"Hmph! Stop adding fuel to the fire!" Cyrus glared at Alloy. "The Celestial Alliance has had its fair share of run-ins with the Mystic Arts Order over the years. If we're talking enemies, your guild is the real thorn in their side.""It's nothing but minor skirmishes. I'm sure Madam Penelope sees the bigger picture and isn't bothered by it," Alloy said with a subtle grin.Cyrus might outmatch Alloy in brute strength, but when it came to quick-witted retorts, Alloy was the clear victor."Mr. Hadley, Mr. Marshall, you two seem to be in high spirits."The black sedan came to a stop in front of them. An elderly woman with silver hair and a slightly hunched back emerged slowly while leaning on a serpent-headed cane.This was Penelope Solace, the leader of the Mystic Arts Order. She had risen to fame long before Alloy and Cyrus, earning her place as a revered senior figure.Despite her years of seclusion and rare public appearances, her reputation was as fearsome and commanding as Allo
"Whoa! He's even busting out the Four Elements of God's Technique? Does he really need to show off?""Fenley sure knows how to make an entrance. He's showing off in style.""If I had his skills, I'd be more flashy than him."Fenley made a grand entrance, and the crowd couldn't stop talking and whispering.The Four Elements of God's Technique was a secret art of the Celestial Alliance, learned only by the guildmasters' successors. So, it was surprising when Fenley used it before the match began."Mr. Marshall, your disciple lives up to his name," Cyrus remarked coldly."Ha! Young people should be bursting with energy. If he's got the skills, why hold back?" Alloy replied indifferently."I just hope you don't let your excitement get the better of you," Cyrus warned. "Sometimes, too much joy can lead to a downfall.""You don't need to worry about it, Mr. Hadley," Alloy said with a faint smile.Regardless of the match outcome, Fenley's entrance had already outshined the Sword Unio
After George's entrance, a chilling, eerie laughter echoed through the arena. At the same time, a swirling cloud of scarlet mist rushed in from the distance.The mist was about ten feet in radius. It radiated a dark, sinister energy, and its shape constantly shifted. One moment, it morphed into a massive skull, then twisted into a devil with bared fangs and claws.The sight of this unnerving mist made the spectators gasp in alarm. They quickly scattered to clear the path. The mist's terrifying appearance signaled evil intent, and they knew that coming into contact with it could be deadly.The scarlet mist swirled over the battle ring. It deliberately circled the contestants' heads three times before crashing down with a thunderous bang.A striking Streuquan man in a sharp suit emerged as the mist dissipated. His bold features, devious grin, and undeniable charm made him impossible to ignore. The man was Bill Wolfe."I can't believe that narcissistic jerk actually showed up," Aur
"Great hit!""How dare you cause trouble at Sacred Wyrm Summit? You must have a death wish.""If the referee hadn't held back, that Stormcraft strike would have turned him into dust."The spectators cheered with applause as Bill was sent flying.A foreign contestant one who is relatively unknown here should stay low-key to avoid unnecessary trouble.But when Bill showed up, he immediately started shouting and challenging everyone. He practically asked to be beaten. Did this puny vampire think no one in Dragonmarsh could take him down?"Curse you, Dragonmarsh martial artists! How dare you ambush me? How cowardly and disgraceful!"Bill staggered to his feet and gritted his teeth as he seethed in anger. He had planned to make a strong impression and showcase the vampires' might. Instead, his plan backfired, and he was humiliated. He didn't think it was due to his own weakness; rather, Oron's sudden attack had caught him off guard. Bill was sure that he wouldn't lose in a fair fig
"Next." Oron's voice rang out, signaling the continuation of the drawing after Jermaine finished his turn."I'll go."At that moment, George stomped forward and aggressively shoved a martial artist away as he reached into the black box.The martial artist who had been shoved frowned and looked up at George's burly bear-like frame. Despite the intimidation, he suppressed his anger.Although a martial artist's strength couldn't be judged by their size, George's imposing presence was undeniable.After rummaging inside the box for a few seconds, George pulled out a glass ball. But before anyone could see the number inside, he crushed it with his powerful grip.The ball shattered with a sharp crack, and fragments scattered across the floor.He looked at the fragments in his hand and burst into laughter. His eyes glinted with malice as he turned to Jermaine. He said sinisterly, "Jermaine, huh? Unlucky bastard, you'll have one hell of a day. Look at this." He showed him the metal dis
The spectators erupted into thunderous applause as soon as Oron finished speaking.Under the spotlight of a thousand eager eyes, contestant number one rose from his seat and walked to the battle ring. He was a monk clad in gray robes. The towering figure, who had a muscular build, was in his 30s. He gripped an iron staff, and his smooth, bald head gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight.The spectators quickly recognized him. "I can't believe the first contestant is Venerable Truce from Aureate Monastery. This is going to be a great match."Contestant number one was a revered monk from Aureate Monastery called Truce Heart. He was known by the moniker "Venerable Banisher".Despite his young age, his cultivation was beyond measure, especially his Ironfist Technique, which he had mastered to perfection.He was said to be impervious to blades, bullets, fire, and water. Any attack launched against him barely left a mark.But Truce wasn't just renowned for his incredible defense. His Ban
While facing Truce's powerful strike, Jeremiah remained calm. He didn't even flinch and raised his arm to block the blow.The shadowsteel staff crashed down with a resounding impact on his arm. Instead of the expected scene of broken bones and a flying body, the staff only made his sleeve flutter. He didn't suffer any injuries.Jeremiah stood still with a smile on his face."Huh?" Truce's eyes widened in shock. If the earlier thrust had been just a test, this sweeping blow was delivered with full force.He would have understood if Jeremiah had used grandmaster-level internal energy. But Truce didn't feel any energy fluctuation from him. In other words, Jeremiah had relied purely on his physical strength to withstand the blow.Could this seemingly frail priest be a grandmaster of body refinement? If so, a tough battle lay ahead. After all, Truce was also a grandmaster of body refinement."I didn't expect that skinny priest to catch Venerable Truce's staff barehanded. He's got some
"What? The guy isn't dead? How is that even possible?""He's not only alive, but he's completely unscathed. This is insane!""How can this be? Is he wearing some kind of armor?""Even if he was, there's no way he could survive Venerable Truce's strike without a scratch!"The spectators stared in disbelief as Jeremiah stood there with a seemingly indifferent expression. Truce's previous strike was devastating, unstoppable, and could split mountains and rivers.Under normal circumstances, given Jeremiah's build, he should've been left crippled even if he survived. But he was completely unscathed. This was a sight that defied everyone's understanding and logic.Even Truce was left questioning this reality. The Drakon Banisher, a signature move of the Banisher Technique, was known for its unmatched power. Once unleashed, it was nearly impossible for anyone to block, and it had never failed to deliver its intended result.Truce was certain his strike had hit Jeremiah, but he couldn
"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
"You're not a fisherman? Who the hell are you?"Mulder's guard shot up the moment he got a clear look at the young man's face.Fishermen who spent their days at sea were usually tanned from the sun, but this one had a fair complexion. It felt a little strangeNoticing something was off, the men behind Mulder drew their blades and fixed their sharp gazes on the fisherman.The so-called fisherman standing guard wasn't just anyone—it was Dustin, who had been waiting for them all along.Since his plan was set in motion, he'd been stationed there from morning until midnight. After what felt like an eternity, his targets had finally arrived."Isn't it obvious? I'm here to capture you."Dustin rose from the deck and rolled his shoulders before speaking in an even tone. "If you don't want to die, surrender now. Otherwise, it'll be too late.""Watch out! It could be an ambush." Mulder swiftly pulled out his dagger. His sharp gaze scanned the surroundings for any sign of hidden troops.
As night fell, Warrick sat motionless in his room as he tried to calm his mind through meditation. He had always been able to clear his mind with ease. But tonight, no matter how hard he tried, focus eluded him. A restless unease settled over him and refused to let him relax.Nearly two hours passed before Mulder's scouts finally returned. This time, they brought good news.The smuggling route they had scouted was completely safe, with no signs of an ambush. The West Lucozia army had yet to discover this potential escape route.Once everything was confirmed, Mulder let out a breath of relief. Warrick, too, finally felt the weight lift from his chest."Since the route is safe, we should set out immediately to avoid any unexpected complications." Warrick said. He had no intention of waiting any longer. He was a wanted man, and every moment in West Lucozia increased his chances of capture. There was no telling when the army might surround him. Only by escaping to Thaloria would he
After a hearty meal, the burly Warrick sprawled lazily onto the bed and dozed off. He slept soundly till dusk, lost in a deep dream. When the sky was painted in brilliant hues of the setting sun, only then did he wake up leisurely.The exhaustion from the previous day seemed to have melted away. He felt invigorated, refreshed, and in high spirits.At that moment, Leigh had already set the table in the hall with quiet efficiency. Compared to the first meal, this spread was far more lavish.At the center of the table sat a whole roasted pig. Its golden-brown skin glistened with a rich, crispy sheen. The mouthwatering aroma filled the room, making it impossible not to crave a bite.Warrick had never been one for formalities. The moment he saw the feast, he didn't hesitate. He strode over, took a seat, and started digging in. He ate with zero restraint without sparing a single thought for Mulder, who was still out gathering intel.After a while, half of the roast pig was gone. His fac
"Who is it?" Warrick's grip tightened around the hilt of his steel blade. His eyes, sharp and alert, were like those of a startled predator—full of caution and menace.For the past few days, he had been on edge, like a cornered animal. He barely slept and was constantly on high alert, fearing danger would strike at any moment.The door slowly creaked open. An elderly man with gray hair stepped inside with a tray of fruit and pastries in both hands.Before he could even register what was happening, a flash of cold steel appeared, and Warrick's blade was at the elderly man's throat.The elderly man trembled with fear. The tray slipped from his grasp, and fruit and pastries scattered on the floor."Easy, Sir Prescott. He's one of us." Mulder stepped forward and pressed down on the flat of Warrick's blade with a finger. He smiled and explained, "His name's Leigh Houston. He's mute and has served the Hall of Gods for years. He keeps watch over this tunnel entrance and has never slipp
"Here's the problem—even if we know Warrick's intentions, how do we stop him?" Austin asked.Right now, Warrick had already disappeared without a trace. Austin's team hadn't even come close enough to get a hold of him, so there was no way to track him down.West Lucozia's vast territory and resources made it impossible to seal off every exit route completely. While it might be manageable in the short term, prolonging such an operation would significantly impact West Lucozia's economy. Wasting resources on a single fugitive wasn't a wise move."Warrick is a wanted man across the entire city. There's no way he's leaving through official channels. He'll have to sneak his way out," Dustin analyzed. He continued, "According to the maritime charts, if he's traveling from West Lucozia to Artea, he'll have to go through Thaloria. That's our lead. Get someone on it immediately—find out how many smuggling routes there are from West Lucozia to Thaloria.""Got it. I'll get it done right away