66: How can they play like this without having any shame?

The next day.

The drums of the knockout rounds were about to beat.

Unlike the open-air plaza of the preliminary rounds, the knockout rounds were moved inside Jiangcheng Central Stadium.

This was a more professional, enclosed battle arena, brightly lit and equipped with advanced facilities.

The audience seats were noticeably fewer, with only spectators of some caliber remaining.

In the knockout rounds, one wrong step meant the end.

In the Qingteng High Schoolrest area.

"Lu Yuan, Nickname, have something to drink, replenish your energy."

School logistics staff pushed a small cart over, on which were several beautifully packaged milk teas and mineral waters.

The milk tea was a famous brand, looking very tempting.

Yao Xiao glanced at it and shook her head.

"Thank you, I don't like milk tea, just give me a bottle of water."

She took the mineral water, twisted it open, and drank a small sip.

Lu Yuan, however, felt a bit parched, and his gaze fell on the milk tea that looked cool and delicious.

He was about to reach for it.

"Oh!" Yao Xiao suddenly lightly touched his arm.

"If you drink milk tea, it makes me want to drink it too... Never mind, never mind, resist, it's a competition, let's just drink water."

Without explanation, she directly took another bottle of mineral water from the logistics staff and handed it to Lu Yuan.

"Drink water, it's healthy!"

Lu Yuan: "..."

He looked at the mineral water in his hand, then at the milk tea, and shrugged helplessly.

Alright, water it is.

Not far away, Lin Dong saw this scene through a gap in the crowd, and his fingers holding the milk tea suddenly tightened.

Damn it!

Yao Xiao, this picky bastard!

Why did Lu Yuan also stop drinking it!

Discontent flashed in his eyes, and he quietly poured his "special blend" milk tea, which he hadn't managed to give away, into the nearby trash can.

The plan... failed.

However, it doesn't matter.

There's still a backup plan!

"Now, let the draw for the top 32 knockout rounds begin!"

The chief referee's voice echoed through the broadcast system.

The large screen in the center of the arena lit up again, and contestant avatars and names scrolled rapidly.

Everyone's hearts were in their throats.

A few seconds later, the screen froze!

The match list was clearly displayed.

Lu Yuan's opponents for the first few rounds were still some unknown small fry.

This made many who secretly hoped he would encounter strong enemies early feel slightly disappointed.

But Lu Yuan himself remained unfazed.

Who the opponent was made little difference to him; they were nothing more than mere cannon fodder.

Buzz!

Screech!

Bang!

gold electric light flashed again and again, and the ear-splitting cries of the Light Falcon sounded repeatedly.

The battles ended even faster than in the preliminary rounds!

The deterrent power of the Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon was even more fully displayed in the knockout stage.

Many opponents felt intimidated the moment the gold light appeared, and their card summons were half a beat slower.

From 32 to 16.

Lu Yuan's name appeared on the big screen again.

And the opponent behind his name—

It was Lin Dong!

Finally!

gold card holder Lu Yuan versus Lin Dong, the son of the card Association President!

One was the undisputed War God who dominated the preliminary rounds with the highest points!

The other was a well-connected individual with a deep background who barely managed to advance.

Not only that, but the two were also classmates.

This duel was full of highlights!

In the VIP section.

Yao Tianxiao's brow furrowed imperceptibly; he always felt a hint of conspiracy.

Lin Haige, however, seemed a bit impatient, and he once again tilted his head slightly towards the referee's stand.

Everything was according to plan.

Lu Yuan walked towards the battle arena.

Lin Dong was already waiting there.

He had shed the previous rounds' despondency and struggle, his face now showing a nearly pathological excitement.

His eyes were venomous, fixed intently on Lu Yuan as he approached.

"Lu Yuan!"

"Your good luck has run out!"

"You had your moment of glory in the preliminary rounds, now it's time to pay it back!"

"Today, right here, I'm going to mercilessly trample you underfoot!"

"I'm going to show everyone what happens when you offend my Lin family!"

He spoke like a madman, spitting as he talked.

"Lunatic..."

Lu Yuan did not stop, nor did he even lift an eyelid.

He walked directly to the center of the arena and stood still.

"Referee, I'm ready."

Seeing this, the muscles on Lin Dong's face twitched.

"Good! Very good!"

He sneered, raising both hands first.

Buzz! Buzz!

Two cards lit up!

One was the familiar Tier 2 blue four-star Thunder Hawk.

The other, however, was a brand new card!

The card was an ominous dark purple, with countless twisted and entangled chain patterns drawn on its surface, exuding a chilling aura that made one's heart palpitate!

Single-use item card!

"That is..."

"A four-star purple card! Beast Binding Chain?!"

"Heavens! President Lin actually gave this card to Lin Dong?"

"This card... it specifically counters tamed beasts!"

"It's said to have extremely strong interference with Source Power circuits; once entangled, that tamed beast is basically useless!"

"Holy crap! Is this the power of connections?"

"Too shameless, it's hard for the poor to rise!"

Discussions broke out.

Everyone realized that this battle might not be as one-sided as before!

Lin Dong came prepared!

Lin Dong listened to the exclamations around him, his smugness growing even stronger.

"Lu Yuan! Do you see this?"

"This is the grand meal I've prepared for you!"

"Isn't your gold card very fast? Isn't it very good at emitting electricity?"

"Today, I'm going to turn you into a dead bird with its feathers plucked!"

The referee loudly announced: "Match start!"

A fierce glint flashed in Lin Dong's eyes!

"Go! Thunder Hawk!"

Screech!

The Thunder Hawk let out a shriek, arcs of electricity leaping around its body, and fiercely pounced towards Lu Yuan!

Almost simultaneously!

Lin Dong's other hand slammed down on the purple equipment card!

"Beast Binding Chain! Activate!"

Buzz—!

The dark purple light suddenly intensified!

In the air, energy twisted!

Several energy chains, as dark as ink yet emitting eerie purple electric arcs, condensed out of thin air!

They seemed to have a life of their own, rushing towards Lu Yuan with a "hissing" sound!

Their target was precisely the Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon, which had just been summoned!

Lu Yuan's expression remained unchanged, his thoughts stirring slightly.

Screech—!!!

The Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon glowed brilliantly with gold light, its wings flapped, erupting with astonishing speed, attempting to shake off the chains with extreme maneuverability!

However!

Those purple-black chains seemed to have tracking abilities, drawing strange arcs in the air and chasing relentlessly!

Not only that, but wherever the chains passed, the space seemed to produce a slight stickiness, invisibly interfering with the Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon's flight path!

The Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon's speed was clearly affected!

"Don't even think about running!"

Lin Dong's face was distorted with ferocity, as he fully urged the Beast Binding Chain!

Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!

Several chains, like maggots clinging to bone, finally broke through the Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon's evasion!

They wrapped tightly around its gold wings and sharp talons!

Sizzle sizzle sizzle—!

A harsh corrosive sound rang out!

Purple-black electric arcs frantically eroded the gold lightning on the Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon's body!

The Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon let out a painful, mournful shriek!

A trace of struggle flashed in its gold pupils; its flight became sluggish, as if it had fallen into a quagmire.

The gold light on its body also dimmed visibly.

"Hahahaha! It worked! It worked!"

Upon seeing this, Lin Dong immediately fell into ecstasy!

He pointed at the Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon, bound by chains, and laughed maniacally.

"Lu Yuan! What if your gold card is fast?!"

"Once caught by my Beast Binding Chain, you're a tiger with its teeth pulled! Worthless!"

"Die! Thunder Hawk! Tear it to shreds!"

Receiving the command, the Thunder Hawk's eyes gleamed fiercely, and taking advantage of the Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon being bound and unable to move, it launched a furious assault like a storm!

Sharp talons! Pointed beak! Lightning!

They mercilessly bombarded the Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon!

Bang! Bang! Rip!

gold feathers flew, and dense electric arcs splattered!

The situation instantly reversed!

The once invincible Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon was now in an unprecedented crisis!

"Oh my god!"

"The gold card is being countered!"

"That Beast Binding Chain is too strong!"

"Lu Yuan is in danger!"

The audience seats completely erupted!

"Lu Yuan!"

Yao Xiao stood up with a "swish," looking with distress at the besieged gold figure in the arena, her heart clenched.

In the VIP section.

Yao Tianxiao snorted coldly.

"Beast Binding Chain... Lin Haige, that guy, really spared no expense."

He was well aware of the value of this single-use item card.

To deal with Lu Yuan, the Lin family had truly gone all out this time!

However, he wasn't worried, because he knew that Lu Yuan was far from as simple as he appeared.

At the very least, using that giant turtle card could perfectly resolve the situation.

It just depended on whether he was willing to.

Lin Haige, on the other hand, had a look of "it's settled," and had even started drinking champagne early.

This was something he had bought for over ten million star coins; although it could only be used once, its binding effect on tamed beasts was undeniable. To escape by brute force alone, one would need at least a Tier 5 strength!

That's right, he used an item card that could suppress even Tier 5 tamed beasts to deal with a little kid who had just entered Tier 2.

The main goal was stability!

He simply didn't believe that in this situation, Lu Yuan could still turn the tables against all odds? Or rather... still survive!?

In the arena.

Under everyone's gaze.

Lu Yuan looked at the Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon, which was unable to retaliate under the binding of the chains and the attacks of the Thunder Hawk, and a hint of solemnity flashed in his eyes.

Beast Binding Chain... interferes with Source Power circuits, blocks the flow of Source Power, thereby achieving binding and weakening effects... Does this thing even have any shame?

Isn't this blatant cheating?

"Alright, alright, so this is how you want to play, huh?"

"Then, don't blame me!"

"Come out!"

"Raging!

Waves!

Sea!

Soul!"