This is my issue. That line of logic is fine and without issue when applied to abilities that specifically affect final duel totals. The issue being pushed is that because there is no reference to modifiers when determining current duel total at the cheating stage in the rules manuals then all abilities which modify duel totals have to be treated as if they say final duel total even if they say they simply say affect duel totals, even though, in the case of Chi, you are being required to choose to apply an ability at that the current duel stage of the process . It is a corner case issue for Shenlong, it is a mess for Yan Lo.