Just like Ouyang Yanyan, Sheng Ning was utterly stunned.
She knew the Naturia archetype had two dominant bosses that could be terrifying under the right circumstances—but she'd never heard of a low-level Naturia monster being this absurdly strong.
"Any chains?" You Ye asked casually, not at all surprised by Ouyang Yanyan's blank expression.
He'd seen the same look before—from Mu Ning that afternoon during practice.
Even she hadn't understood his Naturia combos at first. So it was perfectly normal for Ouyang Yanyan to be confused now.
"No chain," she shook her head quickly.
"Then we resolve the chain," You Ye declared.
"Chain 5: Runick Flashing Fire destroys your Great Ignis; banish the top two cards of your Deck.
Chain 4: Camellia Special Summons Naturia Sunflower from the GY.
Chain 3: Camellia sends Sacred Tree of Naturia from Deck to GY."
He glanced up.
Ouyang Yanyan nodded—her Chain 2, Snake-Eye Little Blue, Special Summoned itself from the Spell & Trap Zone, instead of calling Flame Dragon.
It was a small but meaningful improvement.
You Ye gave a faint nod of approval.
She might still be inexperienced, but at least she understood that summoning a high-ATK monster wasn't always the answer.
She was starting to think about proper sequencing and board setup—even if it wouldn't change the outcome.
Chain 1: Runick Tricks resolved—banishing the top card of her Deck.
With the chain finished, You Ye immediately continued:
"I activated a Quick-Play Spell just now—so Runick Tricks triggers again!
Chain 2: Sacred Tree of Naturia activates in the GY, adding a Naturia card from my Deck to my hand!"
"I chain Chain 3, Little Blue's on-summon effect!" Ouyang Yanyan followed smoothly, already trying to calculate her next possible line.
But You Ye's grin widened.
"Then Chain 4: Sunflower's effect!
I tribute itself and another Naturia monster to negate and destroy a monster effect.
And since Camellia's second effect* is once per turn per name—
When a Naturia monster would be tributed, I can send the top two cards of my Deck to the GY instead."
Ouyang Yanyan froze.
At that moment, she realized she'd been completely and thoroughly checkmated.
She had no cards left to chain with—she could only watch as the entire chain resolved in You Ye's favor.
Resolution:
Chain 4: Sunflower's effect resolves—negating Little Blue and destroying it.
Chain 3: Little Blue's effect fizzles.
Chain 2: Sacred Tree of Naturia adds Blessing for Nature to You Ye's hand.
Chain 1: Runick Tricks banishes the top card of her Deck.
"Senior… the Naturia engine's this strong?" Ouyang Yanyan asked, genuinely puzzled.
"It generates advantage and has live interruptions.
Wasn't Naturia supposed to be a weak archetype?"
"The full Naturia deck is weak," You Ye replied calmly.
"But the engine—the small Naturia package—is powerful.
Remember this, Yanyan: some archetypes might look mediocre as a whole, but certain sub-engines within them can be incredibly strong."
He spoke almost offhandedly, knowing she'd take it to heart.
He had no plans to ever use pure Naturia himself—the main deck was just too clunky.
"The engine's strong, so you just use the engine…?" Ouyang Yanyan murmured, astonished.
She'd never thought about deck-building that way before.
To her, this idea felt revolutionary.
Sheng Ning, on the other hand, wasn't surprised at all.
She already knew—every time You Ye built a deck, it wasn't just a single archetype.
He always hybridized—blending two, three, sometimes even four engines seamlessly into one.
"Alright then, Senior," Ouyang Yanyan finally sighed. "I end my turn."
With Little Blue negated and destroyed, her field was dead. There was nothing left to do.
You Ye drew for a turn.
Ouyang Yanyan made no moves, so he immediately entered Main Phase 1.
"I tune the Level 4 Tuner Naturia Camellia with the Level 2 Naturia Sunflower—
Synchro Summon! Coral Dragon!"
"You summoned a monster!" Ouyang Yanyan said quickly.
"My Snake-Eye Shrine activates—Special Summon Snake-Eye Flame Dragon from my Spell & Trap Zone!"
She looked resigned—she knew full well You Ye still had that Blessing for Nature face-up, but as a Duelist, she couldn't just sit there and surrender.
And, as expected—
"I chain Chain 2—Blessing for Nature!" You Ye declared.
"Special Summon a Naturia monster from my hand or GY!"
No further chains.
Chain 2: Blessing for Nature Special Summoned Camellia from the GY.
Chain 1: Snake-Eye Shrine Special Summoned Flame Dragon.
The chain resolved, and You Ye smirked.
"You know what happens next—
Runick Tricks, Chain 1.
Camellia, Chain 2 and Chain 3."
Ouyang Yanyan: "...I really don't want to know."
Resolution:
Chain 3: Camellia Special Summoned Sunflower from GY.
Chain 2: Camellia sent Sacred Tree of Naturia to GY.
Chain 1: Runick Tricks banished the top card of Ouyang Yanyan's Deck.
"No chains left? Then I'll continue—
Sacred Tree of Naturia activates, adding another Camellia to my hand."
He played smoothly and fast.
"Now, Runick Destruction Storm—Special Summon Hugin the Runick Wings.
Runick Tricks banishes one more.
Then I tune the Level 6 Tuner Coral Dragon with the Level 4 Hugin—
Synchro Summon! Baronne de Fleur!"
As the elegant rose-golden knight appeared on the field,
You Ye used Runick Flashing Fire to destroy Flame Dragon,
then Fountain to shuffle two Spells back and draw two cards.
Ouyang Yanyan simply lowered her Duel Disk in silent defeat.
Using Flame Dragon's effect would be pointless anyway—
Sunflower and Baronne were both standing by to negate.
Finally, Baronne's effect was activated—destroying her Field Spell.
With her board completely dismantled, she sighed and skipped her next turn entirely.
She had no way to push through three active negates on the field.
When You Ye's turn came again,
he Normal Summoned another Camellia, filled the remaining attack points,
and cleanly OTK'd Ouyang Yanyan—ending the Duel.
When it was over, she looked up at him, eyes shining with excitement and anticipation.
Her instincts told her—whatever he said next would change her destiny.
Feeling her gaze, You Ye thought for a moment, then said quietly:
"The Duel Contract—we'll sign that later.
But first—remove Obelisk the Tormentor from your Main Deck.
Then, go and obtain the Diabellstar archetype.
Once you have it, come back and report to me.
If you can't… then go wherever you want."
"Understood!" she answered immediately, eyes burning with determination.
He hadn't refused—
which meant there was a place for her by his side.
As for his condition?
For a Duelist like her—blessed enough to once wield a God Card—it was nothing.
She had long since realized that Obelisk's power wasn't keeping up with the current era of dueling.
So she'd already started researching the other Egyptian Gods—but had never followed through.
Now that You Ye himself had told her to pursue Black Witch Diabellstar,
she didn't hesitate.
She'd contact the Diabellstar lineage immediately—
and within a day or two, she would master that archetype…
and become You Ye's servant!
Sheng Ning watched with envy.
She knew full well—
What youvalued wasn't Ouyang Yanyan as a person,
but the Snake-Eye archetype itself.
Those who were born with such powerful innate decks were destined to be noticed.
If it were possible, even she…
would gladly become his hound.
"Alright, let's go. It's closing time."
After wrapping up Ouyang Yanyan's matter and discussing shop renovations with Sheng Ning,
You Ye stretched and looked out at the setting sun.
It had been a long day—
time to clock out and grab a good meal with Mu Ning.
Neither Sheng Ning nor Ouyang Yanyan objected,
and the three of them followed him out of the store.
But just as they stepped outside, a luxury car pulled up to the curb.
The door opened—and Wu Ping stepped out, walking briskly toward You Ye.
She bowed respectfully.
"Please wait a moment, Senior You Ye.
My lady requests your presence tomorrow at the Bai Family estate.
The Sword Soul Spirit – Chengying wishes to meet you personally,
and the major clans of Zhejiang Province are hosting a young Duelist exchange meeting.
Would you be available tomorrow?