Vincent's murder weighed heavily on Ruby's mind.She knew that she wasn't stronger than Vincent, so if the assassin could kill Vincent, then it would be just as easy for the assassin to kill her. "We've already discussed our plans for luring the assassin out. Coupled with Dustin's impressive performance during the test, I believe we'll soon get their attention. "Who knows, the assassin might act tonight!" Dalen said in a whisper. "The sun has set. We should start making preparations." Crystal looked up at the sky.Only twilight lingered on the western horizon, and in half an hour, the land would be shrouded in darkness. "Dustin, good luck." Dalen's expression was serious as he continued, "But don't worry, I've contacted Quincy from the Celestial Alliance. He'll fully support our plan. "Once the assassin shows themselves, we'll attack together. We won't let you bear the risk alone.""Don't worry. Since I've agreed to be the bait, I've made preparations accordingly. You jus
"Where's the target? How far are they from the tavern?"Dalen's voice raised a couple of decibels in the earpiece, evidently excited. Besides the elite fighters lying in ambush, there were also numerous scouts lurking around the tavern, with Miles being one of them.If there was any movement, they would be the first to know. "At the entrance to East Alley, about 200 meters away from the tavern," Miles' voice rang out once more, accurately pinpointing the location. "What are they wearing?" Dalen asked. "Looks like they're dressed in black with a mask. It's hard to see clearly from this distance."Since it was already dark, visibility was low, making it difficult to make out the details. "That should be the assassin!" Dalen lowered his voice. "Everyone, listen to my command. Once the assassin gets close enough, we'll surround him immediately and have him apprehended!"After a long, anxious wait, they finally caught sight of the assassin. Dustin glanced outside the wind
Dustin saw a masked man in black with a sword in both hands as he walked up the stairs slowly. "Are you Dustin?" the man in black grunted. "That's me." Dustin nodded. "You had a pretty good plan to lure us out, but unfortunately, we saw right through it."The man in black sneered. "You're all alone now without any help. Only death awaits you.""Likewise. You may not necessarily gain the upper hand in a one-on-one fight against me," Dustin remarked flatly. "Who said I'm going to fight you alone?" The man in black chuckled before clapping twice. As soon as the claps rang out, two figures suddenly leaped through the windows on either side. Two more masked assassins dressed in black had appeared. The three of them stood in formation. They weren't only dressed the same but were also similar in height and build, making it difficult to distinguish between them. "Three against one. We have the advantage now." The man in black in the middle smirked. "Who exactly are you? W
Dustin didn't dodge when the three assassins attacked him. He simply lifted his foot and lightly stomped the ground.A dull thud resounded as his foot left a deep imprint in the ground.At the same time, a surge of powerful energy burst forth from his body, and it quickly formed a translucent protective shield in front of him.The three assassins swung their swords, but they struck the shield instead. A low hum filled the air, accompanied by a deep rumble.Despite their relentless efforts, the assassins couldn't breach the shield. All they managed to do was push it back by a mere three inches.Dustin's protective shield was as strong as steel wire mesh. Even when swords pierced and bent it, it remained intact."What?" The man in black's face went white when he saw his attacks weren't working.After taking a miracle cure earlier, he reached the level of grandmaster. Armed with a shadowsteel sword, he was accompanied by two elites halfway to becoming grandmasters.The man in bl
"Oh yeah? Let's wait and see who wins in the end." Dustin smiled faintly, but his eyes conveyed a chilling indifference.Though he didn't know the identity of these assassins, he could tell they were Dragonmarsh's enemies."Hmph! Kid, I hope you don't regret this!" The man in black sneered at Dustin. His expression suggested that Dustin's days were numbered.To him, Dustin was the epitome of ignorance and arrogance. He was overly dependent on his skills and prone to reckless behavior. The man in black was convinced that Dustin was unaware that there were always stronger individuals out there. After all, there was always a bigger fish in the sea. Moreover, Dustin was just a young man in his 20s. So, no matter how talented he was, the man in black knew Dustin couldn't be compared to the renowned Old Beast."Whether I regret it or not, you'll find out soon enough. But before that happens, I must deal with the three of you." Dustin slowly approached the three assassins."You… What
"Dustin, we don't know how many people there are in this assassin organization. Isn't this too risky?" Quincy appeared hesitant.Before laying the ambush, he thought there was just one assassin. Now, however, he realized there was a whole group.Handling a lone assassin was manageable since they could kill him with their numbers. But facing a group of assassins was an entirely different scenario.After all, these assassins were extremely strong, well beyond the caliber of ordinary martial artists. Moreover, as a temporary team, they had a significant skill gap.Engaging in direct combat might not tip the scales in their favor. Even if they emerged victorious, the casualties would likely be significant.So, Quincy wasn't sure whether to engage in a life-or-death struggle with this group of desperados."Elder Douglas, tonight is our best chance to uproot this assassin organization. If we miss it, it'll be hard to catch them next time," Dustin said solemnly.The assassins' strength
"They're here!" Crystal said, and soon, black figures emerged around the tavern.These figures were scattered in pairs or small groups. Some perched on rooftops, some lurked at street corners, others hid among the trees, and a few even stood on lampposts.Their movements were as quiet and nimble as stealthy cats. At the same time, their precise positioning effectively sealed off all entrances and exits.From an aerial perspective, they had inadvertently formed a large circle surrounding Dustin and the others.After all, these black figures were skilled assassins who had promptly reacted to the distress signal. In just two minutes after their arrival, they formed the encirclement. It showcased their exceptional training."Damn it! So many assassins showed up. Looks like we're in for a tough fight tonight."Miles slowly drew his sword and vigilantly looked at the surrounding black figures. Over a dozen assassins were out in the open, and he suspected more were hiding in the shado
Upon hearing the command, over a dozen assassins immediately charged forward with their swords drawn.These assassins were swift and incredibly agile. They darted and weaved in unpredictable patterns, making it difficult to track their movements.Their unpredictable footwork was honed through hellish training. It was specifically designed to counter long-range attacks and had become almost instinctual for them."Everyone! Attack!"As the assassins launched their assault, martial artists in the vicinity drew their weapons and charged into the battle."Let's take them on!" Dalen shouted, charging forward with a bladed folding fan.Crystal and the others followed closely behind. They quickly formed a flying wedge to create a simple offensive formation.The sudden ambush briefly threw the assassins into chaos, but they quickly regained control. Swiftly, they divided into two groups to attack the enemies from front and rear. The clash erupted instantly as both sides engaged in comb
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
"This…" Dustin began.He hesitated on purpose and didn't give an immediate answer.Upon seeing him deep in thought, Nathaniel was convinced that Dustin was weighing the pros and cons. He leaned in slightly, his smile widening with anticipation. "You should know how much the Dracan essence means to me," he said. "If I can gather all the essences, it’d be like fate is on my side. My path to the throne would be unstoppable—and when that time comes, your reward will be waiting."As he spoke, his gaze stayed on Dustin as he searched for any sign of hesitation in his expression.Dustin looked up and met his eyes. For a moment, something unreadable flickered in his gaze.He pressed his lips together and spoke slowly. "You're right, Your Highness. But it wasn't easy to find the Dracan essence. I went through quite a few twists and turns. Besides, if I give it to you, it might put me at odds with the other two princes."He paused deliberately and left the rest unsaid. Still, the concern
The next morning, Nathaniel was inside a lavish mansion. He was in his study, flipping through an ancient manuscript. One of his most trusted aides hurried in and lowered his voice, "Your Royal Highness, word just came in. Another trace of Dracan essence has been found."Nathaniel raised an eyebrow and closed the manuscript. "Where?""Our investigation shows it ended up in the hands of Logan Rhys," the aide replied."Logan Rhys?" Nathaniel narrowed his eyes slightly and was surprised by the name.He had tried to win Logan over before and spared no expense, but never received a response. Later, he discovered that Tristan and Matthias had done the same.Fortunately, Logan still hadn't picked a side. He might be holding out for the best offer, but at least he hadn't shut the door on Nathaniel.With the Dracan essence in his hands, Logan had become an even more valuable target. In addition to the West Lucozian monarchy, Logan was an ultimate grandmaster, which made him worth recrui
"Give me a moment to think," Dustin said.Grace's words sent him into deep thought.After all, carrying the fate of Dragonmarsh was no small burden. First, he had to be tough enough to handle it. Then, he needed the resolve to accept what came with it. Once he carried that burden, it meant taking on a heavyweight.He used to act on his own terms and do things as he pleased without worrying too much about the consequences. But once the nation's fate was involved, everything changed.Not that he had many options.Dustin could either hide in Sacred Wrym Summit and hope Arion would protect him, or take a risk and absorb the Dragonmarsh's fate to push through his cultivation's bottleneck. Between the two, he was leaning toward the latter."I can give your plan a shot," Dustin said suddenly. "But we're still missing a piece of the Dracan essence. If we're doing this, we need to find that last one first."Only once all five pieces of Dracan essence were united could he truly wield the
"Royal gods? And two of them?" Dustin frowned at the news.His battle with Poseidon in West Lucozia had shown him firsthand that the Hall of Gods didn't send weaklings into the field.One royal god had already pushed him to his limit. If two came at him together, winning wasn't even the question. He'd be lucky just to make it out alive."That's right," Grace said solemnly. "The royal gods, Zeus and Hera, have crossed the border. They're even stronger than Poseidon. If they ambush you together, your chances are slim."She knew Dustin was strong, but he was still young. Moreover, Zeus and Hera weren't just anyone. They were world-class powerhouses. Surviving a fight with them would be next to impossible.The Hall of Gods had probably figured out how dangerous Dustin could become. If they had given him a few more years to grow, they might not have been able to stop him."Well, that complicates things." Dustin rested his chin in one hand with a thoughtful expression.Two royal god