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An Understated Dominance Chapter 2042
"When are we leaving?" Dustin asked."I'll arrange for two people to go with you to the Sacred Wrym Summit to find out more. I have to go back to Oakvale to protect the Spirit Core and to take care of some personal affairs. "But, you don't have to worry, I'll meet you there before the Sacred Wrym Summit Combat Tournament," Grace replied."Alright, it's been decided then!" Dustin nodded in agreement. He'd been wanting to visit the Sacred Wrym Summit, but he didn't have the chance. He could finally visit the place thanks to the Combat Tournament."Laurel, Willow." Grace turned to the door and called out loudly. Very soon, two female guards dressed in racy dresses walked in with a cool demeanor.Dustin realized that they were twins when he observed them carefully. They were about 20 years old and they were tall and pretty. Their martial arts skills had also reached the latter stage of divine level. They'd be among the best if they were associated with any martial arts sects."Bot
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2043
Laurel's and Willow's eyes lit up when the handsome young man appeared. Even though they had gone through professional training and wouldn't be seduced easily, they had to admit that this young man standing before them was too handsome. He was so good-looking that they were ashamed of themselves. If he was a woman, he'd rank among the top few in the Beauty Ranking."Who are you?" Dustin asked coldly after a quick observation. The Sacred Wrym Summit was different from other places. Here, there were many hidden talents and skilled martial artists. They had to be very careful whenever they were approached by strangers."I'm Dalen Shade from Arque Stream. I came here to join in the fun because I heard about the Combat Tournament happening at the Sacred Wrym Summit." Dalen flashed an irresistible smile. Most of the customers, irrespective of their genders, dining at the tables around them turned around to look at them.Dalen was extremely gorgeous, and so were Dustin, Laurel, and
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2044
When the quintet appeared, many experienced elites retreated in fear. Although the remaining elites didn't flee in panic, they wore expressions of astonishment."Isn't that the Shadow Citadel's Evil Quintet? Why are they here?""What? The Evil Quintet? Are those the guys who enjoy feasting on human flesh?""Damn it! I really should've checked my horoscope before leaving today. Why did I run into these troublemakers?"An uneasy hush spread through the crowd, unsure about what was happening.The Evil Quintet of the Shadow Citadel had a notorious reputation. Many stories spread about these five people, calling them ruthless and severing other's limbs at the slightest provocation.What made them even more disturbing was their unusual taste. They supposedly enjoyed eating human flesh as a delicacy. Just these rumors alone were enough to send shivers down the spines of various factions in the martial world.The Evil Quintet wasn't just brutal. They were also powerful, and each membe
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2045
"Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Aether? Cool names." Dustin casually complimented. He never expected Dalen, with his status, to be the Evil Quintet's senior member."You're giving me too much credit. I thought of these names on the spot," Dalen said with a slight smile. With his fair and delicate face, he looked quite charming."Hey! Why are you sitting at Dalen's table? Who do you think you are?" Pyro asked aggressively and slammed the table.He hated men who looked more handsome than him, especially ones like Dustin. The longer he stared at Dustin, the more annoyed Pyro became. He even wished he could disfigure Dustin."Talking to me?" Dustin asked, pointing at himself."Who else? Anyone else around?" Pyro sneered, lifting his chin arrogantly."You're Pyro, right? Did you just eat something nasty? Your breath is awful. Can you please freshen up? You're grossing everyone out." Dustin waved his hand in front of his nose, looking disgusted.Zephyras burst into laughter upon hearing
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2046
"Did he block it with a fork?" Terra and the others frowned, and their expressions turned serious. At first, they didn't think Dustin was good enough to be friends with Dalen. But they soon realized Dustin was far from a mere weakling.Terra and the others knew how strong Pyro was. Even a Divine-level martial artist couldn't get close to Pyro in a battle.And then, there was that crazy moment with a fork stopping an ax attack. It was pretty unbelievable. Terra and the others acknowledged Dustin's strength was much stronger than Pyro's."Release it!" Pyro bellowed, frustration building as his ax remained firmly lodged. A surge of anger roared within him.He quickly grabbed another ax from behind and swung it fiercely at Dustin. The attack was faster and more powerful, sharp enough to cut a person in half."You're getting in over your head," Dustin said coldly. With a casual flick of his finger, he sent the wine glass hurtling toward Pyro's face."Ah!" Pyro screamed in pain, tumb
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2047
"Hey! Are you mute? I might have to give you a wake-up slap." Dalen pretended to be mad, lifting his hand as if he were going to hit Pyro. Terra stepped in, urging. "Dalen, let's talk it out. Pyro has had enough. Look at his bloody face.""What's the fuss about a bloody face? He brought it on himself!" Dalen pushed Terra aside, shouting, "If he doesn't apologize to Dustin, I'll break his legs!""Alright, that's enough. Let's stop this and grab a bite. We haven't eaten yet," Dustin interrupted, putting a stop to the commotion.Although it was an act, Dalen respected Dustin and didn't argue further. "Dustin, you're generous. I appreciate that."Dalen nodded at Dustin. Then, Dalen glanced at Terra and the others, saying sternly, "The five of you, take a hike. Don't ruin my chill time with Dustin!""Dalen, we were tasked this time to..." Terra paused in his words."I know what to do. You don't have to remind me. Get lost!" Dalen shot a cold glance at Terra.Terra was startled and
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2048
Upon hearing Dalen's words, Dustin nodded. "There seems to be a lot of excitement about this Combat Tournament." Dustin came to Sacred Wrym Summit to look into the Dracan essence's information. Additionally, he wanted to check out the ancient secret treasures. Despite staying focused on his mission, he planned to join the Combat Tournament to meet different heroes.Dalen remarked, "It's common for such events to create a buzz. Besides, the name Arion can attract top-notch elites to Sacred Wrym Summit!"Arion, a legendary figure widely acknowledged as the best, had more influence than a royal family. The notion of such a prominent figure organizing a Combat Tournament echoed within the martial arts community and instilled fear and apprehension among those in power.Dustin suddenly asked, "Are there other people, aside from the three you mentioned, that we should keep an eye on?" "Yes." Dalen nodded. He continued, "Basically, anyone listed as Legendary is a strong contender fo
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2049
In a deep and meaningful way, Dustin shared. "I didn't think you knew so much. Honestly, you seem as impressive as Caleb."Dalen's deep knowledge of the Sacred Wyrm Summit set him apart from the ordinary.Smiling humbly, Dalen responded, "You're giving me too much credit. I'm just someone who likes to stay informed and gossip a bit. I don't possess any remarkable skills."He added, "But if you're keen on entering the Combat Tournament, I'll do my best to support you in winning.""Mr. Shade, I appreciate the compliment, but entering the Combat Tournament is more about expanding my skills than winning. I can't imagine competing with legends, given my limited abilities," Dustin said nonchalantly.Dalen smiled subtly. "Dustin, don't sell yourself short. I'm good at judging people."He continued, "You have a strong presence and a unique way about you. Even from a distance, I feel a sort of royal presence. I don't know your background, but trust me, you're not just ordinary.""I didn'
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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
