Chapter 429: Double Barrier

The second barrier, Orichalcum Aura, activate!

A second green light surged skyward, forming a green halo nested around the outer edge of the original barrier. A ring inscribed with peculiar runes slowly rotated upon the ground, sealing the duel arena like an unbreakable prison.

"The second barrier has activated," Gui Ping murmured, his gaze toward You Xuan growing increasingly anxious.

With the activation of this new barrier, the Orichalcum mark on the Judge's forehead glowed even brighter, his inner power surging more fiercely, as if a beast lurked within a cage, ready to break free.

"The second barrier of Orichalcum, Orichalcum Aura—this card's name is treated as 'Orichalcum's Barrier' and possesses all effects identical to the first barrier."

The Judge said calmly.

"Additionally, it gains a new ability: once per turn during your Main Phase, you may recover 500 Life Points for each monster on your field."

"I currently have one monster on my field: 'Sky Fortress Jiggrat.' Therefore, I recover 500 Life Points."

Transparent energy waves radiated from the massive fortress, flooding into the Judge's body.

【Judge, LP2200→LP2700】

"I set three cards face-down. End my turn."

He paused, then added.

"During the End Phase, the effect of 'Sky Fortress Jiggrat' activates."

"Each time your turn ends, you can Special Summon one 'Machine Token' in Defense Position on your field."

A small robot materialized in midair and landed on the field, crouching defensively at the front.

【Machine Token, DEF 0】

"While this Machine Token is on the field, your opponent can only target it with attacks."

You Xuan had faced this Sky Fortress before when dueling Yameruda, so its effect held no surprise for him.

"My turn, draw."

You Xuan drew a card, then flipped open his back row.

"Activate the trap 'Goblin's Business Tactics.'"

"Draw a number of cards equal to the count of 'Goblin's Business Tactics' in your graveyard plus one, then choose one card from your hand and return it to the bottom of your deck."

"And then, the second one."

Another face-down card in You Xuan's back row flipped open—it was also "Goblin's Business Tactics."

Both Business Tactics activated simultaneously.

"At this exact moment, activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Very Food,'" You Xuan said. "Send all your Spell and Trap Cards on the field to the graveyard; for each one, recover 1000 Life Points. I send the two activating 'Goblin's Business Tactics' and the Continuous Trap 'Cosmic Contraction' to the graveyard, recovering 3000 Life Points."

All three back-row cards turned to golden light and surged into his body.

【You Xuan, LP2800→LP5800】

"Now, during the resolution of both 'Goblin's Business Tactics,' these two cards have already been sent to the graveyard by 'Very Food.' Additionally, among the five cards sent to the graveyard by 'TakeOver5' during my first turn, there was a third 'Goblin's Business Tactics.'"

"According to the effect of Business Tactics, I draw four cards and return one card from my hand to the bottom of my deck."

"Two Business Tactics mean I draw eight cards total and return two cards from my hand."

Two consecutive "draw four, return one" effects added six cards to his hand.

"Effect resolution complete. Proceed to the Standby Phase," You Xuan said. "During the Standby Phase, if there are no cards in your Spell/Trap Zone, Special Summon 'Huang Quan Frog' from the graveyard."

"Effect processing complete; now enter the preparation phase," You Xuan said. "During the preparation phase, if there are no cards in your magic trap zone, special summon the 'Huang Quan Frog' from the graveyard."

A vortex opened in the graveyard, and the small frog with a glowing halo above its head leapt onto You Xuan's field.

【Huang Quan Frog, DEF 100】

"Hmm, you've simultaneously refilled your hand, cleared your back row, and created the condition to summon Huang Quan Frog," the Judge said. "And you've massively increased your Life Points."

"Huh, you replenished your hand all at once, cleared the back row, and created the conditions for the Huang Quan Frog to appear," the Arbiter said. "And on top of that, you significantly restored your life points."

"Such a clean, efficient strategy—offense, defense, and endurance all at the highest level. Could this really be the work of the old Fujiki Yūgen?"

"This straightforward, efficient tactic—whether in offense, defense, or sustained momentum—is at the highest level. Could this really be what the old Tengmu You Xuan was capable of?"

"Who exactly are you?" the Judge demanded bluntly, his face icy.

"Who exactly are you?" the Arbiter asked bluntly, his face cold.

"I don't know what you mean," You Xuan said coolly.

"Stop pretending. Let's be clear," the Judge said coldly. "I've investigated you thoroughly. The human named 'Fujiki Yūgen' was born into an ordinary life, his dueling path once utterly mundane."

"Yet in such a short time, you've advanced at an astonishing pace—even reaching the pinnacle of this world. Those foolish mortals may be fooled by you, but I am not."

"If you fear your true identity might be exposed, there's no need. I've set this second barrier to block all sound. Our conversation remains between only you and me—no one else can hear."

If you have further plans and fear your true identity might be exposed here, there's no need. I've already set up a second barrier that mutes all sound—our conversation remains between only you and me; no one else can hear.

"Come now, tell me—where do you come from? A higher spirit? A demon born from unimaginable darkness, like Tragodia? Or a powerful soul possessing this vessel, like the Nameless Pharaoh?"

"Or…"

He lowered his voice.

"... like me—a god from another realm?"

You Xuan blinked in stunned silence.

Then it struck him—the snake had mistaken him for a fellow traveler.

Clearly, in this serpent-god's eyes, a once-pathetic ordinary duelist suddenly becoming a god of cards could only mean one thing.

A possessing spirit.

Either he'd picked up a glittering trinket housing the residual soul of a three-thousand-year-old grandpa, or, like Little Shrimp, he'd awakened and possessed the body.

And judging by You Xuan's ruthless, underhanded dueling style, his unorthodox methods, and his unfathomable power, the Judge had already secretly classified him among the ranks of Tragodia and the evil god Zok.

"I am myself. Whether you believe it or not."

Knowing the Judge's thoughts, You Xuan didn't care—he simply continued.

"Sacrifice 'Huang Quan Frog' for a Tribute Summon!"

"The evil dark monarch of the abyss—"

"—Dark Emperor Gaius, summon!"

A deafening roar filled the air as boundless darkness swallowed heaven and earth. A colossal form, condensed from pure shadow, crackled with blue-purple lightning, descending from the abyss.

Dark Emperor Gaius, summon!

【Dark Emperor Gaius, ATK 2400】

"When Dark Emperor Gaius is successfully summoned, you can banish any card on the field from the game."

"Perfect!" Gui Ping exclaimed. "'Sky Fortress Jiggrat' is immune to all Spell and Trap effects—but monster effects can still bypass it!"

You Xuan waved his hand.

"Dark Emperor Gaius, banish 'Sky Fortress Jiggrat'!"

(End of Chapter)