The Strongest Dandy in the City Chapter 2236 - 2225: Parasite

The cave's sealing stone door had parted halfway.

Yet behind the door, myriad restrictions stood arrayed to counter the black magic, allowing it to break free from suppression and sealing only when the door fully slides aside.

Long ago, the Dragon Clan's founding ancestor clashed fiercely with the black magic, inflicting severe wounds upon it. Today, bereft of its own form, the black magic exists as a sentient dark mist brimming with immense power; the ebony fog seeping from beyond the stone door stems from this very entity.

As the black magic neared its escape from confinement, grim expressions darkened the faces of Zhao Shenghong, Zhao Jinpeng, and Zhao Wenyu, while Ye Chenfeng's eyes burned with fierce intensity.

Zhao Jinpeng bellowed, "Zhao Chenggao, you're courting death yourself. Do you believe spotting a weakness lets you unleash the black magic for real? Had you turned back moments ago, we might've let it pass, but now it's far too late."

Exchanging swift looks, Zhao Jinpeng, Zhao Shenghong, and Zhao Wenyu each drew forth a white dragon-carved jade pendant, channeling spiritual energy into them before hurling the items skyward.

Blazing with white radiance, the trio of dragon pendants instantly scattered the nearby black mist, linking their glow to the mountain's runes. As the pendants hovered and shone ever brighter, the runes' sealing might surged dramatically.

"Boom!" A thunderous blast reverberated through the cavern.

The earth trembled violently, halting the stone door's widening motion; instead, it began reversing, gradually sealing shut once more.

With the door inching closed, the encircling black mist retreated behind it, the black energy barrier fading ever fainter.

These three white dragon jade pendants trace back to the Ancient Era's dawn. Among the current Nine Nether Ice Lion lineage, solely Zhao Jinpeng, Zhao Shenghong, and Zhao Wenyu possess knowledge of them—they can abruptly bolster the seal during crises. Only Lion King Lineage ancestors and leaders hold such treasures.

Thus, ordinary lineage members like Zhao Chenggao and Zhao Hongliang remained utterly ignorant of these artifacts.

Witnessing the stone door's reversal, the smug grins on Zhao Chenggao and his allies froze solid, while even the Nine Nether Ice Lion followers who'd sided with them showed shifting unease on their faces.

Should the black magic fail to emerge, the Lion King Lineage would surely purge Zhao Chenggao and his cohort for their grave offenses.

"How can this be? What's going on? Us ordinary folk should lead!" Zhao Chenggao stammered, lips quivering.

Observing the receding black mist and dimming barrier, Ye Chenfeng finally exhaled in relief.

And right then.

From beyond the nearing-shut stone door, the black magic's ancient voice rasped: "Hurry, extend someone's arm through the door. I need to possess a body now to escape, or the chance will be lost forever."

While the stone door bars the black magic's exit, an outsider's arm can slip inside unblocked.

The black magic pressed on: "Have that Heavenly God Realm Peak Stage youth in the white gown thrust his arm in—don't delay. Merging his mind with mine is his fortune. I'll spare a fragment of his consciousness, and upon securing a better vessel, I'll depart, granting him immense fortune."

The black magic meant Zhao Feiyu.

Hearing this, Zhao Chenggao, Zhao Hongliang, and Zhao Qishu turned to Zhao Feiyu. The entity's intent rang clear: by inhabiting a host, it could flee sans fully opening the door—the selected vessel being Zhao Feiyu's form.

Sensing their stares, Zhao Feiyu shot another venomous glare at Ye Chenfeng across the barrier, fresh fury and spite igniting within. He refused to perish yet! He craved seeing Ye Chenfeng kneel before him.

The black magic vowed to preserve part of his awareness.

Thus, fusing temporarily with it would skyrocket his power, rendering him untouchable even by Zhao Shenghong's group. Power hunger consumed him—to crush Ye Chenfeng beneath his heel and claim Bai Xiaorou first.

Seething with wrath, Zhao Feiyu weighed his paths: await the door's full closure and execution by Zhao Shenghong's hand, or stake it all on the black magic's possession.

He nodded firmly to Zhao Chenggao and the rest, striding to the stone door. Just before it sealed tight, he plunged his right arm through.

Having caught the black magic's plea, Zhao Shenghong and allies saw Zhao Feiyu's compliance and unleashed a barrage on the obstructing black energy barrier.

Though weakening, the barrier held firm against Zhao Shenghong and the others' assaults.

With his arm thrust beyond the door, agony twisted Zhao Feiyu's features as the black magic urged: "Trust me—you won't regret it. I'll forge this body into an unrivaled force at minimum."

Behind the door, thick black mist swarmed Zhao Feiyu's protruding arm, the haze slowly infiltrating his limb before flooding inward.

Moving with terrifying speed, the dense fog warped Zhao Feiyu's face into a fiendish grimace.

Before long, dark vapors raced beneath his skin, weaving through his veins in a grotesque display of malice.

Zhao Feiyu's lips blackened utterly, black spiritual energy radiating from him as his aura soared without cease.

"Bang!" came the resounding crack.

Zhao Shenghong, Zhao Jinpeng, and Zhao Wenyu shattered the black energy barrier together at last.

In that instant, Zhao Feiyu yanked back his arm, and the stone door slammed fully shut.

Zhao Feiyu now resembled a spectral horror, his flesh crawling relentlessly with black vapors slithering like vile parasites.

His power had eclipsed Heavenly God Realm entirely. His mind remained his own, the black magic's consciousness not yet fused. Only post-power integration would their wills blend.

Within his thoughts, the black magic's hoarse voice resounded: "I'll let you wield my essence's might for now. Today, my power is yours to command freely. Come tomorrow, my will overtakes yours fully, leaving just a wisp of your own."

These words thrilled Zhao Feiyu despite his monstrous guise. Endless power surged through him intoxicatingly. His eyes raked over Zhao Shenghong's group before locking on Ye Chenfeng, sneering coldly, "Genius, are you? So mighty? Come at me! Prove your spine and take me down!"

Zhao Shenghong, Zhao Jinpeng, and Zhao Wenyu braced warily. Their senses marked Zhao Feiyu's strength as beyond any one of theirs—even united, victory seemed doubtful. Could the Lion King Lineage fall this day?

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)