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An Understated Dominance Chapter 1636
Dustin had never expected anyone to risk their lives for him. Donovan's decision to stay silent to save himself wasn't inherently wrong."Your father saved me countless times and put so much trust in me, but I did nothing. It's genuinely embarrassing," Donovan lamented. If Dustin had scolded or hit him, it might have been easier for Donovan to bear. However, Dustin showed no intention of blaming him, intensifying his guilt."Abbot Lumen, I have a question. We had no issues with the Dragon Guard, so why were they trying to eliminate us?" Dustin asked again. "The reason is simple. You pose a threat to the established order," Donovan said helplessly. "Ten years ago, your family's West Lucozian monarchy dominated the scene, overshadowing imperial authority. For the organization, your existence threatened their status, something they couldn't tolerate.""Such a slight threat and the organization chose to annihilate us?" Dustin furrowed his brow, a steely glint in his eyes. "Logan
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1637
"Traitor?" Dustin raised an eyebrow at the unexpected revelation. Although a similar notion had crossed his path before, the urgency in Donovan's voice gave the matter newfound significance."Abbot Lumen …" Dustin pressed, "Who's this supposed traitor?""The culprit is none other than General Reston Rever, a key figure under your father's command," Donovan disclosed."Uncle Reston? That can't be right! Didn't he sacrifice himself?" Dustin's face displayed disbelief.Reston Rever, a loyal general in his father's service, stood as a brother-in-arms, sharing the trials of life and death. A decade ago, Reston, who led the guard during their arrival in the capital, successfully foiled numerous assassination attempts. His bravery became even more evident during the Aylka Rebellion when he courageously guided Dustin and Alba out of the city, eventually sacrificing himself in a heroic act.How could someone so gallant and virtuous turn out to be a traitor?"When I first got wind of t
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1638
The round-faced monk was interrupted by Donovan's raised hand. "No need for more words. Just go," Donovan said."Yes." The round-faced monk shot Dustin a glare and left in a hurry."Edvan, take Mr. Rhys to the back of the mountain. Make sure to protect his safety," Donovan added."Abbot, what about you?" The monk in the yellow robe furrowed his brow in concern. Before becoming a monk, he served as the commander of the Prince of Carsonne's guards. He had never left the prince's side. Now, he was reluctant to leave the abbot and escort a stranger down the mountain."With Fedrick and Clarick here, I won't be in danger. You two, go quickly. Don't delay," Donovan instructed."Yes," Edvan said nothing more, immediately leading Dustin out the door. Before leaving, Dustin glanced back at Donovan, who had once again entered a state of meditation, continuing his recitation."Mr. Rhys, this way, please," Edvan led Dustin into the monastery's backyard, opened a hidden door, and went in f
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1639
A resounding crash echoed as the stone door descended, deepening Dustin's furrowed brows. It wasn't fear that gripped him but the sheer displeasure at Edvan's actions. Entrusted by the Prince of Carsonne to ensure Dustin's safe descent, Edvan had instead led Dustin into a well-prepared ambush. It was a betrayal far more infuriating than mere bystander apathy."Logan, no need to look around. This place is no man's land—no savior will come for you. Today marks the end for you!" A masked man with a wolf's head confidently stepped forward, his voice projecting loudly."Anders," Dustin replied coldly, "Hiding behind a mask, are you too ashamed to show your face?"At these words, the man behind the wolf-head mask hesitated for a moment, then erupted into a boisterous laugh. Rather than denying it, he casually removed the mask, unveiling his true identity. It was Anders. "Surprisingly, you have a keen eye, spotting my disguise," Anders expressed his surprise. He hadn't anticipated Dust
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1640
Grandmaster martial artists skillfully hid within the assembly, discreetly blending in with Anders and his formidable Fang Legion. The ambush was nothing short of imposing."Logan, think this is the end? Bit too optimistic." Anders sneered and shook his head. "Truth is, we've prepared for the worst. What you see here is just the tip of the iceberg. More skilled warriors are on their way. Even if you have supernatural powers, today is your judgment day!"The assembled group appeared to be sufficient for Dustin. However, a lingering unease persisted—the potential for enemy reinforcements. Maintaining vigilance was, as it had always been, a wise decision."Anders, is Moseys Mansion also a puppet for the Dragon Guard?" Dustin questioned."It's an honor to serve the Dragon Guard. Unfortunately, it's your misfortune," Anders replied candidly. "You had the option to play dead and live a quiet life. But by delving into the truth of the past, your existence is now a threat and must be elimi
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1641
"Up for the challenge to reach the end? Go ahead, take a spin," Dustin remarked, his face impassive and his gaze indifferent."Hmph! Foolish thing that doesn't know its place, I'll teach you the might of the Nexus Dominator Fist today!" Brock snorted, poised to strike, when another voice interrupted."Hold on!"Within the Stormfire Order, Silver Sage, in elegant attire, exuding an otherworldly presence, took a couple of steps forward and announced, "Master Brock, your strength is commendable, but you're not Logan's match. This situation is more complex than it appears. Allow me to handle it for you."The mission to defeat Logan was a confidential order from the Dragon Guard, and the one who achieved the first victory would receive significant rewards. Such opportunities were not to be missed."Master Elias, your words sound like you're underestimating me," Brock furrowed his brow, displeased. "The Nexus Gate has its reputation, and if I can't handle this kid, I might as well shut
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1642
"Where's Master Brock? What just happened? He was here a moment ago.""Weird, he vanished in the blink of an eye.""Could he have tunneled underground? Does Master Brock have some mystical tricks up his sleeve?"The crowd looked around, engrossed in their discussions, completely oblivious to the gravity of the situation. They found it perplexing—Brock, who had been commanding respect just moments ago, had suddenly disappeared."Where's our leader? Where did he go?""Master! Master!" Disciples and elders of Nexus Gate shouted, trying to find their master, but their calls went unanswered.Only a few individuals from various sects understood the grim reality."No need to shout. Your master is already dead," Silver Sage said with a heavy tone.While others were in the dark, being a grandmaster martial artist, he saw it clearly. After the clash of fists, Master Brock's body exploded like an inflated balloon, leaving no trace behind."Dead? How is that possible?""Master Elias, d
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1643
In a relentless assault, a storm of poisonous needles and darts rained down on Dustin. It resembled a furious storm."Formation!" Silver Sage bellowed. In an instant, several aces of the Stormfire Order scattered, forming a tight encirclement around Dustin. Each of them clutched a golden talisman that materialized seemingly out of thin air."Golden Alchemy Sword! Attack!" Silver Sage commanded, tossing his golden talisman into the fray. Simultaneously, the other aces mimicked the motion. Five golden talismans transformed into colossal swords, homing in on Dustin from various angles.Without any prior warning, the talismans, appearing almost weightless, burst forth into a dazzling light. They underwent a transformation, morphing into five massive golden swords that exuded a chilling brilliance, sharp enough to slice through iron as if it were clay effortlessly.Radiating a terrifying killing intent, even a grandmaster martial artist would hesitate before confronting them.The S
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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
