Chapter 125: The Legendary Qilin

The dust was yet to settle from Li Yang's victorious clash, but the murmurs had already begun. Eyes widened, and heads turned, all focused on the extraordinary creature standing next to Li Yang – the Qilin, a creature of legends. Mentor Meng, an elder with knowledge surpassing most, eyed the Qilin with a mix of astonishment and reverence. "Is this not the legendary divine beast?" he wondered aloud, impressed that such a young warrior could tame such a creature.

Whispers traveled quickly among the instructors. The Qilin was no ordinary card monster. Its presence on the battlefield was akin to a god among mortals. Feng Xuan, scratching his head, expressed his confusion, "Wasn't his beast a Lion-Eagle before? Why has it morphed into a creature that's neither lion nor deer?"

It was Lisa, well-versed in ancient lore, who provided the clarification. "It's the Qilin, a divine beast from ancient tales," she elaborated, her eyes gleaming with recognition. "It's no wonder Li Yang breezed through the preliminaries; this divine beast is not to be underestimated."

Fred, regaining control of the proceedings, declared, "Li Yang is victorious. Next up, Maelon, make your choice."

Maelon, still recovering from the awe of witnessing the Qilin in action, responded, "I challenge rank 52." His determination was clear. He wasn't going to be overshadowed by Li Yang's recent triumph.

Descending from the higher ranks, a confident youth named Rafael took his place in the arena. He was known for his strategic gameplay, and by his side was his card monster - the majestic Thunderhawk, a bird with electric blue feathers, a razor-sharp beak, and talons that crackled with electricity.

The battle between Maelon and Rafael was intense from the get-go. Crystal Wyrm, Maelon's card monster, was a magnificent creature resembling a dragon, its body shimmering with crystalline scales reflecting the arena's lights. The Thunderhawk, agile and fierce, unleashed electric shocks towards the Wyrm, illuminating the battlefield. However, the Crystal Wyrm, with its reflective body, deflected most of the Thunderhawk's electric strikes.

The tussle between the two was a dazzling display of skills, strategy, and raw power. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as the two monsters locked in fierce combat, each blow and counterblow echoing through the arena.

In the end, Maelon's experience and the resilience of the Crystal Wyrm proved to be the deciding factor. With a mighty roar and a blindingly bright flash of light, the Wyrm unleashed its ultimate move, encasing the Thunderhawk in a crystalline prison from which it couldn't escape.

As the audience erupted in cheers, Maelon, catching his breath, looked towards Li Yang, his eyes filled with competitive fire. It was evident that the next chapters of this tournament would be filled with unprecedented battles and legendary tales.