"No way. He went up?" Zoey and the others stopped smiling as they watched Dustin get onto the arena, their faces frozen in shock. They never expected Dustin to actually go into the ring, thinking that he was merely bluffing. Still, did he have a death wish?"Hey, you! Weren't you going to eat your shit while doing a handstand? Go ahead." Nelson suddenly spoke.Zeke stiffened awkwardly. It had merely been an offhanded comment. He never imagined that Dustin would be so bold, so his words were coming back to bite him in the ass. Zoey suddenly thought of something. "Hang on. Dustin isn't the Flame Dragon Gang's leader, is he?" Besides the leader of the Flame Dragon Gang, who else would dare to challenge Terry?"Impossible! There's no way a loser like him can be Flame Dragon Gang's leader." Gordon immediately protested. "I guess you're going to keep being stubborn, eh? Well, let me show you." Nelson sneered before fishing out a badge and slapping it against Gordon's face."You—"
Terry shook his head with a smile. "Don't tell me you're trying to use me to make a name for yourself."It wouldn't be the first time someone did something like that. Terry had encountered many who challenged him in hopes of using their victory to boost their reputation, just like Vardant Phantom. Still, all those people eventually lost to him. "Let me make this clear. I'm not interested in making a name for myself. I decided to challenge you to save myself the trouble by settling things with your family once and for all," Dustin answered calmly. "Settle things with us? And how do you intend to do that?" Terry had a small smile. "Simple. If I defeat you today, you and your family have to stop meddling in my life," Dustin answered straightforwardly. "Defeat me? Pfft!" Terry was surprised by Dustin's words and burst out laughing. The audience also laughed mockingly along with Terry. It would be a miracle if Dustin could come out of this battle alive, but to think he could defe
Both Terry and the audience sniggered at what Dustin had said. Everyone assumed that Dustin wouldn't even be able to withstand three blows, much less defeat Terry. "What are you laughing at? Is it that funny?" Dustin asked calmly, unbothered by the audience's attitude. "What do you think?" Terry's smile didn't falter. "Do you really think you'll win?""Why not? Do you think you're better than everyone else? Why are you naturally assuming that you won't lose?" Dustin retorted. "Pfft! I don't know where you found the balls to ask me that, but it's fine. I'll show you how different we are!" Terry beckoned Dustin with a finger and smirked. "Come on. I'll let you have three shots at me. Let's see what you've got.""You better not do that. Last time, Bennet Malcom said the same thing, and he's still stuck in bed right now." Dustin reminded."Bennet is merely my subordinate. As if he's a match for me." Terry feigned a smile. "Both of you are the same to me since the outcome won't b
There was a loud whoosh as a larger and quicker energy bullet blasted in the direction of Dustin's chest. Dustin kept his feet firmly planted on the ground and leaned backward, his back arched. The energy bullet flew over his face and slammed into the same tree. He pushed himself off the ground with one hand and stood back up, unharmed. Terry frowned. He had thought he'd be able to end this battle easily, yet Dustin had surprised him by dodging his attacks twice. "If this is all you've got, then I have to say, I'm disappointed," Dustin said nonchalantly. Hearing this, Terry's expression hardened in anger. No one has ever treated him with such disrespect and condescension. "No way. He's looking down on Terry Doyle?""He managed to dodge those two attacks thanks to luck. And Mr. Terry went easy on him, or he would be dead by now!""Mr. Terry, don't go easy on him!"The audience shouted in indignation."I was going to let you live, but it seems like that's unnecessary now."
Terry staggered back from the impact, his heavy stomps leaving footprints on the solid ground. By the time he managed to stabilize himself, his face was completely pale, despite his rapid heartbeat. Sweat had formed on his forehead, and the edges of his shirt were frayed. There was even blood dripping from his fist. What a miserable sight. "What?" The crowd had been stunned into silence. None of them could have imagined that Terry might be at a disadvantage when it came to physical fights. This was unbelievable!"N—no way! Terry got pushed back?" Maggie was flabbergasted.Claudia was shocked as well. "I didn't know Dustin was so strong." If she hadn't seen it for herself, she would have never believed that someone managed to withstand Terry's attack and even came out somewhat victorious. "I—impossible! How can someone like him be so powerful?" Gordon and the other two were dumbfounded. The scenario they had in their minds was Dustin being destroyed with one punch, so why was he w
"Today, I'll show you how terrifying the power I've been saving up for the past three years is!" Terry began removing his clothes, revealing the dark steel weights underneath that covered his body like armor. There were even a few attached to his limbs. Under everyone's disbelieving gazes, Terry gradually took off those weights, which landed on the ground with solid thuds that made people shudder."Holy smokes, he's a beast! Who would have thought that he was moving around with several hundred pounds of weight.""Usually, it's hard to even walk with those tied around one's body, yet he's been walking normally and even fighting! What a monster.""If he's that strong with limitations, what would happen if he took them off?""I can only say that he's terrifying!"The audience gossiped, shocked at how strict Terry was with himself. No one would like to wear clothes that weighed a few hundred pounds. "No wonder Dustin seemed to have an edge over Terry. Terry has been holding himsel
"What?" Terry was astounded to see that his attack had been stopped. After taking off the weights, his strength and speed would have multiplied tremendously. And to win against Dustin, he even exposed his greatest weapon, his sword. All of this was to ensure his victory against Dustin. However, despite going at Dustin at full force, the latter managed to stop his attack with nothing but two fingers!Was Dustin even human?"I—impossible!" Terry's eyes widened as he lost his mind. He began swinging his sword at Dustin nonstop, and the force whipped the air in the arena, causing dust to engulf the place. Terry's continuous blows brought more gouges to the ground until the floor resembled a spider web."Die! You have to die!" Terry roared. His attacks picked up speed and became more lethal. Dustin, who was unfazed by the onslaught, dodged and avoided Terry's attacks by twisting his upper body. His feet were still firmly planted on the ground. He would only block attacks with his han
As long as Terry wanted to, it shouldn't be hard for him to defeat Dustin. "Sir Paul, who do you think will win?" Hector suddenly turned his attention to Paul, who sat in the middle."The one with a ninety percent chance," Paul answered with a smile, his eyes crinkling. "Ninety percent?" Phil smiled. "You've got a good eye, Sir Paul. You could tell that my son had an ace up his sleeve, so he should be able to win."Phil had been getting worried that his son might lose, but Paul's words reassured him. As a Grandmaster martial artist, no one would dare question what Paul said, so if Paul said that there's a ninety percent winning chance, it must be true. Although there was ten percent left, it was more than enough for him.Paul glanced at Phil, who was full of confidence, but didn't say anything, a knowing smile on his face."Tempest of the Eighteen Swords!" A voice bellowed from the platform as the air turned heavy. Instantly, the entire platform began to shake as cracks spread
Dustin raised his hand as the black feathers rained down on him. A white energy shield flared into existence to form a wall before him.The feathers slammed into the shield and sent ripples across its surface but failed to break through. However, the black flames on the feathers spread across the shield and burned through its energy at a visible pace. In the blink of an eye, the once impenetrable barrier cracked open and left a gaping hole.Dustin couldn't hide his surprise. His mystical pure energy was far stronger than the average grandmaster's internal energy in offense and defense. It was meant to be impenetrable. He hadn't anticipated it couldn't hold up against Abigail's phoenix flame.Seeing the raw strength of her bloodline, he knew he couldn't afford to take any chances. As the black flames spread, he swiftly waved his hand to summon a furious gust of wind that sent the feathers and flames flying."Glaring Wings!" Abigail wasn't done yet. She quickly formed hand seals and
Abigail moved with lightning speed, and her figure weaved in and out like a shadow. Her swift movements left a blur of afterimages that was hard for anyone watching to keep up.On the contrary, Dustin stood still without making any movement."Fallen Fist!"After closing in, she unleashed a flurry of strikes—dozens of black palm shadows slamming toward his body, and each one was like a bullet aimed at its target.Abigail practiced a unique martial art, and it was imbued with voodoo-like properties that could kill anyone who made contact with her. But Dustin's body was immune to all poisons, so it was a perfect counter to her deadly attack.As the shadow palms closed in, he remained unshaken and thrust his palm forward.A fierce gust of wind surged and ripped through the air with unrelenting force. It collided with the black palm shadows.Abigail's black palm shadows exploded on impact and disintegrated into thick clouds of dark mist that quickly spread. Within moments, the mist e
The whole arena suddenly fell dead silent. Everyone stared blankly, and not a soul dared to breathe. Alloy shot to his feet in the main spectator seats, and his face was tense with worry. Yet, he didn't dare make a sound. He feared it might startle Glenn into making a mistake that could cost Fenley's life.After all, Fenley represented the future of the Celestial Alliance. Alloy had invested all his effort into Fenley, and he provided him with endless resources. If Fenley were to die in the match, it would deal a devastating blow to the entire guild.While Alloy was gripped with worry, Cyrus and Penelope cheered silently. They secretly hoped Glenn's sword would strike Fenley. If that happened, the Celestial Alliance would take at least a decade to regain its former glory.Fenley's body stiffened as he stared at the Fang Master hovering inches from him. A shiver ran through his spine as goosebumps prickled his skin. Sweat trickled down his face, and each drop hit the ground with a
"Glenn had only seven swords in the past. I didn't expect that in just one year, two more divine swords would recognize him as their master. This punk is much better than I was back then," Cyrus remarked. He stroked his chin with a look of surprise and approval. He had always believed in Glenn's potential, but Glenn's performance had still exceeded his expectations.After all, the more swords Glenn wielded, the stronger he became. He had already topped the Legendary List with just seven swords. Now, with nine, his strength had grown even more overwhelming."He truly is the Chosen One." Even Kaden couldn't help but sigh.The nine divine swords recognized their master and responded with ease. Glenn's talent and cultivation were leagues ahead of his peers.Every generation brought forth new talent, and the old had no choice but to step aside for the new generation. Compared to their time, today's youth were on another level—monsters in their own right."Now, this is going to be int
Compared to the second green sword, Glenn's third sword was even more powerful. As it descended, accompanied by the fury of a fire dragon, it carried the destructive force of a world-shattering storm.Fenley, whose energy flow was disrupted earlier, watched the fiery red long sword streak toward like a falling meteor. His heart raced and was gripped by a sudden sense of impending doom.With a roar, he risked the backlash effect and unleashed a powerful surge of internal energy. The ethereal divine spirit behind him instantly transformed into a figure with three heads and six arms. This was the complete form of the Four Elements of God's Technique.At that instant, he threw everything he had into the fight. He controlled the spirit to slam its giant arms into the flaming sword. With a loud explosion, the sword tore through the spirit's palms and continued its unyielding path toward Fenley. But its speed had slowed slightly.Without hesitation, he controlled the spirit to strike ag
When the spectators heard the match was about to begin, the excitement reached a fever pitch. Half of them cheered for Fenley while the other half chanted Glenn's name. Both were the Chosen Ones, and their popularity was undeniable. Everyone had been waiting for their face-off in the battle ring.Though Fenley ranked slightly below Glenn on the Legendary List, his fame and influence as the successor to the Celestial Alliance's guildmaster outshined Glenn's. Ultimately, the question of who was stronger could only be answered in the ring."I've been waiting for this day, Glenn." Fenley stared at him intently. His voice was powerful and commanding. He continued, "Others say I'm not your equal, but I refuse to believe it. Today, we'll find out whether your sword is faster or if my Four Elements of God's Technique is superior.""The moment you said that, you've already lost. Your doubt shows you lack the confidence to defeat me," Glenn replied calmly. If this were a fight-to-the-deat
After the quarterfinals, it was time for a break. With noon approaching, contestants and spectators needed food and water to recharge. An hour later, the venue was buzzing with excitement again as Oron stepped onto the battle ring. He was accompanied by a Sacred Wrym Summit disciple, who carried a black box filled with numbered balls."It's almost time. I'd like to invite the top four contestants to the ring to draw lots," Oron announced as he surveyed the crowd.Amidst a wave of enthusiastic applause, four figures ascended the battle ring one after another. First in line was Glenn, with Fenley right behind him, followed by Abigail and Dustin."Sir, we're in the semifinals. Good luck!" Abigail winked playfully at Dustin as she stepped into the ring."You too," he replied with a smile.Given Abigail's strength, her odds against Glenn were slim. However, if she faced Fenley, she would have a solid chance at victory.After all, Fenley had only just broken through to the ultimate g
"Who the heck is this kid?" Oron glanced at his trembling hands and felt a chill run down his spine. He failed to gain the upper hand in the earlier clash with Dustin and suffered an unexpected setback. He was already an ultimate grandmaster, with a cultivation and mastery of the Glow Incantation that surpassed Caleb's. By all accounts, subduing a younger opponent should have been a piece of cake.But that exchange just now had brought him to a stark realization—Dustin had been holding back this whole time and hadn't used his full strength. Otherwise, Caleb wouldn't have lasted this long.The realization unsettled Oron. There were always extraordinary talents out there, but the potential Dustin had displayed was genuinely terrifying. To put it plainly, he was a beast on the same level as Glenn."What happened? Why did the judge step in?""Can't you see? Caleb has already lost. If the judge hadn't stepped in, that sword would have killed him or left him severely injured.""Exactl
As the Eight Trigrams of Divine Talisman took shape, a massive trigram formation suddenly appeared at the center of the battle ring. It spanned across the ring, whirling and transforming with relentless speed.At that moment, Dustin was standing inside the enchantment circle. He suddenly felt overwhelmed by tremendous pressure. Unlike the crushing force from the Summit Shift talisman that affected his body, this pressure came from his mind. He felt as if he were confined in a cage and unable to escape, regardless of how hard he struggled.Unlike the explosion Caleb had used against Sam, the Eight Trigrams of Divine Talisman now showcased its true power."You shouldn't have given me time to prepare. Your arrogance is your downfall." Caleb let out a sigh of relief upon seeing the enchantment circle in place.The Eight Trigrams of Divine Talisman was powerful but required several seconds to cast—a timeframe that could be deadly against a skilled opponent.During his fight with Sam