Nikki was livid and glowered at Julian. She clenched her fists, almost losing her cool.While Dustin remained indifferent, it was like he was staring at a fool."Kid, get lost if you don't have the money. What are you standing around for? Waiting for someone to donate it to you?" Julian mocked."Hmph! You're humiliating yourself by going up against Mr. Nicholson.""It's embarrassing that you don't have ten billion!" The haughty women spoke out, and they looked at Nikki with disdain. It was as if money was just a number to them."All of you are too much!" Nikki seethed in anger and turned to Dustin.She asked him, "Dustin, how much money do you have? Lend it all to me. I will get the Jade Maiden Scripture today no matter what! I'm going to crush this guy's arrogance thoroughly!" "Money?" Dustin patted his pockets, then shook his head. "Sorry, I didn't bring any money. How about you, Cornelius?""Me neither." Cornelius spread his hands out. He only had a few pennies to his n
Julian glared at the masked men, displeased with them. In public, everyone always addressed him as Mr. Nicholson. The audacity of these masked men to address him familiarly by his first name!"So, you're Julian Nicholson." After the masked man confirmed his target, his gaze turned cold. The next thing they knew, the masked man lunged at Julian with a knife. The sharp blade sliced into Julian's abdomen, leaving Julian in shock. His eyes widened in disbelief. What on earth was going on? The masked man must be out of his mind to attack him without a word!"Ah—!" Julian screamed in pain. He staggered back, clutching his wound. He was terrified. "W—who are you?" "Your executioner!" The masked men approached Julian murderously."I've done nothing to offend you. Why do you want to kill me?" Julian broke out in cold sweat as panic overtook him. "I was paid to kill you. It serves you right for offending Mr. Huffner!" The leader of the masked men thundered. "I don't know any Pre
Julian died a regretful death. After killing him, the masked men left without any words.Dustin, who was the reason for his death, got his revenge. Not only that, but he got the Jade Maiden Scripture that was worth ten billion. It was worth celebrating.He guessed that the masked man who left earlier was Preston. Otherwise, he wouldn't have reacted like that when he saw Dustin. "Congratulations to the three of you. Luck is on your side." Samuel clasped his hands, smiling as usual."Mr. Franklin, thanks to you, we got a great deal." Dustin returned the smile with a knowing look. Samuel had remained silent the entire time, evidently hoping Julian would meet his end so that he could reclaim the Jade Maiden Scripture. It was a pity that it ended up in their hands instead."May I ask for your name?" Samuel asked respectfully."Dustin Rhys.""Mr. Rhys, you don't seem like an ordinary person, given your manner of speech. I hope we can work together again in the future." Samuel ex
"I was just saying. You don't have to open it if you don't want to." Dustin shrugged.Although the Jade Maiden Scripture was impressive, it was only suitable for women. It had no use for him. He was only interested to see it because of his curiosity. "Hmph! Smart move!" Nikki breathed a sigh of relief. It was embarrassing to admit, but it was thanks to Dustin that she could get her hands on the Jade Maiden Scripture. When they returned, she would put in a good word for him with Madam Edith and ensure he was rewarded accordingly. Twenty minutes later, the car stopped at the entrance of Zephyr Lodge. They had just exited the car when Brittany and a few disciples rushed up to them excitedly."Nikki, I heard you found the Jade Maiden Scripture. Where is it? Let me see!" Brittany was unable to hide the excitement on her face."It's right here, have a look." Nikki passed the box containing the Jade Maiden Scripture to her.Brittany's excitement grew as she studied the scripture.
"Brittany?" Nikki looked at her in disbelief. She couldn't believe Brittany would say something like that. All she did was greet them by the door, yet she had taken all the credit for herself. It was unfair, especially when Brittany didn't mention a word about their efforts. "What?" Dustin frowned slightly. Although he wasn't expecting to be acknowledged, it still annoyed him to be put in such a situation. "You did great, Brittany. I knew you wouldn't disappoint." Edith nodded in gratitude. "I'll remember your achievement. Once I've mastered the Jade Maiden Scripture's teachings, I'll pass them on to you!""Thank you, Madam Edith!" Brittany lit up in joy. This was what she had been waiting for. There was nothing more valuable than being taught personally by her mentor."Brittany, I believe there's something you forgot to mention," Nikki reminded her. As a fellow disciple, she didn't mind not being rewarded. After all, they were all working for Madam Edith. However, Du
"Madam Edith, I can testify that Brittany was the one who got the Jade Maiden Scripture!""That's right. It was all thanks to Brittany. That rotten bastard had nothing to do with it!""Nikki, you must have been mistaken."The disciples spoke out one after the other, choosing to side with Brittany."Y—you all!" Nikki was annoyed. She couldn't believe all of them were exactly like Brittany. They didn't hesitate to change the truth. It was outrageous!"Did you hear that, Nikki? Everyone here saw it. Are you still going to argue with me?" Brittany smirked triumphantly. She looked at Nikki as if she were a fool. In the Jade Maiden Sisterhood, other than Madam Edith and a few elders, nobody dared to go against Brittany. She could distort the truth as she liked. "Madam Edith, please believe me. I'm not lying!" Nikki didn't give up and tried to get Madam Edith's support. "Many of them are saying you're wrong; how am I supposed to believe you?" Edith's expression was frosty. "
"Sorry, Dustin, I couldn't help you." Nikki was kneeling on the ground, feeling guilty."I didn't expect things to turn out that way. You worked hard, yet you didn't get anything in return.""I don't care about any of that. On the other hand, have you ever thought of leaving the Jade Maiden Sisterhood?" Dustin asked suddenly.He was upset when Brittany hit Nikki earlier but didn't intervene. Firstly, it was because that was an internal conflict within the Jade Maiden Sisterhood. Secondly, it was to make Nikki recognize reality sooner. "Leave? Why?" Nikki frowned."The Jade Maiden Sisterhood has a bad environment. They don't set good examples, either. It's not suited for someone like you," Dustin said bluntly."Hey! I won't let you insult my guild like that!" Nikki's expression hardened, upset with Dustin."Am I wrong? A guild that distorts the truth and doesn't follow reason won't have a future," Dustin stated calmly."Madam Edith treats me well. You just haven't noticed,
"Stop pretending! If it weren't because you harbored ill intentions, Edith wouldn't have gotten hurt!" Letitia shrieked."It wasn't me!" Nikki shook her head repeatedly. "I didn't do anything. I passed the Jade Maiden Scripture to Brittany right after I got it!""Shut up!" Brittany's expression shifted upon hearing her. She rushed up and slapped Nikki's face two times. She screamed, "You bitch! How dare you slander me? It's you who planned this!""Exactly! We all saw it! You were the one who handed the Jade Maiden Scripture over to Brittany!""It seems like it's true that you can never know someone completely. I can't believe you would be so bold to harm Madam Edith!" One after the other, the group of disciples condemned Nikki. "I didn't! I didn't! I would never harm Madam Edith!" Nikki panicked. She struggled to get up but was unable to move. "You bitch! Are you still trying to deny it? It seems like you still won't learn a lesson. Punish her with torture!" Letitia ordered
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