Yu-Gi-Oh!: Starting as a Rabbit-Eared Demon King

After a friendly exchange with the lich of the Golden Kingdom, Li Youming was sent back to the human world. Looking at his reflection in the mirror, now transformed back into Bakura, Li Youming felt a pang of nostalgia for his time in the elven realm.

After all, he died of exhaustion and excitement during his first Master Duel match when he reached Diamond rank due to his obsession with ranking up, which led him to this world. (Yes, Li Youming is just as bad as the author, the kind of player who can be easily manipulated by readers.) As an orphan, besides playing cards, the only thing Li Youming still cherishes about is his original appearance.

"The Golden Kingdom Lich? What kind of undead monster is that? I've never seen it before!" A deep voice came from the Millennium Wisdom Wheel. This startled Li Youming.

"You've revived so quickly, as expected of you." Li Youming realized that he could restrain Zorc through the Millennium Wisdom Wheel and that Zorc couldn't defeat him in a duel, so he no longer felt too much fear of Zorc.

"You still haven't explained why you know my divine name?" Zorc, though immortal or resurrected, still expends a great deal of his life force. Dying so soon after his appearance greatly displeased him.

“My father is an archaeologist. Do you really think my father and I unearthed millennia-old wisdom without doing any research?” Li Youming used this reason to fool Zork.

Ryo Bakura's father was indeed an archaeologist, but he wasn't very familiar with the Millennium Treasures. Thinking he had struck gold, he was completely unaware he'd been ripped off by the seller. In the original story, Ryo Bakura was directly possessed by Zouk. The original Ryo didn't appear much. This situation only changed when Li You's soul transmigrated into his body.

"You dare to scheme against me?" Zorc was enraged by Li Youming's words. After all, it was indeed humiliating to be suppressed after failing to outmaneuver someone.

"Alright, there's no point in scheming or not scheming anymore." Li Youming's mind raced. After all, he wasn't good at negotiating. Who would be a card dealer if they were good at negotiating?

“I know you need to collect the Millennium Artifacts, and I also know the whereabouts of the other Millennium Artifacts.” Li Youming could only offer the information he knew in an attempt to appease Zorc.

"You know about the Millennium Artifacts?" Zorc said with a hint of sneer.

“First of all, the Millennium Puzzle is in Yugi Muto’s hands.” Li Youming said slowly, his mind racing as he thought of what to say next: “The Millennium Eye is with Pegasus, the Millennium Staff and the Millennium Jewelry are with the Ishtar family, and finally the Millennium Scales and the Millennium Key are with Shadi.”

Li Youming paused, and seeing that Zorc did not speak but listened to Li Youming continue, Li Youming felt a little relieved. It was clear that Zorc had taken his words to heart.

“Yugi Muto is my friend, and I can easily get close to him. The Ishtar family will be coming to Japan soon, and I can help you with your plans. As for Shadi, he has an organization specifically targeting you. You should also need my abilities to deal with him. So instead of going against me, let's cooperate.”

"How to cooperate?" Clearly, Zorc didn't have as much information as Li Youming; he only knew about Pegasus and Yugi Muto. He knew nothing about Shadi or the Ishtar family. However, since the information he had matched Li Youming's, Zorc assumed that the subsequent information was the result of research done by the Bakura father and son.

"I will provide you with a body at a crucial moment and help you plan those millennium artifacts. In return, this body must be under my control. You can only use it if I give it to you; otherwise, you'll have to stay put. Otherwise, I'll risk my life rather than give you the chance to collect the millennium artifacts!"

Li Youming felt he had revealed enough information, so he became more assertive. Even someone as inexperienced in negotiations as him knew he needed to demonstrate sincerity and state his bottom line. Only then could he more easily gain the upper hand. Given Zorc's arrogant nature, he shouldn't be too difficult to persuade Li Youming by simply revealing his own level and bottom line.

As for the gossip about Zouk being particularly fond of Bakura, Li Youming decided to ignore it for now. After all, they had only just met, so there was no room for any feelings yet.

"Heh, you're the first strong person to dare negotiate with me. I acknowledge your strength and accept your terms." The arrogant Zorc was indeed moved by Li Youming's terms, though he wouldn't admit it verbally.

“If you accept it, that’s fine.” Li Youming continued, “Right now, let’s focus on Pegasus’s Millennium Eye, since that’s the most convenient. We’ll have a chance to get close to him and probe his strengths and weaknesses.”

"An opportunity to contact him? What is it?" After accepting Li Youming's conditions, Zork also became interested in Li Youming's plan.

"The National Professional Duel Tournament! If we win the championship, we'll receive the award personally from Pegasus." Li Youming paused for a moment and continued, "Let's first see how strong Pegasus's mental strength is. If we can forcefully fight him, then we'll find an opportunity to attack directly. If not, then we'll proceed slowly. Currently, Yugi Muto's victory over Seto Kaiba has caused Seto Kaiba's stock price to plummet. I know Pegasus wants to acquire shares in Kaiba Corporation, but that requires defeating Yugi Muto first. We can wait for the Millennium Puzzle and the Millennium Eyed Clam to fight each other, and we'll profit from it."

"Good!" Zorc hadn't expected Li Youming to actually have a good plan. Although it wasn't particularly ambitious, it was certainly safe and sound. So he accepted the plan.

"So you're preparing to participate in the National Professional Duel Tournament, huh? With your new Golden Kingdom Lich, are you?" Zorc asked with interest.

“I will try my best not to reveal this trump card at the national tournament. After all, we are here to get close to Pegasus, not to expose our weaknesses to him,” Li Youming said naturally. “However, with my skill level, ordinary cards plus my own special ability are enough to deal with those people.”

"That's true. I have to admit that your fighting spirit is far beyond that of ordinary people. There are probably very few people who can rival you." After all, he lost to Li Youming, and if he didn't praise Li Youming, he would seem even less capable.

"Don't worry, I can definitely do it," Li Youming said confidently.

"I'll rest first. If you need anything, communicate with me through the Millennium Wisdom Wheel, and I will appear." After Zorc finished speaking, he turned into a wisp of black smoke and flew into the Millennium Wisdom Wheel. Li Youming also sealed the Millennium Wisdom Wheel as a precaution.

"My lord, you are actually connected with this evil god. You must be careful." The lich from the Golden Kingdom flew out after Li Youming completed the sealing of the Wheel of Wisdom and said to him with great concern.

"I will handle things carefully. I don't have any means to counter him right now, so I'll seek cooperation to keep him calm for now. We'll deal with the future later. I trust you will protect me," Li Youming reassured the Golden Kingdom lich.

"I will protect my lord." The Golden Kingdom lich nodded and disappeared into thin air, leaving Li Youming alone to modify the deck.

"The national championship is mine, Pegasus, I'll take you on." Li Youming murmured confidently, holding his adjusted deck.