"What?" Miles was shocked. He jumped from his seat, thinking he must have misheard.He could not believe he was sharing a life with Ruby because of a pill. How ridiculous. Who would ever believe this?The others looked bewildered after hearing Abigail's unexpected revelation.The Echoed Curse was a powerful and rarely seen spell. It could change destinies and even save lives.But Abigail had turned it into a joke and bound Miles and Ruby's lives together. This prank had gone too far."Ms. Abigail, can we undo this Echoed Curse?" Ruby's voice quivered.Her initial curiosity now filled her with dread and uncertainty. She disliked the idea of sharing her fate, especially with Miles.As she pondered, a troubling realization struck her. What if he got into trouble one day? Would she be pulled down with him?"No, the Echoed Curses are for one-time use only. Once taken, their effects can't be undone," Abigail explained.She smiled faintly and added, "From now on, your destinies are l
The arrival of the middle-aged monk instantaneously hushed the entire training ground. It was only when he gradually tamed his imposing presence that whispers began to ripple through the crowd."Who is that? He looks powerful.""Of course he is. He's Oron Foyer, the disciple of the Ancient Sage!""Ah, that explains it. I've heard he's incredibly strong, nearly on par with Kaden, another disciple of the Ancient Sage. It seems the rumors are true.""Well, with Master Oron here, I doubt anyone will start any fights today."As Oron stood in the center, the crowd started murmuring.Today was the Combat Tournament held by the Sacred Wrym Summit, so security naturally was the top priority.If things got out of hand, it wouldn't just be a feud between guilds—it could turn into a big fight.Alliances were frequent in the martial world, and a skirmish between a few could drag others in. If that happened, matters would quickly spiral out of control.So, when the Frostzard Manor was abo
But now Lambert realized Luke wasn't just impulsive, but foolish. He thought that Luke just couldn't see the bigger picture."Sir, any personal issues between you two can be resolved in the battle ring or discussed privately later. But causing trouble here isn't acceptable," Oron said calmly.Luke glared at him and yelled, "You, meddling monk! My affairs are none of your concern. If you know what's good for you, stay out of it, or things might turn ugly!"Lambert was left speechless and astonished upon hearing that.The Frostzard Manor disciples wiped their brows nervously. They weren't sure whether to praise Luke for his bravery or criticize him for recklessly challenging Sacred Wrym Summit.They knew their guild wouldn't survive much longer at this rate."Sir, if you don't comply, I'll have to ask you to leave Sacred Wrym Summit," Oron said sternly."You think I'll just leave because you say so? I'm staying here. I doubt you'll do anything about it!" Luke said defiantly and gl
Caleb held up two fingers and said casually, "I'll give you two options. Either you leave on your own, or I'll kick you out!""Hmph! Who do you think you are to order me around? Do you have a death wish?" Luke's eyes narrowed with disdain."If you don't leave, I'll have to take action. You might end up with broken bones and bedridden for a while," Caleb said as he continued to pick his nose."Are you threatening me? Do you think I'm scared? If you're brave, go ahead and try it! I'd like to see what you can do!" Luke said arrogantly and waved his sword.Caleb continued, "The old man used to say, 'Be polite before using force.' Well, I've tried being nice, but if you keep being like this. So, don't blame me for getting rough."He raised his hand and pointed at Luke from a distance. "Stormcraft."Then, a bolt of blue lightning shot forth from his fingertips and hit the furious Luke.The lightning bolt was incredibly fast, striking Luke in the chest before he could react.There was
"The fight is over, so let's call it a day. Master Oron, the stage is yours."Caleb yawned and left after he chased away the Frostzard Manor.With his tired appearance, it seemed like he hadn't slept in days."Let me reiterate that you must abide by our rules while at Sacred Wrym Summit." Oron's gaze swept the surroundings as he spoke with authority. He continued, "No matter your grievances or grudges, settle them in the battle ring or privately after the tournament. If anyone starts trouble here, Sacred Wrym Summit won't stand for it and will act accordingly.""Master Oron is right. I'll be the first to stop anyone who breaks the rules!""Exactly! Disrespecting Sacred Wrym Summit is like disrespecting me! I'm right here. Let's see who has the guts to stir up trouble!""I think the people from Frostzard Manor are just asking for trouble. They deserve whatever they get, even death!"The crowd erupted into a cacophony of voices, expressing solidarity with Sacred Wrym Summit. T
Abigail's words immediately caught the attention of the crowd. Among them, martial artists with a penchant for gambling were particularly eager to join in.However, everyone hesitated to approach her due to her status as the Grand Sorceress of the Mystic Arts Order."Alright, let me start things off!" Taking the initiative, Miles took a pendant and placed it on the table as his bet.He continued, "I'm betting on Number 28 in the third battle ring. He's a disciple of the Vanguard Sect, and from what I know, he's quite formidable. His odds of winning are high."Then, he grabbed a piece of paper and jotted down the number 28 before tossing it into the designated matching bowl.The tournament organizers randomly paired martial artists against each other rather than following a predetermined order to ensure fairness.When the referee called out a name, the respective participant had to step onto the battle ring promptly. Failure to do so or arriving late would result in disqualificati
"I'm going with Ms. Wesley's choice—Number 6 in the first battle ring." Dustin wrote on a slip of paper before tossing it into the designated bowl."Okay, good luck!" Abigail smiled and shouted, "Come and place your bets! The tournament is about to begin!"The martial artists nearby were eager to participate, yet not a single one dared place a bet.Their hesitation stemmed from uncertainty about the legitimacy of the betting pool. They questioned whether the Mystic Arts Order would truly honor double payouts if they won.So, they held back and waited for the outcome of Dustin and the others' initial bets. Only after seeing the result did they contemplate joining the action."Alright, the tournament has begun, so betting is officially closed. Let's all sit tight and await the results." Abigail signaled the end of the betting phase with a sweeping gesture.Soon, all eyes returned to the battle rings.At that moment, all eight battle rings burst into action simultaneously as sixtee
"Luring him in?" Miles's stomach sank a beat at the words. He stared at the third battle ring, feeling a bit uneasy. "Dustin, are you serious? I've got a lot riding on this.""You bet on Number 28, right?" Dustin asked.Miles nodded. "Yeah, why?" Dustin explained, "Well, Number 28 does have some skill, but he's being too aggressive. "At first glance, it seems he's dominating and pushing his opponent back. But if you pay attention, you'll notice his opponent's composed movements and steady breathing. "There's no hint of panic. It's like his opponent has been prepared for this. So, I'm guessing he's luring Number 28 by deliberately showing weakness. "And when Number 28 lets his guard down, that's the moment he'll strike.""Are you sure?" Miles was dubious. He narrowed his eyes as he carefully observed the battle, and his expression immediately changed. To his surprise, the battle matched Dustin's description perfectly.Despite Number 28's relentless attacks, he hadn't gai
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