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An Understated Dominance Chapter 1622
"Dustin Rhys, if you insist on going to the monastery, I'll not stop you. However, please accept this." As she spoke, Grace took out a golden talisman from her pocket and gave it to Dustin.The talisman looked very normal and unassuming. However, Dustin could feel a special energy emanating from it. It was very faint yet very fascinating. Yet, when he took a proper look at it, he found nothing. "This is a talisman that I got for you. Maybe it could help you in times of need." Grace explained."Talisman?" Dustin raised his eyebrows slightly, and his curiosity was piqued. "We don't know each other, why would you help me?""Because you can't die. Not now, at least." Grace sounded serious. Dustin's life was very important as it was tied to the fate of Dragonmarsh. If he died in Oakvale, the city would be thrown into chaos.She didn't want to see this happen. As such, she decided to help Dustin overcome this difficult task. This was the responsibility of the Seers."I appreciate yo
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1623
The night passed quickly. The next morning, Dustin was ready to leave after washing up and changing into a set of clean clothes."Dustin, this trip will be dangerous. Why don't I go with you? At least we can take care of each other." Maximus came running after him from his room. There was a sword hanging behind his back as well. He might not be very skilled, but he was still capable of keeping watch for Dustin."It's alright. You stay at home. Protecting Mr. Shaffer is your top priority." Dustin patted Maximus's shoulder. "Remember, if something goes south, leave with Mr. Shaffer. Don't take any risks.""Got it." Maximus nodded heavily. "I'll put my life on the line to make sure that Mr. Shaffer is safe!""Don't say that. I'm just going out for a while. It won't take too long. You guys just need to be careful. I'm leaving now." With that, Dustin left the house. The trip to Quandary Mountain would take around two hours as it was located on the city's outskirts. Due to its spar
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1624
A sudden knock echoed through the door. Fenley slowly opened his eyes and asked, "Who's there?""It's me."An old man in white robes entered and pushed the door open. The elder, with an air of otherworldliness, was none other than Alloy Marshall, the guildmaster of the Celestial Alliance."Master Alloy?" Fenley's expression brightened as he quickly stood up. "What brings you here?""Just checking on you." Alloy smiled faintly and asked, "Fenley, how's your progress lately?""I'm now a grandmaster. Just one step away from being an ultimate grandmaster," Fenley replied truthfully."Not bad. Achieving this at such a young age is quite a feat. I wasn't as accomplished at your age." Alloy nodded approvingly."Master Alloy, you're too kind. If it weren't for your guidance, I wouldn't be where I am today," Fenley said, lowering his head."No need to be humble. Your success is the result of your efforts."Alloy smiled and then asked, "Oh, I heard you had a fierce battle last night and
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1625
On Breezecrest Peak, near Frosthaven Lake, a young man with a lean physique sat shirtless on the water's surface. His body moved gently with the flowing ripples, resembling a light boat. Overhead, a few birds flew around, carrying twigs and straw in their beaks, preparing to build nests.Under the surface, a group of fish playfully swam around the young man, creating patterns of movement. At that moment, he seemed completely in tune with nature, resonating with the world around him.Out of nowhere, a dark figure descended from the sky, landing gracefully on the lake's surface. The resulting ripples scattered the fish below and startled a few birds into flight."Hey, time's up. Master wants you down the mountain immediately, no time to dawdle," said the dark-clad figure.The young man, still meditating, showed no reaction as if he hadn't heard.The dark figure arched an eyebrow and continued, "You've got a mission to take down Kirin, Logan Rhys. This is your chance to face him."
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1626
Simple Ken returned from a night of fishing with nothing but a pile of rocks and wood."Simple Ken, you're too gullible! All your hard-earned catch got swindled by those little rascals the whole night," a passing old man said, chuckling and shaking his head. "Oh, by the way, there was a big wind last night. The roof tiles on my house got blown off. Get some in town and fix it for me, will you?"With his trademark silly grin, Simple Ken remained silent."Ah, what a fool. Go back quickly. Your missus is waiting for you to have breakfast," the old man waved him off.Serene Village wasn't large, totaling just over a hundred residents, and Simple Ken was a unique character. Nobody knew where he came from. In everyone's impression, Simple Ken was just a fool who never uttered a complete sentence. Whether he cheated or was bullied, he always wore a foolish smile.Walking from the village entrance to the end, he entered a plain cottage with a fenced yard. Though it was small and somew
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1627
Simple Ken meticulously wiped down the Dragon Sparrow sword before sheathing it. After coming back inside, he cleaned up the plates and cutlery, meticulously tidying the entire house. He then proceeded to chop wood, fetch water, and attend to the chickens and ducks.Once all chores were completed, Simple Ken changed into a fresh set of clothes. He stood at the doorway for a moment and eventually stepped out with the sword strapped to his back.The moment he emerged, a little girl with braided hair hurriedly approached. Aged around five or six, she bore a slightly grimy face with delicate features that hinted at potential beauty. Her cheeks showed signs of recent bruising, and a trace of blood near her nostrils suggested she had just been in a scuffle."Simple Ken!" The little girl, balancing a cluster of fish and a few crabs, reached him and proudly declared, "Look, Simple Ken, I got your stuff back. Aren't I amazing?""Another fight?" Simple Ken crouched before her. "They we
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1628
Seth wiped the grime off Hazel's cheeks. He grinned and said, "Remember, Hazel, eat your meals on time and take care. I'm off." Hazel nodded as she watched him leave.Little did she know, many years later, that the book he gave her would become a priceless treasure coveted by many.By the Serene Village stream, women chatted and laughed as they washed clothes by the stream. Their discussions covered family matters and local gossip.A shout drew their attention, "Look, a handsome guy!" A few women turned around, their expressions shifting with slight surprise. "Isn't that Simple Ken?""Simple Ken?"The woman in yellow observed more closely and finally recognized him, exclaiming, "Oh, it really is Simple Ken. But why does he seem different today?""His clothes are clean, his hair is in order, and that goofy smile is gone. I have to admit, he looks kind of handsome.""Blossom, your Simple Ken is here!" yelled the woman in yellow."Huh?" Blossom Dale looked up, perplexed. In
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1629
At Zenith Society in the Serenity Hall, a well-dressed, refined man took out a parchment scroll from his treasure chest.The parchment's cover boasted three bold words: Astonishing World List.Zenith Society's Astonishing World List housed the most elite warriors globally. There were no age restrictions, no gender biases, and no discrimination based on age. It was solely based on merit.However, it was a given that those who made it onto the list were celebrated and legendary figures!Breaking the seal, the refined man carefully unfolded the parchment.The contents were concise, listing only ten names.From top to bottom:Top on the list: Arion Foyer of Sacred Wyrm SummitSecond on the list: Alaric Drakon of Dragon GuardThird on the list: Seth Hughes, the Sword Whisperer of West LucoziaFourth on the list: Cyrus Hadley, Guildmaster of Sword UnionFifth on the list: Alloy Marshall, Guildmaster of Celestial AllianceSixth on the list: Penelope Solace, Leader of the Mystic Ar
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Chapter 2530
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
Chapter 2529
"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
Chapter 2528
"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
Chapter 2527
Soluna Hall had one rule—they wouldn't accept unfamiliar customers. They only served those they knew well or people introduced by someone they trusted. Every transaction required an appointment. Exceptions were made for urgent matters, but those came with an additional fee.When Dustin reached the entrance, two security guards stopped him. After stating his name and being verified by the guards, they let him through.Inside, a female attendant with a pleasant smile greeted him and led him across the main hall straight into the back garden. They passed a small fish pond and stopped in front of a secluded private room."This is Ms. Linsor's private reception area. Mr. Rhys, please come in," the female attendant said with a smile."She's not here?" Dustin asked curiously."She had something come up, but she'll be here soon. Please make yourself comfortable," the attendant said, still smiling."Alright then." He nodded and walked into the room.The room was spacious, with a vintag
Chapter 2526
"You're wrong, Tristan," Matthias said with a meaningful look.He continued, "Sure, I've got the Moseys to back me, but I'm still far from securing the throne. Nathaniel's got strong backing too, and this won't be an easy win. But if you were to support me, I'd say my chances shoot up to 80%."In his eyes, Tristan's support was worth more than the Ballard family.If he could win Tristan over, his odds would jump from 60% to nearly 80%. The only question now was whether Tristan would be willing to shelve his own ambitions and place his bet on Matthias."You know me, Matthias. I've never been one for ambition or glory. This kind of power struggle just isn't for me. I hope you can understand that," Tristan said.After thinking about it thoroughly, he finally turned his brother down. He knew his chances of winning were slim, yet he couldn't let go.Tristan was the eldest legitimate son, the rightful and undisputed heir to the throne. Aside from his poor health, he had no real shortco
Chapter 2525
Tristan, Matthias, and Nathaniel weren't fools. They understood the unspoken message loud and clear.Their purpose for this trip was to take advantage of the opportunity to offer their condolences and win the Ballard family's support. Should it work, all the better. If not, they'd at least make a good impression. The key was that as long as the Ballard family didn't pick a side or turn against them, there was still room to make things work. No need to rush into anything.Tristan spoke first. "You're being too kind, Duke of Lachshire. We've always admired Mr. Jovian's loyalty and courage. We're simply here to pay our respects—nothing more."Matthias added, "That's right. Your family has a lot to deal with right now. Plus, you're not as young as you used to be, so don't wear yourself out over this. We won't take up more of your time today."He gave a respectful nod, then turned to leave."Duke—"Nathaniel opened his mouth to speak, but Tristan interrupted. "That's enough, Nathani
Chapter 2524
"Oh? I didn't expect both of you to be here," Nathaniel said.He was just about to pay his respects when he spotted Tristan and Matthias inside the mourning hall. He gave a respectful nod and said, "Hello, Tristan, Matthias."Truthfully, he wasn't surprised. He had already guessed they would show up.The four ancient houses and the eight great families were all key players he needed on his side. And with the Ballard family still undecided, he wasn't about to miss the chance to make an impression."I heard you left Oakvale on official business. Funny how quickly you came back," Tristan said, his tone laced with meaning."It wasn't anything important. When I heard about Mr. Jovian's passing, I returned immediately. I wanted to pay my respects in person," Nathaniel answered smoothly, without missing a beat.He brushed off Tristan's subtle jab and used the moment to show the Ballard family he was genuinely there to pay his respects."Don't just stand there, Nathaniel. Go pay your re
Chapter 2523
"Your Royal Highness, it's an honor to have you here," Jonathan said.Upon seeing the distinguished guest arrive, he quickly pulled himself together and aside his grief. He led his family to greet Tristan, and they bowed in respect.Before they could finish the gesture, Tristan raised a hand to stop them. "No need for such formalities," he said. "The deceased deserves our respect."He turned to Jovian's portrait, which was displayed in the mourning hall, and sighed deeply.Tristan continued, "Mr. Jovian's untimely passing is truly a great loss to Dragonmarsh. May his soul rest in peace. My condolences to your family during this difficult time."Jonathan's eyes were filled with tears as he bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Your Highness, for your kind words. My family is heartbroken over my brother's tragic death."Tristan nodded slightly. His gaze quickly swept across the hall before asking, "I've heard that Duke Lachshire fainted from grief. How is he doing now?"Jonathan
Chapter 2522
The unrest in West Lucozia finally ended with the capture of Warrick.Every official who was his accomplice was thoroughly investigated. Those who needed to be arrested were taken into custody, and those who deserved to be punished were executed.After the purge, more than 300 officials in West Lucozia were removed from their posts. Those guilty were arrested, and those whose crimes were severe were executed.Under Austin's iron-fisted reforms, West Lucozia's government underwent a complete overhaul. Corruption, bribery, and the tangled web of illegal deals were swept away like dust in the wind.The citizens quickly noticed the difference. When they visited government offices, they no longer faced delays, refusals, or demands for bribes.Long-neglected public issues began to move forward, thanks to the organized efforts of newly appointed officials. Things were improving across the board.Instead of fearing the crackdown, the citizens welcomed it. The corrupt officials who had dr
