I dominated the game from the start with cards.

The fire phoenix and the black evil energy collided violently, unleashing a deafening roar.

The shockwave spread outwards, sending sand and stones flying and obscuring the sky.

Ye Ling held Shu Yao tightly, waiting for the dust to settle. However, the expected victory did not come. As the smoke cleared, Gui Sha's figure reappeared, looking slightly disheveled but not seriously injured.

He chuckled sinisterly, his voice a whisper from hell: "Overestimating yourself! You think you can defeat me like this?" Ye Ling's heart sank. The Phoenix Card was his strongest trump card, yet it hadn't inflicted fatal damage on Ghost Fiend. Worse still, that last attack had almost exhausted all of his and Shu Yao's strength.

He turned to look at Shu Yao and found her face pale, with a trace of blood seeping from the corner of her mouth. "Are you alright?" Ye Ling asked anxiously. Shu Yao weakly shook her head: "I'm fine... just that my spiritual energy was overused..." Just then, Elder Ling's voice rang in Ye Ling's mind: "Child, your powers need to be fused to unleash their true power!"

"Remember, Yin and Yang must be in harmony, and life and death must be interdependent!" Ye Ling recalled what Elder Ling had said before and immediately understood his meaning.

His power attributes are different from Shu Yao's, so he must find a way to fuse them together in order to unleash a more powerful force.

"Shu Yao, give me your hand!" Ye Ling said firmly. Although Shu Yao didn't understand Ye Ling's intention, she extended her hand without hesitation. Ye Ling held her hand tightly, mobilizing the remaining spiritual energy within his body, attempting to merge it with Shu Yao's spiritual energy.

However, things didn't go as smoothly as they had imagined. Their forces were like two repulsive magnetic fields, constantly colliding and repelling each other, each attempt triggering a sharp pain.

Ye Ling felt as if his meridians were being torn apart; the excruciating pain made it almost impossible for him to breathe. Shu Yao also let out a muffled groan, her body trembling slightly. Seeing their predicament, Gui Sha laughed triumphantly: "Hahaha! How laughable! You think you can fuse power like this? You're delusional!" Taking advantage of their chaotic state, Gui Sha launched a fierce attack.

The black, malevolent energy coiled around them like venomous snakes. Ye Ling tried to defend himself with his cards, but found his power completely out of control; the cards flew erratically and without any order. Shu Yao tried to protect them with her spiritual objects, but their light also dimmed, like a candle flickering in the wind.

The ghostly attacks struck them repeatedly, leaving their bodies covered in wounds and gushing blood.

Ye Ling used all his strength to shield Shu Yao behind him, using his own body to block the ghost's attacks. "Ye Ling..." Shu Yao's voice was weak and trembling. Ye Ling watched as Shu Yao was constantly injured because of his powerlessness, and he felt utterly desperate.

He began to doubt his own abilities, feeling utterly incapable of protecting Shu Yao. His eyes glazed over, as if all hope had vanished… “Stop…” he uttered weakly. Ye Ling watched as Shu Yao was repeatedly injured because of his incompetence, the bright red blood staining her clothes and stinging his eyes.

He felt utterly desperate, as if he had fallen into a cold abyss, with no light in sight.

He held Shu Yao tightly, yet felt his embrace was so weak, so fragile. "Shu Yao..." Ye Ling's voice was hoarse, trembling slightly. He wanted to say something, but found himself unable to utter a word. He began to doubt his abilities, to question the meaning of his existence. He had thought that possessing the ability to control supernatural cards would allow him to protect Shu Yao, to survive in this perilous world, but reality had dealt him a harsh blow. He was like a child wielding a sharp blade, facing a powerful enemy, yet lacking even the courage to draw his sword.

"Ye Ling...don't give up..." Shu Yao's voice was as weak as willow catkins drifting in the wind, yet it carried a firm strength. She struggled to raise her hand and gently stroked Ye Ling's cheek, "I believe in you..." These three simple words were like a lightning bolt, piercing through the darkness in Ye Ling's heart.

He looked at Shu Yao, at her pale face, at the trust in her eyes, and a pain he couldn't describe welled up in his heart.

He gripped Shu Yao's hand tightly, his knuckles turning white, as if pouring all his strength into it. Just then, a card in Ye Ling's card pouch, which had been dull and lifeless, suddenly began to flicker, emitting a faint golden light. He instinctively pulled out the card and discovered that it was the "Netherworld Ghost Fire" card he had obtained earlier. What was originally just an ordinary-level card had now undergone a tremendous transformation.

The image on the card was clearer, the flames brighter, and a powerful eerie aura emanated from it. The card's border had also turned silver, signifying its upgrade from Common to Rare! Ye Ling's heart skipped a beat. He sensed the card absorbing the surrounding eerie energy, like a ravenous beast greedily devouring all power. He understood—this was a miracle born from despair, a glimmer of hope! Without hesitation, he threw the card, uttering a low cry: "Netherworld Ghost Fire, incinerate everything!"

The card transformed into a raging ball of ghostly flames, radiating intense light and powerful spiritual pressure. The flames, like a roaring fire dragon, surged towards the demon.

The Ghostly Fiend was clearly unprepared for this turn of events. It let out a terrified roar, and its black, malevolent energy rapidly condensed, attempting to withstand the attack of the Netherworld Ghost Fire. The two powerful forces collided, unleashing an even more violent shockwave. The entire space trembled, as if it were about to collapse. Although the Netherworld Ghost Fire was only of a rare level, it had absorbed a large amount of surrounding supernatural energy, making its power far exceed that of ordinary cards. It was locked in a stalemate with the Ghostly Fiend's black malevolent energy, temporarily holding off the Ghostly Fiend's attack.

Ye Ling and Shu Yao took this opportunity to catch their breath. Shu Yao took a healing pill, and her complexion improved slightly. Ye Ling looked at the card in his hand, and a spark of hope rekindled in his eyes. However, this was only a brief respite.

The Ghostly Fiend quickly adjusted its attack method, letting out a deafening roar. Black fiendish energy surged like a tide, enveloping Ye Ling and Shu Yao... The Ghostly Fiend's voice echoed in the darkness: "You think this is the end? The game has only just begun..." The Netherworld Ghost Fire and the Ghostly Fiend's black fiendish energy were locked in a stalemate, emitting sizzling and burning sounds, and the air was filled with the smell of burning.

The demon's狰狞 (zhengning, meaning ferocious or hideous) face flickered in and out of the firelight. It let out a deafening roar, and black malevolent energy surged like a tide, instantly enveloping Ye Ling and Shu Yao. The light of the ghostly fire was swallowed by the darkness, the surrounding temperature plummeted, and a chilling aura seeped into their bones. Ye Ling and Shu Yao felt as if they were in a dark abyss, unable to see their own hands in front of their faces. The surroundings were terrifyingly silent, except for the demon's sinister laughter echoing in the darkness: "You think this is the end? The game has only just begun..." The demon's voice seemed to come from the depths of hell, filled with endless malice and mockery. It no longer attacked directly, but instead manipulated the power of darkness, constantly eroding Ye Ling and Shu Yao's bodies and minds. An invisible pressure weighed on their hearts like a boulder, making it hard for them to breathe.

Shu Yao held Ye Ling tightly, her body trembling. The fear of death was ever-present, but her heart was filled with even more love for Ye Ling.

"Even if I die, I will have no regrets if I can be with you." She whispered in Ye Ling's ear, her voice trembling but firm. Her warm breath brushed against Ye Ling's ear, mingled with a faint fragrance.

As Ye Ling smelled the fragrance emanating from Shu Yao, his heart was filled with sorrow. He felt he had failed Shu Yao's deep affection. He had wanted to protect her in this perilous world and give her a stable life, but now, they were both trapped in a desperate situation.

He held Shu Yao tightly in his arms, feeling her trembling body, his heart filled with helplessness and self-reproach. In the darkness, Ye Ling's thoughts drifted back to the past. He had once been an ordinary person, living a peaceful but monotonous life. Back then, there were no dangers, but there was also no Shu Yao. He had never imagined that he would possess the ability to control supernatural cards, nor had he ever imagined that he would meet a girl who loved him so deeply. He recalled the first time he saw Shu Yao; her gentle smile and clear eyes were like the warm winter sun, illuminating his gloomy world. He remembered every moment they had shared, the dangers they had faced together, and the joys they had shared. Now, he would rather give up all his abilities, just to return to that peaceful life with Shu Yao.

Even if life is ordinary, being with her is the greatest happiness. The ghostly attacks grew increasingly fierce; the dark power, like countless tiny needles, relentlessly pierced their bodies, devouring their life force. Ye Ling and Shu Yao were on the verge of collapse; their consciousness began to blur, and their bodies gradually lost sensation. Just when they thought they were doomed, a golden light suddenly pierced the darkness, and a mysterious power emanated from afar. This power was so strong that even the ghostly attacks ceased, and the dark power dissipated.

Ye Ling and Shu Yao barely opened their eyes and saw a blurry figure slowly approaching them in the distance. They didn't know where this power came from, nor who this figure was, but a glimmer of hope rose in their hearts. "It seems someone wants you more than I do..." Ghost Fiend's voice, tinged with apprehension, faded into the darkness. The encroaching darkness was like a leech, slowly devouring Ye Ling's consciousness. Ghost Fiend's shrill laughter echoed in his mind, like a demonic sound piercing his brain, driving him to the brink of madness.

He held Shu Yao tightly, feeling her faint heartbeat, and endless regret welled up in his heart.

He recalled his past, that ordinary and peaceful life. The morning sunlight streamed through the window, falling on his face. He stretched, ready to begin a new day. There were no demons or monsters, no life-or-death struggles, only the mundane details of daily life and the repetitive routine. Back then, he had neither great power nor Shu Yao. Now, he possessed the ability to control supernatural cards, yet he was also caught in endless danger. He had met Shu Yao, experienced the sweetness of love, but also faced the fear of losing her.

If he could do it all over again, he would rather give up everything and return to his ordinary life, even without Shu Yao, it would still be better than now. At least, he wouldn't experience this excruciating pain. "Ling..." Shu Yao's voice was as weak as a mosquito's buzz. She struggled to open her eyes, looking at Ye Ling's pale face, her eyes filled with worry and love. "Don't be afraid... I... am with you..."

Ye Ling's heart clenched. He lowered his head and kissed Shu Yao's cold lips. At that moment, he didn't want to think about anything else; he just wanted to feel her presence, even if only for a moment.

The ghostly attacks intensified, and darkness surged in like a tide, completely engulfing them. Ye Ling felt his body growing heavier and his consciousness becoming increasingly blurred. He held Shu Yao tightly, as if trying to merge her into his own body.

Just when he thought it was all over, a golden light suddenly pierced the darkness, like the first ray of dawn illuminating the abyss of despair.

A powerful force emanated from afar, instantly dispelling the surrounding darkness and halting the ghostly attack. Ye Ling and Shu Yao barely opened their eyes, seeing a blurry figure slowly approaching them. This force was so powerful, so warm, making them feel as if they were in paradise. Who was it? Who was saving them? The ghostly voice, tinged with fear and anger, echoed in the darkness: "Who is it? Who dares to ruin my plans?" The golden light drew closer, and the figure gradually became clearer. Ye Ling and Shu Yao were astonished to find that it was Qing Yue who had come to their rescue. She held a sword radiating the aura of the Spirit Clan, her gaze resolute and her expression solemn.

"Qingyue..." Ye Ling weakly uttered her name, his heart filled with doubt. Why was she here? And why did she possess such great power? Qingyue walked up to them, her gaze sweeping over the two of them before finally settling on Ye Ling.

"Are you alright?" Ye Ling shook his head, wanting to speak, but found himself too weak to utter a sound. He could only ask Qingyue with his eyes what had happened. Qingyue didn't answer, but instead cast her gaze into the distance, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. "He's here..." she whispered, her voice trembling almost imperceptibly.

"Who...is he?" Ye Ling asked with all his might, but only a weak hiss came out. Qingyue did not answer, but just gripped the sword tightly in her hand, her gaze fixed on the distance.

A powerful pressure slowly descended from the sky...