Chapter 3 Parasitic Energy

• Skylar and Bianca turned around simultaneously, only to find an extended Hummer had parked behind them at some unknown time. A middle-aged man, dressed in a suit and leather shoes, got out of the vehicle. He was looking at Skylar with a face full of disdain.
• Skylar had spoken the truth. When juxtaposed with the monastery atop Mount Dragonia, the courtyard of the Weiss residence seemed akin to comparing a commoner's abode to a regal palace. Each ornament within Dragonia Monastery bore a history spanning at least a thousand years, while the Weiss residence's decor appeared modest in comparison—a truly humble abode.
• Skylar's silence emboldened the middle-aged man, who proceeded to lecture Bianca without reservation. “I don't mean to scold you. But given your grandfather's serious illness, it's concerning that you're associating with a man of such modest means and bringing him home. I must talk to your father to finalize your marriage. I think the son of the Burton family would be a fine match.”
• Bianca furrowed her brows. “Uncle Finnegan, I'm already engaged. And he's not just some random man. He's a friar I invited from Mount Dragonia to treat Grandpa's illness!”
• “Oh? Why have I never heard of such a young friar from Mount Dragonia?”
• From the other side of the Hummer, a white-bearded friar stepped out. He was clad in a capuce and donned traditional wooden clogs.
• He stroked his beard, sizing up Skylar with an air of arrogance. “Saint Dorian has been out of sight for a long time, and there has never been news of him taking on a disciple. In Druism, accumulation is highly valued. Even when Saint Dorian gained fame, he was already mature. Could this man be falsely claiming to be Saint Dorian's disciple?”
• There was a hint of sarcasm in his words.
• Upon hearing this, Finnegan Weiss was livid. “Bringing this beggar here was already a mistake, but now you want him to treat your grandfather? You're really getting out of hand.”
• Before Bianca could offer an explanation, he respectfully turned to the friar and said, “Mr. Yates, please, come with me to examine my father's condition.”
• The two of them, one leading and the other following, strutted arrogantly toward the courtyard.
• Bianca grimaced, yet Skylar seemed unconcerned, nonchalantly following into the courtyard.
• Bianca and Maxim quickly followed suit.
• Soon, they arrived at the door of the room where the patriarch of the Weiss family was recuperating.
• When they stepped through the door, they saw a group of people gathered around an elderly man lying in bed. His breath was barely perceptible.
• The friar with the white beard had already taken out a charm paper, marked with red ink, and a wood sword, ready to perform the ritual.
• “Old Mr. Weiss' body is filled with malevolent energy. If I use the Solar Flame Charm to dispel this energy, he'll be all right.”
• The friar was brimming with confidence.
• “Hey, if you can't even tell the difference between malevolent energy and parasitic energy, then you should stop messing with people's lives,” Skylar suddenly interrupted the friar. “By employing your method, the instant the Solar Flame Charm takes effect, the parasitic energy will assail his heart, ultimately resulting in his demise.”
• Everyone in the room turned to gaze at Skylar.
• “Bianca, why haven't you kicked this punk out yet?” Finnegan was first taken aback, then his face twisted in disgust. “He's interrupting Mr. Yates. What does he know? If your grandfather's condition worsens, can you bear the responsibility?”
• “He's not a punk; he's Saint Dorian's disciple! Grandpa isn't sick at all, nor is he afflicted by malicious energy. We're talking about parasitic witchcraft!” Bianca argued in frustration, yet not a single member of the Weiss family surrounding her believed her.
• “Bianca, don't just blindly trust any random swindler you meet outside.”
• “Yeah, we understand that you want to save your grandfather, but you can't just bring anyone home.”
• There were also those who spoke ill of Skylar.
• “Get lost, you punk! The Weiss residence is no place for your deceit. If you don't leave now, we'll call for help!”
• Upon hearing this, Damian Yates raised an eyebrow and said in an unfriendly tone, “Mr. Finnegan, I came here to treat Old Mr. Weiss out of respect for Mr. Burton. But if someone doubts my abilities, then I'd rather not embarrass myself here. I believe this disciple of Saint Dorian here is fully capable of curing Old Mr. Weiss.”
• Having said that, he flicked his sleeve, ready to depart.
• Finnegan held onto Damian firmly and said hurriedly, “I apologize for the poor hospitality, Mr. Yates. Please don't take offense. I'll have someone escort this punk away immediately.”
• Skylar seemed oblivious to Damian's sarcastic undertones. With a look of disdain, he said, “Indeed, it's easy to cure Old Mr. Weiss's illness. It's just that your skills are lacking.”
• Damian was so infuriated that he laughed instead. “What an arrogant young man! All right, if you can cure Old Mr. Weiss, I will not only apologize to you on bended knee, but I'll also give you all of my life's savings! But if you can't, well, I expect your seniors to personally come to my door and apologize to me!”
• Skylar shook his head. “What use would I have for your junk? All you need to do is remember to apologize. Watch closely now.”
• Having said that, he took a step forward, heading toward Wallace Weiss who was lying in bed.
• The onlookers from the Weiss family were all taken aback, reaching out to stop Skylar, but he easily evaded them all.
• He flicked his finger and a silver needle plunged straight into Wallace's forehead.
• A greenish aura visible to the naked eye crept over Wallace's face.
• Without pause, Skylar skillfully propelled one silver needle after another, leaving the onlookers dazzled by the spectacle.
• Beneath Wallace's fragile and withered skin, tiny lumps meandered, perpetually constrained by the insistent pressure of silver needles.
• While taking action, Skylar explained to the surrounding crowd, “Parasitic energy is a type of malevolent energy, but it's far more malicious. It combines the stealth of a parasite with malicious energy. If you try to dispel it with a Solar Flame Charm, it will only exacerbate the parasitic energy's cruelty, causing Old Mr. Weiss to die from the excruciating pain of being eaten alive by thousands of bugs.”
• As he spoke, the bulges beneath Wallace's skin had already been driven to his lower abdomen, forming a lump the size of a fist, which looked absolutely terrifying.
• Upon listening to Skylar's explanation, Damian was suddenly at a loss for words, his expression extremely grim.
• The Weiss family members halted their attempts to intervene when they saw Skylar speaking with such conviction. They stood still, carefully observing the strange scene unfolding before them.
• Skylar pulled out the last silver needle, then channeled his internal force and made a swift movement across Wallace's lower abdomen.
• The skin and flesh of Wallace were so fragile that they broke upon touch. However, no blood gushed out immediately. Instead, a dense cloud of malicious energy couldn't wait to burst forth. Upon closer inspection, one could discern various poisonous parasites entwined together in the form of this energy, charging directly toward Skylar's face.
• The Weiss family members collectively cried out in surprise.
• Skylar's expression remained unchanged. With a flick of his hand, he released a surge of energy from his palm. A pungent stench permeated the air as a majority of the malicious energy was disintegrated. What little remained, as if by some twist of fate, flew toward Damian.