I dominated the game from the start with cards.

The Blood Demon was ultimately reduced to ashes by the fierce onslaught of the Spirit Wind, the trembling earth gradually calmed, and the surging evil aura dissipated. With the crisis averted, the survivors gathered around a roaring campfire. The crackling of the firewood dispelled lingering fear and brought a touch of warmth. Sister Wu carefully bandaged Lin Yu's wounds; her gentle gaze and soft movements made Lin Yu blush. He smiled awkwardly, his eyes involuntarily following Sister Wu's busy figure. An ambiguous atmosphere quietly spread between them, even the air seemed to sweeten. Li Xuan quietly watched this scene, a relieved smile on his lips. He recalled the hardships they had endured, looking at his comrades who had fought alongside him, his heart filled with emotion. He remembered the bewilderment and helplessness he felt when he first entered the Infinite Flow Space, as if it were yesterday. At that time, he knew nothing of this cruel world and was filled with uncertainty about the future. Then came the devastating news of his sect's annihilation, a heart-wrenching pain that nearly consumed him. Anger, sorrow, despair—a torrent of negative emotions enveloped him, leaving him disoriented and even devoid of the will to live. It was Mu Yang who reached out a helping hand in his darkest hour, pulling him out of the abyss. It was Elder Zhou who, with his rich experience and wisdom, guided him step by step. It was Sister Wu who, with her meticulous care, warmed his cold heart. And then there were his newly acquainted friends, Lin Yu and the mysterious Ling Feng—all becoming indispensable parts of his life. Now, these companions were like family, giving him the courage and strength to continue. "This time, thanks to Ling Feng, otherwise we might have..." Elder Zhou broke the silence, his voice tinged with lingering fear. Ling Feng simply smiled faintly, his deep gaze seemingly able to see through everything: "No need for thanks, it was nothing. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave." With that, he vanished into the night, as if he had never been there at all. His departure didn't make the atmosphere heavy; instead, it added a touch of mystery. Li Xuan stared in the direction he disappeared, his heart filled with curiosity. What was the background of this mysterious helper? Why did he help them? These questions lingered in his mind. "Li Xuan, what are you thinking about?" Mu Yang's voice interrupted his thoughts. Li Xuan snapped out of his reverie and shook his head: "Nothing, just thinking about Ling Feng." Mu Yang patted his shoulder, comforting him: "Don't worry, since Ling Feng chose to help us, it means he's not an enemy. Perhaps we'll meet again in the future." Li Xuan nodded, temporarily suppressing his doubts. He believed that one day, he would unravel this mystery. Mu Yang took out a package from the rewards in the Infinite Flow Space and smiled mysteriously: "Everyone, to celebrate our successful passage through this crisis, I've prepared a little surprise." He opened the package, which was filled with all sorts of delicious food, and the aroma instantly filled the air... Li Xuan looked at the tempting roasted meat in Mu Yang's hand and swallowed hard. Mu Yang took out a golden-brown, crispy wild boar leg from his package. The marbled meat glistened enticingly in the firelight, and its rich aroma instantly filled the air, tempting everyone's taste buds. He then took out several bottles of chilled fruit wine; the crisp aroma of the wine mingled with the scent of the roasted meat, making everyone's mouths water. "Wow! Mu Yang, where did you get all this good stuff?" Lin Yu's eyes widened, and he couldn't wait to grab a piece of roasted meat and take a big bite. "This is so delicious! It's simply heavenly!" "Hehe, this is a special reward from the Infinite Flow Space; you can't buy it outside." Mu Yang smiled smugly and shared the food with everyone. Li Xuan took a piece of roasted meat, took a small bite, and found the skin crispy and the inside tender and juicy. An indescribable deliciousness exploded in his mouth, making him close his eyes and savor this rare delicacy. Even the usually calm and composed Mu Yang wore a satisfied smile, devouring the roasted meat in his hand, as if all his fatigue had vanished. Sister Wu, on the other hand, ate elegantly in small bites, her gentle face radiating a happy smile. She occasionally wiped the grease from the corner of Lin Yu's mouth, her eyes filled with affection. Lin Yu, like a shy young boy, blushed under Sister Wu's gaze, yet couldn't help stealing glances at her.

Old Zhou also picked up a piece of roasted meat, chewed it slowly, and had a gratified smile on his face.

Looking at the group of energetic young people before him, he felt a surge of hope. After a hearty meal, everyone sat around the campfire, enjoying the rare tranquility and peace. However, Old Zhou's words shattered this moment of peace. "Although we escaped this time by chance, we cannot let our guard down," Old Zhou's tone became serious. "The strength of that mysterious organization is unfathomable. We must improve our strength as soon as possible so that we can protect ourselves when the next crisis comes." Old Zhou's words sparked a discussion among the group. Lin Yu scratched his head and said, "But we've just gone through a fierce battle, and we're exhausted. Shouldn't we rest for a while first?" Sister Wu echoed, "Yes, Old Zhou, everyone is tired. Why don't we rest and recharge first, and then consider improving our strength?" However, Li Xuan and Mu Yang supported Old Zhou's viewpoint. Li Xuan said in a deep voice, "Elder Zhou is right. We cannot let our guard down. That mysterious organization could reappear at any time, and we must be fully prepared." Mu Yang also nodded and said, "We are still very weak. Only by constantly improving our strength can we survive in this cruel world." Everyone held their own opinions, and for a moment, the atmosphere became somewhat tense. Just then, a figure silently appeared behind everyone. "Perhaps, I can tell you some secrets about the Infinite Flow Space..." Ling Feng's voice was deep and mysterious, carrying an elusive meaning. The campfire crackled, and the firelight reflected on everyone's faces, revealing their expressions of doubt or anticipation. Ling Feng's voice was deep and magnetic, as if it possessed some kind of magic, firmly attracting everyone's attention. "The Infinite Flow Space is not naturally formed, but artificially created..." Ling Feng slowly explained, his words like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples. "Its origins can be traced back to an ancient civilization that possessed unimaginable technology, even capable of manipulating time and space. They created this space initially for some kind of experiment..." Ling Feng paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts. "But as time passed, this space gradually slipped out of their control, evolving into its current form—a testing ground full of opportunities and dangers." He continued, "Within the Infinite Flow Space, various forces exist. Some pursue power, some explore the unknown, and others lurk in the shadows, plotting nefarious schemes..." "Then how do we distinguish these forces?" Lin Yu asked impatiently. "It's difficult," Ling Feng shook his head. "Some forces appear friendly on the surface, but actually harbor malicious intentions. Some forces act ruthlessly, but their goal is to maintain the balance of the space. Therefore, don't easily trust anyone, and don't easily offend anyone." Everyone listened intently, as if immersed in a turbulent world. Li Xuan listened while feeling the power surging within him. He discovered that his mental perception seemed to have become even more acute after the last battle. He could even sense the subtle fluctuations in the surrounding space, as if an invisible force was pulling him. This feeling was strange, but it also made him uneasy. He wasn't sure what this meant—was it evolution or some kind of omen? Meanwhile, Mu Yang was also silently observing Li Xuan. He noticed Li Xuan's unusual behavior, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. He knew Li Xuan possessed special abilities, but he also knew that these abilities came with enormous risks. Old Zhou looked thoughtful; he seemed to have thought of something, but he didn't say it aloud. Sister Wu watched everyone gently, silently adding hot water for them, like a kind mother. The aroma of the roasted meat gradually dissipated, and the night deepened. Through Ling Feng's explanation, everyone gained a deeper understanding of the Infinite Flow Space and a clearer awareness of the challenges they faced. "Remember," Ling Feng concluded, "in this space, survival is the only law. Only by constantly becoming stronger can you control your own destiny." With that, Ling Feng's figure gradually disappeared into the night, as if he had never been there. Li Xuan looked up at the starry sky; the countless stars were like diamonds scattered on a black curtain. In this vast starry sky, he felt so small, yet so resolute. He knew he still had a long way to go, and many challenges to face. But he wasn't afraid, because he had companions, dreams, and the determination to protect everything. Lin Yu stretched and yawned. "What a fruitful day! Not only did I eat delicious roasted meat, but I also learned so many secrets about the Infinite Flow Space. Okay, I need to go to sleep now; I still have to keep working hard tomorrow!" Li Xuan watched Lin Yu's departing figure, a smile appearing on his lips. In this brief moment of peace, he felt a long-lost warmth. However, even in the joyful atmosphere, he would occasionally think of his destroyed sect, a trace of sadness flashing through his heart, but he was quickly pulled back to reality by the laughter of his companions. The night deepened, and the campfire gradually died down. In the distance, a pair of cold eyes were watching the camp, filled with greed and murderous intent... "The time is almost ripe..." a deep voice echoed in the darkness. The morning light shone on the camp, dispelling the chill of the night. Birds sang merrily in the branches, their clear chirping waking everyone from their slumber. A new day had begun, the air filled with the lingering aroma of roasted meat, mingled with the scent of earth and grass, creating a particularly soothing atmosphere. Li Xuan woke up early, habitually sitting cross-legged, closing his eyes to meditate, sensing the flow of energy around him. His recent experiences had made him cherish this hard-won peace even more. He remembered his master's kind smile, the scenes of cultivating together with his fellow disciples, and a wave of sorrow washed over him. The tragedy that had befallen his sect lingered like a nightmare; the raging flames, the desperate cries, still replayed vividly in his mind. He clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, forcefully holding back his tears. "What are you thinking about?" Mu Yang's voice rang in his ears, interrupting Li Xuan's thoughts. Li Xuan opened his eyes and saw Mu Yang standing beside him, holding two pieces of roasted meat. "Here, for you." Li Xuan took the meat, forcing a smile. "Thank you." The two ate their roasted meat in silence, neither speaking. They didn't need many words; a glance, a gesture, was enough for them to understand each other. After breakfast, the group began packing up their campsite, preparing to continue their journey. They had rested well these past few days, and their physical and mental strength had returned to peak condition.

"Where are we going next?" Lin Yu asked.

“According to the information provided by Lingfeng, we need to proceed to the next checkpoint—the Misty Forest,” Old Zhou said. “It’s said to be fraught with dangers, so we need to be extra careful.” “The Misty Forest…” Li Xuan murmured, a hint of seriousness flashing in his eyes. He sensed that an even more severe test awaited them. Along the way, everyone chatted and laughed, the atmosphere relaxed and pleasant. Sister Wu occasionally explained some knowledge about herbs, while Lin Yu enthusiastically recounted his adventures. Li Xuan and Mu Yang walked side by side, occasionally exchanging glances, understanding each other implicitly. However, while they enjoyed this brief moment of peace, on a distant mountain peak, a pair of cold eyes silently watched their every move. Those eyes, hidden in the shadows, were like venomous snakes, radiating a chilling aura. “They’re having quite a bit of fun…” a deep voice came from the shadows, its tone full of mockery, “Unfortunately, such days won’t last long…” The speaker wore a black cloak and a mask, obscuring his face. He slowly raised his right hand, holding a black crystal ball. The crystal ball emitted an eerie light, seemingly capable of devouring everything. "The game begins..." he murmured, a sinister smile playing on his lips. The crystal ball in his hand shone brightly, a black beam of light shooting directly towards the camp where Li Xuan and the others were... Night fell, the stars twinkling. A campfire was lit in the camp, and the group sat around it, roasting meat and chatting. Exhausted from the day, they quickly drifted off to sleep. Li Xuan lay in his sleeping bag, but couldn't fall asleep. He felt a strange unease, as if some danger was approaching. He tossed and turned, finally opening his eyes.

Just then, his evolved mental perception ability was suddenly activated.

A strong sense of crisis surged into his heart, instantly sobering him up.

He sat up abruptly and looked around warily.

“Something’s coming…” he said in a low voice, his expression grave.