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An Understated Dominance Chapter 2114
The following morning, Dustin was deep in meditation and practice. Suddenly, a sharp knock broke his concentration. He opened the door to find Dalen, Miles, Crystal, and Ruby standing outside."Dustin, something happened last night!" Miles exclaimed urgently, barely waiting for the door to open fully.Perplexed, Dustin asked, "What's going on?" He found it unusual to see them all assembled at his doorstep at such an early hour with troubled expressions."Aldric's dead! He was beheaded last night!" Miles burst out, revealing the shocking news. "Aldric?" Dustin was stunned. "The swordsman who dueled me just yesterday?""Yeah, that's the one!" Miles nodded vigorously. "They found his body this morning, headless. It seems like he was taken out with just one clean strike!""One strike?" Dustin raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "But Aldric was no amateur with a sword. Who could have had the skill to kill him so effortlessly?""Well…" Miles hesitated, uncertain how to continue.Dalen int
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2115
"If the Bloodfiery Legion wants to talk, sure, I'm open to it. But even if they don't, I'm not backing off," Dustin remarked nonchalantly.He was consistent in his demeanor, whether facing the Bloodfiery Legion, the Sword Union, or the Celestial Alliance. He was indifferent about potentially offending any of them."Dustin, I know you're strong, but remember, there's always someone stronger. You can't just go charging ahead without thinking!" Dalen cautioned, his tone sincere. He continued, "Did you know Kendricks is Aldric's brother? He's ranked eighth on the Legendary List and already at Sacred Wrym Summit. When he learns about his brother's death, he'll definitely seek revenge!"The Legendary List featured individuals of remarkable prowess. Each one was capable of dominating any situation. While Dustin was impressive, Kendricks, ranked eighth on the list, surpassed him. If Kendricks sought vengeance, Dustin's chances of success seem bleak."Yeah, Dustin!" It's better to live
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2116
Dustin and a few others exited the tavern after making the decision. They headed straight to the site of the murder. The location where Aldric met his demise lay just a short mile from the tavern. With Dustin and his companions setting a brisk pace, they swiftly arrived at the scene. Surrounding the area, a sizable crowd of onlookers had gathered alongside a group of Bloodfiery Legion disciples working to clear the space. At their helm stood a man dressed in green, his complexion pale and his gaze sharp. Despite appearing around 30 years old, he bore a broken blade on his back with an icy presence. This man was Kendricks, ranked eighth on the Legendary List. He was examining Aldric's body. His expression was inscrutable, yet his eyes revealed a simmering anger. Despite their usual lack of conversation, their bond as siblings from the same guild ran deep. With Aldric's beheading, Kendricks, as the older brother, harbored a profound sense of resentment."Who's responsible for
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2117
Kendricks acted swiftly as he issued a clear command. He was determined not to let Aldric's death be in vain. So, he ordered anyone suspected to be questioned without delay. "Get moving!"The Bloodfiery Legion disciples obeyed without hesitation. They charged forward and caused onlookers to scatter in fear."Who dares?" Miles exclaimed.He drew his sword and stepped forward with a fierce shout, "We are disciples of the Sword Union. If you Bloodfiery Legion folks dare to cause trouble, you're challenging the entire Sword Union. Can you handle the consequences?"With those words, the Bloodfiery Legion disciples immediately froze in their tracks. Their apprehension was evident as they looked around. They might disregard ordinary guilds, but the Sword Union held a different status. As one of the three major guilds in Dragonmarsh, its power and reputation far surpassed that of the Bloodfiery Legion. Thus, they wouldn't openly confront the Sword Union unless absolutely necessary."B
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2118
"Hey! Are you crazy? We agreed to sort out the trouble, and now you're only making it worse!" Ruby exploded after hearing Dustin's words. They had put a lot of effort into helping Dustin with his problem, but now he seemed completely indifferent. Despite everyone's efforts, he was adamant about not giving in to Kendricks and even seemed prepared to face him directly. Dustin's actions left her feeling frustrated. She also realized that if Kendricks got upset, they wouldn't stand a chance against him."Hey, kid! Do you have any idea who you're talking to?" Kendricks narrowed his eyes with a hint of menace creeping into his gaze. He had expected boldness, but Dustin's audacity caught him off guard."I know who you are. But I want to reiterate that Aldric's death isn't on me, regardless of what you think," Dustin replied calmly, showing no signs of backing down."Okay, fine!" Kendricks suddenly chuckled, his smile sending shivers. He glanced at Crystal and the others as he spoke.
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2119
"Anyone who doesn't want to end up six feet under, clear out! Don't blame me if you get caught in the crossfire and push daisies!" With that warning, the Bloodfiery Legion disciples cleared the area, preparing for the impending duel.They were all too familiar with the bone-chilling might of Kendricks. His blade aura alone could claim lives.As shouts erupted, the spectators scattered. Only Dustin and Kendricks stood within 300 feet apart, facing each other.One stood proudly as the eighth-ranked legend, a powerhouse in his own right. The other had recently defeated Marco, a rising star in their domain.Excitement surged as news of the impending duel spread. It even attracted numerous martial artists eager to witness the outcome firsthand."Everyone, what's your take on Dustin's chances against Kendricks's blade?""I'm not so sure! Kendricks is eighth on the Legendary List. He's formidable. If he's daring enough to issue the challenge, he must be confident in his victory!""Yo
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2120
Wherever the blade aura passed through, the ground shook as if the air was distorted. A huge pressure began to envelope the entire place.The onlookers could feel the pressure on them. It was as if a huge stone had landed on their shoulders. Those who were weak even had trouble breathing, their legs trembling."What a powerful slash! Was that the power of a person ranked eighth on the Legendary List? That was eye-opening!""That slash was astounding! No one could possibly take that! Dustin's in big trouble!""Poor guy. He shouldn't have offended Kendricks. He's so dead."Everyone was overwhelmed by Kendricks' slash.They could feel the sharpness of the blade aura as well as its tremendous power just by the look of it. Many of them thought that Dustin was as good as dead."Dustin! Show them what you got! You must withstand that pressure!" Dalen gripped his lighter tightly, tensing up. He knew Dustin had high potential, but this was Kendricks, ranked eighth on the Legendary List
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2121
The onlookers were astonished by the powerful surge, but they also wondered if Kendricks had successfully taken Dustin down with just one slash.After all, Kendricks was ranked eighth on the Legendary List. He was capable of breaking a mountain with a single slash. It was almost impossible to withstand his slash."Crystal, can you see? How is it? Is Dustin dead?"Ruby tried to take a peek at the battleground while blocking the wind with her hand. Her stomach was in knots.Although she and Dustin were at odds, it didn't mean that she hated him or wanted him dead."I can't see clearly. Let's wait a little longer."Crystal stared into the distance, trying to see what was happening in the dust haze.The crash of the auras was so strong that it caused a massive dust haze within a mile radius. No one could see clearly.A moment later, the dust haze lifted. Everything was back to normal again.The figures on the battleground were visible to the audience again.Kendricks, who stoo
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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
