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An Understated Dominance Chapter 1916
"I've never been through anything quite like this before. It feels different this time," Garrett admitted, taking the teasing in stride. After having been through life-and-death situations together, there was nothing they couldn't talk about."Ms. Linsor is truly unique. Although I haven't seen her in person, the vibe she gives off suggests she's an extraordinary beauty," the bald, burly man said excitedly."Dozer, Captain has his eye on Ms. Linsor. Don't even think about going down any inappropriate rabbit holes, okay?" the short-haired girl cautioned."Oh, come on, I was just throwing it out there casually. I wouldn't dream of competing with the captain for a woman." Dozer chuckled sheepishly.She gave Garrett confidence and said, "Captain, finding someone who really gets to you doesn't happen daily. Don't overthink it, and just go for it. Your charm is bound to do the trick!" "I'm afraid it could be too late." Garrett sighed, shaking his head. He added, "Ms. Linsor has her o
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1917
In the inn, Dustin changed into clean clothes and sneezed. "I wonder who's talking about me," he mumbled, rubbing his nose.Then, he left the room and headed to the dining hall. The dining area, originally a school cafeteria, was quite spacious. It covered around 600 to 700 square feet and easily fit over a hundred people."Over here."Grace waved at him as he walked in. He made his way over, noticing a table adorned with more than a dozen mouth-watering dishes."Our chef whipped up these dishes, so feel free to dig. They're not just tasty but also safe," she assured."You're playing it safe and all." Dustin chuckled, sliding into a seat before diving into the food without a second thought."It's always a good call to be careful when you're out and about, especially in the outskirts of the Deadlands. You never know what kind of dangers lurk around, and a single misstep could be fatal," Grace explained as she enjoyed her meal.Suddenly, a group of young men and women dressed in g
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1918
Dustin and Grace were just watching the scene unfold when, suddenly, the ponytailed girl turned her focus on them. It took them a moment to shake off the surprise."Exactly! Just look at their dishes. Each is a culinary masterpiece. Compare that to what we've got on our table—it's just garbage!""I don't care! Swap our food right now, or we'll cause a scene!" the group shouted. In the middle of their protest, they angrily tossed the food from their table onto the floor, making a mess."I'm afraid our small establishment has a few constraints when it comes to swapping these exquisite dishes," the waiter explained, wearing a regretful and apologetic expression."You can't swap them? Are you suggesting that we can't afford it?" Bran frowned."Damn! Are you seriously discriminating against us? Do you even know who we are?" the ponytailed girl shouted. "We are disciples of the renowned Frostwing Sect. If you piss us off, we might just have to give your inn a bit of a makeover, you kn
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1919
After Dustin's taunts, the ponytailed girl grew even more infuriated. "This is ridiculous!" she exclaimed.Despite the obvious difference in their physical abilities, she tapped into her internal energy and advanced with renewed determination. However, her efforts proved futile as her sword became entangled in his grip as if he had a vice-like hold on the blade."You're really overestimating yourself." Dustin chuckled, tightening his fingers around the sword.With a distinct snap, her sword broke, sending her stumbling back a few feet. Upon hitting the ground, she winced in pain, her face contorting with discomfort as a wave of dizziness swept over her."Bran! He bullied me!" Feeling helpless, the ponytailed girl turned swiftly to those nearby for assistance."How dare you lay your hands on my junior? Are you asking for trouble?" Bran snapped. He unsheathed his sword, intending to teach Dustin a lesson."Stop!" A commanding voice echoed at the entrance. The man in red strol
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1920
Despite Bran's intense glare, Dustin nonchalantly shrugged it off. He knew he could have easily emerged victorious in their fight without any intervention.After handling a couple of minor disturbances, Aidan resumed his meal. Jackson, accompanied by the disciples of the Embersteel Order, chose to keep a low profile and settled into nearby seats.Grace stood up and approached Jackson's table. "Hello, everyone. Thank you for your timely assistance," she expressed her gratitude.Jackson dismissed it coolly, saying, "Just helping out, no biggie." He added, "I've always had a thing against those who prey on the weaker ones. Our sect consistently stands against injustice.""The Embersteel Order truly lives up to its reputation as a haven for true heroes," Grace remarked admiringly."Why not join us at the table for a few drinks?" she asked, warmly inviting them. "I've got a couple of bottles of premium wine in my collection."At the mention of premium wine, Jackson's eyes widened
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1921
Grace raised her glass and smiled. "Cheers, everyone! No need for formality. Dig in and enjoy yourselves."Seeing the tempting array of dishes, the disciples of the Embersteel Order eagerly indulged, savoring each bite without hesitation. As rounds of wine flowed, their camaraderie began to flourish. "Ms. Linsor, Dustin, judging by your appearances, you're not locals. Are you also on the hunt for the treasure?" Jackson subtly asked."Yes, we heard of treasures in the Deadlands, so we assembled a team for the challenge and to gain some experience," she replied candidly.It was universally understood that anyone braving the dangerous Deadlands was on a quest for its hidden treasures. Considering the treacherous nature of the terrain, the idea of visiting for leisure was entirely dismissed."Ms. Linsor, pardon my directness, but venturing into the Deadlands carries significant risks," Jackson cautioned, eyeing them both.He added, "A single misstep could prove fatal, and it seems n
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1922
"What? Someone actually made it out?" Grace perked up immediately, firing off questions. "Who is it? Where can we find this person?"The mysterious oasis was a labyrinth of unknowns, and anyone managing to navigate their way out likely possessed valuable insights. Hence, getting hold of such information wouldn't just reduce risks but also boost the chances of a successful treasure hunt.Garrett replied, "The person in question is Ryan Gale, a member of the Arcane Path Guild. He is known for his expertise in escape techniques."He continued, "His disappearance raised concerns three days ago when he ventured into the oasis and went completely off the radar. "Unexpectedly, he has now reappeared in Dusthaven Village with severe injuries. The village chief is taking care of him right now.""Ryan Gale from the Arcane Path Guild?" Jackson arched an eyebrow. "I've heard of him. He holds quite a reputation in the martial world and has attained an advanced stage of divinity—an undeniable p
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1923
"Of course! That's a blue jadeite, and it's also an antique that's worth a fortune!" Garrett snapped. "Worth a fortune? What a treasure!" The middle-aged man's face lit up with joy as he carefully put away the pendant. "We left in a hurry, so I didn't manage to bring anything else with me. The pendant is valuable, so I hope you'll like it," Grace said with a slight smile."Miss, considering your sincerity, I'll pass on the message. But whether Mr. Zaeske decides to see you is beyond my control," the middle-aged man said cautiously."Thank you." Grace nodded slightly."Alright, please wait a moment," the middle-aged man said and entered the courtyard.After three minutes, he reappeared with a smile on his face. "Miss, Mr. Zaeske has agreed to see you. However, for safety reasons, you can only bring one person with you.""Garrett, please keep watch here. I'll be going in with Dustin," Grace instructed. She then headed inside with Dustin. …Ryan lay unconscious inside a bedroo
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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
Chapter 2521
Austin's expression also turned serious as he saw the doubt in Dustin's eyes. He knew Dustin wouldn't worry over nothing.There were many strange beings in Streuqua, including vampires, werewolves, and the like. These supernatural species were notoriously hard to kill. Even after being decapitated, they weren't necessarily dead.Austin wasn't sure if Poseidon had that kind of ability. After all, the Hall of Gods and its so-called royal gods were still a mystery to most people in West Lucozia.To play it safe, they needed to recover Poisedon's head for their own peace of mind.Out on the water, Jaxon led a team of soldiers and ship crews to comb the sea in search of Poisedon's severed head.At the docks, all eyes turned to Warrick, Mulder, and the others. They had been tied up and were now being dragged before Dustin and Austin one by one.Warrick looked pale, but there was a certain defiance in his eyes. He knew his fate was sealed. After Dustin killed Poseidon, Warrick knew his
