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An Understated Dominance Chapter 2381
"Phoenix Soaring!"Under immense pressure, Emeret used every ounce of his strength. His internal energy surged like a tidal wave, and he channeled it into his silver sword. It flared with a sharp glow that was nearly blinding.Then, he leaped into the air. He merged with his sword and transformed into a massive Sacred Phoenix. With a mighty cry, the phoenix flew toward the golden sword descending from above.The silver phoenix, gleaming from head to tail, flapped its wings and unleashed a wind storm. Its power was overwhelming, and it seemed like it could break through the clouds and soar into the sky. After a brief pause in midair, it turned toward the golden sword.Another loud boom resounded as the earth trembled and energy surged in every direction. The entire battle ring rumbled while the protective barrier rippled like waves. It shook violently as if it were on the verge of collapse.At the center of the explosion, the golden sword collided with the Phoenix's beak. The sword
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2382
"I lost." Emeret lowered his head and struggled to utter those words.Though reluctant, he had to admit the gap between him and Glenn was too wide to ignore. Continuing the fight wouldn't just mean defeat, but he might end up losing his life for nothing."You did well to withstand my strikes and still be standing," Glenn remarked coldly before leaving the battle ring.Emeret's skills were decent, but they barely piqued his interest."Congratulations to contestant number two, Glenn Hadley, for his victory." Oron quickly announced the results. In an instant, the spectators erupted into thunderous applause. Though the match was brief, the explosive clash had captivated everyone, especially Glenn's overwhelming strength, which left a lasting impression in their minds.If he didn't draw his sword, things would have been fine. But the impact was nothing short of earth-shattering and unmatched once he drew it."What a pity." Alloy shook his head in mock disappointment from the main sp
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2383
"For the fourth match, let's welcome contestant number four, Caleb Foyer, and contestant number five, Dustin Rhys."As Oron's voice boomed, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause. Under everyone's watchful eyes, Dustin and Caleb stepped onto the battle ring. This last quarterfinal match was shrouded in suspense. Both contestants had emerged as underdogs in the tournament.Caleb had gained instant fame after defeating Sam, who ranked ninth on the Legendary List. In contrast, Dustin took down two powerful foreign contestants in succession, which showcased his remarkable strength. Hence, everyone eagerly anticipated their showdown."Who do you think will win this match?""It should be Caleb, right? He's a chosen apprentice of Sacred Wrym Summit. After all, he has mastered the Glow Incantation, Stormcraft, and Divine Talismans. Even Sam, with the sacred weapon of the Dawson Clan, couldn't defeat him. That shows just how powerful Caleb is.""Not so fast! I think Dustin is someone
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2384
Dustin didn't flinch as the electric serpent charged toward him. Instead, he channeled his mystical energy into a spear and thrust forward. He was eager to test the strength of Stormcraft.The true energy spear collided with the Stormcraft and unleashed a loud crack of thunder. Energy rippled outward and dispersed in every direction. Their energies collided with such force that neither gained the upper hand.Neither Dustin nor Caleb gained the upper hand in this exchange, yet neither backed down. They continued to trade blows in a fierce, close-quarters fight. Each strike resonated like a drumbeat in a relentless battle."I can't believe Dustin is holding his own against Caleb. This is unbelievable.""Dustin is pretty strong, so it's not surprising he can fight like this.""You don't get it. Dustin is renowned for his lethal sword techniques. Yet, he's standing firm against Caleb, who used Glow Incantation and Stormcraft, just with his fists. That speaks volumes about his cultivat
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2385
"Really? Since you're so confident, I'll be watching closely," Alloy replied with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. The chance to mess with Cyrus was too good to pass up.When Cyrus had sparred with Seth, he had been defeated by just one move. Since that day, he had lived in Seth's shadow. In other words, Seth had become the inner demon that Cyrus could never shake off—a haunting reminder of his limits.As the tension brewed between Alloy and Cyrus in the stands, the situation in the battle ring had changed.Caleb was engaged in an extended battle, and the strain on his internal energy had reached a critical point. He needed to maintain his Glow Incantation while using Stormcraft for his attacks. This combination led to a rapid depletion of his energy.In contrast, Dustin focused primarily on close-range combat. He relied on his agility and brute strength to unleash punches and kicks while creating openings. Additionally, he only used his internal energy to counter Caleb's Stor
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2386
"What?"As Caleb stared at the disintegrated Soul-Bind talisman, his expression changed dramatically. He hadn't expected that a sword descending from the sky would disrupt his plan at such a critical moment.When did this sword appear? How had he failed to notice it?Before he could react, the black sword moved again.With a soft hum, the black sword seemed to have a mind of its own as it turned in midair and struck the Summit Shift talisman at lightning speed. The talisman in the air exploded in a brilliant flash of yellow light and scattered into tiny sparks.Dustin finally relaxed as the overwhelming pressure lifted. He slowly opened his palm, and the black sword circled him before landing precisely in his hand."No wonder they call it a legendary Divine Talisman. I've finally experienced its power firsthand today." He gripped the sword with one hand and flashed a faint smile, but his expression turned serious.While the Summit Shift talisman hadn't fully immobilized him, it
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2387
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
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2388
"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
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Chapter 2533
"Your Highness, the soldiers under me are trained solely in killing techniques. If they hurt your guest, things could get ugly," Lycas said.He didn't say it outright, but the message was clear. If Dustin wasn't strong enough, he'd better stay out of the way, or he was just asking for trouble.Bryce didn't say anything, but the look he gave Dustin was full of contempt. How could a pampered young man like Dustin measure up to soldiers who've been through the grind? He figured Dustin was probably some heir from a prominent family who knew Nathaniel and was trying to assert his relevance."You guys are blind to greatness when it's standing right in front of you." Nathaniel chuckled and shook his head. He added, "If any of you manage to land a hit on Mr. Rhys, I'll pay out a thousand gold. But honestly, I doubt any of you have what it takes."At the mention of rewards, the soldiers perked up. Their eyes lit up with excitement. They were practically itching to charge at Dustin and g
Chapter 2532
During the meal, Nathaniel arranged for two women to accompany Dustin.Throughout history, even the greatest heroes couldn't resist the allure of beautiful women. Sometimes, a woman of extraordinary beauty could be far more enticing than rare treasures or high status.Dustin remained composed. He neither showed any enthusiasm nor did he deliberately reject it.As for the women seated on either side of him, he treated them with polite respect. He enjoyed a drink and the easy conversation with them, but nothing beyond that.However, Nathaniel saw it differently. To him, it seemed that Dustin was unimpressed by the women at his side.Considering Dustin's background, it made sense. A woman of ordinary beauty would never catch his attention. Nathaniel realized he would need to pull out all the stops. Perhaps, it was time to bring out his most prized companion and see how Dustin responded.After the meal, he led Dustin to his mansion's training ground.The midday sun blazed overhead
Chapter 2531
"This…" Dustin began.He hesitated on purpose and didn't give an immediate answer.Upon seeing him deep in thought, Nathaniel was convinced that Dustin was weighing the pros and cons. He leaned in slightly, his smile widening with anticipation. "You should know how much the Dracan essence means to me," he said. "If I can gather all the essences, it’d be like fate is on my side. My path to the throne would be unstoppable—and when that time comes, your reward will be waiting."As he spoke, his gaze stayed on Dustin as he searched for any sign of hesitation in his expression.Dustin looked up and met his eyes. For a moment, something unreadable flickered in his gaze.He pressed his lips together and spoke slowly. "You're right, Your Highness. But it wasn't easy to find the Dracan essence. I went through quite a few twists and turns. Besides, if I give it to you, it might put me at odds with the other two princes."He paused deliberately and left the rest unsaid. Still, the concern
Chapter 2530
The next morning, Nathaniel was inside a lavish mansion. He was in his study, flipping through an ancient manuscript. One of his most trusted aides hurried in and lowered his voice, "Your Royal Highness, word just came in. Another trace of Dracan essence has been found."Nathaniel raised an eyebrow and closed the manuscript. "Where?""Our investigation shows it ended up in the hands of Logan Rhys," the aide replied."Logan Rhys?" Nathaniel narrowed his eyes slightly and was surprised by the name.He had tried to win Logan over before and spared no expense, but never received a response. Later, he discovered that Tristan and Matthias had done the same.Fortunately, Logan still hadn't picked a side. He might be holding out for the best offer, but at least he hadn't shut the door on Nathaniel.With the Dracan essence in his hands, Logan had become an even more valuable target. In addition to the West Lucozian monarchy, Logan was an ultimate grandmaster, which made him worth recrui
Chapter 2529
"Give me a moment to think," Dustin said.Grace's words sent him into deep thought.After all, carrying the fate of Dragonmarsh was no small burden. First, he had to be tough enough to handle it. Then, he needed the resolve to accept what came with it. Once he carried that burden, it meant taking on a heavyweight.He used to act on his own terms and do things as he pleased without worrying too much about the consequences. But once the nation's fate was involved, everything changed.Not that he had many options.Dustin could either hide in Sacred Wrym Summit and hope Arion would protect him, or take a risk and absorb the Dragonmarsh's fate to push through his cultivation's bottleneck. Between the two, he was leaning toward the latter."I can give your plan a shot," Dustin said suddenly. "But we're still missing a piece of the Dracan essence. If we're doing this, we need to find that last one first."Only once all five pieces of Dracan essence were united could he truly wield the
Chapter 2528
"Royal gods? And two of them?" Dustin frowned at the news.His battle with Poseidon in West Lucozia had shown him firsthand that the Hall of Gods didn't send weaklings into the field.One royal god had already pushed him to his limit. If two came at him together, winning wasn't even the question. He'd be lucky just to make it out alive."That's right," Grace said solemnly. "The royal gods, Zeus and Hera, have crossed the border. They're even stronger than Poseidon. If they ambush you together, your chances are slim."She knew Dustin was strong, but he was still young. Moreover, Zeus and Hera weren't just anyone. They were world-class powerhouses. Surviving a fight with them would be next to impossible.The Hall of Gods had probably figured out how dangerous Dustin could become. If they had given him a few more years to grow, they might not have been able to stop him."Well, that complicates things." Dustin rested his chin in one hand with a thoughtful expression.Two royal god
Chapter 2527
Soluna Hall had one rule—they wouldn't accept unfamiliar customers. They only served those they knew well or people introduced by someone they trusted. Every transaction required an appointment. Exceptions were made for urgent matters, but those came with an additional fee.When Dustin reached the entrance, two security guards stopped him. After stating his name and being verified by the guards, they let him through.Inside, a female attendant with a pleasant smile greeted him and led him across the main hall straight into the back garden. They passed a small fish pond and stopped in front of a secluded private room."This is Ms. Linsor's private reception area. Mr. Rhys, please come in," the female attendant said with a smile."She's not here?" Dustin asked curiously."She had something come up, but she'll be here soon. Please make yourself comfortable," the attendant said, still smiling."Alright then." He nodded and walked into the room.The room was spacious, with a vintag
Chapter 2526
"You're wrong, Tristan," Matthias said with a meaningful look.He continued, "Sure, I've got the Moseys to back me, but I'm still far from securing the throne. Nathaniel's got strong backing too, and this won't be an easy win. But if you were to support me, I'd say my chances shoot up to 80%."In his eyes, Tristan's support was worth more than the Ballard family.If he could win Tristan over, his odds would jump from 60% to nearly 80%. The only question now was whether Tristan would be willing to shelve his own ambitions and place his bet on Matthias."You know me, Matthias. I've never been one for ambition or glory. This kind of power struggle just isn't for me. I hope you can understand that," Tristan said.After thinking about it thoroughly, he finally turned his brother down. He knew his chances of winning were slim, yet he couldn't let go.Tristan was the eldest legitimate son, the rightful and undisputed heir to the throne. Aside from his poor health, he had no real shortco
Chapter 2525
Tristan, Matthias, and Nathaniel weren't fools. They understood the unspoken message loud and clear.Their purpose for this trip was to take advantage of the opportunity to offer their condolences and win the Ballard family's support. Should it work, all the better. If not, they'd at least make a good impression. The key was that as long as the Ballard family didn't pick a side or turn against them, there was still room to make things work. No need to rush into anything.Tristan spoke first. "You're being too kind, Duke of Lachshire. We've always admired Mr. Jovian's loyalty and courage. We're simply here to pay our respects—nothing more."Matthias added, "That's right. Your family has a lot to deal with right now. Plus, you're not as young as you used to be, so don't wear yourself out over this. We won't take up more of your time today."He gave a respectful nod, then turned to leave."Duke—"Nathaniel opened his mouth to speak, but Tristan interrupted. "That's enough, Nathani
