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An Understated Dominance Chapter 2358
The venue fell into stunned silence as all eyes were drawn to the injured and unconscious Jude. Nobody had anticipated this outcome.Just seconds ago, Jude had been dominating the match. He relentlessly attacked Dalen and was on the verge of shattering his barrier to secure victory. But suddenly, he collapsed to the ground.The sequence of events unfolded so quickly that the spectators barely had time to process what had happened."What just happened? Jude lost?""That was odd! What the heck happened a moment ago?""This match is full of surprises."After a brief moment of silence, the spectators erupted into an uproar. Jude's defeat was utterly unexpected. At first, he toyed with Dalen and underestimated him. However, his overconfidence allowed Dalen to seize the opportunity and deliver powerful blows.Furious, Jude unleashed a fierce assault that left Dalen struggling to defend himself. But against all odds, Jude lost, and Dalen emerged as the surprising victor.The sequenc
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2359
"Dr. Rhys, good luck." As Dustin stepped into the battle ring, Alicia and Aurora cheered behind him. Their enthusiasm quickly drew more spectators to join in. Soon, the venue erupted in thunderous applause, with cheers echoing from every direction.In his earlier match against Bill, Dustin demonstrated his immense strength and brought honor to his nation. After winning that match, his popularity had soared. But in this match, he was once again facing a foreign opponent.Regardless of the spectators' personal opinions, they would back him unconditionally. When faced with an outsider, Dragonmarsh's people often displayed remarkable unity. Even though internal conflicts were frequent, they united as one the moment an external threat appeared.After Dustin entered the ring, Jeremiah, contestant number nine, stepped forward. In contrast to the deceased Bill and George, Jeremiah didn't act arrogantly. Aside from the time he showcased his strength by defeating Truce, he had kept a low pr
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2360
Faced with the black blade slicing toward him, Dustin stood firm. He didn't flinch or evade. Instead, he simply extended two fingers and clamped down on it.As soon as the blade met his fingers, it stopped and emitted a faint hum as it glimmered ominously in the light."Huh?" Jeremiah's eyes widened as he watched Dustin catch the blade between his fingers. With that strike, he had unleashed at least 80% of his strength, and the modified blade was sharp enough to cut through steel effortlessly. It was a force capable of slicing through anything—even a tank.But Dustin had stopped the attack, and he had done so with just two fingers. Was he also some kind of genetically enhanced beast?Jeremiah's shock quickly turned to resolve as he tried to withdraw his blade. But before he could muster the strength, Dustin's fingers twisted slightly, and with a sharp crack, the blade shattered.Jeremiah frowned. Though he was surprised, he didn't hesitate as he swung another blade toward Dustin
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2361
Jeremiah exuded a whole new intensity after transforming into a demon. Blood energy coiled around him, and his face twisted into a menacing snarl. Yet, his eyes remained as cold as ice and devoid of emotion. He loomed above the masses like a god looking down upon mortals; his presence was indescribable. Even from a distance, the spectators felt the crushing pressure deep within their souls. The sensation was so overwhelming that many couldn't suppress the urge to worship him."You've managed to force me into my third form… that's quite an achievement." As Jeremiah transformed into his demon form, his voice grew hoarse and deep.He slowly raised a finger and pointed at Dustin. What had once been a blade transformed into a withered, sharp claw. His crimson eyes locked onto Dustin and sized him up as if he were nothing more than an ant."You look intimidating, but I'm curious about how you fight." Dustin scrutinized him impassively. He had faced many fearsome opponents and would fi
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2362
Dustin expertly countered every strike from Jeremiah while launching his attacks in the battle ring. However, despite landing punches and kicks, his efforts only inflicted minor injuries on Jeremiah.The red scales covering Jeremiah were several times tougher than the previous black ones. Combined with his monstrous physique, he almost seemed to embody an Adamantine body.When Dustin's fists and feet struck the scales, the loud thuds echoed. Aside from the noise, it was nearly impossible to inflict any damage.Even when Dustin targeted Jeremiah's weak spots and managed to shatter a few scales, he still couldn't gain the upper hand. Jeremiah's regenerative abilities were astonishing. Even with a hole pierced through his chest, he could fully heal in just a few breaths. To him, minor wounds were hardly a concern. He was indeed an indestructible beast with such formidable defense and incredible recovery.Dustin realized that continuing down this path would spell his downfall. If he
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2363
As Jeremiah dove downward, Dustin smoothly assumed a sword-holding stance. Instantly, he swung the weapon with blinding speed.A black sword aura shot forth as it sliced through the air with the power to tear the very sky apart. It carried an overwhelming momentum that crashed toward Jeremiah."What?" Jeremiah's expression changed as an instinctual sense of danger sent shivers down his spine.The sword appeared ordinary, but with his heightened perception, he sensed the destructive energy contained within. He understood that if this attack struck his vital point, it would likely be fatal.Jeremiah quickly abandoned his offense and flapped his wings to dodge in midair. His reflexes were quick, but the black sword aura was even faster.Just as he sidestepped, the sword aura passed through him. Blood sprayed out and painted half the sky crimson."Ah!" Jeremiah let out a horrified scream.The sword aura had torn half of his shoulder, along with his arm and wing, and blood poured dow
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2364
"Interesting. It looks like this match won't be boring after all." From his seat at the Sword Union, Glenn narrowed his eyes. A rare spark of interest broke through his indifferent demeanor. As a swordsman, he thrived on the challenge of facing strong opponents. The more formidable his rival, the more it ignited his excitement. Watching an elite swordsman in action only intensified his desire to fight.Of course, ordinary fighters wouldn't capture his attention. But Dustin's earlier performance had drawn him in. Those two quick, fierce strikes showcased a sharpness of sword aura that was truly impressive. Glenn realized that an elite like Dustin would be an excellent sharpening stone for his skills.Glenn wasn't the only one who noticed. Dustin's impressive win over Jeremiah had left everyone in awe, and they began to see him as a dark horse in the tournament.While most might not consider him a contender for the championship, they recognized he had the strength to break into th
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2365
"According to the investigation, Dusk Titan was killed by the Grand Sorceress of the Mystic Arts Order, while the Shadow Prince and The Dust of Angel were taken down by someone named Dustin Rhys." Hank didn't mince words as he detailed the entire incident.Losing those three elite fighters was a serious blow to the Hall of Gods. They had planned a two-pronged attack.To claim the championship title in the Combat Tournament and shatter the spirit of Dragonmarsh's martial artists while secretly raiding their treasures to block their fortunes.But before they could even get started, Plan A was already a bust. They had lost their top elites and suffered a major hit to their reputation."I know about the Grand Sorceress of the Mystic Arts Order, but where did this Dustin Rhys come from?" Bailey's expression darkened as he spoke.He had researched Abigail, the second-ranked master on Dragonmarsh's Legendary List. It wasn't surprising that George had died in her hand.But Bailey had nev
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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
