65: Sweep and Undercurrents

The next few rounds of preliminary matches almost became Lu Yuan's personal show.

Buzz!

gold light shone!

Chirp!

Thunder boomed!

His opponent's card had only half-formed, some had barely even raised their hand.

A condensed gold thunder claw, or a dazzling bolt of lightning, would tear through the air and arrive in an instant!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Figures flew, cards shattered, and the battle ended.

Clean, decisive, and without suspense.

"Next!"

Lu Yuan's voice was calm as he recalled his Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon; these matches were as easy as cutting melons and vegetables.

Jiangcheng was only at this level; there wasn't even a Card Master with a purple beast taming card in the entire venue, so there was no pressure at all.

But occasionally, he would encounter opponents with slightly stronger defenses.

For example, a high school student who summoned a Tier 2 blue four-star Stone Giant Shield.

That thick energy shield did indeed block the Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon's first strike.

But it was only the first strike.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

The Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon flapped its wings, circling in the air, its eagle eyes cold.

Two even thicker thunder claws struck down consecutively!

Crack!

The sturdy Stone Giant Shield was covered in cracks and shattered with a bang!

The student's face turned pale, and he directly slumped to the ground, giving up resistance.

Lu Yuan only used his Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon from beginning to end.

He didn't attempt the unpredictable, yet highly energy-consuming, Water Thunder Resonance.

Even so, it was enough.

(The rest time between each match was enough to support the Source Power consumption of the previous match, not to mention the assistance of source cards, so there was no situation of insufficient Source Power.)

The preliminary round leaderboard scrolled in real-time on the big screen.

Lu Yuan's name was at the top of the list, his points far ahead of everyone else!

Undefeated!

Moreover, almost every match took no more than five seconds!

His score had already far surpassed the second-place holder, creating a huge gap!

This cliff-like lead left everyone dumbfounded!

"Monster! Absolutely a monster!"

"How can anyone fight this? They're not even on the same level!"

"golden falcon youth! This title is so fitting!"

"I think 'Thunder Speed Star' is more appropriate! With that speed, who can react?"

"This year's Rookie King, there's probably no suspense, right?"

The media cameras focused frantically on Lu Yuan.

All sorts of sensational headlines and titles instantly spread throughout the streets and alleys of Jiangcheng via the internet.

Lu Yuan's name became the most resounding symbol of this competition.

The former favorites to win now seemed dim in comparison.

Facing Lu Yuan, they could only feel powerlessness and awe.

Of course, there was also an indescribable envy mixed in.

Why?

Why was he so lucky to possess a gold card?

Why could he so easily crush everyone?

Heaven is unfair!

In the VIP section.

Yao Tianxiao's smile grew even more satisfied; he could imagine how much traffic Yaoxing Mall would receive after this competition, this five million was truly well spent!

"Good kid, you really didn't disappoint me!"

Mother Yao also had eyes full of praise: "Nickname has good taste."

In the contestant rest area.

Yao Xiao had now become Lu Yuan's number one fan and spokesperson.

"See! Lu Yuan won again!"

"He's just too handsome!"

Someone nearby muttered sourly, "Isn't he just relying on his gold card..."

Yao Xiao immediately glared, her eyes wide: "A gold card is also part of one's strength! If you're so capable, get one yourself!"

The person was choked into silence.

On the other side, backstage at the arena.

Lin Haige pointed at Lin Dong and immediately reprimanded, "Useless!"

Lin Dong's body trembled, his lips tightly pressed together.

In the past few days of the preliminary rounds, he had struggled immensely in every match, barely managing to maintain hope of advancing.

Meanwhile, Lu Yuan enjoyed all the attention, effortlessly sweeping aside everyone.

"You won't encounter him in the points match!" Lin Haige's voice was cold, "Then it'll be the elimination round!"

"In the first round of the elimination match, I don't care what method you use, you must take him out!"

"Dad..." Lin Dong's voice was hoarse, "But the draw is random..."

"Random?" Lin Haige sneered, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes, "Rules are made by people!"

"I've already made arrangements!"

"You just need to do your part!"

His eyes held no emotion, as if his son was merely a tool for his own gain.

"Have you thoroughly studied that trump card I gave you?"

Lin Dong suddenly looked up, a hint of fanaticism flashing in his eyes: "I've studied it thoroughly! Dad! That card..."

"Remember!" Lin Haige interrupted him, "At all costs!"

"Even if... it means exposure!"

In the corner.

Sun Libang still had that amiable old-man demeanor, though in the past few days, he had no other figures by his side.

But the miniature recorder in his hand faithfully documented every detail of Lu Yuan's battles, as well as the angle, speed, and energy fluctuations of every attack from the Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon.

He tapped his fingertips lightly on the side of the recorder a few times, and an encrypted message was sent silently.

"President, target Golden Falcon's strength assessment has been upgraded to extremely dangerous."

"The Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon's single card combat power is already approaching the peak level of a Tier 3 Card Master, far exceeding the Tier 2 range."

"These past two days, his mental state has been extremely stable, his combat style efficient and calm, with no obvious weaknesses observed."

"My suggestion is to maintain observation and proceed with the original Plan B, attempting contact during the elimination stage."

After sending the message, Sun Libang put away the recorder.

The President seemed very satisfied with this youth ever since watching Lu Yuan's match on the first day.

It was time to prepare for contact!

...Time flowed, and the preliminary rounds finally drew to a close.

After three full days, when the final match ended, the leaderboard was set.

Lu Yuan, with an undisputed undefeated record and the shortest total time, ranked first!

He advanced to the top sixty-four elimination round without suspense!

Yao Xiao, relying on the ever-changing illusions of her Thousand Illusions Butterfly, managed to disrupt several formidable opponents despite some risky moments, ultimately securing her advancement by ranking thirty-fifth on the leaderboard.

Lin Dong, on the other hand, ranked fifty-eighth, barely making the cut.

He looked at his ranking, then at Lu Yuan, who was at the top of the list, and thinking of his father's arrangements and that trump card, a sinister flame reignited in his eyes.

Just advancing was good!

As long as he entered the elimination round, he would have a chance!

Lu Yuan! Your good luck ends here!

The referee's voice rang out again, echoing throughout the venue.

"The preliminary stage has concluded successfully!"

"Congratulations to the sixty-four contestants who have successfully advanced!"

"Tomorrow, the draw ceremony for the first round of the elimination matches will take place!"

As the words fell.

Everyone's gaze once again became fervent!

Elimination round!

More brutal, more direct!

One match to decide the winner, the loser is directly eliminated!

And the first round's draw would directly determine the fate of many!

Who would draw Lu Yuan, this great demon king?

And who could continue to advance in the brutal duels?

In the VIP section, Lin Haige's lips finally curled into a smile; he cast a subtle glance towards the referee's stand.

Everything was under control.

The script for the elimination round was already written.

Lu Yuan, are you ready to face your doom?