"What?" Dustin's words left the Jade Maiden Sisterhood disciples dumbfounded. They had expected Dustin to be begging them to stay and crying regretfully. But, goodbye? That shouldn't be a part of his script!"Dustin, what are you doing? Are you provoking Brittany on purpose?" Nikki glared at him. She had asked him to make her stay, not send her out!"Y—you're too much!" Brittany was livid after coming to her senses. Right now, she couldn't care less about maintaining her goddess-like demeanor. She took out her sword instantly, ready to kill. When has she ever been treated like this? It was humiliating!"What are you guys doing?" Just then, an authoritative voice rang out. Everyone saw a 30 to 40-year-old woman dressed like royalty walk in. An elderly woman accompanied her. The middle-aged woman had a curvy figure and exuded charm. Her gaze was sharp and full of pride. She appeared like someone who kept people at a distance. On the other hand, the elderly woman behin
Brittany snorted and followed the group inside."What a bunch of lunatics." Dustin shook his head as he mumbled to himself. He finally realized where Brittany's confidence came from. How could their disciples be any better if they had such an arrogant leader? "Well, my teacher has a cold personality. Please don't take it to heart." Brittany was feeling awkward."Forget about it. I'd rather not argue with women." Dustin waved his hand dismissively. He would have driven them out much earlier if it wasn't for Nikki. He was indebted to Nelson and could only repay him by helping his family. "Thank god." Nikki breathed a sigh of relief before changing the subject. She asked, "By the way, I want to ask you something. Since you're the boss here, have you ever heard of the Jade Maiden Scripture?""Jade Maiden Scripture? What's that?" Dustin's brows furrowed."The Jade Maiden Scripture is the Jade Maiden Sisterhood's long-lost treasure. "Madam Edith hasn't been able to break thro
It was 8:00 pm. Inside Rose Cafe, Dahlia was seated by the window. She had both hands wrapped around her cup of coffee. Her mood was heavy as she watched the rain fall outside. She looked exhausted.Since last night, she had been in a trance and felt dispirited. All she could think of was Dustin and their memories. She had tried so hard to mend their relationship. But whatever she did, it seemed to pull them further apart. She slowly realized that Dustin seemed to care less about her now. He no longer put her first and considered her feelings either. She was terrified at the thought that they had turned into enemies, especially after the decisive look he gave her last night.Just then, Dahlia heard the sound bell hanging at the door. She turned her head instinctively and saw a familiar figure enter. It was none other than Dustin."You're here." Dahlia's eyes lit up, and she appeared more animated as she stood up."What did you call me here for?" Dustin took a seat stoic
"Stop right there!" Dahlia caught up to him and grabbed his arm. "Do you have to be like this? Can't we have a decent talk?""I don't think that's necessary. I'm wasting my breath. Not to mention, I'm busy. Let's not waste each other's time any longer," Dustin said with little interest and headed straight for the door."You're not allowed to leave!" Dahlia suddenly hugged him from behind, holding him tightly. It was an extremely bold move coming from her, especially when she was usually aloof. "I'm not letting you go!" Still maintaining her tight grip, she rested her cheek on his back.She mumbled softly, "Consider me wrong this time, okay? I know I'm difficult sometimes, but I'll do my best to change. "If you say Gavin is the bad guy, then he's the bad guy. I won't see him ever again, alright? I'm terrified of losing you. Let's get back together, please. "I won't be stubborn anymore and won't hit you again. I swear. As long as you stay, I'll do anything you tell me to. "
Early the next morning, at Zephyr Lodge, Dustin sat on the rooftop and watched the sunrise. His expression was devoid of emotion. Since bidding farewell to Dahlia last night, he had been on the rooftop since midnight till the sun rose in the sky. His emotions gradually shifted from turmoil to calmness. After a night of deep contemplation, he found a newfound sense of acceptance and detachment. He would no longer be stuck in the past."Sir Rhys …"At that moment, Cornelius leaped onto the rooftop and reported, "I've received news that the Jade Maiden Scripture you are looking for has been located.""Oh? Where is it?" Dustin raised his eyebrow."A group of foreign merchants have it. We've contacted them, but they're unwilling to sell to us directly. They insist on meeting face-to-face," Cornelius replied. "A face-to-face meeting?" Dustin nodded. "Alright, go get Nikki. We'll go and have a look together.""Yes, sir." After Cornelius replied, he jumped down the roof again.
Nikki frowned, "What do you mean? You're not selling it directly to us?""Recently, I've received many inquiries about the Jade Maiden Scripture. I was in a difficult position and was unable to make a decision. "That was why I gathered everyone here to discuss the price collectively. It would be fairer this way," Samuel explained."Fair?" Dustin shook his head with a smile. "Mr. Franklin, you have a gift for words. You're raising the price without reason yet making it sound sophisticated."Gathering all the buyers to discuss the price collectively was an obvious attempt to start a bidding war. That way, the price of the Jade Maiden Scripture would surge dramatically. It was a cunning strategy indeed."You flatter me, mister. I'm a humble merchant who hopes to earn a little extra profit." Samuel continued to smile even when his plan was exposed. He was good at maintaining his composure. "Hmph! I hate people like you the most" Nikki looked at him contemptuously.Why couldn't
"Hey! I'm warning you, don't mess with me!" Julian took a few quick steps back in fear when he saw Dustin's threatening posture. He hadn't brought any bodyguards today; only a few pretty women came with him. It would be difficult for him to handle such a reckless fellow alone."Fellow guests. Please, calm down." Samuel noticed the tension in the air.He mediated the situation with a smile. "We've gathered here today for serious business. Let's not spoil the mood. Whatever it is, we can discuss things calmly while seated."‘’Alright. Since Mr. Franklin has spoken up, I'll respect that." Dustin nodded and settled back into his seat.Since they came for the Jade Maiden Scripture, it was inappropriate to fight now. He could deal with someone like Julian anytime he wanted, anyway. "Hmph! And here I thought you had the guts. But it seems like you're all bark!" Julian sneered. He assumed Dustin was hesitant to act because of his identity. "You dress up so shabbily, and yet you dar
Everyone glanced at Nikki, sizing her up. "Hmph! Do you think one billion is impressive? I'll pay 1.5 billion!" Julian raised the bid again. The Nicholsons may not have much of anything else, but they certainly had a lot of money. Not to mention, recently, he was in luck and earned a few billions. He had so much money now that he didn't know how to spend it."Two billion!" Nikki would not let up. The Jade Maiden Sisterhood had a budget of around five billion. As long as she could get the Jade Maiden Scroll, spending it all wasn't a problem. "My, my. Are you challenging me? I'm curious to see what you're capable of. Three billion!" Julian thundered with confidence.When he raised the price, several buyers gave up and left. Although the Jade Maiden Scripture was a precious treasure, it came with a major limitation. It was only useful for women. While spending a few hundred million to please their lover wasn't an issue, a few billion wasn't worth it. "Nikki, how much can y
After leaving Dash Corporation, Dustin and Natasha headed to the mall, where they picked out gifts for every member of the Ballard family. From the eldest to the youngest toddlers, no one was left out. Later, they stopped by an antique shop and chose a beautiful calligraphy painting as a special gift for Simon.By evening, Dustin had everything ready for his first visit to the Ballard estate, located in the heart of Oakvale's city center. The estate was a sprawling courtyard mansion built on a large plot of land.Simon, the Duke of Lachshire, had three sons and a daughter. His eldest son, Jonathan Ballard, was a third-ranked official in the government. The second son, Jensen Ballard, was a successful entrepreneur in the pharmaceutical industry in Oakvale, with billions in assets. Meanwhile, the youngest son, Jovian Ballard, had made a name for himself in the military and was now a third-ranked general.Simon's youngest daughter, Jessica—Natasha's mother—was highly favored with
While Dustin was away, Natasha couldn't help but worry about him. She would always keep an eye out for any news about him. But no matter how much she missed him, she wouldn't call him. She didn't want to distract or cause him to lose focus on the important matters concerning the nation's affairs. Understanding how busy he was, she kept her feelings in check and buried herself in work to keep her mind occupied.But when Natasha finally saw Dustin again, all the emotions she had bottled up came rushing out. Months of longing turned into overwhelming affection, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.Her assistant, Tanya, watched in shock. She had no idea Natasha—typically the poised, decisive, and commanding chairwoman—was in a relationship. What surprised her even more was how different Natasha seemed around Dustin. The usually unshakable "queen" now appeared soft and tender in his presence.Tanya couldn't help but watch Dustin more closely. His looks and charisma were u
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