"Five million dollars? The Swanson family is sure generous," the crowd whispered.Zion's offer got everyone excited. Whether it was Ziggy's henchmen or the Harmony Healers' apprentices, five million dollars was a big deal for them."Mr. Swanson, this is a family secret formula. It's not for sale, so I'm afraid you'll be disappointed," Dustin replied calmly.He saw through Zion's intentions. Such an ancient formula was worth more than five million dollars.Still smiling, Zion persisted, "It looks like Mr. Rhys isn't satisfied. "Well, it seems like the stars had brought us together today. I'll double the offer to ten million dollars.""Wow! It just jumped to ten million dollars! Mr. Swanson is being generous!" The crowd whispered excitedly. This amount was more than they could ever dream of earning.Even Ziggy was jealous at that moment. He had taken the job and risked his life for just one million dollars. While Dustin's formula was being offered for a handsome ten million d
"Mr. Swanson, I don't like being threatened. "Let me give you some advice: don't mess with me, or your Swanson family will regret it," Dustin said casually."You're quite bold, aren't you?" Zion sneered. "Alright, if you're that confident, we'll wait and see." With that, he left. The Swanson family wouldn't want a public confrontation. He would find another way to get the formula later."Kid, you're in trouble now for crossing Mr. Swanson!" Ziggy sneered as he gathered his crew and left.Even though Ziggy's plan failed today, he didn't leave empty-handed. The Swanson family had their eyes on the Dew Balm formula Dustin had. Ziggy believed that getting it would bring them great rewards."Mr. Rhys, we're thankful for your help today. Harmony Healers would've been in a tight spot without you," Brooke expressed his gratitude genuinely."Dr. Busch, it was nothing much. Just helping out," Dustin replied humbly with a smile."You're a talented young person with amazing skills. I
"The medicine's not for sale?" Cody frowned in disappointment.At first, he'd thought he'd found a treasure, but now he was learning about serious side effects. He couldn't help but ask skeptically, "Mr. Rhys, are you serious? Ziggy seemed completely fine earlier."Dustin remained calm as he replied, "The side effects won't show immediately but in about half an hour."Cody continued to ask, "Is there any way to reduce the side effects of the ointment, even if it's only 50% effective?" He hoped a milder version might have fewer side effects.Dustin shook his head. "Not at the moment."He knew both Zion and Cody had questionable motives. Plus, he had no intention of sharing the Dew Balm formula. It could be misused for profit and potentially harm people. After all, he didn't trust Zion and Cody."It's alright if the ointment isn't perfect right now. If you give me the formula, I'll work on improving it. Once it's better, I'll give you 50% of the profits," Cody proposed.Cody was
"Benefit people?" Dustin mused. Cody's behavior was a source of amusement to Dustin. He found it amusing that Cody was greedy yet portrayed as a noble person. While Zion may have been greedy, he was at least willing to pay for what he wanted. On the other hand, Cody was willing to take whatever he could get."Hey! Cody is talking to you. Don't you hear?" Seeing Dustin's continued silence, Harper snapped.She added, "You're part of Harmony Healers now, so you have to abide by our rules. Think of the prescription for Dew Balm as your contribution to Harmony Healers. There will be rewards in the future.""I'm going to say this one more time: the formula will not be shared," Dustin responded coldly."Hey, why are you so stubborn? Can't you be more open-minded?" Harper said, frustrated. She continued, "Cody wants it, not for personal gain. It's about helping the masses and saving patients. Isn't that a noble goal? Shouldn't we support that?""Using my resources to achieve his goa
"You asshole! You've gone too far!" Harper was so frustrated she was crying tears of grievance. She was known for her beauty and talents and had been pampered her whole life. No matter the situation, people adjusted their actions to cater to her every desire. However, this Dustin brat was the total opposite of a gentleman. He not only disrespected her, he also humiliated her publicly. It was absolutely despicable!"Alright, Harper, calm down." Cody tried to mediate."We're all working at the same place and will be running into each other often. There's no need to damage our relationship.""Please! Who's working at the same place as him? Only one of us can exist at Harmony Healers! It's either him or me!" Harper snapped back, not mincing her words."That's enough!" Brooke finally had enough and berated Harper harshly, "Harper, you're being absolutely unreasonable. The Dew Balm formula belongs to Dustin. It's up to him to decide what he wants to do with it. You have no right
"Great! It's a deal!" Cody's spirits soared.The Ostrower family was a prominent family in the medical field. They weren't as influential as the Welch family. Still, they were a significant presence in South City. With a little effort, it shouldn't be hard for them to get three top-quality medicinal herbs. "It's getting late. How about we all have a meal together? It will be a perfect opportunity to welcome Dustin," Brooke suddenly suggested. "No problem! I'll play the host today. Dustin, let me treat you to a meal at Regal Court!" Cody declared grandly."Regal Court?" Everyone at Harmony Healers grew excited at the declaration. Regal Court was the most prestigious restaurant in South City. It typically catered to senior officials and VIPs. Ordinary citizens could only dream of entering such a place. Dining there required not only wealth but also social status and influence, making it a highly exclusive establishment. Regal Court also had a widely circulated story asso
"What? Dined with the Emperor?" Harper was stunned before bursting out into mocking laughter."Hey, bumpkin, are you alright in the head? You? Dined with the Emperor? Are you even worthy? Even Cody is not qualified to dine with the Emperor. What makes you think you can?"A plainly dressed bumpkin like him dared claim acquaintance with the Emperor? How outrageous! "If you don't believe me, suit yourself." Dustin shrugged, not bothering to argue. It was pointless to argue with someone so condescending. "Hmph! I first thought you were ignorant and lacked manners. I didn't expect you to be so boastful too. I don't understand why grandpa values you," Harper sneered as she crossed her arms. As an Oakvale native, she felt a sense of superiority when dealing with country bumpkins. "We've arrived, this is it!" Cody suddenly stopped and pointed toward a piece of linen paper suspended in the air.The linen paper was of considerable size. Encased in a gold-rimmed glass frame, it was pr
"I can't believe this is Logan's calligraphy. It's no wonder he's qualified to transcribe the Emperor's verses." "The Emperor's verses and the Kirin's penmanship. It would be unbelievable if Regal Court still couldn't succeed!" "As expected of the Kirin. His calligraphy, penned in his teens, is comparable to esteemed calligraphy masters. What a treasure!" The students stared at the poem in amazement. They finally realized why Regal Court had such strict entry requirements. With such an invaluable treasure on display, it seemed perfectly justified. "I heard that the Kirin is not only exceptionally gifted but also incredibly handsome. He's also well-versed in both classical and contemporary literature. "If only I was lucky enough to meet him!" Harper sighed dreamily, her eyes brimming with admiration.Even though Cody was outstanding in his own right, Logan remained in a league of his own.Whether it was his family background, personal abilities, or physical attractiveness,
"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