Kendricks left with the disciples of Bloodfiery Legion.Everything was back to normal, at least for now.Once again, Dustin's unexpected performance became the center of attention.He had gained some reputation for defeating Marco Alessandro. Now, his reputation grew stronger after he withstood Kendricks's slash without harm.Dustin had earned a place in Sacred Wrym Summit, where all the strongest warriors were gathered, with only two battles."Thanks for the sword." Dustin turned and raised his hand with the sword.The sword flew out of his hand and returned to Ruby's sheath.Everyone was amazed."Dustin! Congratulations!" Miles walked toward Dustin with a smile. "That was a beautiful strike! To think you could block Kendricks' blade aura with a sword aura! Fancy that!"Miles might sound a bit flattering, but he meant what he said. No ordinary warrior could take Kendricks' attack head-on."Hmph! Good thing my sword is still intact." Ruby raised her chin as she acknowledged D
A stout man ran to them hurriedly. He was Terra Shade, the head of the Evil Quintet of Shadow Citadel.Terra appeared disheveled and was covered in wounds, looking rather pathetic compared to his previous dignified appearance."Terra? What happened to you?" Dalen looked at him from head to toe and frowned. He had a bad feeling about this."Dalen, you must avenge us! My brothers and sisters… the four of them were all murdered!" Terra fell to his knees with a thud and started bawling like a baby.It was a heartbreaking sight."Murdered?" Dalen furrowed his brows and asked, "What happened? Why were they murdered? Have they offended someone powerful?"The Evil Quintet of Shadow Citadel was well known in the martial world. Each of them had their own unique skills.If the five of them worked together, ordinary grandmaster martial artists might not be able to take them down.Apparently, the murderer was not any ordinary warrior since the four of them were killed and Terra was severely
It was dusk, and in a private room of Poise Brothel, Dustin and the others gathered to listen to Terra's report.Although the murderer was still at large, Terra had found out something through his investigation."Dalen, based on our Shadow Citadel's intelligence report, I've found something out," Terra began. He continued, "Someone saw the killer last night. According to the witness, the killer was skinny, and his face was hideous. There's also a black mark on his forehead."I've hired an artist to draw a portrait of the killer based on the witness's description. Here it is."Terra took a portrait out from his pocket and handed it to Dalen carefully.Dalen looked at the portrait and frowned.The person in the portrait was indeed hideous, skinny, and bony. There was a palm-sized black mark on his left forehead, which looked like snake skin.His creepy appearance was hard to ignore, let alone forget."You sure this is the murderer?" Dalen asked, puzzled.He knew almost all the
Even if these untalented people insisted on practicing swordsmanship, there would be huge obstacles along the way.Yet, they had found an exception.Despite his deformity, this man's sword technique had surpassed many martial arts geniuses.How unbelievable!This man was out of the ordinary.There might be thousands of martial arts geniuses in the world, but there was only one untalented martial artist who overshadowed the geniuses!No one could imagine what the man had gone through in order to achieve his current state."Looks like we have a tough fight ahead."Dalen took a sip of tea. Then, he glanced at Terra and asked, "Anything else besides the killer's portrait?""Yes, according to our investigation, the killer killed seven people last night!" Terra's words surprised everyone."Seven? Who were they?" Dalen raised his brows."Aside from Aldric Lang of Bloodfiery Legion and four of Evil Quintet, Spearhawk Vincent of Celestial Alliance was murdered too," reported Terra.
"What?" When they heard Dustin's analysis, they found it hard to believe.The idea that someone wanted to kill all of Dragonmarsh's martial artists, regardless if the person could succeed, was scary enough. Only a maniac would think of something like that.Crazy people like them were the most fearsome."Terra, did all of those people that were killed sign up for the Combat Tournament?" Dalen couldn't help asking.Terra nodded. "That's right. Although they come from all sorts of sects, they had a common goal. All of them wanted to show their prowess at the Combat Tournament."Aldric, Vincent, Simpson, and even Shadow Citadel's Evil Quintet, had signed up for the tournament. They planned to show off their skills at Sacred Wrym Summit.However, their young life had ended before the tournament began."If that's the case, Dustin's speculation should be right."Dalen stood up and circled the table while beating his folding fan on his palm. Then, he said thoughtfully, "Any martial a
"I don't dare say it's a brilliant idea, but it's simple and effective. If we can grab the opportunity, it shouldn't be difficult to catch the killer." Dalen said with a smile."Mr. Shade, your idea isn't bad. One question, though. Who's going to be the bait?" Crystal quickly grasped the main problem.The most difficult part was to choose who to be the bait.The person must be a contestant and extremely skilled, daring to take the risk. This way, the bait could come out unscathed when faced with the killer's attack.Otherwise, they might lose the bait and let the killer escape."Well…" Dalen shook the folding fan and looked toward Dustin meaningfully.Although he didn't speak, it was obvious who he chose.Crystal suddenly patted Dustin's shoulder and announced, "There's no need to choose. I think Dustin is a good fit! He can even block Kendricks' attack. I'm sure he'll be safe when faced with the killer's attack!""That's right! If Dustin agrees to take part, I'm sure he can ge
A moment later, a bunch of martial artists dressed in various styles were lining up to register at the registration booth of Sacred Wrym Summit's Combat Tournament. Dustin was also among them.After they confirmed their plan, Dustin was led by Dalen and the others to the registration booth.Although the sun was going to set soon, there were still many people there to sign up.However, the Combat Tournament had specific requirements this time. One had to pass a trial to sign up.The test was simple. One must demonstrate the ability to lift a cauldron. Sacred Wrym Summit prepared three bronze cauldrons weighing ten thousand pounds, 50 thousand pounds, and 100 thousand pounds.One would be qualified if they could raise a ten thousand pound cauldron and would be assigned to Group C. If they won after competing with their peers, they could advance to Group B.Those who could raise a 50 thousand pound cauldron would be considered outstanding, directly advancing to Group B. After winn
"It's not easy to lift a 50 thousand-pound cauldron. Thousands of people register daily, but only a few can lift it!"The burly man's words caused many to doubt him.A 10 thousand-pound cauldron was way different from a 50 thousand-pound cauldron.A lot of people could easily lift a 10 thousand-pound cauldron. However, they couldn't even lift a 50 thousand-pound cauldron at all.Plus, one had to lift it over their head to succeed. It was obvious how difficult it was."You should consider it carefully. It's not easy to lift a 50 thousand-pound cauldron," the judge reminded."I've trained hard for a decade just for today. I'm determined to lift this 50 thousand-pound cauldron! You guys just need to watch me perform!" the burly man said confidently before walking over to the second cauldron.The second cauldron was twice the size of the first cauldron. It was almost 10 feet tall.One felt helpless just looking at it.The burly man walked over to the 50 thousand-pound cauldron. Af
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