CHAPTER 2550: THE FALL OF BILWOF
Bilwof was dead—obliterated entirely by a single strike from Dustin, leaving not even a trace of his remains.
All the so-called regenerative powers and bloodline talents? They were utterly meaningless in the face of absolute strength.
Had Dustin been facing a human warrior, he wouldn't have gone so far as to annihilate his opponent completely—unless there was a deep, personal grudge. In such cases, he'd typically leave a way out, showing some restraint when delivering the final blow.
But with the Vampires, it was different. The two sides were natural enemies, and stepping into the arena meant a fight to the death. Moreover, Bilwof had harbored sinister intentions, viewing humans as mere insects. Such a character was nothing but a scourge, better eliminated sooner than later.
It's worth mentioning that when Bilwof shouted the words of surrender, the referee, Jeremy, had time to react and intervene. However, Jeremy intentionally hesitated for a fraction of a second, effectively allowing Dustin to act as he did.
After all, neither Father Adam nor Black Diamond showed any mercy when they dealt with Dragonmarsh warriors. They didn’t just kill—they desecrated the bodies even after death.
Under these circumstances, every warrior from Dragonmarsh stood united, their common enemy the foreigners who had humiliated them.
"Good! Well done!"
"Brother Dustin is incredible! He has brought honor to us Dragonmarsh warriors!"
"That cursed vampire! Thought you could be arrogant and brazen? Now you're nothing but dust! Hahaha..."
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause as they watched Bilwof get reduced to ashes. The earlier two losses in international bouts had left them seething with anger, humiliated by the foreigners who had trampled on their pride. Now, with Dustin obliterating Bilwof, it felt like a collective exhalation, a purge of their pent-up frustration.
Dragonmarsh warriors might have their internal conflicts, but when foreign enemies invade, they cast aside their differences and unite as one.
This is the bigger picture.
"I didn’t expect Bilwof to die just like that. This human warrior is no simple opponent," murmured Black Diamond, frowning slightly as he eyed Dustin with newfound wariness.
Anyone capable of killing Bilwof couldn’t be underestimated. At the very least, it was something Black Diamond couldn’t achieve, let alone with such ease.
"This place really is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Even the most ordinary-looking warrior holds such immense power. It seems winning the championship won’t be as easy as we thought," Father Adam remarked, his gaze flickering with uncertainty.
He had initially believed that with Bilwof's strength, breaking into the top eight would be a simple task. But he hadn't anticipated that Bilwof would be killed right at the start, leaving not even a trace behind.
With such a significant ally gone, the path to the championship had undoubtedly become much more difficult.
It’s also worth noting that Bilwof's status was rather special. Now that he was dead, the Dark Banquet Alliance would certainly not let it slide. They would undoubtedly join forces with the Pantheon to oppose the Dragonmarsh forces.
In a way, that might be a bit of good news.
CHAPTER 2551: A YOUNG HERO EMERGES
"The eighth match has concluded. Congratulations to Contestant Number 8 for the victory!" Jeremy swiftly announced the results.
The applause from the audience grew even louder.
With this triumph, Dustin's new identity quickly gained notoriety, catching the attention of many powerful factions.
The three major powerhouses of Dragonmarsh, in particular, had already begun their covert and overt battles to win him over.
"Master, we’ve uncovered some information," reported an elder of the World Society as he quietly approached Darkbane from behind.
"This young man is named Dustin. His background is rather mysterious. Recently, when the young mistress was poisoned and on the brink of death, it was this young man, Dustin, who saved her just in time. Afterward, the young mistress invited him with a generous reward and offered him the position of guest elder within the World Society."
"Excellent! A true hero indeed emerges in youth!" Darkbane's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but smile in delight.
He hadn’t expected that Dustin had not only saved his daughter but had already become a guest elder of the World Society. He didn’t need to lift a finger to secure such a top-notch talent—what a stroke of fortune!
"Well, gentlemen, I trust you've all heard? This young man is already part of our World Society. You may as well stop wasting your efforts." Darkbane grinned smugly.
Though he had no sons, his two daughters were exceptional, and today had brought him an unexpected joy.
As Darkbane reveled in his triumph, Nolan frowned, ready to interject. However, before he could speak, an elder from the Thunderstrike Sword Alliance approached and whispered something in his ear.
Nolan’s frown quickly eased, replaced by a cold smile.
At the same time, Evelyn, who stood to the right, listened to his subordinate’s report, and a calm, composed look settled on his gaunt face.
"Master Moore, don’t celebrate too soon. Everyone knows that a guest elder is merely a nominal position, with no real power or responsibilities. So Dustin hardly counts as a member of your World Society," Nolan remarked coolly.
"No problem. Dustin is a guest elder now, but after the competition, I’ll immediately promote him to an elder. That way, Master Fitzgerald will have nothing more to say, right?" Darkbane responded with a sly smile.
"Promote him to elder? Ha… That depends on whether he’s willing!" Nolan chuckled coldly. "To be frank, Dustin has grown quite close to several of our Thunderstrike Sword Alliance disciples—one could even say they share a bond of life and death. Moreover, I intend to take Dustin as my personal disciple and impart to him the Thunderstrike Sword Alliance’s secret techniques. How can you compete with that? Oh, and by the way, Dustin is a swordsman!"
As these words landed, the smile on Darkbane’s face slowly faded, and a cold gleam flashed in his eyes.
Becoming the personal disciple of the Thunderstrike Sword Alliance’s leader was the dream of every swordsman. If Nolan were to lure Dustin with the promise of the sect's secret techniques, it was very likely he’d sway him to their side.
This man was indeed willing to pay any price!
CHAPTER 2552: THE WEB OF ALLIANCES
"Masters, let me be frank," Evelyn suddenly interjected with a sly smile on her gaunt face, "this young man also has ties with my Mystic Arts Order. So where he will eventually belong is still uncertain."
Her words left a subtle yet sharp tension in the air.
Just moments ago, her subordinate reported that Dustin had been getting quite close to her granddaughter, Abigail. Since joining the sect, her granddaughter had never shown much interest in any man, and it would be unnatural for her to be so familiar with him at first meeting.
Although Dustin had altered his appearance, Evelyn had already guessed his true identity. If her suspicions were correct, this young man was none other than Logan Rhys, the top-ranked prodigy of the Whiz List and the future King of West Lucozia.
It was unrealistic for someone of his stature to join a mere martial sect. Even if Dustin agreed, the imperial court would never allow it.
Of course, Evelyn’s purpose in speaking up was merely to stir the pot. She relished the thought of watching the two sect masters argue, only to realize in the end that their efforts were in vain. The very idea amused her.
"Master Morgan," Nolan responded with a cool tone, "the martial world has always kept its distance from your Mystic Arts Order. Besides, your sect’s techniques aren’t suitable for ordinary practitioners. Why bother getting involved?"
"Indeed, Master Morgan," Darkbane chimed in, "some things are just not meant to be. I don’t think this young man is a good match for your sect."
Though Darkbane and Nolan were rivals, they were both relieved to have one less formidable contender.
"How can we know if we don’t try? Perhaps this young man has a taste for our Mystic Arts Order’s profound arts." Evelyn’s laugh was tinged with malice.
"Then let’s wait and see," Nolan replied with quiet confidence.
He was certain that with the Thunderstrike Sword Alliance’s rich heritage and his willingness to teach everything he knew, no young person could refuse. After all, the Thunderstrike Sword Alliance had always been revered as the sacred ground for swordsmen. Every swordsman aspired to join, which was his greatest advantage.
"If both of you are so interested, I’m happy to go along," Darkbane remarked with a smile, falling silent afterward.
Dustin was already a guest elder of the World Society and was quite close to his two daughters. If Darkbane could play his cards right, he might even end up with a fine son-in-law. After all, his daughters were the epitome of beauty, fitting to be called national treasures. If things worked out, a son-in-law’s connection would far outweigh that of a personal disciple.
As Dustin left the arena after his victory, the competition resumed.
Referee Jeremy stepped onto the stage and announced, "The ninth match is about to begin. Will Contestant Number 9 and Contestant Number 24 please take the stage!"
CHAPTER 2553: THE UNYIELDING DUEL
As soon as the words fell, a young man dressed in black with a cold gaze gracefully ascended the stage. He wore a half-mask shaped like a Shura demon, and on his back, he carried a massive box made of black iron.
Note: The term "Shura" is derived from the Sanskrit word "Asura," which refers to a class of powerful beings or deities that are often depicted as being in opposition to the more benevolent gods, or Devas
The black iron box was two feet wide and six feet long, resembling a small coffin, slung diagonally across the masked man's back.
Upon entering the stage, the masked man set the black iron box down on the ground.
With a dull thud, the arena trembled slightly.
"Carrying a black iron box and wearing a Shura mask... Could this be Lander Martin, the Martin Clan prodigy?" someone in the audience quickly recognized him.
"Lander? That's the ninth-ranked fighter on the Whiz List!"
"It's said that Lander's skills are profound. He's also a master of hidden weapons and poisons, with a murderous nature. If you provoke him, you might lose a limb at best or have your intestines rot at worst."
"That black iron box must be the Martin Clan's sacred artifact, the Thousand Mechanisms Chest. Rumor has it that it contains thousands of hidden weapons and traps. Once unleashed, no one can defend against it—not even a martial grandmaster, who would be blown to bits! Truly terrifying!"
"Bringing the Martin Clan's sacred artifact, the Thousand Mechanisms Chest, it seems Lander is aiming for the championship!"
The audience murmured among themselves, their discussions growing more animated.
Any warrior ranked on the Whiz List was an extraordinary genius, and Lander was no exception. At a young age, he had already reached the level of a grandmaster and had mastered hidden weapons and poisons to an almost supernatural degree.
In terms of sheer lethality, Lander could easily rank in the top three on the Whiz List!
Such a young powerhouse, paired with the Martin Clan's sacred artifact, the Thousand Mechanisms Chest, was indeed a strong contender for the championship.
"This is such a hassle... How did I end up facing such a formidable opponent right from the start?"
From the seats reserved for the disciples of Dragon Tiger Mountain, Troy stared at the number ball in his hand, feeling a headache coming on.
He had planned to coast through the tournament, slipping into the top eight to fulfill his mission.
But to his dismay, his first match was against a Whiz List powerhouse, and a particularly difficult one at that.
"Contestant Number 24, please come to the stage!"
Seeing that Troy had yet to respond, the referee, Jeremy, shouted once more, his sharp gaze sweeping across the crowd.
His expression clearly warned, "If you dare to back out, I'll make you regret it."
Under his uncle's threatening gaze, Troy reluctantly stood up and trudged toward the arena, his reluctance palpable.
If he could, he would have surrendered immediately.
What's so great about fighting? He would much rather go home and take a nap.
Unfortunately, his elders had given strict orders. If he didn’t achieve a good ranking, he could kiss his peace of mind goodbye.
With no other choice, he braced himself and stepped onto the stage.
CHAPTER 2554: A BATTLE OF HEAVENLY TALENTS
"My life is truly bitter!"
Troy sighed quietly to himself as he made his way to the stage.
Seeing the dejected look on his face, Jeremy furrowed his brow. How could this kid lack any fighting spirit? After all, he's the most talented disciple of Dragon Tiger Mountain. Couldn’t he at least show some vigor?
"Whoa! The high disciple of the new Celestial Master is stepping up! This should be good!"
"I’ve heard that this guy is a once-in-a-century genius from Dragon Tiger Mountain. He’s only twenty, but he’s already mastered the Golden Light Curse and Thunder Magic. On top of that, he's proficient in Divine Talismans techniques. He’s truly surpassed his teacher."
"Troy is impressive, but he’s still too young. He's nearly ten years younger than Lander. If it comes to a fight, his chances of winning are slim."
"Exactly. Lander is ranked ninth on the Whiz List, known for his profound cultivation and fierce methods. Compared to him, Troy still has a long way to go."
As Troy appeared on stage, the audience below began to buzz with conversation.
Everyone knew that those on the Whiz List were in a league of their own. Only by making it onto that list could one be considered an exceptional genius. Those who fell short were, in every way, just a bit inferior.
In their eyes, Troy was indeed a talented Taoist. Maybe in a few years, he could advance to the Whiz List. But for now, he was still a bit green. Especially with Lander bringing out the Martin Sect’s sacred artifact, it seemed impossible for Troy to win. The only question was whether Troy could put on a good show.
"Uncle Master."
Upon reaching the stage, Troy courteously bowed to Jeremy.
"Don’t even think about slacking off. If you don’t give it your best, you’ll spend three years in meditation with no meat to eat!" Jeremy replied coldly.
"Huh? Three years without meat?" Troy’s face twitched, and he groaned, "Uncle Master, isn’t that a bit too harsh?"
Meditation didn’t bother him—after all, sleep was sleep, no matter where. But three years without meat? That would drive him insane.
"I know your temperament well. If I’m not strict with you, you won’t put in any effort," Jeremy said.
"Fine, fine. I’ll do my best. But I can’t guarantee I’ll win," Troy replied helplessly.
"Winning isn’t everything, but at the very least, don’t let people think Dragon Tiger Mountain has run out of talent," Jeremy said sternly.
"I understand."
Troy nodded, finally turning his gaze toward Lander. He then politely bowed, "Troy from Dragon Tiger Mountain, at your service."
"Lander from the Martin Sect," Lander replied coldly, unaffected.
CHAPTER 2555: THE DEADLY DANCE BEGINS
Beneath the Shura mask, the face was as cold and indifferent as the voice.
"Are both contestants ready?"
Jeremy glanced at both sides. Once they nodded, he waved his hand grandly and announced, "The ninth match officially begins!"
With those words, Jeremy gracefully descended from the stage.
"Who do you think will win between Martin Sect's hidden weapons and Dragon Tiger Mountain's Taoist techniques?"
Liana asked excitedly from the audience.
"Lander is a top expert on the Whiz List, incredibly powerful, and protected by the Martin Sect’s sacred artifact, the Thousand Mechanisms Box. His chances of winning are over ninety percent," Vincent evaluated plainly.
He wasn’t familiar with Troy but knew Lander well. If Lander used the Thousand Mechanisms Box, even he would find it challenging.
"Martin Sect's hidden weapons aren’t ideal for arena battles, and Dragon Tiger Mountain’s Golden Light Curse and Thunder Magic are both offensive and defensive, which could counter Lander to some extent. So, I think Troy still has a chance," Gabrirlle offered a different perspective.
Troy's Taoist talent surpassed that of the current Celestial Master, Spencer, and his future achievements could rival the old Celestial Master, Phantom.
Such a prodigy couldn’t be judged by ordinary standards. Besides, the Whiz List ranking was just a reference and didn’t represent absolute strength.
"Dr. Rhys, what’s your take?"
Lara turned her gaze to Dustin.
Since he had wiped out the blood clan, Dustin’s status had risen significantly, and many factions were eager to recruit him.
"It’s hard to say. Both are exceptional, and if I had to guess, I’d say it’s fifty-fifty," Dustin replied after some thought.
In terms of cultivation, Lander seemed superior. But at this level, it wasn’t just about cultivation; it was also about techniques and hidden cards.
"It seems everyone has different opinions about this match. Let’s wait and see who comes out on top," Lara smiled.
In arena battles, victory and defeat could be decided in an instant. Often, until the very last moment, it’s impossible to know who will win.
At this moment, on the stage, Lander and Troy stared at each other from a distance.
Lander’s expression was cold, his aura sharp, while Troy sighed, looking reluctant and unmotivated.
After a few seconds of stalemate, Lander suddenly made his move.
With a wave of his hand, a row of hidden weapons shot out from his sleeve.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."
The hidden weapons moved at incredible speed, gleaming with cold light. As they pierced through the air, the force was so intense it caused a sonic boom.
At a glance, they seemed like unstoppable missiles fired with immense force.
