Chapter 377: Even Greater Fusion (6k Request for Monthly Tickets)

"A Level-10 Fusion Monster?"

"And… it's a Fusion Monster summoned via Synchro Fusion."

"In the past, the Head always told us that Fusion embraces everything, accepts everything. Back then, I just listened as if it were true, never imagining I'd witness a Fusion Summon using Synchro Monsters…"

It was indeed surprising.

On the other side, the Spirits were cheering as well.

Their race of Spirits possessed the ability to simulate Fusion Materials and Fusion Monsters, so they often used all kinds of Fusion Monsters in Duel Ceremonies—but none of the Spirits present had ever seen this peculiar monster used by the Mud Dragon King.

"Attack power 3400? It's higher than Giant Plant, but during battle, Giant Plant can still fight even with 4500 attack points," Serena said, looking at the Fusion Monster without much surprise.

To be honest, she was getting used to it.

Traveling with her Master, she always saw all sorts of strange, powerful upper-level Monsters.

"If attack power isn't enough, just increase it," the Mud Dragon King raised his right hand. "Activate the Quick-Play Spell Card, Magic Acceleration: Send the top two cards from your Deck to the Graveyard, and target one card on your field that can have Magic Counters placed on it. Place up to two Magic Counters on that card."

"I choose the Overlord Magician."

Tiancheng Guang watched closely—what cards had been sent to the Graveyard from the Mud Dragon King's Deck? Though he hadn't seen clearly, he knew roughly what they were.

Overlord Magician, Magic Counters: 2 → 4.

Overlord Magician, ATK: 3400 → 5400.

"5400!?"

"Whoa…"

Floating around the Overlord Magician were magical orbs; it murmured incantations of profound mystery.

"Battle! Overlord Magician, attack Chimera the Giant Plant!"

"Chimera the Giant Plant's effect!"

Overlord Magician, ATK: 5400 → 4400.

Chimera the Giant Plant, ATK: 2500 → 3500.

"Still not enough!"

"Attack power is too high! Even higher than the Five Divine Dragons!"

The Magician swung his magic staff, aiming at the crown—a green ray shot out instantly, piercing the crown and turning it into scattered specks of light.

Tiancheng Guang LP: 4000 → 3100.

Tiancheng Guang shielded himself from the storm, pausing his movements gently.

"Battle phase ends. Activate Overlord Magician's effect: Once per turn, remove one Magic Counter to activate its effect. Either draw one card, or directly destroy one card on the field!"

"I choose to draw a card!"

"So strong!?"

"So it can at least destroy one card or draw one card?"

The Mud Dragon King glanced at Tiancheng Guang's field.

The Gunner—probably used as Fusion Material—but the cards in his hand couldn't guarantee survival through the next turn.

It pondered for a moment.

Should it stop the opponent's Fusion, or seek more defensive options?

This question didn't need thought—

It quickly snapped back to focus.

"Activate Overlord Magician's effect: Draw a card!"

Overlord Magician, Magic Counters: 4 → 3.

"Set two cards, end turn."

"So that's how it is? Then, my turn—Draw!"

"At this moment, the effect of Giant Plant, sent to the Graveyard by battle last turn, activates: When this card is sent to the Graveyard from the field, during the next Preparation Phase, add one Spell Card with 'Fusion' in its name from your Deck to your hand."

"Wow."

"Amazing effect."

"I add 'Substitution Fusion' to my hand from my Deck."

Tiancheng Guang looked at the card in his hand and smirked: "If that's the case, then I'll show you my own understanding too?"

He looked to his left: "Pay half my Life Points to activate this card—Foolish Burial."

"You can only activate one card with this name per turn. During the turn this card is activated, you cannot Set Spell or Trap Cards."

"Pay half your Life Points to send one Monster from your Extra Deck to the Graveyard."

"Oh?"

Tiancheng Guang LP: 3100 → 1550.

"I send the Old God Nuts from my Deck to the Graveyard!"

"The Old God!?" The Mud Dragon King exclaimed in shock—he seemed to recognize this Monster series.

"That's right—the Old God! Old God Nuts' Fusion Materials are a Synchro Monster and an Xyz Monster!"

The Mud Dragon King excitedly flapped its wings.

It actually—

It truly exists!

It hadn't felt this excited in a long time!

The last time was when it faced the power of a God and received divine power!

"Activate Old God Nuts' effect."

"When this card is sent to the Graveyard, you can target one card on the field; destroy that card! I destroy your left-side Set card!"

The card slowly flipped over, revealing its face.

Trap Card: Divine Judgment.

It seemed he had destroyed an excellent card.

"Normal Summon: DD Necro Shi Laimu."

A horned skull appeared before Tiancheng Guang; from within the skull, a red Shi Laimu crawled out.

DD Necro Shi Laimu, Level 1, Dark Attribute, Demon Type, ATK 300.

"Spell Card: Substitution Fusion—this card can Fusion Summon using Monsters on the field as materials!"

"I Fusion Summon using the two Monsters on my field."

Tiancheng Guang opened his arms; purple light slowly emerged behind him, forming a pair of massive wings composed of violet radiance.

Serena felt a slight thrill.

That Monster again!

"Fusion Condition: Two Dark Attribute Monsters on the field, excluding Tokens."

"O Wings of Fusion, now spread forth and embrace all 【Fusion】!"

"Fusion Summon—My Wings!"

"Level 8—"

"Ferocious Hunger Fusion Dragon!"

A strange yet beautiful dragon unfurled its purple wings, slowly and elegantly appearing behind Tiancheng Guang.

Ferocious Hunger Fusion Dragon, Level 8, Dark Attribute, Dragon Type, ATK 2800.

"Fusion… Dragon?" The Mud Dragon King was startled.

A Monster bearing the name "【Fusion】"!

Yu Beier, who had been observing secretly, was also slightly surprised upon seeing this Monster.

A Monster Card representing 【Fusion】?

And…

It could truly sense a faint trace of 【Cosmic Darkness】 emanating from this card.

Is this real?

"When this card is successfully Fusion Summoned, you can target one Special Summoned Monster on your opponent's field; increase this card's ATK by that amount until the end of the turn!

I choose—of course—the Gold Magician!"

"What?" The Mud Dragon King stopped flapping its wings, frozen in place.

So powerful?

"Universal Fusion!"

The wings spread wide, enveloping the Gold Magician, replicating its silhouette before absorbing it into itself.

Ferocious Hunger Fusion Dragon, ATK: 2800 → 7200.

"Attack power 7200!?"

"Even the Five Divine Dragons would bow before this!"

"Beautiful! If this attack lands, the Head wins!"

"Battle! Ferocious Hunger Fusion Dragon, attack Overlord Magician! Fusion Annihilation—"

"It's not that simple—I activate the Trap Card, Sacred Barrier—Mirror Force!"

"Ugh—"

"Why is it Mirror Force!?"

Tiancheng Guang smirked.

He could feel the resentment emanating from the Fusion Dragon.

It appeared twice: once it absorbed no attack, once it absorbed an attack but took no effect, then it collapsed.

The mirror reflected the Fusion Dragon's face; it angrily raised its claw and slammed it against the mirror.

"The monster effect of the Fusion Dragon activates when this Fusion Summoned monster is destroyed. Destroy all monsters on your opponent's field that were Special Summoned!"

A purple light enveloped the entire field; with a loud *thud*, the Magician also vanished from the Mud Dragon King's field.

"Hehehe, so it ended in total annihilation?" The Mud Dragon King laughed heartily, then waited for Tenjo Kou's next move.

Tenjo Kou stared at the cards in his hand.

"Activate the effect of Substitute Fusion: return one Fusion Monster from the graveyard to the deck, banish Substitute Fusion, and draw one card. I return the Fusion Dragon to the deck."

It's better not to let the Fusion Dragon stay in the graveyard any longer.

Tenjo Kou drew a card.

Good.

"Activate the Continuous Magic Card, Diffusion Fusion."

Because he activated the foolishly heavy Burial, he cannot set cards; if he ends his turn with nothing on the field, even with Vampire Princess in hand, he wouldn't feel secure.

"This card can send Fusion Materials from your deck to the graveyard to Fusion Summon one Gem-Knight that is not a Rock-Type. After this effect activates, until the end of this turn, you cannot Special Summon any monsters other than 【Gem-Knight】 from the Extra Deck."

"I send Gem-Knight Azure Jade and Gem-Knight Huang Bi from my deck to the graveyard, and Fusion Summon—Gem-Knight Lapis Lazuli!"

Gem-Knight Lapis Lazuli, Level 6, Earth Attribute, Water-Type, DEF 2600.

"Lapis Lazuli's effect activates when it is sent from the field to the graveyard: return one card on your opponent's field to their hand." The Mud Dragon King watched Lapis Lazuli on Tenjo Kou's field and nodded slightly.

"Indeed, as long as this card remains, no matter what I Summon, it will eventually return to the Extra Deck—this lets you survive this turn."

"But—that monster has a weakness, a weakness shared by every Fusion Monster!"

The Mud Dragon King whispered, while drawing a card from its deck. It glanced at the card, then shifted from its crawling posture to standing upright, finally taking flight.

"Tenjo Kou, you skillfully use Fusion tactics, evade Magic Cards like Fusion, and accept Xyz and Synchro as Fusion Materials—but if that's all you've got, you're not yet worthy to be my partner."

"I'd like to hear more," Tenjo Kou said, curious.

He wasn't boasting.

His current performance was so impressive that many Fusion-seeking monsters would chase after him backward; the Grand Cosmos Workshop had countless such spirits—but despite their similar ideals and behavior, the Mud Dragon King remained so harsh.

"Mud Dragon King, I'm truly curious: why, after exploring Fusion so deeply, are you still unwilling to leave?" Tenjo Kou called out in confusion. "Aren't you always seeking a partner?"

"It's simple: I still need to know just how *strong* you truly are—I've hidden in this cave and never left, not because I like it."

Oh?

"Normal Summon: Earthbound Prisoner, Land Warden."

Earthbound Prisoner, Land Warden, Level 1, Dark Attribute, Demon-Type, ATK 300.

"What?" Tenjo Kou was startled.

Could it be—

"When Land Warden is Normal or Special Summoned: you can Special Summon one 【Earthbound】 monster of Level 5 or lower from your deck or graveyard. After this effect activates, until the end of your next turn, you cannot Special Summon any monsters other than Fusion or Synchro Monsters."

"From my deck, I Special Summon Earthbound Prisoner, Line Walker!"

Earthbound Prisoner, Line Walker, Level 3, Dark Attribute, Demon-Type, ATK 800.

Two demons, their bodies marked with strange patterns and feet stepping on identical designs, slowly materialized from the mud.

Could he have actually seen this before!?

"Activate the Magic Card: Fusion!"

This was the Fusion card retrieved by the Swamp Demon King in the first turn.

"Fusion these two Earthbound monsters!"

"Let me see, human—do you possess the courage to face an ancient god!"

"Fusion Summon!"

"Level 8."

"Earthbound Restriction, Inked Octopus!"

Earthbound Restriction, Inked Octopus, Level 8, Dark Attribute, Demon-Type, ATK 2800.

An ancient aura swept through the entire cave; many spirits shrank back in fear. Hidden Yu Beier silently merged into the wall, watching in astonishment.

This ancient spirit must have been targeted by some demonic god—hence it mimics part of the demon's power?

Though not particularly strong, if it left carelessly, it might truly be hunted down by the demonic god.

Tenjo Kou stared at this Fusion Monster, stroking his chin curiously.

Though similar, Tenjo Kou could see traces of mud beneath the giant octopus's body—it was clearly a simulation created by the Mud Dragon King.

Pretty impressive.

Even Earthbound monsters can be simulated. A 7-star rating is far too low for this talent.

"Well? Do you have the courage to face a demonic god?"

"Of course I do—not only do I have it, I've faced more than one so-called 'demonic god'!" Tenjo Kou raised his fist before him. "No matter what entity it is, I won't fear it—I'll fight it with my Fusion!"

The Mud Dragon King stuck out its tongue but said nothing.

It wanted to see Tenjo Kou's actual performance.

"Activate the effect of Line Walker in the graveyard: when you control a 【Earthbound】 monster of Level 6 or higher, banish this card from the graveyard to target one Effect Monster Special Summoned from your Extra Deck. Return that targeted monster to the deck."

Lapis Lazuli struggled to rise, transformed into a gem, and flew back into Tenjo Kou's deck.

"After that, your opponent can Special Summon a monster with the same name from their own Extra Deck."

"Ah!" Upon hearing the Mud Dragon King's words, Shinkurabu immediately realized: "Lapis Lazuli cannot be Special Summoned from the Extra Deck except by Fusion!"

"So that's the weakness!"

"Battle: Inked Octopus, direct attack!"

"Wait! When you declare an attack, I Special Summon Vampire Princess in Defense Position!"

Vampire Princess, Level 5, Dark Attribute, Zombie-Type, DEF 2000.

"Vampire Princess—the noblewoman of the Vampire Empire? I didn't expect you to possess even her power—so, will you activate Vampire Princess's effect?"

Tenjo Kou fell silent for a moment.

If he activated Vampire Princess's effect now, he could pay 800 LP to directly block Inked Octopus's attack and preserve Vampire Princess for Fusion.

Whether fusing with Fusion Dragon or Netherworld Dragon, both would be excellent choices.

But—

No!

If he paid 800 LP, his Life Points would drop to 750.

At first glance, it seems harmless—but if he did this, he'd lose for sure!

"I won't activate Princess's effect."

"Then, tear it apart—"

Inked Octopus swung its tentacles like whips, striking Vampire Princess and instantly destroying her.

"End Phase."

"Strange—why didn't the boss preserve Vampire Princess?"

"Yeah, wouldn't Netherworld Dragon have won outright?" Several students from the Fusion Division were puzzled.

"Master must have a deep reason!" Serena trusted Tenjo Kou unconditionally.

"Your thoughts are correct. If you used a card like Union to fuse Vampire Princess into Netherworld Dragon, you could trigger Netherworld Dragon's effect to inflict 3000 damage." Tenjo Kou nodded slightly. "But that assumes you can activate the effect."

"My Draw Phase." Tenjo Kou glanced at his hand. "It seems I've won, Mud Dragon King."

The Mud Dragon King stared blankly at Tenjo Kou.

"Activate the Magic Card: Lei Long Fusion. Return Fusion Materials from your field, graveyard, or banished zone that are Lei-type Fusion Monsters to the deck, then perform one Fusion Summon."

"I return Huang Bi and Azure Jade from the graveyard to the deck, and Fusion Summon—Gem-Knight Light Prism!"

Captain Bai Jing of the Lei-Type, shining onto the field!

"Hehehe, Light Prism—I remember, this card can destroy an opponent's face-up card by discarding a Gem-Knight card, right?"

"You want to destroy Inked Octopus? It won't be that easy!"

"Inked Octopus's monster effect activates when a monster is Special Summoned from your opponent's Extra Deck. Destroy all monsters your opponent Special Summoned this turn. Inflict damage equal to 800 times the number of destroyed monsters!"

Light Prism had barely stepped onto the field when its body was entangled by tentacles, emitting faint cracking sounds before slowly shattering.

Tenjo Kou LP: 1550 → 750.

"What?"

"That was close—"

Several spectators gasped.

If Tenjo Kou had preserved Vampire Princess last turn, his Life Points would have reached zero!

"But now, the boss can Fusion Lapis Lazuli again!"

"But even if he fuses Lapis Lazuli, it's useless! Its ATK is only 1400—it can't attack directly!"

"Besides, if he fuses Lapis Lazuli, this turn he can only fuse Gem-Knights… but then he loses Light Prism!"

Shinkurabu's expression turned grave: "And… he can't even summon Lapis Lazuli and wait for the opponent's turn—if the Mud Dragon King passes, next turn, any monster the boss Fusion Summons will cost him all his Life Points!"

Serena finally nodded, anxiously cheering for her master: "So… the only way is to decide victory this turn! Master!"

"Go on, Master! Go on, Master!"

Tenjo Kou stared at the cards in his hand, paying no mind to his companions' chatter.

Although not the true body of a Groundbound God, this effect, though not a direct seal, indeed suppressed him.

While the Fusion Dragon could easily surpass its attack power, Tiancheng Guang found it difficult to gather enough materials on the field to Fusion Summon it.

If he relied only on the cards in his hand, overcoming this situation seems impossible…

But—

If you count the opponent's monsters, it's a different story.

"It's been a long time since I used this card… Activate Quick-Play Spell Card, Scrap Fusion!" Tiancheng Guang suddenly revealed a Fusion Spell, "This card can banish Fusion Materials from your opponent's graveyard to Fusion Summon one Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck or your opponent's."

"Scrap Fusion? But my graveyard monsters should be insufficient—"

"That's fine! Because I have them!"

"I banish your graveyard's Mud Dragon King Baby and Groundbound Prisoner Land Warden!"

"What? These two monsters—how can they fuse?" Mud Dragon King was startled, "Their only similarity is that they're both Tuners…"

"Exactly! That's precisely what I need!"

"Banish two Tuner monsters, Fusion Summon! Theseus, the Monster Dweller!"

A squid with a skull head slowly appeared on the field, carrying a small ship.

Theseus, the Monster Dweller, Level 5, Water Attribute, Undead, ATK 2200.

Seeing this monster, Mud Dragon King exhaled in relief: "Hmph, so it's you—but its ATK is only 2200."

"Mud Dragon King, this is why you cannot comprehend the true extent of my 【Fusion】."

!!!??

Mud Dragon King was suddenly startled.

Yes.

It had originally observed Tiancheng Guang with a critical gaze, yet it failed to perceive just how vast his Fusion truly was.

It could instantly recognize Shenleshan's talent for imitation, yet it failed to gauge Tiancheng Guang's depth.

Either Tiancheng Guang fundamentally misunderstands the essence of Fusion—or his Fusion power has far surpassed it!

Through this duel, it could see: Tiancheng Guang was certainly no stranger to Fusion. On the contrary, he accepted every kind of monster—Synchro, Xyz, all of them!

Like the Old Gods, like Theseus, the Monster Dweller!

In other words, what it could not see, what it feared… in Tiancheng Guang's eyes…

"Everything can be wrapped in Fusion, because Fusion embraces all."

"Fusion is the noblest method of Summoning—"

"Waaaah!!! The Director just said it—our Fusion Department's declaration!"

"Hahaha, even the well-traveled Dragon King doesn't know what 【Undead】 truly means!"

"That's a Fusion Monster unique to the S Dimension, obtained by the Director!"

Undead?

Mud Dragon King looked at Tiancheng Guang's graveyard and recalled the excitement of the humans when they saw the Vampire Princess.

Was it an Undead Fusion Monster? Or a Fusion Monster from some human dimension?

"Mud Dragon King, I'll use this same power from the Synchro World to decide the final victory!"

"Activate Spell Card—Dragon's Mirror!"

Dragon's Mirror!?

Mud Dragon King forgot its instincts, forgot its own "arrogance," and slowly descended from the air. At this moment, it had already realized what Fusion Tiancheng Guang intended to use for victory!

Yes, it had traveled through many dimensions and witnessed countless Fusions.

But similarly, Tiancheng Guang had also traveled through many dimensions and understood countless Fusions!

He even knew the effect of the Groundbound Squid!

So—

It was too 【arrogant】.

As if a massive iron hammer had struck its head, it felt dizzy.

But what followed was…

Excitement!

It finally realized—it was no longer that 【lonely】 spirit.

Because someone walked the same path of "Multidimensional Fusion" with it—even… understood it more deeply!

"Dragon's Mirror's effect: Banish Fusion Materials from the field and graveyard to Fusion Summon one Dragon-Type monster!"

"Fusion Condition: Two Undead monsters!"

"I banish Theseus, the Monster Dweller on the field and the Vampire Princess from my graveyard!"

"Fusion Summon—"

"Netherworld Dragon, Long Wang!"

Netherworld Dragon, Long Wang, Level 8, Dark Attribute, Dragon-Type, ATK 3000.

The Netherworld Dragon once again smashed open the gates of the Netherworld and appeared in this world; as it emerged, a strange dragon's cry echoed throughout the cave. At the same time, the Netherworld Dragon grinned toward Groundbound Prisoner, as if seeing an old friend it hadn't seen in millennia.

A vivid red dragon shadow seemed to pass through both duelists.

Mud Dragon King landed on the ground in shock.

That was—the voice of a god it had heard during its travels through other dimensions!

It laughed excitedly, huffing and puffing.

Tiancheng Guang, this human, was also a warrior who received that guidance!

"When Netherworld Dragon, Long Wang attacks an opponent's monster, it does not need to destroy it by battle; instead, it reduces the opponent's monster's ATK to 0 and Special Summons one Dark Soul Token to my field!"

"Netherworld Dragon, attack!"

The phantom of the Groundbound Squid slowly dissolved into mud, merging into the cave floor, finally becoming a massive ground painting.

"Long Wang, end this battle!"

The Netherworld Dragon raised its head in triumph, seemingly responding to Mud Dragon King. It had always admired spirits bold enough to fight the Groundbound Gods.

It leaped high, lightly brushing past Mud Dragon King without exerting force.

Mud Dragon King, LP: 2400 → 0.

(End of Chapter)