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An Understated Dominance Chapter 2073
"I'll ask once more, who else wishes to challenge the Kimboku warrior?" Quincy spoke up again. He truly wished for a skilled martial artist to come forward voluntarily, defeat Marco, and bring honor to the country. Otherwise, he would have to step in himself. "What's the matter? Is no one brave enough to challenge our master?" The butler sneered and continued his provocation, "It looks like the rumors are true. You Dragonmarshians are just weak and cowardly eastern scoundrels!"His statement stirred an uproar among the crowd."You fucking asshole! What did you just say? I'll fucking kill you!""You son of bitch! Don't you mess with us!""How dare you insult us! I swear to god, I'll kill all of you!" The martial artists roared in fury, clenching their teeth with simmering resentment. Several impulsive young men even made a move to charge forward, but Quincy stopped them. Even in the rare case that they were able to defeat Marco, turning the duel into a brawl would undo
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2074
"Hey! Who the hell are you? Can you not mess around here? Get out of here!" "That's right! You don't belong to a guild and yet you dare take on the challenge? What gave you the courage to do so?" "And I thought it was someone exceptionally formidable, but turns out he's just a nobody!" Dustin's declaration not only frustrated Quincy, it also invited the crowd's insults. They might have shown him respect if he were from a prestigious guild. However, Dustin was merely a wanderer without a name for himself. A nobody like him had no right to issue a challenge.Since this was the final battle and concerned the honor of the country, their defeat would be a disgrace to all martial artists in the nation. They would never place their hopes on an unknown martial artist. "Young man, this battle is not a game. If you're not fully confident, just give it up." Quincy shook his head, appearing somewhat disappointed. While having courage was admirable, it had to be accompanied by skill.
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2075
Quincy's eyes widened in astonishment. It was shocking that he wasn't able to react in time to Dustin's silver needle with his skills. If used against Marco, Dustin might just have a chance of winning. Not to mention, Quincy had sensed the faint aura of a grandmaster through the silver needle that flew by. He wondered if the unknown young man before him could actually be a martial arts grandmaster."Elder Douglas, I think I qualify for a duel now, don't you think?" Dustin asked. After a moment's hesitation, Quincy eventually nodded. "Alright, since you're this confident, I'll give you a chance. I hope you won't disappoint us."If Dustin was a grandmaster, coupled with his amazing hidden weapon techniques, there was a good chance that he might just emerge victorious. "Elder Douglas, is this a joke? You're really going to allow him to duel?""Elder Douglas, that kid is just a lone wanderer! How is he worthy of representing Dragonmarsh in a duel?" "It's such an embarrassme
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2076
"I'm dying to see just how badly he loses!" Ruby was indignant. She didn't believe that an attention seeker would manage to turn the tide when even a talented prodigy like Vincent was defeated. She was confident that the precious sword on the Renowned Treasure List was as good as hers. "Who are you? Identify yourself!" the butler demanded as Dustin approached. He had expected Quincy to take matters into his own hands, not the sudden appearance of a young man. With an unknown figure stepping forward, even if Marco emerged victorious, it wouldn't enhance his reputation. "My name is Dustin Rhys. I'm here to witness the prowess of a Kimboku warrior for myself," Dustin declared calmly."You're no match for our master. Get Quincy to duel our master," the butler replied haughtily. To Marco and his butler, the nobodies from Dragonmarsh were simply not worth the effort. Fighting them would only be a waste of time.It was only by defeating prominent figures like Quincy that woul
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2077
"What the hell? The brat may be despicable, but Dustin shouldn't underestimate him either! What the hell is he thinking?""He might not even win with a weapon. Fighting without a weapon is just foolish!"The crowd exchanged remarks among themselves. No one expected Dustin to utter such arrogant words even after two consecutive defeats. "Is this bastard crazy? Fighting with bare hands against Marco is just like suicide!" Miles was both surprised and puzzled."Hmph! He must be trying to find an excuse when he loses. This is his way of escaping the situation. He knows he can't defeat the brat and will use his lack of a weapon as an excuse for losing. "I've seen through his petty tricks!" Ruby spoke as if she had figured out Dustin's clever plan. "Is that so?" Realization hit Miles. It was a cunning move from Dustin. Despite knowing he would be defeated, he still insisted on basking in the limelight. His shameless tricks seemed to know no bounds."Dragonmarshian, if you don't
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2078
Marco stomped forcefully on the ground, causing multiple cracks to form. He then propelled himself forward like a released arrow, charging at Dustin with a vindictive glare.In the first two battles, Marco refrained from making the first attack, allowing his opponents to showcase their skills. However, Dustin's words ignited his fury, leading him to desire a swift and brutal end to the duel as a warning to all martial artists in Dragonmarsh. Midway, Marco suddenly drew his sword and executed a horizontal slash. The next thing they knew, Marco's Demon sword emanated a brilliant crimson glow. An eerie blood-red sword light whistled through the air, slashing toward Dustin at the speed of light.Along its path, the very air seemed to distort, and the ground was left with a deep, scorched gash as if it had been seared by flames."What remarkable speed!" Quincy's eyes narrowed in astonishment. While Marco's maneuver appeared ordinary, in reality, it was exceptionally swift and bru
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2079
Dalen smirked at Ruby.Ruby snorted, "Hmph! What's so impressive about that? That brat was just testing the waters. He didn't even unleash his full strength. Even a pig could defend against it!"Dalen merely smiled in response. However, Miles, who was beside them, had a strange look on his face. Even though he knew she was referring to Dustin, her words felt particularly cutting. After all, he had been defeated by a single strike. Didn't that imply he was less capable than a pig? It was a stinging remark."Dragonmarshian, you're stronger than I thought. However, it's a pity that today, you are still going to suffer defeat!" Marco was momentarily stunned before quickly composing himself with seriousness. Despite unleashing 70% of his power in that last strike, Dustin had effortlessly defended against it. This proved that Dustin was a formidable opponent, even more so than Vincent from the earlier rounds. Vincent only had exceptional spear techniques and failed to put any pres
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2080
"I didn't expect Marco to be the successor to Jump Force. Dalen, it looks like your friend is in danger!" Crystal's gaze hardened, and she grew particularly solemn. Luca had a widely renowned reputation, even in Dragonmarsh. If Marco had direct knowledge of the skill, he was basically already in part a Sword Sage. It was obvious that he had visited Dragonmarsh and called for a public duel to make a name for himself. "No wonder he's so formidable. It turns out that he's a disciple of the strongest Sword Sage in Kimboku. It was reasonable that I lost." Miles straightened his chest, appearing proud. If he had lost to an unknown person, it would have significantly impacted the Sword Union's reputation. However, it would be a different story if he lost to Luca's direct disciple.Luca's prowess was equivalent to Dragonmarsh's top ultimate grandmaster, and his influence was comparable to the Sword Union's leader, Cyrus Hadley. Since Cyrus's direct disciple was Glenn Hadley, Marco'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
