The black serpent spewed forth a torrent of dark flames, resembling a black dragon that swiftly engulfed Dustin. Instantly, the nearby riverbed dried up, leaving behind a charred and desolate path.His fate seemed grim, and everyone shook their heads, convinced of his impending doom. The deadly flames of the black serpent were evident to all. Even those at the divine level martial artists would turn to ashes instantly.Despite this, Dustin faced the flames head-on without flinching. They wondered if he was knowingly walking into his demise.Garrett sneered and thought, "This kid talks big but can't back it up. Completely clueless." He knew Dustin would end up burned to ashes."It's over. Dustin is gone." Jackson sighed, unable to bring himself to witness the scene anymore.He admitted that Dustin's strength was impressive, surpassing even Yonah. The issue, though, was that the black serpent possessed strength comparable to that of a grandmaster martial artist.Jackson had witne
From the moment Dustin unsheathed his sword, the entire sequence unfolded in an instant. The swift beheading of the black serpent left everyone in disbelief.Even after the serpent's head hit the ground, it continued to snarl menacingly, seemingly oblivious to the gravity of the situation. It only recognized the severity of its decapitation when the truth finally sank in.Confusion enveloped the creature as it questioned what had just transpired, trying to comprehend how this seemingly insignificant human had managed to decapitate it.The royal family held the black serpent in high esteem. They saw it as a divine being that had spent centuries cultivating its power, establishing dominance over everything.Its path was meant to be unimpeded, and all living beings were destined to be its prey. The creature couldn't comprehend why it now lay lifeless, defeated by the hands of a mere human.The massive body of the black serpent convulsed a few times before crashing heavily to the grou
Grace's envoy team acted swiftly, efficiently peeling away the black serpent's skin in a matter of moments. The gallbladder was also meticulously placed into a box.She had personally observed the black serpent's impressive defense, which had withstood a powerful strike from Aidan, a grandmaster martial artist. The durability of its scales was undeniable. Considering the serpent's colossal size, she anticipated that it could potentially provide materials for over a hundred sets of resilient armor. Armed with these resources, she envisioned the formation of an unstoppable personal guard—a treasure that couldn't be easily obtained through conventional means."Here's your reward, a potent boost for cultivation," Grace said, handing Dustin the black serpent's gallbladder stored in the box.However, he seemed uninterested and shook his head. "This thing won't do much for me. You should keep it."The black serpent's gallbladder has potent benefits for a grandmaster martial artist, bu
Yonah frowned, and his expression turned grim. "That bastard's holding back his real strength. He's powerful and practically unstoppable. If we attempt to confront him, we could end up dead."As he recalled Dustin's astonishing feat of effortlessly slicing through the black serpent with a single sword, Yonah couldn't help but feel intimidated. He felt a sense of relief knowing that Dustin hadn't fully unleashed his power in their last encounter. Otherwise, Yonah might not have survived to share the story."You're right. Tackling him by ourselves might be a challenge, but let's not overlook the support from our sects," Bran said.Lowering his voice with a hint of malice, he added, "Dustin may have the skills of a grandmaster martial artist, but he's outnumbered. "When the two major sects unite against him, taking him down becomes much more manageable."He was well aware that both the Drakes Dominion Order and the Frostwing Sect boasted a grandmaster martial artist at the forefro
Jackson strolled through the palace corridors, his excitement uncontainable. "Dustin, I had no idea your skills were so impressive. Your sword technique just now was truly epic!" While aware of Dustin's formidability, Jackson never comprehended the extent of his power. He could sense Dustin's cultivation level surpassing even Aidan's, leaving him utterly astonished.Sophia smiled and remarked, "He's right. That single swing of your sword took down the black serpent."It caused a ripple effect, shaking things up in both the southwest and northwest forces. Your name is about to become a global sensation!" Her eyes held intense admiration for Dustin. To her, Jackson was undeniably impressive, but he served as her backup. Now, with Dustin, a peerless genius, by her side, she felt confident in her next move."I just happened to stumble upon the black serpent's weak spot." Dustin smiled faintly.Jackson intervened. "Don't downplay yourself, Dustin. The black serpent's defense is soli
These past few days, I've been hit with the flu and dealing with some recurring health issues. Additionally, I've been experiencing mild dizziness, and even sitting down gives me a spinning sensation. Today, I tried to write while lying in bed, managing to put together 300 words, but unfortunately, I had to take breaks to deal with nausea.I'll take a couple of days off to recover. Once I'm feeling better, I promise to make up for the content I owe you from these past few days.Just plain water.11/30/2023
Grace commanded, "Send someone over and break down this mural."A group of bodyguards swiftly drew their weapons and began pounding on the mural. It crumbled under a barrage of forceful blows, revealing an ancient and sturdy bronze door. At the center of the door, a fist-sized eye held everyone's gaze with its unsettling deep red glow, resembling a gem. From the eye, a fan-like pattern spread out, breaking the bronze surface into eight sections. Each section was adorned with unique images.The surface of the door featured unusual frog-like symbols. Their twisted and contorted shapes contributed to the overall mystique of the scene.The leader of the envoy team turned to Grace, his expression curious. "Ms. Linsor?" He paused, eyeing the red gemstone on the bronze door. Its value was apparent, making him cautious about any impulsive actions."Smash everything!" Grace was concise in her command. They couldn't afford to give up if there was something behind that door easily. As
Despite employing a substantial amount of explosives, the bronze door remained impervious, showcasing its exceptional durability. Even sheer brute force proved ineffective.Grace, with a slight furrow in her brow, suggested, "Search for mechanisms or anything that might assist us.""Got it!" The envoy team leader promptly responded, directing his team to explore. Despite an extensive search within the grand hall, they discovered nothing."Ms. Linsor," Garrett interjected. "Save your efforts. The solution to open this bronze door is right here."Grace turned around, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Oh? Captain Wilder, do you recognize the symbols on the door?""I've been on quite the journey, exploring historical sites and immersing myself in the study of intriguing symbols for many years. It's become second nature to me." Garrett proudly shared.He walked forward confidently and added, "If I'm not mistaken, this underwater palace was built by the ruler of Sceptoria a thousand
After a brief discussion in the meeting room, Austin invited Jovian to tour the West Lucozia castle.The castle was enormous, equipped with imaginable facilities. Unfamiliar visitors could easily get lost in its vastness.Jovian prided himself on being well-traveled, yet as he toured the castle, even he couldn't hide his astonishment. Unlike the ostentatious displays of wealth seen in luxurious estates, this castle could only be described as grand, majestic, and awe-inspiring. Everything in his line of sight conveyed a sense of grandeur and majesty.What stunned Jovian the most was the House of Heroes inside the West Lucozia castle. The structure was nine stories high and looked like an ancient monument.The walls were lined with memorials of fallen soldiers. The place was packed with thousands of tablets, each engraved with the hero's name and a detailed account of their life stories for future generations to honor and remember.The Ballard family had a family tree that record
"Your Highness! Please mind your words," Jovian quickly cautioned. He glanced around nervously, as if afraid someone might be eavesdropping.Speculating on Valon's fate in private was an act of grave disrespect. If someone with a hidden agenda spread this information, a ruined reputation would be the least of their concerns—what came after would be far worse."Relax, Mr. Jovian. We're in West Lucozia, not Oakvale. Here, we can say whatever we want without worry." Austin smiled faintly, showing no concern.These were well-known facts, so what was the harm in saying them out loud? Keeping quiet wouldn't change a thing, anyway. What a joke."Ahem… perhaps I was overthinking it." Jovian let out an awkward chuckle. He knew Austin wasn't wrong, but his cautious nature kept him from discussing Valon's affairs too openly."Honestly, a lot of people have been showing up in West Lucozia lately. There's a whole group standing outside right now, and they're all here for the same reason as you
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