"Are you threatening me?" Grace asked calmly."You could consider it... a friendly advice." Bran's chuckle carried a meaningful tone. "Ms. Linsor, you're an intelligent woman. I'm sure you understand the right decision to make in this situation."In the Southwest, numerous factions existed, but only three major sects held supreme authority. Among them, the Drakes Dominion Order was universally acknowledged as the most powerful, followed by the Frostwing Sect, and then the Embersteel Order.The Frostwing Sect was already dominating the region with their influence, adding to that their alliance with the Drakes Dominion Order, their combined strength was unstoppable. Who would dare confront them head-on in the entirety of Southwest?"Sorry, but I'm afraid you'll have to be disappointed. My stance remains the same. We either share it all or there's nothing else to talk about." Grace was unfazed. "Hmm?" Bran's face darkened, and he spoke sternly, "You bitch! I'm being kind he
Everyone was shocked by the scene unfolding before their eyes. The pillar of light shooting into the sky, the enormous vortex at the center of the lake, and the receding water—all signs pointed to a major change. The tension between the two factions was forgotten as their attention shifted toward the extraordinary phenomenon in the lake, silently hoping for the revelation of treasures. The central vortex in the lake spun faster, expanding its reach as the receding water vanished into the vortex. In just half an hour, the lake had dried up significantly. Finally, a palace-like structure hidden beneath the lakebed unveiled itself. The grand building was cloaked in an eerie black hue and covered in moss. Standing in quiet majesty, it resembled a dormant ancient colossal beast, emitting an overwhelming sense of oppression."There really is treasure here! This is fantastic!" The sight of the palace excited everyone. Judging by its size, the previous owner must have been incredi
The sudden emergence of numerous forces disrupted Yonah's plans completely."It's getting more lively." Aidan raised an eyebrow and finally leaped down from the tree. It seemed like he couldn't stay aloof any longer. "Jackson, it's getting chaotic here. Let's hold back for now and let them battle it out. "We'll capitalize on the situation once they engage in their deadly struggles," Sophia whispered as she huddled next to Jackson. Given her current predicament, a direct confrontation with these forces would lead her nowhere. Unwilling to give up, she could only hope for the right opportunity to gain some of the treasures."I understand. Stand behind me later. I'll make sure to protect you!" Jackson promised. The combined forces of the Embersteel Order and Harmony Sect were merely a few people, making them relatively weak. Engaging the stronger forces head-on was clearly unwise at the moment."Brothers! There's treasure here! Let's go grab it!" Suddenly, someone shouted, brea
Before any faction could enter the palace, a massive battle had already erupted. Each group was determined not to yield to others, with everyone vying for the first entry. The logic was simple—the first one inside would naturally secure the most treasures.At that moment, over a dozen forces were clashing violently, creating a scene of intense carnage. In the face of tremendous wealth, the struggle for dominance reached a point where even strangers, let alone brothers, could turn on each other."The Drakes Dominion Order has business here. Retreat immediately!" Yonah led his group as they charged forward, announcing their identity. It was an attempt to intimidate the competitors with their sect's prestige. "To hell with the Drakes Dominion Order! We of Shadow Isle aren't afraid of you!""Hmph! The Drakes Dominion Order may be formidable, but we from the Elysian Sect are no weaklings either! Whoever dares block our path to wealth will meet their end!""Damn it! Who the hell
"Damn it! Where did these creatures come from? They're absolutely horrifying!""We're surrounded by beasts! We're in big trouble!""Stop fighting! We must deal with these creatures first!"The sudden turn of events sent a shiver down everyone's spine. The appearance of the mutated wolf pack had already posed a challenge, and now an Onyxclaw emerged. The situation would leave anyone unsettled. If they continued to fight amongst themselves, their outcome would be dire. In silent agreement, all factions ceased their fighting and united to confront the impending onslaught of the beasts. "Darkness has fallen, and this place has turned into a haven for monsters." Grace's eyes narrowed with a grave expression. The current situation had slipped beyond everyone's control. Initially, it was a clash between different factions, and now the beasts had entered the scene. With so many looming uncertainties, no one knew what could happen next. "Howl—!" At that moment, the silver wol
"Form up!"Upon seeing the various forces closing in, Grace issued a swift command. Her nearly hundred-strong guard team immediately shifted their formation, arranging themselves into a charging wedge.Unlike the ordinary martial artists of the martial world, Grace's guards were well-trained and had seamless coordination. While they might not be a match for the martial artists in one-on-one combat, they could unleash extraordinary combat strength on the battlefield. Especially in their formation, they were an unstoppable force. As the martial artists advanced, they were violently pushed back by the large formation, unable to withstand the impact. Grace's entire team resembled a gigantic wedge, slicing through the crowd and rapidly approaching the palace gates.Under normal circumstances, Grace's group wouldn't have advanced so smoothly. Fortunately, most of the factions were engaged in fierce battles with the beasts, diverting their attention away from Grace's team. As a r
"W-What is this monster? It's gigantic!" Eyes widened in disbelief as everyone took in the size of the monstrous creature that resembled both a serpent and a python. Nobody expected to find such a monstrous beast within the palace. With its enormous body, blood-red eyes, gaping, blood-filled mouth, and imposing presence, a single glance sent shivers down their spines, inducing fear.It didn't matter if they were a low-level martial artist, a divine-level martial artist, or a grandmaster like Aidan, they felt like they had come face to face with a formidable enemy. Even the mutant wolves and Onyxclaw, previously engaged in frenzied combat with humans, halted their aggression. They trembled uncontrollably, intimidated by the serpent's aura. It was a suppression rooted in bloodlines and a fear ingrained in biological instincts.The black serpent let out a thunderous roar, and a row of bone spikes suddenly shot up behind its head. In an instant, a violent gust of wind swept th
With just a breath of fire, the black serpent killed over ten disciples from the Elysian Sect, leaving nothing in its wake."W-What!" Shock and terror gripped those who watched. Each face mirrored the horror of seeing a ghost. The Elysian Sect's disciples, renowned for their strength, couldn't measure up to top-tier factions like the Drakes Dominion Order. Yet, the Elysian Sect held a solid reputation in the martial world.Despite their combined efforts and diverse techniques, the Elysian Sect's disciples couldn't even scratch the black serpent. Unfortunately, a single breath of the black serpent's flames incinerated them entirely.The terrifying sight made everyone wonder if other factions could defeat the creature."What on earth is this? What creature breathes fire like that?""That flame is so unsettling! A single breath and it turns people to ashes. It's terrifying!"As the group gazed at the ground covered in black ash, panic swept through them. The terror of facing the
Austin smiled brightly as he ushered Jovian into the meeting room with surprising enthusiasm.Jovian looked confused and somewhat unprepared. Before entering, he had already imagined many possible scenarios for their meeting. He had mentally prepared for a range of reactions from Austin—whether he would be ignored, faced with cold indifference, or dealt with arrogance. He was ready for any of those. After all, the rumors about Austin painted him as a "hellraiser" who did whatever he pleased.But, to his surprise, Austin didn't give him any trouble at all. Instead, he was giving him a warm reception, which left him utterly confused.Something felt off. He couldn't make sense of Austin's sudden warmth, and he had no idea what game he was playing."Bring the tea!" After inviting Jovian to sit, Austin gestured for the attendant to serve the tea. The drink was a rare specialty from West Lucozia, a premium elixir tea not sold to the public but reserved for high-ranking officials. Its
After stepping into the castle, Boston felt a knot in his stomach. He had been here before, but only for official matters.He was always escorted by guards or attendants, but this time, Austin himself had led him inside. Boston felt both honored and somewhat overwhelmed. Since when had he earned such treatment?Austin had brushed off higher-ranking officials, so why was he showing him so much attention? Was it because his shiny bald head made him stand out? He had no answers, only a growing curiosity as he followed Austin into the meeting room. "Sit." After Austin sat at the head of the table, he raised his hand and gestured for Boston to do the same."No… no need. I'll just stand." Boston smiled awkwardly."Just sit down. Why are you so nervous? I won't bite," Austin said in a dismissive tone. "Y-Yes, Your Highness." Boston didn't dare refuse again and obediently took a seat. He was six feet three inches tall, yet he looked like a startled rabbit. He sat up straight and didn't
When the castle's gate swung open, every eye turned toward the entrance. Under the watchful gaze of the crowd, Austin strode out with his two guards. His posture exuded confidence and authority."Your Highness!"The gathered officials instantly rushed forward to greet him. Grins spread across their faces as if they couldn't wait to please him. Whether it was Huxley, Percival, or Warrick, all wore the same ingratiating expression.After all, Austin was the infamous hellraiser. Though he had reined himself over the past two years, his past reputation still loomed over them.At least Rufus could be reasoned with. But Austin? He was a wild card—utterly unpredictable, like a ticking time bomb. Every last one of them had suffered his wrath before.Percival approached with a flattering smile. "Your Highness, you finally come out. I have something important to discuss with you. If you'd be so kind as to listen—"Before he could finish his sentence, he was dismissed by Austin, who found h
"Get lost! I'm not in the mood for anything right now. If you want to eat, go on your own." Warrick snapped, looking annoyed."I'm not going either," Percival refused flatly. "I'm on a health regimen these days—only tea, no alcohol.""Fine. If you're going to wait, then keep waiting. I won't be sticking around." Huxley forced a smile and acted like he was about to leave.But as he turned, he almost bumped into Boston, who was approaching from the other direction."Sorry, Sir Thatcher! I hope I didn't startle you." Since he was surrounded by so many high-ranking officials, Boston was already on edge. He had momentarily spaced out and almost caused a mishap by running into Huxley, which left him flustered and a bit tongue-tied.Unlike the other generals, Boston didn't come from an influential background or have any powerful connections. He had worked his way up from the bottom, and the last thing he wanted was to offend Huxley and risk losing everything he had fought so hard for.
After parting ways with Boston, Jovian checked into a nearby hotel to await the good news. Boston wasted no time. After changing into a fresh set of clothes, he headed to the castle to deliver a letter of introduction. But when he arrived, he was stunned by what he saw.The gates of the West Lucozian monarchy had already gathered quite a few people, and among them were several figures he immediately recognized. These included Huxley Thatcher, the Commander of the Militia; Warrick Prescott, the Major General of the State Guard; and Percival Wentworth, the Chancellor of the National Academy.These three were first-ranking officials. In West Lucozia, they were nothing short of kingmakers who wielded immense power and influence. Warrick, in particular, was two ranks above Boston. Hence, he felt the need to be cautious in his presence and was eager not to make a bad impression.Alongside these three prominent figures, several second- and third-ranking officials also stood in line at
The following morning, Jovian stood at the entrance of West Lucozia Airport, wearing a sharp suit.Before the trip, he had contacted his comrade with whom he had fought side by side in the military. After earning military merit and with the Ballard family's influence, he was fortunate enough to stay in Oakvale and secure a decent position.His comrade, on the other hand, had moved to West Lucozia to carve out a life for himself. Years of hard work had paid off—he was now a third-rank general with considerable power, influence, and a strong network of connections. Jovian's meeting with the Prince of West Lucozia would depend entirely on his comrade's connections.Just then, the roar of an engine cut through the air as a military jeep pulled up beside him. The window rolled down, and the first thing that came into view was a bald head gleaming in the sunlight like a lightbulb. The glare nearly blinded him.Under that shiny dome was a face that looked ordinary at first glance. But w
"Grandfather, I understand why you sent Uncle Jonathan and Uncle Jensen to the Spanner and Fallon families to gather information," Natasha began. "But West Lucozia is thousands of miles away."She shook her head slightly. "They've always stayed out of the government's political matters. Sending Uncle Jovian there wouldn't achieve anything. He'd likely just be turned away." Oakvale and West Lucozia were worlds apart. The fight for the Oakvale throne didn't really affect the West Lucozian monarchy. Both sides had long adhered to an unspoken agreement to avoid meddling in each other's affairs."I know, but it'll be different this time. The royal throne is at stake, and every faction will do whatever it takes to secure West Lucozia's support. If the West Lucozian monarchy picks a side, the balance we've maintained for years will collapse. That's why I need to be ready for whatever happens," Simon replied.It would be best if the West Lucozian monarchy stayed out of the political strug
At the Ballard estate, Dustin was warmly welcomed to stay after dinner. This was the first time Natasha had brought her boyfriend home, so the Ballards made a big deal of it.Simon personally accompanied the young couple and invited them to the study to chat over tea. With his sharp eye, Simon could tell Dustin was no ordinary martial artist. His manners, speech, and broad knowledge set him apart from most people."Dustin, I fully support your relationship with Natasha. Your background or status doesn't matter. What matters most is that you two are happy together." Simon paused and said earnestly, "I want you to understand that she's been pampered all her life and hasn't faced much hardship. Now that she's with you, I hope you'll take good care of her.""Don't worry, Mr. Ballard. I would never let her down," Dustin replied sincerely.Though they had known each other for some time and hadn't yet taken their relationship to the next level, they had already made their feelings clear
After hearing Nathaniel's words, Tristan's expression darkened. His brow furrowed as he sank into deep thought.It seemed he had underestimated the situation. He had assumed it was just a simple rivalry between brothers; he hadn't anticipated Seamus seizing the chance to further his own agenda.Seamus already wielded considerable influence. Under the guise of supporting Matthias' ascension to the throne, he had been forming alliances and recruiting talents. His influence had grown to rival the royal family's.If Seamus really supported Matthias' ascension, he'd overshadow the king, and no one would be able to stop him. The worst-case scenario would be Seamus using Matthias as a puppet to overthrow the House of Linsor."Nathaniel, is everything you said true?" Tristan frowned."Absolutely. Every word," Nathaniel replied solemnly. "Of course, if you don't believe me, you can send someone to investigate.""I believe you. But… taking down Seamus won't be easy. Do you have a plan?" Tr