I dominated the game from the start with cards.

The shadowy shield hummed, like a greedy beast, devouring the surrounding light. Black runes pulsated on its surface like veins, radiating a suffocating pressure. Ye Ling, Shu Yao, and Qing Yue stood back-to-back, warily watching the shield's changes. They tried everything: fire, water, lightning, even Shu Yao's most precious healing elixir was hurled as a blade, but all to no avail, failing to budge the shield in the slightest. "Useless, struggling is futile," the shadowy voice came from behind the shield, laced with mocking sarcasm. "Your power is as insignificant as ants before me." Inside the shield, the shadowy figure appeared and disappeared, its hands constantly forming complex hand seals, a more powerful dark force gathering. Ye Ling could feel the dangerous aura in the air growing stronger, like the calm before a storm, oppressive and suffocating. "Ye Ling, what do we do?" Shu Yao's voice trembled slightly as she gripped Ye Ling's hand tightly, her palms icy cold. Ye Ling gritted his teeth, his gaze rapidly scanning the cards in his hand. He tried them one by one, but couldn't find a single card that could counter the dark power of the Shadow. Was he really going to give up? He was unwilling, yet powerless to change the situation. "I'll try!" Qing Yue suddenly said, her eyes flashing with determination. "No, it's too dangerous!" Ye Ling grabbed Qing Yue's arm. "The Shadow's shield is too strong. If you approach rashly, you'll only be throwing your life away!" "But what else can we do now?" Qing Yue retorted, breaking free from Ye Ling's grasp and resolutely charging towards the shield. "Qing Yue, no!" Ye Ling and Shu Yao cried out simultaneously, but it was too late to stop her. Qing Yue's figure crashed into the shield, like a moth drawn to a flame, instantly bounced back. She fell heavily to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood, her face ashen. "Qingyue!" Ye Ling rushed to Qingyue's side and helped her up. Seeing her weakened state, Ye Ling was filled with self-reproach and guilt. The shadowy laughter came from behind the shield, even more piercing: "Overestimating yourselves! Now, it's your turn!" The dark power within the shield had reached its peak, seemingly ready to erupt at any moment. Ye Ling and the others had nowhere to retreat; they could only watch helplessly as the shadow of death descended. Just at this critical moment, a deep voice suddenly rang out: "It seems I've arrived just in time." A figure cloaked in black appeared silently beside them. Beneath the cloak, a pair of deep eyes gleamed with a mysterious light. "You are…" Ye Ling looked at this suddenly appearing mysterious person, his heart filled with doubt. The newcomer slowly removed his cloak, revealing a handsome yet unfamiliar face. He smiled slightly and said, "My name is Xingchen." He stretched out his hand, and in his palm, a star shimmered faintly. Xingchen's appearance was like the light of dawn, illuminating the despairing night sky. In his outstretched palm, the shimmering star emitted a soft light, slowly flowing into Ye Ling's body. Ye Ling felt a warm current surge through his entire body; the previously dormant cards seemed to be infused with new life, resonating with waves of energy. The previously dim flames of the card "Netherworld Ghost Fire" in his hand suddenly flared up, transforming into a raging inferno, radiating a scorching aura. "Feel the power of the stars," Stardust's voice was deep and powerful, carrying a hint of mystery. Ye Ling felt an unprecedented power surging within him. He gripped the card tightly, his gaze piercing, locking onto the Shadow's dark shield. The Netherworld Ghost Fire roared out, transforming into a fire dragon that slammed fiercely into the shield. This time, the shield was no longer indestructible; the black runes began to tremble violently, emitting a piercing scream. Boom! With a deafening roar, the dark shield shattered into pieces like broken glass, black fragments scattering across the ground. The shadowy figure was exposed to everyone, her face filled with shock and fear, clearly not expecting her defenses to be broken so easily. "It's over, Shadow!" Ye Ling's voice was cold and resolute. He flashed, becoming a blur, and charged towards Shadow. Shadow was terrified, frantically swinging her black dagger to try and block Ye Ling's attack. However, Ye Ling's speed was too fast, his strength too great; she couldn't parry at all. The card "Vajra Pestle" in Ye Ling's hand transformed into a golden, gleaming pestle, slamming down with overwhelming force onto Shadow's dagger. Clang! A crisp metallic sound rang out as Shadow's dagger snapped in two, and she was sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground. Shadow struggled to get up, but found her body beyond her control. Ye Ling approached step by step, the card in his hand flashing with a dangerous light. "You...you can't defeat me!" Shadow's voice trembled, her eyes filled with resentment and despair.

Ye Ling sneered, "Is that so? Then let's see!" The card "Heavenly Thunder Talisman" in his hand transformed into a dazzling bolt of lightning, striking at Youying. Youying let out a shrill scream as her body was struck by lightning, emitting a puff of black smoke. The battle continued, Ye Ling's figure weaving across the battlefield, his cards like the scythe of death, reaping Youying's life. Youying's attacks were repeatedly deflected, and her power gradually dissipated. She realized in despair that she was no match for Ye Ling. Youying attempted to ambush Ye Ling again, transforming into a cloud of black mist, trying to attack him from behind. However, Ye Ling was prepared; the card "Demon-Revealing Mirror" in his hand emitted a dazzling light, dispelling Youying's black mist. Youying's figure reappeared, her face pale, her breath weak. "It's over." Ye Ling's voice was cold and ruthless. The card "Soul-Locking Chain" in his hand transformed into a chain shimmering with eerie light, binding Youying tightly. The shadowy figure struggled helplessly, unable to break free of the Soul-Locking Chains. She closed her eyes in despair, awaiting her final judgment. In the distance, Shu Yao watched the battle intently, her gaze never leaving Ye Ling. Her hands were clasped tightly together, and she silently prayed for him. Her love gave Ye Ling boundless courage and strength. Xing Chen stood aside, quietly observing everything, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. Ye Ling walked up to the shadowy figure, the card in his hand gleaming… “It seems things are more interesting than I imagined,” Xing Chen murmured, his gaze fixed on the distance. The “Soul-Locking Chains” card in Ye Ling’s hand shone brighter. The shadowy figure writhed in agony under the chains, its black mist-like body dissipating, emitting a mournful howl. “Let me go! Ye Ling, do you think you can win like this? I’ll be back!” Shu Yao watched Ye Ling nervously, her heart pounding in her throat. She saw the beads of sweat on Ye Ling's forehead, his tightly pursed lips, and the burning flame in his eyes. She knew Ye Ling was under immense pressure, but he never backed down. Shu Yao silently prayed, hoping Ye Ling would be safe. Her love, transformed into an invisible force, flowed continuously to Ye Ling, giving him courage and strength. The Shadow, unwilling to accept defeat, began to verbally attack Ye Ling. "You're nothing but an ant who luckily gained power! What do you think you can change? The supernatural world is forever dark; you are destined to fail!" Her shrill voice, like the hiss of a venomous snake, tried to burrow into Ye Ling's heart and disrupt his mind. However, Ye Ling remained unmoved. His eyes were firm and cold, like a bottomless, icy pool; the Shadow's verbal attacks had no effect on him. He had only one belief: to defeat the Shadow and protect those around him. He had experienced too much, lost too much; he could not let tragedy repeat itself. "Your words mean nothing to me." Ye Ling's voice was as icy as ice. "Your schemes and plots, your cruelty and bloodlust, will all end here." The "Soul-Locking Chain" in his hand shone even brighter, and the shadow's struggles intensified. Just then, the shadow suddenly let out a sharp scream, her body began to swell, black mist churning as if she were about to explode. "Want to seal me? Dream on! Even if I disappear, I'll take you down with me!" Ye Ling's heart tightened; he knew the shadow was about to self-destruct, taking him down with her. He quickly shielded Shu Yao and Qing Yue behind him, while simultaneously flipping through the cards in his hand, searching for a countermeasure. "Ye Ling!" Shu Yao exclaimed, knowing the danger Ye Ling was in. She wanted to rush forward, but Qing Yue held her tightly. "Believe in him, Sister Shu Yao, Ye Ling can definitely do it!" Qing Yue's voice trembled, but her eyes were filled with determination. At the critical moment, a card appeared in Ye Ling's hand—"Gate of the Void." Without hesitation, he activated the card, and a dark vortex appeared before the shadow, its powerful suction engulfing it. The shadow's screams echoed within the vortex before finally disappearing. The void gate slowly closed, and all was calm. Ye Ling stood there, his body trembling slightly; the battle had drained a great deal of his spiritual energy. He turned to Shu Yao and Qing Yue, a faint smile on his face. "It's alright now." Shu Yao rushed over, hugging Ye Ling tightly, tears streaming down her face. "Ye Ling, you scared me to death!" Ye Ling gently patted Shu Yao's back, feeling her warmth and care. He knew he wasn't fighting alone; he had companions and his lover. His gaze fell on the card in his hand, his thoughts drifting into the distance… "It seems the real battle has only just begun." Stardust's voice echoed in the night sky, his figure gradually disappearing into the darkness. The void gate swallowed the shadow's screams, and the world seemed to fall silent at that moment. Ye Ling's chest heaved; the battle had nearly exhausted his spiritual energy. Shu Yao's warm and strong embrace eased his tense nerves. He gently stroked Shu Yao's back, savoring the tranquility, but his thoughts drifted back to the past. He remembered the bewilderment and fear he felt when he first entered the supernatural world; back then, he was just an ordinary boy, completely ignorant of this world. He remembered the shock and excitement of transforming supernatural objects into cards for the first time—it was the awakening of his power, a turning point in his destiny. He remembered the scene of meeting Shu Yao; her gentleness and kindness, like a ray of sunshine in winter, warmed his heart.

He remembered Qingyue's innocent and carefree smile, Elder Ling's profound teachings, and... those comrades who had fought alongside him but were now gone. The journey had been filled with hardship and challenges; he had experienced betrayal and also tasted true friendship. He had been lost and wavered, but he had never given up. He knew he bore a responsibility; he could not betray his comrades' expectations, nor could he let those who had sacrificed their lives be in vain. The "Gate of the Void" card slowly dissipated, Ye Ling's eyes resolute, his heart filled with power. He turned to face Shu Yao and Qingyue, revealing a confident smile. "Let's go." Just as he was about to leave, a sudden change occurred! The shriek before the Shadow self-destructed was not a desperate wail, but a vicious curse. Before being sucked into the Gate of the Void, she condensed all her resentment and dark power into a seed, burying it in the void. Now, this seed took root and sprouted at the other end of the void, bursting forth with even more powerful dark power than before. The once tranquil void gate began to tremble violently, a dark vortex churning like boiling water, spewing forth a suffocating aura of darkness. "Not good!" Ye Ling's alarm bells rang; he immediately realized something was wrong. Before he could react, the dark power from the Shadow's self-destruction surged forth like a burst dam, instantly engulfing the three of them. The darkness was boundless, seemingly threatening to devour the entire world. Ye Ling tightly shielded Shu Yao and Qing Yue behind him, his cards rapidly flipping through his fingers, trying to find a countermeasure. However, this dark power was too overwhelming; his cards were ineffective. "Ye Ling..." Shu Yao's voice trembled in the darkness, "What is this..." "Don't be afraid, I will protect you!" Ye Ling's voice was firm and powerful, but his heart was filled with unease. He had never seen or felt this dark power before. He didn't know its range or power; he only knew they were in grave danger, their fate uncertain. In the darkness, a cold hand grasped Ye Ling's arm...