Vol. 5 Chapter 21: The Final Battle with Dark River Boss (End)

Chapter 21: The Final Battle with Dark River Boss (End)

Due to a part of his personality being negated, Fu Bin's character took an extreme turn. In his deep self-blame, he eradicated his selfishness, transforming instantly into a "saint."

Observing from a distance, Lu Li became intrigued, as at that moment, the shadow magic within Fu Bin underwent a mutation, altering his internal structure and severing his connection with the shadow mask.

Black, floating organisms emerged from Fu Bin's body. In pain, he pressed on his face, pulling off the shadow mask, which clung to his face with black threads. With great effort, he removed the mask and threw it aside.

White flames ignited on his body, burning away the black organisms. Panting, Fu Bin's face showed an expression of pain, tears streaming down. He realized that many of his evil deeds were committed under the mask's influence, but he couldn't deny that he was the one who carried them out.

Fu Bin quickly extinguished the white flames on his body. The energy within him, converted from shadow magic, rapidly diminished without the mask's support. However, a part of his internal energy structure stabilized, briefly connecting with some unknown existence.

"The power corresponding to the Seven Virtues opposing the Seven Deadly Sins?" Lu Li mused, squinting. Despite the seemingly logical transformation, it was too coincidental. Lao Hu's actions also seemed strange. Was there some other interference?

On the heavily damaged bridge, Fu Bin picked up a stone and approached the discarded black mask. The mask trembled, releasing a swarm of black floating organisms, resisting Fu Bin's approach like black smoke.

Once again, white flames burned on Fu Bin, avoiding the black organisms. Just as he was about to smash the mask with the stone, a black flame flew over, striking his hand. Fortunately, the white flames protected him from being scorched, but the stone was knocked away.

Looking up, Fu Bin saw Xiao Zhang approaching. Guilt flashed in his eyes, but he earnestly said, "Sir, I apologize for my past mistakes, but please don't stop me from destroying these masks. You should also destroy yours quickly. These masks corrupt the mind."

"You scoundrel, are you still trying to blame everything on the mask?" Xiao Zhang's voice was filled with rage. His body involuntarily transformed into an elemental state, his reason burned away, all his anger erupting. He forgot they still had to fight the Dark River Boss and Lao Hu's previous warnings.

"You destroyed the best thing I had, and now you want to take away our chance to become gods!" Xiao Zhang, now a flaming giant, lashed out with a whip of fire. Fu Bin, with his white wings flapping, struggled to dodge. His internal energy was depleting, making it hard to maintain his abilities.

"Your mind is blinded by anger. If possible, I would do anything to atone, but please, remove and destroy those masks," Fu Bin pleaded, his energy structure dimming. Unable to sustain his abilities, he fell from the sky, caught by the fiery giant Xiao Zhang.

Just as Xiao Zhang was about to kill Fu Bin, his movements froze. His flames were suddenly encased in ice. Bing Bing retracted her jade-like hand from behind Xiao Zhang, rescuing Fu Bin.

Fu Bin thanked Bing Bing, then earnestly addressed the masked individuals, "I'm not shifting the blame. Though I was tempted by the mask, I committed those crimes. I'm willing to accept any punishment to atone, but those masks are dangerous. Please remove and destroy them."

From a distance, Lu Li sensed the situation on the bridge and chuckled, "This won't do. Fu Bin has completely deviated from the script. The planned scenario of sloth's takeover can't proceed. It seems we must intervene personally to correct the script. My hatred, it's your turn."

"Then, I'll take my leave first." Snake Lady Lilith, with reluctance, bid farewell to Lu Li and leapt into the Wujiang River. Under the murky waters, a massive presence seemed to stir. Lu Li squinted, partially transferring his consciousness to the mask on the bridge.

Luo Yan, seeing the transformed Fu Bin, hesitated but placed her hand on her mask. However, a strong sense of attachment arose within her. The mask granted extraordinary powers, and having tasted such abilities, who would want to revert?

"Fu Bin is just deceiving you. Even without the mask, he retains abilities, but you won't. Without the mask, you'll be back to being a scorned psychologist," a voice whispered within Luo Yan, influencing her. Seeing the motionless Dark River from a distance, she found an excuse, "There's still danger. I'll remove the mask after this crisis. A little longer won't hurt."

Consoling herself, Luo Yan left the mask on, tightly clinging to her face. Fu Bin, seeing this, shook his head with a bitter smile, realizing most were bewitched by the masks. Even Luo Yan, close to him, was no exception. Those hostile to him would certainly ignore his warnings.

At this moment, the discarded black mask released a swarm of floating organisms, forming a humanoid shape.

"Unexpected. I didn't gain the expected body," said the being formed from the organisms, Lu Li's voice tinged with regret. "Everyone, nice to meet you. I am the victor of the previous mask battle. You may call me Sloth."

"As I suspected. When I probed Fu Bin's memories using the organisms, I discovered the true masters of the masks were these organisms, not Fu Bin. I suspected Fu Bin was being used," Lao Hu thought, recalling recent intelligence with no similar mask battle incidents.

"So, you're one of the masterminds behind this?" Lao Hu spoke up. "This mask battle is full of mysteries. And you, the supposed Shadow Clan member, stop pretending. The denial has shown you're not dead. You're allied with the Fear King and this Sloth, right?"