Dustin ignored the profanities Nikki was throwing at him and walked straight ahead. He had done all that he should. Unfortunately, Nikki was just as stubborn and sickening as the other Jade Maiden Sisterhood disciples.All his help and advice had fallen on deaf ears. It even came back to bite him. There was no saving a woman like that. He didn't have to, either. So, he might as well pretend not to know her at all. "How did it go? Did you get the scripture back?" Just then, Edith and her disciples approached Nikki. Edith has been thinking about the scripture since she lost it last night. So, when Dustin appeared, she immediately ordered Nikki to get it back. "He wouldn't hand it over, Madam. He even slapped me," Nikki whimpered. She covered her aching face with a hand. "What?" Edith frowned. "Didn't I tell you to sweet-talk him? What did you do?""That's what I did, but it was useless. He had his guard up against me. I couldn't get it back," Nikki moaned. "You piece of s
Maggie still remembered how Dustin had beaten her up. Now that the man she hated was standing right before her, she could finally have her revenge. "Enough talking. Where's Sir Augustus?" Dustin's expression was cold. "Hmph! You'll have to get through me if you want to challenge him!" Just then, a terrifying aura burst forth from the crowd. Then, a man and a woman jumped over to where the Doyle family was. The man stood tall and proud with a fiery aura, while the elegant woman gave off an icy air. It was clear that they were polar opposites. "What are you guys doing here?" Terry was happy to see the new arrivals. "We heard that you were being bullied, so we came to support you." The man grinned, while the woman merely nodded in acknowledgment. "Terry, these two are?" Phil was puzzled. "Let me introduce them to you, Dad. These are my seniors—Blaise and Frostine. They're a married couple, and they're also the famous Ice-Fire Duo on The Heavenly Immortals!" Terry introduce
As soon as Blaise made his move, Cornelius jumped out and threw a punch as well. A layer of true energy cushioned Cornelius' fist as it smashed into Blaise's fiery fist. Then, the energy exploded with a bang. Cornelius' body shook for a second before he steadied himself. Blaise, however, was pushed back from the impact. Each step he took to stabilize himself created a deep dent in the ground. It was clear to see who had the upper hand. "Holy shit! Who's that old man? He was able to stop the person ranked fifth on The Heavenly Immortals!""Incredible! He gained the upper hand against Blaise in a fistfight.""Balerno sure has tons of hidden gems. Even a random old man is so strong."Many people were shocked by Cornelius' ability. They didn't expect a scrawny old man to win against Blaise when it came to physical strength. It sure was a rare sight. "Who the hell are you? How dare you stop me!" Blaise's face burned in humiliation. He came here from Oakvale to show off his
Ronald found it strange too. A skilled semi-grandmaster was more than qualified to become an elder of the martial arts alliance.Why would he be working for Dustin? Was he hired with a hefty sum to fight in the battle? "It was only yesterday that we saw him. And yet, it seems like that old geezer has improved." Edith's expression was hostile. It carried a hint of resentment.She had been stuck as a semi-grandmaster for many years, unable to make any progress. However, that old geezer still had room to improve. It made her jealous. "Damn it! Where did that old geezer come from? I can't believe he still isn't defeated by Ice-Fire Duo." Maggie was getting anxious."Don't panic. At least it looks like Ice-Fire Duo still has the upper hand." Phil stroked his beard. They weren't ranked fifth and sixth on the Heavenly Immortals for nothing. They were invincible, especially when they joined forces. It was only a matter of time before they would defeat their opponent. "Relax, t
"What?" After witnessing Cornelius flying, the crowd was dumbfounded.They were aware of his skills from his earlier performance. He had single-handedly defeated Ice-Fire Duo. It was nothing short of imposing.Yet a formidable martial artist like him was severely injured by a single leaf. It was truly astonishing.The most remarkable part was that the leaf had shot out from more than a thousand yards away.Who could have injured a semi-grandmaster without even showing themselves?"He's here!"Amidst the gazes of many, an elderly man with a youthful appearance appeared at the end of Shinefield Lake.He wore a white robe and had his hands folded behind his back. He strode across the surface of the lake as if it were solid land. With every step he took, ripples that looked like lotuses appeared. It made the aquatic life beneath him leap from the water in response. At first glance, it looked like a divine being had descended from the heavens. As he moved amidst clouds and mist,
The water sphere exploded with a pop. Even the fish inside exploded into a bloody mist. "Huh?" Augustus frowned at the unexpected scene. Though he had made a simple attack, it wasn't an attack an ordinary person could defend against. "Augustus Kline, your opponent is me." Dustin stepped out while shielding Cornelius. "So you're Dustin Rhys?" Augustus gave him a once-over. His gaze was sharp, cold, and imposing. He exuded an air of indifference, resembling a God looking down upon insignificant mortals. "That would be me." Dustin was stoic. "Break your limbs, destroy your core, and apologize to Terry on your knees. That way, I will let you live," Augustus spat out coldly. Although his tone was relatively composed, an underlying dominance was unmistakably present. "Hey, Rhys! Did you hear that? Hurry up and destroy your core, then kneel and apologize! Terry yelled arrogantly. He wouldn't pass up the chance to humiliate Dustin. After all, Dustin would be entirely unde
Only silence filled the scene. Everyone was dumbfounded. Their eyes widened in disbelief. Nobody expected a great martial artist like Augustus to crash into the water with one strike. He was a grandmaster, for God's sake! His presence was like a divine being to ordinary martial artists. A flick of a finger could take a life, and a simple attack could defeat a divine-level martial artist! Under normal circumstances, a top-tier skilled martial artist like him should be invincible. He could crush everything effortlessly. What the hell was going on, then? The revered Augustus was defeated on their first encounter. How the hell was that possible? After a brief silence, the area around Shinefield Lake erupted into a frenzy."Oh my God! Am I seeing things? Augustus Kline was sent into the water?" "No! That's not possible! A grandmaster is like God. How could an ordinary person compare?""A grandmaster can only be defeated by another grandmaster. Could that man actually be a
It was Augustus, who was just sent crashing into the water!His hair was disheveled, and his entire body was drenched. He looked awful.He wasn't badly injured. However, he couldn't get back his initial glory as a grandmaster."Master Augustus is actually alright? That's great!" Seeing this, Terry was reenergized. He also regained his confidence.The surprised crowd also had their hopes restored.Dustin was indeed a young grandmaster, but Augustus was a grandmaster too. Earlier, he had been too reckless. Augustus had underestimated his enemy, which led to his loss. As a veteran grandmaster, Augustus would surely be more skilled if they fought head-on. "Young man, how dare you attack me by surprise?!" Augustus came out of the water. He gritted his teeth with a fierce expression. He looked as though he wanted to eat somebody.Augustus had never felt so embarrassed. He had his dignity wiped by a punk in front of everyone. It was a huge humiliation!"A surprise attack?
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