I dominated the game from the start with cards.

Elder Ling's hand hovered above Ye Ling, but ultimately did not fall.

He took a deep breath and turned his gaze to the distance, where a chilling aura of darkness was rapidly approaching.

"It's too late..." he muttered to himself, his tone filled with helplessness and worry.

Almost simultaneously, the Blood Demon's figure emerged from the darkness.

He was tall and imposing, enveloped in a blood-red light, and held a massive demonic axe in his hand, its blade gleaming with a chilling light.

His gaze was fixed on the unconscious Ye Ling, a cruel smile appearing on his lips.

"We searched so hard but couldn't find it, and then it came to us effortlessly!"

The Blood Demon's voice was deep and hoarse, like the whisper of a demon from hell. Shu Yao and Qing Yue immediately stepped in front of Ye Ling, watching the Blood Demon warily.

They could feel the powerful aura emanating from the Blood Demon, a suffocating sense of oppression. Fear, like a cold snake, coiled around their hearts, making it almost impossible for them to breathe.

"You two think you can stop me?" The Blood Demon sneered disdainfully, slowly raising the demonic axe in his hand.

The surrounding darkness seemed to be summoned, frantically converging towards him and forming a huge vortex that enveloped him.

The Blood Demon's power was constantly increasing, and the sense of oppression was becoming more and more intense.

Ye Ling's cards began to crack under the immense power, Qing Yue's sword hummed, and Shu Yao's healing power was also about to give way.

They knew that the gap between themselves and the Blood Demon was as insurmountable as an insurmountable chasm. The Blood Demon launched the first attack. He swung his axe down, and a blood-red light shot towards Ye Ling and the others like lightning.

Wherever the light passed, space seemed to be torn apart. "Frost Guard!" Shu Yao shouted, and an ice-blue barrier appeared in front of the three of them, attempting to block the Blood Demon's attack.

"Sword shadows upon swords!" Qingyue brandished her sword, its light flashing and forming streaks of sword energy that met the crimson light.

Although Ye Ling was unconscious, the cards in his hand flew out automatically, transforming into beams of light that merged into the icy blue barrier and sword energy, enhancing their defensive capabilities. The combined power of the three collided with the Blood Demon's attack, generating a tremendous impact.

The icy blue barrier trembled violently, emitting a cracking sound as it struggled to withstand the pressure. Sword energy shattered and dissipated into the air. Despite the three of them working together to resist, the Blood Demon's power was simply too overwhelming.

The icy blue barrier finally shattered, and the crimson light, undiminished in its force, hurtled towards the three.

At the critical moment, Elder Ling appeared before the three. He stretched out his withered hand and waved it gently, and a golden light acted as a shield, blocking the blood-red light.

"Blood Demon, your opponent is me." Elder Ling's voice was calm and firm, his eyes filled with determination.

The Blood Demon looked at Elder Ling, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, which then turned into disdain. "You? A wretched old man clinging to life, you dare to stop me?"

Elder Ling ignored the Blood Demon's taunts. He turned to Shu Yao and Qing Yue and said in a deep voice, "Take Ye Ling and leave quickly!"

The Blood Demon grinned maliciously and raised his demonic axe once more... "Trying to leave? Not so easy!"

The Blood Demon's demonic axe swung down again, this time targeting Qingyue, who was standing in front of him, instead of Ye Ling.

The crimson light was like a venomous snake's tongue, swift and ruthless. Qingyue didn't even have time to react before being struck by this powerful force. Her petite body flew out like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily onto the cold ground. A mouthful of blood gushed out, staining her chest red.

"Qingyue!" Shu Yao exclaimed, tears welling up in her eyes. She tried to rush over, but was stopped by Elder Ling.

"Don't go over there, it's too dangerous now!" Elder Ling's voice was heavy and urgent, his gaze fixed on the Blood Demon, not daring to relax for a moment.

Ye Ling's eyes also reddened. He struggled to stand up and save Qingyue, but was forced back by the Blood Demon's attacks. The Blood Demon's offensive was as fierce as a storm, and Ye Ling couldn't get even half a step closer to Qingyue.

He could only watch helplessly as Qingyue fell into a pool of blood, his heart filled with powerlessness and despair.

The Blood Demon looked at Qingyue lying on the ground and let out a cruel laugh. "You overconfident little girl, this is what happens when you oppose me!"

His gaze shifted to Ye Ling, his eyes filled with murderous intent. "Next, it's your turn!"

Shu Yao felt a pang of heartache as she looked at the injured Qing Yue. She forced back her tears and channeled her spiritual energy into Qing Yue's body, attempting to stabilize her injuries. However, Qing Yue's injuries were too severe; her breath grew weaker and weaker, and her face grew increasingly pale.

A wave of despair washed over Ye Ling. Were they really going to die here?

No, he was not reconciled! He still had so much to do; he still needed to protect Shu Yao, and he still needed to uncover the secrets surrounding him!

Just when Ye Ling was about to give up hope, he suddenly realized that after each attack, the Blood Demon would pause for a moment. That was the gap in his power circulation and the moment when his defense was weakest.

This is an opportunity! An extremely dangerous, but possibly the only, opportunity!

Ye Ling took a deep breath and concentrated all his power on a card in his hand. It was the most powerful card he currently possessed—the legendary card "Sword of Heavenly Punishment".

On the card, a golden greatsword radiates a dazzling light, as if it contains world-destroying power.

He recklessly pushed the power of the "Sword of Heavenly Punishment" to its limit. The golden giant sword flew out of the card with the force to tear through space, and slashed fiercely at the Blood Demon's weakness.

The Blood Demon clearly hadn't anticipated that Ye Ling possessed such immense power. He was slightly taken aback, and as his body was struck by the golden sword energy, he let out a muffled groan.

He looked at Ye Ling with some surprise, a look of disbelief flashing in his eyes. "You..." Before the Blood Demon could finish speaking, his face suddenly turned ferocious.

The crimson light emanating from him intensified, and the surrounding space began to distort violently. "You little beast, you've successfully enraged me!"

The Blood Demon's voice was filled with rage and murderous intent, "I'll let you taste the power of forbidden magic!"

He raised the demonic axe high, chanting incantations. The surrounding space distorted even more violently, and Ye Ling and the others felt as if their bodies were being torn apart by countless invisible hands, the intense pain making it almost impossible for them to breathe.

Their power was suppressed to the point of near immobility in this distorted space, while the Blood Demon's power continued to grow, like a volcano about to erupt, radiating a suffocating sense of oppression... "Feel despair!"

The Blood Demon's voice echoed in the distorted space, like the whisper of a demon from hell.

The crimson light, like boiling magma, churned and surged in the distorted space.

The Blood Demon raised his demonic axe high, chanting incantations. Every syllable seemed to carry the chill of hell, striking the hearts of Ye Ling and the others.

The space distorted even more violently, and the invisible pressure pressed down on them like a boulder, making it almost impossible for them to breathe.

"Ah!" Qingyue let out a painful groan. Her already pale face turned even paler, and large beads of sweat rolled down her forehead.

Shu Yao held her hand tightly, continuously channeling her spiritual energy into her, trying to alleviate her pain. Ye Ling felt as if his body was being torn apart by countless sharp claws; the intense pain almost made him lose consciousness.

He gritted his teeth, enduring the excruciating pain, and tried his best to stay conscious.

He knew that if he collapsed, Shu Yao and Qing Yue would be completely hopeless. "Ling..." Shu Yao struggled to get to Ye Ling's side, hugging him tightly as if she wanted to merge herself into his body.

"Even if I die, I want to be with you." Her voice trembled, but it was full of determination.

Ye Ling held Shu Yao's hand tightly. Her body was soft and warm, and he could feel her heartbeat and her love for him. At that moment, the fear and despair in his heart were dispelled, replaced by boundless courage and strength.

He looked into Shu Yao's eyes, his gaze filled with determination. "I won't let you die. I will definitely protect you!" The image of Elder Ling appeared in his mind. That mysterious and powerful old man had helped him many times in times of crisis.

He desperately hoped that the Spirit Elder would reappear and save them from danger. He also recalled the hardships he had endured, from an ordinary boy to where he was today, experiencing countless life-or-death trials.

He was unwilling to accept defeat, unwilling to be defeated by the Blood Demon, unwilling to die like this! The Blood Demon's forbidden magic was finally complete.

The demonic axe in his hand emitted a chilling blood-red light, distorting the surrounding space to its extreme, as if it were about to collapse at any moment.

He looked at Ye Ling and the others, his eyes filled with mockery and cruelty.

"Feel despair! This is what happens when you oppose me!"

Just when Ye Ling and the others thought they were doomed, a powerful surge of spiritual energy suddenly came from afar. This energy, vast as the sea, instantly suppressed the Blood Demon's forbidden magic. The distorted space began to calm down, and the pressure on Ye Ling and the others disappeared. A figure slowly appeared in everyone's sight.

It was a man dressed in a long black robe, his face covered by a mask, obscuring his features, but he exuded a suffocating aura, as if he were the master of this world.

Ye Ling didn't know whether this mysterious expert was friend or foe, or whether he could help them fight against the Blood Demon.

Upon seeing this mysterious powerhouse, the Blood Demon's arrogance subsided somewhat, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes. He slowly spoke, "You..." Ye Ling's mind flashed back to Elder Ling's deep eyes and his meaningful words: "Child, your path is long. Remember, never use that power unless absolutely necessary..." At the time, he didn't understand the meaning behind Elder Ling's words, but now, trapped in this desperate situation, he realized that Elder Ling had foreseen today's crisis.

He desperately wished that the Spirit Elder could reappear at this moment, guide him, and save them.

He held Shu Yao's hand tightly, feeling the warmth of her palm, and a feeling of resentment welled up in his heart.

He went from being an ordinary person who knew nothing about the supernatural world to where he is today, experiencing countless life-and-death battles and collecting so many precious cards. Is this where he is going to stop?

He was unwilling to give up. He still wanted to protect Shu Yao, uncover the secrets hidden within himself, and gain a foothold in this supernatural world full of dangers!

Just then, the vast, ocean-like fluctuations of spiritual energy grew stronger and stronger, as if they were about to tear this world apart. The crimson light was gradually suppressed, the distorted space began to return to calm, and the pressure on Ye Ling and the others also disappeared.

Qingyue coughed weakly a few times, and her complexion improved slightly.

The source of that spiritual energy fluctuation—the mysterious powerful figure—has finally appeared.

He radiated a dazzling light, obscuring his face.

He seemed to be a god emerging from the void, carrying a suffocating pressure as he walked step by step toward the Blood Demon.

When the Blood Demon saw him, a hint of fear flashed in his eyes, and his hand holding the Demon Axe trembled involuntarily.

But he quickly regained his previous arrogance, laughing wildly, "I thought it was someone else, but it's you, you old codger! What, you want to meddle in my affairs too?"

The mysterious expert ignored the Blood Demon's provocation. He slowly raised his hand, and a powerful surge of spiritual energy instantly enveloped the Blood Demon.

The Blood Demon felt as if he were being crushed by a mountain, unable to move. His expression changed drastically, his eyes filled with terror. He knew that he had encountered a being far more powerful than himself.

"What...what do you want to do?" The Blood Demon's voice trembled, all traces of his previous arrogance gone. The mysterious powerhouse remained silent, simply staring at the Blood Demon with cold indifference in his eyes.

Ye Ling stared at the scene before him, his heart filled with questions. Who exactly was this mysterious expert? Why was he here? Was he friend or foe?

Can he help them fight the Blood Demon?

Just then, the mysterious powerful figure slowly spoke, his voice deep and powerful, as if carrying some kind of magic: "Blood Demon, your sins are countless..." He paused, his gaze sweeping over Ye Ling and the others, finally settling on Ye Ling, "And you..."