"Oh? Dr. Rhys, are you that confident? Does Dalen have some secret moves?" Alicia raised an eyebrow. Her curiosity was piqued."Shadow Citadel's skills aren't limited to just the Evasio Incantation. If Dalen is brave enough to enter the tournament, he must have some tricks up his sleeve. I believe that with his strength, he won't stop here," Dustin said calmly. He could tell Dalen had yet to show his full potential. Despite his carefree demeanor, Dalen was hiding his true abilities. Therefore, advancing to Group A would be effortless for him."Since you think so highly of him, let's wait and see what surprises Dalen has in store." Alicia smiled faintly and didn't press further. She didn't doubt Dustin's assessment but wondered what made him think so highly of Dalen.Meanwhile, Thaddeus continued his relentless assault in the battle ring. He swung the Voidcleaver in a frenzy. Each swing left behind a mesmerizing trail of deadly blue arcs."Kid, surrender now! Your Evasio Incantati
Under the intense gaze of the spectators, Thaddeus' Voidcleaver clashed with Dalen's folding fan. To be precise, Dalen's fan struck Thaddeus' blade.A thunderous bang echoed as their weapons collided. It unleashed a powerful energy wave that radiated from the point of impact. The shockwave swept through the surroundings, sending dust and debris flying. Spectators near the battle ring had to shield their eyes from the whirlwind of grit.The two men were locked in a standoff on the battle ring. Dalen's folding fan, like a sword, tapped against Thaddeus's blade. One was striking downward, the other thrusting upward, creating a deadlock in midair.The spectators were stunned."Whoa! He actually blocked it? What’s going on?""Father Savier's attack had the power of a grandmaster. It was a devastating strike, yet that pretty boy managed to counter it with finesse. Impressive!""Damn! How is the boy toy still alive?"The spectators buzzed with mixed reactions. Some were shocked, some
"Father Savier, you truly live up to your reputation as an ascetic priest. I'm impressed with your physical strength," Dalen remarked as he stared at the white mark on Thaddeus' chest.If a typical martial artist were struck in the chest by his folding fan, they would likely be seriously injured or dead. However, Thaddeus merely retreated several steps from the impact without a scratch.There was no denying that the ascetic priest's physical resilience far exceeded that of martial artists at his level."Kid, are you mocking me?" Thaddeus' expression darkened. The praise felt offensive to him.He had always seen Dalen as prey. Now, Dalen had unexpectedly taken control of the situation. Thaddeus felt uneasy and furious."You have misunderstood. I truly admire your skill. If you break through to grandmaster level, you'll soar to new heights," Dalen said sincerely.Thaddeus surpassed other martial artists of his level due to his dual cultivation of both internal and external techniqu
"Isn't Dalen being overly confident by not using the Evasio Incantation to face an ascetic priest head-on?" Aurora frowned. She had been rooting for him, but this unexpected decision caught her off guard."I don't think he's being reckless. If he agrees to this, he must have a solid plan," Alicia said thoughtfully.While she didn't fully grasp Dalen's strategy, she could sense his strength. Nevertheless, his overconfidence was a cause for concern."Okay, kid. Let's see how capable you are." On the battle ring, Thaddeus twirled his long blade. His true energy surged and filled the space with his imposing presence.The Voidcleaver in his hand emitted a blue glow and a low, ominous hum, with arcs of energy flickering around the blade. It was a daunting sight.Facing Thaddeus' charged attack, Dalen stood with one hand behind his back and the other lightly holding a folding fan.His expression remained serene. He seemed unaffected even under the weight bearing down on him."Stormstir
Dalen had provoked Thaddeus. When Thaddeus unleashed a powerful strike at the cost of his own lifespan, he pushed his cultivation to its limits. At that moment, he finally broke through and became a grandmaster martial artist.With the prowess of a grandmaster, he executed his strongest technique—Mountain Defenco. Hence, this strike was the deadliest move he had ever delivered.Thaddeus was confident that even if Dalen were a grandmaster martial artist, he wouldn't be able to withstand the attack unscathed.A powerful blue blade aura, accompanied by wind and thunder, surged toward Dalen with overwhelming force. Wherever it passed, skies darkened, thunder roared, and it seemed capable of cataclysmic destruction. However, Dalen remained unfazed. He calmly opened his folding fan and gently waved it at the incoming blue blade aura.Suddenly, a gentle breeze lifted into the air. It met the blue blade aura head-on, like a mouse trying to stop an elephant.Thaddeus's blade aura was imm
Thaddeus was defeated. After risking his life and mustering his final strength for one decisive blow, Dalen effortlessly overwhelmed him.Thaddeus had lost his will to fight. His body could endure no more, and he feared Dalen's unpredictable prowess.Despite Dalen's youth, his cultivation was ten times stronger than Thaddeus'. Even when Thaddeus gave everything he had, he couldn't penetrate Dalen's defenses.It was an overwhelming sense of despair. Even in his prime, Thaddeus wouldn't have had the confidence to continue the match.Thaddeus' words prompted the referee to declare the final result, "Contestant Number 5 concedes. Contestant Number 19 is the winner!"The arena echoed with cries of despair, curses, and insults."Dammit! What a useless ascetic priest. He couldn't even handle a pretty boy. Such a disgrace.""Father Savier? He should call himself a jester! All talk and no skill. What a waste!""Screw you! You made me lose everything. Why don't you just die already!"So
"Me?" Dustin was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected Fenley to steer the conversation toward him.Still, he nodded and said, "Sir Hudson is right. With Dalen's talent and strength, he definitely has what it takes to challenge the top ten in the Legendary List." Dustin had a lot of faith in Dalen."Since he can earn such high praise from both of you, he must be someone worth keeping an eye on," Alicia said thoughtfully.Unfortunately, Dalen was from the Shadow Citadel. She might have convinced him to join the Celestial Alliance if he had come from a smaller guild."A handsome and capable talent like him is a rare find these days," Aurora remarked. Her eyes were sparkling with interest.While she wasn't instantly smitten with Dalen, his striking looks certainly made her take a second glance."We win. Crystal, did you see that? Mr. Shade won." Ruby jumped up excitedly when Dalen's victory was announced.Her joy came from his win and her successful bet. The thrill of winning
"Oh? It's them?" Dustin was surprised and raised an eyebrow when he saw Aurora and Crystal step onto the battle ring.He knew they had signed up for the tournament, but he hadn't expected them to face off against each other. One was a skilled disciple of the Sword Union, while the other was the daughter of the Celestial Alliance's guildmaster, Alloy.This elite showdown between two major guilds would be quite a spectacle."Fenley, do you think Aurora has a shot at winning?" Alicia asked suddenly.He shook his head and replied, "It's hard to say."He continued, "Aurora's opponent isn't someone to underestimate. If I'm not mistaken, she's a Sword Union disciple. Her sharp gaze and strong presence suggest her cultivation is quite advanced.""A Sword Union disciple? That sounds like trouble," Alicia said, frowning. Despite their small numbers, members of the Sword Union were carefully hand-picked elites. They shouldn't be underestimated, regardless of age or gender.In the past, t
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
"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