"Oh no … There goes our chance of winning.""How did things turn out this way? How could we have lost every single round?""The Knighthood Society tournament this year is an embarrassment for all of us martial artists from Balerno!"Jared's defeat sent the Balerno martial arts alliance into low spirits. There was anger, disappointment, helplessness, and also resentment.Both sides had always been on the same level in the previous Knighthood Society tournaments, making it an exciting event for everyone. No matter the outcome, they always gave their all and gained the audience's respect.But the tournament today was unexpectedly depressing for the Balerno martial arts alliance. They had been crushed in the first three rounds, and there wasn't anything worth watching.Things seemed to look up for them in the fourth round. In the end, they still lost. They have now consecutively lost for four matches and were utterly humiliated. It was truly shameful."No … That's impossible! My sen
Dustin glanced at Azalea and pulled his arm away from her grasp."Him? How strong do you think he is? He isn't even fit to be compared to Jared!" Desmond mocked."Exactly! Jared's ranked 12th among the Heavenly Immortals! This bastard isn't even worthy to be near him!" Devon exclaimed."If Jared's so great, why did he lose earlier?" Dustin countered. That simple question silenced everyone."Hmph! I've indeed lost, but do you think that you'd be able to win? With your level of skills, you won't even withstand three hits!" Jared forced through clenched jaws."Is that so? Let's wait and see then." Dustin smiled faintly, not saying another word. He would much rather prove himself with his abilities than participate in meaningless arguments.Right then, someone exclaimed excitedly, "Look! Someone's replacing Oscar in the arena!" Everyone looked toward the middle of the lake, only to see Oscar leave the platform.Another graceful and elegant man in white made his way toward the plat
With a loud splash, Joel jumped into the lake and escaped when he saw Dustin.He splashed and thrashed wildly in the water like a fish on the verge of death. He looked terrified.Jared and Devon were stunned. Even all the Boulderthorn disciples and the Glenstead martial arts alliance members were shocked. Everyone gaped in disbelief.For the most senior disciple of the Zen Order, an expert ranked tenth among the Heavenly Immortals, to be scared and flee in terror. Nobody expected this outcome!The pure fear in his eyes made him look like he'd seen a ghost. If they had not seen it for themselves, they would not believe such a thing happened."Wh—what? He ran away?""What the fuck? What's going on? The match hasn't even started, and he's already given up?""Has Joel gone crazy? Look at him. He looks like he's possessed!'After a short silence, an uproar broke out among the crowd.Joel's actions stunned both those from the Balerno martial arts alliance and the Glenstead martial
Brutus frowned. Daniel and the others were also terrified by what they heard."Let's go back, master! I'm withdrawing from the tournament this year!" Joel sounded like he was almost in tears. The traumatizing experience he had been through several days ago haunted him like a nightmare.He boasts of his exceptional talent and outstanding martial arts skills. He had never been defeated since he made a name for himself. That night he never expected to run into two monsters.The first monster was a lady who beat him up so badly with a teacup alone that he threw up blood. Then, a man showed up, and he was even more terrifying. The man nearly killed him with his bare hands!Since that night, his confidence and pride were completely ruined. He felt as if a shadow figure towered over him in his mind. Thus, when he saw Dustin, he was scared to the point of fleeing without regard for his pride."Don't worry, Joel. What happened the other night was just an accident. Maybe your eyes wer
The voice surprised all three of them. They looked over to where the voice came from, only to see Dustin standing on the platform in the middle of the lake. He had his hands behind his back, looking totally composed."Hey, brat. What did you just say? I didn't catch you." Alan's eyes narrowed, squinting at Dustin."I said the three of you should fight me together. That will save us a lot of time, and you won't have to fight over who fights the match. Wouldn't that be better?" Dustin asked calmly.An uproar broke out among the crowd."Fuck! Is the bastard out of his mind? How dare he be so arrogant?""Does he have a death wish? How could he challenge three experts who rank among the top ten of the Heavenly Immortals?""Hah! He doesn't know what he's getting himself into!"The crowd pointed at Dustin and commented among themselves. They looked at him like he was out of his mind."Jared, is the fella out of his mind? He doesn't even stand a chance against them. How dare he chall
"Hah! What a bold statement! I'd like to see what you're capable of!"Alan couldn't hold back any longer. He took a step forward, raising his broadsword high. Then, he brought it down at full force, slashing mercilessly at Dustin.It was a powerful strike, almost possessing a force capable of splitting the earth. As the broadsword slashed toward Dustin, the lake surrounding the platform rippled from the force."Impressive swordplay!"The onlookers were surprised. The Heavenly Immortals lived up to their name. It was amazing how just a casual move had such terrifying power.Dustin shook his head. Instead of backing off, he pressed forward. While dodging the strike, he threw a heavy punch at Alan."That was quick!"Alan's eyes narrowed as he reflexively blocked the punch with the back of his broadsword. Dustin's fist landed heavily on the sword, making a dull thud.Instantly, Alan was sent flyings several feet away, his sword still in hand. When he landed, he needed a few moments
Alan attacked straight on while Lexi supported him from the side. They worked in perfect unison, each move aiming to kill.In a match between experts, the outcome was never certain. Hence, they needed to gain the upper hand.Dustin remained impassive and focused on dodging the oncoming attacks from both sides.His focus was on Torres. The cold and murderous intent radiating from him was impossible to ignore.For an assassin to be ranked among the top ten Heavenly Immortals proved that he was far from normal.Though he appeared weak and sickly, that was a front to deceive his enemies. He would strike mercilessly once there was an opportunity, making even grandmasters wary.Alan's broadsword slashed wildly in the arena, making loud whooshing sounds.Attacks came relentlessly at Dustin from both sides. Their movements disturbed the water around them so much that the fishes leaped up in alarm.Dustin moved swiftly, dodging left and right to escape their attacks. But in the eyes of
"I—" Joel started but stopped himself. In the end, he just sighed.If he had not experienced it, he would have found it hard to believe that Balerno had such a fearful talent too.Over in the arena, the match got heated.Alan and Lexi gave everything they had. They initially started out attacking full-on, pursuing Dustin relentlessly. But as time went on, they began to feel something was amiss. They couldn't reach Dustin, no matter how they attacked or surrounded him.He moved around like a ghost, and they could not touch him. He would evade their fatal strikes whenever they thought they would hit him.They could pin it on luck if it happened only once or twice. But it was different when it happened multiple times.It was as if the two of them were not attacking but rather being led on. It felt terrible, and the two began to panic.They knew that if that went on, they would exhaust their true energy. And when that happened, they would be entirely at Dustin's mercy."Torres! W