I dominated the game from the start with cards.

"You think you can continue so smoothly?" Shadow mocked as he attacked. "How naive!" Li Xuan and the others realized this wasn't an accident, but rather someone deliberately sent to stop them. A surge of anger rose within them, yet they had no choice but to focus all their efforts on the crisis before them. Although Old Zhou and Sister Wu weren't directly involved in the battle, they remained vigilant, constantly alert to their surroundings and ready to provide support at any moment. Shadow's attacks grew increasingly fierce, each strike deadly. Mu Yang wanted to rejoin the fight, but Li Xuan stopped him: "Protect yourself. This is my battle." Mu Yang gritted his teeth; he knew his current state would only hinder Li Xuan, and he could only anxiously watch from the sidelines. Shadow's dagger, like a viper's tongue, constantly flickered with a cold light, each attack carrying a deadly threat. Li Xuan, with his agile movements and exceptional reaction speed, deflected Shadow's attacks time and again. However, Shadow's speed was too fast, and Li Xuan gradually began to struggle. In one exchange, Shadow's dagger grazed Mu Yang's arm. Blood gushed out instantly, staining Mu Yang's sleeves crimson. "Mu Yang!" Li Xuan exclaimed in shock, a surge of anger rising within him.

Mu Yang groaned, his face pale, but he endured the pain without making a sound. He knew he couldn't be a burden to Li Xuan any longer. Seeing Mu Yang injured, a ruthless glint flashed in Li Xuan's eyes. He stopped dodging and instead met the shadow's attack head-on. Seizing an opportunity, he grabbed the shadow's wrist and twisted it forcefully. "Ah!" The shadow screamed, the dagger falling to the ground. Li Xuan took advantage of the situation and kicked the shadow in the chest, sending him flying. The shadow crashed heavily to the ground with a thud. He struggled to get up, but found his body unable to move. Li Xuan walked step by step toward the shadow, his eyes flashing with cold killing intent. "Who sent you?" The shadow gritted his teeth, remaining silent. "Not going to talk?" A cold smile curled at the corner of Li Xuan's lips. "Then don't blame me for being impolite." He raised his fist, about to smash it into the shadow's face. Suddenly, the shadow's figure blurred, disappearing from the spot like a ghost. Li Xuan's fist missed its mark and slammed into the ground. "What happened?" Li Xuan was startled and quickly looked around, but couldn't find Shadow anywhere. "Li Xuan, be careful!" Mu Yang's weak voice came. Li Xuan turned around sharply, only to see Shadow had appeared behind him at some point, a dagger pointed at his back. In the nick of time, Li Xuan activated his mental perception ability. However, he was shocked to find that Shadow's aura was elusive, making it difficult to pinpoint its exact location. "It seems you have some skill..." Shadow's voice rang in Li Xuan's ears like a ghost. Li Xuan's heart sank. Shadow's speed and stealth far exceeded his expectations. Although his mental perception ability could foresee danger, it seemed somewhat ineffective against such a strange opponent. Shadow's aura was like a candle flickering in the wind, unpredictable, making it impossible for Li Xuan to pinpoint its exact location. This feeling was like groping in a thick fog, knowing that danger was nearby, but unable to see or touch it, which was terrifying. "It seems your abilities are nothing special after all." Shadow's voice carried a hint of mockery, as if he were laughing at Li Xuan's helplessness. Cold sweat trickled down Li Xuan's forehead. He clenched his fists tightly, forcing himself to calm down. He knew that fear would only make him more vulnerable to the enemy. He had to find Shadow's weakness to turn the tide. Just at this critical moment, a figure suddenly rushed out from the side, his cane slamming down on Shadow. It was Old Zhou! Old Zhou's appearance distracted Shadow. Shadow had no choice but to abandon his attack on Li Xuan and turn to face Old Zhou's attack. The cane and the dagger clashed, producing a crisp metallic clang. "Old man, mind your own business!" Shadow roared, his dagger flashing as it aimed straight for Old Zhou's throat. Although Old Zhou was old, he was exceptionally agile. He dodged Shadow's attack, his cane coiling around Shadow's arm like a serpent, attempting to subdue him. "Li Xuan, hurry!" Old Zhou shouted, knowing he couldn't hold off Shadow for long. Li Xuan understood Old Zhou's meaning. He took a deep breath, forced himself to concentrate, and activated his mental perception ability again. This time, he didn't try to catch Shadow's aura, but focused on the changes in the surrounding environment. Shadow moved extremely fast, each attack creating a slight breeze. Li Xuan closed his eyes, carefully sensing the flow of the surrounding air, trying to find Shadow's trace. Suddenly, Li Xuan felt a faint airflow coming from his right. He abruptly opened his eyes, his body instinctively dodging to the left. Almost simultaneously, Shadow's dagger grazed Li Xuan's right side, leaving a shallow cut on his sleeve. "That was close!" Li Xuan thought to himself, knowing he had escaped again. Just then, a new figure joined the battle. Lin Yu, this enthusiastic and forthright young man, seized the opportunity and kicked Shadow in the back. Caught off guard by Lin Yu's attack, Shadow staggered forward a few steps, his dagger falling to the ground. "Grab him!" Mu Yang shouted, enduring the pain in his arm. Li Xuan, Old Zhou, and Lin Yu immediately surrounded Shadow. A ferocious smile appeared on Shadow's face: "You think you can catch me like this? Too naive!" His figure blurred again… Lin Yu's kick, imbued with all his strength, struck Shadow squarely in the back. Shadow groaned, staggering forward a few steps, his dagger slipping from his hand and clattering to the ground. He seemed surprised by the explosive power of this seemingly reckless young man. Before he could regain his footing, Li Xuan, Old Zhou, and Lin Yu had already formed a tight encirclement, trapping him firmly. A sinister glint flashed across Shadow's face, but a strange smile curled at the corner of his mouth: "You think you can catch me like this? Too naive!" Before he finished speaking, his figure began to distort, swaying like a reflection in water, becoming blurry and indistinct. Alarm bells rang in Li Xuan's mind. He activated his mental perception to its fullest extent, but found that Shadow's aura dissipated like smoke, impossible to pinpoint. "Not good, he's escaping!" Li Xuan shouted. Old Zhou acted decisively, his cane flashing out like a serpent, aiming straight for Shadow's distorted figure. However, the cane passed right through, as if striking thin air. Shadow's figure vanished completely, leaving only a faint, fishy smell in the air. "Damn it, he got away!" Lin Yu slammed his fist on the ground in frustration. That kick was his perfect opportunity, but he hadn't managed to completely subdue Shadow. "Don't worry, he can't get far." Li Xuan's expression was grave. Although Shadow had escaped, he believed that with his mental perception, he could definitely track him down. Sister Wu rushed forward to check on Old Zhou and Mu Yang's injuries, her gentle voice tinged with worry: "Old Zhou, Mu Yang, how are you?" Old Zhou waved his hand, indicating he was fine: "Just some superficial wounds, nothing serious. Thanks to Brother Lin Yu's help, otherwise I might have been in danger." Mu Yang's face was pale, and the wound on his arm was still bleeding, but he remained calm: "This Shadow's origins are unknown, but his strength should not be underestimated. We must find out the force behind him as soon as possible, otherwise the consequences will be dire." Li Xuan nodded; he knew Mu Yang was right. The appearance of the Shadow was not accidental; there must be a larger conspiracy hidden behind it. He looked at Lin Yu, his eyes filled with gratitude: "Brother Lin Yu, thank you so much for your help. We escaped this time entirely thanks to you." Lin Yu scratched his head and smiled憨厚ly: "It was nothing, no need to be so polite. It's my honor to fight alongside you all." After a short rest, the group decided to leave this dangerous place to find a safe spot to heal their wounds and discuss their next plan.

They knew the appearance of the shadow was just the beginning; greater challenges lay ahead. Just as everyone warily surveyed their surroundings, preparing to leave, a cloyingly sweet fragrance suddenly filled the air. A seductive figure slowly appeared before them, swaying her hips, her eyes filled with malice…