Chapter 57: Draws and Destinies

The city of Cardonia echoed with the murmurs of speculations and whispers of alliances, but amidst all that, Li Yang's thoughts were consumed by Lisa's unexpected strategy during the third challenge. Opting for the nimble Water Sprite over the imposing Millennial Ice Dragon was a move no one saw coming, and it intrigued him. It wasn't just her choice; it was what that choice unveiled about Lisa's strategic depth.

The following three days were a blur of recuperation and preparation. As competitors licked their wounds and honed their strategies, the city was awash with anticipation for the grand duel, where destinies would be sealed, one draw at a time.

The rules of the final contest were brutally straightforward: Should a card monster fall or a duelist be knocked off their feet, defeat was declared. This left a window open for the more cautious—those who'd choose surrender over grievous injury. It was a delicate dance of commanding one's card monster with fervor and finesse while also ensuring one's own safety. A lapse in judgment could sever the connection between duelist and monster, spelling certain doom.

As dawn broke on the day of the draw, a lavish ceremony ensued in the city square. A grand vessel, ornately decorated, held the names of the duelists. The atmosphere was electric, each draw determining the fate of the battles to come.

Li Yang approached with a deep breath, drawing out a scroll that revealed his opponent—Sir Kael Morgan of the Morgan Clan. Sir Kael's legendary card monster was the Beast King Titanus, a behemoth known for its immense strength and a roar that could shake the very heavens.

Lisa's draw brought an audible gasp from the crowd. She was set against Prince An Aixinjueluo of the Aixinjueluo Clan. The Prince's card monster was nothing short of magnificent, the Celestial Dragon, a creature of myths, capable of summoning storms with a mere flap of its wings.

Feng Xuan faced a challenge of his own, drawing Lord Hadrian Ford of the Ford Clan. The Guardian Golem, Lord Hadrian's card monster, was a towering stone entity, impervious to most attacks and a veritable fortress in battle.

The days that followed were intense. Li Yang knew the Beast King Titanus's reputation. A force of nature, it was said to have toppled mountains and quieted storms. He spent hours with his own card monster, the Lion-Eagle, exploring strategies and formulating a plan that would play to their strengths.

Lisa, in her serene demeanor, was often found beside a serene lake, connecting with her Water Sprite, perhaps trying to decipher a way to counter the Celestial Dragon's tempestuous powers.

Feng Xuan, with his determined spirit, drilled with a focus like never before, trying to find a weak spot in the seemingly impenetrable defense of the Guardian Golem.

Nightfall before the duel saw the city come alive in a carnival of lights. Music played, and dancers swirled, but the two friends—Li Yang, and Feng Xuan—sat atop a quiet hill, stars overhead, reflecting on their journey so far and the battles ahead.

Li Yang, looking at the horizon, mused, "Tomorrow, our destinies unfold."

And as the first rays of dawn crept into the sky, Cardonia's arena, a crucible of dreams and nightmares, awaited its champions.