The Grant family had been a powerful force for generations. Their strength came from their accumulated influence over the years. Arthur, the former family patriarch, was a brilliant strategist.In the past, during power struggles, he made wise decisions to form alliances. He rose in the political world, became a significant figure within the family, and earned the title of Earl of Loyalty and Valor.Arthur's authority and military capabilities were comparable to Christopher's and even exceeded him in certain aspects. The only difference was that Christopher achieved his position through battles, while Arthur excelled in politics. Regardless of their paths, they were both remarkable men."Haha! This is great! Sir Arthur is here!""With Sir Arthur here, no one will ever challenge our family again."The arrival of Arthur brought joy to the Grant family, filling them with a renewed sense of relief. They found their source of strength and put their worries to rest."Kate! There is h
"You gonna tear down my place?" Arthur taunted. "Christopher, just because you have your men with you doesn't mean you get to mess around in my territory. Your Murray family may be strong, but they are no match for the Grant family. I won't hold back from taking action because I'm in charge here.""You won't hold back, huh? Let's have a match and see who's tougher!" Christopher rolled up his sleeves, getting ready for a fight.He figured a good fight would be more satisfactory than endless conversation."Christopher, itching for a brawl, aren't you? Alright, I'll find someone you can fight!" Arthur raised his voice and shouted, "Zachary, it's your turn!""Hahaha!" Suddenly, there was an eruption of laughter from all sides.It was so loud that the crowd was forced to cover their ears. Out of nowhere, a crimson figure fell from the sky like a cannonball. The figure landed with a loud explosion that sent rocks flying and a cloud of dust billowing.A strong wind from the explosio
Zachary flashed a sly grin. "Some argue that military strategy and martial arts are two different things. I'm curious if you are the master of combat, or is it my martial arts that will shine?"His words excited the onlookers as they sensed a challenge brewing.It was clear that a duel was going to happen. Christopher was best in strategy and tactics, while Zachary had few rivals in martial arts within the Balerno.Zachary had publicly challenged Christopher, and declining it would ruin Christopher's reputation."Zachary, you're not qualified to take on General Murray. Allow me to take the challenge instead!"Suddenly, a stern and authoritative female voice broke the tension.All eyes turned toward a striking woman in red armor with short silver hair and an intimidating aura. She was carrying a three-foot viridescent sword and radiated a commanding presence."Wow! Look who's here, the Scarlet Warrior!""Gosh, am I imagining things? Dragonmarsh's top Goddess of War has joined in
"What? The God of War? This can't be real!""Oh, my goodness! First, we had the Scarlet Warrior, and now it's Adam, the God of War. Is the world turning upside down?""What's happening? Who could get the Spanners' twins involved?"With Adam's arrival, the scene became even more chaotic.Adam's reputation was comparable to, if not surpassed, Scarlet's. She earned her military rank through combat skill, bravery, and exceptional martial abilities.Conversely, while skilled in martial arts, Adam was also known for his strategic brilliance. During his military service, he won numerous battles, often overcoming numerical and tactical disadvantages with his brilliant plans. He was a mastermind.While Scarlet excelled in combat skills, Adam shone with his exceptional intelligence. These sibling prodigies, known as the Spanners' twins, were unrivaled in military expertise throughout Dragonmarsh."We're in trouble now! The God of War has arrived!" Kate panicked, sweating nervously.Dea
Scarlet was a prominent figure in the nation, establishing herself as a potential leader in the political scene. Zachary may be skilled in martial arts but would not dare to challenge such an influential person."Why are you silent now? Weren't you showing off just now? If you're brave enough, then fight me. Let's see your abilities," Scarlet jeered, shifting everyone's attention to Zachary.Zachary found himself in a dilemma. Acknowledging defeat would damage his reputation. But winning could lead to more trouble, risking consequences from the Martial Arts Union and potential blacklisting."Scarlet, I used to have a close relationship with your father. Is it fair to bring a crowd to my mansion?" Arthur asked seriously.Scarlet replied breezily, "What does your connection with my father have to do with me?""You!" Arthur seethed with anger, feeling embarrassed to be reprimanded by someone younger."Alright, let's calm down," Adam smiled and stepped forward. He turned to Arthur
As more high-ranking officials and nobles continued to arrive, the scene became a mess. Notable figures like the Minister of War, the leader of the Imperial City guards, the Marquis of Riaz's eldest son, and other influential figures from Oakvale arrived. Just looking at this group of VIPs, it was clear they could easily take over Millsburg. Everyone was stunned, with their jaws dropped in disbelief as these prominent figures appeared one after another. It was something they never imagined."Sir Hyde, General Barker, Mr. Schmid, you've finally arrived!" Arthur's face lit up as he greeted his esteemed guests warmly.They were Minister of War, Landon Hyde, Chief of the Imperial City guards, Rhett Barker, and the Marquis of Riaz's eldest son, Neal Schmid. They held considerable influence in Oakvale, and in terms of status and power, they were on the same level as the Spanners' twins.Especially Landon, the leader of the group, held the highest position within Dragonmarsh. Even the
The Harmons thought the Grant family had lost the battle when the Spanners' twins appeared. They had even prepared to be treated as the scapegoats. But Landon and his group appeared like a ray of light, giving them hope. So what if Lord Xenos was here? So what if General Murray was here? Even with the Spanners' twins added to the mix, they weren't a threat to the Grants in front of the high-ranking officials led by the Minister of War."Tyler, it's your engagement day today, but I don't have much to give you. I've carried this emerald with me for many years, and now, I'm passing it to you. "I hope you continue to strive for excellence in the future." Landon smiled as he took out an antique emerald and passed it to Tyler. "Thank you, Sir Hyde." Tyler received it respectfully with both hands. "Lord Grant, is something going on? The atmosphere seems tense." Landon was quick to notice that something was amiss. "Sir Hyde, we've encountered some trouble today. Thankfully, y
"Comparing numbers, now are we? Let's see how many brains you have here!" Scarlet didn't bother wasting her breath at the crowd's uproar and raised her sword. She was obviously irritated. But before she could attack, Dustin stopped her. "Kid, don't act impulsively."With Scarlet's temper, she wasn't afraid to kill. But if she did kill, the consequences would be severe.The people they were up against were of different status. They were Oakvale's high-ranking officials. If Scarlet hurt them, she would be responsible for it. She might even be dismissed. The Spanners were a prominent family and had many enemies. Once they had a weakness, their enemies would use it against them. The prime example was the time he was falsely accused of starting a rebellion. He didn't want Scarlet to get into trouble because of him. "Dustin, these people are despicable and only bully the weak. They will continue their acts if we don't teach them a lesson." Scarlet glared fiercely at the grou
Glenn wasn't just skilled in swordsmanship, but his technique was also flawless. Every strike was unpredictable, relentless, and impossible to block. His attacks came in waves, and each one was stronger than the last.What made him even more terrifying were the six divine swords that obeyed his every command. They were like extensions of his will. The swords threw Dustin off balance, attacking from every direction and blocking any chance of escape. They moved in perfect sync with Glenn and left no room for counterattacks.Dustin had no choice but to dodge and parry. If not for his incredible agility and mastery of the sword, he wouldn't have lasted more than a few breaths.Even so, the pressure was overwhelming. It felt like he wasn't just facing Glenn but six or seven skilled opponents at once. Any slip in focus, or any opening, could be his last.The real challenge was that Dustin wasn't gaining any ground. While he had to stay focused on dodging and blocking, he also had to se
Under the watchful eyes of the audience, Dustin and Glenn stepped onto the battle ring. They stood about 30 feet apart, and their eyes locked across the distance. Their gazes met like sparks, and they could feel the weight of the other's stare."Are you Logan?" Glenn asked, breaking the silence.He had heard the rumors about this dark horse before stepping into the ring, but now that he was facing him, he wasn't sure."Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is who wins this fight." Dustin didn't confirm or deny it, but his words left Glenn with no doubt.Both men were at the top of the Legendary List and held equal rank on the Champ-Tier List. Until they fought, no one could say who was the stronger of the two."I heard you're Seth's disciple, so I'm really looking forward to this." Glenn's gaze sharpened.Many years ago, his mentor, Cyrus, was defeated by Seth. That loss had always haunted Cyrus ever since. Now, with the disciples of both men about to face off, Glenn was determin
"Since Madam Penelope has spoken, I’ll follow her lead," Alloy said with a smile. "What about Mr. Hadley and Sage Foyer?""I'm in if you want to make a bet," Cyrus replied coolly."It's not every day we get an opportunity like this. Let me stir things up a bit." Kaden nodded with a grin.Once the three had agreed, Penelope waved for Abigail to come over.Soon, Abigail approached them with a wide grin. "Esteemed guests, I hear you want to bet. The current odds are—bet on Dustin to win, and you'll get 1.6 times your stake. Bet on Glenn, and it's only 0.4."She continued, "And no worries—if you win, I'll exchange your winnings for celestial stones." Abigail smiled brightly, and the other parties' eyes gleamed with the unmistakable shine of greed.Many had already placed their bets with her. Though she couldn't control the match's outcome, she knew how to adjust the odds to her advantage. Over time, that could turn into a huge fortune."I'm betting on Glenn to win." Cyrus quickly
"We're ready for the ultimate showdown of this tournament. The winner will be crowned the Combat Tournament Champion. Now, let's welcome both contestants to the ring." Oron's voice thundered as he stepped onto the battle ring.There was thunderous applause and cheers from the audience.The long-awaited showdown was finally at hand. Today's outcome wasn't just about personal glory, but it would also decide the future of the martial world.If Glenn triumphed and claimed the crown, the Sword Union would rise as the undisputed guild. The Celestial Alliance and the Mystic Arts Order would have no choice but to bow to their supremacy.But if Dustin won, it would be even more sensational. A dark horse, without any guild affiliation, defeating the elite disciples of the major guild—such a story would send shockwaves through the martial world.Once that happened, every major guild would fight tooth and nail to claim him. It would spark a fierce battle for dominance."Dr. Rhys! Good luck!"
"H-Hold on! I-I surrender!" Abigail said urgently. With the sword inches away from her throat, she decisively raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.She didn't expect herself to win the match. Her goal was simply to take this opportunity to test Dustin's strength and also gauge her own progress. But now, it was clear that there was still a sizable gap between them."You've done well. In a few more years, I might not even be able to keep up with you." Dustin smiled and lowered his Celestial Blade. His words weren't flattery; he genuinely saw potential in Abigail.The dark Phoenix flames carried a corrosive power that even his mystical pure energy couldn't resist. In other words, Abigail's black flames were the bane of any martial artist.Her journey in the martial world was still short—barely two years. She hadn't unlocked the full potential of her Phoenix bloodline yet. But with more training and experience, the sky was the limit for her."Don't try to console me, Sir. I'm n
With a resounding bang, the golden light erupted with a burst of terrifying energy wave. In an instant, the earth trembled, and fierce winds whipped through the air.Dustin and his sword were sent flying several yards. After landing, he stumbled back several steps before finally steadying himself.He looked up and saw that Abigail's body was now covered in a layer of golden armor, though he couldn't tell when it had happened. The armor glowed brightly, and it made her look imposing and striking.It was clearly a divine artifact.The Mystic Arts Order had been around for centuries, with deep roots and countless treasures. As the Grand Sorceress, Abigail would obviously have several divine artifacts for protection.Dustin wasn't surprised, but the armor's counterforce caught him off guard. Not only did it protect her, but it also had offensive capabilities.When his sword struck the armor earlier, the blow didn't leave a scratch. Instead, the armor absorbed the hit and sent the for
Dustin raised his hand as the black feathers rained down on him. A white energy shield flared into existence to form a wall before him.The feathers slammed into the shield and sent ripples across its surface but failed to break through. However, the black flames on the feathers spread across the shield and burned through its energy at a visible pace. In the blink of an eye, the once impenetrable barrier cracked open and left a gaping hole.Dustin couldn't hide his surprise. His mystical pure energy was far stronger than the average grandmaster's internal energy in offense and defense. It was meant to be impenetrable. He hadn't anticipated it couldn't hold up against Abigail's phoenix flame.Seeing the raw strength of her bloodline, he knew he couldn't afford to take any chances. As the black flames spread, he swiftly waved his hand to summon a furious gust of wind that sent the feathers and flames flying."Glaring Wings!" Abigail wasn't done yet. She quickly formed hand seals and
Abigail moved with lightning speed, and her figure weaved in and out like a shadow. Her swift movements left a blur of afterimages that was hard for anyone watching to keep up.On the contrary, Dustin stood still without making any movement."Fallen Fist!"After closing in, she unleashed a flurry of strikes—dozens of black palm shadows slamming toward his body, and each one was like a bullet aimed at its target.Abigail practiced a unique martial art, and it was imbued with voodoo-like properties that could kill anyone who made contact with her. But Dustin's body was immune to all poisons, so it was a perfect counter to her deadly attack.As the shadow palms closed in, he remained unshaken and thrust his palm forward.A fierce gust of wind surged and ripped through the air with unrelenting force. It collided with the black palm shadows.Abigail's black palm shadows exploded on impact and disintegrated into thick clouds of dark mist that quickly spread. Within moments, the mist e
The whole arena suddenly fell dead silent. Everyone stared blankly, and not a soul dared to breathe. Alloy shot to his feet in the main spectator seats, and his face was tense with worry. Yet, he didn't dare make a sound. He feared it might startle Glenn into making a mistake that could cost Fenley's life.After all, Fenley represented the future of the Celestial Alliance. Alloy had invested all his effort into Fenley, and he provided him with endless resources. If Fenley were to die in the match, it would deal a devastating blow to the entire guild.While Alloy was gripped with worry, Cyrus and Penelope cheered silently. They secretly hoped Glenn's sword would strike Fenley. If that happened, the Celestial Alliance would take at least a decade to regain its former glory.Fenley's body stiffened as he stared at the Fang Master hovering inches from him. A shiver ran through his spine as goosebumps prickled his skin. Sweat trickled down his face, and each drop hit the ground with a