"The scripture?" Dustin was surprised. Then, he burst out laughing. "That's what you were after this entire time, wasn't it?" He thought Nikki had finally come around and was trying to advise him for fear of his safety. It turned out that she was just putting on a show. Her goal was the Jade Maiden Scripture. "Dustin, the scripture is very important to me. Please return it." Nikki's expression was awkward, but there was a determined look in her eyes. "I've already given it to you. Why are you asking me again?" Dustin's expression turned stormy. "Stop acting. I know you stole it. We can still be friends if you hand it over," Nikki said expressionlessly. "First of all, I never stole that scripture of yours. It's your problem if you lose it. Secondly, I don't think I want to be friends with you," Dustin jeered. "Are you going to keep acting like this, Dustin? The scripture is useless to you! Just return it to me, and we can be friends again!" Nikki frowned. She thought D
Dustin ignored the profanities Nikki was throwing at him and walked straight ahead. He had done all that he should. Unfortunately, Nikki was just as stubborn and sickening as the other Jade Maiden Sisterhood disciples.All his help and advice had fallen on deaf ears. It even came back to bite him. There was no saving a woman like that. He didn't have to, either. So, he might as well pretend not to know her at all. "How did it go? Did you get the scripture back?" Just then, Edith and her disciples approached Nikki. Edith has been thinking about the scripture since she lost it last night. So, when Dustin appeared, she immediately ordered Nikki to get it back. "He wouldn't hand it over, Madam. He even slapped me," Nikki whimpered. She covered her aching face with a hand. "What?" Edith frowned. "Didn't I tell you to sweet-talk him? What did you do?""That's what I did, but it was useless. He had his guard up against me. I couldn't get it back," Nikki moaned. "You piece of s
Maggie still remembered how Dustin had beaten her up. Now that the man she hated was standing right before her, she could finally have her revenge. "Enough talking. Where's Sir Augustus?" Dustin's expression was cold. "Hmph! You'll have to get through me if you want to challenge him!" Just then, a terrifying aura burst forth from the crowd. Then, a man and a woman jumped over to where the Doyle family was. The man stood tall and proud with a fiery aura, while the elegant woman gave off an icy air. It was clear that they were polar opposites. "What are you guys doing here?" Terry was happy to see the new arrivals. "We heard that you were being bullied, so we came to support you." The man grinned, while the woman merely nodded in acknowledgment. "Terry, these two are?" Phil was puzzled. "Let me introduce them to you, Dad. These are my seniors—Blaise and Frostine. They're a married couple, and they're also the famous Ice-Fire Duo on The Heavenly Immortals!" Terry introduce
As soon as Blaise made his move, Cornelius jumped out and threw a punch as well. A layer of true energy cushioned Cornelius' fist as it smashed into Blaise's fiery fist. Then, the energy exploded with a bang. Cornelius' body shook for a second before he steadied himself. Blaise, however, was pushed back from the impact. Each step he took to stabilize himself created a deep dent in the ground. It was clear to see who had the upper hand. "Holy shit! Who's that old man? He was able to stop the person ranked fifth on The Heavenly Immortals!""Incredible! He gained the upper hand against Blaise in a fistfight.""Balerno sure has tons of hidden gems. Even a random old man is so strong."Many people were shocked by Cornelius' ability. They didn't expect a scrawny old man to win against Blaise when it came to physical strength. It sure was a rare sight. "Who the hell are you? How dare you stop me!" Blaise's face burned in humiliation. He came here from Oakvale to show off his
Ronald found it strange too. A skilled semi-grandmaster was more than qualified to become an elder of the martial arts alliance.Why would he be working for Dustin? Was he hired with a hefty sum to fight in the battle? "It was only yesterday that we saw him. And yet, it seems like that old geezer has improved." Edith's expression was hostile. It carried a hint of resentment.She had been stuck as a semi-grandmaster for many years, unable to make any progress. However, that old geezer still had room to improve. It made her jealous. "Damn it! Where did that old geezer come from? I can't believe he still isn't defeated by Ice-Fire Duo." Maggie was getting anxious."Don't panic. At least it looks like Ice-Fire Duo still has the upper hand." Phil stroked his beard. They weren't ranked fifth and sixth on the Heavenly Immortals for nothing. They were invincible, especially when they joined forces. It was only a matter of time before they would defeat their opponent. "Relax, t
"What?" After witnessing Cornelius flying, the crowd was dumbfounded.They were aware of his skills from his earlier performance. He had single-handedly defeated Ice-Fire Duo. It was nothing short of imposing.Yet a formidable martial artist like him was severely injured by a single leaf. It was truly astonishing.The most remarkable part was that the leaf had shot out from more than a thousand yards away.Who could have injured a semi-grandmaster without even showing themselves?"He's here!"Amidst the gazes of many, an elderly man with a youthful appearance appeared at the end of Shinefield Lake.He wore a white robe and had his hands folded behind his back. He strode across the surface of the lake as if it were solid land. With every step he took, ripples that looked like lotuses appeared. It made the aquatic life beneath him leap from the water in response. At first glance, it looked like a divine being had descended from the heavens. As he moved amidst clouds and mist,
The water sphere exploded with a pop. Even the fish inside exploded into a bloody mist. "Huh?" Augustus frowned at the unexpected scene. Though he had made a simple attack, it wasn't an attack an ordinary person could defend against. "Augustus Kline, your opponent is me." Dustin stepped out while shielding Cornelius. "So you're Dustin Rhys?" Augustus gave him a once-over. His gaze was sharp, cold, and imposing. He exuded an air of indifference, resembling a God looking down upon insignificant mortals. "That would be me." Dustin was stoic. "Break your limbs, destroy your core, and apologize to Terry on your knees. That way, I will let you live," Augustus spat out coldly. Although his tone was relatively composed, an underlying dominance was unmistakably present. "Hey, Rhys! Did you hear that? Hurry up and destroy your core, then kneel and apologize! Terry yelled arrogantly. He wouldn't pass up the chance to humiliate Dustin. After all, Dustin would be entirely unde
Only silence filled the scene. Everyone was dumbfounded. Their eyes widened in disbelief. Nobody expected a great martial artist like Augustus to crash into the water with one strike. He was a grandmaster, for God's sake! His presence was like a divine being to ordinary martial artists. A flick of a finger could take a life, and a simple attack could defeat a divine-level martial artist! Under normal circumstances, a top-tier skilled martial artist like him should be invincible. He could crush everything effortlessly. What the hell was going on, then? The revered Augustus was defeated on their first encounter. How the hell was that possible? After a brief silence, the area around Shinefield Lake erupted into a frenzy."Oh my God! Am I seeing things? Augustus Kline was sent into the water?" "No! That's not possible! A grandmaster is like God. How could an ordinary person compare?""A grandmaster can only be defeated by another grandmaster. Could that man actually be a
"In response to Your Lordship's question, this marriage alliance between our two families isn't my decision alone—it's also my godfather's and the entire Mosey family's," Anders said with a smile."According to the established rules, marriages between royal bloodlines are forbidden. Have you forgotten?" Simon replied coolly. "Sticking to outdated rules only holds us back," Anders said, shaking his head with a smile.He continued, "Right now, Dragonmarsh is going through a turbulent time—internally and externally. I've also heard the king's health is deteriorating. There are rumors he plans to name a successor and step down soon."With that, Oakvale will likely be in turmoil. When that happens, all the powerful families—the four ancient houses, the eight great families, and other factions—will be dragged into the chaos."That's why I'm hoping our families can form a marriage alliance to navigate the coming crisis together."Simon remained calm and said, "It's natural for the king
"Dad, what do you think?" Jonathan asked, turning to Simon."A guest has arrived, so we can't be rude. Invite them to the living room so we can discuss things properly," Simon replied calmly.Anders represented the Mosey family, and regardless of his intentions, Simon couldn't simply turn him away. As for the proposed marriage alliance, it was a matter that required thorough consideration."Understood," the butler replied promptly before leaving."Go on with your meal. I'm going to meet with Anders," Simon said, excusing himself from the table.Jonathan, Jensen, and Jovian exchanged glances and, without hesitation, followed their father. They were curious to see what the Mosey family had in mind."Alright, let them handle it. Let's focus on our meal," Gemma Letcher, Natasha's grandmother, said with a smile and signaled everyone to continue eating.…Three minutes later, in the Ballard family's living room, Simon sat at the head of the table near the entrance. Jonathan and his b
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