millelith!!!"
"Wait—doesn't that look like Lady Keqing?!"
"How is Lady Keqing summoning monsters?!"
"Eh?!"
"Why are there creatures this cute, too?"
"What in the world is going on..."
"Why is Lady Ningguang also summoning monsters?!"
"What are those cards?"
"This is incredible!"
"It's like the monsters are coming out of the cards..."
Ningguang and Keqing were dueling with different participants at the same time. The Millelith nearby did not panic; instead, they calmed the people, explaining that it was a special event for the Lantern Rite. If anyone wished to take part, they could register at a place on Feiyun Slope called the [Duel Monsters Specialty Shop].
"What!"
"This is a tournament?!"
"I'm going!!"
"I need to sign up now—I want to fight Lady Ningguang!"
"+1!!!"
"+1!!!"
As duels sprang up everywhere, countless contestants began fighting over Metal Stars. Many who had never touched Yu-Gi-Oh! hurried to Luya's shop to sign up.
...
Keqing had long since recommended Yu-Gi-Oh! to Ningguang, even giving her the manga to read along with some card packs to open.
However, with the Lantern Rite approaching, Ningguang had been overwhelmed with duties. Though very interested in Duel Monsters, she hadn't personally visited Luya's shop, though she had certainly sent people to buy many card packs. She managed to assemble a Deck.
Fortunately, on the day of the Lantern Rite itself, Ningguang finished most of her obligations. She then joined the very first Lantern Rite Duel Tournament.
...
Ningguang, holder of the Tianquan seat of the Liyue Qixing, is renowned for her shrewd insight and unmatched eloquence. Even in commerce-driven Liyue Harbor, she stands as a peerless merchant. Everyone who meets Ningguang is impressed by her extraordinary intellect and unique methods.
She spent an enormous sum to collect vast quantities of floating stone to fashion a base, upon which she built the unprecedentedly magnificent Jade Chamber. Its stones hold aloft a palace of mirage in the sky, suspended above Liyue Harbor year-round. This palace, like Ningguang herself, is lofty and unfathomable—distant from the masses, yet effortlessly drawing every gaze.
When it comes to making money, Ningguang, like most, never thinks there's such a thing as "too much." The wealth she earns is not merely wealth, but the emblem of victory after victory.
Gentle and approachable with the common people, she treats her peers very differently. To her, the struggle of the marketplace is an irreplaceably thrilling game; each pouch of Mora that great merchants reluctantly yield makes her smile a fraction more.
The sight of the market bending to her will keeps her in good spirits every day.
With victory upon victory, the Liyue Qixing have grown ever more prosperous, and the whole of Liyue Harbor has flourished—bringing ever more opportunities and fortunes to Ningguang. Interests interlock into a perfect closed loop, and the Qixing are most satisfied with this chain.
But!
These Duel Monsters of Luya's appeared out of nowhere, and Ningguang immediately saw a colossal business opportunity.
After a period of study, she felt that Duel Monsters would surely sweep all of Teyvat—especially given its entertainment value, far outshining bird-walking or opera-listening. If developed properly, it could raise Liyue Harbor's economy to even greater heights!
Right now, Liyue's profits come mostly from trade. The entertainment industry is practically a blank slate. Inazuma at least has Yae Publishing House producing light novels that sweep across Teyvat, but Liyue is lacking. Now, with the advent of Duel Monsters, measured development could surely fill that void.
So... Ningguang was determined to research it no matter what. The best way to research it, of course, was to involve herself directly. Thus, Ningguang joined today's tournament. With both her and Keqing—two high-ranking members of the Liyue Qixing—giving Luya free publicity, more and more people in Liyue became fascinated by Duel Monsters.
The Liyue Qixing guide the future of Liyue, so the people believed that whatever Keqing and Ningguang were doing must be the right thing. Duel Monsters—this, too, was something they had to learn.
...
At this time, Luya sat in the shop, tidying up and occasionally adding materials to the Card Furnace. Most customers had gone outside, some to spectate, others to duel. The shop was not only quiet but also nearly empty.
Suddenly, a crowd entered.
"Shopkeeper!!"
"Where's the shopkeeper?!"
"I want to sign up!!"
"Me too, me too!"
"How do we join the tournament?"
Luya looked toward the door—mostly unfamiliar faces. Taking in the scene, he guessed what had happened. Many must have seen the street duels across Liyue Harbor and learned about his shop. Before this, even with Hu Tao's lively promotions, mere descriptions could never match the thrill of live duels on-site. So, although she had worked hard to spread the word around Feiyun Slope, not many had come.
But once the tournament began, live duels sprang up all over the streets. That atmosphere alone drew people in droves. Hence, the a wave of new customers coming to register on the spot.
Seeing so many new faces, Luya was delighted. He explained the entry requirements again—namely, a Duel Disk and a Deck. He also handed out a condensed rules sheet, streamlined by Zhongli. Even total beginners could get started in just one minute and quickly grasp the basics.
From this group alone, another 30 contestants joined the tournament! In one go, Luya sold 1,000 card packs and 50 Starter Decks. As that wave left, another arrived. New customers kept coming to register, and more and more people joined the tournament.
Watching the scene, Luya was overjoyed. The more people, the bigger the tournament's scale! The grander the scale, the richer the mission rewards for hosting the Lantern Rite Duel Tournament would be. Judging by this, Luya felt he was in for quite a haul!
Thanks to the tournament, the influx of new customers was surging. With these newcomers, Luya quickly sold many more card packs and Starter Decks. Even at the very start of the tournament, many came to buy Starter Decks.
Now, only just over 50 remained out of the original 500, and of the 5,500 card packs, only about 1,500 were left. Registered participants had reached 300. And the Duel Disks had sold out completely.
At a 10-to-1 advancement ratio, Luya estimated that about 30 people would make it to the finals. Anyone who reached the finals would receive 50 card packs from him as prizes. Conveniently, that left just over 1,500 packs—perfect for the rewards.
By now, Luya had sold 80 million Mora worth of card packs, 90 million from Starter Deck sales, and 50 million from Duel Disks. The day's Lantern Rite wasn't even over, and he already had 220 million Mora!
Adding in the evening sales settlement and the mission rewards for the Lantern Rite Duel Tournament, Luya did the math and grew thrilled—this Lantern Rite was pure profit.
...
By around 3 p.m., Hu Tao, Zhongli, Xingqiu, and others had already collected 10 Metal Stars. They returned to the shop. Hu Tao laughed and shouted:
"Hahaha! This Hall Master collected fifteen stars! Impressive, right?!"
Zhongli stroked his chin and nodded. "The Hall Master is indeed formidable... a paragon among duelists. I collected quite a few as well... some twenty-odd."
Hu Tao stomped the floor in a huff. "Hmph!"
Xingqiu and Chongyun each had exactly ten. Chongyun thanked Xingqiu sincerely:
"Thanks, Xingqiu! If not for you... I really wouldn't have gathered ten."
Xingqiu shook his head with a smile. "Just doing the chivalrous thing~ Besides, we're best friends!"
...
Hearing them, Luya thought: Why did they collect extras?! At this rate, there won't even be thirty finalists...
As the appointed 4 p.m. deadline arrived, one after another, those with ten Metal Stars returned to Luya's shop. Luya counted—there were twenty-four.
Just then, he looked up and saw a woman with long platinum hair. Her hair was pinned up with interwoven black-and-gold hairpins, forking at the back and hanging to her calves. Crimson tassels draped across her forehead, matching her eyes. Her arms were covered with black sleeves and golden finger guards; her broad cuffs fell naturally. A white scarf circled her neck; she wore a qipao in gold, white, and black, its hem like a bird's tail, a golden phoenix at the collar.
Ningguang... she had come too!
Luya checked the registration list—and indeed, Ningguang's name was there. No wonder business had surged today!
Seeing everyone present, Luya stepped before them and solemnly announced:
"The finals of the first [Lantern Cup] Duel Tournament—are about to begin!!! Anyone who has collected ten Metal Stars may receive 50 card packs! The top three of this tournament will receive special prizes!"
...
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