The Drakes Dominion Order led the three major sects in the Southwest. It was considerably stronger than the Embersteel Order and the Frostwing Sect.Kayson could not afford to offend such a large sect. After all, Dusthaven Village relied on their protection to survive. "Mr. Zaeske, I'll be blunt. The guy you saved, we want him!" Yonah said with his head raised. In an imposing manner, he declared, "As long as you hand him over to us, you'll be a friend of the Drakes Dominion Order!""I …" Kayson looked contemplative. His initial intention to make a quick profit through Ryan had unexpectedly attracted many powerful forces. Now that the Drakes Dominion Order had spoken up, he lacked both reason and courage to refuse."Yonah, we all have the same goal here. Don't you think claiming it all for yourself is inappropriate?" Right then, Bran Kingsley from the Frostwing Sect chimed in."Why? You have a problem with that?" Yonah narrowed his eyes, his gaze hostile. "It isn't just me
It was human nature to prioritize one's own well-being.Kayson knew he couldn't afford to offend either side and decided that getting a scapegoat to bear the blame was for the best. That way, he could free himself from the burden of the outcome. "Hmm?" Dustin frowned when Kayson singled him out. What a shrewd old man, quick to take credit and even quicker at deflecting blame. "Hey, you, hand over that guy inside, and I will reward you handsomely." Yonah turned his attention to Dustin, his tone authoritative. "Do I know you?" Dustin replied calmly."I'm Yonah, the second disciple of the Drakes Dominion Order."He continued proudly, "As long as you cooperate and hand over the guy without a fuss, the Drakes Dominion Order will always have your back." "And if I refuse?" Dustin countered."Refuse? Hmph!" Yonah snorted. "If you don't hand him over, that would be a direct challenge against us. Can you bear the consequences?" Anyone foolish enough to challenge the Drakes Domin
"Jackson, you're mine." At the same time, Bran drew his sword, blocking Jackson's path. They were equally skilled and would be evenly matched in battle. Despite Jackson's desire to intervene, he lacked the strength to confront the united might of the two major sects. He could only stand by helplessly as the disciples of the Drakes Dominion Order launched their assault on Dustin.Just when it seemed like Dustin was at a disadvantage, something unexpected happened. Two distinct, crisp slapping sounds echoed through the air.The disciples who had approached Dustin were sent flying with just a single slap each. They landed heavily, struggling to rise to their feet. The entire sequence unfolded so quickly that no one had a chance to react."What?" Jackson was stunned, showing a look of astonishment. The disciples of the Drakes Dominion Order were considered the elite. They weren't supposed to be defeated by any ordinary martial artist. Since Dustin had subdued the two disci
Yonah's sword quivered, emitting a faint buzzing sound. Its sharp blade remained trapped between Dustin's fingers, and no matter how much Yonah forced it to move, it didn't budge. "What? He actually blocked it?" Everyone was shocked by the scene before them. No one expected Dustin to have the ability to fend off a deadly attack with his bare hands. Just how formidable was he?"How … how is this possible?" Yonah's expression underwent a dramatic shift, displaying evident unease. Even though he hadn't unleashed his full strength, he had exerted 70% of his power. Ordinary divine-level martial artists wouldn't stand a chance against his assault. He had never met anyone like Dustin who could neutralize his attack with just two fingers. "Is this the only move he has?" A ponytailed girl from the Frostwing Sect frowned, her expression grim. Earlier at the inn's dining hall, Dustin had similarly used two fingers to clamp down on her sword, dealing her a considerable blow. It was
"So, do you still want me to hand Ryan over?" Dustin walked up to Yonah and looked at him condescendingly. His expression betrayed no emotion. Coughing up blood, Yonah struggled to get up from the ground. His tone was bitter as he exclaimed, "W-Who are you? How dare you go against the Drakes Dominion Order.""You don't have the right to know." Dustin continued calmly, "Now, before I lose my temper, run as far away from me as you can. Otherwise, you won't be just coughing up blood." "You—!" Yonah gritted his teeth. With difficulty, he held himself back from attacking. Dustin was clearly stronger. It wouldn't be wise to challenge him right now. After all, it wouldn't be too late to seek revenge after their Elder arrived."You brat! I'm going to remember this! Just you wait. I'm going to make you pay a hundredfold for the humiliation I suffered today!" With that, Yonah left gloomily with the rest of his group. "What are you still standing around for? Do I need to send you o
While Dustin did not react to Aidan's invitation, Jackson suddenly became excited. "Dustin, why are you silent? Hurry up and agree! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" Jackson prodded Dustin eagerly. Aidan Ridge was the Sandscale. He was one of the five most powerful martial artists in the Southwest and on par with Jackson's master, reaching the level of a grandmaster. Every year, countless martial artists vie to become Aidan's disciples. However, his disdain for ordinary weaklings, due to his proud and unpredictable temperament, kept him a solitary figure. Unexpectedly, the proud Sandscale had chosen to take on a disciple of his own accord today. "Thank you, Mr. Ridge. However, I have no intention of taking on a master." Dustin declined while shaking his head."Young man, I don't just take in anyone. You should think it over." Aidan raised an eyebrow in surprise.Due to his status, there were countless people eager to become his disciples every day. He didn't expec
"No chance at surviving? Is it really that dangerous?" Jackson was shocked. Ryan was the Arcane Path Guild's prodigy, possessing strength comparable to Jackson. The monsters in the oasis must be exceptionally formidable for him to say that. "I'm not trying to scare you. It's genuinely horrifying in there. My seniors and juniors were eaten by those monsters. "If I hadn't run fast enough and been lucky, I might have suffered the same fate," Ryan said with a pained expression.He had watched helplessly as his fellow disciples were killed, and the feeling was unbearable."Seems like our mission this time is teeming with danger!" Jackson appeared pensive. Although the Arcane Path Guild wasn't a Southwest sect, their strength rivaled that of the Embersteel Order. The fact that their team of elite disciples that were sent on the exploration barely survived indicated the extreme danger within the oasis.It would be a challenge for Jackson to venture in with his current abilities.
Ryan's experience inside the oasis was like a never-ending nightmare. Just the thought of it sent shivers down his spine, and he lacked the courage to venture back inside. "What is there to fear? With me around, nothing would hurt you. No matter how dangerous it is, I can keep you completely safe," Aidan declared confidently. "Mr. Ridge, please don't take the oasis lightly," Ryan said, shaking his head. "We only roamed the outskirts for a while but already encountered various dangers that resulted in injuries and casualties. "The inner areas remain unexplored, but I can assure you that the deeper you venture, the more dangerous it becomes. The monsters also grow stronger, and even grandmasters should proceed with caution.""Kid, aren't you exaggerating a bit? You're just a divine-level martial artist and may not fully grasp the true strength of a grandmaster."Aidan continued dismissively, "Besides, I'm not your average grandmaster. I can deal with a few monsters within minu
Arion's sudden appearance caught everyone off guard. They stared, wide-eyed and slack-jawed. What was going on? Wasn't Arion already dead? How could he be standing there in front of them? Could it be a ghost?They exchanged baffled looks, and their faces were filled with disbelief. They couldn't make sense of it. How could Arion possibly be alive? It was beyond their comprehension."You… you're not dead?" No one was more shocked than Willem. After all his effort, he had finally found the chance to bite into Arion's neck and drain every drop of his blood.He was certain Arion had died—there was no way he could have survived. But if Arion was dead, who was this person standing before them?"Everyone, calm down!" Bailey spoke up. "Arion's body is still over there. This person must be an imposter."At his words, everyone turned to look at the corpse lying nearby.Bailey was right. The body was still there, and there was no way Arion could still be alive. So, the person in front o
As the Snow Maiden attacked, Batuul's illusory Elephantine stirred into action. With a mighty roar, it charged forward and slammed into Arion. Its tusks, sharp as spears, aimed directly at his chest.Caught in the swirling snow, Arion couldn't avoid the attack and quickly invoked the Glow Incantation to shield himself. The tusks collided with the barrier in a deafening crash. The impact sent Arion flying, and the golden light surrounding him shattered like glass. Clearly, the illusory Elephantine's strength had far exceeded the Glow Incantation's limits.As Arion was tossed into the air, the three-headed, six-armed Chimera Wrath seized its moment. With six different weapons in hand, it launched a relentless assault.Arion swung his sword to block but was driven further back with each blow. With no solid footing in midair, his agility was useless against the onslaught.After several exchanges, one of the Chimera's weapons struck Arion squarely in the chest, sending him crashing to
After a prolonged battle, Anthony and the others finally realized the gravity of the situation.Arion wasn't just a sword master but also had unpredictable agility. No matter how they attacked, they couldn't even land a single hit. On top of that, his sword was a constant threat.If this deadlock continued, the situation would only worsen. So, when Bailey spoke, they knew it was time for decisive action, and there was no turning back. It was either kill or be killed.At that moment, Anthony, who had been holding back, finally decided to use his ultimate technique. He bit his finger and smeared the blood across his blade. His lips moved quickly as if whispering an incantation."Snow Maiden, arise!" As soon as the words left his mouth, he swung his sword. A white figure shot out and hovered in the air. It was a woman with fair skin and mesmerizing beauty. Her long hair cascaded like a waterfall, her dress was as white as snow, and her eyes had a sinister gleam.The moment she appe
"How many tricks does this old geezer have?"The impact of the divine talisman explosion left everyone both shocked and enraged. No one had expected that Arion would still manage to unleash such a powerful supreme divine power even after the Glow Incantation was broken and the lightning strikes failed to cause any harm.The impact of the thousands of divine talismans exploding at once was terrifying. Only the strongest fighters—Willem, Bailey, and Batuul—could withstand it. The rest of the group was severely injured. At that moment, they finally realized the terrifying strength of Dragonmarsh's strongest man."Impressive," Willem said, landing smoothly after being thrown back. His withered skin was now covered in cracks, and blood oozed from it.Most of the shockwave from the explosion had hit him directly. Despite his impressive defense, he still took some damage. However, these injuries were nothing to him. His wounds had already healed within a few seconds, as if nothing had hap
Willem's wings, black as night with a metallic sheen, erupted from his back. Fully extended, they stretched over 30 feet. With a gentle flap, a storm of wind and eerie howls swept through the air. The sheer force was intimidating to behold.His appearance had also undergone a drastic transformation. Willem's once-handsome face was now gaunt, his skin wrinkled, and his cheekbones jutted out. Fangs protruded from his mouth, and two sharp horns sprouted from his head. He had grown taller, but his body was unnaturally thin, with his ribs and sternum visible beneath his skin. From a distance, he looked like a towering, monstrous skeleton. It was an unsettling sight that sent a chill down anyone's spine.This was Willem's ultimate form. After the transformation, his speed, strength, defense, and reflexes were greatly enhanced. His thirst for blood grew even more intense, turning him into a bloodthirsty demon.The gods, who had expressed dissatisfaction moments ago, now stood paralyzed
Willem was so fast that, even to a grandmaster, it would appear as though he had teleported, leaving no time to react.Bailey had already drawn Arion's full attention, making Willem's sudden attack almost impossible to counter.When everyone thought his attack was about to succeed, a red divine talisman suddenly shot out and stuck to his forehead just as his fangs were mere inches from Arion's neck.The talisman exploded, releasing a surge of violent energy that blasted Willem over ten yards away. Before he hit the ground, a blazing fireball instantly engulfed him.He screamed as he turned into a human torch. The fire burned fiercely, scorching his flesh and charring his body.The flames clung to him like a curse and were impossible to put out. His blood energy crackled and hissed as the fire burned, and thick black smoke rose from his body.The sight shocked everyone.Just moments ago, Willem had almost succeeded in his ambush, but Arion had been prepared. With a single talisma
Thousands of golden whips lashed out with the force of a storm, and it was impossible to dodge.The group led by Bailey launched their attacks to block and continually struck the golden whips. With each collision, energy erupted, followed by loud booming sounds.Arion stood firm like a mountain. His body was enveloped in golden light as he swung his whips. Even though he was outnumbered, he still held the advantage.Bailey and the others couldn't break through at all. A few slightly weaker gods from the Hall of Gods were forced to retreat with each lash and struggled to withstand the onslaught.At that moment, everyone finally realized the terrifying power of Dragonmarsh's strongest martial artist. Even the attacks evolved from the Glow Incantation were enough to throw them off balance."I don't believe these things can stop me!"Bailey roared as his body began to change. His already large frame grew even bulkier, like a small mountain. His shirt tore as his muscles expanded, and
The sudden turn of events took everyone by surprise. No one had expected Arion to strike so suddenly; he was so fast that they couldn't even see his movement.Even Willem, renowned for his speed, couldn't react in time. One slap had sent him flying—simple, brutal, and unstoppable.At that moment, they finally realized that the seemingly harmless Arion was much more formidable than they had imagined.Willem staggered to his feet and reached up to straighten his twisted neck. His collapsed cheek began to heal at a visible rate. Fortunately for him, vampires possessed extraordinary regenerative abilities. Without it, the slap would have crippled him."You're strong for an old geezer, but it'll take more than that to finish me off," Willem hissed through clenched teeth. The bloodthirst in his eyes was unmistakable as he glared at Arion. If he could drain Arion's blood, his strength would surge to unimaginable heights."Oh? This is interesting." Arion raised an eyebrow with a faint smi
The battle between the Hall of Gods and Sacred Wrym Summit raged with unrelenting intensity. The Hall of Gods had made meticulous preparations for this invasion. Besides recruiting powerful martial artists from around the world, they also distributed valuable enhanced serums to everyone. To counter Sacred Wrym Summit's Stormcraft technique, they developed a special combat suit capable of resisting such attacks. Generally, a divine martial artist struck by Stormcraft would instantly lose their combat ability, but this special suit reduced the effectiveness of the attack by half. Even if struck, they could recover after a brief moment to continue fighting. The defensive capabilities of this gear were nearly flawless.In addition, their greatest strength was the sheer weight of their numbers. They had at least ten thousand people, including hired outlaws, under their command. During the siege, they were densely packed like a swarm of bees.In contrast, Sacred Wrym Summit had only