I dominated the game from the start with cards.

The withered hand, like a demonic claw reaching out from the depths of hell, had bluish-gray skin clinging to the bone, and nails sharp as knives. After this hand appeared, a second, a third… countless withered hands surged from the crack, clawing at everything around them. “Ah!” Sister Wu screamed as a withered hand grabbed her ankle, yanked her downwards, and dragged her into the crack, disappearing from sight. Ling Feng reacted quickly, wielding his dagger and severing several approaching hands, but more withered hands surged forward like a tide, leaving him struggling to cope. Li Xuan, pulling Bai Yao along, barely dodged an approaching withered hand, his heart pounding wildly. The spatial fluctuations grew stronger, the surrounding scenery began to distort and warp, and a suffocating sense of oppression enveloped everyone. Suddenly, a group of dark figures darted out from the spatial crack, moving with lightning speed. Before anyone could see them clearly, they were struck hard. “Ugh!” Lin Yu groaned, clutching his chest and staggering backward, bright red blood seeping from between his fingers. "Lin Yu!" Mu Yang exclaimed, rushing forward to support him. "Are you alright?" "Be careful... they're very fast..." Lin Yu gritted his teeth, his face pale. Li Xuan tried to use his mental perception to investigate the true nature of these shadowy figures, but found the surrounding spatial fluctuations to be abnormally chaotic. His perception was severely interfered with, and he could only vaguely sense the intense malice emanating from these shadowy figures. The shadowy figures attacked again. Mu Yang swung his longsword, barely managing to parry a few times, but gradually felt his strength waning. These shadowy figures possessed extraordinary strength, and their attacks were cunning and difficult to defend against.

"Damn it!" Li Xuan cursed under his breath, knowing he couldn't keep taking the beating like this.

He had to find a way to break out, or they would all die here.

He shoved Bai Yao aside and said, "Go find cover, I'll take care of this!"

Bai Yao stumbled as Li Xuan pushed her, a hint of hurt flashing in her eyes. "You..." "Stop talking nonsense!" Li Xuan interrupted her sharply, his gaze fixed on the shadowy figures. He knew this wasn't the time for explanations; the immediate crisis had to be resolved first. Bai Yao bit her lip, ultimately choosing to obey Li Xuan's instructions and turning to find cover. Watching Li Xuan face the numerous shadowy figures alone, her heart was filled with worry and... a complex, indescribable emotion. Zhao Hu suddenly appeared beside the spatial rift, a cruel smile on his face as he watched the struggling crowd, as if enjoying a captivating spectacle. "Li Xuan, I never thought you'd end up like this! Your sect has been destroyed by me; now it's your turn!" Hearing Zhao Hu's voice, Li Xuan's anger surged. He whirled around, his eyes icy as he stared at Zhao Hu, saying each word slowly and deliberately, "Zhao Hu..." "Zhao Hu, I will make you pay!" Li Xuan gritted his teeth, his voice seeming to echo from the depths of hell. He swung his longsword fiercely, the blade flashing like snow, slicing through the dim space and forcing back several approaching shadowy figures. "Overestimating yourself!" Zhao Hu sneered, a black whip suddenly appearing in his hand. The whip moved with the agility of a venomous snake, whistling through the air as it struck Li Xuan. Li Xuan dodged the whip, simultaneously kicking away one of the shadowy figures. However, outnumbered, he was quickly scratched in several places. Blood flowed from his wounds, the intense pain stimulating his nerves, but he didn't flinch; instead, he fought with increasing ferocity. "Li Xuan, I'm coming to help you!" Bai Yao, hiding behind cover, was extremely anxious seeing Li Xuan in danger. Holding two daggers, she wanted to rush out to help. "Don't come any closer! You'll only get in the way!" Li Xuan roared without turning his head. He knew Bai Yao's strength was inferior to his; rushing out would only result in her death. Bai Yao was stung by Li Xuan's words, a flash of grievance and anger appearing in her eyes. "What do you mean? Do you look down on me that much?" "This isn't the time to be reckless!" Li Xuan forced back several more shadowy figures, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He had to concentrate, or he would be swallowed by the shadowy figures if he wasn't careful. "I'm not afraid! I won't leave you alone again!" Bai Yao shouted stubbornly. Ignoring Li Xuan's objections, she rushed out of cover and joined the battle. Seeing Bai Yao rushing over despite the danger, Li Xuan felt both angry and moved. He took a deep breath, suppressing his complex emotions, and focused on dealing with the enemy before him. Suddenly, Li Xuan noticed that one of the shadowy figures' attack methods were slightly different. Its attack speed was slower than the other shadowy figures, and its attack trajectory was more predictable. A bold idea flashed through Li Xuan's mind. He smiled slyly. He deliberately created an opening to lure the shadowy figure into attacking him. The shadowy figure took the bait and pounced on him. Just as the shadowy figure was about to touch him, Li Xuan suddenly dodged to the side, simultaneously kicking a nearby stone pillar. The stone pillar collapsed with a crash, smashing down on the dark figure and pinning it beneath it. Seeing this, the other dark figures stopped their attack, seemingly bewildered. "A good opportunity!" Li Xuan seized the moment, brandishing his longsword and charging into the group of dark figures like a tiger descending a mountain. The clash of blades and screams of agony filled the air. Seeing Li Xuan's prowess, Lin Yu and Mu Yang were also energized and joined the battle. Li Xuan's actions not only temporarily repelled some of the enemies but also boosted his prestige within the team. Zhao Hu's face darkened at the sight. "Damn it! I didn't expect this kid to have such skill!" Li Xuan panted heavily, his body covered in wounds, but his eyes gleamed with unwavering determination. He turned to look at Bai Yao, only to find her standing there motionless, pale-faced, her eyes vacant… "Bai Yao!" "Bai Yao!" Li Xuan's heart sank. He rushed to Bai Yao's side and caught her swaying body. "What's wrong with you?" Bai Yao's face was frighteningly pale, her eyes empty and lifeless, as if she had lost her soul. Only then did Li Xuan notice that a black feathered arrow was stuck in her back, the fletching still trembling slightly. "Damn it!" Li Xuan roared, a strong killing intent erupting from him. He carefully held Bai Yao in his arms, gently stroking her cheek. "Hold on, I will definitely save you!" Bai Yao slowly opened her eyes, looking at Li Xuan's anxious face, a weak smile appearing on her lips. "Li Xuan... let's not be separated again... let's face life and death together..." With her last bit of strength, Bai Yao hugged Li Xuan tightly, as if trying to merge herself into his body. Warm liquid soaked Li Xuan's clothes, and he felt the body in his arms growing colder and colder. "No... don't leave me..." Li Xuan's voice trembled, tears blurring his vision. He hugged Bai Yao back tightly, feeling her gradually fading body temperature. At this moment, time seemed to stand still. The sounds of fighting and screams around them vanished, leaving only the figures of Li Xuan and Bai Yao tightly embracing. Memories of their time together flooded Li Xuan's mind: the awkwardness of their first meeting, the laughter of their adventures, the pain of their arguments and cold wars… These details, once overlooked, now appeared vividly before his eyes. He remembered Bai Yao's alluring smile, her captivating eyes, her gentle embrace… these were the most precious memories of his life. He remembered their sweet moments, the promises made under the stars, the secrets shared by the campfire… those moments that once stirred his heart had now become piercing pain. He remembered their arguments and cold wars, the words he regretted, the actions that tore at his heart… He finally understood that these were all indispensable parts of their growth, precious experiences that helped them understand each other better. If time could turn back, he would cherish every moment with Bai Yao even more, he would be more tolerant of her willfulness and flaws, he would be more courageous in expressing his love. Alas, time cannot be turned back, and everything is irreversible. “Bai Yao…” Li Xuan’s voice choked with sobs. He gently kissed Bai Yao’s cold forehead, his heart filled with endless regret and sorrow. Suddenly, Li Xuan felt Bai Yao’s fingers twitch slightly. He abruptly raised his head, looking at Bai Yao’s pale face, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes.

Bai Yao slowly opened her eyes, looked at Li Xuan, and said weakly, "Li Xuan... I... I'm still alive..." Li Xuan was overjoyed and held Bai Yao's hand tightly, too excited to speak.

"Cough cough..." Bai Yao coughed a few times, and a trace of blood spilled from the corner of her mouth.

“Li Xuan… these enemies… were sent by Zhao Hu…”

Li Xuan's face instantly darkened. He looked at the fallen figures around him, his heart filled with anger and hatred. "Zhao Hu...why did you do this?" Li Xuan asked through gritted teeth. "To stop you...from continuing to investigate...the truth behind the sect's destruction..." Bai Yao said haltingly. Li Xuan's heart sank. He realized things were far more complicated than he had imagined. Zhao Hu's goal was to stop them from investigating the truth behind the sect's destruction. Then, what secrets lay hidden behind the sect's demise? "Zhao Hu..." A cold glint flashed in Li Xuan's eyes, "I will make you pay!" He picked up Bai Yao and walked towards Lin Yu and Mu Yang. "Let's go!" Lin Yu and Mu Yang felt a sense of unease as they looked at Li Xuan's grim face. They followed Li Xuan, disappearing into the night. "Zhao Hu..." Mu Yang whispered, "What other schemes does he have up his sleeve..." Li Xuan, holding Bai Yao, scanned the surroundings sharply. Lin Yu and Mu Yang followed closely behind, vigilantly observing the surroundings. In the dim light, the remaining enemies scattered like frightened birds. Lin Yu, hot-tempered, roared, "Trying to run? Not so easy!" He swung his giant axe like a tiger descending a mountain, felling several fleeing enemies. Mu Yang, much calmer, wielded his dagger like a viper's tongue, reaping lives with precision and lethality. "Cough cough..." Bai Yao coughed weakly, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. "Li Xuan...they...were sent by Zhao Hu..." Li Xuan's heart sank; Bai Yao's words confirmed his suspicions. Zhao Hu, his former fellow disciple, was now his mortal enemy. He carefully set Bai Yao down, leaning her against a crumbling wall, and whispered, "What else did he say?" "He said...he stopped us...from investigating the truth..." Bai Yao spoke haltingly, her face growing paler. "The truth..." Li Xuan murmured, a cold glint in his eyes. The truth of his sect's annihilation had always been a thorn in his side. He had initially thought it was just a simple revenge killing, but now it seemed things were far more complex than he imagined. What earth-shattering secret lay behind Zhao Hu's elaborate efforts to prevent their investigation? "Li Xuan, be careful!" Mu Yang's warning interrupted Li Xuan's thoughts. A dark figure darted out from the shadows, a sharp blade aimed straight for Li Xuan's chest. Li Xuan was prepared, dodging the attack and striking the figure in the abdomen with a backhand. The figure groaned, collapsed to the ground, twitched a few times, and then fell still. “These are just small fry,” Mu Yang sheathed his dagger, his brow furrowed. “Zhao Hu definitely has a backup plan.” Lin Yu wiped the blood from his face and said gruffly, “Whatever his backup plan, we’ll deal with whatever comes our way! I don’t believe he can turn the world upside down!” Li Xuan pondered for a moment and said, “We can’t just sit here and wait to die; we must take the initiative. Mu Yang, you’re good at tracking, go and find out where Zhao Hu is. Lin Yu, you’re in charge of protecting Bai Yao.” “And what about you?” Lin Yu asked. “I’ll go find Old Zhou,” a resolute glint in Li Xuan’s eyes. “He might know something.”

Night deepened, and danger lurked everywhere. Li Xuan's figure disappeared into the ruins, leaving only a resolute silhouette. What other schemes did Zhao Hu have up his sleeve?

How will Li Xuan and his team deal with the challenges ahead? What crucial information does Elder Zhou possess?

From the depths of the ruins, a faint roar of a wild beast could be heard, sending chills down one's spine.

Li Xuan quickened his pace. He knew time was of the essence; he had to find the answer as soon as possible…