"Mr. Swanson, I don't like being threatened. "Let me give you some advice: don't mess with me, or your Swanson family will regret it," Dustin said casually."You're quite bold, aren't you?" Zion sneered. "Alright, if you're that confident, we'll wait and see." With that, he left. The Swanson family wouldn't want a public confrontation. He would find another way to get the formula later."Kid, you're in trouble now for crossing Mr. Swanson!" Ziggy sneered as he gathered his crew and left.Even though Ziggy's plan failed today, he didn't leave empty-handed. The Swanson family had their eyes on the Dew Balm formula Dustin had. Ziggy believed that getting it would bring them great rewards."Mr. Rhys, we're thankful for your help today. Harmony Healers would've been in a tight spot without you," Brooke expressed his gratitude genuinely."Dr. Busch, it was nothing much. Just helping out," Dustin replied humbly with a smile."You're a talented young person with amazing skills. I
"The medicine's not for sale?" Cody frowned in disappointment.At first, he'd thought he'd found a treasure, but now he was learning about serious side effects. He couldn't help but ask skeptically, "Mr. Rhys, are you serious? Ziggy seemed completely fine earlier."Dustin remained calm as he replied, "The side effects won't show immediately but in about half an hour."Cody continued to ask, "Is there any way to reduce the side effects of the ointment, even if it's only 50% effective?" He hoped a milder version might have fewer side effects.Dustin shook his head. "Not at the moment."He knew both Zion and Cody had questionable motives. Plus, he had no intention of sharing the Dew Balm formula. It could be misused for profit and potentially harm people. After all, he didn't trust Zion and Cody."It's alright if the ointment isn't perfect right now. If you give me the formula, I'll work on improving it. Once it's better, I'll give you 50% of the profits," Cody proposed.Cody was
"Benefit people?" Dustin mused. Cody's behavior was a source of amusement to Dustin. He found it amusing that Cody was greedy yet portrayed as a noble person. While Zion may have been greedy, he was at least willing to pay for what he wanted. On the other hand, Cody was willing to take whatever he could get."Hey! Cody is talking to you. Don't you hear?" Seeing Dustin's continued silence, Harper snapped.She added, "You're part of Harmony Healers now, so you have to abide by our rules. Think of the prescription for Dew Balm as your contribution to Harmony Healers. There will be rewards in the future.""I'm going to say this one more time: the formula will not be shared," Dustin responded coldly."Hey, why are you so stubborn? Can't you be more open-minded?" Harper said, frustrated. She continued, "Cody wants it, not for personal gain. It's about helping the masses and saving patients. Isn't that a noble goal? Shouldn't we support that?""Using my resources to achieve his goa
"You asshole! You've gone too far!" Harper was so frustrated she was crying tears of grievance. She was known for her beauty and talents and had been pampered her whole life. No matter the situation, people adjusted their actions to cater to her every desire. However, this Dustin brat was the total opposite of a gentleman. He not only disrespected her, he also humiliated her publicly. It was absolutely despicable!"Alright, Harper, calm down." Cody tried to mediate."We're all working at the same place and will be running into each other often. There's no need to damage our relationship.""Please! Who's working at the same place as him? Only one of us can exist at Harmony Healers! It's either him or me!" Harper snapped back, not mincing her words."That's enough!" Brooke finally had enough and berated Harper harshly, "Harper, you're being absolutely unreasonable. The Dew Balm formula belongs to Dustin. It's up to him to decide what he wants to do with it. You have no right
"Great! It's a deal!" Cody's spirits soared.The Ostrower family was a prominent family in the medical field. They weren't as influential as the Welch family. Still, they were a significant presence in South City. With a little effort, it shouldn't be hard for them to get three top-quality medicinal herbs. "It's getting late. How about we all have a meal together? It will be a perfect opportunity to welcome Dustin," Brooke suddenly suggested. "No problem! I'll play the host today. Dustin, let me treat you to a meal at Regal Court!" Cody declared grandly."Regal Court?" Everyone at Harmony Healers grew excited at the declaration. Regal Court was the most prestigious restaurant in South City. It typically catered to senior officials and VIPs. Ordinary citizens could only dream of entering such a place. Dining there required not only wealth but also social status and influence, making it a highly exclusive establishment. Regal Court also had a widely circulated story asso
"What? Dined with the Emperor?" Harper was stunned before bursting out into mocking laughter."Hey, bumpkin, are you alright in the head? You? Dined with the Emperor? Are you even worthy? Even Cody is not qualified to dine with the Emperor. What makes you think you can?"A plainly dressed bumpkin like him dared claim acquaintance with the Emperor? How outrageous! "If you don't believe me, suit yourself." Dustin shrugged, not bothering to argue. It was pointless to argue with someone so condescending. "Hmph! I first thought you were ignorant and lacked manners. I didn't expect you to be so boastful too. I don't understand why grandpa values you," Harper sneered as she crossed her arms. As an Oakvale native, she felt a sense of superiority when dealing with country bumpkins. "We've arrived, this is it!" Cody suddenly stopped and pointed toward a piece of linen paper suspended in the air.The linen paper was of considerable size. Encased in a gold-rimmed glass frame, it was pr
"I can't believe this is Logan's calligraphy. It's no wonder he's qualified to transcribe the Emperor's verses." "The Emperor's verses and the Kirin's penmanship. It would be unbelievable if Regal Court still couldn't succeed!" "As expected of the Kirin. His calligraphy, penned in his teens, is comparable to esteemed calligraphy masters. What a treasure!" The students stared at the poem in amazement. They finally realized why Regal Court had such strict entry requirements. With such an invaluable treasure on display, it seemed perfectly justified. "I heard that the Kirin is not only exceptionally gifted but also incredibly handsome. He's also well-versed in both classical and contemporary literature. "If only I was lucky enough to meet him!" Harper sighed dreamily, her eyes brimming with admiration.Even though Cody was outstanding in his own right, Logan remained in a league of his own.Whether it was his family background, personal abilities, or physical attractiveness,
"It's been a long time since I've written anything, and I feel a little out of practice. I think I'll pass." Dustin shook his head.His handwriting could easily be recognized by those knowledgeable in the field.He wasn't exactly afraid of having his identity exposed now. But it would be a headache if certain people found out."Out of practice? Hmph! Just admit you can't!" Harper scoffed. "You clearly lack the skill, yet you insist on showing off. It's truly nauseating!""Alright. Calm down, both of you. Many people are watching. We don't want to turn into a joke." Brooke tried to diffuse the situation.While Dustin was undoubtedly skilled, criticizing the Kirin's calligraphy was a bit presumptuous."Hmph! If anyone's embarrassing themselves, it's this guy! How dare he insult the Kirin's work? Does he think us fans are a bunch of pushovers?" Harper glared at Dustin. "Alright, enough of this. It's just a piece of calligraphy. There's no need to bring down the mood for it," Cody
Mulder knew Warrick had been on the battlefield for years, and his physical strength was unmatched. On top of that, he was already halfway to becoming an ultimate grandmaster. Even if Warrick couldn't defeat the prodigious Logan, Mulder figured the difference wouldn't be too big. But he never expected Logan to take down Warrick with a single finger, leaving him severely injured and unable to stand. The difference in their strength was far beyond anything Mulder could have imagined.In other words, Logan had been toying with them from the start and didn't take the fight seriously. If he had, they would've all been dead.Warrick clutched his chest and coughed up blood as he staggered to his feet. His chest was a charred ruin, the flesh torn open and slick with blood. It was an awful, gory mess."I didn't expect you to be this strong. I underestimated you," he growled.He slowly raised his head, and his face twisted with a menacing look. "Guess I was just unlucky to fall into your
"Oh? You guessed it?" Dustin smirked. "Now that you know who I am, it's up to you to decide what to do."If Warrick chose to surrender, Dustin would simply seal his pressure points and leave him to Austin's judgment. But if he resisted, Dustin wouldn't hesitate to cripple him."Haven't you given up your title as the prince? Why did you return? Are you going to compete with Austin for the throne?" Warrick asked.Uncertainty flickered across his face before he continued, "If that's your intention, I can help you. Spare me today, and I guarantee you'll become the next Prince of West Lucozia."Power was a tempting beast. History was filled with stories of brothers turning against each other and fathers murdering their sons for it.In Warrick's mind, Logan's quiet return to West Lucozia meant one thing—he was after the throne."Guarantee?" Dustin scoffed. "What guarantee are you offering?" His voice was dripping with disdain. "You're a cornered rat now. You're barely holding on to you
"Warrick's blade technique is terrifying," Mulder mumbled. "This should be the finishing blow, right?"Watching from a distance, he was awestruck by the dazzling blade aura. Only now did he truly grasp the sheer gulf between Warrick and Dustin.Warrick's strike descended with such overwhelming force that it seemed to split the earth and obliterate everything in its path. Even from 300 feet away, the pressure rolling off it sent a chill down Mulder's spine.Under Mulder's stunned gaze, Warrick brought his full weight down, with blade and body merging into a single force that swallowed Dustin whole.The instant they clashed, an incandescent explosion of light erupted. It was so blinding that Mulder couldn't even open his eyes.A split second later, a deafening blast erupted, and a shockwave shot outward like a tidal surge. The force flattened the waves and overturned several fishing boats docked at the pier.Even Mulder, more than 300 feet away, was caught in the blast and tumbled
"So what if I am? And what if I push even further?" Dustin's smile slowly faded. "If you don't like it, do something about it."There was no reasoning with tyrants like Warrick."Punk, are you really willing to risk your life against me? Have you ever considered what happens if you lose?" Warrick's face turned grim as a wave of killing intent spread from him.He had already taken a step back to avoid unnecessary trouble. If Dustin refused to back down, there was no choice but to fight."Cut the crap. You wanna fight, fight." Dustin didn't bother with more words. With a flick of his wrist, a silver needle shot out and aimed toward Warrick's forehead—silent, unassuming, but deadly."Hmm?" Warrick's brow furrowed as he instinctively raised his arm. Sparks flew as the needle deflected off his arm and buried into the ground."Oh? You've mastered the Adamantine Body Technique?" Dustin narrowed his eyes. At that instant, he saw through Warrick's technique. Not only was he halfway
Mulder's body trembled, and he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood. His energy drained, and his entire being seemed to collapse.Dustin's finger flick had not only shattered his sword but also injured his internal organs. With the effects of the enhanced serum wearing off, Mulder was now back to his original state and completely spent.His once-powerful frame now shrank like a punctured balloon. He looked as if he had aged ten years in an instant. Mulder could no longer fight. Even standing up was a challenge."He's finished," Dustin said coolly, then looked at Warrick. "Now it's your turn.""Hmm?" Warrick frowned, and his expression turned serious.Dustin's display of strength earlier had made him feel a sense of crisis. If they fought head-on, there was no telling who would come out on top.But Warrick was just one step away from escaping West Lucozia, bound for Artea and a life of freedom and luxury. He had no intention of risking his life in battle unless he absolutely
"This is interesting." Dustin smirked as the dense barrage of swords came slashing down at him. In the blink of an eye, his figure dissolved into a wisp of smoke and vanished.A storm of sword shadows carrying the force that could split rivers and overturn seas crashed down on the fishing boat where he had just been standing. The entire vessel broke apart in an instant—some sinking into the depths while others drifted across the water."What? He dodged it?" Warrick's eyes flickered with surprise.Mulder's attack just now had been a 360-degree attack. Once caught in its range, there was no chance to dodge—only the option to endure. He couldn't understand how Dustin had managed to avoid it. Did he just teleport?"Hiding like a coward? What kind of warrior are you? Come fight me face-to-face."Frustrated after his attack missed again, Mulder grew desperate. His enhanced serum would only last for 15 minutes. If this dragged on, he'd collapse from exhaustion before Dustin even touche
"Oh? Are we going all out now?" Dustin smirked, with a hint of amusement in his eyes.Mulder, who had advanced to become a grandmaster martial artist through drugs, had a weak foundation. Even after taking the enhanced serum, he still posed no threat to Dustin. If Mulder were a hundred times stronger, he might just barely be able to fight Dustin.As the serum's effects pushed his body to the limit, Mulder suddenly let out a furious roar. His muscles swelled rapidly, and his bones cracked as they expanded. His body grew larger at an alarming rate, and his clothes tore apart under the strain.His six-foot frame stretched to nearly seven feet in mere moments as his body swelled to monstrous proportions. His face twisted fiercely, and his skin darkened as black scales surfaced.With another guttural growl, his roar turned beastlike. He grabbed his shredded shirt and ripped it away, exposing his broad chest covered in dark scales. A faint, eerie sheen flickered across their surface."D
Dustin's words made Mulder frown.Mulder knew all too well that Warrick was the kind of man who had no sense of loyalty or honor. If Warrick could kill his own personal guards without hesitation, what would stop him from killing a stranger? Mulder was certain that the moment things went south, Warrick would be the first to flee. Given the choice, he'd never willingly risk his life as Warrick's sacrificial pawn. But now, there was no turning back.With his undercover identity exposed and him helping Warrick escape, Mulder became a sworn enemy of West Lucozia. His name was now on the most-wanted list.Tonight was their best chance to escape. If they missed it, finding another way out would be nearly impossible.There was only one path left for him—kill whoever stood in his way and make it onto that escape boat."Enough talk, punk. Let's see what you're really made of," Mulder said.After weighing his options, he gritted his teeth and finally decided to draw his longsword. His fig
"You had your chance. Don't blame me for what happens next," Dustin said.With a slight squeeze of his fingers, the steel blades clamped between them shattered with a sharp clang.Before the two Hall of Gods members could even react, Dustin waved his hand.The two men were sent flying as if they'd been hit by a truck, hurtling over 30 feet through the air. Blood sprayed from their mouths and noses before they hit the ground. They were critically injured and on the verge of death.Dustin slowly turned his head and looked at the man who had just tried to ambush him.The man glanced at the broken sword in his hand, then at Dustin, who looked utterly unfazed. He hesitated for a split second—then bolted.With a powerful leap, he dove straight for the sea. He knew Dustin's strength was on a completely different level. There was no chance of outrunning him on land, so the only hope was to disappear into the water.It might have worked—if not for what happened next.Just before he hit