I dominated the game from the start with cards.

The Blood Demon clone shot out like an arrow, carrying a thick aura of darkness, and rushed straight at the group.

Ye Ling's heart pounded wildly as he flipped through the cards in his hand, throwing out cards such as Netherworld Ghost Fire, Ancient Tree, and Ice Shield in an attempt to build a defensive line.

However, faced with such a large number of powerful clones, he was unsure how long this fragile defense could hold out.

The mysterious expert was pale, with fine beads of sweat on his forehead.

He kept his hands in the mudra, chanting incantations, and his spiritual energy surged, but it was noticeably weaker than before.

His previous injuries had severely depleted his energy, and forcibly activating magic now would only worsen his condition.

Qingyue struggled to her feet, her sword trembling as she pointed it at the approaching Blood Demon clone.

She took a deep breath and poured the last of her spiritual energy into the sword, causing the blade to burst forth with a dazzling light.

However, this light flickered like a candle in the wind, teetering on the brink of collapse. "Clang!" A crisp metallic clang echoed through the valley. Qingyue's sword clashed with the Blood Demon's avatar's claws, sparks flying.

A tiny crack appeared on her sword blade and quickly spread. Seeing this, Ye Ling immediately threw out several attack cards.

A fierce wind howled, lightning flashed, and fireballs flew as they swept towards the Blood Demon's clone.

However, when these cards attacked the clones, it was like throwing a mud ox into the sea; they only caused a ripple before disappearing without a trace.

The clones' power far exceeded his expectations; the attacks from these cards were like tickles to them. The mysterious powerhouse finally completed the preparation of the spell.

A dazzling beam of light shot out from his hand, striking several blood demon clones directly.

The clone was struck by the beam of light, letting out a shrill scream as it staggered back several steps.

However, this was only a temporary suppression; they quickly regained their footing and charged at the group again. A Blood Demon clone bypassed Ye Ling's card defense and headed straight for Qing Yue. Qing Yue barely managed to swing her sword to defend, but she was already exhausted.

The clone's sharp claws shot out like lightning, striking her abdomen hard. Blood instantly stained her clothes, and she groaned as she collapsed to the ground, her eyes filled with despair.

"Qingyue!" Shu Yao cried out in anguish upon seeing this scene.

The darkness suffocated her, and Qingyue's injuries tore at her heart. Tears blurred her vision, and she helplessly reached out to grab Qingyue, but she couldn't grasp anything.

Ye Ling's eyes were bloodshot with rage. He wanted to rush over to save Qingyue, but he was surrounded by several Blood Demon clones.

He waved the cards in his hand, but like a trapped beast struggling, he was powerless to break through the encirclement. Elder Ling stood aside, watching everything before him, his face solemn.

He slowly raised his hand, as if wanting to do something, but then helplessly lowered it. "It's too late..." Elder Ling's voice was low and hoarse.

Qingyue collapsed to the ground, blood gushing from the wound in her abdomen, staining the soil beneath her red. Her face was as pale as paper, her lips bloodless, and her eyes stared blankly at the gray sky, despair engulfing her like a tidal wave.

"Qingyue!" Shu Yao's cries were heart-wrenching, sounding especially shrill in the thick darkness. She struggled to get closer to Qingyue, but fear and helplessness held her firmly in place.

The oppressive darkness made it almost impossible for her to breathe, and Qingyue's injuries were like a knife to her heart.

Tears blurred her vision, and the world appeared as a blurry gray in her eyes.

Ye Ling's eyes were bloodshot, and his heart felt as if it were being tightly gripped by an invisible hand.

He frantically waved the cards in his hand, unleashing a barrage of attacks like a torrential downpour, but he couldn't break through the encirclement of the Blood Demon clone.

He watched helplessly as Qingyue collapsed, a feeling that nearly drove him to the brink of collapse.

"Damn it!" Ye Ling gritted his teeth, despair almost consuming him.

Just then, he suddenly felt a strange power surging within him, like a sleeping dragon awakening. This power was warm and strong, completely different from the spiritual power he had used before.

Ye Ling's heart skipped a beat. Could this be the "hidden power" that Elder Ling had mentioned? He dared not be negligent and immediately concentrated his energy, trying to guide this power to merge with the card in his hand.

The card trembled slightly in his hand, emitting a dazzling light.

"I'll risk it all!" Ye Ling took a deep breath and threw out the card that had been fused with the new power.

The card traced a golden path through the air before exploding into a dazzling light, like the rising sun, dispelling the surrounding darkness.

The Blood Demon clone was repelled by the sudden burst of light, letting out a series of mournful howls. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ye Ling broke through the encirclement and arrived at Qingyue's side.

He knelt down on one knee and gently helped Qingyue up, anxiously asking, "Qingyue, how are you?" Qingyue weakly opened her eyes, saw Ye Ling's concerned gaze, and managed a weak smile: "I...I'm fine..." However, this was only a brief moment of relief.

The Blood Demon's other clones quickly regrouped and surged forward like a black tide, surrounding Ye Ling and Qing Yue.

The mysterious powerhouse swayed precariously, his strength nearly exhausted, his face deathly pale. He struggled to stay upright, his voice trembling as he said, "Quick...quick, go..." Elder Ling stood to the side, his brow furrowed, a complex light flickering in his eyes.

He looked at Ye Ling and the others who were surrounded, slowly raised his hand, as if he had made a decision... "It seems that it is time..." The Blood Demon clones surged in like a tide, and the stench was nauseating.

They let out sharp hisses, staring greedily at Ye Ling and the others, as if they were prey about to be devoured. Ye Ling and the others were surrounded, with nowhere to retreat.

Their power was rapidly depleted in the constant battles against the Blood Demon's clones, like moths drawn to a flame, with no glimmer of hope in sight.

The mysterious powerhouse was swaying precariously; his strength was nearly exhausted, and his face was frighteningly pale.

Large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and each breath seemed to drain all his strength.

He forced himself to stay upright and said in a trembling voice, "Quick...go...don't worry about me..."

In the thick darkness, Shu Yao shouted hoarsely, "Ye Ling, I love you! Even if I die, I will love you!" Her voice trembled, filled with deep fear and despair, yet also with resolute love.

Upon hearing Shu Yao's confession, Ye Ling was filled with both emotion and despair.

He held the injured Qingyue tightly, feeling her life slowly slipping away.

Qingyue's breathing grew weaker and weaker, and her body gradually grew colder.

His eyes were brimming with tears, but he was powerless to change anything. He felt he had let everyone down and was unable to protect them.

"Qingyue... hang in there..." Ye Ling's voice choked with sobs, but he could only futilely comfort the girl in his arms who was gradually losing her life.

He recalled the happy times he had spent with his companions, cultivating together in the tranquil forest, laughing together in the bustling market. Those beautiful memories stood in stark contrast to his current despair, like a sharp knife piercing his heart.

Despair overwhelmed Ye Ling like a cold tide, and he felt an unprecedented sense of powerlessness and fear.

He watched helplessly as his companions fell one by one, unable to do anything about it.

Just when everyone thought they were doomed, the voice of Elder Ling suddenly rang in Ye Ling's mind. It was old and deep, but it carried a faint glimmer of hope: "There is still a glimmer of hope..." This voice was like a beacon in the darkness, giving Ye Ling a glimmer of hope, but it also left him feeling extremely confused.

What is this glimmer of hope? And how can they seize this last chance?

Ye Ling raised his head and looked around. The thick darkness trapped them like a cage, with no possibility of escape in sight... "Child..." Elder Ling's voice rang out again, with a hint of urgency, "Use the..." A thick, nauseating smell of blood filled the air.

Ye Ling held the dying Qingyue tightly in his arms. The girl's body was frighteningly cold, and her faint breathing sounded like a candle flame that might stop at any moment.

Shu Yao's confession still echoed in his ears, but it felt more like a heavy hammer blow to his heart.

He recalled Qingyue's bright smile when he first entered the spirit world, like the warm sunshine in winter.

They cultivated together in the forest, and Qingyue was always the first to discover rare spiritual herbs, excitedly pulling him and Shuyao to share them; they also frolicked in the bustling market, Qingyue nimbly weaving through the crowd, picking out trinkets for him. Those once vivid scenes now pierced his heart like sharp knives.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and struggled to hold back his tears.

He felt he had let everyone down and was unable to protect them.

The mysterious powerhouse swayed precariously, his strength exhausted, as if he would collapse at any moment.

Faced with the surging tide of Blood Demon clones, they were like a small boat on a vast ocean, ready to be swallowed by the giant waves at any moment.

Despair overwhelmed Ye Ling like a cold tide, and he felt an unprecedented sense of powerlessness and fear.

At this critical moment, the voice of Elder Ling suddenly rang in Ye Ling's mind, old and deep, yet carrying a faint glimmer of hope: "Child... there is still a glimmer of hope..." This voice was like a beacon in the darkness, giving Ye Ling a glimmer of hope, yet also leaving him utterly confused.

A glimmer of hope?

Where are they? The blood demon clones surrounding them are like an iron barrel, offering no chance of escape. How can he seize this last hope?

"Child..." Elder Ling's voice rang out again, tinged with urging, "Use the... conviction in your heart!" Conviction?

Ye Ling was startled.

Elder Ling's words were like a lightning bolt piercing the darkness, instantly making him understand something.

What is his belief? To protect his companions, to uncover the secrets of his own abilities, and to gain a foothold in the supernatural world!

This is not only his goal, but also his motivation to live.

Ye Ling took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.

He looked around; the thick darkness trapped them like a cage, offering no possibility of escape. The roars of the Blood Demon's clone grew closer, the stench almost suffocating him.

"Elder Ling, what should I do?" Ye Ling asked anxiously in his heart.

"Feel it with your heart..." Elder Ling's voice became ethereal, as if it might disappear at any moment, "The power within your heart..." Ye Ling closed his eyes and focused all his attention on his inner self.

He felt the mysterious power within him, and the unwavering belief in his heart.

Gradually, he felt a warm current welling up from the bottom of his heart, flowing throughout his body. He suddenly opened his eyes, a determined light shining within them. He looked at the card in his hand…