Chapter 521: The Power to Control the Pendulum (7k Request for Monthly Tickets!)

As the destruction of Paradise Lost progressed, the rotten apples on the ground slowly vanished, and the entire world began shifting from its former ruin into a radiant prosperity.

Yet behind this radiant prosperity still lay chaos and disorder.

In the previous turn, Tiancheng Guang already had Dreamland in his hand, but since his opening setup had no effect that sent cards to the graveyard, there was no need to activate Dreamland.

Originally, the synergy between Mystic Three Transformations Beast and trap cards could negate one spell card and destroy one card on the field—in this world, that defense was already quite strong. But Tiancheng Guang hadn't anticipated that Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang would immediately play Black Hole and a Contract of Hell's Gate.

Tiancheng Guang slightly narrowed his eyes; in his mortal sight, Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang was entwined with countless strange energies, his entire body violently spewing black smoke.

That's truly exaggerated.

How much power has he endured?

Why, after absorbing so much dark power, is Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang, this "ordinary person," still alive?

Know this: whether the Three Phantom Demons or the Number cards, none of them give power freely—especially the Three Phantom Demons, which drain the life of their holders. From Tiancheng Guang's previous encounters with them, he knew the Three Phantom Demons held no affection for Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang; even under Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang's technological control, they still siphoned his life force.

Moreover, Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang had previously taken a direct hit from a Number monster, and it seemed some strange Xyz World entity had possessed him—while the flames on his body also told Tiancheng Guang that even his body contained the power of Crimson Nova.

With so many conflicting, evil forces mixed together, how could Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang still be so vigorous?

Tiancheng Guang glanced at the card drawn to his right hand.

"Discard Thunder Dragon from your hand, and add two more Thunder Dragons from your deck to your hand."

Tiancheng Guang raised a Thunder Dragon, displayed it, then sent it to the graveyard: "Then, spell card—Shadow Imprint Fusion—fuse Shadow Hedgehog and Thunder Dragon from my hand."

"Fusion condition: a Shadow Imprint monster and a Light-attribute monster."

"Fusion Summon, Level 8, Shadow Imprint Nephilim!"

Purple puppet threads converged from all directions, and a colossal giant spanning heaven and earth slowly rose behind Tiancheng Guang, silently observing all.

Shadow Imprint Nephilim, Level 8, Angel, ATK 2800.

"Dreamland effect: draw one card; Shadow Hedgehog effect: add a Shadow Imprint Beast from the deck to your hand; Shadow Imprint Nephilim effect: when this card is successfully Special Summoned, activate. Send one Shadow Imprint card from your deck to the graveyard—I send Shadow Imprint Dragon from my deck to the graveyard."

Tiancheng Guang snapped his left hand—purple lightning flashed—and the latest Duel Disk automatically began reading data; a dragon's shadow beside him dissolved into data and flew into the graveyard, followed by the deck shuffling, two cards automatically popping out and landing in Tiancheng Guang's hands.

"Shadow Imprint Dragon effect: when this card is sent to the graveyard by a card effect, target one Spell/Trap card on the field and destroy it." Tiancheng Guang pointed at Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang's face-down card.

"Then, reveal the face-down card—Trap card, Entry Forbidden! Noentry!" Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang didn't hesitate, instantly revealing the card: "All face-up monsters on the field become defense position!"

Shadow Imprint Nephilim, ATK→DEF: 2500.

Lei Huang Hamon, ATK→DEF: 4000.

Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang's expression was cold and unwavering: "Shadow Imprint Nephilim has the ability to destroy Special Summoned monsters without battling—but that ability requires a battle to activate. As long as you don't battle, you cannot overcome this obstacle."

Moreover, Lei Huang Hamon has a full 4000 DEF—no ordinary monster can destroy it in battle.

"Hmph…" Tiancheng Guang showed no surprise.

In fact, to some extent, this outcome matched what he had anticipated.

"Then, I Normal Summon—Dragon Mage Guardian!"

Zzz—

A streak of purple light flashed abruptly.

The nobles watching gasped in confusion.

Because this monster looked exactly like Tiancheng Guang!

The Fusion Army soldiers who had seen this card many times—even dreamed of it—glared bitterly at this "alternate art card" created by Pegasus based on Tiancheng Guang's likeness.

Dragon Mage Guardian, Level 4, Dark attribute, Dragon, ATK 1800.

"Dragon Mage Guardian effect: when this card is Normal or Special Summoned, discard one card from your hand to activate. Add one Normal Spell card with 【Fusion】 from your deck to your hand. I discard ST-46."

"I add 【Exchange Fusion】 from my deck to my hand."

"Exchange Fusion?" one Fusion Army soldier frowned. "Why not just take Easy Fusion?"

"Yeah, even though the Special Summoned Thousand-Eyed Offering God can't attack, it still dealt with Hamon's 4000 DEF."

"Tiancheng Guang must've been stupid! He's afraid of the Professor!"

This last man was clearly lying to himself.

Everyone here was a true core member of the Fusion Army—they all understood: Tiancheng Guang chose Fusion because he wanted to use Fusion, because he judged this situation called for Fusion!

"During the turn I activated Dragon Mage Guardian's effect, I cannot Special Summon any monster from my Extra Deck except Fusion monsters—but that's irrelevant. Dragon Mage Guardian's second effect: reveal one Fusion monster from your Extra Deck. Then, Special Summon one monster from your graveyard with the same name as a Fusion Material monster in face-down defense position."

"I reveal my Extra Deck's Super Thunder Dragon—Thunder Dragon, then Special Summon it face-down!"

A green serpent-dragon wrapped in lightning coiled behind Tiancheng Guang, then silently sank into concealment.

"Face-down…" Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang frowned.

"Extra Deck condition for Super Thunder Dragon—during the turn a Thunder monster effect is activated in your hand, you can Tribute one Thunder monster on your field (excluding Fusion monsters) to Special Summon it from the Extra Deck!"

Precisely—even a face-down monster can serve as Fusion material!

"Tch…" Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang knew this summoning condition.

"Come on, Level 8, Super Thunder Dragon—Thunder Dragon!" Thunder roared around Tiancheng Guang as a winged black serpent-dragon descended through golden lightning.

Super Thunder Dragon—Thunder Dragon, Level 8, Dark attribute, Thunder, DEF 2400.

"Not done yet—Spell card, Exchange Fusion—fuse Shadow Imprint Nephilim and Dragon Mage Guardian on the field. Come forth, Emissary of Tierra!"

Divine Word!

Shadow Imprint Midrash!

A green puppet emerged from the end of the puppet threads, passed through the fading Nephilim, and landed on the field.

Shadow Imprint Midrash, Level 5, Dark attribute, Spellcaster, ATK 2200.

"Nephilim effect: add Shadow Imprint Fusion from the graveyard to your hand."

"Activate Exchange Fusion's effect from the graveyard: return Nephilim from the graveyard to the Extra Deck, banish myself, then draw one card—draw, yes, Spell card, Toy Mender, add one Fusion and one Sharp Dagger from your deck to your hand—I add Sharp Dagger Chain and Fusion to my hand!"

"Finally—Spell card, Fusion!"

Back to square one again!

"Fuse Thunder Dragon and Shadow Imprint Beast from my hand—Fusion Summon!"

Tiancheng Guang took a deep breath.

"Go through the Fusion process once more—reappear!"

"Shadow Imprint Nephilim!"

Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang clenched his fist, unable to help but admire: Tiancheng Guang's duel was truly exquisite—this combo perfectly embodied his signature style: "Shatter, recreate, purify, elevate."

Tiancheng Guang, using Shadow Imprint Beast's effect, drew another card from his deck.

Now, Tiancheng Guang's field held the strongest current lockdown: Super Thunder Dragon, Midrash, and Nephilim.

Too bad he only had one Normal Summon—otherwise he'd have summoned another Mystic Three Transformations Beast with a negate effect. A makeshift "Flower Super Thunder Dragon, Midrash."

"Tch…"

"Oh—"

Fusion Army soldiers couldn't help murmuring—awkward yet awed—while the Elders' nobles watched, eyes wide with wonder.

They naturally knew Synchro monsters could chain and combine to summon stronger Synchro monsters.

But they never imagined Tiancheng Guang could use Fusion Spell cards to cycle several monsters, then achieve his goal through sheer repetition!

"Nephilim effect: send Shadow Light's Chosen from your deck to the graveyard."

"Then… Battle—Nephilim, attack Hamon!"

Tiancheng Guang clenched his fist before him and swung toward Hamon: "When Nephilim battles a Special Summoned monster, activate. Destroy the opponent's monster without battling."

The massive Thunder demon roared with lightning and ice, struggling against the angel—but suddenly, a cascade of purple puppet threads flashed from nowhere, binding Hamon's body until it exploded.

"When Hamon in defense position is destroyed, I take no damage."

So this effect exists.

Tiancheng Guang silently nodded within.

When he saw Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang use the card to switch monsters to defense position, he anticipated this move—that's why he Special Summoned Super Thunder Dragon in defense.

"Place one card face-down, end turn."

Tiancheng Guang felt no regret and swiftly ended his turn.

"What a pity—that Phantom Demon had this effect," You Wu couldn't help lamenting.

"Yeah, no wonder Tiancheng-ge didn't keep everything face-up—it was because of this," Lin kept nodding.

Serena, however, was unfazed. She crossed her arms and said, "Of course—he's the finest Fusionist."

"You truly are remarkable, Tiancheng Guang," Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang said, watching Hamon dissipate, genuinely impressed.

Had it not been for Chronos, perhaps Tiancheng Guang—who first joined the Fusion Department—would now be their commander, forging their path.

But alas, Tiancheng Guang was Chronos's disciple from the start—this fate was inevitable.

"As a duelist, you are truly exceptional. With just a few cards cycled, you achieved this scene. But… this is only 'as a duelist.'"

?

Tiancheng Guang stared at Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang, puzzled.

"I am the world's greatest scientist," he said bluntly.

In a world where Seto Kaiba wasn't considered a scientist and Zone hadn't been born yet, Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang truly deserved this title.

"You've questioned me, questioned our Fusion Army, for one simple reason: your vision, your capacity!"

?

Tiancheng Guang stared silently at Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang.

Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang showed no shame, continuing: "To you, our actions are invasion, destruction—but in a grander world, these are meaningless details."

Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang drew a card from his deck and directly showed it to Tiancheng Guang: it was Pot of Greed.

Tiancheng Guang raised an eyebrow.

"I have a question for you, Tenjo Hikari—what do you believe the universe truly is?"

"The universe."

"Seeing a mountain as a mountain," said Ma Chima Chima Lingwang. "But to me, it is not so. This universe, this world, is merely an 【egg】."

His expression finally changed, revealing an indescribable madness and excitement.

"I am the greatest scientist on Earth! Years ago, with the support of many, I completed a groundbreaking experiment—the Physical Imaging Technology!"

"By using duels, the energy of duels, and the spirit of duelists, we can transform images into physical matter, turning light and shadow into substance!"

Tenjo Hikari knew that Ma Chima Chima Lingwang had indeed been involved in creating this invention.

He extended his hand, holding it level. "Think about it, Tenjo Hikari—use your 【Fusion】 mind. If duels and Physical Imaging Technology can create matter, then does humanity still face the pressure of survival?

No, it does not—because humanity can use Physical Imaging Technology to create infinite food."

Tenjo Hikari frowned, listening to his words.

"If so, why should there be war? Why should there be competition? Humanity need not work at all—only enjoy duels, and use duels to create everything."

"With this idea, my companions and I worked tirelessly to store 【infinite】 mass into a single card."

Huh—

Tenjo Hikari suddenly froze.

This doesn't match the development he knew at all.

Was the original like this?

"Now think deeper—if matter can be stored infinitely in one card, and time is stretched infinitely, and infinite matter is packed into that one card over infinite time, then, when you reach the end of time—what happens?" His excitement faded; he seemed to become the scientist again.

"... Everything in the world 【fuses】 together?"

Yu Li, watching this duel from the Fusion Army base, suddenly brightened.

This—this—this was exactly what he had been thinking!

Of course—the things Professor taught him were the real truths!

"Precisely. At the end of time, at the final final moment, all things will become one. That was the existence I saw that day...

The Creation and End Dragon.

【g·o·d】."

God!?

Tenjo Hikari jolted—

It felt like something from the ARC-V manga arc.

He hadn't realized it at first, simply because watching the anime version of ARC-V had already been torture; asking him to watch the manga after that was asking too much. Still, he knew the manga's final boss.

So that's how it was?

He quickly understood and accepted it.

No wonder Ma Chima Chima Lingwang in this world is even more monstrous than in the anime—because the two versions merged?

"For humanity, for spirits, for all life, even for lifeless matter—becoming part of 【god】 is the destined future. But this future is not fixed.

In the swinging of souls, even gods are swayed by the souls of all things.

Where it ultimately leads depends on the true 【Decider】!"

Ma Chima Chima Lingwang looked at his hand cards, his lips curling into a cruel smile: "My daughter has the qualification to become the 【Xia Wa】 of the new era. And once I obtain Xia Wa and Adam, I shall be the Arbiter ruling all dimensions, all life!"

Serena, hearing this, collapsed helplessly.

The other two girls weren't faring much better, but since they hadn't grown up under Ma Chima Chima Lingwang, they quickly recovered and rushed to support Serena.

Serena was utterly defeated.

She had always hoped for her father's approval—even after the Fusion Army launched its invasion, deep in her heart, she had clung to the faintest hope that her father might have some hidden motive. But now, it was clear: there was none.

In his heart, there was only his own ambition!

Daughter? Child?

Merely a tool to become 【god】!

"... You're no longer human," Tenjo Hikari said, eyes narrowed.

To Ma Chima Chima Lingwang, Tenjo Hikari's words sounded like praise. He flicked his cloak. "Hah—yes. I shall become the ruler of all things."

As he spoke, the machines behind him began to shake more violently.

"Tenjo Hikari, you made a mistake. You thought protecting my daughters from harm could stop me—but they, in this time, gave me the very opportunity I needed!

Indeed, my daughters still side with me.

Witness the swinging of souls!"

He raised his hands, clasping them before him. Behind him, the endless rainbow light finally transformed into a pendulum, spinning wildly.

Zzzzzz—

The machines began to scream with error alerts; the demons' power surged to fuel him.

"Spell Card: Fusion!"

"Fuse the 【Pendulum Monster】 Spirit Crystal—Wind Spirit Core from my hand with the 【Pendulum Monster】 Spirit Mechanism Army—Pendulum Commander!"

"Pendulum... Pendulum Monster?" A Fusion Army soldier gasped, mouth agape.

"What the hell is a Pendulum Monster!?" Nobles leapt to their feet, staring in shock.

Ma Chima Chima Lingwang clasped his hands together and chanted loudly:

"Soldiers of mechanical devices inhabited by spirits!

Receive new power, cleanse the filth of sin with my hands, become the foundation of the world's rebirth!

Return!

Assemble!

Fusion Summon!

Level 12! Pendulum Fusion Monster!

Great Spirit Mechanism Army—Pendulum Commander!"

BOOM!

The machines behind him exploded violently.

A colossal spirit warship, led by countless mechanical angels, resembling a spirit aircraft carrier, slowly descended from the sky, shining brilliantly as if a holy deity bestowed grace.

Great Spirit Mechanism Army—Pendulum Commander, Level 12, Light Attribute, Machine Type, ATK 3500.

In that instant, Tenjo Hikari could almost see the enormous wings floating behind Ma Chima Chima Lingwang, and the radiant white halo above his head.

This guy actually created Pendulum Monsters?

Tenjo Hikari frowned tightly.

Ma Chima Chima Lingwang casually placed his hands behind his back, looking down at Tenjo Hikari with disdain.

"Ooooooh!!!"

"This—this—this?"

"Professor created a brand-new monster?"

"Did you see, Tenjo Hikari? Professor's Fusion is more fused than yours! He created a new, never-before-seen Fusion monster!"

The Fusion Army roared in excitement.

As Ma Chima Chima Lingwang's monster appeared, the cards on Tenjo Hikari's field gradually lost their color and slumped lifelessly.

"While Great Spirit Mechanism Army—Pendulum Commander remains on the field, all opponent monsters below Level 12, except Pendulum Monsters, cannot attack, and their effects are negated."

"Ah?" One noble fell off his chair in shock.

"Ohhh!" Yu Li, watching the livestream, felt a thrill—this card was powerful even among his own deck full of fake cards.

"My god, isn't this invincible?" A Fusion Army soldier exclaimed.

In a world where no one had even heard of "Pendulum Monsters," where could Tenjo Hikari possibly summon one? And even if he had Pendulum Monsters, all monsters below Level 12 would be useless anyway!

He felt infinite energy flooding into his body. With the appearance of this monster, the damage his body had suffered from fusing multiple dimensional monsters and demonic gods vanished instantly, restoring him to his original state.

Restoring him to the state he had been in when he first gained the 【god】 mass boost.

At this moment, in a material sense, he was no longer human!

"Ah, by the way, Tenjo Hikari—you must feel unsatisfied after this long fight—so, activate the Spell Card: Heavenly Gift Card!"

Hssss...

Tenjo Hikari's brow twitched violently.

Could it be... the anime version's...?

"Both players draw up to six cards!"

Ma Chima Chima Lingwang drew six cards immediately. Tenjo Hikari glanced at his face-down cards, hesitated briefly, then drew a few.

Ma Chima Chima Lingwang looked at the cards he drew, saw the powerful monster, and nodded slightly.

With the completion of the 【Pendulum】, his hidden power finally awakened fully. In this duel, he seemed capable of making his very thoughts come true!

"Activate the effect of the Bound God Crimson Nova in my hand! Banish this card from my hand to send Bound God Kusiro to the graveyard. Activate its effect: Special Summon Bound God Uru from my deck!"

Boom boom boom—

In the sky, a massive red spider diagram appeared. Suddenly, a crimson flame spirit flew out beside him, cackling: "Good good good! Well done, Ma Chima Chima Lingwang! Now I can revive even faster!"

Crimson Nova?

Tenjo Hikari truly felt the pressure.

"This madman's got a lot of tricks," said Tierra, shielding Tenjo Hikari from some of the energy's erosion as she spoke to him.

It's said that you may lose the person but never the spirit; though the opposite side has many strange gods and demons, Ye La would never back down!

A massive red spider Earthbound Immortal slowly rose into the air.

Earthbound Immortal Wu Lu, Level 10, Dark Attribute, Insect Type, ATK 3000.

Notably, chains and restraints from the "Earthbound Cuffs" directly unsealed by Tiancheng Guang were bound to this Earthbound Immortal.

"This Earthbound Immortal appears to be controlled by a stronger Earthbound Immortal—it struggles to break free but cannot," Ye La said, fixing her gaze on the tiny red figure.

"Hey, otherworldly god? Kill her, eat her! I'll surely revive—and become stronger than the Red Dragon!" Red Lotus Nova shouted excitedly.

"Thus, Tiancheng Guang, our connection seems to end." Professor Chi Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang gradually calmed, losing his earlier madness. "After you join the Fusion Army, I'll make you personally confront Cronos. Thank me."

"Laughable—the duel has only just begun."

"Hmph, stubborn to the end. I'll attack directly with Wu Lu—"

Tiancheng Guang's LP had dropped to only 3000. If Wu Lu attacked directly, Tiancheng Guang could not stop it.

"Reveal your face-down card!" Tiancheng Guang flipped his face-down card. "You want to become a god? You want to rule all things? You claim Serina and the others are Xia Wa?"

Stop spouting nonsense!

They are themselves—have nothing to do with you!

They are all independent individuals—and are not your daughters!

Serina is my disciple, so—

If you wish to become a 【God】, then let me show you what true god-slaying means!

Face-down card: The Rebellious Fallen Angel!

"…………Cronos!!!" Professor Chi Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang, upon seeing this card, could not help but roar in fury.

"Yes, this card was given to me by Professor Cronos! The effect of The Rebellious Fallen Angel: discard Jerat from your hand to perform a Dark Attribute fusion summon using monsters from your hand and field!"

Fuse Midrash in attack position and Nephilim in attack position!

Fusion Summon—

Listen well—what the true god has to say!"

"Tiancheng Guang is my chosen one—he cannot lose to a thing like you, neither man nor demon!"

Professor Chi Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang heard a voice—solemn, ethereal!

"Defensive position Fusion Summon: Shadow-Dependent Midrash!"

"Then, restore my LP!"

Tiancheng Guang's LP: 3000 → 5800.

Thus, Professor Chi Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang could no longer win by direct attack or by attacking monsters. Meanwhile, due to the effect of Dreamland, Tiancheng Guang drew another card.

"Hah, clinging to life… Even if you survive this turn, you can do nothing. But since you reduced your monsters, I'll help you out—use Wu Lu and Pendulum Masters to attack your remaining two monsters."

Wu Lu, its jaw bound by chains, snapped shut and crushed the Super Thunder Dragon; on the other side, countless mechanical spirits surged forth, rushing toward Midrash and tearing it apart alive.

"I'll place one card face-down, end my turn." He flipped a card face-down, then chuckled twice. "Tiancheng Guang, you probably think the Great Spirit Mechanized Army are Machine-Type monsters, so you just need to Special Summon Cyber Dragon and fuse it to solve this situation."

But let me tell you—you're naive."

Professor Chi Ma Professor Chi Ma Chima Chima Lingwang seemed to be answering the concerns of the surrounding Fusion Army, calming their nerves: "Pendulum Monsters on the field are not sent to the graveyard—they go to the Extra Deck. So your Cyber Dragon cannot fuse with the Great Spirit Mechanized Army to summon the Hybrid Fortress."

"All your monsters—in your hand, on the field, in your graveyard, even in your deck—have their effects negated. How, at this point, could you possibly win?"

"How could that be? Why would you ask such a question?" Tiancheng Guang heard a joke, laughed softly at first, then slowly shook his head, his expression turning icy. "Just fuse. Keep fusing—that's all you need!"

7k7k, more and more, a day of ten thousand words at month's start. Content is heavy, so posting is late—thank you all for your support! Requesting monthly votes, requesting monthly votes!

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(End of Chapter)