It Was Time to Reveal the Final Trump Card

The Four-School Joint Examination entered its second day.

In the stands, Principal Tang looked at the troubled Principal Xie and could not help saying, "Old Xie, that's enough. In previous years, you and I always swept the bottom rankings. This time, your school made it into the second round, and you're still not satisfied?"

Principal Wu beside him could not help adding, "Hey, there's no shame in losing to Jiānián. After all, he's a genius who made a Gold Card on his very first attempt at card creation."

As he spoke, Principal Wu secretly rejoiced. Fortunately, Shanghai University Affiliated High School had produced a Lin Jiānián this year. Otherwise, Shanghai City No. 1 High School would really have pulled off a steal.

"Brother Luo, Sister Jiang and I should go first this time."

In the arena, Lin Yue spoke to Lu Su with a serious expression.

In his view, even if the two of them could only wear down Yaksha a little, it would still be worthwhile.

Lu Su naturally understood what Lin Yue meant. After thinking for a moment, he agreed to Lin Yue's suggestion.

After all, a trump card was only a trump card before it was revealed. This was a Card Master duel, not a fight to the death. It would be best if Kaneki did not have to take the field.

But if Kaneki truly had to fight, Lu Su would not hesitate in the slightest.

After all, the secret realm they could enter by winning was simply too tempting for a student like Lu Su, who had no background.

As Lin Yue stepped into the arena, Lin Jiānián, who had long been standing at the edge of the field, flashed an odd look in his eyes. "Trying to use a relay battle to drain Yaksha's stamina?"

"Unfortunately, it's pointless."

Lin Jiānián was merely a little showy, not an idiot. Naturally, he could see through Lu Su's group's arrangement.

At the referee's signal, the Minotaur and Yaksha appeared in the arena at the same time.

Lin Yue did not waste any words. He knew the gap between himself and Lin Jiānián, so he immediately commanded the Minotaur to attack Yaksha.

But unfortunately, the Minotaur could barely hold out even against Purple Quality Tsugikuni Yoriichi, let alone Gold Quality Yaksha.

Yaksha's trident easily pierced through the Minotaur's chest, sending it back into Lin Yue's mind.

Seeing this, Lin Yue's expression darkened. "I couldn't even secure the slightest advantage for Brother Luo?"

At that moment, Jiang Nanxi walked up beside Lin Yue and said softly, "Leave the rest to me. Go get some rest first."

As soon as she finished speaking, the armored Three-Tailed Fox appeared in the arena.

As always, the Three-Tailed Fox opened with an illusion.

Unfortunately, it seemed to have little effect against Yaksha, which was one quality tier above it.

Jiang Nanxi sighed softly. She knew her Three-Tailed Fox's weakness well. It was fine for crushing weaker opponents, but against cards of the same quality, it was utterly helpless.

But there was no point saying that now.

What mattered most was creating a big enough advantage for Lu Su.

While Jiang Nanxi was lost in thought, the Three-Tailed Fox had already launched the first attack.

Its claws gleamed coldly as they seemed about to reach Yaksha's body.

Under Jiang Nanxi's hopeful gaze, streams of water surged over Yaksha's body, forming a suit of azure armor.

"This is!" Jiang Nanxi's pupils suddenly shrank. This was clearly Yaksha's water-controlling ability that she and Lu Su had speculated about yesterday.

Obviously, the Three-Tailed Fox could not tear through Yaksha's armor. In exchange, it was pierced straight through by Yaksha.

Jiang Nanxi walked off the stage with a bitter smile. "Sorry, Lu Su. It seems Lin Yue and I didn't cause him any trouble at all."

As she spoke, Jiang Nanxi could not help feeling dejected. Ever since she was little, Jiang Wang had treated her like a precious jewel, afraid she would be hurt if held in his hands and afraid she would melt if kept in his mouth.

But ever since entering the advanced class at Shanghai City No. 1 High School, she had suffered setback after setback.

Just as she sank into self-doubt, a calm voice entered her ears. "It's fine, because..."

"I'm the strongest."

It was noon. Jiang Nanxi turned her head and saw golden sunlight spilling over Lu Su's body, so bright that she could barely keep her eyes open.

Lu Su was so arrogant.

The same thought she had during the ranking test surfaced in Jiang Nanxi's mind again.

Arriving beside the dueling station, Lu Su summoned Tsugikuni Yoriichi.

Seeing Tsugikuni Yoriichi, Lin Jiānián raised an eyebrow. "Those two were just setting the stage for you, weren't they?"

Lin Jiānián had also watched yesterday's second match, so he naturally knew that the strongest among Shanghai City No. 1 High School's three contestants was the person before him.

But unfortunately, his opponent was him.

At the sound of the whistle, Tsugikuni Yoriichi instantly activated his markings and vanished from where he stood.

However, Lin Jiānián had already noticed yesterday that Tsugikuni Yoriichi had methods that could barely touch the threshold of Gold Quality.

Without needing his command, rapidly spinning streams of water had already appeared around Yaksha.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The Three Treasures Pearl worn by Tsugikuni Yoriichi, who had already reached Yaksha's side, shattered instantly.

The Three Treasures Pearl's weakness was naturally its fear of dense attacks.

Lin Jiānián had achieved it by accident, unintentionally breaking through the Three Treasures Pearl's defenses.

The sharp streams of water instantly sliced through Tsugikuni Yoriichi's clothing, carving bloody wounds across his body.

But Tsugikuni Yoriichi ignored the intense pain coursing through him and unleashed his strongest killing move from the very start.

Blazing flames rose from his blade as it slashed fiercely toward Yaksha.

Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!

The sound of flames being extinguished spread throughout the arena.

The gap in quality, the elemental restraint—Tsugikuni Yoriichi ultimately failed to kill Yaksha, leaving only a scorched wound on its body.

Yaksha's trident brutally pierced through Tsugikuni Yoriichi. Then, with a great swing, it flung him away.

Cough! Tsugikuni Yoriichi, sprawled on the ground, spat out a mouthful of blood.

"To have achieved this much, you've already done very well." Lin Jiānián spoke to Lu Su with a solemn expression.

Ever since Yaksha had been created, it had never suffered a defeat. It had never even been injured.

In Lin Jiānián's eyes, the fact that the person before him could harm Yaksha was already enough for him to be proud of.

A dark-blue water pillar followed the direction of Yaksha's trident and blasted fiercely toward Tsugikuni Yoriichi.

Boom!

Broken stones flew everywhere, and smoke filled the arena.

At that moment, Principal Wu in the stands was almost unable to suppress his smile. He patted Principal Xie on the shoulder and said, "Old Xie, the little student from your school is pretty good too. Too bad he ran into Jiānián. Hahaha!"

Principal Xie's face was as black as charcoal. He ignored Principal Wu.

Principal Tang beside him looked at him sympathetically. Old Xie really was unlucky. Lu Su's performance would have been more than enough to win the championship in any previous year.

What a pity.

"Strange, why hasn't the referee announced the result yet?" Just as the three principals each had their own thoughts, Ma Liang, President of the Ning'an District Card Master Association, suddenly spoke in puzzlement.

In the arena, Lin Jiānián had already raised both hands, waiting for the referee to announce the result. But when he saw Lu Su's calm face, a sense of foreboding suddenly rose in his heart.

The smoke in the arena slowly dispersed. Tsugikuni Yoriichi, who had been lying on the ground, had long since disappeared. In his place stood a white-haired youth with one crimson eye.

What drew everyone's attention, however, was the centipede-like tentacle extending from the white-haired youth's tailbone, along with four sharp, tail-like tentacles.

As the crisp sound of the white-haired youth bending his index finger rang out, Lu Su's emotionless voice spread across the entire venue.

"Now, it's the second round."