I dominated the game from the start with cards.

A dazzling light suddenly erupted, and the shield formed by the card was not as fragile as the Blood Demon had predicted.

Just as Shadow's dagger was about to pierce Shu Yao, a mysterious force, like an invisible barrier, suddenly blasted Shadow away.

He fell heavily to the ground with a muffled groan. Ye Ling and the others watched this scene in astonishment. Before they could react, Shadow struggled to his feet again, his eyes flashing with a fierce light.

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, let out a low growl, and lunged at Shu Yao again.

"Don't even think about it!" Ye Ling, despite his exhaustion, stood in front of Shu Yao and engaged in a fierce battle with the shadow.

The cards in his hand flew about, sometimes transforming into sharp blades, sometimes into sturdy shields, and sometimes into agile vines, deflecting the shadow's attacks one by one.

He skillfully used various card combinations to outmaneuver the shadows and find their weaknesses.

Qingyue had also recovered some of her strength, and she attacked Dark Shadow from the side, coordinating with Ye Ling's offensive.

The long whip in her hand danced like a serpent, each swing carrying a sharp gust of wind, forcing the shadows to retreat repeatedly.

The Blood Demon stood at a distance, his face grim.

He never expected Ye Ling to have such a trump card, and he never expected that this seemingly weak girl would be so difficult to deal with.

He snorted coldly, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes. "A bunch of ants, how dare you be so insolent in front of me!"

The Blood Demon roared and flashed, instantly appearing in front of Ye Ling.

He brandished his giant axe, slashing down at Ye Ling with a devastating aura.

Ye Ling's expression changed; he knew he was no match for the Blood Demon. He quickly transformed the card in his hand into a massive shield, holding it in front of him.

With a deafening roar, the shield was cleaved in two by the Blood Demon's giant axe. Ye Ling was also thrown back by the immense impact, crashing heavily to the ground and spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Shu Yao exclaimed in surprise and rushed to Ye Ling's side to help him up.

"Ye Ling, are you alright?" Shu Yao asked anxiously.

Ye Ling shook his head, enduring the excruciating pain, and said, "I'm fine, don't worry about me."

Just then, the Blood Demon closed in again, raising his giant axe high, ready to deliver a fatal blow to Ye Ling. "Stop!"

An aged voice suddenly rang out, and a figure appeared before the Blood Demon, blocking his attack. The newcomer was none other than Elder Ling.

"Elder Ling!" Ye Ling and Shu Yao exclaimed in surprise. Elder Ling glanced at Ye Ling and Shu Yao, then turned to Blood Demon and said in a deep voice, "Blood Demon, you won't be allowed to harm them." Blood Demon snorted coldly and said, "Old man, are you going to meddle in other people's business too?"

Elder Ling sneered, "I'm going to meddle in your business today!" With that, a long sword appeared in Elder Ling's hand, its blade radiating a dazzling light.

"Then let me see just how capable you really are!"

The Blood Demon roared and swung his giant axe again, attacking Elder Ling.

Elder Ling brandished his longsword and charged forward. The two instantly clashed, their powerful forces colliding to create a deafening roar... Ye Ling clutched his chest, his face pale, a trickle of blood escaping from the corner of his mouth.

Upon seeing this, Shu Yao exclaimed, "Ye Ling!" Ye Ling clutched his chest, his face pale, and a trickle of blood oozed from the corner of his mouth.

His previous head-on clash with the Blood Demon caused his old injuries to flare up, and he felt excruciating pain throughout his body.

But he gritted his teeth, trying to suppress his pain. He didn't want Shu Yao and Qing Yue to worry, and he didn't want to become a burden to them in this perilous environment.

"Ye Ling!" Shu Yao, with her sharp eyes, noticed Ye Ling's unusual behavior and cried out in alarm, wanting to help him up. However, Shadow seized the opportunity, smiled sinisterly, and his figure flashed in front of Shu Yao like a ghost, his dagger pointed directly at her throat.

"Your opponent is me!" Qingyue shouted, brandishing her long whip in an attempt to force back the shadow.

However, she had already expended a lot of spiritual energy, so her attack was slightly weak and was easily dodged by the shadow.

Ye Ling was extremely anxious and wanted to rush forward to help, but a sharp pain struck his body, causing him to stagger a few steps and almost lose his balance. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the surging blood and qi within him.

The shadowy figure pressed closer, a dagger gleaming coldly before Shu Yao; the situation was critical.

At this critical moment, Ye Ling keenly noticed a pattern in the shadow attacks: before each attack, his eyes would unconsciously glance at the target's left shoulder.

This subtle movement might be difficult for an ordinary person to notice, but for Ye Ling, who was highly focused at the moment, it was as obvious as a firefly in the dark.

A daring plan formed in Ye Ling's mind. He deliberately created an opening, tilting his body slightly to the left as if he were unable to support himself.

Shadow fell for the trap, a glint of greed flashing in his eyes. Without hesitation, he thrust the dagger toward Ye Ling's left shoulder. Just as the dagger was about to touch Ye Ling, a sly smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Binding Spirit!" Ye Ling shouted, and a card shimmering with a dark blue light flew out of his hand, transforming into a chain shimmering with runes, which swiftly wrapped around Shadow's wrist.

Shadow's expression changed drastically; he hadn't expected Ye Ling to have such a method.

He struggled desperately, but found that the chains were like a persistent, intractable disease, binding him tightly.

"Lord Blood Demon, save me!" Shadow cried out in terror. The Blood Demon, who was in the distance, heard Shadow's cry for help and was about to rush to his aid.

However, at that moment, a powerful spiritual energy fluctuation suddenly came from afar. This spiritual energy was as vast as the sea and carried a heart-palpitating pressure.

Blood Demon's expression changed slightly, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes. He hesitated, turning his gaze to the direction from which the spiritual energy fluctuations were coming, muttering to himself, "This aura... could it be..." His words trailed off, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Shadow was firmly bound by the Spirit Binding Card, unable to move, his face filled with even greater terror. He screamed at the top of his lungs, "Lord Blood Demon! Save me! Save me!"

Upon hearing the cry for help, the Blood Demon hesitated for a moment, his crimson eyes flashing with a hint of hesitation.

His enormous palm had already condensed a ball of crimson energy, and he was about to throw it at Ye Ling and the others when he was interrupted by a sudden surge of spiritual energy.

This spiritual power was vast and boundless, sweeping in like a surging tide, carrying a suffocating pressure.

Blood Demon's expression changed slightly, a hint of apprehension flashing across his face. He turned to look in the direction from which the spiritual energy fluctuations were coming, muttering to himself, "This aura... could it be... the Netherworld Ghost Emperor?"

Taking advantage of the Blood Demon's distraction, Shu Yao quickly came to Ye Ling's side. She looked at Ye Ling's pale face and the bloodstains at the corner of his mouth with heartache, and gently stroked his face with trembling hands, her eyes filled with love and worry.

"Don't always push yourself so hard," Shu Yao whispered in Ye Ling's ear, her voice trembling slightly.

Ye Ling grasped Shu Yao's hand in return, feeling the warmth of her palm. This gentle touch sent a warm current through his heart.

He forced a smile, wanting to comfort Shu Yao, but found that he barely had the strength to speak.

"Cough cough..." Ye Ling couldn't help but cough a few times, and blood spilled from the corner of his mouth again.

"Ye Ling!" Shu Yao exclaimed, tears welling in her eyes. Qing Yue, standing beside her, also looked at Ye Ling with worry, knowing that he had done everything in his power to protect them.

Ye Ling held Shu Yao's hand tightly, feeling her gentleness. All the little moments he had spent with Shu Yao flashed through his mind like a movie.

The scene of their first encounter, Shu Yao's meticulous care when healing his wounds, and her warm smile... these heartwarming moments gave Ye Ling immense strength.

He knew he couldn't fall; he still had to protect Shu Yao and Qing Yue.

Although the Blood Demon in the distance was startled by the sudden surge of spiritual energy, it did not leave.

His bloodshot eyes were fixed on Ye Ling and the others, like a lurking beast ready to launch a fatal attack at any moment.

The powerful spiritual energy fluctuations gradually dissipated, and an eerie tranquility filled the air.

Ye Ling took a deep breath, trying to calm the surging blood and qi in his body.

He didn't know what that spiritual energy fluctuation was, nor what the Blood Demon would do next, or whether they could truly escape this crisis. Everything was shrouded in uncertainty. "We..." Ye Ling began with difficulty, but only managed to utter one word before closing his eyes weakly.

Shu Yao hugged Ye Ling in terror, tears streaming down her face: "Ye Ling! Ye Ling!"

Qingyue called out anxiously, "Ye Ling, wake up!"

The Blood Demon looked at the unconscious Ye Ling and a cruel smile appeared on his lips: "Hmph, it seems that the Netherworld Ghost Emperor was just passing by."

"Since that's the case..." He slowly raised his hand, and crimson energy condensed again, exuding a chilling killing intent.

"Stop!" A hoarse yet authoritative voice suddenly rang out. Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw an old man with white hair and a youthful face, dressed in a gray robe, slowly walking towards them... As the old man arrived, the Blood Demon paused slightly, a hint of fear flashing in his scarlet eyes.

The old man was none other than Elder Ling. He had white hair but a youthful face, and his gray robe swayed gently in the breeze, exuding an aura of awe. He approached step by step, his gaze sweeping over Ye Ling and the others before finally settling on Blood Demon. His voice was deep and powerful: "Blood Demon, you have crossed the line."

Blood Demon sneered, "Old man, mind your own business! This brat has some grudges against me, and I will kill him today!" Elder Ling shook his head and sighed, "When will this cycle of revenge end?"

"If you insist on this, don't blame me for being impolite." The Blood Demon laughed wildly: "You? You dare to stop me?" Blood energy surged in his hands, his killing intent soaring to the heavens.

Elder Ling remained calm, a simple wooden staff appearing in his hand. He gently tapped the ground, and an invisible wave spread out, suppressing the Blood Demon's aura.

"Let's end things here." Although the Blood Demon was arrogant, he was not stupid. He sensed the unfathomable power emanating from Elder Ling and knew that he was no match for him.

He glared fiercely at Ye Ling, gritting his teeth as he said, "Kid, you're lucky! Next time we meet, I'll definitely take your life!" With that, he turned into a cloud of blood mist and disappeared into the night.

Seeing the Blood Demon leave, Shadow also hurriedly fled, but was frozen in place by Elder Ling's flick of his sleeve, unable to move.

Elder Ling looked at the shadowy figure, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "You aided and abetted evil, your crime is unforgivable."

He struck out with his palm, and the shadowy figure let out a miserable scream as his soul was scattered. The crisis was temporarily averted, and Shu Yao and Qing Yue quickly checked Ye Ling's injuries.

Ye Ling was in a daze at the moment, but he still held Shu Yao's hand tightly.

He vaguely remembered Shu Yao's gentleness when she healed his wounds, her worried eyes, and her warm smile... These beautiful memories, like a gentle stream, nourished his parched heart and gave him endless strength.

He recalled the first time he met Shu Yao; she was dressed in simple clothes, and looked exceptionally beautiful and refined in the sunlight. When she treated his wounds, her movements were gentle and meticulous, and her eyes were full of concern.

He still remembered what Shu Yao had once said: "No matter what happens, I will be by your side."

These words, like a warm ray of light, illuminated his path forward.

He knew he couldn't fall; he still had to protect Shu Yao, Qing Yue, and everyone he cared about.

He tried hard to open his eyes, wanting to tell Shu Yao that he was alright, but his eyelids felt as heavy as mountains, and he couldn't open them no matter what.

Elder Ling looked at the unconscious Ye Ling, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. He knew that Ye Ling had given his all to protect his companions.

He reached out and touched Ye Ling a few times, and a gentle spiritual energy flowed into Ye Ling's body, helping him recover from his injuries. "This child is kind-hearted and determined; he will surely achieve great things in the future."

Elder Ling said in a low voice.

Shu Yao looked at Elder Ling gratefully: "Thank you for saving my life, senior." Elder Ling waved his hand: "You're welcome, it was nothing."

He turned to look into the distance, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. "However, although the Blood Demon has retreated this time, I'm afraid he won't let it go."

"Moreover, that sudden fluctuation of spiritual energy also made me uneasy..." Qingyue asked worriedly, "Senior, what exactly was that fluctuation of spiritual energy?"

Elder Ling shook his head and sighed, "I don't know either, but what I'm sure of is that that power is extremely strong, even..."

He paused, his gaze deep, "He might even surpass the Netherworld Ghost Emperor."

A heavy atmosphere hung in the air. Ye Ling remained unconscious, and the unknown, powerful force, along with the menacing Blood Demon, were like a sword hanging over their heads, ready to fall at any moment… Elder Ling looked at Ye Ling and slowly extended his hand…