I dominated the game from the start with cards.

Chapter 74 Sudden Changes and Desperate Situation

Scorpion and Ice Maiden simultaneously unleashed their black vortexes into the sky. Two streams of black energy, like two venomous snakes, hissed as they hurtled towards the heavens. The black energy converged in mid-air, merging into a massive blood-red sphere of light, radiating a suffocating pressure. The blood-red light grew increasingly dazzling, eventually transforming into a pillar of light that shot straight into the sky. The blood-red pillar seemed to tear through space, unleashing a powerful energy wave that distorted the surrounding air. Old Zhou's expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed, "Not good! It's the Blood Demon's summoning ritual!" Sister Wu gripped Old Zhou's arm tightly, her face pale, her lips trembling as she couldn't speak. Lin Yu, however, looked completely bewildered, utterly unaware of what had happened. Li Xuan and Mu Yang exchanged a glance, both seeing the gravity in each other's eyes. Li Xuan said in a deep voice, "It seems we underestimated them; the real enemy has only just appeared." The blood-red pillar of light gradually dissipated, and a tall, imposing figure instantly appeared before everyone from afar. He wore a blood-red robe, his long, blood-red hair fluttering in the wind, and a hideous demon mask on his face, radiating a chilling aura of killing intent. "Blood Demon!" Old Zhou's voice was filled with terror. The Blood Demon slowly raised his right hand, a ball of blood-red energy condensing in his palm, instantly transforming into a blood-red longsword. He stretched out his hand, and a blood-red sword aura shot towards Li Xuan.

Li Xuan was prepared. The instant the Blood Demon attacked, he swiftly dodged to the side. The sword energy grazed his clothes and sliced ​​a boulder behind him in two. The boulder collapsed with a crash, sending debris flying everywhere.

"That was close!" Lin Yu exclaimed. Li Xuan took a deep breath; he knew the real battle had only just begun. The Blood Demon's strength far exceeded their expectations; this battle would be a fight to the death. The Blood Demon gave them no chance to catch their breath. He flashed back to Li Xuan, his blood-red longsword slashing down with a sharp killing intent. Li Xuan quickly raised his dagger to parry, but with a loud clang, the dagger was knocked away, and a sharp pain shot through his hand. Seeing this, Mu Yang and Lin Yu immediately rushed forward, wanting to join forces against the Blood Demon. However, the Blood Demon's strength was simply too great. He merely swung his longsword a few times, and Mu Yang and Lin Yu were knocked back. Mu Yang crashed heavily to the ground, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth. Lin Yu fared no better; he clutched his chest, his face pale. The Blood Demon let out a chilling laugh and slowly walked towards Li Xuan. The blood-red longsword in his hand dripped with blood, radiating a terrifyingly cold light. "Boy, your life is mine." The Blood Demon's voice was like that of a demon from hell, cold and piercing. Li Xuan clenched his fists tightly; he knew he was in dire straits… He raised his head, his gaze fixed firmly on the Blood Demon, and slowly said, "Trying to kill me? Not so easy…" The Blood Demon's cold laughter echoed in the air, like the death knell of the Grim Reaper. His blood-red longsword flashed, slashing down at Li Xuan again. Li Xuan barely dodged the fatal blow, but the blade still sliced ​​through his arm, blood instantly staining his sleeve. "Li Xuan!" Mu Yang cried out in alarm, trying to rush forward to help, but was kicked away by the Blood Demon, crashing heavily into a withered tree with a muffled groan. Seeing this, Lin Yu roared and charged at the Blood Demon, swinging his iron rod. However, before absolute power, courage seemed so pale and powerless. The Blood Demon didn't even glance at him, slashing the iron rod in half with a backhand strike, the blade's momentum undiminished, aimed straight for Lin Yu's throat. At the critical moment, Old Zhou suddenly stepped in front of Lin Yu. A flash of blood-red sword light appeared, and Old Zhou groaned, spitting out a mouthful of blood, his body swaying precariously. "Old Zhou!" Sister Wu screamed in terror, quickly supporting Old Zhou. Old Zhou's face was ashen, blood continuously flowing from the corner of his mouth, staining Sister Wu's clothes red. "Cough cough..." Old Zhou coughed with difficulty, his eyes filled with worry, "Quick...run...you are no match for him..." The Blood Demon smiled contemptuously, "Trying to leave? Too late!" He flashed, instantly appearing in front of Sister Wu, his blood-red longsword raised high, about to fall. "No!" Li Xuan's eyes were bloodshot, wanting to stop him but powerless. His arm was still bleeding, the pain in his body making him almost unable to move. Just at this critical moment, Mu Yang suddenly leaped up from the ground, using all his strength to push Sister Wu away. The Blood Demon's longsword fell, striking Mu Yang squarely in the chest. "Mu Yang!" Li Xuan roared in agony, watching helplessly as Mu Yang collapsed in a pool of blood. The Blood Demon smiled cruelly, approaching Li Xuan step by step. "Next, it'll be your turn." Li Xuan's mental perception became extremely blurred under the Blood Demon's powerful aura, only occasionally catching a glimpse of danger. He stared intently at the Blood Demon, his eyes filled with despair and rage. He knew he was in dire straits, but even if it meant death, he would fight to the death. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him, and a bold idea sprouted in his mind. He took a deep breath, enduring the excruciating pain, and slowly stood up. "What do you want to do?" The Blood Demon noticed Li Xuan's unusual behavior and asked warily. Li Xuan didn't answer, only a strange smile appeared on his lips as he slowly stretched out his hand, pointing towards the direction behind the Blood Demon... "You, turn around and look." The Blood Demon smiled contemptuously, his eyes filled with disdain. "A petty trick." He slowly turned around, as if he didn't believe Li Xuan's scheme at all. The instant the Blood Demon turned around, Li Xuan's mental perception suddenly sharpened. He sensed a strong sense of danger coming from behind the Blood Demon, as if something terrifying was approaching. "Watch out!" Li Xuan shouted, simultaneously dodging to the side. Almost at the same time, a black figure darted out from the shadows behind the Blood Demon, moving with lightning speed. The figure held a sharp dagger, aiming a vicious thrust at the Blood Demon's back. The Blood Demon, clearly unprepared for the sneak attack, was caught off guard and struck by the dagger. He let out a painful roar, whirling around and striking the black figure behind him with a palm strike. The black figure nimbly dodged the Blood Demon's attack, disappearing back into the shadows in a flash. The Blood Demon clutched his wound, his face contorted in rage. He hadn't expected someone to attack him at this crucial moment, and the opponent's strength was so formidable. Taking advantage of the Blood Demon's momentary distraction, Li Xuan quickly retreated, creating distance between them. His mental perception blurred again, but he knew the real danger had only just begun. Li Xuan suddenly remembered a special item he had obtained in a previous level—the "Shield of Holy Light." This item could resist all attacks from dark forces, and might be effective against the Blood Demon. However, activating the "Shield of Holy Light" required time and consumed a large amount of mental energy. Now, he had to buy time. "You think you can escape like this?" The Blood Demon's voice was icy and chilling, like a demon from hell. Li Xuan didn't answer, but silently took out the "Shield of Holy Light" from his backpack. It was a palm-sized round shield, radiating a faint golden light. The Blood Demon saw the shield in Li Xuan's hand, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. "What is this?" Li Xuan ignored the Blood Demon's question and focused his mind to activate the "Shield of Holy Light." The golden light on the shield gradually intensified, illuminating the surrounding darkness. The Blood Demon felt a powerful force emanating from the shield, and a sense of unease crept into his heart. Without further hesitation, he flashed forward and charged towards Li Xuan again. "Die!" the Blood Demon roared, his crimson longsword slicing through the air, aimed straight for Li Xuan's throat. Li Xuan dodged the Blood Demon's attacks while continuing to activate the "Shield of Holy Light." Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead; his mental energy was rapidly depleting. The Blood Demon's attacks grew increasingly fierce, and Li Xuan's dodging became increasingly difficult. He felt his body was nearing its limit. Just as the Blood Demon charged at Li Xuan again, the "Shield of Holy Light" was finally fully activated. A dazzling golden light shot out from the shield, enveloping the Blood Demon. Struck by the light, the Blood Demon's body stiffened slightly, and his movements slowed. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes; he clearly hadn't expected this unassuming shield to possess such power.

Although the Blood Demon was temporarily stopped, he quickly recovered and became even angrier.

A cruel glint flashed in his eyes. "You've angered me!" The Holy Light Shield shone like the midday sun, blinding the Blood Demon. He roared, his blood surging as he tried to resist the holy power. The brief moment of weakness gave Li Xuan a chance to catch his breath. He gasped for air, his clothes soaked with sweat. Although the Holy Light Shield was powerful, maintaining it required a great deal of mental energy. Li Xuan felt dizzy and knew he had to finish this quickly. Taking advantage of the Blood Demon being suppressed by the Holy Light, Li Xuan swiftly pulled another item from his backpack—the "Thunderstone." This stone was jet black, but its surface crackled with tiny arcs of electricity, containing a violent power of lightning. Li Xuan held the Thunderstone high, chanting incantations that echoed in the air. The arcs of electricity on the Thunderstone grew denser and denser, finally converging into a dazzling bolt of lightning that struck the Blood Demon. "Boom!" A deafening roar erupted as lightning struck the Blood Demon with pinpoint accuracy. A surge of violent lightning instantly engulfed the Blood Demon in a blinding flash. The Blood Demon let out a piercing scream, its body trembling violently, as if it would be torn apart at any moment. The double blow of holy light and lightning severely wounded the Blood Demon. Seeing the Blood Demon's pain, Li Xuan felt no relief, but rather heightened his vigilance. He knew that a powerful being like the Blood Demon would not be easily defeated. Sure enough, after a brief period of agony, the Blood Demon forcefully suppressed its injuries. Its eyes were bloodshot as it stared intently at Li Xuan, its voice hoarse and filled with killing intent: "Boy, you've successfully enraged me!" The Blood Demon's aura surged once more, even more intense than before, with a hint of black. It stretched out its hands, its ten fingers curling into claws, the sharp nails gleaming coldly. A suffocating pressure emanated from the Blood Demon, making it difficult for Li Xuan to breathe. "Not good!" Li Xuan thought to himself, knowing the Blood Demon was about to fight to the death. Just then, Mu Yang suddenly rushed forward, blocking Li Xuan's path. He gripped a longsword tightly, its blade gleaming coldly. "Li Xuan, you go quickly, I'll hold him off!" Mu Yang's voice was firm and calm. Li Xuan glanced at Mu Yang, his heart filled with gratitude. He knew Mu Yang's strength was far inferior to Blood Demon's, yet he still stood before him without hesitation. "Mu Yang, be careful!" Li Xuan shouted, then quickly retreated. He knew he had to conserve his strength to survive the upcoming battle. Blood Demon saw Mu Yang blocking his way, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. He snorted coldly, his figure flashing, instantly appearing before Mu Yang. "Overestimating yourself!" Blood Demon swung a claw, aiming straight for Mu Yang's throat.