"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
The burly man collapsed to the ground.As he had gone beyond his limits, his blood vessels burst. After spitting out a large amount of blood, he fell unconscious.His muscles were torn, and his eyes were bloodshot. His internal meridians were also heavily injured.It would be a problem for him to get out of bed for the next few days, let alone compete."See! I said he couldn't do it, yet he still wanted to show off. Look what happened!""Indeed, not anyone can challenge the 50-thousand-pound cauldron.""He just passed the test. Now he's done it. He pushed himself too hard and even vomited blood. He truly overestimated himself!"Seeing the burly man dropping to the ground, the crowd burst into discussion. Some were laughing at him, while others pitied him.It was already impressive for him to be able to raise the ten-thousand-pound cauldron. As for the 50-thousand-pound cauldron, only those with extraordinary abilities could lift it.After all, it was two different things for o
Dustin had already altered his looks so that he didn't stand out so much. Thus, it was weird that a beautiful woman would hit on him."Melissa, the martial world is filled with dangers. Don't simply talk to strangers. There's a lot of hypocritical people in this world nowadays."At this moment, the two young men before Melissa turned to face them.One was dressed in green, while the other wore yellow.The man in green was tall and muscular, giving off an impressive air.The man in yellow was short and had a gaunt face. One would think he was malnourished. "Krel, Jimmy, this is Dustin Rhys. He's also here to participate in the Combat Tournament," Melissa quickly introduced."So many people signed up for the competition, but not all can pass the test. Some are destined to just be the spectators," the man in green, Krel Webb, replied indifferently.There was a hint of indifference in his eyes when he glanced at Dustin."Krel is right. Only a few out of many here can pass the tes
"Hmph! You must have never seen real power! You'll soon know we're a thousand times better than you!" Jimmy scoffed.Someone like Dustin, who belonged to no guild, didn't even deserve his attention. "Contestant 846 has failed. Next."Right then, the judge's loud voice sounded again.Another martial artist failed the sign-up test and left the square dejectedly."Jimmy, it's your turn next. Don't embarrass Boulderthorn," Krel said, raising his chin. Jimmy was No. 847, Krel was No. 848, and Melissa was No. 849."Don't worry. Boulderthorn's elite disciples aren't weak! If I can't even pass the first test, I might as well kill myself!" Jimmy patted his chest confidently. The cauldron-lifting test was only the most elementary test. If he couldn't even pass this level, how could he compete with the warriors of the world? How could he make a name for Boulderthorn?"Very well. Go ahead and unleash your power." Krel nodded."Krel, Melissa, just watch my performance!"Jimmy smiled p
"Hah! You worthless punk! How dare you be so arrogant!" Jimmy sneered, looking contemptuous. He continued, "You can't even lift a ten-thousand-pound cauldron. How dare you propose to lift a 50-thousand-pound cauldron? Stop bragging!""Jimmy, since he wants to lift the 50-thousand-pound cauldron, let him," Krel chimed in. "Move it in front of him. Let's see what he's capable of!"He thought Dustin was just looking for excuses to scare off Jimmy with the 50-thousand-pound cauldron."Okay! Then I'll show my power again! Let this punk know he can't lift it!" Jimmy said enthusiastically.As he spoke, he lifted the ten-thousand-pound cauldron back to the original place, then turned to the judge. "I want to challenge the 50-thousand-pound cauldron!""Contestant 844 has failed to lift it. Are you sure you want to challenge the 50-thousand-pound cauldron?" the judge asked.The cauldron-lifting test had certain risks, especially if the martial artist with insufficient strength tried to l
"You'll soon know whether I can do it or not." Dustin smiled lightly and didn't continue to argue. To him, Jimmy and Krel were just arrogant clowns."Fine, then! I'll watch you make a fool of yourself!" Jimmy glared at Dustin. If looks could kill, Dustin would be dead by now. Jimmy had never been so embarrassed before. He must teach Dustin a lesson.If Dustin couldn't even lift a ten-thousand-pound cauldron, he would take this opportunity to humiliate Dustin and vent his frustration."Jimmy, calm down. Don't lose your temper over some insignificant punk." Krel stepped forward and patted Jimmy's shoulder.He said calmly, "You have amazing speed and skills. It's normal for you to slightly lack in strength. Don't worry about it. Watch my performance next.""Krel, you must shock that punk! Show him the might of Boulderthorn's elite disciple!" Jimmy said aggressively."Rest assured. I'll make him feel utter despair." Krel smiled proudly, glancing at Dustin with deep disdain and cont
"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
An hour later, Nathaniel quietly entered a private mansion wearing a disguise.Inside the living room, Tristan had already prepared tea and refreshments. He looked as if he had been waiting for a long time."Sorry to have kept you waiting, Tristan." Nathaniel took off his coat and walked forward with a smile."No need to apologize. I'm happy that you made the effort to arrange this. A few extra minutes are nothing, especially since it's rare for us to meet." Tristan gestured for him to sit while he poured two cups of tea and handed one to his brother.Nathaniel accepted the cup and discreetly set it aside. Whenever he was out, he was always cautious about food and drink—this wariness had become second nature."You asked to meet me on short notice. Is this about official matters or something personal?" Tristan took a sip from his cup and got straight to the point."Both," Nathaniel replied, still smiling."Oh?" Tristan raised an eyebrow. "Let's hear it, then.""Given how things
In another luxurious mansion in the Inner City, a female spy dressed in black, cloaked in a hood, was reporting the results of her investigation to Nathaniel."Your Highness, the Moseys have been particularly active recently and are rallying allies. Many of the eight great families and other influential factions have already allied with them. If left unchecked, they'll pose a serious threat to us," she said, kneeling with her head lowered slightly."So the Moseys are backing Matthias, huh?" Nathaniel sat quietly, his expression unreadable."The Moseys have grand ambitions. While they claim to support Prince Matthias, they're merely setting him up as a puppet to rise to power and expand their own influence," she revealed.She had been infiltrating the Moseys' mansion for years and had gained a deep understanding of their operations, from the smallest details to the key players.Though Seamus appeared as a benevolent philanthropist, it was all a façade. Behind closed doors, he was r
That night, two young men sat playing chess inside a secluded mansion in the Inner City. On the left was Anders, who had visited the Ballard estate earlier. Across from him sat Matthias, a broad-shouldered man dressed in richly adorned robes.The game was intense, with fast moves followed by moments of deep thought. About ten minutes later, Anders finally conceded defeat."Anders, you've really improved since we last played. You almost had me there," Matthias said, stroking his beard in mild surprise."You flatter me, Your Highness. My chess skills are nothing compared to yours. If you hadn't gone easy on me, I wouldn't have lasted half as long," Anders replied with a modest smile."You're as smooth with words as ever." Matthias let out a hearty laugh with a look of smug satisfaction. Winning was in his nature—whether in war or on the chessboard, defeat was not an option."Well, we've eaten, and we've played. Let's get to business." With a wave of his hand, he signaled his men t
"Honestly, we shouldn't waste time debating who's better suited to be king. We just need to figure out who's most likely to take the throne," Jensen said matter-of-factly.As a businessman, he only cared about maximizing profit. To him, it didn't matter who sat on the throne but who had the best odds. He felt that backing that person would be the wisest choice."Who's most likely depends on who has the strongest backing," Jonathan said thoughtfully."Oh, right! I forgot to ask—who are the Moseys supporting?" Jovian asked, smacking his forehead. They'd been discussing this for so long but still hadn't figured out where the Moseys stood."My guess is Prince Nathaniel." Jensen narrowed his eyes as he analyzed the situation. "He's close to Anders. With his immense potential and the king's favor, the Moseys might see him as their best bet.""Anders' personal ties can't speak for the entire Mosey family," Jovian countered, shaking his head. "Family interests outweigh personal relationsh
Even without the king's involvement, the ambitious individuals would tear the Ballard family apart and leave nothing behind.If Simon chose the right side and it prevailed, his family could enjoy a century of stability and prosperity. But if he backed the wrong prince, everything could fall apart in a single night.At that moment, he didn't know what to choose. This was a critical decision—one mistake and the entire family could be ruined."Regarding this matter, I need to think it over carefully. I can't give you an answer just yet," Simon said. He knew the stakes were too high. A single misstep could lead to disaster, so he had to be cautious."I understand," Anders replied with a faint smile. "This isn't an easy decision. Still, I hope Your Lordship can decide soon.""Your Lordship, the forces seeking a marriage alliance with the Mosey family aren't limited to your family alone," Zack added coolly. "Don't think you can afford to wait for the highest bidder. Time is running out,
"In response to Your Lordship's question, this marriage alliance between our two families isn't my decision alone—it's also my godfather's and the entire Mosey family's," Anders said with a smile."According to the established rules, marriages between royal bloodlines are forbidden. Have you forgotten?" Simon replied coolly. "Sticking to outdated rules only holds us back," Anders said, shaking his head with a smile.He continued, "Right now, Dragonmarsh is going through a turbulent time—internally and externally. I've also heard the king's health is deteriorating. There are rumors he plans to name a successor and step down soon."With that, Oakvale will likely be in turmoil. When that happens, all the powerful families—the four ancient houses, the eight great families, and other factions—will be dragged into the chaos."That's why I'm hoping our families can form a marriage alliance to navigate the coming crisis together."Simon remained calm and said, "It's natural for the king