Chapter 40: The Demon's Puzzling Challenge

The vast expanse of Demon City was a realm where magic and reality wove together in the most unpredictable ways. Li Yang had already faced countless challenges here, but one thing remained constant: not every monster could be converted into a card. For those that resisted the transformation, they disintegrated into a cloud of ash, leaving no trace of their existence.

Time felt warped within the city. Days? Weeks? Li Yang had lost track. The ambient gloom and relentless mazes made tracking time nearly impossible. However, his spirits lifted when he arrived at the heart of the city and beheld a sight: an intricately designed chest, promising treasures untold.

As Li Yang approached, a chilling darkness enveloped the area, and from the very shadows rose the city's guardian – the supreme demon. Its visage was the stuff of nightmares. Towering over everything, the demon had a swirling form, almost as if made from the night itself. Crimson eyes, scattered randomly over its shapeless body, all fixed their piercing gaze on Li Yang. Long tendrils, dripping with a dark, viscous substance, floated around it. Every movement it made was accompanied by the haunting chorus of a thousand tormented souls.

However, this beast was not there for a physical fight. "Bold of you," the demon's voice echoed, cold and detached, "to wander into my realm. I am but a shadow, and physical blows won't touch me. But I have a challenge for you." The malevolent grin that followed sent shivers down Li Yang's spine.

The ground shifted, revealing a massive board with a hundred tiles. Each tile bore a distinct image. "Spot the five tiles with the pattern of the Dark Star," the demon instructed, "I'll give you one minute to memorize them. After that, I will shuffle the tiles. You will have one hour to find them. Make three mistakes, and your life is forfeit."

Li Yang stepped closer, confidence radiating from him. "You're basically serving victory on a silver platter. My memory hasn't failed me yet," he declared.

The demon snorted dismissively, and the board lit up, displaying the images clearly. Li Yang's eyes darted from tile to tile, meticulously noting the location of the Dark Star patterns. Once the minute was up, the demon reshuffled the board with a swift motion.

"Begin!" it commanded.

Li Yang wasted no time. His fingers danced over the tiles, selecting one after another with rapid precision. In mere moments, he had identified all five Dark Star tiles. The entire ordeal took him no more than five seconds.

The demon's eyes widened in astonishment. The silence that followed was deafening.

"I underestimated you," the demon finally admitted, its voice laced with begrudging respect. The chest clicked open on its own, a sign of Li Yang's triumph.

As Li Yang approached the chest, he couldn't help but smile. For all the dangers of Demon City, it was moments like these that made the journey worth it. He had not only survived the demon's challenge but had also bested it at its own game.