Despite Bran's intense glare, Dustin nonchalantly shrugged it off. He knew he could have easily emerged victorious in their fight without any intervention.After handling a couple of minor disturbances, Aidan resumed his meal. Jackson, accompanied by the disciples of the Embersteel Order, chose to keep a low profile and settled into nearby seats.Grace stood up and approached Jackson's table. "Hello, everyone. Thank you for your timely assistance," she expressed her gratitude.Jackson dismissed it coolly, saying, "Just helping out, no biggie." He added, "I've always had a thing against those who prey on the weaker ones. Our sect consistently stands against injustice.""The Embersteel Order truly lives up to its reputation as a haven for true heroes," Grace remarked admiringly."Why not join us at the table for a few drinks?" she asked, warmly inviting them. "I've got a couple of bottles of premium wine in my collection."At the mention of premium wine, Jackson's eyes widened
Grace raised her glass and smiled. "Cheers, everyone! No need for formality. Dig in and enjoy yourselves."Seeing the tempting array of dishes, the disciples of the Embersteel Order eagerly indulged, savoring each bite without hesitation. As rounds of wine flowed, their camaraderie began to flourish. "Ms. Linsor, Dustin, judging by your appearances, you're not locals. Are you also on the hunt for the treasure?" Jackson subtly asked."Yes, we heard of treasures in the Deadlands, so we assembled a team for the challenge and to gain some experience," she replied candidly.It was universally understood that anyone braving the dangerous Deadlands was on a quest for its hidden treasures. Considering the treacherous nature of the terrain, the idea of visiting for leisure was entirely dismissed."Ms. Linsor, pardon my directness, but venturing into the Deadlands carries significant risks," Jackson cautioned, eyeing them both.He added, "A single misstep could prove fatal, and it seems n
"What? Someone actually made it out?" Grace perked up immediately, firing off questions. "Who is it? Where can we find this person?"The mysterious oasis was a labyrinth of unknowns, and anyone managing to navigate their way out likely possessed valuable insights. Hence, getting hold of such information wouldn't just reduce risks but also boost the chances of a successful treasure hunt.Garrett replied, "The person in question is Ryan Gale, a member of the Arcane Path Guild. He is known for his expertise in escape techniques."He continued, "His disappearance raised concerns three days ago when he ventured into the oasis and went completely off the radar. "Unexpectedly, he has now reappeared in Dusthaven Village with severe injuries. The village chief is taking care of him right now.""Ryan Gale from the Arcane Path Guild?" Jackson arched an eyebrow. "I've heard of him. He holds quite a reputation in the martial world and has attained an advanced stage of divinity—an undeniable p
"Of course! That's a blue jadeite, and it's also an antique that's worth a fortune!" Garrett snapped. "Worth a fortune? What a treasure!" The middle-aged man's face lit up with joy as he carefully put away the pendant. "We left in a hurry, so I didn't manage to bring anything else with me. The pendant is valuable, so I hope you'll like it," Grace said with a slight smile."Miss, considering your sincerity, I'll pass on the message. But whether Mr. Zaeske decides to see you is beyond my control," the middle-aged man said cautiously."Thank you." Grace nodded slightly."Alright, please wait a moment," the middle-aged man said and entered the courtyard.After three minutes, he reappeared with a smile on his face. "Miss, Mr. Zaeske has agreed to see you. However, for safety reasons, you can only bring one person with you.""Garrett, please keep watch here. I'll be going in with Dustin," Grace instructed. She then headed inside with Dustin. …Ryan lay unconscious inside a bedroo
"Young man, you haven't even assessed the patient's condition, and yet you claim confidence in healing him. Isn't that a bit presumptuous?" Bob was evidently displeased.Although he was a rural doctor, he had over ten years of medical experience and had saved numerous lives. How could a young, inexperienced man be able to cure Ryan when even he couldn't do so?"The patient has 13 external injuries, the most serious being the wound that penetrated his chest and exited through his back. Fortunately, his exceptional physical condition allowed him to survive. "The real challenge lies in the extensive poisoning. His internal organs have sustained varying degrees of damage. If we don't remove it swiftly, he won't make it through tomorrow," Dustin explained Ryan's injuries in detail. "How … How did you figure that out?" Bob was shocked. He had to perform a thorough examination and read Ryan's pulse to arrive at his diagnosis. So how did the young man before him achieve the same?
Observing Ryan's distressed state, Grace quickly reassured him, "Ryan, calm down. You're safe now. Nothing can hurt you here. You don't have to be afraid." If she didn't, they wouldn't be able to extract any useful information from him with his current emotional state.However, Ryan remained engulfed by fear, unable to calm down. He continued clutching his head, trembling, and muttering to himself."Is he … losing his mind? What do we do now?" Kayson grew anxious. The money bag that was at hand was now mentally unstable. What a headache."Dustin, is there any way to calm him down?" Grace asked, giving him a sidelong glance. "Easy." Without much ado, Dustin produced a silver needle and inserted it right into the nape of Ryan's neck. Almost instantly, Ryan shuddered and then peacefully fell unconscious on the bed. "This is your method?" Grace looked at him quizzically. While Ryan was now calm, how were they supposed to question him while he was unconscious?"Ryan is too d
The Drakes Dominion Order led the three major sects in the Southwest. It was considerably stronger than the Embersteel Order and the Frostwing Sect.Kayson could not afford to offend such a large sect. After all, Dusthaven Village relied on their protection to survive. "Mr. Zaeske, I'll be blunt. The guy you saved, we want him!" Yonah said with his head raised. In an imposing manner, he declared, "As long as you hand him over to us, you'll be a friend of the Drakes Dominion Order!""I …" Kayson looked contemplative. His initial intention to make a quick profit through Ryan had unexpectedly attracted many powerful forces. Now that the Drakes Dominion Order had spoken up, he lacked both reason and courage to refuse."Yonah, we all have the same goal here. Don't you think claiming it all for yourself is inappropriate?" Right then, Bran Kingsley from the Frostwing Sect chimed in."Why? You have a problem with that?" Yonah narrowed his eyes, his gaze hostile. "It isn't just me
It was human nature to prioritize one's own well-being.Kayson knew he couldn't afford to offend either side and decided that getting a scapegoat to bear the blame was for the best. That way, he could free himself from the burden of the outcome. "Hmm?" Dustin frowned when Kayson singled him out. What a shrewd old man, quick to take credit and even quicker at deflecting blame. "Hey, you, hand over that guy inside, and I will reward you handsomely." Yonah turned his attention to Dustin, his tone authoritative. "Do I know you?" Dustin replied calmly."I'm Yonah, the second disciple of the Drakes Dominion Order."He continued proudly, "As long as you cooperate and hand over the guy without a fuss, the Drakes Dominion Order will always have your back." "And if I refuse?" Dustin countered."Refuse? Hmph!" Yonah snorted. "If you don't hand him over, that would be a direct challenge against us. Can you bear the consequences?" Anyone foolish enough to challenge the Drakes Domin