The energy shield dissolved, and Hong Fei's people visibly relaxed. While they were ready to swarm in and attack all at once, the current situation couldn't have been more favorable. From this moment on, their perception of Hong Fei's strength shifted entirely. The pressure, however, now squarely rested on the Wakandans.
Their emotions plummeted like a rollercoaster, plunging from peak to trough in an instant. Many were still reeling, unable to fully grasp what had just happened. It wasn't just the looming challenge to their king over Vibranium—it was the sheer, terrifying power Hong Fei had demonstrated.
Forget the earlier barrage of attacks; he'd torn through their energy shield with a single punch. A single punch! Was that even human? If that was his strength, how could their king possibly win this challenge? Would outsiders now have a claim to Wakanda's Vibranium? And more chillingly—could their king even survive against such an opponent?
All eyes turned to T'Chaka, heavy with unspoken questions. The Queen gripped his arm, her gaze pleading as she shook her head gently. Shuri stood beside her, mirroring her mother's concern. T'Chaka looked at them both and sighed inwardly.
He pressed the Queen's hand and gently freed his arm.
"This is my responsibility," he said firmly. "No!"
Shuri's voice was frantic.
"Father, he shattered the energy shield with his fist. You know how strong it is—even heavy missiles from the outside world couldn't break it!"
"It's different, Shuri," T'Chaka replied calmly. "The force of a missile is dispersed, but a fist is concentrated. I admit his power far exceeds mine, but combat isn't just about strength. There's speed, skill, and more."
Shuri shook her head vehemently. She knew this was just empty comfort. The Black Panther suit, forged from Vibranium, was formidable, but everything had its limits. From what she'd just witnessed, Hong Fei was beyond those limits.
T'Chaka didn't give her a chance to argue further. He placed a firm hand on her shoulder.
"This is a challenge issued to the Black Panther by an enemy. For Wakanda, no Black Panther would retreat. I am your father, but I am also the King and Guardian of Wakanda. This is my duty."
The Wakandans nearby paused at his words, their expressions a mix of respect and unease. They admired their king and his commitment to his role, but the stakes were too high to ignore. Several tribal leaders exchanged glances, their brows furrowed, but none spoke. This was about Wakanda's lifeblood.
For now, they had no choice but to trust T'Chaka. The old Black Panther motioned for those around him to step back. As he strode forward, his Black Panther armor materialized around him. In moments, he was sprinting at full speed, closing the distance to Hong Fei.
Hong Fei watched him approach, a faint smile playing on his lips. When T'Chaka was within thirty meters, Hong Fei raised his arms, palms facing each other with a small gap between them. Golden energy streamed from his palms, swirling into an invisible sphere that pulsed like liquid light.
On the other side, T'Chaka was fully encased in his iron armor. Though his face was hidden, his posture radiated fearless determination—a readiness to face whatever came, even death.
A deafening roar echoed across Wakanda's plains, clear and unmistakable. Everyone watched as Hong Fei thrust his palms forward. The condensed Dragon Power surged out, transforming rapidly as it raced toward its target. The golden energy twisted and morphed, a force of nature unleashed.
A dragon's head materialized in vivid detail, its scales shimmering as its body began to take form. Golden energy streams billowed behind it like mist, trailing the divine creature as it surged forward with unrelenting purpose. The old Black Panther stood his ground, facing the dragon head-on.
Every detail was starkly clear—the delicate golden strands of its mane, the fierce intensity in its slitted pupils. The distance between them vanished in an instant. At the last possible moment, the Black Panther leapt into the air, twisting and rolling mid-flight in a desperate attempt to evade. But Hong Fei, watching from nearby, twisted his hands with calculated precision.
The dragon shadow shifted sharply in response. Boom! The collision was instantaneous. Dragon Power met Vibranium, and the Black Panther's armor erupted in a blinding flash of light. The dragon's head drilled into his body with ferocious force.
A heartbeat later, the divine dragon emerged from behind him, winding through the air before soaring a hundred meters upward. It dissipated into nothingness. The old Black Panther landed in a controlled three-point stance, while Hong Fei withdrew his hands, standing tall and composed. The Black Panther knelt on one knee, motionless as a statue.
High above, the blazing sun was suddenly obscured by a cluster of drifting white clouds. Shadows swept across the ground, and a cool breeze brushed past unseen. The Black Panther wavered like a withered leaf caught in the wind, his arm trembling as it supported his weight. His helmet retracted, revealing an aged, weathered face.
His body shook violently. With a gasp, he spat out a mouthful of hot blood, drenching the grass before him. Bright red droplets dotted the tender green blades. One move—that was all it took.
"Boss is mighty!"
Big Head chimed in with a cheerful grin.
"Father!" Shuri cried out, rushing toward T'Chaka, her voice thick with worry.
T'Chaka raised a hand sharply, halting her in her tracks despite his weakened state. He turned his head with effort, locking eyes with the tribal leaders. They exchanged silent glances, each nodding in acknowledgment. Hong Fei observed the scene with keen interest. T'Chaka swallowed the blood in his mouth and looked up at Hong Fei.
Their gazes met, unspoken currents passing between them. Then, with sudden determination, T'Chaka extended the claws from his hands and plunged them fiercely into the ground, burying his wrists in the soil. Hong Fei frowned slightly, watching intently.
Silence—deep, unnatural silence. Hong Fei glanced skyward and noticed the drifting clouds had frozen in place. All sound vanished, as if the world itself had been muted. When he looked ahead again, the air wavered, distorting like a shattered glass mirror.
From the void emerged a massive beast's head, followed by its two front legs. With a slight lowering of its back, the creature surged forward, fully materializing into the world. Hong Fei tilted his head upward to take in its towering form.
It was a panther, black as ink, without a single speck of color marring its coat. Its eyes gleamed pure yellow, pierced by bright white vertical pupils. At first, its form seemed insubstantial, almost illusory. But within seconds, it solidified, becoming unmistakably real.
Hong Fei witnessed with his own eyes as each strand of fur on its body grew distinct, until it was so black, glossy, and supple it seemed ink could drip from it. The Black Panther lowered its head, its gaze filled with sentience and purpose.
"Invader, leave."