An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2416

Chapter 2416

As the black death energy infiltrated his body, the gray-clothed old man was wracked with excruciating pain, as if thousands of venomous insects were gnawing at him from the inside. The agony was not just physical—his very soul felt as though it was being torn apart.

“Evil creature! Leave my body!” he roared, desperately trying to expel the invading death energy.

But the death energy clung to him like a relentless parasite, wreaking havoc inside his body. It fed on his vitality, and even his powerful spiritual energy became fuel for its destruction.

At this rate, the gray-clothed old man would be completely drained in less than three minutes.

“If you won’t leave… then we’ll perish together!”

His voice thundered with fury as he made a desperate decision. Raising his trembling hand, he summoned divine runes that floated into the air, forming a massive formation above him.

As the formation spun, dark thunderclouds rapidly gathered, crackling with violet lightning and booming with deafening thunder.

This was no ordinary technique—it was the Demon-Killing Thunder Formation. Its destructive power far surpassed that of his earlier lightning strikes.

“Thunder, fall!”

The gray-clothed old man formed a seal with his hand and pointed at himself.

With a deafening roar, a bolt of purple lightning as thick as an arm streaked down from the thundercloud, striking him directly.

The impact sent shockwaves through the air. His clothes were incinerated, and his skin was charred black. His energy and spirit were almost completely drained, leaving him trembling on his knees.

But the black death energy within him had been decimated—most of it obliterated by the violent lightning strike.

The gray-clothed old man had truly chosen to risk his life to eliminate his foe.

“Thunder, strike again!”

Despite his weakened state, he forced his trembling hands to form another seal, summoning yet another bolt of lightning from the churning clouds.

Sensing the imminent danger, the remaining death energy panicked. It burst out of the old man’s body and fled in all directions, rapidly coalescing into the form of the hunchbacked old man.

But this time, the hunchbacked old man was unrecognizable. His face was deathly pale, his frail body soaked in blood, and he coughed violently as crimson spilled from his mouth and nose.

“You… you lunatic! Are you trying to die?!”

His voice quivered with fear as he glared at the gray-clothed old man. He hadn’t anticipated such suicidal resolve. The gray-clothed elder’s reckless move had not only disrupted the Heaven-Devouring Demonic Art but had also severely injured him, stripping away most of his cultivation.

If the gray-clothed old man summoned another thunderbolt, it would be the end of him.

“You fiend! I’m more than willing to perish alongside you!”

The gray-clothed old man gritted his teeth, his hands trembling as he struggled to form another seal.

Seeing the lightning gathering again, the hunchbacked old man was overwhelmed with terror.

“Please, spare me! I’ll leave immediately! I won’t attack you again!” he begged, his arrogance shattered.

Just as the purple lightning was about to descend, the gray-clothed old man faltered. Blood spewed from his mouth as his body crumpled to the ground. His strength was spent, and even summoning the lightning was beyond him now.

The thunderclouds above rumbled briefly before dissipating, leaving the battlefield eerily quiet.

For a moment, the hunchbacked old man stood frozen, and then realization struck.

The gray-clothed elder was powerless.

A wide grin spread across the hunchbacked man’s face as arrogance returned to his voice.

“Ha! You foolish Taoist! I thought you were formidable, but you’re just a paper tiger. Weren’t you threatening to die with me? Go ahead! Summon another bolt of lightning if you can!”

“You… vile creature…” the gray-clothed old man rasped, attempting to stand, only to cough up more blood. His body was failing him.

The hunchbacked man sneered, sensing victory. He was too injured to strike immediately but confident enough to wait for reinforcements.

“Once my allies arrive, your life is over!” he jeered.

But then, a cold voice cut through the tension.

“Are you waiting for me?”

Both men turned in the direction of the voice. From the thick fog emerged a tall, masked figure with a calm but commanding presence. His restrained energy and piercing eyes carried an undeniable sense of danger. It was Dustin.

A flicker of hope lit up in the hunchbacked man’s eyes.

“Ha! Reinforcements! You came at the perfect time!” he exclaimed, pointing toward the gray-clothed old man. “Brother, we’re on the same side. Kill this stinking Taoist for me, and the treasures in the forbidden area will be ours!”

The gray-clothed old man’s face fell further. This new arrival spelled doom for him.

But Dustin remained unmoved, his gaze steady.

“Why should I kill him?” he asked coldly.

The hunchbacked old man froze, utterly caught off guard. That question pierced through his overconfidence like a dagger. If Dustin wasn’t here to help him… then what?