What… what does Lord Eternal King mean by that?
The moment these words fell, Bai Lingtian and the others turned pale.
Of course, they understood what the Eternal King and the Silver Princess implied—
They simply didn't want to understand.
Even though the Zeng family had never been on good terms with them, they still didn't want to understand.
"It means exactly what it sounds like."
The Eternal King glanced at Bai Lingtian and the other clan heads—he didn't bother explaining more.
Anyone capable of leading a clan wasn't an idiot.
He knew the three simply wanted confirmation.
Their expressions immediately turned corpse-white—
especially Bai Lingtian.
As a former top-10 clan in the entire country—
although that was very long ago—
He understood the cruelty of this world better than most.
Organizations like the Duel Association and the Inspectorate Bureau…
They didn't even need Dark Duels to decide someone's life or death through a Duel.
Now, with them arriving and saying this—
They were openly stating that, between Hang City's strongest family, the Zeng family, and Youye,
The Duel Association and Inspectorate Bureau had chosen Youye.
If the Zeng family could be discarded, then what about weaker families like theirs?
Of course, the same could happen to them.
And realizing this, all three clan heads began to tremble with fear.
Inside the Duel Room, the match was nearing its end.
Youye summoned Horned Dragon—and with four giant monsters overwhelming the field, Billmu was executed cleanly.
With his victory, Youye obtained the Horus archetype.
And in addition to Horus, he also received the Galaxy-Eyes Photon archetype—
Billmu's field themes were now all transferred to Youye.
There were also a few extra cards, including Phantasmal Wing Synchro Dragon and Desire Dragon.
Billmu clearly intended to bring them out at the end—
…but he had forgotten his own self-restriction effect, making them impossible to summon.
Not that it mattered.
What mattered was that Youye now had Desire Dragon,
giving his Wheelchair Tearlaments deck another card—
even if it was clunky and had terrible self-mill synergy.
Blame the archetype—
Its main-deck cards were far too few.
Its Spells and Traps were all limited to one.
Even the previous-life K-Company wasn't this vicious.
And what? "He has Naiad Mermaid in hand"?
Of course he does.
What's Tearlaments without Naiad Mermaid?
After briefly collecting the spoils, Youye was preparing to leave when—
The Silver Princess and the Eternal King stepped into the Duel Room with their entourage.
Both wore warm smiles as they looked at Youye.
The Silver Princess stepped forward and greeted him politely:
"You're welcome, hello. I am the Duelist walking the King's Path within the Duel Association—
title: Silver Princess.
My name is Zhao Jingqing.
I am once again inviting you to join the Duelist Association.
State your conditions—I will report them and help you get as much as possible."
"You must be from the Inspectorate Bureau then?"
Youye glanced at Zhao Jingqing in surprise, then turned to the Eternal King.
"That's correct.
I am a member of the Central Duel Inspection Bureau—
a Duelist walking the same King's Path as Zhao Jingqing.
My title is Eternal King, Tian Nan."
Tian Nan nodded, then added:
"Our offer is the same as the Association's.
Just state what you want.
If you join us, we will meet your demands."
"I'm sorry, but I have no intention of joining any faction or family.
If I ever did, of course, I would consider the Inspectorate or the Association first."
You rejected them without hesitation.
"As expected."
Neither looked surprised.
Through Wang Cheng and Luo Hao, they already knew Youye was unlikely to accept.
But refusing was one thing—
Someone of his talent was still a figure neither organization could simply give up on.
Hence their question.
"Tell me, Youye—
Have you ever witnessed a Duel between Heaven-Rank Duelists?"
Zhao Jingqing suddenly asked with a faint smile.
"No.
I've barely seen Earth-Rank Duelists."
Youye shook his head.
His recent encounters were his first contact with Earth-Rank Duelists—
Heaven-Rank? Impossible.
"No interest in watching one?" she teased.
"How? You and Eternal King are going to Duel each other?"
Youye's eyes lit up.
He had never seen Heaven-Rank Duelists fight.
What were their decks like?
How strong were they?
Besides—
Now that he'd fought Earth-Rank Duelists, it was only a matter of time before Heaven-Rank Duelists came for him.
Better to understand in advance.
"No. Not us." Zhao Jingqing smiled meaningfully.
"Because of you, we will duel with certain Heaven-Rank Duelists.
That is our main purpose for coming to Hang City."
"Because of me?
You mean—the Zeng family?
The Duel Association and Inspectorate Bureau are stepping in for me?"
You sounded genuinely surprised.
Both organizations were semi-official institutions tied to the Duel Rules.
From what he understood, they were always neutral.
Even if he had great potential, why would they intervene for him if he refused to join?
"It's not for you."
Tian Nan cut in, eyes filled with anger and killing intent.
"It's for all ordinary Duelists.
The Zeng family has gone too far—
bringing Dark Duels into a citywide tournament we organized.
This is a direct and severe violation.
So we and the Duel Association intend to make an example of them."
"How are you going to 'make an example'?"
You asked with amused curiosity.
"By erasing the Zeng family."
Tian Nan answered calmly.
Not a shred of hesitation.
"…That's barely acceptable."
Youye replied.
A trace of disappointment flashed across his face—
And everyone in the room saw it.
Zhao Jingqing and Tian Nan exchanged a deep look.
Bai Lingtian had been right—
You intended to wipe out every single member of the Zeng family.
He was still only Yellow-Rank…
Yet he was already thinking about exterminating a clan protected by Heaven-Rank Duelists.
What would he be like once he reached Earth Rank?
Or Heaven Rank?
Both Zhao Jingqing and Tian Nan—Duelists walking the King's Path—
felt a chill run down their spines.
Compared to them, the three clan heads were in total despair, huddled together, trembling.
What the hell were they even talking about!?
"Making an example"?
When did that phrase start meaning "completely erase a Heaven-Rank clan"!?
Usually, "make an example" meant fines, penalties, losing some resources—
not genocide!
And the crazy part was—
You looked disappointed it wasn't harsher.
And the worst part of all—
they were saying this right in front of them,
not even trying to hide it.
As if telling them:
"If your families ever step out of line—
You can expect the same result."
The three nearly fainted.
"Let's go.
Zeng Xu is close by—
most likely planning to capitalize on Youye's defeat,
become a Dark Duelist, then use merit to redeem himself.
Kill Youye and gain double benefits."
Tian Nan smirked at Youye.
"If you happened to lose to a Dark Duelist—
We might actually have agreed to his request."
"Oh?
Dark Duelists can threaten you now?"
You asked casually.
He wasn't offended—this was a matter of stance.
He understood.
"Of course." Zhao Jingqing nodded.
"Among Dark Duelists, not only are there Divine-Rank spirits backing them—
They already have their own King-Rank Duelists.
They are not as weak as you imagine."
"I see.
Consider my horizons broadened."
You didn't ask further.
Led by Zhao Jingqing and Tian Nan, the group exited the arena.
After only a few steps—
Zeng Xu appeared with Zeng Jie in tow.
His aged eyes stared at Youye first—
Then, it shifted to Zhao Jingqing and Tian Nan.
"Please… spare the Zeng family.
We are willing to surrender all our assets to the Duel Association and Inspectorate Bureau in exchange for survival."
With two King's Path Duelists arriving together,
Zeng Xu and Zeng Jie weren't stupid.
This was clearly the reckoning.
They couldn't resist—
They could only beg.
"You no longer have the right to decide anything for the Zeng family.
In fact—
from the moment we entered Hang City,
the Zeng family ceased to exist."
Tian Nan said coldly.
"I have served both organizations before…
For a mere Yellow-Rank Duelist,
even if he might one day reach the King's Path—
Do you really have to strike my clan down so ruthlessly?"
Zeng Xu frowned deeply, staring at Tian Nan.
How could a single Yellow-Rank Duelist outweigh a Heaven-Rank family
with multiple Heaven-Rank Duelists and a large number of Earth-Rank?
Zeng Xu couldn't comprehend it.
"Some things cannot be said directly.
The Duel Rules may not explicitly state them—
But they also do not forbid them.
I trust you understand."
Tian Nan's voice sounded in Zeng Xu's mind.
The Duel Rules?
Zeng Xu stared at Youye like he was a monster.
A Yellow-Rank Duelist—
Yet the Duel Association and Inspectorate Bureau were shielding him.
And even the Duel Rules seemed to favor him?
This had never happened before.
Family cheating in city tournaments—
even using Dark Duels—
normally resulted in fines, confiscation of resources, or forced service.
But extermination?
Absolutely unprecedented.
So why…?
After a long silence—
"…Very well.
Let this be my final battle."
Zeng Xu exhaled and stepped forward.
"I'll handle this." Zhao Jingqing said.
A phantom silver palace materialized instantly, enveloping everyone inside.
Tian Nan stepped back beside Youye, both watching the impending Duel.
"Heaven-Rank Duels cause physical destruction?"
You asked.
"Yes.
Monsters summoned by Heaven-Rank Duelists—
so long as their 'Vigor' is high enough—
can be treated as real spirits.
That's why Heaven-Rank Duels are forbidden in populated areas.
Earth-Rank, too, actually—they can also damage their surroundings."
Tian Nan explained patiently.
Then he looked at the sky where the Duel had begun, smiling faintly:
"Youye—do you know the greatest difference
between Heaven-Rank Duelists
and all Duelists below them?"
Youye thought for a moment, then shook his head.
Even Mening had only interacted with Earth-Ranks—
He knew nothing of Heaven-Ranks.
Tian Nan watched Zhao Jingqing and Zeng Xu's Duel unfolding—
and said softly:
"Watch closely."
Youye began watching.
First perplexed—
Then enlightened.
He realized—
He had underestimated Heaven-Rank Duelists.
Severely.
Especially those walking the King's Path.
(Author's Note: Don't worry, the Zeng family will be exterminated very soon.)