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An Understated Dominance Chapter 2182
Abigail's words immediately caught the attention of the crowd. Among them, martial artists with a penchant for gambling were particularly eager to join in.However, everyone hesitated to approach her due to her status as the Grand Sorceress of the Mystic Arts Order."Alright, let me start things off!" Taking the initiative, Miles took a pendant and placed it on the table as his bet.He continued, "I'm betting on Number 28 in the third battle ring. He's a disciple of the Vanguard Sect, and from what I know, he's quite formidable. His odds of winning are high."Then, he grabbed a piece of paper and jotted down the number 28 before tossing it into the designated matching bowl.The tournament organizers randomly paired martial artists against each other rather than following a predetermined order to ensure fairness.When the referee called out a name, the respective participant had to step onto the battle ring promptly. Failure to do so or arriving late would result in disqualificati
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2183
"I'm going with Ms. Wesley's choice—Number 6 in the first battle ring." Dustin wrote on a slip of paper before tossing it into the designated bowl."Okay, good luck!" Abigail smiled and shouted, "Come and place your bets! The tournament is about to begin!"The martial artists nearby were eager to participate, yet not a single one dared place a bet.Their hesitation stemmed from uncertainty about the legitimacy of the betting pool. They questioned whether the Mystic Arts Order would truly honor double payouts if they won.So, they held back and waited for the outcome of Dustin and the others' initial bets. Only after seeing the result did they contemplate joining the action."Alright, the tournament has begun, so betting is officially closed. Let's all sit tight and await the results." Abigail signaled the end of the betting phase with a sweeping gesture.Soon, all eyes returned to the battle rings.At that moment, all eight battle rings burst into action simultaneously as sixtee
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2184
"Luring him in?" Miles's stomach sank a beat at the words. He stared at the third battle ring, feeling a bit uneasy. "Dustin, are you serious? I've got a lot riding on this.""You bet on Number 28, right?" Dustin asked.Miles nodded. "Yeah, why?" Dustin explained, "Well, Number 28 does have some skill, but he's being too aggressive. "At first glance, it seems he's dominating and pushing his opponent back. But if you pay attention, you'll notice his opponent's composed movements and steady breathing. "There's no hint of panic. It's like his opponent has been prepared for this. So, I'm guessing he's luring Number 28 by deliberately showing weakness. "And when Number 28 lets his guard down, that's the moment he'll strike.""Are you sure?" Miles was dubious. He narrowed his eyes as he carefully observed the battle, and his expression immediately changed. To his surprise, the battle matched Dustin's description perfectly.Despite Number 28's relentless attacks, he hadn't gai
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2185
Ruby thought Miles had a keen eye for these things, so she went along with the bet. But she didn't expect the outcome."You can't blame me for this, Ruby. It's all on that loser for letting us down and making us lose everything." Miles chuckled wryly."Hmph! I'm done betting with you!" she said, rolling her eyes at him.A bottle of haemoplenish could fetch a good amount on the market. She had hoped to make some extra cash, but now it seemed impossible."Well…" Miles looked embarrassed and tried to change the subject. "You know how it goes with winning and losing. It's all unpredictable. Just like Dustin and Crystal's pick, Number 6. They're also on the losing end, aren't they?""Huh?" Ruby raised an eyebrow suspiciously, then glanced at the first battle ring.At that moment, Number 6, the woman in red wielding a halberd, was locked in combat with the man in black wielding a shadowsteel staff.Despite her strength, the woman lacked speed and technique, so she gradually fell behin
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2186
At that moment, the man in black wasn't the only one surprised. All the spectators fixated on the first battle ring were also shocked.Nobody had anticipated that Number 6 would wear such heavy armor.The darksteel armor that weighed several thousand pounds was typically used for weight-bearing training. Even for the Divine-level martial artist, wearing it for just ten minutes would be taxing on the body. Even the most skilled martial artists would wear it for only a few hours. Yet, she wore the dark steel armor as if it were nothing. She even wore it into the battle ring to fight.Wasn't her decision to wear this armor during the fight foolish?"You… you've been wearing this while fighting with me?" The man in black couldn't believe his eyes as he pointed at the darksteel armor lying on the ground."Yeah, what about it?" She stretched her neck and hips as she gradually moved her lithe body. Once the armor was removed, she felt much more agile.He couldn't help but ask again, "
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2187
The man in black didn't dare to stand his ground. Instead, he swiftly dodged to the side.At that moment, Number 6's halberd nearly grazed his shoulder, but it only left a tear on his clothing. If he had been any slower, he might have lost an arm.She intensified her assault as her speed and strength increased with each strike. Each swing of her blade carried the sound of thunder, which made her attacks unstoppable.On the contrary, he continuously evaded her attacks. Even when he managed to block, his arms were left numb, and he was forced to retreat several steps with each blow. With no opportunity for a counterattack, he had no choice but to focus on defense."Hey, Miles, didn't you say she would lose? Looks like she's gaining momentum and might win." Ruby watched the fight with growing surprise from outside the battle ring.Initially, the man in black seemed to have the upper hand. But once Number 6 removed her outer clothing, she turned the tables. Surprisingly, her relentl
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2188
The man in black gracefully accepted his defeat.It was evident that Number 6 outclassed him. However, she allowed him a dignified exit rather than swiftly knocking him off the battle ring.After all, refusing to acknowledge defeat would have been unbecoming."Thank you!" She nodded respectfully.Ultimately, the first battle ring concluded with Number 6 emerging victorious."Dustin, you've got a keen eye. You nail the first match right off the bat. I'm impressed!" Miles exclaimed."It's just luck," Dustin replied nonchalantly. His bet was purely for fun, as the outcome didn't concern him.Miles lamented as he shook his head, "Luck is also a form of skill. I just lacked a bit of it. If Number 28 had been cautious enough and not underestimated their opponent, I might have won the bet." "Miles, it's not that you have bad luck. Your judgment is clearly off," Ruby shot back and rolled her eyes. "You were sure Number 28 would win, so I trusted you, but he lost. Then, you said Number
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2189
Naturally, this breakthrough was only achievable for those below the grandmaster level. After all, breaking through to that level demanded not just accumulation but also a significant qualitative leap. Regardless, the celestial stones held an irresistible allure for martial artists below the grandmaster level.Even grandmaster martial artists would envy them. They knew they could exchange celestial stones for other treasures, even if they didn't need them.It wouldn't be an overstatement to call celestial stones the premier currency in the martial world, as they could be exchanged for various treasures.So, Miles and the others were excited when they laid eyes on boxes brimming with celestial stones."I may not have any weapons or tablets now, but I have several boxes of celestial stones. I'll assess the value of the treasures you had bet earlier and then exchange them for celestial stones. How does that sound?" Abigail asked. "Wow, that's awesome!" Miles couldn't contain his e
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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
