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An Understated Dominance Chapter 557
"I'm not drinking that. Get lost." Dustin's words were short and sweet, but he brought a deathly hush over the hall. All eyes were on Dylan the moment he entered. There were numerous people present who would do anything to gain his favor, so when they witnessed Dylan offering Dustin a drink, the onlookers, including Zoey, Gordon, and Zeke, were astonished. Jealous, even. It was definitely something worth bragging about to have someone like Dylan offer you a drink. However, they had never expected Dustin to actually turn him down and even arrogantly dismiss him. What was the meaning of that? Was Dustin really so full of himself? "What did you just say?" Not only were the onlookers surprised, but even Dylan couldn't believe his ears. He was a Harmon, a high-ranking commander in the Dark Panther Cavalry, and a future general! No matter where he went, people would fawn over him and go out of their way to please him. Just a smile from him could make someone's day, so shouldn't regular p
An Understated Dominance Chapter 558
"Whoever wants the drink can have it, but it's not going to be me." Dustin remained unfazed by the comments and derogatory remarks hurled his way. "Well, that's not up to you!" Dylan's expression turned cold. "Boys, make him drink it!" "Yes, sir!" The two adjutants immediately went up to Dustin, ready to force the drink down his throat. "Buzz off." With two backhanded slaps, Dustin sent the two adjutants sprawling on the ground, blood streaming from their noses and their teeth broken. They scrambled to get back up but failed miserably. "Holy shit! The guy's getting violent!" The onlookers were startled and enraged by what they saw. Assaulting military personnel was a major offense, and when the situation called for it, they were authorized to use their guns. "You've got a death wish, you bastard!" Dylan finally had it when he saw the two adjutants being slapped. He swiftly threw a punch at Dustin's face. As a high-ranking commander of the Dark Panther Cavalry, it went without
An Understated Dominance Chapter 559
"He spiked the wine?" Everyone looked at Dylan in shock. If that was the case, then it would make sense for Dustin to refuse the drink. "You—What nonsense!" Dylan had a sinking feeling, but he forced himself to appear composed as he roared, "Do you know who I am? Why would I spike your drink? You're dragging my reputation through the mud!" He had no idea how Dustin could tell that the wine had been spiked, but there was no way he was going to admit to doing it. "That's right! My cousin offered you a drink, and you not only turned him down, but you even accused him of such dirty tricks? You truly are cunning!" Kate feigned anger. "Hah! I think someone's just here to cause trouble!" "What a heinous crime to slander a military officer!" "We should just kick him out! He's despicable!" In a clamor of voices, the crowd accused and scolded Dustin. With their preconceived notions, they clearly believed Dylan more than they did Dustin. "Dustin, do you have any proof for claiming t
An Understated Dominance Chapter 560
"That's it?"Natasha was extremely displeased. Naturally, she wasn't willing to swallow her anger when her man was being mistreated. "Natasha, let's look at the big picture. Why don't you sit down?" Hector gave her a look. Then, he led the others to sit at the tables allocated for the Harmons. The ten tables at the very front of the ballroom were designated for the core members of the Harmon family as well as the other bigwigs in the family. The regular guests were relegated to the back. "Darling, I'm sorry for the injustice. I'll definitely find an opportunity for a payback!" Natasha said through gritted teeth. "It's nothing but a petty issue. Don't worry about me. Go and keep your father company." Dustin smiled lightly. Her saying that was already good enough for him. "What, you don't want to sit with me?" Natasha raised an eyebrow. "No, guests shouldn't sit with the stars of the evening. I'll just sit here. Not to mention, sitting too close to Dylan might invite trouble.
An Understated Dominance Chapter 561
Meanwhile, at the Grants' mansion, Tyler sat in the study, quietly poring over war strategy books. He gave each and every word on the page his undivided attention. Suddenly, there was a series of knocks on the door."What is it?" Tyler asked without turning his head."Mr. Grant, the big day has arrived. We should head out," an elderly voice said from outside the door.Tyler set the book down and got to his feet. After straightening his clothes, he opened the door and walked out. An aged servant stood outside the door, waiting for him with his head bowed."How are the Harmons reacting?" Tyler asked with an indifferent look. "The Harmons haven't started preparing for the wedding yet. Instead, they're throwing a birthday party," the man replied."Birthday party?" Tyler's mouth twitched. "Is that supposed to put pressure on me? How amusing." "Mr. Grant, should we fetch the bride another day?" the man asked tentatively. "Since the engagement is today, it can't be changed. We'll
An Understated Dominance Chapter 562
"She's right!" Zeke added. "Rhys, here's a word of advice. You'd better leave Natasha as soon as possible, or you'd just be humiliating yourself!"Dustin wasn't bothered enough to entertain them. He simply minded his own business, sipping at his drink. Yet, his lofty attitude pissed them off even more. "Hpmh, weren't you acting all cool earlier? Has the cat got your tongue? That's all you're good for," Zoey said with a cold laugh. To her, it was obvious that Dustin was feeling ashamed of himself. "Let it go. Let him keep some of his dignity, or you'll back him into a corner," Gordon teased with a smile. Dustin was just a brute who knew a move or two; he really didn't think too highly of him.At that moment, Zoey seemed to have noticed something. She pointed at the door and asked, "Hey, who's that? He's really good-looking and even has a certain air about him." The others turned their heads to look, and their gazes fell upon a handsome man walking inside, holding a folding fan.
An Understated Dominance Chapter 563
"What?" Gordon and the others were dumbfounded by how politely and courteously Patrick had spoken to Dustin. Their eyes were round with disbelief.The son of the Hill family—one of the Ten Princes of South Province, dubbed the top aristocrat—had actually greeted that jerk with a smile?How was that even possible?!"No way. Dustin knows Mr. Hill?" The smile on Zoey's face turned to ice. She had initially thought that Patrick had walked over for Gordon; never in her wildest dreams would she have thought that he was there for Dustin. Not to mention, from the way they were acting, it seemed like they were close."How the hell did that punk climb his way up to become friends with Mr. Hill?!" Shock aside, Zeke was more jealous than anything. What right did a loser have to hit it off with the top aristocrat?"How could this be?" Gordon was rooted to the spot, astonishment written on his face. It was one thing to be ignored by Patrick, but he couldn't come to terms with how the person h
An Understated Dominance Chapter 564
"Now, I'd like to propose a toast!" Hector raised his glass, swept his gaze over all the guests, and downed his drink.In response, everyone stood and raised their glass to toast in return.After some small talk, it was time for the gift-giving segment. "Mr. Harmon, here are some golden horses that I forged with my own hands. I wish you nothing but success in life!""Mr. Harmon, this crystal necklace once belonged to an ancient king. I hope you like it." "Mr. Harmon, this painting is an authentic masterpiece by Pikasso. It's truly a priceless treasure. That being said, I wish you the best of health and a lifetime full of smiles ahead!" One by one, the guests stepped up with their gifts in hand, offering their heartfelt birthday wishes. There were numerous rich and respected people among them, and this gift-giving segment was also a subtle display of comparison and competition. The one with the rarest and most expensive gift got to show off. They could display their power and
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Chapter 2536
Lycas gripped his broadsword with both hands and roared. The sound cracked through the air like a thunderclap.He sidestepped sharply and charged straight at Dustin like a raging bull.The heavy broadsword moved like it weighed nothing in his hands. He swung it with brutal speed. Each arc cut through the air with a sharp, whistling howl, as if it could slice through anything in its path.The broadsword came crashing down on Dustin with bone-crushing force, like a mountain falling from the sky.Lycas threw his full weight into the swing. As the sword descended, the force of the strike stirred up dust from the ground. It sent plumes of dirt in every direction.He knew Dustin was no ordinary opponent. If he wanted a chance to win, he had to make the first move and seize the initiative."Nice form," Dustin said.As Lycas launched a powerful, aggressive attack, Dustin remained calm and unruffled. With effortless grace, he sidestepped without the slightest rush. The broadsword whizz
Chapter 2535
Bryce knew Dustin was strong, but this was beyond anything he anticipated. Though he had gained the upper hand early on, Bryce still believed his skills matched Dustin's.From his observation, Dustin relied on martial arts techniques and hit-and-run tactics. Plus, he didn't dare to confront Bryce head-on.He had assumed that as long as he found an opening, he could exploit Dustin's weaknesses and defeat him. But when Dustin finally stopped holding back, Bryce realized how wrong he'd been.It turned out Dustin wasn't just playing hit-and-run tactics. Instead, he'd held back the entire time to spare Bryce from an embarrassing defeat.The moment Dustin stopped holding back, Bryce didn't stand a chance. Even without special techniques, Dustin's raw power, speed, and reflexes were enough to crush him.The difference in their abilities was staggering, so much so that no amount of skill could close the gap.And it wasn't just Bryce who was shocked. Except for Nathaniel, who had already
Chapter 2534
Bryce's request for a fight heated up the atmosphere.Soldiers around the training ground started murmuring among themselves."Lieutenant General Gantz is a legend in our ranks. His combat skills are no joke—he's taken down countless enemies on the battlefield. I haven't seen him in action in years," one young soldier said with awe."Yeah," a veteran agreed. "Lieutenant General Gantz has been through countless battles, and his strength is unmatched. If he steps in, Mr. Rhys might be in for a rough time."After the fight earlier, the soldiers knew firsthand that Dustin was no slouch. Otherwise, he wouldn't have easily defeated the five elite soldiers.But in their minds, no matter how skilled Dustin was, he stood no chance against Bryce.Bryce was a grandmaster not just in rank but in skill, physical strength, and battlefield experience. He was stronger than any expert from the martial world.Nathaniel had once recruited several grandmaster martial artists to spar with them, but
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
