Chapter 756 - 756

"Heroic Spirit – Lostbelt King Qin Shi Huang"

The interconnected Synchro Rings radiated brilliantly.

Centered upon Qin Shi Huang, an overwhelming pillar of light expanded outward, giving rise to a structure even grander than the Divine Vessel itself — one that stretched all the way to the edge of the heavens.

[Heroic Spirit – Lostbelt King Qin Shi Huang ★★★★★★★★★★★★ (Level 12)][LIGHT][Wyrm/Synchro/Effect][ATK 4000/DEF 4000]

[1 "Heroic Spirit" Synchro Tuner + 2 or more non-Tuner "Heroic Spirit" Synchro Monsters]

[This card is treated as a "Heroic Spirit" card. It cannot be Special Summoned except by Synchro Summon.]

"What kind of impossible Summoning condition is that?!"

Rubbing her eyes in disbelief, Eve stared at Qin Shi Huang's incredibly demanding requirements.

Hoshino Alter was equally astonished.

["A Synchro Tuner… plus two other Synchro Monsters…"]

"You actually managed to pull off a nested Synchro like this, Aibo!"

Carefully placing the Emperor's card onto her Duel Disk, Hoshino smiled.

"I won the gamble. A triangular Synchro Summon made possible through Star Blast. Let's call it… Limit Over Accel Synchro Monster!"

"Excellent!"

Qin Shi Huang nodded approvingly.

"I have witnessed your devotion in glorifying your Emperor. In recognition of your achievement… I shall finally display my true power. Rejoice."

Bathed in the radiance of history's origin, the First Emperor appeared once more in the majestic form of the Eternal Emperor.

Raising one arm toward the heavens, Qin Shi Huang proclaimed:

"The sovereign who surpassed the Three August Ones… the ruler who transcended the Five Emperors… that Emperor… is none other than I! Answer my majesty! The Great Wall!"

The colossal structure stretching into the sky finally revealed its true form.

Its immense body existed beyond the atmosphere itself —

The Great Wall of China, encircling the entire planet from space.

"When Heroic Spirit – Lostbelt King Qin Shi Huang is Synchro Summoned, I can activate the Continuous Spell Great Wall directly from my Deck!"

"T-That thing… that's actually the Great Wall built by humanity?"

The dragon girl instinctively stepped backward in shock before quickly regaining her composure.

"But the moment Qin Shi Huang activates its effect… you trigger Draco Berserker of the Tenyi's effect! I chain its effect to banish Qin Shi Huang!"

As another Wyrm Synchro Monster, Draco Berserker of the Tenyi seemed enraged by the Emperor's overwhelming pride.

A violent roar echoed across the battlefield as banishing energy gathered upon its twin horns, locking onto the Eternal Emperor.

"Silence. Kneel before your Emperor. You insolent creature."

With a casual wave of his hand, Qin Shi Huang manipulated streams of liquid mercury.

Countless silver blades materialized, surrounding Draco Berserker of the Tenyi in every direction and pinning it completely in place.

"That level of power… cannot interfere with the Great Wall, which exists upon a cosmic plane!"

Hoshino declared.

"When Qin Shi Huang is Synchro Summoned… my opponent cannot chain card effects to the activation of Great Wall!"

Searching her Deck, Hoshino smiled as she placed the Continuous Spell onto her Duel Disk.

"Next… I activate the effect of Heroic Spirit – Prince of Lanling, which was sent to the Graveyard as Synchro Material!"

[If this card is sent to the Graveyard: Special Summon 1 Level 6 or lower "Heroic Spirit" monster from your hand.]

"Take the field!"

Hoshino slammed the card from her hand onto the Duel Disk.

"The pinnacle of martial arts — Heroic Spirit – Lancer Li Shuwen!"

[Heroic Spirit – Lancer Li Shuwen ★★★★★★ (Level 6)][WIND][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2000/DEF 1900]

"So… will you be able to satisfy this body that longs for battle?"

Spinning his spear with practiced ease, Li Shuwen materialized onto the battlefield with fighting spirit burning in his eyes.

"Li Shuwen's effect! When this card is Normal or Special Summoned, if I have no cards in my hand… I draw two cards, then discard one!"

"No cards in your hand?"

Eve counted on her fingers.

"You drew six cards at the start of your turn… you should still have two left!"

Hoshino grinned as she pointed toward her back row.

"I Set them before performing my Synchro Summon. So after Special Summoning Li Shuwen… my hand is completely empty."

Eve frowned.

"No, it isn't!"

"You only Set one card!"

"Shh…"

Hoshino pressed a finger against her lips.

"The other one… is Set somewhere else. Don't let our opponent hear."

"I heard that!"

The dragon girl snapped back irritably.

"Even if I can't chain to Qin Shi Huang's effect… I can still banish Li Shuwen when his effect activates!"

Once again she attempted to activate Draco Berserker of the Tenyi's effect.

Breaking free from the prison of mercury blades, the berserker immediately targeted Li Shuwen.

"I told you already."

"Kneel."

Qin Shi Huang frowned slightly.

Another wave of mercury swords shot forward, severing the twin horns that had begun gathering banishing energy.

Draco Berserker's effect was stopped a second time.

"It has been far too long since I reunited with my Captain of the Guard."

"Do not spoil my enjoyment."

[Qin Shi Huang Effect: Once per turn, when your opponent activates a card or effect: Negate that effect, and if you do, this card gains 500 ATK.]

Beneath the heavens, Qin Shi Huang's absolute authority completely suppressed Draco Berserker of the Tenyi, despite both monsters being Synchro Wyrms.

[Heroic Spirit – Lostbelt King Qin Shi Huang ATK: 4000 → 4500]

Meanwhile, Li Shuwen's effect resolved successfully.

Riding the momentum of his spear techniques, Hoshino drew two cards before discarding one — finally obtaining exactly the card she had been searching for.

"After discarding one card…"

"I activate the special effect of the Continuous Spell Great Wall!"

[Great Wall Effect: Once per turn, during your Main Phase: Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Heroic Spirit" monster from your hand or Graveyard. That monster gains 500 ATK and DEF.]

Hoshino picked up the card she had just discarded and placed it sideways on her Duel Disk.

"The monster I Special Summon… is the card I just discarded… Heroic Spirit – Han Xin!"

"Han Xin…"

Seto Kaiba narrowed his eyes.

"So even the general of China's history…"

"The general?!"

Eve's eyes sparkled with excitement after hearing Kaiba's explanation.

"That sounds so cool! I can't wait to see him!"

[Heroic Spirit – Han Xin ★★★★ (Level 4)][EARTH][Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect][ATK 1200 → 1700/DEF 1200 → 1700]

"Heh… to think the three of us would gather like this. The flames of war must have spread quite far."

Despite appearing in an icy land, Han Xin instinctively wiped the sweat from his round face.

Eve stared blankly.

"…That's the general? Why is he such a fat nerd?"

Han Xin immediately protested.

"At least leave out the 'nerd' part."

"O(ﾟДﾟ)っ Fine! Then why are you just fat?!"

Resting the spear on his shoulder, Li Shuwen looked confused.

"You all seem awfully familiar with me… but forgive me… I honestly can't remember who any of you are."

"So this Captain of the Guard differs somewhat from the one I knew."

Qin Shi Huang's Captain of the Guard referred to the elderly Li Shuwen from the Lostbelt.

The current Li Shuwen, however, was the younger version summoned from Proper Human History.

"The Great Qin Iron Triangle!"

Hoshino laughed.

"Now it's your turn to shine, Han Xin!"

Connecting Han Xin's card with Li Shuwen's on her Duel Disk, she declared:

"I tune the Level 4 Tuner Han Xin with the Level 6 Lancer Li Shuwen!"

The Synchro Rings descended.

They enveloped Li Shuwen effortlessly —

Then barely managed to squeeze around Han Xin's rather round physique.

"Hey!"

Han Xin complained.

"That thing wrapped around the gigantic Divine Vessel with no problem! So why is it suddenly struggling to fit around me?!"

"The intertwined killing intent of Yin and Yang… the heroic soul that pierces through history… let the victorious fist sweep across the battlefield! Synchro Summon! The Ultimate Martial Artist! Heroic Spirit – Assassin Li Shuwen!"

[Heroic Spirit – Assassin Li Shuwen ★★★★★★★★★★ (Level 10)][DARK][Warrior/Synchro/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2500]

[1 "Heroic Spirit" Tuner + "Heroic Spirit – Lancer Li Shuwen"]

"So… it has finally come to the point where this old man has to step onto the battlefield himself."

Cracking the knuckles of his aged yet powerful fists, the elderly Li Shuwen emerged from the Synchro light.

The spear was gone.

Yet the aura of a true martial master had grown even stronger.

"So you've finally awakened."

Qin Shi Huang smiled with satisfaction.

"This is the Captain of the Guard I know."

Unlike the younger Li Shuwen, who had possessed the strongest body, the elderly Li Shuwen represented the absolute pinnacle of martial arts.

Having devoted his entire life to pursuing true strength, he eventually realized that the essence of martial arts lay not in violence, but in the strength of one's convictions.

Now —

His mastery of learning, warfare, and assassination had become one.

The overwhelming presence of the old master spread across the entire battlefield.

"Next is the effect of Heroic Spirit – Han Xin, which was sent to the Graveyard as Synchro Material—!"

[If this card is sent to the Graveyard as Synchro Material: Negate the effects of all face-up Spell and Trap Cards your opponent controls until the end of the turn.]

Han Xin raised a hand confidently.

"Witness the tactics of a master strategist! Drain the Cauldron from Beneath the Fire!"

Bound by Han Xin's military strategy, every face-up Spell and Trap on the dragon girl's field lost its power.

Both the Field Spell Dragonic Diagram and King's Proof were completely negated.

[Master Peace, the True Dracoslaying King DEF 3250 → 2950]

"That's right!" Eve suddenly realized.

"We had to deal with King's Proof first! Otherwise the battle damage would just be reflected back to Hoshino!"

After paying for Star Blast, Hoshino only had 100 Life Points remaining.

She couldn't survive even a single point of reflected damage.

Negating King's Proof was absolutely essential before launching her offensive.

"I'm not finished yet!"

Han Xin's voice rang out once more.

"Accept my final strategy! Fight with Your Back to the River!"

[During the turn the Synchro Monster that used this card as material was Special Summoned, it gains ATK equal to this card's original ATK.]

"I understand… my friend."

[Heroic Spirit – Assassin Li Shuwen ATK: 3000 → 4200]

As his ATK increased, the murderous aura surrounding the elderly Li Shuwen condensed into the image of a roaring crimson dragon behind him.

"It's useless!"

The dragon girl laughed confidently.

"If this is your strongest play, Hoshino… you have no way to defeat me this turn!"

She still controlled the 7000 ATK Draco Berserker of the Tenyi, and her Life Points remained at 5950.

Meanwhile, because of Flower of Hope, if Hoshino failed to win this turn… she would have no chance left.

"No… this still isn't my full power."

Hoshino opened a hidden compartment on her Duel Disk.

Inside the Field Zone —

A face-down card had been waiting all along.

"So that's what you meant!" Eve exclaimed.

"When you said you'd Set a card somewhere else… you meant the Field Zone!"

Hoshino flipped the hidden Field Spell face-up.

In an instant, the azure sky above the frozen kingdom was consumed by blazing crimson heat.

"Field Spell — Great Wall Defense Line: 'Calamity Star' Orbital Cannon Mode!"

In Qin Shi Huang's world, no enemies remained upon the planet itself.

The Great Wall no longer needed to defend the land.

Instead… its purpose was redirected beyond the planet —

Toward the endless cosmos.

Forged from the greatest technology of the Qin Empire, the Great Wall had evolved into a planetary defense weapon.

[Great Wall Defense Line – "Calamity Star" Orbital Cannon Mode Effect: When a "Qin Shi Huang" monster you control declares an attack: You can banish 1 monster from your Graveyard; until the end of the Battle Phase, all "Qin Shi Huang" monsters you control gain ATK equal to the banished monster's original ATK.]

"The monster with the highest ATK in your Graveyard…"

Kaiba Man immediately understood.

"That has to be Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"

With 4500 ATK from Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon added to Qin Shi Huang's own 4500 ATK, the Emperor's power would rise to an overwhelming 9000 ATK.

Like a falling celestial weapon, the orbital cannon would incinerate the frozen world.

"But…"

Eve still looked worried.

"Even 9000 ATK isn't enough for a one-hit knockout! She still has more than 5000 Life Points!"

"No need to worry, little miss!"

Li Shuwen smiled calmly.

"I'll carve open the path to victory… with this single punch!"

The Dragon of Killing Intent coiled around his fists.

Taking his stance, Li Shuwen switched between the opposing forces of Yin and Yang.

Though old age had made him lean toward Yang, the savage killing instinct hidden within Yin remained.

He could switch between them in an instant.

"Yang governs life… Yin governs death… Yin lies hidden… Yang opens the road to victory!"

Hoshino entered the Battle Phase.

"Li Shuwen! Attack Master Peace, the True Dracoslaying King!"

"You walked right into it, Hoshino!"

The dragon girl triumphantly flipped over her Set card.

"Trap Card — Magic Cylinder!"

[When your opponent's monster declares an attack: Target the attacking monster; negate the attack, then inflict damage to your opponent equal to that monster's ATK.]

The classic battle Trap that reflected attack damage —

A legendary comeback card in Hoshino's own world.

She had never expected even a King from another world to use it.

However…

Magic Cylinder had one subtle restriction.

It had to target the attacking monster.

Hoshino pointed toward the heavens.

"The effect of the Continuous Spell Great Wall! While I control a Qin Shi Huang monster… my opponent cannot target Heroic Spirit monsters other than Qin Shi Huang with attacks or card effects!"

The Great Wall descended once again.

Unable to legally target the attacking Li Shuwen…

Magic Cylinder failed to resolve.

"And! Qin Shi Huang is unaffected by Trap effects!"

"A defense like this is completely meaningless!"

The battle continued.

Li Shuwen shattered the frozen ground beneath his feet and charged forward.

At first glance, his printed 3000 ATK was only 50 points higher than the True Dracoslaying King's 2950 DEF.

But hidden beneath the pinnacle of martial arts…

Was a single unavoidable killing blow.

"Heroic Spirit – Assassin Li Shuwen's effect!"

Li Shuwen narrowed his eyes.

"Then… let the slaughter begin."

[Once per turn, when this card declares an attack on a face-up monster: It gains ATK equal to half that monster's current ATK until the end of the turn.]

[Assassin Li Shuwen ATK: 4200 → 5675]

"A hundred secret techniques… cannot compare to a single strike that kills. This… is the ultimate punch I have pursued my entire life!"

[If this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage.]

"My Bajiquan is the One-Strike Kill! Bleed from every orifice… and die where you stand!"

[Any battle damage this card inflicts to your opponent is doubled.]

"HAAAH!!"

Three effects overlapped.

Li Shuwen's ultimate punch shattered the armor of Master Peace, the True Dracoslaying King.

His overwhelming killing intent pierced straight through the battlefield itself.

The tremendous shockwave even hurled the dragon girl backward.

[Master Peace, the True Dracoslaying King] destroyed.

"Li Shuwen has 5675 ATK. Against Master Peace, the True Dracoslaying King's 2950 DEF, his piercing damage is 2725. And because his effect doubles that battle damage… that single punch deals 5450 damage!"

[Ice King LP: 5950 → 500]

The punch that represented the absolute pinnacle of martial arts…

Shattered the seemingly hopeless dead end before them.