"A—AIDS?"Chloe was frozen in place, at a loss.She was truly shocked.Not only because Dustin hit the nail on the head for all the symptoms she was experiencing, but mainly because she had gotten a new boy toy a while back.When they were intimate, they hadn't used protection.Now, hearing his words, she couldn't help but panic a little."Dustin, are you … sure?" Natasha also looked surprised.AIDS was not a trivial matter.Could it be that this was Roderick's secret illness?"Although I can't be a hundred percent sure, I'm sure I'm not too far off," Dustin replied."You … You're bullshitting me!" Chloe shrieked. "I just had a medical checkup at the hospital this morning. How can I have AIDS? Stop trying to scare me!"It's up to you whether you want to believe me." Dustin shrugged his shoulders."Bastard, you're scaremongering and humiliating me in public. I've got to teach you a lesson! Wally, beat him up!" Chloe flew into a rage and ordered the young bodyguard standing b
"Honey, why did you hit me?" Chloe cupped her face, looking hurt.The others also looked at each other, unable to comprehend what had just unfolded.No one expected that Big Bucks Brooks, the man who had always covered for his wife's behavior, would smack her with his own hand."See for yourself!" With a dark look, he threw the phone straight at Chloe.Chloe picked up the phone and took a look. Suddenly, her face turned ashen, as if she'd been struck by lightning.It was the medical checkup report from the hospital, and the diagnosis was indeed AIDS!"How could this happen? No, it can't be!" Chloe shook her head frantically in utter disbelief. "This medical report must have been falsified! Honey, I don't have AIDS, I really don't!""Are you still trying to defend yourself at this point?!" Roderick roared, his blood was boiling.Any man would not be able to stomach finding out they were cheated on.Even worse, his wife had contracted AIDS because of it.This was simply humilia
"This young man must be the skilled healer you mentioned, Mr. Rhys, right? From what happened today, you do live up to your reputation," Roderick said."I only hope you won't take it too hard, Mr. Brooks," Dustin said.Any man wouldn't be able to handle hearing that he'd been cheated on."Speaking of, I should be thanking you, Mr. Rhys. If it wasn't for your sharp eyes, I don't know how long I would have been lied to." Roderick forced a smile.In this case, it was better to rip the bandage off.Although it was a bit humiliating, it still beat getting cheated on repeatedly."Mr. Brooks, forgive me for asking, but could the secret illness you've been suffering from be the same as your wife's?" Natasha asked tentatively. Typically speaking, if his wife got it, then Roderick must have caught it too."Um … I probably don't have it." Roderick looked slightly embarrassed. "To be honest, because of how busy I have been with work, I haven't slept with my wife for half a year.""That's
Roderick stood there frozen, his face was pale.He'd experienced all kinds of hardships all his life, but at that moment, he didn't know what to do.He thought it was bad enough that he'd gotten cheated on.He didn't expect that there'd be a bigger "surprise" that followed.His son wasn't actually biologically his?This revelation was even more severe than finding out he was being cheated on! "Mr. Rhys, are … you sure?" Roderick's eye twitched. He was clinging to the very last glimmer of hope."Mr. Brooks, it's a hard pill to swallow, but based on your body's current condition, you lost your ability to have children a long time ago. If you don't believe me, you can go get tested yourself," Dustin said firmly. To be honest, he was starting to pity Roderick.Although he was swamped with riches, his wife had an affair, and his son wasn't his.This double whammy would have driven any ordinary person insane."Alright. Thank you, Mr. Rhys. There are too many people here. Shall w
Despite running such a huge family business, Roderick didn't even have an heir now. It was truly a tragedy."Mr. Brooks, don't take it too hard. Although the knife injury damaged your fertility, it can actually be treated. Once you're recovered, you can have another son, or even ten! It won't be a problem." Dustin smiled as he attempted to cheer Roderick up."Really?" Roderick trembled, his face expectant.In the past six months, the main reason he hadn't slept with his wife was because he couldn't get it up.However, because of his dignity as a man, he'd always kept it a secret.So, to hear that he'd be able to rise up again, naturally, he was elated."Mr. Brooks, if I dare to say it, it means I can do it." As Dustin spoke, he took out a tablet and said, "This is Gemiphen, which I created. It helps clear up circulatory pathways and heal internal injuries. Give it a try.""Okay!" Without another word, Roderick took the Gemiphen and swallowed it.As soon as the tablet entered hi
At that moment, Phineas and Matt were in the Brooks Manor living room."Dad, do you think Big Bucks Brooks will lend us money?" Matt glanced around, looking worried."Big Bucks Brooks is filthy rich and generous to boot. He's always had a good relationship with our family. It shouldn't be a problem to borrow some money," Phineas said, raising his cup and taking a sip. It was obvious that he was very confident.Although the Laney family hadn't been restored to its previous glory, they were still above the average person.Outside, they still had some status."If it weren't for our family's capital chain rupture causing our businesses to suffer majorly, we would never have to borrow money from others," Matt said, sighing.Not long ago, they'd suddenly received terrible news.Many of their big-shot partners had retracted their investments. All the business deals they'd made previously had gone bust.Their entire family suffered serious damage overnight.Now, they desperately neede
The Immortunol formula would definitely be his soon."You're mistaken. I don't mean it that way." Roderick uttered calmly."Huh?" Phineas was puzzled. "What do you mean, then?""Both of you are here to borrow my money, aren't you?" Roderick asked back instead of answering.Phineas let out a sheepish laugh. "Our family ran into some trouble recently, and we need some money to turn things around. That's why we've come to you, Mr. Brooks.""How much do you need?""About three billion dollars?""Three billion!" Roderick raised an eyebrow. "Sorry, but no can do.""What?" Phineas' shock quickly turned to dismay. "Mr. Brooks, three billion is nothing to you. Why can't you lend us the money?""Technically, I've already lent the money to Mr. Rhys, so you'll have to beg him for the money," Roderick replied with a sarcastic smile."What? You lent it to him?" The father-son duo was stunned, unable to believe their ears.There was no way Roderick would have lent that useless punk three billion doll
"Mr. Brooks, why on earth are you willing to go against our family for him?" Phineas demanded with a threatening glare. He had approached Roderick confidently but never expected this outcome."To tell you the truth, Mr. Rhys is my savior and honored guest. If you have a problem with him, that means you have a problem with me! So, you either beg for his forgiveness, or your family is over!" Roderick declared; the aura he exuded was overwhelming."You want us to apologize to that asshole? In your dreams!" Matt yelled angrily."Then, get lost! I wonder how long your family can last." Roderick kicked them out."Roderick Brooks, life has its ups and downs, so don't look down on a broke man! You'll regret it one day!" Matt forced through gritted teeth and stormed away."Mr. Brooks, you've incurred the wrath of the Laney family. I doubt my family can't borrow merely three billion dollars elsewhere!" Phineas glared at Roderick before following his son."Arrogant fools!" Roderick sneered.No on
Dustin had boarded the plane back to Oakvale. His trip to Sacred Wrym Summit had been full of ups and downs. From the Combat Tournament to the invasion of the Hall of Gods, his journey had been perilous. Thankfully, the outcome was favorable. He had won the championship at the tournament, acquired three Dracan essences, and ultimately foiled the Hall of Gods' plan. In every way, the mission had been nearly flawless.After bidding farewell to his newfound allies, Dustin joined Grace on the return flight. Four of the five Dracan essences had already been gathered, leaving only one remaining. According to Grace, the last essence had been located, and the person holding it was in Oakvale. Though their identity was still unknown, she suspected it was most likely one of the three princes.With the position of heir to the throne still uncertain, the three princes were all eager to secure their power. Whoever obtained the Dracan essence would be blessed with fortune and have a higher c
The chaos of the night quickly settled.By morning, as the first light of dawn broke across the horizon, Sacred Wrym Summit had regained its usual tranquility. Yet, the bloodstains across the ground and the wreckage of buildings stood as grim reminders of the previous night's violence.The military forces summoned by Grace had already taken the Hall of Gods' prisoners into custody.Rumors spread like wildfire, fueling gossip throughout the martial world as all the major guilds watched with keen interest. After all, very few in history had ever dared to challenge Sacred Wrym Summit, and a bold invasion aimed at destroying it was nothing short of unprecedented.The outcome was clear to all who bore witness. After many years, the world had come to recognize the true terror of Arion. He was no mere mortal—he was almost a godlike figure.…Inside the Hall of Gods' headquarters in Streuqua, the core members were gathered, seated in two rows on either side of the grand hall.On the thr
After dealing with the Hall of Gods' elite fighters, Arion disappeared in a blur. When he reappeared, he was hovering above the forbidden ground of Sacred Wrym Summit.The scene at the entrance to the forbidden ground was one of utter carnage. Bodies lay strewn across the ground, and rivers of blood flowed freely. All members of the Hall of Gods, including Hank, lay motionless on the ground.Dustin and Willard, both covered in blood and exuding killing intent, had fought fiercely. After a long, grueling fight, they succeeded in defending the forbidden ground of Sacred Wrym Summit. They had thwarted the Hall of Gods' plan to destroy the Dracan force.At that instant, Dustin seemed to sense something and suddenly looked up. Through the mist and darkness, he pinpointed Arion's figure hovering above. Arion smiled faintly and nodded at Dustin before disappearing again.Crossing several mountains in mere seconds, Arion arrived above the Sacred Wrym Summit's grand hall. Below, the discipl
When the dust finally settled, Arion was the only one left standing.Bailey, Willem, Anthony, Batuul, the three elite assassins from Eskus, and several gods from the Hall of Gods were either dead or gravely injured.Willem's body had been blasted into countless pieces. Each fragment wriggled on the ground as it struggled to piece together. Batuul fared even worse. He was utterly obliterated, leaving no trace behind, not even ashes. On the contrary, Bailey and the three Eskus assassins had both their arms severed and were gravely wounded. Though Anthony's limbs were still intact, his crushed internal organs left him coughing up blood. The backlash from the demonic blade had also taken a devastating toll on his body. He now appeared decades older, his face gaunt and hollow, his hair gray. His frail frame made him look like a man standing at death's door."H-How is this possible? No… this can't be happening!" Bailey's expression was a mixture of shock and disbelief as he stared a
Arion's sudden appearance caught everyone off guard. They stared, wide-eyed and slack-jawed. What was going on? Wasn't Arion already dead? How could he be standing there in front of them? Could it be a ghost?They exchanged baffled looks, and their faces were filled with disbelief. They couldn't make sense of it. How could Arion possibly be alive? It was beyond their comprehension."You… you're not dead?" No one was more shocked than Willem. After all his effort, he had finally found the chance to bite into Arion's neck and drain every drop of his blood.He was certain Arion had died—there was no way he could have survived. But if Arion was dead, who was this person standing before them?"Everyone, calm down!" Bailey spoke up. "Arion's body is still over there. This person must be an imposter."At his words, everyone turned to look at the corpse lying nearby.Bailey was right. The body was still there, and there was no way Arion could still be alive. So, the person in front o
As the Snow Maiden attacked, Batuul's illusory Elephantine stirred into action. With a mighty roar, it charged forward and slammed into Arion. Its tusks, sharp as spears, aimed directly at his chest.Caught in the swirling snow, Arion couldn't avoid the attack and quickly invoked the Glow Incantation to shield himself. The tusks collided with the barrier in a deafening crash. The impact sent Arion flying, and the golden light surrounding him shattered like glass. Clearly, the illusory Elephantine's strength had far exceeded the Glow Incantation's limits.As Arion was tossed into the air, the three-headed, six-armed Chimera Wrath seized its moment. With six different weapons in hand, it launched a relentless assault.Arion swung his sword to block but was driven further back with each blow. With no solid footing in midair, his agility was useless against the onslaught.After several exchanges, one of the Chimera's weapons struck Arion squarely in the chest, sending him crashing to
After a prolonged battle, Anthony and the others finally realized the gravity of the situation.Arion wasn't just a sword master but also had unpredictable agility. No matter how they attacked, they couldn't even land a single hit. On top of that, his sword was a constant threat.If this deadlock continued, the situation would only worsen. So, when Bailey spoke, they knew it was time for decisive action, and there was no turning back. It was either kill or be killed.At that moment, Anthony, who had been holding back, finally decided to use his ultimate technique. He bit his finger and smeared the blood across his blade. His lips moved quickly as if whispering an incantation."Snow Maiden, arise!" As soon as the words left his mouth, he swung his sword. A white figure shot out and hovered in the air. It was a woman with fair skin and mesmerizing beauty. Her long hair cascaded like a waterfall, her dress was as white as snow, and her eyes had a sinister gleam.The moment she appe
"How many tricks does this old geezer have?"The impact of the divine talisman explosion left everyone both shocked and enraged. No one had expected that Arion would still manage to unleash such a powerful supreme divine power even after the Glow Incantation was broken and the lightning strikes failed to cause any harm.The impact of the thousands of divine talismans exploding at once was terrifying. Only the strongest fighters—Willem, Bailey, and Batuul—could withstand it. The rest of the group was severely injured. At that moment, they finally realized the terrifying strength of Dragonmarsh's strongest man."Impressive," Willem said, landing smoothly after being thrown back. His withered skin was now covered in cracks, and blood oozed from it.Most of the shockwave from the explosion had hit him directly. Despite his impressive defense, he still took some damage. However, these injuries were nothing to him. His wounds had already healed within a few seconds, as if nothing had hap
Willem's wings, black as night with a metallic sheen, erupted from his back. Fully extended, they stretched over 30 feet. With a gentle flap, a storm of wind and eerie howls swept through the air. The sheer force was intimidating to behold.His appearance had also undergone a drastic transformation. Willem's once-handsome face was now gaunt, his skin wrinkled, and his cheekbones jutted out. Fangs protruded from his mouth, and two sharp horns sprouted from his head. He had grown taller, but his body was unnaturally thin, with his ribs and sternum visible beneath his skin. From a distance, he looked like a towering, monstrous skeleton. It was an unsettling sight that sent a chill down anyone's spine.This was Willem's ultimate form. After the transformation, his speed, strength, defense, and reflexes were greatly enhanced. His thirst for blood grew even more intense, turning him into a bloodthirsty demon.The gods, who had expressed dissatisfaction moments ago, now stood paralyzed