"This miracle doctor has hit the big time. He actually saved Ms. Welch. How lucky!" The onlookers were envious to see the million dollars check. That amount of money was enough for them to retire."Fuck!" Caldwell gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. This windfall of money should have been his. Who would have thought Dustin would take it away from him? This swindler ruined his shot at fame and riches."Thanks." Dustin accepted the check readily. He may not have saved Eleanor for money, but he wouldn't refuse it since they offered it."Doctor Rhys, I still have other matters to attend to. See you soon! "Come to me for help if you ever end up in a ditch." Eleanor left quickly after saying that. She had just been rescued from the lake, and she looked terrible. She needed to freshen up."Hey!" Suddenly, the head bodyguard turned to Caldwell with a scowl.He said, "Didn't you say you'd eat the vomit if Doctor Rhys could save Ms. Welch in three jabs? Well, you can eat now!"
"Dr. Busch? Is Dr. Busch here?" Everyone immediately gathered around Brooke when they saw him and left Dustin alone.Dustin's performance earlier might have been impressive, but it was different when compared to Brooke. After all, Brooke had been famous among the people for many years. His reputation in the community was irreplaceable."Dr. Busch! You've finally arrived! Harmony Healers was almost in trouble earlier!""Yes, that's right! Someone would have died earlier if not for this doctor here. He saved the reputation of Harmony Healers!""Dr. Busch, is this doctor your new apprentice?"The crowd bombarded Brooke with questions, eager to satisfy their curiosity. Under the relentless questioning, Brooke was completely dumbfounded as soon as he entered. He stood rooted to the floor, confused."Everyone, please … calm down." Brooke raised his hands in an attempt to quiet the crowd. When the noise finally died down, he asked, "What actually happened? Tell me slowly.""I'll
"Grandpa, why did you bring a stranger up here again?" Harper frowned, displeased."Harper, be nice!" Brooke said with a stern face, "This young man just saved Harmony Healers, so he's our savior. It's only polite that I invite him up for a drink.""How did he help us?" Harper looked him up and down with a curious gaze."We had a little bit of trouble earlier at the clinic. This young man helped us and saved our reputation." Brooke said seriously. If Eleanor really died at Harmony Healers, he feared that Harmony Healers' reputation wasn't the only thing that would be lost."Grandpa, stop joking! We have so many doctors at Harmony Healers. "Is there anything that we can't cure? Do we need extra help?" Harper didn't believe it. Harmony Healers was very famous. Most hospitals would normally send the patients that they couldn't cure to them. Dustin appeared young. How could he be any better than the doctors at Harmony Healers?"Harper, don't judge a book by its cover. Dustin
Brooke ensured the second-floor door was securely locked before heading to the third floor. The third floor was like a fortress. It was nearly impenetrable, with tough iron doors, security bars, surveillance cameras, and security alarms.After passing through multiple security bars, he arrived at the dimly lit, messy third floor. The third floor's only tidy and warm room was in the innermost part of the building. Inside that room lay a frail, pale middle-aged man lying on his bed, unconscious and barely breathing.Brooke walked over to the man and checked his pulse, then sighed deeply. "Ten years, and I still can't get you to wake up," he lamented. "It's a shame I can't cure you despite being a skilled doctor." Brooke shook his head. He retrieved a tablet, and placed it in the man's mouth.For the past ten years, Brooke had been devoted to Cinna's care, trying various treatments and scouring ancient manuscripts. Yet all of his efforts had been in vain. All he could do was
Brooke eyed Dustin to determine if he was telling the truth but could not find any inconsistencies. He asked intently, "Why should I trust you?""Dr. Busch, if I wanted revenge, I'd end both of you by now," Dustin responded. He flicked his finger, and a bolt of energy shot out. It shattered a flower vase on the windowsill with a bang."What?" Brooke's eyes widened, and his expression turned grim. He knew that the ability to manifest his energy meant Dustin was a strong martial artist. Brooke knew he couldn't stop Dustin if he had bad intentions. So, he had to trust Dustin at this point."Dr. Busch, I'm sorry for startling you. Please forgive me," Dustin apologized again."Very well! I believe you now. Unfortunately, you are too late, though," Brooke said. He stepped aside and looked at the bed where Cinna lay. "Cinna has been vegetative for ten years and has not woken up. I have tried many treatments, none have been successful.""Dr. Busch, let me try. I have some divine
"It's not easy, but I can cure Mr. Shaffer," Dustin said earnestly. "And I need your help, too.""Kid, if you can really cure Cinna, I'd sell Harmony Healers in a heartbeat," Brooke sighed. Then he asked, "Why do you think you can do it?"Brooke just met Dustin, so he had to be cautious. He could not make a rash decision since Cinna's life was at stake. "Well, you mentioned that Mr. Shaffer has some residual energy in him. If I remove the energy, would that prove I can heal him?" Dustin asked.Brooke's gaze sharpened. "That energy is very strong, and regular medical skills won't work. Don't make any empty promises."If it were that easy, Brooke would have already gotten rid of it sooner."I can't do it with regular medical skills, but I can with esoteric technique," Dustin explained earnestly. "Dr. Busch, give me half an hour. I'll be able to remove this energy. You'll see."Brooke hesitated, his brows furrowing. He was not sure if he could trust Dustin. Dustin was too you
Dustin gathered his mystical pure energy, gradually flowing it into Cinna's circulatory pathways.Cinna's heart sped up as a sudden surge of true energy clashed against Dustin's pure energy. As their energies collided, Cinna twitched as if he had been electrified.Dustin frowned and directed his pure energy to drain the ethereal soul seal's energy slowly. He couldn't risk overpowering the seal's power in one go. The seal's power was violent, like a beast, ready to devour any intruders. As he continued to drain the seal's energy, he replaced it with his true energy until the seal weakened.As time passed, Dustin continued to channel his true energy into Cinna. His forehead began to sweat, and his face went pale. He was drained and exhausted. Normally, this would have been manageable. But Dustin had to protect Cinna as he drained the seal's power, making it twice as exhausting.Cinna's heartbeat quickened as his face flushed. He perspired when his head emitted a white mist.
When Dustin's finger touched Cinna's chest, he trembled. Blood gushed out of his mouth and nose as his circulatory pathways shattered. His weakened body was in danger, and his life hung on by a thread.The ethereal soul seal immediately crumbled beneath Dustin's finger."Cinna!" Brooke was pale and trembling. He rushed forward to check Cinna's condition. After Brooke was sure Cinna was alive, he regained his composure. "Dustin! I warned you not to be reckless. "Do you know you nearly killed Cinna?" He scolded Dustin relentlessly.Dustin collapsed back on the chair, gasping for breath and sweating profusely. After catching his breath, he said slowly, "The situation was more complicated than I expected. Despite the risks I took, I successfully neutralized Mr. Shaffer's true energy.""Neutralized?" Brooke was taken aback and immediately checked Cinna's pulse. Although his vitals were weak, the violent energy was gone."Is it neutralized? How is that possible?" Brooke was surp
"Mr. Rhys, you're so generous," Felicia said. "I don't know how to repay you."She lightly ran her fingers over the smooth surface of the ornate box. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she looked up at Dustin gratefully."It was nothing, Ms. Thorns. Don't mention it," he replied with an indifferent smile. "Besides, this Dracan essence was always destined for Prince Nathaniel. I'm merely delivering it."Felicia smiled earnestly. "What do you want in return? If it's within my power, I'll gladly help."Dustin replied, "I'm not asking for anything. I only hope that if I ever find myself in trouble, Prince Nathaniel will be willing to help me.""I get it now." Felicia nodded.Dustin wasn't asking for treasure, but rather seeking a favor from Nathaniel. With Nathaniel's current status, his favor was more valuable than any treasure.If he ascended the throne and became king, the value of that favor would increase exponentially. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that, even if D
When Dustin heard Felicia's word, his hand briefly hesitated before he placed the chess piece. He smiled and said, "I thought you came to learn chess, but I didn't expect you to be here as a messenger."Felicia gave a light, teasing laugh. "With a mind like yours, how could you not know why I'm here?"She added candidly, "Prince Nathaniel saved my life and welcomed me as an honored guest. It's only right that I repay the favor by helping solve his troubles. I hope that it doesn't bother you.""You're frank and gracious, Ms. Thorns. Why would I take offense?" Dustin replied with a faint smile.He had expected her to start with pleasantries or try to butter him up. So, her bluntness actually caught him off guard."To be honest, Prince Nathaniel has never taken this kind of interest in anyone before," Felicia said as she placed another chess piece on the board. She smiled and continued, "I can tell he truly wants you on his side. And as someone close to him, I'd like to help make
Nathaniel's mansion was huge. It was more like a maze than a home. Even with a detailed layout, Dustin had to stay sharp as he moved through the grounds. After all, blueprints never quite captured the twists and turns of the actual place.Led by a maid, he followed a winding path through the corridors for nearly ten minutes before finally arriving at a guesthouse with a garden.The place was spacious and quiet, filled with birdsong and blooming flowers. It was a secluded spot that was ideal for privacy."Mr. Rhys, you can stay here. If you need anything, just let me know," the maid said. Her gaze was warm with a hint of admiration. She had watched Dustin's performance in the training ground earlier and knew he was an important guest brought in by Nathaniel. If she could catch his attention, it could completely turn her life around.He waved her off and said, "Okay. You can go now. I don't need anyone to attend to me." "Uh… but…" The maid hesitated."Don't worry. I'll explain
The crowd murmured among themselves as they looked at the broken broadsword and the stunned expression on Lycas' face."That strike was insanely fast and dead-on too," someone commented."I never expected General Derin's secret move to be defeated like that. It's unbelievable," another said."I thought General Derin could turn things around for us, but he still lost," a third added.Everyone knew how strong Lycas was. As a fully developed grandmaster with a broadsword, he was supposed to be unstoppable. However, at the critical moment, Dustin's strike shattered his broadsword.Lycas' loss was sudden and almost unbelievable. Some blamed bad luck and thought he could have won if things had gone differently. But those who truly understood what happened knew better.Even with Dustin's movement restricted and Lycas unleashing his strongest technique, he still pierced through the opening with near-impossible timing. That strike wasn't just lucky but masterful. It was a brutal display
Lycas gripped his broadsword with both hands and roared. The sound cracked through the air like a thunderclap.He sidestepped sharply and charged straight at Dustin like a raging bull.The heavy broadsword moved like it weighed nothing in his hands. He swung it with brutal speed. Each arc cut through the air with a sharp, whistling howl, as if it could slice through anything in its path.The broadsword came crashing down on Dustin with bone-crushing force, like a mountain falling from the sky.Lycas threw his full weight into the swing. As the sword descended, the force of the strike stirred up dust from the ground. It sent plumes of dirt in every direction.He knew Dustin was no ordinary opponent. If he wanted a chance to win, he had to make the first move and seize the initiative."Nice form," Dustin said.As Lycas launched a powerful, aggressive attack, Dustin remained calm and unruffled. With effortless grace, he sidestepped without the slightest rush. The broadsword whizz
Bryce knew Dustin was strong, but this was beyond anything he anticipated. Though he had gained the upper hand early on, Bryce still believed his skills matched Dustin's.From his observation, Dustin relied on martial arts techniques and hit-and-run tactics. Plus, he didn't dare to confront Bryce head-on.He had assumed that as long as he found an opening, he could exploit Dustin's weaknesses and defeat him. But when Dustin finally stopped holding back, Bryce realized how wrong he'd been.It turned out Dustin wasn't just playing hit-and-run tactics. Instead, he'd held back the entire time to spare Bryce from an embarrassing defeat.The moment Dustin stopped holding back, Bryce didn't stand a chance. Even without special techniques, Dustin's raw power, speed, and reflexes were enough to crush him.The difference in their abilities was staggering, so much so that no amount of skill could close the gap.And it wasn't just Bryce who was shocked. Except for Nathaniel, who had already
Bryce's request for a fight heated up the atmosphere.Soldiers around the training ground started murmuring among themselves."Lieutenant General Gantz is a legend in our ranks. His combat skills are no joke—he's taken down countless enemies on the battlefield. I haven't seen him in action in years," one young soldier said with awe."Yeah," a veteran agreed. "Lieutenant General Gantz has been through countless battles, and his strength is unmatched. If he steps in, Mr. Rhys might be in for a rough time."After the fight earlier, the soldiers knew firsthand that Dustin was no slouch. Otherwise, he wouldn't have easily defeated the five elite soldiers.But in their minds, no matter how skilled Dustin was, he stood no chance against Bryce.Bryce was a grandmaster not just in rank but in skill, physical strength, and battlefield experience. He was stronger than any expert from the martial world.Nathaniel had once recruited several grandmaster martial artists to spar with them, but
"Your Highness, the soldiers under me are trained solely in killing techniques. If they hurt your guest, things could get ugly," Lycas said.He didn't say it outright, but the message was clear. If Dustin wasn't strong enough, he'd better stay out of the way, or he was just asking for trouble.Bryce didn't say anything, but the look he gave Dustin was full of contempt. How could a pampered young man like Dustin measure up to soldiers who've been through the grind? He figured Dustin was probably some heir from a prominent family who knew Nathaniel and was trying to assert his relevance."You guys are blind to greatness when it's standing right in front of you." Nathaniel chuckled and shook his head. He added, "If any of you manage to land a hit on Mr. Rhys, I'll pay out a thousand gold. But honestly, I doubt any of you have what it takes."At the mention of rewards, the soldiers perked up. Their eyes lit up with excitement. They were practically itching to charge at Dustin and g
During the meal, Nathaniel arranged for two women to accompany Dustin.Throughout history, even the greatest heroes couldn't resist the allure of beautiful women. Sometimes, a woman of extraordinary beauty could be far more enticing than rare treasures or high status.Dustin remained composed. He neither showed any enthusiasm nor did he deliberately reject it.As for the women seated on either side of him, he treated them with polite respect. He enjoyed a drink and the easy conversation with them, but nothing beyond that.However, Nathaniel saw it differently. To him, it seemed that Dustin was unimpressed by the women at his side.Considering Dustin's background, it made sense. A woman of ordinary beauty would never catch his attention. Nathaniel realized he would need to pull out all the stops. Perhaps, it was time to bring out his most prized companion and see how Dustin responded.After the meal, he led Dustin to his mansion's training ground.The midday sun blazed overhead