Chapter 32: The Infinite City Duel

Li Yang's mind was nothing short of extraordinary. With his exceptional memory, the intricacies of Qi Xing's combat system were already deeply ingrained in his mind. Lysar had mentioned the city they were approaching was the renowned "Infinite City," governed by the influential "Lord Infinite," the most paramount of all city leaders in Qi Xing.

The architecture of the Infinite City was unlike anything Li Yang had ever seen. Buildings rose in bizarre shapes, with peculiarly angled roofs and contorted facades. To Li Yang's Earthly sensibilities, these structures seemed strangely unaesthetic, but there was an undeniable energy about the place that made it mesmerizing.

As they delved deeper into the city, Li Yang's attention was drawn to a gathering crowd. Two individuals stood at the center of an open square, preparing for a card duel. The luminescence from the cards already in play illuminated their faces, revealing starkly contrasting features.

One was bald, his shiny pate gleaming almost as much as the card he held aloft. With a dramatic flourish, he chanted an incantation, summoning a brilliantly luminous pig, its body glowing with golden energy. Li Yang, ever the jester, whispered to Lysar, "His head shines just like that pig – and they share a similar plumpness!"

Opposite the bald man was a wiry individual, who, with a graceful motion, brought forth a card depicting a water crab. In a shimmer of blue, the crab materialized, its claws gleaming menacingly.

The atmosphere was thick with tension as the duel began. With a triumphant roar, the bald man ordered his luminous pig to charge. The pig, surrounded by a golden aura, surged forward, aiming directly for the water crab. But the crab, with an almost mocking blink, began to swell, its body expanding exponentially. "Thank you for that!" it voiced cheerfully. And with one swift motion, its giant claw descended, squashing the pig flat.

The crowd erupted in cheers as the wiry man claimed his victory and the stakes of the bet. The duel, though short, was packed with lessons about strategy, elemental advantage, and the unpredictability of Qi Xing's combat.

Absorbing the essence of the fight, Li Yang felt a newfound respect for the duelists of this realm. Yet, amidst the rising excitement, a very Earthly concern bubbled up. His stomach gave a loud, unmistakable growl. Turning to the pendant around his neck, he voiced sheepishly, "Lysar... I'm hungry."

Lysar's laughter, now a familiar sound to Li Yang, echoed warmly. "Then let us find you something worthy of Qi Xing's culinary delights. And who knows, perhaps along the way, you'll find more lessons to fill not just your stomach, but also your warrior's soul."