Seeing you in person really proves the rumors right. Senior, you truly are straightforward."
"Well then, I'll be direct too. What do you think of our Ye Family's archetype—ABC? How strong is it, really?"
Since You Ye had already exposed his intention, Ye Bufan didn't feel embarrassed. Instead, he smiled and asked openly.
But the moment he asked, everyone from the Ye Family—Ye Lingling included—fixed their eyes on You Ye, waiting for his answer.
Everyone present understood. Asking about the deck's strength was just an excuse.
What Ye Bufan was truly asking was:
"Can ABC take us further? Does our family still have a future?"
"It can't. It's a toy deck. In terms of pure power, it's even weaker than Blue-Eyes. The only advantage is that it breaks less. I'm sure you've already felt that yourselves."
Noticing their tense gazes, You Ye thought briefly, then gave his answer.
ABC had been meta roughly ten years before he transmigrated (around 2016).
But its era was short-lived. When Zoodiac and True King—one super-tier meta, one top-tier—entered the scene, ABC disappeared from the competitive landscape.
Although ABC resurfaced the following year, the rule changes pushed it down again.
Later on?
In modern terms, ABC was just a casual deck. And not even a strong casual deck.
Forget competing with meta decks—even brand-new archetypes that couldn't crack top-cut would outpower ABC purely through systemic strength.
Silence fell among the Ye family.
They'd already felt the decline for centuries—no Heaven Rank duelists appearing, fewer Earth Rank duelists emerging…
Hearing You Ye confirm it so bluntly hit harder than expected.
To them, it sounded like he had just announced:
"Your family line is on death row."
And silence was the correct response to such news.
After a long moment, Ye Bufan finally spoke again.
"I want to ask… what about Virtual World?"
He looked at You Ye with flickering eyes. After glancing at the people behind him, he seemed to make a decision and asked earnestly.
"Virtual World? My personal judgment:
It can absolutely enter today's competitive tier—and not just barely. If you manage to obtain the support cards, especially the Rank 6 powerhouse—Constellar Ptolemy M7—then even Heaven Rank duelists walking the main path would fall to you."
Hearing the name "Virtual World," You Ye was slightly surprised. He had expected Ye Bufan to mention Dogmatika instead.
Virtual World, though…
That was one of the iconic archetypes of Yu-Gi-Oh 1.0. It topped the charts in 2020, and even as Yu-Gi-Oh approached the 2.0 era, it only slowly slipped from the meta, becoming a gatekeeper.
When YGO 3.0 dropped, it finally fell from the competitive range.
But even at the end of 3.0, specialists still topped events with Virtual World, even beating Tearlaments' meta variants.
That alone proved the system itself hadn't become obsolete.
"So strong? Stronger than Dogmatika?"
Ye Bufan's previously dim eyes were now shining with hope.
Everyone else showed the same reaction.
As for what "Five Great Exceeds" meant—none of them cared right now.
The only thing that mattered was the archetype.
A Heaven Rank archetype could elevate their family by an entire tier.
"The system and synergy are better than Dogmatika.
But against certain specific decks, Dogmatika performs better."
You, Ye, answered calmly, noticing their rising hope, and didn't ask why they were interested in Virtual World even though their family didn't possess it.
Everyone here was smart.
If they asked, that meant—
They already had a way to obtain the archetype.
And even make it their family's exclusive field.
"Haaaah…"
Ye Bufan exhaled deeply.
For hundreds of years, he had been carrying the weight of a slowly dying clan.
ABC only grew weaker.
They had no new archetypes.
They finally stumbled upon Dogmatika…
Then found out the Dogmatika spirits were all lunatics—sadistic, temperamental, utterly impossible to establish a long-term contract with.
There was no way that archetype could become a family field.
But perhaps out of mercy, Heaven gave the Ye family a chance.
A year before last, a spirit from the Spirit Realm appeared in their territory.
At first, they tried to defeat him and seize his archetype…
But they soon discovered:
Not only was the spirit's archetype new, but his power was absurd.
From Yellow Rank to Heaven Rank, every single Ye family duelist lost.
Unable to defeat him to obtain his cards, they changed tactics—
They secretly kept him, pampered him, and gave him whatever he wanted.
Their relationship eventually grew good enough that the spirit promised:
"If anyone from the Ye family—or their chosen helper—defeats me, I will allow Virtual World to become your family's archetype."
But the problem?
No one could defeat him.
Hiring outside help?
Enforcement Bureau and Duel Association duelists refused.
Asking other families?
That would expose the archetype prematurely.
For two years, they tried to contact lone Heaven Rank duelists with clean reputations…
Every attempt failed.
Until You Ye appeared.
"You Ye, may I ask… would you help us?"
"As long as you do, our entire card vault will be open to you.
Take whatever you want.
No one in the Ye family will object."
Ye Bufan asked sincerely, then gave the best terms he could.
He wouldn't repeat the Teng family's mistake—treating a benefactor like a freeloader.
"Tell me the details first."
You Ye, didn't immediately agree.
"Of course. Senior, this way. The banquet is ready. We can talk while we walk."
Seeing that You Ye hadn't refused, relief washed over Ye Bufan again.
They entered the Ye family estate.Ye Family Banquet HallA golden-and-purple mechanical spirit—Lau Lau—sat at You Ye's left.
Munin sat at his right.
"You're the Virtual World spirit here? Lao Lao? Didn't you need to guard Virtual World City?"
"Heheheh~
Ever since all rules became duel-based, guarding is easier. I can skip a shift."
Lao Lao replied in a neutral voice, sounding unconcerned with the city's safety.
Then he looked at You Ye.
"Though I'm surprised to see you, I'm not surprised that Ye Bufan called you."
"Oh? Why?"
"Because, besides you, they have no one suitable.
Or rather—they can't find anyone suitable."
"You and Ye Bufan say the same thing."
"I've stayed with them for two years. Of course I know."
"So your answer is yes?"
"Of course. I also want to know whether your strength is really as ridiculous as the rumors say."
"Alright. After dinner?"
"No problem!"
The duel was agreed upon in a few casual exchanges.
Ye family members tried to hide their excitement—but failed.
If You Ye won, their next few centuries—or millennia—would be secured.
Ye Bufan even began signaling the kitchen to hurry.
Less time meant fewer unexpected problems.
As more dishes were brought out, You Ye turned to Ye Lingling.
"Lingling, summon Ecclesia."
"Now?" She tilted her head.
Inviting a spirit during a meal wasn't improper, but many spirits disliked human food. It could easily backfire.
"Mhm. Looks like you still don't know—Ecclesia is a glutton."
"…Huh!?"
Sure enough, she didn't know.
Within ten seconds, Ecclesia appeared.
Her eyes immediately locked onto the food… until she noticed You Ye.
"Uh… what should I call you…?"
She was extremely embarrassed.
Her identity was complicated—Cardian, Dogmatika, and Swordsoul had all claimed her at some point.
The spirits agreed not to publicly acknowledge her multiple identities.
But Swordsoul spirits had already formally pledged loyalty to You Ye.
So… what should she do?
"You can call me whatever you like.
And you don't need to become my servant like the Swordsoul spirits did."
He smiled.
She exhaled in relief.
"Thank you for understanding, my lord."
"Add another seat beside Munin."
Ye Bufan instructed quickly.
"Thank you for the meal."
Ecclesia bowed politely.
And as You Ye continued to show casual authority, her curiosity toward him grew deeper.An Hour Later — Ye Family Duel RoomEcclesia still gnawed on a turkey leg as the duel began.
"You're really incredible, You Ye.
The duel rules boosted my bond to Heaven Rank strength—and even gave me extra cards."
"Even when I dueled Ye Bufan, I only got the Heaven Rank bond, never bonus cards."
Standing opposite You Ye, Lao Lao grinned.
Ye Bufan felt nervous.
He knew exactly how strong Heaven-Rank Lao Lao was.
And now he had extra cards?
"If the rules didn't restrict me, I'd yell at someone for stacking the odds against us…"
"This is fine," You Ye smiled.
"Otherwise, it'd be too boring."
Lao Lao's grin widened.Duel Start!You Ye (8000 LP)
vs
Virtual World Sage – Lao Lao (8000 LP)
Lao Lao chose to go first.Lao Lao's Turn 1He opened with a strong Virtual World combo.
You Ye, threw an Ash Blossom, Lao Lao countered with Called by the Grave, confirming that the extra card came from his "bond."
The combo extended:Charge Warrior drawLao Lao revive linesUltimaya TzolkinCrystal WingLevel manipulationsShen ShenThe works.A full board:Crystal Wing Synchro DragonFlor de BaronessVirtual World Kyubi – ShenshenTwo omni-negatesBanish interruptionsThe monster effect negatesA nightmare board.
Even Ecclesia stopped eating.
"Can you break it?" Lao Lao asked.
You, Ye, glanced at his four-card hand and smiled.
"Yes.
But not enough damage for lethal.
Lethal depends on my next draw."
"Oh?
Not surprised at all." Lao Lao nodded.
Ye Bufan exhaled a bit.
As long as they could win, that was enough.You Ye's Turn 1He drew.
Infinite Impermanence.
Not ideal timing… but usable.
He immediately targeted Shen Shen.
Lao Lao had no choice but to negotiate with the Baroness.
From there—
You Ye exploded:Fenrir special summonNormal Ash BlossomSynchro Borreload Savage Dragon (Flowers?)Siren effectsFish combosTearament linesWater Enchantress millsKaleido-Heart bounceCrystal Wing forced face-downUltimaya removedField cracked wide open"Battle!
My Flower attacks your face-down Crystal Wing!"
Crystal Wing exploded under cascades of petals.
"Kaleido-Heart attacks Ultimaya Tzolkin!"
HP drops:
Lao Lao: 8000 → 5000
Two cards set.
Turn end.
Lao Lao let out a breath of relief.
He survived.
And if he could draw a board-breaker… he could turn it around.Lao Lao's Turn 2He drew.
His eyes lit up.
"You Ye! Looks like this duel continues!"
"Oh? A board-wipe? Forbidden Droplet?"
"Yes! Droplet in hand—victory is mine!"
His excitement was overflowing.
Then—
You Ye, smiled.
"Have you considered… that even Forbidden Droplet might not save you?"
"…?"
Lao Lao froze.
You Ye tapped the facedown card he'd never used before in this world—
A Tearlament Counter Trap.
His smile widened.
Because this time… I set something even Droplet can't touch.Lao Lao: ???