Is this the poker world?Ada thief!

Chapter 1731 The Flame King's Bells Ring Out

Despite the criticism, the story of "The Priestess of Nephthys" will still unfold as normal.

However, since the [Priestess of Nephthys] had been freed from her previous state by [The Wandering Bird and the Unknown Wind] and returned to the back row, she should theoretically be called [Guide of Nephthys] again. But seeing that she didn't intend to change her clothes, Hayato continued to call her [Priestess of Nephthys].

The effect of [Nephthys' Guardian] cannot be activated. Similarly, no matter how many monsters [Nephthys' Priest] Special Summons afterward, as long as they are in Attack Position, they will be restricted by the effect of [Windwalker x Emperor Penguin], unless [Nephthys' Priest] Special Summons a monster in Defense Position.

However, this raises another issue: the seemingly unremarkable but actually terrifying [Face Bat] can change the battle position of [Nephthys Priest] monsters by flipping a coin, whether it's a Summon or Special Summon.

If it's the kind of effect that activates upon entering the field, it's fine. Even if it's switched to face-down Defense or Attack position, it won't be affected by the effect of [Windwalker x Emperor Penguin] and can still activate smoothly. However, if it's something like [Guardian of Nephthys] that requires active activation, then it's a disaster. Whether it's face-up Attack or face-down Defense, it's as if it's been rendered useless!

In other words, in the end, the only way to break the deadlock is through normal summons?

【Nephthys Priestess】has not performed a Normal Summon this turn. If she had summoned the monster via Normal Summon, then the effect of 【Windwalker x Emperor Penguin】would have no effect on her monster. This is the only way she can think of.

She finally understood. First, the non-WIND attribute Special Summon of [Wind Barrier Statue] was blocked, and then the Special Summon monster effect of [Wind-Traveling Bird x Emperor Penguin] was prohibited. It turned out that the ability of this [Wind-Traveling Bird] deck was to restrict the Special Summon of all other decks, allowing others to use Normal Summon.

After limiting everyone's performance to the "Normal Summon" range, he used his extensive experience in this area to outmaneuver and kill his opponents!

What kind of "absolute king of birds and beasts" are you? You're clearly the "king of disgusting people"!
【Nephthys Priestess】In her remaining four cards, there just happens to be one monster that can be Normal Summoned. Originally, she wanted to destroy it with the effect of 【Nephthys Guardian】, but now it's not bad to use it for Normal Summoning.

But before that, let's test the waters with another card and make the most of [Guardian of Nephthys], which can't activate its effect for the time being.

Thinking this, [Nephthys the Priest] played a spell card: "Since the core of the problem is that [Wind-Walking Bird x Emperor Penguin], why don't I just destroy it? Spell Card [Nephthys's Hope] activated!"

"This card can only be activated by targeting one [Nephthys] card on my field and one card on your opponent's field. I've chosen [Nephthys' Guardian] on my field and [Windwalker x Emperor Penguin] on your opponent's field." [Nephthys' Priest] waved her hand, "Destroy those cards under the effect of [Nephthys' Hope]!"

Although the effect of 【Windswept Bird x Emperor Penguin】 is very suppressive, it already has two powerful effects: summoning and searching, and sealing effect activation. It shouldn't have any other effects, right? Even if it does, it can't be any excessive resistance. Therefore, in the eyes of 【Nephthys Priest】, the spell card it played at this moment can definitely kill it!

While it deviated slightly from the expected outcome of [Nephthys Priestess], it wasn't too far off. [Windwalker x Emperor Penguin] has a third effect, and it's quite strong, but it's not really a resistance card. It has no ability to resist the destruction effects of spell cards. But the problem is, Hayato's [Mist Valley Giant Bird] on the field isn't just for show, is it?

"When the effects of spells, traps, and monsters are activated, target one of my [Valley of Mist] cards—that is, [The Giant Bird of the Valley of Mist] itself—and activate its effect!"

On the field of [Nephthys Priestess], the activated spell card was immediately met with a "level 8 hurricane" as soon as it appeared. [The Giant Bird of the Valley of Mist], which flapped its wings and created a storm, left the field and returned to Hayato's hand, but left behind a terrifying tornado. "Return [The Giant Bird of the Valley of Mist] to its owner's hand, negate that activation and destroy it!"

"Shenshalan!"

Although it doesn't have the overwhelming suppressive power of [Windwalker x Emperor Penguin], the [Giant Bird of the Valley of Mist], with the same attack power, possesses the more noble power of the three colors of Kang. In this storm, [Nephthys's Hope] was crushed into dust without any surprise and disappeared from the field.

—In a way, the Giant Bird of the Valley of Mist not only saved Hayato's team of the Windwalker x Emperor Penguin, but also the Guardian of Nephthys.

"So that's how it is. It's such a powerful effect? ​​But that also means that I've already used up that powerful effect!" Knowing the effect of the [Giant Bird of the Valley of Mist], [Priestess of Nephthys]'s eyes lit up, because she felt that she was about to reach the best time to start normal summoning to achieve a breakthrough.

However, she doesn't have enough tributes for a normal summon, and just in case Hayato's last card on the field is a Trap Card like "Trap Hole," she plays a card from her graveyard first, saying: "The second effect of 'Nephthys Priestess' in my graveyard: This card can only be activated if it is in my graveyard. Target one 'Nephthys' card in my hand, destroy it, and Special Summon it from my graveyard."

"I destroy the [Prayer of Nephthys] in my hand."

A young girl, dressed in an outfit strikingly similar to that of the Guide of Nephthys but much younger, appeared on the stage of the Priestess of Nephthys, her hands resting on a cardboard replica helmet. Suddenly, flames erupted from her body. The bright yellow flames transformed into azure blue, and within this power of fire, symbolizing reincarnation, the young girl reverted to a young woman.

【奈芙提斯之祭祀者：4000LP，手牌7→4→3→2】

[Guardian of Nephthys] [ATK1400]

[The Priestess of Nephthys] [DEF1200]

Because the first effect of [Nephthys Priest] only activates upon a successful Ritual Summon, Hayato's [Face Bat] did not use its effect to change its battle position again. Seeing that Hayato hadn't revealed his backrow cards yet, [Nephthys Priest] felt completely relieved.

"Now! I'm going to Tribute my two monsters, [Nephthys' Guardian] and [Nephthys' Priest], as tributes!" If [Nephthys' Priest] hadn't been Tributed by Hayato's [Wind-Traveling Bird and Unknown Wind] earlier, it might have been Normal Summoned sooner. But even now, it doesn't make much difference; the advantage is still on my side—after all, the monster I'm about to summon is overwhelmingly powerful! "Tribute Summon—[Holy Flame King - Great Phoenix]!"

【Holy Flame King - Phoenix】】【8☆/Flame】

[Bird/Beast Race/Effect]

[2700/1700]

"【Flame King】!?" The unexpected turn of events surprised even Hayato, because the one he was dueling with was clearly 【The Priestess of Nephthys】, not 【Flame King's Consort - Phoenix of Fire】, right?

How can you pull out a card that's clearly not from the same set while playing cards? The purity of the cards is just too low!

—This is what Hayato, who has always liked playing "pure XX" decks, was thinking.

"There's nothing surprising about that. The Flame King has been allied with Nephthys for a long time. After all, the gods we worship have highly similar powers and are very compatible with each other."

[The Priestess of Nephthys] casually remarked, "Although there was a 'religious war' in the early days to compete for dominance, we united under pressure from [Black Feathers]."

Both the [Flame King] and [Nephthys] are tribes with considerable status in this forest. Even if their powers are compatible, there will inevitably be disputes and friction. But who can blame them when the [Black Feathers] suddenly became one of the most powerful beings in the forest after obtaining the power of Synchro Summoning? Under the immense external pressure, the [Flame King] and [Nephthys], who naturally have the affinity of allies, quickly completed their "fusion".

However, it is clear that even with the alliance, the two sides were still reduced to a near-collapse by Blackfeather. This is why the Priests of Nephthys appeared here. They need the power of the "Absolute King of Birds and Beasts" to further strengthen the alliance and contend with Blackfeather.

In Hayato's opinion, [Fengos] and [Nephthys] are actually quite compatible. Both monsters have the effect of being destroyed and are mainly of the fire attribute. The terminal "big brother" is also a bird-beast type and is also 8-star. They can stack Xyz or release one to summon the other through ritual.

While this combination is a bit unusual, it does have some merit, especially now. If [Nephthys the Priest] hadn't been wielding [Holy Flame King - Great Roc Phoenix] but instead had their own [Nephthys the Phoenix God] with an attack power of 2400, there would have been no chance of turning the tide.

Initially, she probably planned to use [Sacred Flame King - Phoenix] as a tribute to ritually summon [Nephthys the Azure Phoenix God], and then use the effect of [Nephthys the Azure Phoenix God] to destroy the card and trigger the effect of [Sacred Flame King - Phoenix] in the graveyard to Special Summon it. Unfortunately, due to the presence of her [Gale Barrier Statue], this plan was aborted, so she only managed to summon [Sacred Flame King - Phoenix] through normal summoning now.

"【Holy Flame King - Phoenix】has long wanted to be summoned from my hand, but because of the existence of 【Wind-Wandering Bird × Emperor Penguin】 on your field, I've held back until now," said 【Nephthys Priestess】smugly. "The current 【Holy Flame King - Phoenix】 was Normal Summoned by Tributing a monster in a proper manner, and even though it's in Attack Position, your 【Wind-Wandering Bird × Emperor Penguin】's effect can't control it!"

The scorching air emanated from the wings of the [Holy Flame King - Great Roc Phoenix], spreading outwards with the gale whipped up by its wings, covering the entire forest clearing and making it difficult to breathe. In this scorching air, a female figure, slightly distorted by the high temperature, appeared and turned to ashes with the flames that burst forth in the air.

"Destroy any FIRE monster of the Beast, Beast-Warrior, or Winged Beast type in my hand, field, or Deck, and increase the ATK of [Holy Flame King - Great Phoenix] by half the ATK of the monster destroyed by this effect until the end of this turn!"

The effect of [Holy Flame King - Great Roc Phoenix] was explained, but just as [Priest of Nephthys] was about to deal with it and officially take out the card to be destroyed from his deck, Hayato said, "Then I also have an effect to activate to chain the opponent's monster summon."

"Hmph, whatever, just a mere [Face Bat]." [Priestess of Nephthys] said disdainfully, "The effect of [Holy Flame King - Phoenix] can be activated upon Summoning or Special Summoning. Does your [Face Bat] need to chain its effect? ​​Whether it's a face-up or a face-down, [Holy Flame King - Phoenix] has already been successfully activated!"

Although it is turned face down to defense position, even if the effect of [Saint Flame King - Phoenix] is successfully activated, the attack power cannot be added to the face down defense position [Saint Flame King - Phoenix]. However, the main purpose of [Nephthys Priestess] is actually to destroy the card itself, because the card she wants to destroy is [Flame Queen - Fire God Phoenix].

Seeing Hayato's [Face Bat] already chain-activated its effect and flipped a coin, [Nephthys Priestess], with its excellent dynamic vision, instantly discerned the final result as tails. Unperturbed, Hayato continued to think: 'If I destroy [Flame Queen - Fire Phoenix], I can Special Summon [Flame Beast - Great Roc Phoenix] from my deck in Defense Position. Then, combined with my Field Spell Card [Ancient Forest], I'll have two monsters with 2700 ATK on the field!'

Even if you use [Teostra Beast - Roc Phoenix] to destroy [Windwalker x Emperor Penguin] together, you can still use the effect of [Teostra Beast - Roc Phoenix] to Special Summon a new [Teostra] monster to the field, and then unleash a powerful attack to wipe out all the monsters on your opponent's field in one go!

As the [Priestess of Nephthys] was thinking this, another icon suddenly lit up on the [Wandering Bird and Mysterious Map] above Hayato's head.

“C1 Normal Summon of [Holy Flame King - Great Phoenix], C2 First Effect of [Face Bat] Activated for the second time. Then, C3, Second Effect of [Wind-Traveling Bird and Mysterious Map] Activated!” Looking at [Nephthys Priest], who looked like he was about to yawn, Hayato said with a smile, “You didn’t actually think that a Normal Summon monster could avoid being affected by [Wind-Traveling Bird × Emperor Penguin], did you?”

"While that is indeed the case, it is because of this that you have fallen into a trap—this can only be activated if the opponent successfully summons a monster. I summon one [Wind-Traveling Bird] monster!"

"Although I've already used the effect of the [Wind-Traveling Bird x Bald Eagle] that I previously retrieved, this [Wind-Traveling Bird x Ostrich] that I searched for using the effect of [Wind-Traveling Bird x Robin] this turn hasn't been played yet. Normal Summon it from my hand in Defense Position!"

　As expected, Crab Bro's last two new cards were a new White Monster and a modified version of Scrap Scarecrow. However, what was unexpected was that the new White Monster wasn't a terminal monster but rather a playable component, and the modified version of Scrap Scarecrow wasn't a trap card but a monster transformation card.
　　It even seems to have studied the Killer Melody deck from a few days ago, also relying on hand-summoning. I strongly suggest that hand-summoning should be integrated into deck fusion, so that every deck in this new era has a copy (for example, give Hellfire a hand-summoning white monster, etc.).
　　
　
(End of this chapter)