I dominated the game from the start with cards.

Chapter 27 The storm has subsided, but my heart still trembles.

Stardust's words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples that plunged everyone into a deep silence of thought.

Ye Ling broke the silence first, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry and doubt: "What is this mysterious power you're talking about?" Xingchen simply smiled slightly, his eyes as deep as the night sky, and did not answer.

That enigmatic smile, like a fog, shrouded everyone's hearts, making the already perplexing situation even more unpredictable.

The Blood Demon's roar had long since faded. He stared intently at Stardust, his heavy breaths scorching, his eyes flashing with complex light.

Fear, doubt, and a barely perceptible hint of...fear? Just who is this mysterious powerful figure? What is this "power to control destiny" he speaks of? "My power, I will unravel myself."

Ye Ling's tone was firm, with a hint of stubbornness. He did not want to be controlled by anyone, not even the unfathomable Xingchen in front of him.

Xingchen did not respond to Ye Ling's provocation, but instead turned his gaze to the injured Qingyue.

At this moment, Shu Yao was doing her best to heal Qing Yue's injuries. A faint green light emanated from her palm and slowly flowed into Qing Yue's body.

However, Qingyue's face remained as pale as paper, her breath was weak, and her injuries seemed to be more serious than expected.

Shu Yao's forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat. She bit her lower lip, her eyes filled with anxiety and self-blame.

She felt utterly useless; despite being a descendant of a spiritual healer, she couldn't even heal her friend's injuries.

Tears blurred her vision and dripped onto Qingyue's pale cheeks.

"Qingyue..." Shu Yao choked up, her voice trembling, "You must hold on..." Seeing Shu Yao in such pain, Ye Ling also felt a pang of pain in his heart.

He gently patted Shu Yao's shoulder and comforted her, "Don't worry, Qingyue will be alright."

At this moment, Ye Ling's gaze inadvertently fell on Xing Chen.

He noticed that Stardust had a strange jade pendant hanging from his waist, emitting a faint golden light.

Although the light was faint, it gave Ye Ling a strange sense of familiarity, as if he had seen it somewhere before.

More importantly, Ye Ling keenly sensed that the light emitted by the jade pendant seemed to have a peculiar stabilizing effect on Qingyue's injuries.

A bold idea came to his mind.

He walked up to Xingchen, his tone respectful yet tinged with a hint of probing: "Senior, this jade pendant..." Xingchen glanced down at the jade pendant at his waist, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "This jade pendant is called 'Stardust's Tear,' and it possesses powerful healing abilities."

Ye Ling was overjoyed and immediately said, "Senior, may I borrow your jade pendant? I think it might help Qingyue stabilize her injuries."

Xingchen didn't speak, but just quietly looked at Ye Ling, as if examining his heart.

A moment later, he slowly took off the jade pendant and handed it to Ye Ling.

"Everything is predestined..." Stardust's voice was deep and mysterious, making it impossible to fathom his true intentions. Ye Ling took the jade pendant, its smooth texture warm to the touch, and a powerful force surged into his body.

He carefully brought the jade pendant close to Qingyue, guiding its power to slowly flow into her body...

Qingyue's complexion visibly began to improve...

As Elder Ling watched this scene, a glint of light flashed in his cloudy eyes. He stroked his long beard and said in a low voice, "It seems... everything has only just begun..." The light of the Stardust Tears was soft and warm, like the morning sun shining on him, dispelling the gloom that shrouded Qingyue.

As the power of the jade pendant was continuously injected, Qingyue's pale face gradually regained some color, and her tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed.

Her weak breathing became steady, and her chest began to rise and fall slightly.

Shu Yao stared nervously at Qing Yue, her hands clenched tightly together until her knuckles turned white.

Seeing Qingyue's condition improve, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Qingyue... how are you feeling?"

Shu Yao's voice trembled slightly, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Qingyue slowly opened her eyes and smiled weakly: "I...I'm much better..." Seeing Qingyue wake up, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

A hint of relief flickered across Yingfeng's usually stern face as he silently walked to Qingyue's side and gently took her hand.

Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief, the Blood Demon's furious voice shattered the brief silence.

"What right do you have to interfere in our affairs?" His bloodshot eyes stared intently at Stardust, his entire body radiating a suffocating aura of menace.

Youying also stood to the side, his face gloomy and his eyes flickering, clearly also dissatisfied with Xingchen's intervention.

Stardust remained calm, as if he hadn't heard the Blood Demon's roar. He merely glanced at the Blood Demon with a hint of barely perceptible contempt in his eyes.

"What I do is none of your business." His voice was deep and powerful, carrying an unquestionable authority.

Enraged, the Blood Demon laughed, and a violent power erupted from his body.

"Fine! Very well! Since you insist on interfering, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Before he finished speaking, he transformed into a streak of blood-red light and pounced towards Xingchen.

Seeing this, Youying immediately made her move as well, her black shadows coiling towards Xingchen like venomous snakes. In an instant, violent energy fluctuations swept across the entire space, causing sand and stones to fly and the sky to darken.

Stardust remained standing still, seemingly oblivious to the attacks from Blood Demon and Shadow.

Just as the Blood Demon and the Shadow were about to touch his body, a golden light suddenly burst forth from him, forming an indestructible barrier that blocked all of the Blood Demon and the Shadow's attacks.

"Overestimating yourself." Stardust sneered, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

He slowly raised his right hand, and a powerful force instantly sent the Blood Demon and the Shadow flying.

Blood Demon and Shadow crashed heavily to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood, their faces ashen. They stared at Stardust in horror, their eyes filled with disbelief.

They never imagined that Stardust's strength was so terrifying, severely injuring them with just one move.

After the battle, Ye Ling walked to Shu Yao's side and gently embraced her. Shu Yao leaned against Ye Ling, her body still trembling slightly.

Ye Ling gently stroked her hair and whispered comfortingly, "It's alright, everything is over." Shu Yao looked up, her eyes filled with dependence on Ye Ling, and Ye Ling felt a pang of pity in his heart.

He lowered his head and gently kissed Shu Yao's forehead. Elder Ling watched this scene, a hint of gratified smile flashing in his eyes.

He stroked his long beard and muttered, "Looks like this kid really is a lucky star..." Stardust turned and left, leaving only one sentence echoing in the air: "Remember, everything is predestined..." A golden light seemed to flash in the direction where his figure disappeared...

After the stardust departed, a strange tranquility filled the air, like a moment of peace after a storm, yet carrying a hint of unsettling oppression.

Shu Yao leaned against Ye Ling's chest, her body still trembling slightly, the terrifying scene from just now leaving her with lingering fear.

Ye Ling gently stroked her hair, one stroke at a time, as if soothing a frightened fawn. His fingertips brushed against her soft hair, bringing a touch of warmth and gradually calming his own heart.

Shu Yao raised her head, her eyes filled with dependence on Ye Ling. His figure was reflected in her clear eyes, as if he were her only support.

Ye Ling was filled with pity. He lowered his head and gently kissed Shu Yao's forehead. This gentle and precious gesture was more powerful than a thousand words.

“It’s alright,” Ye Ling’s voice was low and gentle. “It’s all over.” He hugged Shu Yao tighter, as if he wanted to merge her into his own body.

The Blood Demon's rage did not subside with Stardust's departure; instead, it burned even brighter. He abruptly scrambled to his feet, his crimson eyes fixed on the direction Stardust had vanished, and growled through gritted teeth, "Damn it!"

"I will make you pay the price!" He turned around abruptly, venting his anger on the remaining energy left by the stardust, and threw a punch, the violent demonic energy erupting like a volcano.

Stardust remained calm and composed, as if he had anticipated Blood Demon's actions.

A white jade whisk appeared in his hand without his noticing. With a gentle wave, a soft white light poured out like flowing water, easily blocking the blood demon's attack. The white light collided with the demonic energy, producing a sizzling sound, and even space seemed to slightly distort.

Blood Demon roared and launched another attack. This time, he concentrated all his power in his fists, and the demonic energy surged like two roaring dragons, tearing at Stardust.

Stardust flashed and easily dodged the Blood Demon's attack.

However, the Blood Demon, having exerted too much force, and with the Shadow releasing a dark cloud at that moment, tripped and fell to the ground in a sorry state.

Youying seemed to realize that he had caused trouble, and his face became even more gloomy. He stood aside without saying a word.

With Yingfeng's help, Qingyue slowly stood up. Her face was still somewhat pale, but her eyes were filled with gratitude as she looked at Ye Ling. Yingfeng remained silent as ever, simply guarding Qingyue's side. Ling Lao watched all this, a complex expression flashing in his eyes. He stroked his long beard and sighed meaningfully.

As Ye Ling watched the scene gradually calm down, he was not completely at ease.

He recalled the hardships he had endured, from initially discovering his abilities to now facing numerous dangers. He secretly vowed to become stronger so that he could protect himself and those around him.

Just as the situation was beginning to ease, Stardust's voice suddenly rang in everyone's ears, carrying an unprecedented seriousness: "Although there is temporary peace, an even greater crisis is about to arrive." His voice was like a thunderclap, exploding in everyone's hearts.

Everyone tensed up, unsure of what the new crisis might be, and all looked in the direction where the stardust had disappeared.

Just then, Ye Ling noticed that Elder Ling's gaze was not directed in the direction where Stardust had disappeared, but instead fell on... his own hand.

"Your cards..." Elder Ling spoke slowly, his voice low and hoarse. Ye Ling's hand unconsciously clenched, feeling the cool touch of the cards in his palm.

He recalled the scene when he first came into contact with this power: the dilapidated shrine, the eerie will-o'-the-wisps, and the card that emitted a ghostly glow.

He was terrified at that time, filled with fear of the unknown forces.

Later, he gradually learned to use this power to seal one vicious spirit after another into cards, from weak to strong, from fear to control.

He witnessed the cruelty of the supernatural world and also experienced the responsibility that comes with power.

Stardust's words pulled him back to reality from his memories: an even greater crisis?

What exactly is it? He looked at Shu Yao, a resolute glint in his eyes. Whatever it is, he will protect her, and protect everyone he cares about.

Stardust's words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.

The Blood Demon's rage had not yet subsided, and upon hearing this, he roared even more furiously: "Playing tricks! Show me what other methods you have!"

Youying had a gloomy expression and his eyes flickered, as if he was plotting something.

Qingyue gripped Yingfeng's arm tightly, her eyes filled with worry.

Yingfeng gently patted the back of her hand to comfort her.

Elder Ling's gaze remained fixed on Ye Ling's hand, his eyes filled with a sense of inquiry.

“I know you have many questions in your hearts,” Stardust’s voice rang out again, this time his tone was no longer light, but rather carried a hint of heaviness, “but now is not the time to explain.”

We must leave here as soon as possible.

Ye Ling's doubts deepened. Leave this place? Where to go?

Just as he was about to ask a question, he saw Xingchen raise his hand and wave it, enveloping everyone in a silver light.

Space distorted, and the surrounding scenery began to blur. Ye Ling felt dizzy, as if he were in a giant vortex.

When the dizziness subsided, Ye Ling found herself in a completely unfamiliar place.

Thick fog blanketed the surroundings, reducing visibility to almost zero, and the air was filled with a damp and decaying smell.

Towering ancient trees blocked out the sun, and the ground was covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves that rustled underfoot. Everything here seemed eerie and unsettling, as if countless unknown dangers were lurking within.

"Where is this place?" Shu Yao's voice trembled slightly as she clung tightly to Ye Ling, seeking a sense of security.

Ye Ling did not answer. He took out a card from his pocket, chanted a spell, and the card emitted a faint glow, illuminating a small area around it.

However, the light appeared unusually weak, as if it were being suppressed in some way.

He tried to unleash the power within the cards, but found that the power of the cards was greatly restricted, as if blocked by an invisible barrier.

He became wary; this place was very unusual.

“Be careful,” Elder Ling’s voice echoed through the mist, “This…is the Lost Land.”