I dominated the game from the start with cards.

The golden beam of light dissipated, leaving a faint smell of burning in the air.

The ghost's figure vanished, but the suffocating oppressive feeling lingered. Ye Ling, supporting Shu Yao, cautiously looked around. In the silent night, only the rustling of leaves in the wind added to the eeriness. "Is it really gone?" Shu Yao's voice trembled slightly, the light of the Spirit Jade in her hand dimming, like a candle flickering in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment. Ye Ling gripped the card in his hand tightly, sweat beading on his palms. "No, it's still nearby."

He sensed a chilling aura permeating the air, like a venomous snake silently coiling around him. Suddenly, a gust of cold wind swept through, causing the surrounding trees to sway violently. A blurry figure gradually emerged from the darkness—it was Gui Sha.

It didn't flee, but lurked in the shadows, waiting for its chance. At this moment, its blood-red eyes were fixed on the Spirit Jade in Shu Yao's hand, filled with greed and rage. The ghost began to circle around the two of them, like a ferocious beast poised to strike.

With each circle it circled, the surrounding darkness intensified, making it hard to breathe. The shadows of the trees swayed, as if countless ghosts were dancing within, emitting chilling whispers. "Watch out!" Ye Ling sensed the growing danger and quickly shielded Shu Yao behind him. The demonic creature let out a sharp roar and suddenly launched an attack, charging straight at Shu Yao. It wanted to destroy the spiritual object that was restraining it first! Shu Yao reacted swiftly, dodging to the side while simultaneously forming hand seals. The light of the Spirit Jade shone brightly again, forming a barrier that blocked the demonic creature's attack.

Seeing this, Ye Ling quickly drew out several cards and shouted, "Swift Strike!" The cards transformed into sharp spikes, shooting towards Ghost Fiend. Ghost Fiend, however, was exceptionally agile, easily dodging the attack and instead turning its target towards Ye Ling.

"Ye Ling!" Shu Yao exclaimed in alarm. Before he could dodge, Ye Ling was struck by the dark power of the Ghost Fiend, his body crashing heavily to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood. The Ghost Fiend let out a triumphant, sinister laugh and closed in again. Shu Yao was frantic with worry upon seeing Ye Ling injured.

She rushed towards Ye Ling without thinking, wanting to protect him, but was struck by the dark power of the Ghost Fiend and spat out a mouthful of blood... Ling Lao watched this scene, his wooden staff trembling slightly, and said in a low voice, "Child, it's time..." Shu Yao was extremely anxious when she saw Ye Ling injured.

She rushed towards Ye Ling desperately, trying to protect him, but was struck by the dark power of the Ghostly Fiend. She coughed up blood, staining her clothes crimson. She staggered back a few steps, her face ashen, the blood at the corner of her mouth a horrifying sight. Ye Ling looked at the injured Shu Yao, his heart filled with guilt and pain. He struggled to stand, but found himself powerless, and could only watch helplessly as Shu Yao collapsed.

"Shu Yao!" he cried out hoarsely, his voice filled with despair. The demon let out a triumphant laugh and approached step by step. Its scarlet eyes gleamed with bloodlust, as if it could already see its prey's desperate struggle in its death throes.

It extended its sharp claws, preparing to deliver the final, fatal blow to the two humans. At this critical moment, Ye Ling's gaze fell upon the cards in his hand. These cards were his last hope, his only weapon. He concentrated, fusing the mysterious power within him with the cards. A powerful energy surged within him, as if about to burst forth from his body.

He felt his strength surge instantly, an unprecedented sense of power coursing through his body. He stood up abruptly, his eyes gleaming with unwavering determination.

He was no longer the novice new to the supernatural world, but a warrior with immense power! He roared and charged towards the ghost. The card in his hand emitted a brilliant light, like the brightest star in the night sky. "Blazing Inferno!" Ye Ling shouted, throwing the card in his hand. The card transformed into a raging inferno, roaring towards the ghost. Caught off guard, the ghost was struck by the flames and let out a painful howl. The black aura on its body was burned by the flames, sizzling loudly.

It rolled on the ground in agony, trying to extinguish the flames on its body, but to no avail. "Freeze!" Ye Ling threw out another card. The card transformed into an icy blue light, freezing the ghost's body in place. The ghost's movements stopped instantly; it was trapped in the ice, unable to move. Ye Ling pressed his advantage, throwing out cards one after another. The cards transformed into various attacks, raining down on the ghost like a storm.

The Ghost Fiend let out a series of shrill screams as its body gradually disintegrated under the powerful attack. "It's over!" Ye Ling looked at the frozen Ghost Fiend, his heart filled with the joy of victory. He turned around, wanting to check on Shu Yao's injuries, but noticed a cunning glint in the Ghost Fiend's eyes. "You think this is the end?" The Ghost Fiend's voice was hoarse and chilling.

Within the cracked ice, the figure of the ghost gradually disappeared, leaving only a sinister voice echoing in the night sky... Within the cracked ice, the figure of the ghost vanished like smoke, leaving only a chilling laugh echoing in the night sky.

"You think this is the end? Foolish humans!" Before the words were finished, the Ghost Fiend's figure solidified again, but this time, it was no longer alone; it split into three dark clones, each radiating a chilling aura. The four Ghost Fiends attacked simultaneously, enveloping Ye Ling and Shu Yao like a black whirlwind. Ye Ling waved the cards in his hand, unleashing bursts of flames, frost, and lightning that clashed fiercely with the Ghost Fiends' dark power. Explosions, roars, and the buzzing of surging energy mingled together, deafeningly loud.

Despite her injuries, Shu Yao stood firmly beside Ye Ling, her silver needles gleaming with spiritual light as she precisely targeted the ghosts' weaknesses. However, the ghosts were too numerous and their attacks were swift and ruthless, gradually overwhelming them. Ye Ling's breathing became rapid, and the cards in his hand dwindled.

He felt his strength rapidly draining away, like a spring about to dry up. Shu Yao's face grew increasingly pale, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth, but she gritted her teeth and persevered, refusing to back down an inch. During a brief moment of respite, Ye Ling's gaze fell upon Shu Yao's weary yet resolute face. Her eyes were filled with a desperate desire to live and unwavering trust in him. He couldn't help but reach out and gently stroke her face, his fingertips feeling the warmth of her skin, a surge of indescribable tenderness welling up within him.

“Shu Yao,” his voice was a little hoarse, “if we survive, I will never let you be in danger again.” Shu Yao’s eyes were filled with tears, and she nodded slightly. She leaned close to Ye Ling, feeling his body temperature, as if it were the only warmth in this cold world.

"Overestimating yourselves!" Ghost Fiend's mocking voice rang out again, and its four clones pounced on them simultaneously, their sharp claws whistling through the air as if to tear them to shreds. Ye Ling was extremely anxious. He suddenly remembered the Spirit Elder he had encountered before. That mysterious old man seemed to know everything about the supernatural; he must know how to deal with Ghost Fiend! But now, the Spirit Elder was nowhere to be seen, and a sense of resentment welled up in Ye Ling's heart.

Just when they were about to give up, an old voice suddenly rang in their ears: "Only by merging your powers can you have a chance of survival."

Ye Ling and Shu Yao exchanged a glance, both seeing confusion in each other's eyes. How to fuse powers? They had never tried before. And the Ghost Fiend's attack came again, its sharp claws almost touching… "Hurry! There's no time!" Elder Ling's voice rang out again, tinged with anxiety.

Ye Ling gripped Shu Yao's hand tightly, feeling her trembling body temperature... Claws tore through the air, and the shadow of death loomed over Ye Ling and Shu Yao. Images of his encounter with Elder Ling flashed rapidly through Ye Ling's mind: the dim forest, the flickering will-o'-the-wisps, and Elder Ling's deep eyes, seemingly seeing through everything.

"Young man, you have a long road ahead of you..." Elder Ling's voice echoed in my memory. He clearly foresaw the danger, so why has he disappeared now? A sense of resentment mixed with despair welled up in my heart.

"Only by fusing your powers can we have a glimmer of hope." Elder Ling's voice seemed to come from another dimension, interrupting Ye Ling's thoughts at the critical moment. Fusing powers? How? Ye Ling and Shu Yao exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes filled with confusion. One manipulated cards, the other was proficient in medicine; their power attributes were completely different. How could they fuse them?

The demon's claws closed in again, and Ye Ling instinctively shielded Shu Yao behind him, the few cards he had left forming a weak barrier. The demon let out a piercing laugh: "A dying struggle! Die!" Black malevolent energy surged in like a tide, threatening to engulf them. Time seemed to freeze, and Ye Ling's mind raced.

Elder Ling's words must have a deeper meaning! He recalled Shu Yao's healing power, and a strange idea sprouted in his mind. Cards represent supernatural power, and Shu Yao's spiritual power can heal wounds and replenish spiritual energy… Could it be…? "Shu Yao, infuse your spiritual power into my card!"

"I must say," Ye Ling said hurriedly, handing the last card to Shu Yao. The card depicted a phoenix rising from the ashes, emitting a faint glow. Although Shu Yao didn't understand Ye Ling's intentions, she chose to trust him unconditionally. She took a deep breath and slowly channeled her gathered spiritual energy into the card.

The phoenix pattern seemed to come alive, emitting a dazzling light. The card's temperature suddenly rose, and Ye Ling felt a powerful force surge into his body. With the Ghost Fiend's attack imminent, Ye Ling hurled the burning card. The phoenix pattern detached from the card, transforming into a gigantic fire phoenix, letting out a loud cry as it charged towards the Ghost Fiend. At the same time, Ye Ling felt an unprecedented surge of power within him. He grabbed Shu Yao's hand, and a warm current flowed from her palm throughout his body.

"Ah!" Ye Ling let out a low roar, his eyes flashing with golden light, and a powerful force erupted from his body...