"It wasn't a big deal until that guy wanted to win and push it to this point. He asked for it!"The spectators were buzzing as they watched Krel lift the cauldron.Some were amazed by Krel's strength, while others felt pity for Dustin. Of course, there were also those who were just there for the drama."Your turn, kid! Catch!"Krel, holding the cauldron, spun around and then hurled it toward Dustin's head. The 50-thousand-pound cauldron zoomed through the air, heading straight for Dustin.Dustin stood there, hands behind his back, as if he didn't see it coming. Just as the cauldron was about to hit, he suddenly struck it with his palm.A loud bang erupted, and Dustin's palm left a deep imprint on the bronze cauldron. The force sent it flying and spinning in the air like a top, shedding loads of rust and dust."What?"Everyone's jaw dropped at the sight of the spinning cauldron in the air. They couldn't believe their eyes, especially Krel and Jimmy, who were completely shocked.
The bronze cauldron sent Krel flying after the collision and heavily crashed onto the ground with a rumble, causing debris to fly and dust to rise. For a moment, the whole venue was dead silent. No one had expected such an outcome in the fight between the two.Dustin not only withstood the impact of the cauldron head-on but also managed to counter-attack and severely injure Krel. It was simply unbelievable!"Damn, this guy is amazing! He actually kicked around a cauldron weighing 50 thousand pounds like a ball!""Holy shit! He is truly extraordinary to slap away the cauldron with one hand!""We have to admit that we'd completely underestimated him. This guy is definitely not ordinary!"After a brief silence, the venue erupted into an uproar. Everyone was astonished by Dustin's immense power. The cauldron, which wouldn't even budge when they tried to lift it, was being tossed around by him as if it were a toy. It was a truly terrifying sight to behold."No… Impossible… This ca
Krel's strength had multiplied after taking Tigazuril. With one kick, the 50-thousand-pound bronze cauldron flew up into the air like a football, unstoppable.The sudden turn of events caused the expressions of the spectators to change drastically, and they scattered in all directions, afraid of being hit.If hit head-on by a cauldron weighing 50 thousand pounds, coupled with the terrifying impact, one would most likely be crushed into pieces."Holy shit! Who could possibly stop this kick?"The crowd was secretly shocked and filled with dread. They hadn't expected Krel to become so powerful after taking the tablet that he could kick around a 50-thousand-pound cauldron like a ball.His erupting force had reached an unimaginable level."Punk, you're finished this time!" Jimmy said, wearing a vicious grin.Even if Dustin had supernatural abilities, he couldn't possibly withstand the immense impact of the 50-thousand-pound cauldron. He had only two options—surrender and evade or be
"You actually dare to challenge Dustin? Do you have a death wish?" Miles took a couple of steps forward and glared fiercely at Krel and Jimmy, exuding a strong presence. Although Crystal and the others remained silent, they all stood beside Dalen, showing their stance. As Sword Union's disciples, they had no fear of the Boulderthorn.Jimmy exclaimed in anger, "Hey! We're elite disciples of the Boulderthorn. Are you going against us for this random punk?"Dalen said coldly, "Does it matter if we are? Do you think Shadow Citadel is afraid of you?"Miles said loudly, "Not only Shadow Citadel's disciples, but Sword Union's disciples are also ready to stand with Dustin!"Jimmy's expression changed instantly upon hearing his words. "What? You're Sword Union's disciples?" Dealing with the Shadow Citadel alone would be easier as the Boulderthorn wasn't afraid of the Shadow Citadel. However, the situation would be entirely different if the Sword Union was added to the mix.Jimmy i
Krel wasn't confident he'd win against Dustin in a head-on confrontation. However, if Dustin were severely injured by attempting to lift the 100-thousand-pound cauldron, it would turn the situation around completely.He would easily win this gamble and finally vent his pent-up resentment. "Hey, punk! Weren't you going to make me enjoy a feast? Why are you just standing there? Come on! Show some guts, and try lifting it!" Jimmy began taunting Dustin after noticing his inaction. He thought that Dustin was panicking, unsure of how to proceed in the face of the massive object. "There's no need to rush. I'm just considering where you should start from." Dustin assessed the massive cauldron from top to bottom."Hmph! You're all talk!" Jimmy sneered in disdain. "If you really have the skills, stop babbling and let your strength do the talking. As long as you can lift the cauldron, I'll devour it clean in front of everyone!""You must be really hungry." Dustin shook his head with
"Ah… I…" Jimmy was extremely flustered amidst the clamor of the crowd, sweating profusely as he retreated nervously. He had carelessly said those words since he never expected Dustin to lift the 100-thousand-pound cauldron.That was how he found himself in the current predicament, urged by the crowd to eat the massive cauldron. It was made of solid bronze! Even if it were made of chocolate, he would end up stuffing himself to death. "Everyone, what I said earlier was out of line. I spoke words I shouldn't have and have realized my mistake. Please forgive me," Jimmy said, smiling faintly as he clasped his hands together. "You've realized your mistakes? A little too late for that now, don't you think?" Miles glowered at him."To be honest, I preferred your unruly behavior more. This meekness doesn't suit you," Dalen said as he shook his head.They might as well go all out if they were going to humiliate him. "Hmph! Boulderthorn elites, my ass! You're nothing but a bunch
Dustin left. Leaving behind the massive cauldron, he casually walked away. His enigmatic silhouette faded into the distance. It left the crowd wondering if Krel and Melissa got lucky, or if Dustin had done it intentionally. The crowd leaned toward the latter. After all, how could someone capable of lifting a 100-thousand-pound cauldron make such a rookie mistake?"Thank you, Mr. Rhys!" Melissa was both moved and delighted as she watched Dustin's retreating figure. She knew that Krel had been spared. "Dustin, are you really going to just let him off the hook?" Dalen asked as he caught up with Dustin."A frightened coward is no longer a threat," Dustin said with a faint smile. "Besides, he's still a Boulderthorn disciple. Killing him would only bring trouble, and I hate trouble.""I beg to differ. Perhaps you simply have a soft spot for beauty?" Dalen smirked. Had it not been for Melissa's plea and her willingness to give up her life to protect him, Krel would have met his
Vincent's murder weighed heavily on Ruby's mind.She knew that she wasn't stronger than Vincent, so if the assassin could kill Vincent, then it would be just as easy for the assassin to kill her. "We've already discussed our plans for luring the assassin out. Coupled with Dustin's impressive performance during the test, I believe we'll soon get their attention. "Who knows, the assassin might act tonight!" Dalen said in a whisper. "The sun has set. We should start making preparations." Crystal looked up at the sky.Only twilight lingered on the western horizon, and in half an hour, the land would be shrouded in darkness. "Dustin, good luck." Dalen's expression was serious as he continued, "But don't worry, I've contacted Quincy from the Celestial Alliance. He'll fully support our plan. "Once the assassin shows themselves, we'll attack together. We won't let you bear the risk alone.""Don't worry. Since I've agreed to be the bait, I've made preparations accordingly. You jus
The next morning, Nathaniel was inside a lavish mansion. He was in his study, flipping through an ancient manuscript. One of his most trusted aides hurried in and lowered his voice, "Your Royal Highness, word just came in. Another trace of Dracan essence has been found."Nathaniel raised an eyebrow and closed the manuscript. "Where?""Our investigation shows it ended up in the hands of Logan Rhys," the aide replied."Logan Rhys?" Nathaniel narrowed his eyes slightly and was surprised by the name.He had tried to win Logan over before and spared no expense, but never received a response. Later, he discovered that Tristan and Matthias had done the same.Fortunately, Logan still hadn't picked a side. He might be holding out for the best offer, but at least he hadn't shut the door on Nathaniel.With the Dracan essence in his hands, Logan had become an even more valuable target. In addition to the West Lucozian monarchy, Logan was an ultimate grandmaster, which made him worth recrui
"Give me a moment to think," Dustin said.Grace's words sent him into deep thought.After all, carrying the fate of Dragonmarsh was no small burden. First, he had to be tough enough to handle it. Then, he needed the resolve to accept what came with it. Once he carried that burden, it meant taking on a heavyweight.He used to act on his own terms and do things as he pleased without worrying too much about the consequences. But once the nation's fate was involved, everything changed.Not that he had many options.Dustin could either hide in Sacred Wrym Summit and hope Arion would protect him, or take a risk and absorb the Dragonmarsh's fate to push through his cultivation's bottleneck. Between the two, he was leaning toward the latter."I can give your plan a shot," Dustin said suddenly. "But we're still missing a piece of the Dracan essence. If we're doing this, we need to find that last one first."Only once all five pieces of Dracan essence were united could he truly wield the
"Royal gods? And two of them?" Dustin frowned at the news.His battle with Poseidon in West Lucozia had shown him firsthand that the Hall of Gods didn't send weaklings into the field.One royal god had already pushed him to his limit. If two came at him together, winning wasn't even the question. He'd be lucky just to make it out alive."That's right," Grace said solemnly. "The royal gods, Zeus and Hera, have crossed the border. They're even stronger than Poseidon. If they ambush you together, your chances are slim."She knew Dustin was strong, but he was still young. Moreover, Zeus and Hera weren't just anyone. They were world-class powerhouses. Surviving a fight with them would be next to impossible.The Hall of Gods had probably figured out how dangerous Dustin could become. If they had given him a few more years to grow, they might not have been able to stop him."Well, that complicates things." Dustin rested his chin in one hand with a thoughtful expression.Two royal god
Soluna Hall had one rule—they wouldn't accept unfamiliar customers. They only served those they knew well or people introduced by someone they trusted. Every transaction required an appointment. Exceptions were made for urgent matters, but those came with an additional fee.When Dustin reached the entrance, two security guards stopped him. After stating his name and being verified by the guards, they let him through.Inside, a female attendant with a pleasant smile greeted him and led him across the main hall straight into the back garden. They passed a small fish pond and stopped in front of a secluded private room."This is Ms. Linsor's private reception area. Mr. Rhys, please come in," the female attendant said with a smile."She's not here?" Dustin asked curiously."She had something come up, but she'll be here soon. Please make yourself comfortable," the attendant said, still smiling."Alright then." He nodded and walked into the room.The room was spacious, with a vintag
"You're wrong, Tristan," Matthias said with a meaningful look.He continued, "Sure, I've got the Moseys to back me, but I'm still far from securing the throne. Nathaniel's got strong backing too, and this won't be an easy win. But if you were to support me, I'd say my chances shoot up to 80%."In his eyes, Tristan's support was worth more than the Ballard family.If he could win Tristan over, his odds would jump from 60% to nearly 80%. The only question now was whether Tristan would be willing to shelve his own ambitions and place his bet on Matthias."You know me, Matthias. I've never been one for ambition or glory. This kind of power struggle just isn't for me. I hope you can understand that," Tristan said.After thinking about it thoroughly, he finally turned his brother down. He knew his chances of winning were slim, yet he couldn't let go.Tristan was the eldest legitimate son, the rightful and undisputed heir to the throne. Aside from his poor health, he had no real shortco
Tristan, Matthias, and Nathaniel weren't fools. They understood the unspoken message loud and clear.Their purpose for this trip was to take advantage of the opportunity to offer their condolences and win the Ballard family's support. Should it work, all the better. If not, they'd at least make a good impression. The key was that as long as the Ballard family didn't pick a side or turn against them, there was still room to make things work. No need to rush into anything.Tristan spoke first. "You're being too kind, Duke of Lachshire. We've always admired Mr. Jovian's loyalty and courage. We're simply here to pay our respects—nothing more."Matthias added, "That's right. Your family has a lot to deal with right now. Plus, you're not as young as you used to be, so don't wear yourself out over this. We won't take up more of your time today."He gave a respectful nod, then turned to leave."Duke—"Nathaniel opened his mouth to speak, but Tristan interrupted. "That's enough, Nathani
"Oh? I didn't expect both of you to be here," Nathaniel said.He was just about to pay his respects when he spotted Tristan and Matthias inside the mourning hall. He gave a respectful nod and said, "Hello, Tristan, Matthias."Truthfully, he wasn't surprised. He had already guessed they would show up.The four ancient houses and the eight great families were all key players he needed on his side. And with the Ballard family still undecided, he wasn't about to miss the chance to make an impression."I heard you left Oakvale on official business. Funny how quickly you came back," Tristan said, his tone laced with meaning."It wasn't anything important. When I heard about Mr. Jovian's passing, I returned immediately. I wanted to pay my respects in person," Nathaniel answered smoothly, without missing a beat.He brushed off Tristan's subtle jab and used the moment to show the Ballard family he was genuinely there to pay his respects."Don't just stand there, Nathaniel. Go pay your re
"Your Royal Highness, it's an honor to have you here," Jonathan said.Upon seeing the distinguished guest arrive, he quickly pulled himself together and aside his grief. He led his family to greet Tristan, and they bowed in respect.Before they could finish the gesture, Tristan raised a hand to stop them. "No need for such formalities," he said. "The deceased deserves our respect."He turned to Jovian's portrait, which was displayed in the mourning hall, and sighed deeply.Tristan continued, "Mr. Jovian's untimely passing is truly a great loss to Dragonmarsh. May his soul rest in peace. My condolences to your family during this difficult time."Jonathan's eyes were filled with tears as he bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Your Highness, for your kind words. My family is heartbroken over my brother's tragic death."Tristan nodded slightly. His gaze quickly swept across the hall before asking, "I've heard that Duke Lachshire fainted from grief. How is he doing now?"Jonathan
The unrest in West Lucozia finally ended with the capture of Warrick.Every official who was his accomplice was thoroughly investigated. Those who needed to be arrested were taken into custody, and those who deserved to be punished were executed.After the purge, more than 300 officials in West Lucozia were removed from their posts. Those guilty were arrested, and those whose crimes were severe were executed.Under Austin's iron-fisted reforms, West Lucozia's government underwent a complete overhaul. Corruption, bribery, and the tangled web of illegal deals were swept away like dust in the wind.The citizens quickly noticed the difference. When they visited government offices, they no longer faced delays, refusals, or demands for bribes.Long-neglected public issues began to move forward, thanks to the organized efforts of newly appointed officials. Things were improving across the board.Instead of fearing the crackdown, the citizens welcomed it. The corrupt officials who had dr