The Strongest Dandy in the City Chapter 2274 - 2263: Frenzied Absorption

Outside the confines of the dense forest, the forms of Luo Qianjiang and Jin Hongsheng halted their aerial movement.

Having deployed their individual Divine Domains, they had successfully egressed the forest's perimeter.

Strangely, the myriad Brain-Eating Ghost Insects appeared to be bound by some sort of constraint, confining their activity solely within the forest's boundaries. Not a single one ventured beyond the treeline, a fact that brought immense relief to Luo Qianjiang and Jin Hongsheng.

Their gazes swept over the countless specks of black within the verdant expanse, and a subtle grin played on their lips. Then, a renewed wave of animosity washed over Luo Qianjiang's features. Taking a deep inhalation, he declared, "Now that that brat Ye Chenfeng is ensnared within this forest, even with the backing of the Heaven and Earth Flame, his survival is but a fleeting hope. The sheer number of Brain-Eating Ghost Insects will undoubtedly overwhelm his flame. Ancient texts warn that these creatures are not to be underestimated."

"It is merely a shame that the brat inflicted such grave losses upon our respective Sects, and the inability to personally deliver his final blow remains a profound regret! It all happened far too easily for him."

The animosity simmering in Jin Hongsheng's core towards Ye Chenfeng burned far hotter than Luo Qianjiang's. The Jin lineage had borne the brunt of the damage, leaving him as the sole surviving ancestor of the Divine King Realm. It would likely take millennia, perhaps tens of thousands of years, for the Jin to recuperate and for another powerhouse of the Divine King Realm to emerge.

Consequently, Jin Hongsheng harbored the fiercest desire to tear Ye Chenfeng asunder with his own hands. Yet, upon witnessing the teeming black masses within the woods, he naturally hesitated to re-enter. Even for an expert of the Divine King Realm, a moment's lapse in vigilance could invite an invasion of the Brain-Eating Ghost Insects into his very mind.

After regaining a semblance of composure, Jin Hongsheng scoffed, "Just moments ago, that brat dared to mislead us by denying this was a Divine Emperor's burial site? Who does he presume himself to be? And this so-called Bloodswallow Clan? Utterly preposterous. Allowing him to perish, his brain consumed by these Brain-Eating Ghost Insects, is hardly an ignoble end. Let us resume our exploration of this Divine Emperor's burial! I still hold aspirations of discovering an opportunity to ascend to the Divine Venerable Realm within these grounds!"

Luo Qianjiang offered a nod in agreement. He and Jin Hongsheng then dissolved into the void, departing the scene. There was no need for further verification; in their estimation, encircled by the relentless swarm of Brain-Eating Ghost Insects, Ye Chenfeng, Bai Xiaorou, and Tan Yuanwu stood no conceivable chance of survival.

Meanwhile.

Within the suffocating confines of the forest.

Ye Chenfeng and his companions found themselves enveloped by the vibrant Green Flame, which now teetered on the precipice of collapse. The sheer immensity of the Brain-Eating Ghost Insects within the forest was staggering. These densely packed creatures, utterly devoid of fear, assaulted the Green Flame in relentless waves.

Positioned on either flank of Ye Chenfeng, Bai Xiaorou and Tan Yuanwu wore expressions of grim concern. Tan Yuanwu, fully cognizant of the nature of the Brain-Eating Ghost Insects, understood that with such an overwhelming multitude, Ye Chenfeng's defenses were proving futile. He foresaw the inevitable breach and the grisly fate of their brains being devoured, leading to their demise.

The prospect of having one's brain consumed was an agonizing one. Rather than endure such excruciating torment, Tan Yuanwu had resolved to take his own life. His resolve was firm, and he spoke in a hushed tone, "Chenfeng, it appears our escape is impossible. To think we evaded Luo Qianjiang and Jin Hongsheng, only to meet our end at the mandibles of these insects."

With a heavy sigh, Tan Yuanwu continued, "However, it is a profound pity for you, Chenfeng. The Ancient City of Heavenly Origin still depends on you. Should you perish here, the future of the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin may well be bleak."

Bai Xiaorou remained a quiet presence beside Ye Chenfeng, her eyes alight with an unyielding resolve. The very set of her jaw conveyed a silent promise: no matter the outcome, even unto death, she would remain steadfastly by Ye Chenfeng's side.

Ye Chenfeng's brow furrowed, and upon hearing Tan Yuanwu's somber words, a weight settled in his heart. Observing the Green Flame's increasingly violent oscillations, he projected his thoughts inward, "Old Bai, Old Hei, do you possess any countermeasures?"

Old Bai, Wu Fengxian, responded, "Earlier, Old Hei and I partook of the Rejuvenation Elixir you procured for us. Presently, the elixir is engaged in the continuous mending of our souls. In this state of soul recuperation, we are incapable of lending you our strength. To attempt such a feat risks a loss of control, potentially leading to the catastrophic explosion of your physical form."

However.

As Old Bai, Wu Fengxian, concluded his explanation.

The Green Flame, at long last, was pierced by the inexorable tide of Brain-Eating Ghost Insects. One by one, the creatures swarmed towards Ye Chenfeng, Bai Xiaorou, and Tan Yuanwu. Tan Yuanwu stood poised to end his own existence at any second, while Bai Xiaorou remained immovably anchored beside Ye Chenfeng.

The Green Flame's breach occurred with such blinding speed that Ye Chenfeng found himself utterly unprepared for the next course of action. These Brain-Eating Ghost Insects moved with astonishing swiftness, and just as Ye Chenfeng’s countenance contorted into a grimace of despair, a subtle resonance from the Seven Colored Divine Spring residing within his Dantian—also known as the Blood of the Earth—began to stir.

As the Seven Colored Divine Spring unfurled its power, the Brain-Eating Ghost Insects that had been relentlessly advancing on Bai Xiaorou and Tan Yuanwu abruptly shifted their trajectory. They turned en masse, swarming towards Ye Chenfeng as if irresistibly drawn by an unseen force emanating from him.

An immense multitude of Brain-Eating Ghost Insects converged upon Ye Chenfeng.

In a mere blink, Ye Chenfeng was completely enveloped by the swarm, a sight that left Bai Xiaorou and Tan Yuanwu stunned into immobility.

At this critical juncture, the malevolent voice of the Bloodswallow Clan Leader reverberated within Ye Chenfeng’s consciousness: "Kid, it appears you won't live to witness our Bloodswallow Clan's resurgence. What a pity. These Brain-Eating Ghost Insects seem to have a peculiar fondness for you."

Yet, even as the ceaseless tide of insects consumed him, Ye Chenfeng’s inner turmoil was palpable. None of the Brain-Eating Ghost Insects managed to penetrate his skull; instead, they continued their relentless descent into his Dantian, being systematically absorbed by the mystical Seven Colored Divine Spring.

For the Seven Colored Divine Spring housed within Ye Chenfeng’s Dantian, each Brain-Eating Ghost Insect was seemingly assimilated without effort, becoming an intrinsic component of the spring itself. Remarkably, the intrusion of these insects into Ye Chenfeng’s Dantian inflicted no discernible harm whatsoever.

The swarming horde of Brain-Eating Ghost Insects persistently gravitated towards Ye Chenfeng, akin to a throng of ants enticed by the irresistible allure of sugar, advancing in relentless waves into the depths of Ye Chenfeng’s Dantian. Naturally, neither Bai Xiaorou nor Tan Yuanwu perceived the influx of insects into Ye Chenfeng’s Dantian, nor did the ostensibly reviving Bloodswallow Clan Leader appear to grasp the true nature of these events.

...(To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)