Dorma​mmu's Threat, Kaecilius's Escape

The appearance of the rift at this moment undoubtedly signaled that Dormammu's threat was close at hand.

Wong and Mordo quickly realized the gravity of the situation as well, turning solemn looks toward Lin Du.

They awaited his instructions for what to do next, and the atmosphere instantly grew tense to the extreme.

As for Ancient One, she appeared calm on the surface, but turmoil raged within her.

She intended to use this opportunity to learn more about this mysterious student who had "encountered" her through a car.

And in merely three days, he had surpassed her in cultivation.

Watching everyone's differing reactions, Lin Du curled his lips into a faint smile.

"Even if it really is his rift, what is there to fear? A single dark magic seal will take care of it."

"Sooner or later, I'll write Dormammu's demise with my own hands."

As soon as he finished speaking, an even more powerful surge of dark energy erupted from Lin Du.

In the blink of an eye, the entire space was enveloped by that power.

This energy stood in stark contrast to the dark aura seeping from the rift.

Like a head-on collision between two abyssal forces, a contest within darkness itself quietly began.

Yet Strange felt no discomfort whatsoever. Unconsciously, his gaze was drawn deeply toward Lin Du.

Could it be that when Lin Du cast dark magic, he had protected me as well?

Had he already mastered dark magic so effortlessly?

Everyone's eyes were fixed on Lin Du. Bathed in the glow of dark energy, his figure seemed even more mysterious and imposing.

Lin Du slowly raised both hands, his fingers dancing lightly as though weaving a secret art belonging only to the night.

With every movement Lin Du made, the surrounding dark energy seemed to receive a silent command and began to surge in orderly currents.

Those deep, shadowy forces spun and intertwined around him, gradually forming a vast scroll-like image of a black vortex.

The vortex expanded rapidly, its force so immense that it dragged even the distant, vicious rift into its gravitational embrace.

Drawn gently by the black vortex, the rift slowly moved closer until the instant the two touched.

A soul-shaking wave of energy suddenly erupted, as if about to tear apart the silence of space.

Yet Lin Du's expression did not change. He steadily controlled the torrent of dark energy, slowly wrapping around the rift and devouring it into nothingness.

Second by second, the raging dark aura within the rift was gradually consumed clean by the greedy black vortex.

The turbulent energy that had nearly pierced the heavens also slowly settled into calm.

At last, when the rift was completely annihilated within the abyss of the black vortex, the surrounding space returned to peace and tranquility.

Witnessing this scene, everyone was left dumbstruck, marveling at the astonishing power Lin Du had displayed.

They found it hard to imagine that dark energy, long regarded as forbidden and dangerous, could be controlled and wielded with such ease.

Ancient One's gaze rested deeply upon Lin Du, a faint trace of approval flickering in her eyes.

Lin Du's strength could never be summed up by talent alone.

His existence was like a towering mountain, before which all those who called themselves magicians—

could only look up at its summit and lament their own insignificance and helplessness.

Just as everyone was discussing Lin Du's strength, a shadowy figure sped through the vast sea of stars. It was Kaecilius, who had suffered defeat before Lin Du not long ago.

His thoughts were like fallen leaves in a storm, tangled with resentment, fear, and an intense thirst for greater power.

What he found most unbelievable was that Lin Du had achieved such a leap in strength in an instant.

Given Lin Du's current state, Kaecilius seeking revenge alone was like a firefly beneath the night sky trying to illuminate daylight—pure fantasy.

Therefore, he resolved that he had to seek even stronger assistance.

Kaecilius staggered to a halt in the void, closing his eyes and focusing all his attention as a string of intricate incantations surged from the depths of his mind.

The spell possessed the power to pierce all things. It crossed the boundaries of space and traveled directly toward the terrifying being known as Dormammu.

As the absolute ruler of the Dark Dimension, Dormammu possessed power enough to make the entire universe tremble.

Yet the moment he summoned Dormammu, Kaecilius's body began to tremble uncontrollably.

He understood all too well what cruel punishments Dormammu had for servants who failed their missions.

But at this critical moment of life and death, he had no path left to retreat.

Fear and desire churned in his chest. Gritting his teeth, he relied on sheer willpower to chant every word of the spell without omission.

In the void, a colossal vortex slowly unfurled, and the terrifying aura leaking from it instantly wrapped tightly around a corner of the universe.

"What's going on? How has the dark magic suddenly become so much stronger?"

Ancient One had been closely watching Lin Du's movements when she was startled by the rampaging dark magic in midair.

Her brows furrowed tightly as her gaze crossed the distant heavens, an ominous cloud rising in her heart.

Could someone really be trying to summon Dormammu? The moment the thought emerged, it weighed on Ancient One's chest like a massive boulder, leaving her nearly breathless.

At this very moment, Lin Du also clearly sensed the sudden wave of dark energy.

His hands paused, and he turned to stare in the direction of the dark vortex, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.

He understood that none of this was accidental. Someone was clearly stirring things up on purpose, trying to raise an even greater storm.

"Looks like our peaceful little days are about to come to an end." Lin Du's tone was calm, though it carried a trace of helplessness.

"Kaecilius summoned Dormammu."

Looking at the strange scene in the sky, Lin Du slowly spoke.

"Dormammu?" Strange's face instantly turned pale at the name.

His fear of Dormammu ran deep in his bones. That was a dark giant whom even Master Ancient One had to face with utmost caution.

Wong and Mordo were equally incredulous. Although they knew Lin Du was extraordinarily powerful, facing an opponent on Dormammu's level still stirred a trace of unease in their hearts.

Master Ancient One took a deep breath, her voice steady and resolute. "We must prepare for the worst."

"Once Dormammu descends, the entire universe will be shrouded in a massive shadow."

Hearing Ancient One's words, Lin Du merely chuckled softly, an inexplicable excitement gleaming in his eyes.

If Kaecilius truly summoned Dormammu here,

perhaps Lin Du could use this chance to fuse with Dormammu's magic. For him, that might not necessarily be a bad thing.

"Leave it to me. I have a way to deal with him."

Hearing Lin Du say that, Ancient One and the others could not help recalling his impressive abilities, and immediately felt there was no need to waste any more words arguing.