An Understated Dominance Novel: Chapter 994 to 1320 Chinese Version

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Chapter 967
The big-mouthed man didn't stop at all and directly gave Yan Tao a facelift, which made him completely different!

The problem is that Yan Tao is the young master of the Jiuding Sect and has a distinguished status.

It is said that one person is inferior to ten thousand people.

Is this guy crazy? !

How dare he? ! !

"Stop! Stop it!"

Shen Yao finally couldn't stand it anymore and quickly stopped her.

But at this time, Yan Tao was already bloody and unconscious.

"Brother Dustin! Now you are in big trouble!"

Shen Yao groaned and quickly helped Yan Tao up, giving him medicine and pinching him, trying to wake him up.

It is no exaggeration to say that if Yan Tao was really beaten, something would happen.

Then not only Dustin, but also the entire Bixia Sect would suffer Yan Song's crazy revenge.

"Dustin! We shouldn't sit together with you. You've done us a lot of harm this time!"

Shen Chong was angry and panicked at the same time.

What the hell!

Why did you meet such a madman?

Regardless of Yan Tao's status or the power of the Jiuding Sect, if he is caught, he will be beaten.

It’s absolutely crazy!

"Brother Dustin! If you hit Yan Tao, disaster will come soon. Run away quickly, otherwise it will be too late!"

Han Yi was very nervous. As she spoke, she grabbed Brother Dustin's arm and tried to pull him out.

It turned out that the other party was motionless and completely unresponsive.

"Who dares to hit my son?!"

At this moment, an angry shout suddenly exploded at the door.

Immediately afterwards, a middle-aged man with a majestic face and a powerful aura came in with a group of warriors.
The leading man is surprisingly the leader of the Jiuding Sect and the number one master in Youzhou—Yan Song!

"It's broken, it's broken! Master Yan is here!"

"Master Yan is so angry that no one in the entire Youzhou can withstand it!"

"Hmph! How dare you hit Mr. Yan? Let's see if you survive!"

Yan Song's appearance caused a commotion.

The onlookers took a few steps back, fearing that Chi Yu would be harmed.

Many people were gloating over the misfortune, looking at Dustin as if they were looking at a dying person.

"It's over! I can't even run away now..."

Han Yi's face turned pale and she was in despair.

She was still thinking about fighting for Dustin's chance of survival, but in the end she still didn't have time.

"Alas...it seems there is no hope."

Shen Yao sighed, with a little more sympathy in her eyes.

Yan Song personally took action, which meant that Dustin would die or not.

"What a disaster!"

Shen Chong shook his head, with a bitter look on his face.

Dustin is dead, but they will also have to suffer the same fate, and they will inevitably be taught a lesson.

"Dad! You are finally here!"

After being rescued, Yan Tao wailed, staggered and fell in front of Yan Song, hugging his thighs and crying: "If you come a little later, I will be beaten to death! Look, look How has my face been beaten into shape? You must make the decision for me this time!"

"Who is it? Who dares to hurt you like this?!"

Looking at Yan Tao's face that was swollen into a pig's head, Yan Song was furious.

After so many years in Youzhou, no one has ever dared to hit his son.

who is he?

The leader of the Jiuding Sect!

The number one master in Youzhou!

Martial Alliance Elder!
Who wouldn’t be able to nod, bow, and salute?

Anyone who dares to challenge his authority in public is simply asking for death!

"Dad! It's that boy!"

Yan Tao pointed at Dustin and said with a look of resentment: "He was the one who beat me just now! He also made all kinds of noises, saying that you have a vain reputation. That's bullshit. It's just too much!"

"You dare to scold me? That's so presumptuous!"

Yan Song's face darkened, and his sharp eyes swept over.

However, when he saw Dustin's face clearly, he couldn't help being frightened and almost collapsed to the ground.

grass!

How did you meet this plague god? !

As an elder of the Martial Alliance, he saw clearly the grandmaster battle some time ago.

The man in front of me is a terrifying existence that has defeated Venerable Ziyang!

Not to mention scolding him, even if he was given a hard fight on the spot, he would not dare to say a word.

Chapter 968
"Now we're in trouble!"

Looking at the cold-faced Dustin, Yan Song, known as the number one master in Youzhou, was so frightened that he broke out in cold sweat.

It was really unlucky to meet such a plague god.

You're not going to get beaten today, are you?

"Dad! Why are you still standing there? Beat him! Beat him to death!"

"Today I want to make this kid understand what it means to kill yourself by striking an egg against a stone!"

Yan Tao's face was full of ferocity and he kept shouting.

"Shut up!"

Yan Song's expression changed, and he slapped Yan Tao hard on the face with his backhand.

"Snapped!"

Yan Tao was beaten so hard that he staggered and was completely stunned.

The few remaining teeth also popped out, and the face that was originally swollen into a pig's head became even more unsightly.

"Dad? You...why did you hit me?"

Yan Tao's eyes widened and he couldn't believe it.

You know, from childhood to adulthood, he has always been a treasure in the palm of your hand.

Usually my father doesn’t even say a harsh word. What happened today?

You actually slapped him in public?

are you crazy? !

"What's wrong with beating you? Shouldn't you be beaten?"

"Relying on the majesty of the Jiuding Sect all day long, I act arrogant and domineering outside, bullying men and dominating women, and ruining my reputation!"

"Today, I must teach you a lesson!"

Yan Song yelled and cursed, and slapped Yan Tao twice, knocking Yan Tao to the ground.

Then, still not relieved, he started punching and kicking.

The moves are ruthless and show no mercy.
Yan Tao was beaten until he wailed and screamed repeatedly.

With that posture, those who didn't know it thought there was some deep hatred between the two.

"ah?"

The sudden change made everyone dumbfounded.

Everyone was dumbfounded and shocked.

According to their assumptions, Yan Song came with a large group of troops to stand up for Yan Tao and teach the perpetrators a lesson.

Why are you beating your own son now?

And he beat him so hard.

what's the situation?

"What happened to Master Yan? Did you take the wrong medicine?"

"Who knows? Master Yan is famous for protecting his enemies. Why does he seem to be a different person today?"

"It's too cruel! How can this be a lesson to my son? This is clearly just venting resentment!"

"..."

Seeing Yan Tao being beaten violently, everyone whispered, feeling surprised, stunned, and at the same time somewhat pitiful.

It was okay to be beaten severely by Dustin before, but now he is beaten by his own father. It is really miserable.

The problem is that Yan Song dotes on his son very much.

Anyone who dares to provoke him will have his hands and feet cut off, or he will be killed on the spot.

Today, he went out of his way and beat his son like a dog. It was really weird.

"Well......"

At this moment, Han Yi, Shen Yao, Shen Chong and the others were all confused.

He stood there blankly, a little at a loss.

When they saw Yan Song, they thought they were in for a big disaster.

As a result, things took a turn for the worse. Not only did Yan Song not cause trouble for them, he also taught his own son a lesson.

When did Sect Leader Yan, who used force to conquer others and was all about himself, become so reasonable?

"Master! Stop fighting. Stop fighting. If you fight again, you will die!"
After coming back to his senses, a group of Jiuding Sect disciples began to break up the fight, allowing Yan Tao to save his life.

"Hmph! This domineering traitor deserves to be beaten to death!"

Yan Song looks like he hates evil as much as he hates his enemies, and he will kill his relatives out of righteousness.

As he said this, the fists and kicks in his hands finally stopped.

If the fight continues, I'm afraid something will really happen.

"Fellow martial arts comrades, today's incident is due to my poor discipline, Yan. Here, I will show everyone my fault."

Yan Song turned around and bowed deeply to Dustin and others to express his apology.

Dustin had no expression on his face and accepted it very calmly.
 
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Chapter 994
"Damn! Is this kid insane? Daring to provoke Reverend Crane like this?"

"Where did he come from? He doesn't even show respect to Reverend Crane. Does he think he's invincible?"

"How can he be so arrogant at such a young age? It seems he's never been taught a lesson in life!"

The crowd pointed fingers at Dustin, treating him like a fool.

Who is Jan Crane?

He's the ancestor of the Skycrane Sect, a martial arts master revered by thousands, a dean-level figure in the entire Riverbend martial arts world.

Who would dare to disrespect such a formidable figure? Who would dare to challenge his authority?

Yet here stands this kid, publicly defying Grandmaster Jan, as if he's seeking his own doom!

"Young brat! Do you comprehend the implications of your words?" Jan Crane's face darkened, and he spoke malevolently. "If you want to avoid death, kneel on the ground right now, kowtow to me three times, and call me grandpa three times, and I may spare your life."

"Kid! What are you waiting for? Kneel down!"

"Not everyone has the privilege to address Grandpa Crane the Reverend. Consider yourself fortunate today."

"Being Grandmaster Jan Crane's grandson is a blessing in your life. Don't be so disrespectful!"

Warriors in the crowd chimed in, threatening and cautioning, though most of it was in jest.

"Brother Dustin! Lord Crane is a prominent figure here. Please, apologize quickly to save your life!" Emily shouted urgently.

Even their master, who had recently broken through the realm, was no match for Jan Crane, let alone Dustin.

"Brother Dustin! Don't worry about us. Please, just avoid causing more trouble!" Vanessa added.

She was immensely grateful to Dustin for his rescue, but in the current situation, he couldn't singlehandedly alter the outcome. Being overly audacious might put him in greater jeopardy.

"Senior Jan, I'd like to offer you some advice. It's always better to be merciful and considerate. Otherwise, things might turn ugly if violence erupts," Dustin remarked calmly.

"You little rascal! You won't shed a tear until you've seen the coffin!"

Murderous intent flared in Jan Crane's eyes as he declared, "Since you insist on meddling in others' affairs, I'll begin by killing you, and then I'll deal with your friends!"

"Wait!" Henry Zheng interjected hastily. "Senior Jan, this kid provoked you. If you want to kill him, go ahead. We have nothing to do with this!"

"Hmph! If you surrender the Heavenly Spirit Pearl, I might spare your life," Jan Crane stated coldly.

"Heavenly Spirit Pearl?"

Henry Zheng rolled his eyes as if he'd had an epiphany and said abruptly, "Senior Jan, I know who possesses the Heavenly Spirit Pearl. If you promise to let us live, I'll tell you right away!"

"Oh? Who has it?"

Jan Crane's interest was piqued, and he narrowed his eyes.

"It's in this kid's possession!"

Henry Zheng suddenly pointed his finger at Dustin and declared, "We entered the tomb together earlier, but we parted ways due to a disagreement. If the Heavenly Spirit Pearl truly exists, he must have taken it!"

As soon as these words left Henry Zheng's lips, all eyes shifted to Dustin.

Their gazes were filled with greed and anticipation.

The Heavenly Spirit Pearl was a martial arts sacred artifact, a treasure capable of transforming an individual.

Who wouldn't covet such a valuable prize?

"Master Henry, I have no issues with you. Why would you betray me?" Dustin furrowed his brow.

He had just saved Henry Zheng and his daughter, allowing them to survive, yet they were now accusing him.

"Kid! Quit the act!"

Henry Zheng snapped with a fierce expression, "You spent a long time in the tomb and finally emerged. You must have concealed numerous treasures within your possession. I advise you to hand them over to Senior Jan immediately if you wish to save your life!"

"Young rascal, it seems the Heavenly Spirit Pearl is in your possession. No wonder I sense immense power emanating from you."

Jan Crane stroked his chin, his gaze sharp. "Now, surrender the treasure, and I might pardon your earlier insolence."

"Senior Jan, do you trust what he's saying? I've never even heard of the Heavenly Spirit Pearl," Dustin responded calmly.

"Never heard of it? Would you dare to let us search you, then?" Henry Zheng sneered.

"I've told you, I don't have the Heavenly Spirit Pearl. Whether you believe it or not is up to you." Dan couldn't be bothered to explain further. His nonchalant demeanor only fueled their suspicions.
 
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Chapter 995
"Brother Dustin, if you've taken any treasures, hand them over now. Your life is more important," Emily urged.

"That's right, Brother Dustin! Material possessions are nothing compared to your life," added Vanessa, clearly concerned.

"Dustin, you need to understand the situation. Reverend Crane is not someone you can challenge. Admit your mistake and give up the treasure peacefully. It's the best way out," warned Nathan.

Though the existence of the Sky Spirit Orb was uncertain, it was clear to everyone that Dustin likely possessed other valuable treasures.

Now, there was only one sensible choice: surrender the treasures to save his own life.

"I won't surrender any treasures, even if I have them," Dustin declared firmly.

"What audacity! This kid has a death wish!"

"Hmph! A person who values wealth more than their own life deserves their fate."

Dustin's response did not sit well with the warriors, and tensions rose.

Simultaneously, Jan Crane's patience ran out completely.

"You stubborn brat! If you won't hand it over, I'll take it myself!"

Jan Crane could no longer restrain himself. With a swift movement, he transformed into a blur, reaching for Dustin's throat.

His fingertips were sharp enough to crush steel.

"Watch out!"

Emily and the others were alarmed, their hearts in their throats.

"Daring to defy Grandmaster Jan? Let's see how you meet your end!"

The warriors watched with cold, unsympathetic eyes, almost reveling in Dustin's impending doom.

Just when it seemed the situation was hopeless, Dustin sprang into action.

Instead of retreating, he advanced, launching himself towards Jan Crane, and threw a powerful punch.

"Boom!"

Their collision was like two cannonballs meeting.

A tremendous surge of spiritual energy erupted from the point of impact.

Huge waves radiated in all directions.

In an instant, the massive tree collapsed, sending sand and rocks flying. Some martial artists standing nearby were hurled into the air, thrown high, and then came crashing down like dumplings.

After the collision, Dustin staggered back several steps, leaving deep footprints in the ground with each step.

On the other hand, Jan Crane was forcefully propelled more than ten meters backward. His feet dug into the earth, leaving two long furrows before he crashed into a large tree, finally coming to a halt.

"What?!"

Witnessing this scene, everyone was dumbfounded.

The outcome before them was entirely contrary to their expectations.

What had just happened?

Wasn't Reverend Crane supposed to easily overpower his opponent?

Why was he falling behind in a direct confrontation?

What on earth was going on?!

"I, I must be seeing things, right? This kid is actually stronger than Reverend Crane?!"

"No... it can't be! How old is he? Even if he started cultivating from the womb, he couldn't be this formidable!"

"Damn! Is this kid some kind of prodigy in martial arts?!"

"..."

"Wait! I remember now! He's the young master who became famous for defeating Sir Augustus not too long ago!"

"What? He's a young master?!"

"Oh my God! This is a once-in-a-century prodigy!"

After a moment of stunned silence, the entire area erupted into a frenzy of chatter and amazement.
 
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Chapter 996
So, there we were, in the midst of this mind-blowing spectacle. I mean, seriously, nobody saw this coming. Picture this: a regular, unassuming guy named Dustin suddenly goes all Bruce Lee on us. It's like someone slipped some sci-fi serum in his morning coffee.

The dude turned out to be the legendary Young Grandmaster. You know, the one whose name had been echoing through every nook and cranny of Riverbend lately. People were straight-up idolizing this guy.

And now, boom, he's here, showing off his superhero moves. I couldn't help but think, "Did they accidentally drop him off at the wrong dojo?"

Henry Zheng, the guy who'd taken Dustin as an apprentice, was probably wishing he had a time machine to undo that move. Seriously, he'd just slandered the living legend! Dustin was the prodigy who'd handed Sir Augustus a can of whoop-ass.

Now, Henry was like, "What have I done?!" in cold sweat mode. He'd boasted about Dustin being the real deal, but this was another level entirely.

"Hey, Emily...Sis Emily, am I hearing things right? Our buddy Dustin is the Young Grandmaster?"

Vanessa was frozen, her eyes locked on Dustin, looking like she'd just witnessed a UFO landing.

Emily, though, was all poetic, muttering to herself like some sci-fi sage, "The guy's got the swagger, the spirit, he knows right from wrong, and he's got a Ph.D. in kicking ass—all at this age. Yep, he checks all the boxes. He's that once-in-a-lifetime genius, the Young Grandmaster that everyone's raving about!"

She was shaking like she'd chugged a case of energy drinks. You could tell she was stoked.

But Nathan, poor Nathan, was standing there, gnashing his teeth. He'd always thought he was just a heartbeat behind Dustin, like he could catch up with some extra sweat and practice. Now he realized he was more like a turtle racing a rocket ship.

"Why, oh why?" he muttered under his breath.

Jan Crane, the martial arts maestro, wasn't having any of it. "Kid, you've been playing poker with a deck of Uno cards. I seriously underestimated you."

And then, out of nowhere, a voice boomed, "Senior Jan, this kid's no pushover. Mind if I join the party?"

A black-cloaked figure descended from the sky with all the grace of an action movie hero. It looked like they'd just stepped out of a sci-fi thriller.

Guess who it was? Grandmaster Alexander Cheng from the Soul-Suppressing Sect, a big name in Riverbend. People were like, "Wait, isn't that the dude from the legends?" The guy was second only to Ronald Reeds, the martial arts alliance bigwig.

Man, Riverbend's urban legends just went up a notch that day.
 
Akansunjas83 said:
Chapter 1002

"What's going on? Where did this black mist come from?"

"Who has an antidote? Give me one quickly. I'm willing to pay a high price for it!"

"It's over, it's over...we're not going to be poisoned here, are we?"

Looking at the overwhelming black fog coming from all directions, everyone was so frightened that their livers and gallbladders split apart and their legs became weak.

They came here to seize the treasure. Who would have thought that instead of getting the treasure, they would end up in a desperate situation.

"I didn't expect that there was a hell song in the black forest? Now we are in trouble!"

Robinson glanced around and couldn't help but look solemn.

At this time, he could no longer care about the three great masters.

"Dad, what is the song of hell?"

Looking at the panicked crowd, Abigail couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

"The Song of Hell is a very terrifying miasma. It is known as one of the top ten strange poisons in the world. Although it is not the most poisonous, it is the most lethal! Wherever it passes, not a blade of grass grows, corpses are everywhere, and any living creature will be killed. Swallowing it clean is like falling into Shura Hell!" Robinson looked serious.

"Ah? So powerful? What should we do?" Abigail swallowed.

"Little miracle doctor, you have superb medical skills and are proficient in all kinds of poisons. Do you have a way to break it?" Azaele suddenly asked.

"It can't be solved."

Dustin frowned and said: "The Song of Hell is coming with such force that it is difficult for anyone below the level of a Grandmaster to resist it. Even antidote pills are useless."

The surrounding black mist seems to be spiritual, chasing and swallowing people, which is really weird.

"Brother Dustin, try using your strength, what do you think?"

Robinson suddenly suggested.

"Try it."

Dustin nodded.

The two of them took a deep breath at the same time, and then suddenly struck out at the black mist not far away.

"Whew——!"

The Grandmaster's Gang Qi suddenly erupted, whipping up hurricane winds and blowing violently into the black mist.

The black mist was instantly pushed back more than ten meters, clearing a vacuum area.
"Hey! It works, it works!"

Seeing this scene, Abigail looked happy.

However, the next second, her smile froze.

Because the open space that had just been cleared was instantly swallowed up by black mist.

"Come again!"

Robinson and Dustin looked at each other and struck out again.

Waves of palm wind roared out, causing the black mist to retreat quickly, tearing open a huge hole.

Unfortunately, as soon as the palm wind stopped, the black mist immediately returned.

The two of them slapped each other dozens of times, but none of them had much effect. They could only slow down the spread of the black mist, but they couldn't really force them back.

"How could this happen? Why can't the black mist blow away?" Abigail was surprised and confused.

"The Song of Hell is indeed very tricky." Dustin frowned deeply.

"Brother Dustin!"

At this time, a group of people from the Bixia Sect suddenly approached. Han Yi, who was walking at the front, immediately took out a bottle of medicine and handed it over: "This is the detoxification pill. Have you taken it soon? It should be able to resist these poisons." fog."

"The detoxification pill is useless, these poisonous mist are the songs of hell." Dustin

shook his head.

"Hell Song?!"

Hearing this, everyone in the Bixia Sect couldn't help but change their expressions.

Although they have never seen it, they have already heard of the vicious reputation of the Song of Hell.

That is a poison that can exterminate everything. As long as it touches it even slightly, it will be eaten to pieces!

At this moment, as the black mist invades, more and more warriors who are avoiding are being swallowed up.

Screams, cries for help, and shouts began to come one after another.

"Ah! I don't want to die - I don't want to die!"

"Save me...who will save me?"

"Why? I've obviously taken the antidote pill, why am I still poisoned?"

"What a disaster! This is a disaster!"

The warriors screamed and roared.

Chapter 1003

They were all like headless flies, running around, terrified.

However, everything was covered in black fog in all directions, and there was no chance of survival at all.

"Venerable Tianhe! You have great powers, please save us!"

"Grandmaster Zhao! You are a martial arts master, you can definitely help us, right?"

"Master Vigilance! Saving one life is better than building a seven-level pagoda. You are an eminent monk and should save all sentient beings!"

A group of panicked warriors quickly arrived in front of Jiang Xiuzhen and the others, crying and begging in various ways, just for their own lives.

"A bunch of trash! Get out of here!"

Jiang Xiuzhen raised his hand and waved, sending everyone flying with a blast of energy.

"People die for wealth and birds die for food. If you encounter something like this today, you can only be considered unlucky."

Zhao Hongxiang looked indifferent and unmoved.

"Amitabha, this is a natural and man-made disaster, and there is nothing a poor monk can do about it."

Jie Xin shook his head, looking at his eyes, nose and heart, pretending he didn't see it.

Facing the Song of Hell, the Grandmaster can protect himself, but if he wants to save others, the risk is too great.

"Grandmaster Robinson! You are highly respected, please save everyone!"

At this time, a large number of warriors rushed towards Robinson again.

One by one, they knelt on the ground and kowtowed crazily.

"Poseidon! You have magical powers and extraordinary strength. You must have a way, right?"

"Poseidon! We have always regarded you as our idol, you can't just die without saving me!"

Everyone cried bitterly and panicked. They knelt in front of Robinson and begged in various ways.

Like a drowning man, grasping at straws.

They know very well that only Robinson can save them now.

"Dad, what should we do? Do we have to wait to die?" Abigail cried sadly.

I have just tried it, and the martial arts master's palm wind cannot break through the black mist at all.

"Actually, I have another way."
At this time, Robinson suddenly sighed: "It's just that this method is a bit too risky."

"Uncle Huang! Don't mess around!"

Dustin frowned and quickly issued a warning.

Because he had already thought of what Robinson was going to do.

"Brother Dustin, these are human lives, and they will also be the backbone of the martial arts world in the future. I can't just ignore them." Robinson shook his head.

"If you don't do it for yourself, heaven and earth will destroy you. With your cultivation, you can take Abigail and leave safely. Why bother meddling in other people's business?" Dustin said solemnly.

"If I don't care, they will all die, which will be a catastrophe for the entire martial arts world." Robinson looked a little complicated.

"You have to sacrifice yourself for these irrelevant people, what about that?" Dustin was a little angry.

"Don't worry, I can't die, it's just a song of hell, let's see how I break it!"

Robinson stepped forward and suddenly stood up from the ground.

After leaping into the air, he raised his palms upwards.

With his body as the center, a huge energy vortex formed out of thin air.

"Swallowing mountains and rivers with anger——!!"

Robinson took a deep breath.

The energy vortex rotated crazily, and huge suction forces burst out instantly.

"Boom!"

The black mist in all directions was forcibly changed in direction, and quickly gathered towards the whirlpool like hundreds of rivers flowing into the sea.

One stream after another, a steady stream, an endless flow.

In the blink of an eye, Robinson was swallowed up by the black mist.

Only a large whirlpool was left, madly absorbing the overwhelming black mist.

"Uncle Robinson!"

Seeing this scene, Dustin's expression changed instantly.

He was indeed right.

Robinson wants to use his body as a medium to absorb all the songs of hell!

This is not saving people, but committing suicide!

Chapter 1004

"Being sucked away? The black mist is being sucked away!"

"Great! We are saved! We are saved!"

"As expected of the Emperor of the Sea! He really has great magical powers!"

Looking at the black mist being sucked away around them, everyone felt refreshed, as if they had seen the savior.

They were all desperate just now, thinking that they were bound to die.

Fortunately, Edmund Robinson came out of the sky, swallowing mountains and rivers with his power, absorbing all the songs of hell, and resolving this disaster!

Rumble!

As Robinson absorbed it crazily, the surrounding black smoke was quickly eaten away.

After about a cup of tea, the song of hell slowly faded and finally disappeared completely.

"Hahaha... It's gone! The black fog is all gone! We are safe!"

Everyone wept with joy and cheered, full of joy for the rest of their lives.

On the other hand, Robinson's whole body quickly turned black after absorbing all the black mist.

Eyes, lips, cheeks, neck, limbs, including nails.

From head to toe, his whole body was completely covered in black.

Full of poison!

"Pfft——!"

Robinson finally couldn't hold on any longer and spurted out a mouthful of black blood.

The whole person fell suddenly from the sky like a kite with its string broken.

"dad!"

Abigail exclaimed and was about to step forward to pick her up, but was blocked by Dustin with his hand.

"let me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Dustin jumped up, grabbed Robinson, and landed on the ground.

At this moment, Robinson's looked sluggish and his breath was disordered.

The poison of the Hell Song was running wildly in his body.
If it weren't for its deep foundation and strong strength, it would have died suddenly.

Even if he is not dead now, the situation is not optimistic. His internal organs have been eroded by the poison, and his foundation has been completely damaged.

"Uncle! How is my dad? Is everything okay?!"

Dustin ran forward with a panic look on her face.

"Stay away! Your dad is full of poison now!"

Dustin raised his hand and blocked Abigail three meters away.

Then he immediately took out the silver needle and sealed each of Robinson's eight extraordinary meridians to prevent the spread of poison.

After doing all this, Dustin immediately cut Robinson's finger to bleed it and detoxify it.

It's just that the blood released is not red, but black.

"not enough!"

Dustin frowned, and suddenly slapped Robinson's back with his palms, and began to instill the master's energy into him to cleanse the poison in his body.

"Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock..."

As the Gang Qi poured in, Robinson's black blood flowed more and more, dripping on the ground with a "sizzling" sound and black smoke lingering.

Upon seeing this, everyone immediately distanced themselves as if avoiding snakes and scorpions, for fear of being contaminated by the poison.

"Abigail, give me the Tianling Pearl!"

Dustin turned around and shouted.

"oh oh!"

Abigail did not dare to hesitate, and quickly threw the golden Tian Lingzhu into Dustin's hands.

"The Heavenly Spiritual Pearl! It's really the Heavenly Spiritual Pearl!"

Seeing this scene, the whole place was boiling.

Everyone was breathing rapidly and their eyes were shining.

Especially Jiang Xiuzhen, Zhao Hongxiang, and Jie Xin were extremely happy.

They had really speculated before, but now that they saw it with their own eyes, the situation was completely different.

"I hope it will be effective."

Dustin calmed down, picked up the Tianling Bead, and stuffed it directly into Robinson's mouth.
The greatest characteristic of the Tianling Pearl is to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and turn it into one's own use.

The poison of the Hell Song also contains spiritual energy. With a little stimulation, it is entirely possible for the Tian Lingzhu to absorb it.

Chapter 1005

"Buzz~!"

After entering the Tian Lingzhu entrance, a burst of golden light suddenly bloomed.

Then with a "swish", it was poured directly into Robinson's abdomen, coinciding with his Dantian.

Immediately afterwards, the Tian Lingzhu began to spin crazily, swallowing the surrounding black poisonous gas.

In an alternative way, Robinson was detoxified and healed.

"It really works!"

Dustin looked happy.

With the help of the Heavenly Spirit Pearl, Robinson's life should have been saved.

"Robinson! Hand over the Tianling Pearl quickly!"

After a brief daze, Jiang Xiuzhen instantly became excited, his face full of greed.

"You actually swallowed such a treasure? Spit it out quickly! Otherwise, don't blame us for being rude!"

Zhao Hongxiang looked at him with eager eyes, his eyes burning.

"Amitabha! This thing is an evil thing. Donor Huang, be careful to become a demon!"

Master Vigilance couldn't bear it any longer and began to approach slowly.

"Stop!"

Abigail suddenly stood in front and shouted: "My dad is seriously poisoned and needs the Tianling Pearl to save his life. You are not allowed to mess around!"

"Hmph! It's just a dying person. Keeping the Tianling Pearl is just a waste. Why not give it to us earlier!" Jiang Xiuzhen couldn't wait.

"Hey! Do you still have humanity? My father became like this just to save you, do you still want to repay kindness with enmity?!" Abigail said angrily.

"Little girl, please understand first that we didn't let him come to the rescue. It was his own passion." Zhao Hongxiang said with a cold face.

"You...you are shameless!" Abigail raised her eyebrows.

She thought these martial arts seniors would talk about moral principles, but in the end they were all shameless people.

"Stop talking nonsense! If you don't hand over the Tianling Pearl, all of you will die!" Jiang Xiuzhen shouted.

"Senior Jiang, this girl is Robinson's daughter. She must be extremely important. Let's arrest her first!" Zhao Hongxiang sneered.

As he spoke, his steps suddenly moved forward, and he suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Abigail.
As long as you capture Robinson's weakness, are you still worried that the other party won't submit?

"Presumptuous!"

At this time, there was an angry shout.

A black figure suddenly fell from the sky, blocking Abigail's front, and then palmed Zhao Hongxiang.

"boom!"

There was a loud bang.

Zhao Hongxiang was beaten back more than ten meters, with blood bleeding from the corner of his mouth and his face turning pale.

On the other hand, the black figure stands firm and majestic.

The person who came was none other than the leader of the Jiangnan Wulin League—Sir Ronald!

"Ronald?"

After seeing the visitor, Zhao Hongxiang's expression changed instantly.

Even Jiang Xiuzhen and Master Jie Xin frowned.

Among the five great masters, Ronald would be ranked second, but no one would dare to admit that he is first.

The other party was able to take the position of leader of the martial arts alliance by relying on his terrifying strength to suppress the heroes!

"Brother Ronald, are you finally here?"

Robinson slowly opened his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief.

The two are close friends and have a life-long friendship.

Now Ronald takes action, like a sea-fixing needle, which can completely suppress the entire crowd.

"Brother Robinson, what's going on? Are you poisoned?"

Ronald frowned, looking a little worried.

"It's nothing, I can't die."

Robinson shook his head and said, "But you have to deal with these people."

"Don't worry, leave it to me."

Ronald nodded slightly, glanced at Jiang Xiuzhen and the others, and said coldly: "You are all martial arts masters after all, but you actually attack a junior? Are you ashamed of yourself?!"

"Leader Ronald, Robinson secretly embezzled the Heavenly Spirit Pearl, a sacred object in the martial arts world. As righteous people, we naturally have the responsibility to take it back and benefit the entire martial arts alliance!" Jiang Xiuzhen said righteously.
"That's right! We are all thinking about the future of the Martial Alliance, and I hope Alliance Leader Lei can understand everything clearly!" Zhao Hongxiang echoed.

Ronald is here, and he will definitely not be able to defeat him. Let’s first establish the moral high ground.

Chapter 1006

"Oh? What's going on with the Tianling Pearl?"

Ronald glanced back, with some doubts.

"Uncle Ronald! We risked our lives to find the Tianling Pearl. It is ours. It is these people who do not respect the moral principles of the world and are ready to take it by force!" Abigail immediately defended.

"Nonsense! We are here for the entire martial arts world, unlike you, who only do it for your own selfish desires!" Jiang Xiuzhen said confidently.

"Leader Lei! These people have ulterior motives and are selfish, regardless of the interests of the entire martial alliance. I think they should be severely punished!" Zhao Hongxiang said forcefully.

"Amitabha, if you associate with evil things, you must be an evil person." Master Jie Xin came to the final conclusion.

At this time, the three great masters changed their previous aggressiveness and turned into justice warriors, changing their faces to suppress.

"You... you hypocrites, stop spewing blood like this!" Abigail was furious.

These guys are obviously committing banditry, but they say it so righteously.

It’s simply confusing right and wrong.

"alright!"

Ronald raised his hand to stop the argument among several people, and said coldly: "Who has the Tianling Pearl now?"

"In my dad's belly."

Abigail quickly explained: "Just now, in order to save them, my dad was poisoned and needed Tian Lingzhu to treat him, but these guys are so disgusting, they actually want to rob me openly, and they don't care about my dad's life or death. They are really a bunch of wolf-hearted people. !”

"Um?"

Ronald's face darkened: "Is there such a thing?"

"Leader Ronald, there is a reason for this. The Heavenly Spirit Pearl is a sacred object in the martial arts world. We are afraid that this object will be ruined by Robinson!" Jiang Xiuzhen tried to argue.

"Yes! What if the poison in Edmund Robinson's body contaminates the Tianling Pearl? Wouldn't that destroy a sacred object?" Zhao Hongxiang agreed.

"Shut up!"
Ronald angrily yelled: "The Tianling Pearl is important, but it is far less than the life of Grandmaster Huang. You are all prominent figures in the world, how can you do such a treacherous thing? Get out of here now, otherwise don't blame me. polite!"

"Leader Ronald..."

"What? Do you need me to repeat it again?"

Jiang Xiuzhen was about to speak, but Sir Ronald glanced at him coldly, and immediately he did not dare to say anything.

Among the five great masters in Jiangnan, Ronald is recognized as the strongest.
The three of them combined couldn't even defeat Robinson, so how could they be Ronald's opponent?

Although I was very dissatisfied, I could only swallow my anger.

"Walk!"

Jiang Xiuzhen frowned and walked away.

"Damn! What bad luck!"

Zhao Hongxiang gritted his teeth and could only leave with the soul-suppressing disciples.

"Amitabha, I hope that Lord Lei can suppress evil things and save the common people. I leave this poor monk."

Master Jie Xin bowed slightly and walked away immediately.

Although the three of them had their own hidden agendas, none of them dared to play any tricks in the face of absolute strength.

"Let's go, let's go, there's nothing left to do."

"After a hard trip, I didn't catch anything. What a bad luck!"

"Okay! Stop complaining. Just being able to save a life is considered a blessing."

"..."

Following a burst of discussion, the warriors dispersed one after another.

After they were almost gone, Ronald calmed down his momentum, turned around, helped Robinson up, and asked with concern: "Brother Huang, how are you? Can you hold on?"

"It's nothing serious. It's just a little poison. It will be fine in a few days."Edmund Robinson shook his head.

"Uncle Huang, don't be brave at this time. The poison of the Song of Hell is not easy to cure. If it weren't for the Tian Lingzhu's effect just now, I wouldn't even be sure to save you." Dustin said with a serious face.

Ten strange poisons, each of which is extremely terrifying.

Even a martial arts master would find it difficult to resist with just his body.

This time I was really lucky to have such a treasure as the Heavenly Spirit Pearl to ward off disasters.

Chapter 1007

"Brother Huang, you are the same as always. You report good news but not bad news. Your body is about to collapse and you are still holding on."

Ronald said helplessly: "I just heard someone said that you swallowed the Tianling Pearl. Is it okay to eat this thing?"

"Don't worry, Alliance Leader Ronald, the Tianling Pearl is a spiritual object and will not harm Uncle Robinson's body; on the contrary, it can not only absorb poisonous gas, but also help Uncle Robinson improve his cultivation." Dustin explained.

"Oh? Is there such a benefit?"

Ronald raised his eyebrows slightly and said with a smile: "Brother Huang, you are a blessing in disguise this time. With this Heavenly Spirit Pearl, you may be able to break through to become a Grandmaster in the future."

"Let it go."

Edmund Robinson shook his head: "Although the Tianling Pearl is a treasure, it will also attract countless people to covet it. I'm afraid it will be very troublesome in the future."

"Brother Robinson, just don't worry, as long as I'm here, no one can take away the Tianling Pearl." Ronald looked confident.

"Brother Ronald, can you still protect me 24 hours a day?" Robinson said with a smile.

"No, Brother Huang misunderstood. I am not protecting you, but this Tianling Pearl."

While Ronald was speaking, he suddenly took action and pierced Robinson's abdomen with his palm.

Then he grabbed hard and dug out the golden Tian Lingzhu from his stomach!

His hands were covered with internal organs and blood!

"ah?"

The sudden scene shocked everyone.

Everyone's eyes widened with disbelief on their faces.

No one expected that Ronald, who was so kind and smiling just now, would suddenly kill him.

And it’s still disembowelling, cruel and ruthless!

"Well......"

Looking at Ronald who was smiling evilly, Robinson stood blankly on the spot, unable to react at all.

The two are close friends and have a life-long friendship.

When Ronald was in danger, it was he who came to the rescue and allowed him to escape.

From then on, the two became brothers and sisters.

Traveling all over the country together, going through hardships and dangers, we gained a great reputation.
He knew that the world was dangerous and that people's hearts were unpredictable, but he never doubted Ronald.

Because the two of them are brothers in life and death!

"Why...why?"

Edmund Robinson was stunned and stared at Ronald, completely ignoring the huge wound on his abdomen.

"Brother Robinson, I'm sorry. I have been planning for so long just for this Heavenly Spirit Bead, but unexpectedly it was swallowed by you. I had to make this move." Ronald said without hesitation.

Originally, Edmund Robinson didn't have to die. He only blamed the other party's bad luck and, by chance, ate his treasure.

There is no other way, even if he doesn’t kill him.

"If you want the Tianling Pearl, just say so. I can give it to you. Why do you want to do this?" Robinson couldn't believe it.

The relationship between life and death, but there is no precious treasure?

"Give it up?"

Ronald sneered: "Brother Huang, do you treat me like a three-year-old child? The Heavenly Spirit Pearl is a sacred object in the martial arts world, and it is also the key to our breakthrough to the Grand Master. Would you give me such a top-notch treasure? Stop being ridiculous!"

"In my opinion, a bead is far less important than the friendship between you and me, so I don't understand, I really don't understand..."

Robinson touched the wound on his abdomen, his face full of bitterness.

It turns out that people will change.
Ronald used to be an upright man and hated evil as much as he hated evil.

I didn’t expect that after not seeing each other for several years, the other party would actually become a sanctimonious hypocrite.

"Brother Huang, if you don't do it for yourself, heaven and earth will destroy you!"

"I want to become a great master; I want to become the supreme king of martial arts; I want to trample everyone under my feet!"

"Who dares to stop me? Whoever dares to stop me will die!"

As the word "death" came out, Ronald suddenly slapped Edmund Robinson on the chest, sending him flying dozens of meters away.

Chapter 1008

"Boom——!"

Edmund Robinson was beaten and thrown high into the air, then hit the ground hard.

For a moment, blood spurted out from his mouth and nose, and his face turned pale.

"dad!"

Abigail screamed, as if waking up from a dream, and hurriedly ran to the place where Edmund Robinson fell.

"Ronald! Are you crazy?!"

Dustin was shocked and angry, with murderous intent in his eyes.

He always thought that Ronald was a respected and upright martial arts senior.

I didn’t expect that the other party was actually a despicable villain with a hidden knife behind his smile!

"Crazy? Humph..."

Ronald suddenly laughed: "Dustin, Dustin, do you know how big a trap I have laid for the Tianling Pearl?

Ever since I got the news about the Tian Lingzhu from Sir Paul, I have been planning and secretly adding fuel to the flames.

I will first use Paul Son to kill people and silence them; then I will release the news and lead the people from the Jade Girl Palace to the south of the Yangtze River; and finally, I will deliver the Jade Girl Sutra with the map to you.

Everything is planned by me.

To put it bluntly, you people are just my pawns.

Only if you break into the cemetery one after another and attract Gu Qingmei's attention can I have a chance to obtain the Tianling Pearl.

Fortunately, the sky pays off—

I was careful, step by step, and after planning for so long, I finally got what I wanted!

With this sacred martial arts object in hand, I can break through the great master and become the supreme master of the entire martial arts world!

When the time comes, the world will be so big that I will be able to roam around, hahahahaha..."

By the end of the sentence, Ronald was laughing loudly.

I have been feeling aggrieved for so long, pretending for so long, and finally I can let it out.

"So it's all your fault?"

Dustin clenched his fists and stared angrily: "Did you kill the old alliance leader? Did you put the blame on me? Did you poison the antidote? Did you let Paul Son go? Did you cause Natasha's life or death? Don’t you know? Is everything done by you?!”
"That's right! It's all me!"

Ronald smiled very calmly: "Not only these, but the hell song just now was also released by me!

I originally planned to silence all of you so that no one would know that it was me who obtained the Heavenly Spirit Bead.

I didn’t expect that this guy Robinson would be so stupid that he would sacrifice his life to feed a tiger and save the lives of you losers.

I have no choice but to come forward in person and clean up the mess.

Oh, by the way, now, do you have any last words? "

Now that the truth has been told, these people present will all die!

"No wonder...no wonder I always felt that someone was secretly manipulating it. It turns out that you are the mastermind behind it!"

Azaele was so frightened that she backed away repeatedly, still in shock.

Before she came, she had an uneasy feeling, as if she was being led by someone. She never thought that her intuition would come true!

"Ronald! You - you deserve to die!"

Dustin shouted angrily and finally couldn't help but take action.

I saw him kicking his feet, and his whole body turned into a white light and slammed into him.

Its momentum is like thunder, invincible.

"Don't overestimate your own capabilities!"

Ronald smiled coldly, and his body turned into a black light, facing him head-on.

The same momentum is like a rainbow, unrivaled.

Finally, two rays of light, one black and one white, collided with each other!

"boom--!!"

There was a loud noise and the ground shook.

With the impact point as the center, a monstrous wave formed by Gang Qi swept across a hundred meters in an instant.

Wherever it passed, it was devastated, gravel exploded, and big trees were broken.

The wind was howling in all directions, and sand and rocks were flying.

The huge movement caused those warriors who had not gone far to stop and look back at the source of the sound.

"Hey! It seems like the sound of fighting?"
"What's going on? Isn't it over already? Is there another baby born?"

"It must be extraordinary to make such a big noise. Let's go! Go back and take a look!"

"..."

Chapter 1009

The warriors immediately turned around and gathered at the fighting site again.

"Could things be turning around?"

Jiang Xiuzhen, Zhao Hongxiang, and Jie Xin looked at each other, turned around at the same time, and headed back with their respective troops.

For a time, all the major forces and sects left and came back one after another.

However, when they arrived at the battlefield, they were surprised to find.

Ronald actually got into a fight with Dustin.
The leader of the martial arts alliance fought against the young master. The two sides fought extremely fiercely, and they were completely fighting for their lives.

what happened?

Aren’t the two of them working together?

Why do you still need to risk your life?

Everyone looked at each other, not knowing why.

"Help - help!"

At this time, calls for help sounded in the distance.

Everyone followed the sound and saw Abigail holding the seriously injured Edmund Robinson, crying for help.

Tears fell like rain.

"Please - save my dad! I kowtow to you!"

Seeing no one responded, Abigail knelt on the ground and began to kowtow crazily.

At this moment, Robinson's face was pale, his abdomen was bleeding, and there was blood spurting out from his mouth and nose.

The whole person looked dying, as if he would die at any time.

The warriors watched indifferently without any reaction.

Only Azaele tried to save Robinson's energy to save his life, but unfortunately his true energy was limited and could not have much effect.

"All members of the Martial Alliance obey orders!"

At this time, Ronald's majestic voice suddenly rang through the sky: " Robinson's evil energy has entered his body and he has fallen into the devil's way. He must be killed quickly! Whoever can kill the demon and eliminate it will be rewarded heavily by me!"

As soon as these words came out, the whole place was in an uproar.
"What? Edmund Robinson is possessed by a demon? Is it related to the poisonous gas just now?"

"The order given by Alliance Leader Ronald is definitely true. If the possessed person is not eliminated, there will be endless troubles!"

"That's right! It is the duty of decent people like us to eliminate demons and defend the law. We must not let him go!"

After a brief commotion, everyone drew their swords and stared at each other.

A posture of doing justice for heaven.

"Nonsense! Ronald is talking nonsense!"

Abigail defended in a stern voice: "It's him! He was the one who attacked my father in order to seize the Tianling Pearl. He is the real despicable villain!"

"How outrageous! You are all working together and dare to slander our leader?!"

Ronald's shout sounded again: "All warriors, listen to the order! Kill all these evil people! If anyone is successful in eliminating demons, I will teach him what I have learned throughout my life and let him serve as the elder of the martial alliance!"

"Teaching what you have learned throughout your life?"

"Being an elder of the Martial Alliance?"

After hearing this, everyone immediately became uneasy.

All of them were breathing rapidly and their eyes were full of greed.

Being able to be taught skills by the leader of the martial arts league is simply a great adventure, more precious than any other treasure!

As for the elder of the Martial Alliance, he can make people reach the sky in one step and become famous in the south of the Yangtze River!

No matter which reward it is, it is a fatal temptation for them!

So, driven by interests, everyone gradually surrounded him.

Everyone is salivating and their eyes are shining.

It doesn't matter who is right now. As long as they kill Edmund Robinson and a few people, they can turn into dragons and go straight to the sky!

"Don't believe him! He's lying!"

"My dad is not possessed by demons! We are not evil people!"

Abigail was anxious and gave various excuses.

She didn't expect Ronald to be so despicable, he would directly confuse right and wrong and beat him up.

"Kill! Kill them!"

"Destroy demons and demons! Support justice!"
Everyone's eyes were red, and they didn't listen to the explanation at all, and rushed forward with shouts.

Like a group of hungry wolves that see fresh flesh and blood, they are violent and greedy.

Chapter 1010

"Stop! Whoever dares to step forward will die!"

Azaele stepped in front of Abigail, and there were two knives in his hand.

The whole person is murderous!

"You have all been deceived! My father is not possessed by a demon! He has not done anything harmful to nature!"

Looking at the warriors who were surrounding them, Abigail kept explaining.

"Have you all forgotten? It was my father who saved you before. It was he who risked his life and absorbed all the poisonous mist so that you could escape!"

"Even if you are not grateful, you should not repay kindness with hatred!"

"Wake up! We are all innocent! Ronald is the biggest villain!"

"..."

She cried and begged, trying to prove her innocence.

However, her words were like a stone sinking into the ocean, without causing any fluctuations.

"Abigail! Don't you understand? These people don't care about the truth at all. They are already greedy for profit!"

"What justice? What slaying demons and protecting the Tao? It's all bullshit! A group of hypocrites who claim to be noble are more hateful than real villains!"

"Don't be stunned! You take Grandmaster Huang and leave first, and I will take care of you!"

Azalea displayed his swords and rushed forward, as if he was ready to die.

Although she is not a kind person, she is not an ungrateful person either.

"Seeking death!"

Jiang Xiuzhen snorted coldly and struck out with a palm from the air, sending Azaele flying more than ten meters away.

They are not the same enemy at all.

"well......"

Edmund Robinson sighed softly and suddenly stood up staggeringly.

At the same time, a vigorous vitality slowly bloomed in his body.

His originally pale complexion quickly turned rosy.

Streams of violent Grandmaster Qi began to spurt out like a volcano erupting.
He - is clearly burning the source of life!

"dad?"

Abigail was stunned for a moment, a little unbelievable.

You were dying just now, why are you so energetic all of a sudden?

"What's going on? Isn't Edmund Robinson seriously injured? Why can he stand up again?"

"Damn it! What a hell! What should I do now? Can I get on or not?"

Everyone was so frightened that they stopped for a moment, looking at each other in panic.

I originally planned to pick it up, but I didn't expect that Edmund Robinson still had fighting strength, but now he is in trouble.

"Why are you panicking? Mr. Robinson is at the end of his strength and can't hold on much longer. Let's all fight together!"

"That's right! Seeing that he was seriously injured, it was just a flashback. Kill him and do justice to God!"

Everyone was clamoring and eager to try, but they didn't dare to really step forward.

After all, Edmund Robinson is a martial arts master, and he can easily destroy them with any move.

"Grandmaster Jiang, if you have to spare others, please spare them. Do you have to kill them all?" Huang Donghai said with a frown.

"You have become a demon. You will definitely bring disaster to the people in the future. You must die today!" Jiang Xiuzhen said fiercely.

"That's right! Killing demons and demons is the duty of us decent people!" Zhao Hongxiang looked cold.

"Edmund Robinson, put down your butcher knife and become a Buddha immediately." Master Jie Xin lowered his eyebrows.

"You can kill me if you want, but my daughter is innocent. I hope you can let her live." Edmund Robinson pleaded.

"Huh! Whether he is innocent or not, it doesn't matter what you say!" Jiang Xiuzhen didn't give any face.

"Three of you, if you keep pushing each other hard, then I will have no choice but to fight you tooth and nail!" 'Edmund Robinson's eyes were bright.

"Desperately? Humph! You have run out of gas, are you qualified to fight with us?" Jiang Xiuzhen sneered.

"I still have the power to strike, and I can be sure that this strike will kill you!"

While Mr Robinson was speaking, he suddenly took a deep breath.

Immediately afterwards, a terrifying pressure was gradually released.

In an instant, there was a strong wind all around, and sand and rocks were flying.

The warriors felt as if they had been struck by lightning, trembling all over and having difficulty breathing.
It felt like a mountain was pressing down on my body, which made me feel extremely uncomfortable.
Click to expand...
the link says reading to chapter 1034,-but it stops at 1010 !! where can I read the rest, I e from chapter 1011 on ? can you please help me
 
Chapter 997
"Alexander, you want in too?" Jan Crane gave him a wary look.

"Haha, the Heavenly Spirit Pearl is a coveted relic in the martial arts world. I'm not passing this opportunity," Alexander Cheng replied without hesitation.

When martial masters reach their level, there aren't many treasures that can truly pique their interest, but the Heavenly Spirit Pearl is one of them. Possessing it offers a chance to break through limits and ascend to greatness.

It's the kind of treasure that can make a difference.

"Ah, we have a surprise guest," a voice echoed from the shadows, and a figure bathed in golden light appeared.

This person was a portly, bald old man with a ring-shaped scar on his head. Despite his rotund figure, he exuded a serene aura. He wore flowing robes, and an air of holiness surrounded him.

The gentle golden glow seemed to bring peace to those who looked upon it, like basking in a warm breeze.

"The Abbot of Dabei Temple - Master Jason Edwards!" The crowd recognized him with gasps.

Unexpectedly, another martial arts master had arrived.

Today was turning out to be an extraordinary day, with all these elusive figures suddenly emerging.

Was it all for Iris Meskill's treasure?

"Master Vigilance, what brings you here?" Jan Crane's expression tensed as the pressure in the vicinity grew.

Initially, he had entertained the idea of claiming the Heavenly Spirit Pearl for himself, but now it seemed far-fetched.

"There have been rumors of an evil presence in this place. I came to investigate and, if needed, confine it within the Five Peaks Tower to prevent bloodshed," Master Jason Edwards said calmly.

"Hmph! Sounds noble, but are you genuinely here to avoid a conflict?" Alexander Cheng sneered.

He couldn't stand sanctimonious individuals who pretended to be saviors while secretly eyeing treasures.

"No, I'm here to protect the innocent," Master Jason stated.

"All right, I won't waste time with you," Alexander Cheng said impatiently. "Jan, you're the most experienced here. How do we divide the Heavenly Spirit Pearls?"

"Divide? The goods haven't even arrived, and you're already talking division?" Jan Crane raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, right, almost forgot," Alexander Cheng smacked his forehead and turned to Dustin. "Young man, hand over the Sky Spirit Orb, and then we can discuss how to share the loot."

"Senior Alexander, I don't have the Sky Spirit Orb. You must be mistaken," Dustin insisted.

The Sky Spirit Orb was actually with Abigail, so he was telling the truth.

"Your words mean nothing. We all know the situation here. If you intend to keep everything for yourself, you'll face the wrath of the public," Alexander Cheng warned.

"I'll say it again, my answer is no. I'm afraid you'll be disappointed today," Dustin replied firmly.

"Young man, I thought we could resolve this amicably, but it seems you're not aware of your own predicament!" Alexander Cheng's face darkened.

"Donor, evil entities harm people. Leave them to me, and you'll be doing a service to society," Master Jason suggested with folded hands.

"Young man, I'll give you one more chance: hand it over or not?" Jan Crane demanded.

At this point, the three masters joined forces, creating an invisible pressure around Dustin, trying to force him to relent.

"No, I can't give it up," Dustin said firmly, his eyes unwavering.

"Hmph, stubborn!"

The three masters exchanged glances, stopped their banter, and simultaneously attacked Dustin.

"Are the three of you not afraid of becoming the laughingstock of the world for bullying the weak?"

Suddenly, a thunderous voice boomed from thin air. At the same moment, a white figure descended from the sky, landing in front of Dustin, and promptly slapped the three masters.

Boom!

The palm strike was like a mountain crashing down, shaking the surroundings. The three great masters were forced to step back several paces, their expressions turning serious.

"Edmund Robinson?!"

The three of them scrutinized the newcomer more closely, their expressions shifting rapidly.
 
Chapter 998
"What? Edmund Robinson? One of the Balermo Five Grandmasters?"

"Sea Emperor! It's actually the Sea Emperor! Oh my god! How did the Sea Emperor show up here?"

"The Sea Emperor has been in seclusion for many years, never interfering in the martial world. I can't believe he suddenly appeared today. Is this a sign of impending disaster?"

The appearance of Edmund Robinson sent shockwaves through the entire scene.

Everyone was filled with awe and astonishment.

The Balermo Five Grandmasters were widely recognized as the five strongest individuals in the martial world, and among them, Edmund Robinson was known as the Sea Emperor.

Ten years ago, he single-handedly guarded the West Gate and defeated three foreign Grandmaster-level experts, keeping tens of thousands of enemy soldiers outside the country's borders. He defended the city alone, and no foreign invaders dared to enter. That was the battle that made him famous!

In that year, Edmund Robinson had dominated Balermo, and he was hailed as an emperor by many.

His glorious deeds were still talked about to this day.

"Sir Edmund?"

Dustin Rhys raised an eyebrow, his face showing surprise.

He hadn't expected such a powerful ally to show up at this critical moment.

"Dad! Why are you here?"

Seeing the familiar figure in front of her, Abigail couldn't help but light up. Since their last parting, she had thought it would be difficult to see her father again.

"I heard there was trouble here, so I came to check it out."

Edmund Robinson turned around, giving a slight smile. "How are you all? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, but these guys outnumbered us and tried to steal our things. They even surrounded Uncle Dust. It's really outrageous!" Abigail started complaining right away.

"I saw what happened just now. Leave it to me to handle."

Edmund Robinson nodded and then looked at the three Grandmasters. He slowly reined in his smile, and his gaze became particularly sharp. "Gentlemen, you are all renowned figures in the martial world. Is it appropriate to bully younger generations like this?"

"Master Edmund, this is our private matter. It doesn't concern you, does it?" Jan Crane frowned.

They were so close to obtaining the treasure, only to have someone interfere unexpectedly.

"Master Edmund, do you know that this young man possesses the Sky Spirit Orb?" Jan Crane suddenly asked, attempting to create divisions between Edmund and Dustin Rhys.

"What of it? Obtaining the Sky Spirit Orb is Dustin Rhys's ability. You trying to forcefully take it from him here is nothing short of robbery," Edmund Robinson responded firmly.

"Humph! The Sky Spirit Orb is a sacred treasure of the martial world. Whoever sees it should share it. Why should this kid monopolize it?" Alexander Cheng said, clearly dissatisfied.

"Geez... Master Edmund, the Sky Spirit Orb is an evil object. Once it appears, it will undoubtedly cause upheaval in the martial world. To resolve this crisis, it should be entrusted to this humble monk," Master Jan said, clasping his hands together and speaking earnestly.

"Master Edmund, the Sky Spirit Orb is not a personal possession; it should be contributed for collective discussion. If it's taken for personal gain, it will inevitably anger the public. What do you think?" Jan Crane said with a meaningful tone.

As long as the three of them were on the same page, their chances were still good even in a three-versus-two situation.

"It seems like I didn't make myself clear earlier, so I'll say it again."

Edmund Robinson's tone gradually intensified. "Today, I'm here to guarantee Dustin Rhys's safety. If you have any sense, you'll leave immediately. If anyone dares to defy me, I'll make them yield!"

His words caused an uproar in the entire scene.

"Wow! The Sea Emperor is truly overbearing!"

"Has the Sea Emperor become a bit too arrogant? He doesn't seem to care about the Three Grandmasters at all!"


Chapter 999
"Damn it! If I had the strength of the Sea Emperor, I'd be a hundred times more badass!"

The martial artists discussed fervently, filled with surprise and a newfound sense of admiration.

Challenging the Three Grandmasters and daring to confront the entire Balermo region – who would dare to do that?

"You're out of line, Edmund Robinson! Do you really think we're afraid of you?" Jan Crane was unable to contain his anger.

Being publicly scolded by a junior was a blow to his pride that he couldn't tolerate.

"You, Sir Edmund! Don't get too arrogant!" Alexander Cheng also displayed his fury. "As fellow Grandmasters, we advised you kindly. If you insist on opposing us, don't blame us for not being polite!"

"Geez."

Master Jan sighed lightly. "Sir Edmund, if you remain obstinate, this humble monk will have to follow the path of destiny."

"Since you three won't back down, let's have a fight, shall we? It's been a long time since I've stretched my muscles." Edmund Robinson suddenly chuckled.

A deep and powerful aura slowly emanated from him.

The temperature around them dropped rapidly, and a hurricane began to form.

"Edmund Robinson! Don't forget, it's three against two, giving us the advantage!" Jan Crane shouted fiercely.

"Three against two?"

Edmund Robinson shook his head. "No, no, no... You've misunderstood. Dealing with you three doesn't require Dustin Rhys's help. I alone am enough."

At his words, everyone was taken aback.

Could it be? Is the Sea Emperor really going to take on all three of them at once?

This was no joke.

The three Grandmasters were not just anyone; they were seasoned experts.

Facing them one-on-three was simply suicidal!

"Edmund Robinson! You're too arrogant! Today, I must teach you a lesson!" Jan Crane was livid and leaped forward, leading the charge.

"Arrogant fool! I'll show you just how capable I am!" Alexander Cheng followed suit, launching a joint attack on Edmund Robinson.

"Edmund Master, the boundless sea has its limits; it's time for me to come to your rescue!" Master Jan, not one to be outdone, burst into golden light and shot out like an arrow.

The three martial arts Grandmasters attacked from three different directions simultaneously.

"Very well!"

Edmund Robinson laughed heartily and suddenly shot up into the sky, becoming a streak of white light colliding head-on.

In an instant, the four of them engaged in an intense battle.

Blurry afterimages darted back and forth, their speed astonishingly fast, making it impossible to discern who was who.

"Boom, boom, boom..."

As the four fought, thunderous crashes reverberated continuously.

A vast amount of Grandmaster's energy, like an avalanche, surged outward, sweeping through everything in its path.

Wherever it went, the ground was upturned, and trees were shattered, with nothing able to withstand its force.

The onlookers, martial artists themselves, could only keep retreating and retreating again.

At the level of martial arts Grandmasters, even the shockwaves from a single collision were enough to seriously injure lower-level martial artists.

"Oh my god! They're actually fighting! The Sea Emperor is taking on three of them, isn't that too ruthless?"

"Is this a battle between Grandmasters? It's absolutely terrifying!"

The martial artists watched from a distance, their faces showing shock and fear.

"Uncle, my dad won't get hurt, will he?"

Watching the distant figures clash, Abigail couldn't help but feel nervous.

She knew her father was powerful, but facing three opponents simultaneously was undoubtedly an incredibly difficult challenge.

"Don't worry, Sir Edmund will be fine."

Dustin Rhys smiled and reassured her, "While these three are formidable, Sir Edmund is almost unbeatable below the level of Grandmaster."


Chapter 1000
The battle between Edmund Robinson and the other three had grown increasingly intense, with their destructive power escalating as well. The area within a hundred meters of their battleground had been reduced to a barren wasteland. Birds and beasts in the dark forest scattered in fear as the earth trembled beneath them.

The thunderous noise from their clash attracted a growing number of spectators, including martial artists of various levels: innate realm, acquired realm, and even martial dao grandmasters. Representatives from different factions and sects had gathered to witness the spectacle. However, at this moment, no one dared to make a rash move.

All eyes were fixed on the four grandmasters, their expressions filled with shock and awe.

"Boom, boom, boom..."

As the battle continued, the explosions became more frequent. Waves of energy rippled outwards, akin to a tsunami, sending chills down the spines of those watching.

After hundreds of exchanges, Jan Crane, Alexander Cheng, and Jason Edwards, the three martial grandmasters, grew increasingly uneasy. They hadn't expected Edmund Robinson to be this powerful. He was holding his ground against all three of them, and his boundless martial energy seemed endless. Not only did he not show any signs of weakness, but he also grew more formidable with each passing moment.

It was as if he were a monstrous entity!

Finally, they grasped the true value of the Five Grandmasters. Even when facing a three-on-one situation, they couldn't gain the upper hand, let alone considering a one-on-one battle.

The title of "Sea Emperor" was well-deserved, not an empty boast.

"Grandmaster Alexander! Grandmaster Jason! If we continue like this, we might be at a disadvantage. It's time to use our ultimate techniques!" Jan Crane, his face tense, transmitted his thoughts to the other two.

"You're right! We must give it our all. If we fail, we'll lose face!" Alexander Cheng gritted his teeth, his forehead already covered in sweat.

"Allow me to engage him directly for a while. Both of you, go all out!" Jason Edwards transmitted his thoughts.

"Alright, let's do it!"

"Prepare—attack!"

They exchanged glances and then simultaneously made their move.

Jason Edwards was enveloped in an aura of golden light, which instantly bound Edmund Robinson tightly, like an intricate web.

Seizing the opportunity, Jan Crane unleashed his ultimate technique.

He transformed into a gigantic white crane and lunged at Edmund Robinson.

Alexander Cheng, refusing to be outdone, turned into countless afterimages, shooting towards their opponent like artillery shells.

Edmund Robinson's body trembled violently as he broke free from the bindings.

He then raised his hand and slashed horizontally towards the three of them.

"Swish!"

A crescent-shaped white radiance burst forth with incredible speed.

As the wind caught it, the radiance expanded to over ten meters in size, resembling a massive scythe slashing across the trio.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

Three consecutive deafening sounds reverberated, shaking the heavens and the earth.

In the first explosion, Jason Edwards's golden light shattered.

In the second explosion, Jan Crane's giant white crane exploded.

In the third explosion, Alexander Cheng's afterimages dissipated into thin air.

In an instant, all three were struck as if by lightning, sent flying and crashing dozens of meters away, leaving three deep craters in the once-flat ground.

"What? The three grandmasters were actually defeated? How is that possible?!"

"Wow, is the Sea Emperor really this formidable?"

Witnessing this scene, the onlookers were left in shock and disbelief. They had assumed that three against one would secure an easy victory, but instead, Edmund Robinson had decisively defeated them all.


Chapter 1001
This power is truly terrifying!

"Haha... We won, we won!"

Abigail cheered and jumped with excitement.

She had just been worried that her father might lose, but she didn't expect him to win so decisively.

"So formidable."

Dustin smiled faintly, not too surprised.

Edmund Robinson's true strength was that of a Grandmaster at the Great Perfection level. Even among the Five Grandmasters, he was one of the best.

On the other hand, Jan Crane and the others were at most Grandmasters at the Great Accomplishment level, lagging behind by one or two realms.

If Edmund Robinson hadn't held back for fear of injuring them fatally, they would have been defeated long ago.

"Three of you, do you still want to continue?" Edmund Robinson took a step forward, and his aura increased even further.

He exuded a formidable presence, like a god descending to the mortal world, intimidating everyone who looked at him.

"Cough, cough..."

Jan Crane and the others crawled out of the craters with disheveled appearances, their faces filled with shock and fear.

They hadn't expected Edmund Robinson to hide his true strength and suddenly unleash it, catching them completely off guard.

"Two of you, what should we do? Are we just going to give up like this?" Jan Crane looked left and right with a hint of reluctance.

They were so close to obtaining the Sky Spirit Orb, but Edmund Robinson had become an obstacle.

"Unless someone stronger intervenes, it's unlikely that the three of us can take advantage," Alexander Cheng frowned deeply.

He had just taken a hit and his energy was roiling.

"Geez, those who can contend with Lord Edmund are few and far between in the entire Balermo region," Master Jan shook his head.

Just as the three of them were hesitating...

Suddenly, a strong gust of wind swept through the area, and a chilling aura enveloped them.

As the sinister energy passed through, the martial artists couldn't help but shiver, feeling as if they had entered an ice cellar.

Even their exhaled breath turned white.

Despite being in the spring season, it felt like winter.

"What's going on? Why do I have this uneasy feeling?"

"I feel the same way. That cold energy was so strange that I'm still shivering."

The martial artists whispered to each other, looking around uneasily, feeling a sense of anxiety.

"Look! What are those black mists?"

At this moment, a man suddenly pointed towards the distance.

Everyone followed his gaze and saw a rolling black fog surging from the depths of the forest.

It resembled a tsunami, oppressive and all-encompassing.

The black mist covered a wide area, and its end couldn't be seen at a glance.

As the mist enveloped flowers, plants, and trees, they withered and died instantly.

The black mist seemed like a giant abyss, devouring all living creatures.

"Is this the miasma in the forest? Why does it look so strange?"

The man at the edge of the mist reached out to touch it without retreating.

In an instant, his palm turned black, and his flesh and skin began to rapidly decay.

"Ah!"

The man was first stunned, then let out a miserable scream.

Before he could even run for his life, the black mist had already rushed over, completely engulfing him.

"Ah! Ah!"

His screams grew louder, as if ants on a hot pan, he scrambled around frantically.

When he staggered out of the black mist, his entire body had rotted away, and his flesh and blood had become indistinct.

After struggling for a few seconds, he collapsed to the ground and died on the spot.

"It's poisonous! The black mist is poisonous! Run!"

Seeing the man suddenly drop dead, the martial artists' faces turned pale with fear. They turned and fled for their lives.

However, as they ran, a terrifying scene unfolded.

From all directions, black mist swept towards them, covering the mountains and plains, extending as far as the eye could see.

Everywhere they looked, it was pitch black, with no safe place to be found.

Everyone was paralyzed with fear and despair, watching as the black mist approached, waiting for death to come.



Chapter 1002
"What's going on? Where is this black mist coming from?"

"Does anyone have an antidote? I'm willing to pay a high price for it!"

"We're done for... Are we really going to die from this poison here?"

As the black mist enveloped them from all directions, the people were terrified, and their legs turned to jelly. They had come here in search of treasure, but now they were trapped in a desperate situation with no sign of the treasure in sight.

"I never thought that the Black Forest would have the 'Hell's Song.' This is trouble!" Edmund Robinson's gaze swept around, his expression growing serious. At this moment, he had no time to worry about the three grandmasters.

"Dad, what's the 'Hell's Song'?" Seeing the panicked crowd, Abigail couldn't help but feel nervous.

"The 'Hell's Song' is an extremely terrifying miasma, known as one of the Ten Wonders of the World. While its toxicity might not be the strongest, its lethality is the greatest! Wherever it spreads, nothing can grow, and corpses litter the land. Any living creature will be devoured completely, as if they have fallen into the hell!" Edmund Robinson wore a grave expression.

"What? That's so powerful? What should we do?" Abigail gulped nervously.

"Little Doctor, you have exceptional medical skills and are well-versed in various poisons. Do you have any way to counteract it?" Azalea suddenly asked.

"It can't be neutralized." Dustin furrowed his brow. "The 'Hell's Song' is approaching relentlessly, and below the grandmaster level, it's difficult to resist. Even antidotes won't work."

The black mist around them seemed to have a life of its own, chasing and swallowing people in an eerie manner.

"Dustin, should we try using martial energy? What do you think?" Edmund Robinson suggested suddenly.

"Let's give it a try."

The two of them took a deep breath simultaneously and then struck out with their palms towards the approaching black mist.

"Whoosh!"

Martial grandmaster-level aura suddenly burst forth, creating gusts of wind that rushed towards the black mist.

The black mist was instantly pushed back more than ten meters, creating a temporary void.

"Wow! It worked!" Abigail exclaimed with joy as she saw the result.

However, her joy was short-lived.

The empty space they had just cleared was quickly engulfed by the returning black mist.

"Try again!"

Edmund Robinson and Dustin exchanged glances and struck out repeatedly.

Waves of palm wind roared out, pushing the black mist back quickly, creating a substantial gap.

Unfortunately, as soon as they stopped using their palm strikes, the black mist immediately regained its ground.

"Why is this happening? Why can't we blow this black mist away?" Abigail was both shocked and puzzled.

"The 'Hell's Song' is indeed troublesome," Dustin said with a deep furrow in his brow.

"Dustin!"

At this moment, a group from the Azure Mist Sect suddenly approached, with Vanessa at the forefront. She quickly took out a bottle of medicine and handed it to Dustin. "This is an antidote. Hurry up and take it. It should be able to resist this poison mist."

"The antidote won't work; this is the 'Hell's Song.'" Dustin shook his head.

"The 'Hell's Song'?!"

Hearing this, the people from the Azure Mist Sect turned pale. They had never seen it, but they had heard of the terrifying reputation of the 'Hell's Song.' It was a poison that could annihilate everything. Even a slight touch would result in complete consumption.

At this moment, as the black mist continued to encroach, more and more martial artists who couldn't avoid it were being devoured.

Cries of agony, pleas for help, and shouts for rescue echoed incessantly.

"I don't want to die... I don't want to die!"

"Help me... Who will save me?"

"Why? I've already taken the antidote; why am I still poisoned?"

"Catastrophe! This is a catastrophe!"

The martial artists screamed and wailed in despair.


Chapter 1003
Like headless flies, people were fleeing in all directions, overcome by fear. However, the black mist sealed off all sides, leaving no escape.

"Heavenly Crane Grandmaster! You have immense power; please save us!"

"Master Alexander! You're a martial arts grandmaster; you must be able to help us, right?"

"Master Jan! Save a life, gain seven levels of merit! You're a high monk; you should save us!"

A group of panicked martial artists rushed to the front of Jan Crane and the others, crying and begging for their lives.

"You're all a bunch of useless trash! Get out of here!" Jan Crane waved his hand, and a burst of energy sent the crowd flying.

"People die for wealth, birds die for food. You're just unlucky to encounter something like this today," Alexander Cheng said coldly, unmoved by their pleas.

"May Great God bless us. This is a natural disaster and a man-made calamity. I'm powerless to help," Jan shook his head, his eyes closed in meditation, as if he hadn't seen anything.

Facing the Hell's Song, a grandmaster could protect themselves, but trying to save others was too risky.

"Master Edmund! You're highly respected and have extraordinary abilities. You must have a way, right?"

At this moment, a large group of martial artists rushed towards Edmund Robinson.

One by one, they knelt on the ground, kowtowing frantically.

"Sea Emperor! Your magical abilities are unmatched, and your strength is extraordinary. You must have a way, right?"

"Sea Emperor! We've always looked up to you as an idol. You can't just watch us die, can you?"

The crowd wept and pleaded, desperately kneeling before Edmund Robinson, seeking his help as if they were drowning and clutching at a lifeline.

They knew very well that only Edmund Robinson could save them now.

"Dad, what should we do? Are we just going to wait for death?" Abigail had a mournful expression.

They had just tried using the martial grandmaster's palm wind, but it couldn't disperse the black mist.

"In fact, I have one more method." At this moment, Edmund Robinson sighed lightly. "But this method is quite risky."

"Edmund Uncle! Don't do anything rash!" Dustin's brow furrowed as he quickly warned him.

Because he had already guessed what Edmund Robinson was planning to do.

"Brother Dustin, these are human lives, and they will also be the backbone of the martial world in the future. I can't stand by and watch them die," Edmund Robinson shook his head.

"People are responsible for their own lives; heaven and earth punish the wicked. With your cultivation, you can easily take Abigail and leave safely. Why do you have to get involved?" Dustin's voice was filled with anger.

"If I don't help, they will all die, and it will be a catastrophe for the entire martial world," Edmund Robinson said with a complex expression.

"For the sake of these unrelated people, you want to sacrifice yourself? Is that really necessary?" Dustin was getting furious.

"Don't worry, I won't die. This is just the Hell's Song; watch how I break it!" Edmund Robinson took a step forward and suddenly leaped into the air.

After reaching mid-air, he raised both palms.

A massive energy vortex formed out of thin air, centered on his body.

"Inhale the mountains and rivers!"

Edmund Robinson took a deep breath.

The energy vortex began to spin wildly, and a series of powerful suction forces erupted.

"Boom!"

The black mist from all directions was forcibly redirected and swiftly drawn towards the vortex.

One after another, the black mist rushed towards the vortex, like a hundred rivers converging into the sea.

In just a blink of an eye, Edmund Robinson was engulfed by the black mist.

Only a massive vortex remained, greedily absorbing the overwhelming black mist.

"Sir Edmund!"

Seeing this scene, Dustin's expression changed drastically.

He had guessed correctly after all.

Edmund Robinson intended to use his own body as a medium to absorb all of the Hell's Song!

He wasn't trying to save people; he was committing suicide!


Chapter 1004
"They've been sucked away? The black mist has been sucked away!"

"That's fantastic! We're saved! We're saved!"

"No wonder he's called the Sea Emperor! His powers are truly vast!"

Seeing the black mist around them being sucked away, the people were filled with joy, as if they had found their savior. Just moments ago, they had all felt hopeless, thinking they were doomed to die. Fortunately, Edmund Robinson had emerged and used his incredible power to absorb the Hell's Song and dispel this impending disaster.

Rumbling!

As Edmund Robinson continued to absorb the black mist frantically, his entire body gradually turned black.

His eyes, lips, cheeks, neck, limbs, even his fingernails, were completely covered in black.

His entire body was poisoned!

"Puah!"

Edmund Robinson couldn't hold on any longer and spat out a mouthful of black blood. Like a kite with a broken string, he plummeted from the sky.

"Dad!"

Abigail exclaimed in shock and was about to rush forward to catch him, but Dustin extended his hand to stop her.

"Let me handle this!"

With that, Dustin leaped into the air, grabbing hold of Edmund Robinson and gently landing on the ground.

At this moment, Edmund Robinson looked dispirited, and his aura was in turmoil.

The poison of the Hell's Song was rampaging within his body. If it weren't for his deep foundation and formidable strength, he would have died a long time ago. Even now, he hadn't died, but the situation was grim. His internal organs had been completely corroded by the poison, and his foundation was severely damaged.

"Uncle Dustin! How is my dad? Is he going to be okay?"

Abigail rushed forward in a panic.

"Stay back! Your dad is covered in poison!" Dustin waved his hand, keeping Abigail at least three meters away. He then took out silver needles, sealed off Edmund Robinson's eight extraordinary meridians, and halted the spread of the poison.

After doing all this, Dustin immediately cut Edmund Robinson's fingertip and began to let out blood to detoxify him.

However, the blood that flowed out wasn't red; it was black.

"It's not enough!"

Dustin frowned, and his palms suddenly struck Edmund Robinson's back, injecting grandmaster-level aura to purge the toxins within him.

"Drip, drip, drip..."

As the aura flowed in, more and more black blood poured out of Edmund Robinson, making a sizzling sound as it hit the ground, surrounded by black smoke.

Seeing this, the people kept their distance, afraid of being contaminated by the poison.

"Abigail, give me the Sky Spirit Orb!"

Dustin called out.

"Oh, okay!"

Abigail didn't hesitate and quickly tossed the golden Sky Spirit Orb to Dustin.

"The Sky Spirit Orb! It's really the Sky Spirit Orb!"

Seeing this, the crowd erupted in excitement.

Their breathing quickened, and their eyes sparkled with anticipation. Especially Jan Crane, Alexander Cheng, and Jason, their joy knew no bounds.

They had previously speculated about it, but now that they saw it with their own eyes, the situation was entirely different.

"I hope it works."

Dustin calmed himself down, picked up the Sky Spirit Orb, and directly placed it in Edmund Robinson's mouth.

The most significant characteristic of the Sky Spirit Orb was its ability to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and convert it for its own use. The poison of the Hell's Song also contained spiritual energy, so with a bit of effort, the Sky Spirit Orb could potentially absorb it.


Chapter 1005
"Hum!"

As the Sky Spirit Orb entered Edmund Robinson's mouth, it suddenly emitted a burst of golden light. Then, with a "whoosh," it directly entered Edmund Robinson's abdomen and merged with his system.

Following that, the Sky Spirit Orb began to spin wildly, devouring the surrounding black poison gas, healing Edmund Robinson in an unconventional way.

"It's really effective!"

Dustin's face lit up with joy. With the assistance of the Sky Spirit Orb, Edmund Robinson's life should be saved.

"Edmund Robinson! Quickly hand over the Sky Spirit Orb!"

After a brief moment of shock, Jan Crane instantly became excited, her face filled with greed.

"To think that you'd swallow such a treasure into your stomach! Spit it out quickly, or don't blame us for being impolite!"

Alexander Cheng stared at Edmund Robinson with fiery eyes.

"Geez! This item is inherently evil, and Brother Edmund may fall into demonic cultivation! Release it quickly!"

Even Master Jason couldn't hold back and started to approach slowly.

"Stop!"

Abigail suddenly stood in front of them and rebuked, "My dad is poisoned, and he needs the Sky Spirit Orb to save his life. You're not allowed to interfere!"

"Humph! He's just a dying man; keeping the Sky Spirit Orb is a waste. It's better to give it to us sooner!" Jan Crane couldn't wait any longer.

"Hey! Have you people lost your humanity? My dad turned into this to save you, and you want to repay him with ingratitude?" Abigail exclaimed in anger.

"Little girl, you should understand that we didn't ask him to save us. He was just meddling on his own." Alexander Cheng's face turned cold.

"You... You are shameless!" Abigail's eyebrows were raised.

She had thought that these senior figures in the martial arts world would uphold chivalry and righteousness, but they all turned out to be shameless scoundrels.

"Stop talking nonsense! If you don't hand over the Sky Spirit Orb, all of you will die!" Jan Crane said sternly.

"Guys, this girl is Edmund Robinson's daughter and is undoubtedly very important. Let's capture her first and then decide!" Alexander Cheng sneered.

As he spoke, he suddenly lunged forward, aiming to grab Abigail. After all, if he caught Edmund Robinson's weakness, he believed the other party would yield.

"Stop!"

At this moment, a thunderous shout rang out.

A dark figure suddenly descended from the sky, standing in front of Abigail, and then struck a palm towards Jan Crane.

"Boom!"

With a loud explosion, Jan Crane was sent retreating more than ten meters, blood oozing from the corner of his mouth, his face turning pale.

In contrast, the dark figure remained steady, with a majestic aura.

The newcomer was none other than the Chief of the Alliance in Balermo, Ronald Reeds!

"Ronald Reeds?"

Seeing the newcomer, Jan Crane's expression changed instantly.

And his companions, Alexander Cheng and Master Jason Edwards, also furrowed their brows one after another.

Among the Five Grandmasters, Ronald Reeds was second only to the number one, and no one dared to claim the first place.

He was able to hold the position of Chief of the Alliance, relying on his terrifying strength to suppress all heroes.

"Ronald Brother, you've finally arrived!"

Edmund Robinson slowly opened his eyes, his whole body relaxing.

The two of them were close friends with a deep friendship.

Now that Ronald Reeds had arrived, it was like an anchor dropped from the sky, completely capable of suppressing the entire scene.

"Brother Edmund, what's going on? Are you poisoned?"

Ronald Reeds frowned and looked a bit worried.

"It's nothing, I won't die."

Edmund Robinson shook his head and continued, "But these people need you to take care of them."

"Don't worry, leave it to me."

Ronald Reeds nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Jan Crane and the others, coldly saying, "You're all martial arts masters, yet you're laying hands on a younger generation? Are you willing to throw away your dignity?!"

"Chief Ronald, Edmund Robinson secretly took the martial world's sacred treasure, the Sky Spirit Orb. As righteous individuals, we naturally have a responsibility to retrieve it for the benefit of the entire martial alliance," Jan Crane said righteously.

"That's right! We are all considering the future of the martial alliance. We hope Chief Ronald can see it clearly!" Alexander Cheng chimed in.

"Chief Ronald, this young lady is Edmund Robinson's daughter and is undoubtedly very important. Let's capture her first and then decide!" Jan Crane sneered.

Abigail protested, "Hey! Have you people lost your humanity? My dad turned into this to save you, and you want to repay him with ingratitude?"

"Little girl, you should understand that we didn't ask him to save us. He was just meddling on his own," Alexander Cheng said coldly.

"You... You are shameless!" Abigail was furious.


Chapter 1006
"Oh? What's the story behind the Sky Spirit Orb?" Ronald Reeds looked around with some suspicion.

"Uncle Ronald! The Sky Spirit Orb was found by us at great personal risk. It was originally ours. These people are the ones disregarding the principles of the martial world, intending to forcibly take it!" Abigail quickly explained.

"Nonsense! We are doing this for the sake of the entire martial world, unlike you, who only care about your own desires!" Jan Crane argued righteously.

"Chief Ronald! These people have ulterior motives, they are selfish and put the interests of the entire martial alliance aside. I believe they should be severely punished!" Alexander Cheng forcefully stated.

"Geez, associating with evil entities is surely the work of wicked individuals." Master Jan added a concluding remark.

At this point, the three grandmasters, instead of their previous aggressive stance, changed into righteous warriors and put on a different facade to press the issue.

"You... You pseudo-gentlemen, stop spewing nonsense!" Abigail was furious.

These people were clearly acting like bandits but were talking as if they were the epitome of righteousness.

It was simply a case of black being called white.

"That's enough!"

Ronald Reeds raised his hand to stop the arguments and said coldly, "Now, who has the Sky Spirit Orb?"

"It's inside my dad's belly."

Abigail hurriedly explained, "Just now, my dad risked his life to save them and was poisoned. He needs the Sky Spirit Orb for treatment. But these people are despicable. They actually want to snatch it, completely ignoring my dad's life and death. They are a bunch of heartless scoundrels!"

"Hmm?"

Ronald Reeds's expression darkened. "So something like this happened?"

"Chief Ronald, there's a reason for this. The Sky Spirit Orb is a sacred treasure of the martial world. We are afraid that it will be desecrated by Edmund Robinson!" Jan Crane tried to justify their actions.

"That's right! What if the poison in Edmund Robinson's body contaminates the Sky Spirit Orb? Wouldn't that destroy a sacred item?" Alexander Cheng chimed in.

"Shut up!"

Ronald Reeds angrily rebuked them. "While the Sky Spirit Orb is indeed important, it is not more valuable than Master Edmund's life. All of you are well-known figures in the martial world, how can you do such unscrupulous things? Now, get out of here immediately, or don't blame me for not being polite!"

"Chief Ronald..."

Just as Jan Crane was about to speak, Ronald Reeds glared at him coldly, and he immediately dared not utter a word.

Among the Five Grandmasters of Balermo, Ronald Reeds was unanimously recognized as the strongest.

The three of them combined couldn't even beat Edmund Robinson, so how could they be a match for Ronald Reeds?

Although they were extremely dissatisfied, they had no choice but to swallow their pride.

"Let's go!"

Jan Crane frowned and directly turned and left.

"Damn it! This is really bad luck!"

Alexander Cheng gritted his teeth but could only leave with his disciples from the Soul-Suppressing Sect.

"Geez, I hope Chief Ronald can suppress the evil and save the people. I shall take my leave."

Master Jason bowed slightly and then walked away.

Although the three of them had their own ulterior motives, in the face of absolute strength, they dared not play any tricks.

"Let's go, let's go. There's nothing to see here."

"It was a hard trip, and we didn't gain anything. Truly unlucky!"

"Alright! Stop complaining. We were fortunate enough to save our lives just now, which is like a blessing in disguise."

...

With a series of discussions, the martial artists gradually dispersed.

When most of the people had left, Ronald Reeds finally restrained his aura, turned around, and helped Edmund Robinson up, asking with concern, "Brother Edmund, how are you? Can you hold on?"

"It's nothing serious, just a bit of poison. It'll be fine in a few days." Edmund Robinson shook his head.

"Brother Edmund, now is not the time to be stubborn. The poison of the Hell's Song is not easy to dispel. If it weren't for the Sky Spirit Orb working just now, I wouldn't even have been sure I could save you." Dustin said sternly.

The Ten Great Venomous Poisons were all extremely terrifying. Even a Martial Master would find it difficult to resist them with just their body.

This time, they were truly fortunate to have the Sky Spirit Orb to ward off the disaster.


Chapter 1007
"Brother Edmund, you're really the same as ever, always downplaying the bad and not reporting it, your body is about to collapse, and you're still trying to tough it out." Ronald Reeds said with some helplessness. "I heard just now that you swallowed the Sky Spirit Orb. It won't cause any harm to your body, right?"

"Rest assured, Chief Ronald. The Sky Spirit Orb is a spiritual object, it won't harm Sir Edmund's body. On the contrary, it can not only absorb toxins but also help him improve his cultivation." Dustin explained.

"Oh? There are such benefits?" Ronald Reeds raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Brother Edmund, this time you can be considered lucky in disguise. With this Sky Spirit Orb, you have a chance to break through to the Grandmaster level in the future."

"Let's go with the flow."

Edmund Robinson shook his head. "Although the Sky Spirit Orb is a treasure, it will attract countless people in the future. It's afraid that it will be troublesome."

"Brother Edmund, just rest assured. With me here, no one can snatch the Sky Spirit Orb from you." Ronald Reeds said confidently.

"Ronald Brother, can you protect me for twenty-four hours?" Edmund Robinson smiled.

"No, Brother Edmund, you've misunderstood. I'm not protecting you, I'm protecting this Sky Spirit Orb."

Ronald Reeds suddenly made a move as he spoke, thrusting a palm into Edmund Robinson's abdomen.

Then, he grabbed it forcefully and directly dug out the golden Sky Spirit Orb from his belly!

His hands were covered in internal organs and blood!

"Ah?"

The sudden turn of events left everyone stunned.

They all stared with wide eyes, their faces full of disbelief.

No one had expected that Ronald Reeds, who had just been all smiles and friendly a moment ago, would suddenly make a move.

And he did it by slicing open Edmund Robinson's abdomen, merciless and ruthless!

"Why... why?" Edmund Robinson was dumbfounded, staring at Ronald Reeds in complete confusion, not even looking at the gaping wound on his abdomen.

"Brother Edmund, I'm sorry, but I've been planning for so long, all for this Sky Spirit Orb. I didn't expect you to swallow it, so I had no choice but to resort to this." Ronald Reeds said unabashedly.

Originally, Edmund Robinson didn't have to die. It was all because of Ronald Reeds's bad luck. By a stroke of chance, he ended up consuming his treasure.

But there was no way around it; he had to die.

"If you wanted the Sky Spirit Orb, you could have just asked, and I would have willingly given it to you. I value our friendship more than a single bead. So why did you do this?" Edmund Robinson couldn't believe it.

They were sworn brothers in life and death!

Together, they had traveled through thick and thin, facing countless dangers, and had built a legendary reputation.

He knew that the martial world was treacherous, and human hearts were unpredictable, but he had never doubted Ronald Reeds.

Because they were brothers bound by life and death!

"In this world, everyone looks out for themselves! I want to become a Grandmaster, I want to become the supreme figure of the martial world, I want to trample on everyone underfoot! Who dares to stop me? They will die!" Ronald Reeds sneered.

Once the word "die" came out, Ronald Reeds suddenly struck Edmund Robinson's chest with a palm, sending him flying dozens of meters away.


Chapter 1008
"Dong—!"

Edmund Robinson was sent flying high into the air by the force of the blow and then crashed heavily to the ground.

Blood sprayed from his mouth and nose, and his face turned deathly pale.

"Dad!"

Abigail screamed in shock, as if waking up from a dream, and hurriedly ran towards where Edmund Robinson had fallen.

"Ronald Reeds! Have you gone mad?!"

Dustin was both shocked and furious, his eyes filled with killing intent.

He had always thought of Ronald Reeds as a highly respected and upright senior in the martial world. He had never expected him to be a despicable villain hiding behind a friendly facade.

"Gone mad? Hehe..."

Ronald Reeds suddenly laughed, "Dustin, do you know how big of a scheme I've been planning for the Sky Spirit Orb?

Ever since I got wind of the news about the Sky Spirit Orb from Emperor Franklin Longford, I've been planning and secretly manipulating events.

First, I used Autumn to eliminate witnesses, and then I spread the information, leading the people from the Jade Maiden Palace to Balermo. Finally, I handed over the Jade Maiden Sutra, which contained the map, to you.

Everything was part of my carefully laid plans.

In other words, all of you were my pawns.

Only when you all entered the tomb, attracting the attention of Iris Meskill, did I have a chance to get the Sky Spirit Orb.

Fortunately, heaven favored me, and after so much careful planning, I finally got what I wanted!

With this martial world holy artifact in my hands, I can break through to become a Grandmaster and become the supreme figure of the entire martial world!

By then, I will be able to roam freely in the world, hahaha..."

As he spoke, Ronald Reeds burst into laughter.

After holding it in for so long and pretending for so long, he could finally speak the truth.

"So it was all you?"

Dustin clenched his fists, his eyes wide with anger, "You killed Sir Paul? You framed me? You poisoned the antidote? You released Autumn? You caused Natasha's removal from her position? All of it, everything, was done by you?!!"

"Yes! It was all me!"

Ronald Reeds said very calmly, "Not only that, but I also released the Hell's Song just now!

Originally, I planned to silence all of you, so that no one would know that I had obtained the Sky Spirit Orb.

But I didn't expect that this guy, Edmund Robinson, would be so stupid as to throw himself into the tiger's mouth and save you useless people.

There was no other choice; I had to take matters into my own hands and clean up the mess.

Oh, by the way, now, do you have any last words?"

Now that he had revealed the truth, everyone present had to die!

"No wonder... no wonder I always felt like someone was secretly manipulating things, and it turns out you were the mastermind behind it all!"

Azalea was so scared that she kept backing away, still in shock.

Before she came here, she had a sense of unease, as if someone was leading her by the nose. She hadn't expected her intuition to come true!

"Ronald Reeds! You... You deserve to die!"

Dustin shouted in anger and couldn't help but make a move.

He saw his feet push off the ground, and his whole body turned into a white light, rushing forward with immense force.

His momentum was like thunder, unstoppable.

"You overestimate yourself!"

Ronald Reeds sneered coldly and turned into a black light, meeting him head-on.

Their auras were equally fierce and unmatched.

In the end, a black and a white light collided with a loud bang!

"Boom—!!"

A deafening sound, and the ground shook.

With the point of impact as the center, a surging wave formed from the martial energy instantly swept across an area of a hundred meters in diameter.

Wherever it passed, everything was destroyed, rocks shattered, and trees snapped.

The fierce wind howled from all directions, carrying sand and stones.

The tremendous movement attracted the attention of the martial artists who hadn't gone far.

"Hmm! It sounds like the noise of a battle?"

"What's going on? Hasn't it already ended? Could it be that another treasure has appeared?"

"Whatever could cause such a big commotion must be extraordinary. Let's go back and take a look!"

"..."


Chapter 1009
The martial artists immediately changed direction and gathered once again at the battlefield.

"Could there still be a chance?"

Jan Crane, Alexander Cheng, and Jason Edwards exchanged glances and then turned back, leading their respective forces in the same direction.

For a moment, the major forces and sects all returned.

However, when they arrived at the battlefield, they were astonished to find that Ronald Reeds and Dustin were actually fighting each other.

The martial world's leader was engaged in a fierce battle with the young martial master, and both sides were fighting for their lives.

What was going on?

Weren't they on the same side?

Why were they staking their lives against each other?

Everyone looked at each other in confusion.

"Help! Help!"

At this moment, cries for help rang out in the distance.

Everyone turned their heads in the direction of the cries and saw Abigail desperately pleading for help while holding her seriously injured father, Edmund Robinson. Tears were streaming down her face.

"Please, please save my dad! I'll kowtow to all of you!"

Seeing that no one was responding, Abigail knelt down directly and began kowtowing frantically.

At this moment, Edmund Robinson's face was pale, blood was flowing continuously from his abdomen, and fresh blood was spurting from his mouth and nose. He looked as if he could die at any moment.

The martial artists watched coldly, showing no reaction.

Only Azalea attempted to help Edmund Robinson, trying to save his life, but her true energy was limited, and she couldn't do much.

"All members of the Martial Alliance, listen up!"

At this moment, Ronald Reeds's majestic voice suddenly resounded through the sky, "Edmund Robinson has been corrupted by evil spirit and has fallen into the demonic path. He must be killed for the greater good! Whoever can slay the demon and eliminate the evil will be richly rewarded by me!"

This statement caused a commotion in the crowd.

"What? Edmund Robinson has fallen into the demonic path? Is it related to the poison gas from earlier?"

"Leader Ronald has given the order, so it must be true. Those who fall into the demonic path must be eliminated, or there will be endless trouble!"

"That's right! Eliminating demons and upholding justice is the duty of us righteous martial artists!"

After a brief commotion, everyone drew their weapons and stared with eager anticipation.

They had an air of righteousness as if they were acting on behalf of heaven.

"Nonsense! Ronald Reeds is talking nonsense!"

Abigail protested vehemently, "It's him! It's him who attacked my father to steal the Sky Spirit Orb. He is the real villain!"

"Insolence! You and your father are in cahoots and dare to slander our leader?!"

Ronald Reeds's voice rang out again, "All martial artists, listen to my orders! Kill these demonic evildoers! Whoever eliminates the demons will be rewarded with the knowledge of my lifelong martial arts and will be appointed as an elder of the Martial Alliance!"

"Knowledge of lifelong martial arts?"

"Appointed as an elder of the Martial Alliance?"

Hearing these words, everyone's composure instantly disappeared.

Their breathing became rapid, and their eyes gleamed with greed.

Obtaining the teachings of the martial world's leader was an incredible opportunity, more valuable than any treasure!

And the position of an elder in the Martial Alliance was like reaching the sky in one step, with a reputation that would shake the entire Balermo!

To them, regardless of right or wrong, killing Edmund Robinson and the others now seemed to be a matter of life and death!

"Don't believe him! He's lying!"

"My dad hasn't fallen into the demonic path! We are not demonic evildoers!"

Abigail was frantic, trying to explain herself.

"Kill! Kill them!"

"Slay the demons and uphold justice!"

The crowd's eyes turned red, and they paid no attention to explanations, rushing forward one after another.

They were like hungry wolves seeing fresh flesh and blood, fierce and greedy.


Chapter 1010
"Stop! Whoever dares to come forward will die!"

Azalea stepped forward to block Abigail, brandishing two knives that had appeared in her hands at an unknown time. She exuded a fierce and murderous aura.

"You've all been deceived! My father hasn't fallen into the demonic path! He hasn't done anything evil!"

As the martial artists approached to attack, Abigail continued to explain.

"Don't you remember? My father saved all of you before. It was him who risked his life to absorb all the poisonous mist, allowing you to escape danger!"

"Even if you don't feel grateful, you shouldn't repay kindness with enmity!"

"Wake up! We are all innocent! Ronald Reeds is the real villain!"

However, her words fell on deaf ears and had no effect whatsoever.

"Abigail! Don't you understand yet? These people don't care about the truth; they are driven by greed!"

"What justice? What demon-slaying and upholding justice? It's all nonsense! A bunch of self-proclaimed upright gentlemen who are even more despicable than real villains!"

"Don't just stand there! Take Edmund and leave first; I'll stay behind for you!"

Azalea brandished her two knives and charged forward, showing a fearless and desperate attitude.

Although she wasn't a good person, she wasn't ungrateful.

"What a death wish!"

Jan Crane coldly snorted, sending a palm strike that directly sent Azalea flying more than ten meters away.

She was not an opponent at all.

"Sigh..."

Edmund Robinson let out a light sigh and suddenly staggered to his feet.

At the same time, a vigorous vitality slowly bloomed within him.

His originally pale face quickly turned rosy.

A surge of violent Master-level spirit erupted from his body like a volcanic eruption.

He was actually burning his own life essence!

"Dad?"

Abigail was stunned, finding it hard to believe. He had just been at death's door, how could he suddenly be so energetic?

"What's going on? Wasn't Edmund Robinson seriously injured? Why can he stand up again?"

"Damn it! This is unbelievable! What do we do now? Should we go forward or not?"

The people were shocked and hesitated, staring at the inexplicable scene before them in panic.

They had originally planned to take advantage of the situation, but they hadn't expected Edmund Robinson to still have strength, making it difficult for them to make a move now.

"Don't panic! Edmund Robinson is on his last legs and won't last long. Let's all attack together!"

"You're right! He's just experiencing a brief resurgence before his death. Kill him and uphold justice!"

The crowd shouted and were eager to try, but they didn't dare to approach recklessly.

After all, Edmund Robinson was a Martial Master, and any casual move from him could easily kill them.

"Senior Jan, let's spare them. Must we push them to a dead end?" Edmund Robinson furrowed his brows.

"You have fallen into the demonic path and will definitely harm the common people in the future. You must die today!" Jan Crane replied coldly.

"That's right! Slaying demons and upholding justice is the duty of us righteous martial artists!" Alexander Cheng said ruthlessly.

"Three of you, if you continue to press us, then I will have no choice but to fight you with all my strength!" Edmund Robinson's gaze was sharp.

"Fight with us? Hmph! You've already exhausted your strength, do you have the qualifications to fight us?" Jan Crane sneered.

"I still have one last strike left, and I can be sure that this strike will take your lives!"

As Edmund Robinson spoke, he suddenly took a deep breath.

Then, a terrifying aura slowly emanated from him.

In an instant, a strong wind blew, and sand and stones flew everywhere.

The martial artists felt as if they were being crushed by a mountain, making it extremely uncomfortable.
 
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Chapter 1011: The Duel's Turning Point
"Um?" Jan Crane and the others exchanged startled glances, their expressions shifting from confidence to sheer panic. Instinctively, they took a few steps back, fear washing over them like an icy wave.

In this very moment, a palpable sense of impending doom overcame them, causing beads of cold sweat to form on their foreheads and their scalps to tingle. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that a single blow from Edmund Robinson could severely injure or even kill all three of them.

"Master Edmund, you'd better think twice. If you act recklessly, you won't leave this place alive," Jan Crane warned, her voice quivering.

"I am a man on borrowed time. If I can buy my daughter a chance at survival before my end, it's a bargain," Edmund Robinson retorted, his eyes gleaming with resolve.

Hearing this, the three of them frowned deeply, their expressions growing even more grim. They had no intention of meeting their demise alongside this deranged adversary.

"Master Edmund, if you truly care for your daughter's fate, consider this: I will pledge to release her unharmed, but the price of sparing her life is your own." Jan Crane shifted her approach, attempting to reason.

"That's right! Your daughter's life hinges on your demise!" Alexander Cheng chimed in.

"Will you honor your word?" Edmund Robinson inquired.

"I am a person of my word, renowned throughout the world," Jan Crane declared with unwavering confidence.

"Edmund Robinson, first, you must relinquish your martial prowess, and I swear not to harm your daughter," Alexander Cheng added with a solemn vow.

"Geez, God cherishes life and spares the innocent," Master Jason intoned, nodding sagely.

"Very well! All three of you are esteemed martial artists. I trust your word. Today, I shall use my broken body to secure my daughter's future!" Edmund Robinson turned away, his gaze briefly meeting that of his daughter, Abigail. He smiled faintly and whispered, "My dear, take care of yourself."

"No - don't! Please, no!" Abigail cried out frantically, shaking her head vigorously with a shrill voice.

Before he could finish his farewell, Edmund Robinson suddenly thrust his palm into his own chest.

"Boom!"

An explosion resounded as a mist of blood erupted into the air. Edmund Robinson's body convulsed, his meridians severed, and his entire cultivation base utterly destroyed. He fell to the ground like a fallen mountain, the battle's momentum irrevocably altered.

"No--!!" Abigail's anguished cry filled the air as she rushed forward, her movements fueled by desperation, and cradled her dying father, Edmund Robinson, in her trembling arms.

Seeing her father bathed in his own blood, her heart shattered into a million pieces, and tears flowed freely down her face.

"Why? Why? Why are you doing this?!" she wailed, clutching her father's hand and sobbing uncontrollably.

"Silly girl, I'm already on the brink of death. It's a worthwhile trade to ensure your safety," Edmund Robinson mustered a faint smile, his voice barely a whisper.

"No! I don't want you to sacrifice yourself! I won't allow it!" Abigail protested vehemently.

"Stay strong! I'll rush you to the hospital right away!" Abigail cried as she hoisted her father onto her back.

"Girl, it's futile," Edmund Robinson replied, shaking his head gently. "Truth be told, I should have passed away a decade ago, but I couldn't bear to leave you. Now that you've grown into a fine young woman, it's time for me to reunite with your mother."

"No! I won't let you die! You must live!" Abigail exclaimed, her voice laced with desperation.

"Silly girl, every living being must eventually face death. I've already been blessed with a longer life than most. In this lifetime, I've honored heaven and earth, the world, and everyone, but I've failed you," Edmund Robinson admitted, his voice filled with self-reproach.

"No, no, no... it's not like that!" Abigail vehemently denied, shaking her head while her heart ached.

"I've led a futile existence for so long, failing to do anything for you. Today, I've finally fulfilled my duty as your father," Edmund Robinson confessed, his voice growing weaker. "Abigail, I'm genuinely proud and content to have a daughter like you. It's you who gave me hope, brought me joy, and illuminated my otherwise dark life. Don't cry, my dear. Live well; the future rests in your hands..."

Edmund Robinson struggled to raise his hand, attempting to wipe away his daughter's tears. Yet, midway through the gesture, his hand fell heavily, and his strength began to fade.

A legend has passed into history.


Chapter 1012: A Tragic Farewell

"Dad?"

Staring at Edmund Robinson's lifeless form, Abigail stood frozen, tears streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks.

"Dad! Wake up... wake up... please wake up!"

"Dad--!!"

Her piercing screams filled the air as she clutched her father's lifeless body, her heart torn apart, and her world shattered.

Two lines of blood and tears welled up in her eyes, slowly tracing their path down her cheeks, falling to the ground.

She couldn't fathom it, couldn't accept the reality that her sole family member had departed so abruptly.

From now on, she would be utterly alone.

In this moment, she felt as though she had plunged into an abyss, lost in an unending darkness. The world around her had turned desolate.

"Hahaha... He's dead! He's finally dead!" Jan Crane, staring at Edmund Robinson's lifeless form, couldn't help but burst into raucous laughter. "What a fitting end! What a fitting end! This is how you deal with wicked heretics!"

"What’s the sense of being one of Five Grand Masters? What’s the sense of being a Poseidon? In the end, they all meet the same fate, don't they?" Alexander Cheng sneered.

With Edmund Robinson's demise, his lingering fear had finally dissipated.

"Geez, excellent, excellent," Master Jason intoned, his palms pressed together, exhaling a heavy sigh.

"Seize them! Kill those two girls!" Jan Crane suddenly pointed at Abigail.

Her words sent shockwaves through the crowd. Hadn't she just promised to spare them? What was happening now?

"Master Jan! What's the meaning of this? You explicitly vowed not to pursue this further. Why are you retracting your word?" Azalea raised her eyebrows, her voice carrying the weight of her martial prowess.

She believed that as a distinguished martial artist, Jan Crane should uphold his promises.

"I never expected the other party to be so shameless, retracting their word in public and losing all sense of honor."

"Hmph! Deception is a soldier's greatest weapon. If I hadn't stated my intentions, how could this monster have chosen to end his own life? Besides, my promise was only to refrain from taking action personally and to allow my disciples to deal with demons as they see fit," Jan Crane proclaimed self-righteously.

"That's right! We won't kill you, but the disciples of the Soul-Suppressing Sect must uphold justice!" Alexander Cheng declared.

"Justice? You despicable individuals have the audacity to speak of justice?!" Azalea seethed, pointing at them and shouting, "You twist the truth, you are untrustworthy, and you parade around as righteous and upright while engaging in wicked deeds. You are nothing more than sanctimonious hypocrites, no better than animals!"

"Presumptuous!"

Jan Crane glared, her voice dripping with anger. "How dare you utter such arrogant words, little troublemaker? Attack! Eliminate them all to prevent future troubles!"

"Exterminate the evil spirits! Act in the name of justice!" Alexander Cheng raised his arms and cried out a rallying cry.

"Exterminate the evil spirits! Act in the name of justice!"

The disciples of the Soul-Suppressing Sect echoed his words, their voices resounding.

"Exterminate the evil spirits! Act in the name of justice! Kill them all!"

Without hesitation, the warriors surged forward, swords raised high.

With Edmund Robinson's demise, they saw no further threats.

By eliminating the two women, they would secure their chance to obtain Alliance Sir Ronald's true legacy, and the small fish would finally leap over the dragon's gate.

"Why?"

Abigail staggered to her feet, her empty and lifeless gaze gradually giving way to a burning fury.

A potent hatred surged within her.

"We haven't done anything wrong! Why do you want to kill them all?"

"My father didn't harm anyone! Why did you push him to this end?"

"He sacrificed himself to save you, and this is how you repay his kindness?"

"Why?!"

"Why?!"

"Why??!!"

Abigail let out a long, mournful cry, her eyes turning crimson in an instant, and an overwhelming aura of malevolence erupted from her.

In an instant, malevolent winds swept through, and a bone-chilling coldness gripped the surroundings.

The temperature plummeted rapidly, and frost began to coat the ground.


Chapter 1013: The Awakening of the Phoenix
Within a ten-meter radius, every flower, plant, and tree succumbed to an icy embrace, frozen in place.

Behind Abigail, a phoenix pattern suddenly materialized.

This was the seal embedded within her very being.

Under the grip of overwhelming grief, pain, and hatred, the blood coursing through her veins began to stir, and the seal slowly shattered.

Threads of golden light emanated from her body.

Gradually, they coalesced into a colossal golden phoenix hovering in mid-air.

Its feathers radiated a kaleidoscope of colors, and each step it took glistened with brilliance.

Between its outstretched wings, celestial hues and auspicious omens adorned the sky.

Its eyes gazed down upon all creation, asserting its dominance as the king of birds.

The sovereign avian exhibited its full splendor.

"Go to hell... go to hell!"

"I'll kill you... I'll kill all of you!"

Abigail's frenzied screams reverberated, her eyes bloodshot, her countenance twisted in fury.

Her once ebony hair began to turn stark white in this moment.

Starting from the roots, the transformation gradually advanced downward.

In just a few breaths, her entire body was adorned with a shock of white hair!

Following this, tendrils of dark deathly energy surged forth from her form.

The once-golden phoenix swiftly succumbed to the encroachment of this malevolent energy.

In the blink of an eye, the formerly sacred golden phoenix had transformed into a malefic black phoenix!

Its eyes bore the weight of murderous intent, ferocity, hatred, and boundless resentment.

It resembled the horrors of the Infinity Hell Fire, sending a shiver down the spines of all who beheld it.

"Demon, witch! She, she, she... she's a true sorceress!"

Fear and trepidation overcame the onlookers, causing them to halt in their tracks, their faces etched with terror.

No one had foreseen such a shocking transformation.

The malevolent black phoenix bore a semblance to a deity of death, exuding an aura that seemed capable of annihilating the world.

"What's happening? How can such a terrifying power lie dormant within this little demon girl?!" Jan Crane and the other three martial artists appeared horrified, facing what seemed like an insurmountable foe.

Even as seasoned martial arts masters, they felt the specter of death looming over them in this moment, a threat even more formidable than Edmund Robinson's before.

"I'm going to kill you!"

"Go to hell!!"

Abigail's eyes were on the verge of bursting, and the black energy enveloping her surged forth.

"Hold your heads high!"

A high-pitched screech pierced the air.

The malevolent black phoenix, seemingly obeying a command, spread its wings and soared into the sky, transforming into a streak of black lightning that crashed into the crowd.

"Run!"

The three martial arts experts were gripped by sheer terror, their scalps tingling. Without a second thought, they turned and fled at an astounding speed.

Meanwhile, the disciples under their tutelage were engulfed by the black phoenix before they could even react.

Boom!

Wherever the Black Phoenix passed, devastation followed in its wake, unstoppable and all-consuming. Whether it was a person or an object, anything it touched was instantly vaporized, leaving not a trace behind.

Even Dustin and Ronald Reeds, who had been locked in a fierce battle, were separated on the battlefield by the Black Phoenix's onslaught, forced to flee for their lives.

The black phoenix swept through everything in its path, propelling itself for thousands of meters before finally detonating, transforming into a powerful hurricane that swept through half of the forest.

Birds scattered in all directions, and wild beasts fled in a frenzy.

In the aftermath, a long and deep chasm emerged seemingly out of thin air, a testament to the Black Phoenix's recent passage, leaving nothing but desolation in its wake.

As for the hundreds of warriors who had been encircled and attacked just moments ago, nearly half of them had evaporated into nothingness.

The survivors were left in a state of sheer shock and disbelief.

One by one, they lay sprawled on the ground, trembling uncontrollably.

The overwhelming might of the phoenix had sent shockwaves through the world, leaving all who witnessed it in awe and overwhelming the common folk.


Chapter 1014: The Awakening of the Witch
"Death! I want all of you to die!"

Abigail screamed in anguish and fury, her eyes aflame with red, her white hair billowing around her like a madwoman.

Suddenly, her body convulsed, and she spat out a mouthful of blood.

Her vision dimmed, and she collapsed to the ground where she stood.

The recent outburst had drained her of every ounce of energy and vitality, leaving her utterly spent.

Now, she lay helpless and vulnerable, at the mercy of anyone who approached.

"Abigail? Abigail!"

Azalea rose in despair, rushing to Abigail's side. Upon confirming that she was still alive, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Indeed, she was of the Mystic Arts Order's Saint lineage, and once the seal was broken, her true potential was unleashed. Surviving this ordeal would signify her rebirth, like a phoenix rising from its ashes.

"It's terrifying! The power she just displayed was utterly devastating!"

"She's truly a witch! A witch among us!"

Seeing the chaos strewn around them, onlookers were shocked, fearful, and slightly unnerved all at once.

They had never imagined that such an overwhelming force could surge from the fragile frame of a young girl.

"Damn! That was close! I could have perished just now!" Alexander Cheng swallowed hard, his face still pale with lingering fear.

Had he taken a direct hit, even as a martial arts master, he would have been reduced to nothing in an instant.

"Who is this witch? Why is she so terrifying?" Jan Crane furrowed his brow deeply, a shiver running down his spine.

While he was relieved to have survived the ordeal, a lingering unease gripped him.

"Evil spirits of this magnitude must be eradicated, or they will bring calamity upon us all!" Master Jason's countenance grew stern, his normally compassionate eyes now brimming with murderous resolve.

"Indeed! This witch conceals tremendous power within her. If we don't eliminate her today, we may face grave consequences in the future!" Alexander Cheng concurred with a sense of urgency.

These individuals had effectively driven Edmund Robinson to his death and bore a grudge against Abigail for avenging her father's death. The two sides were locked in a life-and-death struggle.

Allowing this "tiger" to return to the "mountain" would undoubtedly lead to endless troubles.

"What are you all waiting for? This demon girl poses a grave threat to the martial arts world! Whoever can slay her will be hailed as a hero by the entire martial community!" Jan Crane suddenly shouted.

"Kill the witch! Uphold justice!" Alexander Cheng raised his arms and bellowed.

"We must seize this opportunity and eliminate her. If she wakes up, we'll suffer the consequences!"

"Absolutely! We must kill her, or we'll all meet our end!"

"Kill, kill, kill! Slay the witch!"

Seeing Abigail lying unconscious, their resolve was renewed.

One by one, they brandished their weapons, chanting death, and charged forward to execute her.

Leaving the roots untouched would only lead to future troubles, and the threat posed by the witch was too great. In this dire situation, it was a matter of life or death.

"Who dares to harm my disciple!"

Dustin descended from the sky, taking his stance in front of Abigail.

His demeanor radiated murderous intent, his eyes gleaming with ferocity.

The formidable pressure of a grandmaster sent shockwaves through the onlookers, causing them to halt once more.

He had been locked in combat with Ronald Reeds, with no opportunity to intervene as they witnessed Edmund Robinson's tragic fate.

Fortunately, the Black Phoenix's cataclysmic assault had created a temporary separation on the battlefield, granting him the chance to safeguard Abigail.

"Boy! This demon girl has harmed countless people. Are you really going to protect her?" Jan Crane demanded sharply.

"Hmph! I don't think you're any better, consorting with evil spirits! Leave now or you'll be held accountable for her crimes!" Alexander Cheng warned.

In their eyes, the current Abigail posed a greater threat than Dustin.

"What kind of witch? It's all nonsense!" Dustin sneered coldly. "You are a bunch of scoundrels, motivated solely by self-interest, twisting right and wrong, bullying the weak, and committing despicable and shameless acts. You parade around as righteous, yet you destroy innocent lives and families. You are the real monsters!"

"Presumptuous!"


Chapter 1015: The Defiant Challenge
Jan Crane glared, asserting, "We aim to eliminate threats to the people and protect the common folk. If you persist in this, you will become the enemy of the entire martial arts world!"

"That's right! Seize him immediately, or you'll be marked as a public enemy of the martial arts world!" Alexander Cheng declared.

"Geez, may you cast aside the butcher's knife and attain Buddhahood." Master Jason joined his palms in prayer, adopting a compassionate visage.

"Protect the common people? Becoming a public enemy of the martial arts world?"

Dustin smiled disdainfully, his expression dripping with sarcasm. "If the martial arts world is filled with scoundrels like you, if the world blurs the line between right and wrong, good and evil, and if everyone supports the wrongdoer while showing ingratitude – then today, I am willing to be the enemy of the entire martial arts world!"

"If you brand me a demon, then I shall become one; if you accuse me of being wicked, then I shall embrace wickedness!"

"I have only one decree: anyone who dares to harm my apprentice will meet their end!"

"Doubt me? Step forward and test your fate!"

"Let's see if I, with my devilish nature, can drag you so-called righteous individuals into the abyss!"

"Come!!"

With these words, Dustin took a sudden step forward.

His entire being exuded an aura of malevolence and seething murderous intent, akin to a demon descending upon the world, sending shivers down the spines of those around him.

Even Jan Crane and the others were momentarily taken aback.

Was this man out of his mind?

Daring to challenge the entire martial arts world? Was he inviting death?

"Don't panic, everyone!"

At that moment, Ronald Reeds stepped forward, raising his voice, "He's heavily wounded, his true energy depleted. He's like a candle flickering in the wind. There's nothing to fear!"

His words injected newfound courage into the assembled crowd.

After all this time, it turned out he was merely an empty threat.

"Everyone, heed my command and attack this monster together! Attack!"

As soon as he spoke, Ronald Reeds leaped into action, striking first.

With the martial arts leader at the forefront, everyone was galvanized, raising their swords in unison.

"Attack!"

With a collective roar, the warriors surged forward, launching their final assault.

Witnessing the approaching onslaught, Dustin took a deep breath, raised his hand skyward, and let out a resounding shout: " Sky Sword!"

Clang—!!

The sound of the unsheathed sword pierced the air.

In an instant, a black light erupted from the ground, shooting straight into the heavens with the force of thunder!

Wherever this black light passed, it left devastation in its wake, unstoppable by any obstacle.

Due to its incredible speed, it carved a long black trail across the sky.

At first glance, it resembled a soaring black dragon!

"Cut!!"

Dustin's expression was fierce as he swung his sword downward.

Buzz~!

A soft, resonant hum filled the air.

The Sky Sword abruptly reversed course, transforming into a streak of black light, and descended with tremendous force upon the people below.

It struck the crowd like a cataclysmic celestial punishment.

Boom!!

A thunderous explosion echoed through the area as the sword energy erupted.

Thousands of black glows burst forth, tearing apart hundreds of warriors on the spot, reducing them to nothing.

Jan Crane lost his arm in an instant, blood gushing from the severed limb.

Alexander Cheng felt as if he had been struck by lightning, sent flying more than ten meters away, and vomiting blood.

Master Jason's eyes were gouged out, his appearance unrecognizable, and he screamed in agony.

The Skycrane Sect, Soul-Suppressing Sect, Dabei Temple, and disciples from various sects suffered severe casualties.

The point where the Sky Sword had descended had become a nightmarish hell, with flesh and blood splattering in all directions!


Chapter 1016: A Formidable Foe
"What an astonishing sword!" Ronald Reeds exclaimed in terror, teleporting a hundred meters away, his heart racing with fear.

Upon seeing the Sky Sword emerge, he sensed that something was amiss and reacted swiftly.

Thankfully, his swift escape had saved him from suffering the same fate as Jan Crane and the others if the sword had struck him.

"Oh my god! He severely injured three grandmasters with a single strike and killed hundreds of martial artists. Is this man a human or a ghost?!"

"Monstrous! Truly monstrous!"

Neutral warriors stared blankly at the severed limbs and scattered body parts before them, their eyes wide with fear.

Their faces displayed a mixture of astonishment and terror.

They were fortunate not to have taken part in the earlier siege; otherwise, they would be in dire straits now.

"This is incredible! He deserves to be hailed as a once-in-a-century young master!"

Emily couldn't contain her excitement as she beheld the imposing figure.

He had single-handedly taken on multiple martial sects and vanquished them, leaving no survivors.

Such majesty was truly unparalleled.

"If there is someone willing to defy the entire martial arts world for my sake, I would die without regrets," Vanessa mumbled to herself, her eyes gleaming with admiration.

What woman wouldn't be drawn to such a remarkable talent who would go to such lengths to protect her?

"Could it be? Is he really going to take them all on alone?"

Henry Zheng and Nathan exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of shock and trepidation.

Four grandmasters, accompanied by hundreds of martial artists, had launched a simultaneous attack on him.

According to all logic, Dustin should have met his end.

Instead, he had simply swung his sword and annihilated the entire group!

The situation was truly astonishing.

"Who dares to step forward and challenge me?!" Dustin raised his hand, and the Sky Sword landed firmly in his grasp.

Dustin exuded a potent aura of death, his face fierce and resolute.

The remaining two to three hundred warriors were utterly terrified. Their bodies quivered, and they couldn't even maintain their grip on their weapons.

He had slaughtered a hundred individuals with a single sword strike. If he unleashed two more such strikes, wouldn't they all be eradicated?

How could this man be so dreadfully powerful?!

"Since none of you dare to step forward, then leave!" Dustin shouted furiously.

"Let's go! Quickly, let's go!"

The warriors were utterly petrified, their fear overwhelming them as they scrambled to their feet and fled for their lives.

"Stop!" Ronald Reeds suddenly bellowed, "Everyone, please maintain your positions. This guy is drained of strength and can't fight anymore!"

Hearing this, the warriors' faces contorted in disbelief, and they were on the verge of cursing.

What on earth! You said the same thing earlier.

And what was the outcome?

Dustin had nearly annihilated them all with a single sword stroke!

"Sir Ronald, can we just let it go? Young and old, I don't want to take any more chances," pleaded a bald warrior with a mournful expression.

"Why? You don't even trust my words?" Ronald Reeds's expression darkened. "The sword strike from earlier depleted all of his inner energy. I can confidently say that this kid will never be able to unleash a second sword strike!"

"I don't care anymore; I'm leaving," the bald warrior replied, his fear palpable. He discarded his weapon and bolted.

Putting one's own life on the line to test the sharpness of an opponent's sword was an endeavor only a fool would undertake.

"Stop! I told you to stop!" Ronald Reeds shouted twice, but when he saw that the bald warrior paid no heed, he became irate. "Courting death!"

With that, he raised his hand and struck down with a palm from the air.

Boom!

The bald warrior's body exploded on the spot, torn to pieces.

Blood splattered across the ground, a gruesome sight that left everyone shocked and terrified.

No one had anticipated that Ronald Reeds would be so ruthless as to kill someone outright after a disagreement.

Wasn't this level of cruelty excessive?

"Hmph! How can you, as upstanding individuals, fear demons?" Ronald Reeds cast a piercing gaze around and proclaimed righteously, "Our duty is to vanquish demons and uphold righteousness. Anyone who dares to desert today shouldn't blame me for being merciless!"

His words sent ripples of unease through the crowd.

With no ability to fight and no way to escape, weren't they being compelled to meet their deaths?

How could there be a martial arts leader like this?


Chapter 1017 - The Duel of Courage
Everyone in the room exchanged tense glances, their anger simmering just beneath the surface. However, they couldn't openly voice their frustrations, not with Ronald Reeds's formidable authority hanging over them.

Ronald Reeds spoke with a sinister grin, "You two, go eliminate that person (Dustin). Once it's done, I'll reward you handsomely!"

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence.

The faces of the two warriors turned ashen, and they began frantically waving their hands. "Sir Ronald! We can't do it. Our strength pales in comparison, and we wouldn't stand a chance!"

Ronald Reeds's voice grew sharp as he snapped, "Enough of your excuses! Follow orders immediately, or face the consequences!"

The two warriors were visibly shaken, their fear nearly causing them to crumble. They found themselves trapped with only two options: face off against Dustin or suffer Ronald Reeds's wrath.

Dustin, with a sudden burst of courage, challenged, "Ronald Reeds! What's the point in sending these two as scapegoats? If you're truly brave, come and face my blade yourself!"

Ronald Reeds snickered, "Don't act tough with me, young man. Your injuries have resurfaced, and your energy is depleted. I doubt you can even stand straight."

"Is that so?" Dustin challenged, raising his hand dismissively. "Then, come forward and test your theory."

Ronald Reeds scoffed, "Why should I waste my effort on a youngster like you? These two are more than enough to finish you."

With a swift palm strike, Ronald Reeds urged the hesitant warriors forward, creating a hole in the ground beneath their feet. He bellowed, "What are you waiting for? Attack! Or face punishment as deserters!"

Shivering, the two warriors exchanged glances and reluctantly closed the gap.

Their options were grim: dying at Dustin's hands would at least grant them a noble reputation for dying in the line of duty. On the other hand, falling to Ronald Reeds would label them as cowards and deserters.

"Fighting is our only choice!" one of the warriors muttered, and the two initiated their attack simultaneously.

Dustin frowned, raising his sword in response.

"Whoosh!"

In a flash, a streak of swordlight pierced the air.

The two warriors froze, their heads rolling to the ground.

Yet, as Dustin swung his sword victoriously, he suddenly paled, blood staining his lips.

His body trembled and collapsed onto the ground.

At this moment, Dustin was drenched in sweat, and his breath came in heavy gasps, like an exhausted ox. His once imposing presence had vanished entirely, leaving him devoid of any vigor or pressure.

Ronald Reeds had made an accurate guess – Dustin had indeed run out of steam. His injuries were severe, and the relentless battles, coupled with the enormous energy expenditure, had taken their toll. The recent sword strike had drained him completely, and now he clung to consciousness by sheer force of will.

His plan to use his remaining presence to intimidate his adversaries had been thwarted by Ronald Reeds's insight. Ultimately, it seemed he wouldn't survive this ordeal.

"Hahaha... Did you all witness that? I told you this kid was on his last legs! Any objections now?" Ronald Reeds laughed triumphantly, thoroughly pleased with himself.

"It appears this guy is truly in dire straits. Sir Ronald's wisdom and strength are unparalleled!"

"Hmph! Even the strongest will fall after such a prolonged battle. It's a miracle he's held on this long!"

"Damn! I can't believe we fell for his bluff. I was ready to chop him into pieces multiple times!"

As Dustin lay there, spitting blood and collapsing to the ground, the warriors who had been on the brink of terror regained their confidence and began to strut about, ready to pounce.

They adopted an aggressive stance, prepared to strike.

"Azalea!" Dustin used the Sky Sword to prop himself up, still trembling. With great effort, he retrieved the Shadowblooms and handed it to Azalea. "Take the flower, take Abigail, hurry. I'll cover your escape!"

Azalea furrowed his brow, concerned. "Are you sure you can handle this? You don't look well."

"I can give you a brief respite, just enough time. Whether you escape or not depends entirely on you." Dustin took a deep breath, his eyes regaining their sharpness.

"Take care!"

Without wasting a moment, Azalea swiftly departed, carrying the unconscious Abigail with her.

"Stop them! Don't let anyone get away!" Ronald Reeds commanded, raising his hand to signal pursuit.

Without hesitation, the warriors charged forward, attempting to catch up and cut off Azalea's escape.

Dustin slowly raised his sword, fully prepared to fight to the death.

Then, unexpectedly, the sky began to snow.

Delicate snowflakes fluttered and fell gracefully from above, like dream-chasing butterflies dancing in the air.

The warriors at the forefront failed to notice anything unusual and allowed the snowflakes to settle on them. However, the moment the snowflakes made contact, they erupted into a tremendous burst of energy.

"Bang, bang, bang..."

Explosions echoed through the air, and before the startled warriors could react, they met a grisly end, their bodies torn apart and drenched in blood.

The audience stood in shock, their jaws dropping in disbelief.


Chapter 1018 - A New Promise
Holding the grief-stricken Abigail in his arms, Dustin couldn't help but sigh. He extended a gentle hand to pat her back and consoled her, "Uncle Edmund is gone, but I'm still here. I'll be your family from now on, and I promise no one will ever harm you. You have my word."

"Why? Why? What did I do wrong?" Abigail sobbed uncontrollably. "First, my mother left, then my father, and now I'm all alone. I don't understand why God would do this to me. Why?"

Her father had lived his life with honor and righteousness, never harming anyone. Even in his assassination, there was no lingering enmity or desire for revenge. She couldn't fathom why such a virtuous person had met such a tragic end.

Was it true that good people received no rewards in the end? If that was the case, she'd rather embrace a life of villainy!

"Little one, relying on the heavens is futile. Everything depends on your own strength," Evelyn Morgan calmly advised. "Remember, to survive, you must become strong enough—strong enough to be feared and strong enough to change the world."

Hearing this, Abigail trembled and turned to her abruptly. "Who are you?"

"Me?" Evelyn Morgan smiled gently. "I am your grandmother."

"Grandma?" Abigail was momentarily bewildered. "Why don't I recognize you?"

"We've never had the chance to meet before, so it's natural that we don't know each other. But that's no issue. From now on, your grandmother will protect you, and no one will dare to bully you," Evelyn Morgan's eyes glinted with affection.

Like grandmother, like granddaughter.

The resemblance between the grandmother and granddaughter was uncanny.

"Uncle, is what she's saying true?" Abigail asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"She is indeed your grandmother, but..." Dustin began, only to be interrupted by Evelyn Morgan, who added, "Correction, it's Grandma!"

With those words, Evelyn Morgan displayed a demeanor that made it clear no one could challenge her role as a protective grandmother.

"Abigail, your grandmother hails from the witchcraft sect, and her reputation outside isn't exactly pristine. Uncle Edmund had warned me previously to keep you from getting involved with them," Dustin explained, his expression grave.

"Are you...really my grandmother?" Abigail asked, her voice trembling.

"Absolutely," Evelyn Morgan affirmed.

Evelyn Morgan smiled and nodded, saying, "The blood in your veins has awakened. Go home with your grandmother. From now on, you will be the Sorceress of the Mystic Arts Order, and you can exact vengeance as you see fit."

Abigail hesitated, her mind swirling in confusion at the sudden revelation of her grandmother's identity.

"I..." She began, struggling to find the right words.

"The Witch Gu Cult is not a path you should take, Abigail. You have better options," Dustin advised, genuine concern in his voice.

"The bloodline of the Sorceress is the most suitable for the techniques of the Witch Gu Sect. When Abigail returns, I will personally focus on her cultivation. I believe she will surpass you in no time," Evelyn Morgan declared with conviction.

"Cultivation is important, but going down the wrong path can lead to a lifetime of regret," Dustin countered.

"Young man, what do you know about going astray? Our witchcraft sect has always distinguished between good and evil, repaying hatred with hatred and kindness with kindness. We are far better than those hypocritical well-known and upright families. Do not tarnish our reputation," Evelyn Morgan warned.

"Abigail, the choice is yours. Will you follow me, or will you go to the Mystic Arts Order?" Dustin posed the ultimatum.

Abigail fell silent, deep in thought. After careful consideration, she raised her head and declared solemnly, "Uncle, I have decided to go with my grandmother."

"Hahaha... Excellent! She truly is my wonderful granddaughter!" Evelyn Morgan beamed with joy.

Finally, after a long wait, they had found an heir.

"Abigail, there's no turning back from this decision. Once you join the Witch Gu Cult, there's no way out, and you'll carry the burden of eternal infamy. Countless martial artists will hunt you down," Dustin warned.

The Mystic Arts Order was renowned as the world's foremost evil sect, in direct opposition to all the noble and reputable martial families.

Joining as a saint would not only bestow her with eternal notoriety but also make her the target of countless martial artists.

The cost was immensely high.

"Uncle, I appreciate your kindness, but I must go," Abigail said resolutely.

"I want to become stronger, I want revenge, and I want everyone to fear me."

"If good people don't live long and calamity persists, then I'd rather be the harbinger of justice!"

Chapter 1019 - A New Resolve
"I will personally eliminate these hypocrites! I'll put an end to those who deserve it in this world! I'll dismantle this fake and tattered world entirely!" Abigail's face was resolute, her words filled with unwavering determination.

An ominous aura emanated from between her brows, casting a chilling presence.

Dustin sighed softly, unable to hide his melancholy. He recognized that Abigail had undergone a profound transformation and was no longer the simple, kind-hearted girl he had known.

But was it her fault?

Her father had risked his life to save countless people, only for those he rescued to meet cruel fates.

Whose fault was it, truly?

When kindness went unrewarded and justice remained unfulfilled, darkness could seep into one's very soul.

She had been forced into this.

"Abigail, no matter what path you choose, I will stand by you," Dustin said, lifting his hand to ruffle her hair affectionately. "Remember, Master will always be here for you. If you ever face injustice, just come back. Even if the sky falls, Master will be your support."

Abigail nodded vigorously, tears glistening in her eyes.

"Senior Evelyn, I entrust Abigail to your care," Dustin said, turning to Evelyn Morgan with a serious expression. "If the Mystic Arts Order dares to harm her, I guarantee that we will eradicate your sect."

"Oh?" Evelyn Morgan's lips curled into a sly smile, his interest piqued. "Young man, you're the first person who's dared to speak to me like this."

"Given that you know my identity, you should also understand that the Rhys Family always keeps their word," Dustin asserted firmly.

"Hahaha... How amusing, truly amusing," Evelyn Morgan chuckled, not the least bit offended. In fact, he seemed rather amused by Dustin's boldness.

The more unconventional the temperament, the more Evelyn Morgan found it appealing.

"Abigail, until we meet again," Dustin said, patting Abigail on the shoulder. He then picked up the Shadowblooms, turned, and began to walk away.

Everyone had their own path to follow, and sometimes the best way to show support was through silence and respect for their choices.

"Master... farewell..." Abigail whispered, her eyes welling up with tears as she watched him depart.

After this separation, she had no idea when they would reunite.

"Abigail, would you like Grandma to deal with these remnants for you?" Evelyn Morgan suddenly scanned the various sect members, a sinister glint in his eyes.

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines, and they trembled with fear. They dared not move, like a group of lambs awaiting slaughter.

"No need! I'll take my vengeance myself!" Abigail declared, her gaze sweeping the gathering with a steely determination. She committed every face present to her memory.

"Listen up, you scoundrels," she declared, her voice carrying an iron resolve. "I spare your lives today, not out of mercy, but as a warning."

"Because one day, I will exact retribution upon all of you."

"Remember this well—I will repay the sins you've committed today tenfold, a hundredfold!"

"I will make you suffer, I will make you miserable, and I will make you die slowly in fear and despair!"

"Until that day comes, cling to life with all your might!"

"Your lives can only be claimed by me!"

"Wait! Wait for me to return for revenge!"


Chapter 1020 - A New Promise
(This seems to be a duplicate of Chapter 1018, a mistake in the original Chinese version)

Chapter 1021 - A New Resolve
(This seems to be a duplicate of Chapter 1019, a mistake in the original Chinese version)


Chapter 1022 - The Aftermath
Abigail departed, carrying the lifeless body of her father, Edmund. However, before she left, her parting words left an indelible mark on everyone present, sending shivers down their spines.

Despite their escape from immediate danger, the people from various sects felt far from elated. None of them had expected that the seemingly ordinary girl would turn out to be a Sorceress from the dreaded Mystic Arts Order.

The horror associated with the Mystic Arts Order was deeply ingrained in people's hearts, and its sinister reputation was hard to shake. Crossing a saint meant stepping into one's own grave.

Compounding the issue was the fact that they had forced the saint's father to his death, leaving an indelible mark of hatred.

From this point forward, they would live in perpetual fear, anticipating the day when retribution would descend upon them. It seemed that their only choice was to await their inevitable doom.

"Master Ronald, what do we do now? It seems we're in grave trouble!" Alexander Cheng, looking pale and still recovering from his injuries, approached Ronald Reeds.

He had suffered severe wounds from Dustin's earlier sword strike, and his injuries had yet to fully heal. Jiang Xiuzhen and Jie Xin were even worse off, one missing an arm and the other blinded. They were truly in dire straits.

"Why are you so anxious?" Ronald Reeds scowled. "As long as Evelyn Morgan and the four guardians of the Mystic Arts Order don't intervene, who can touch us?"

"But we provoked the ire of the Sorceress of the Mystic Arts Order by driving Edmund to his death. We'll face endless consequences," Alexander Cheng warned, his expression solemn.

"Hmph! What's there to fear from a mere girl who hasn't even reached the innate realm? We can talk when she becomes a true master!" Ronald Reeds retorted coldly.

With the Sky Spirit Orb in his possession, he was on the brink of breaking through to the Grandmaster level. At that point, not even Evelyn Morgan, the leader of the Mystic Arts Order, would be a cause for concern.

Meanwhile, in the Azure Mist camp:

"Junior sister, don't dwell on it. People like us are worlds apart from Grandmaster Dustin," Emily consoled Vanessa, who appeared lost in thought. She gazed in the direction Dustin had disappeared, shaking her head and sighing. "Grandmaster Dustin is a true genius, the one who can surpass all Grandmasters. We can only dream of reaching such heights in our lifetime."

Emily held great admiration for young masters like Dustin.

But she knew in her heart that the two parties were not from the same world at all.

It's fine to look at it from a distance, but getting closer will only increase your worries.

"It would be nice if he wasn't so good."

Vanessa murmured to herself, with a complex look on her face.

She finally met someone she was attracted to, but unexpectedly he was so outstanding that she didn't even have the courage to climb high.

It is better to forget each other in the rivers and lakes than to help each other.

Maybe this situation is the best outcome, right?

But why is she so reluctant to give up?

Can that unparalleled figure really be forgotten?

...

Half a day later, in the Millsburg, Zypher Lodge.

"Beautiful aunt, can you wake up? Can you open your eyes and look at Haley?"

"You promised Haley before that you would tell Haley stories, why are you still sleeping in?"

"If you don't wake up, Haley will be angry."

In the ward, a cute little girl was gently shaking Natasha's arm, her big eyes filled with mist.

The pregnant woman next to her, Cecilia, also had red eyes and felt sad.

Since the death of her husband Nelson, Natasha personally took care of the daily life of mother and daughter.

The hospital's prenatal checkup and Haley's kindergarten attendance were all arranged properly, as if they were treated like family members.

She was not only grateful to Natasha, but also felt a bit more like a sister.

Now that I see the other person unconscious and dying, I can't help but feel a little sad.

"Dr Linden, is there really no other way? Will my sister never wake up in her lifetime?"

Ruth sat on the edge of the bed, with tears in her eyes, holding Natasha's hand tightly.

Since her sister became critically ill, she has been staying by her side and has not rested for two days.

"To be honest, it's very difficult to keep this breath."
 
Chapter 1023: The Race Against Time
In the bustling realm of Dr Linden Watkins, a deep sigh escaped his lips. "The only hope to save her now lies in the mysterious Shadowblooms and the legendary Dark Phoenix. If Elder Dustin can bring back the herbal medicine in time, there's still a glimmer of hope. But as time ticks away, that hope fades like a fading moon."

"Dustin! Dustin! Where have you been? Why haven't you returned?" Ruth muttered, her face clouded with worry.

She hadn't yet shared this dire situation with her parents, fearing that their hearts might not withstand the news.

*Bam!*

Suddenly, the door burst open, and a disheveled Dustin stumbled in, his face smeared with blood, looking utterly bedraggled.

"Dr Linden! I've found it! I've found the herbal medicine!" gasped Dustin, clutching his chest.

"Found it?" Dr Linden scrutinized the flower in Dustin's trembling hands, radiating an eerie luminescence. A triumphant smile crept across his face. "Indeed, this is the Shadowblooms! Marvelous!"

"Senior Dr Linden! With this Shadowblooms, can we save Natasha?" Dustin's eyes brimmed with hope. The journey for this herbal medicine had nearly cost him his life.

"I can save her, but I require your blood," Dr Linden explained gravely. "Your previous treatment has produced an antidote for the Black Pill within your blood, which can help awaken Natasha."

"Count me in! Take as much as you need!" Dustin rolled up his sleeves, ready to shed his own blood for the cause.

"Hold on!" Dr Linden raised a hand to halt him, concern etched on his face. "Elder Dustin, your injuries are severe, and your vital energy is fluctuating. If you give blood now, it could be too much for your weakened body."

"I can endure it. Please, just save her!" Dustin urged persistently.

"Elder Dustin, are you absolutely sure?" Dr Linden's brow furrowed.

With his experienced gaze, he could clearly see that Dustin was teetering on the edge of exhaustion, struggling to maintain his balance and speak coherently. Taking more blood would undoubtedly worsen his condition.

"Cornelius, fetch me a bowl!"


"A Hero's Sacrifice"


Dustin had no time for words; he gave the order outright.

Cornelius quickly arrived with a sizable bowl.

Without hesitation, Dustin made a swift incision on his arm, and blood flowed swiftly into the waiting bowl.

Dr Linden couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. How could this usually composed young man be so impulsive at this critical moment?

"That's enough; let's proceed," Dustin declared.

Dr Linden ceased his persuasions and waited until the large bowl brimmed with blood.

With the blood-filled bowl before him, he gently immersed the Shadowblooms into the crimson liquid.

What followed was an astonishing spectacle.

The Shadowblooms began to dissolve upon contact with the blood, like melting chocolate, blending seamlessly into the crimson liquid. As it dissolved, the originally bright red blood slowly transformed into a deep black hue, studded with shimmering stars and a faint fragrance wafting from it.

"Desperation!" Dr Linden murmured.

Once the Shadowblooms had completely dissolved, he added another pill to the bowl. After a slight stir, the concoction was gently fed into Natasha's mouth.

"Elder Dustin, the medicine has been administered. Whether Natasha awakens next depends on her own fate," Dr Linden sighed softly. Despite possessing the Shadowblooms, he couldn't guarantee a 100% success rate; after all, he was challenging the very gates of the underworld.

Ultimately, the outcome hinged on the patient's resilience and willpower.

"Natasha, please wake up. Don't sleep any longer," Dustin whispered, his hand gently holding Natasha's. He pressed her palm to his cheek and continued, "When you wake up, we'll go shopping, dine together, watch movies, and do anything you desire. I'll be with you every step of the way."

"Please, wake up. I can't bear to live without you."

Time ticked away, second by second.

Dustin remained steadfast by the bedside, staying awake through dusk and dawn, never leaving her side.

He simply kept watch, tirelessly.

Three days later, Dustin's endurance finally waned, and he collapsed beside the bed, completely exhausted.


Chapter 1024: Awakening to Grief
Dustin awoke in a daze, finding himself lying in a bed. The sunlight streaming through the window was blindingly bright.

"Dustin, you're awake!" Ruth exclaimed in relief, her eyes welling up with tears.

"How long was I out?" Dustin asked, still groggy from his slumber.

"You've been in a coma for three days. Senior Dr Linden said you're going to be okay, or we might have started planning your funeral," Ruth replied, her voice quivering.

"Three days? That long?" Dustin's eyes widened in surprise, then he remembered, "Oh, right! Where's your sister? How is she? Has she awakened?"

"My sister?" Ruth's expression darkened, and she looked down, her voice trembling, "My sister... she's no longer with us."

"What? Dead?!" Dustin froze, as if a bolt of lightning had struck him.

His face, previously pale from his own ordeal, turned even whiter. He seemed to have lost his soul in that moment.

"How could this happen? No... it can't be!"

"I found the Shadowblooms, why is Natasha still gone? Why?!" Dustin's voice quivered with disbelief. He shook his head frantically, unable to accept this cruel reality.

He couldn't fathom it; he couldn't come to terms with this outcome.

Didn't he secure the remedy?

Why couldn't she be saved?

Why?!

"No! I need to find her. I refuse to believe she's just gone!"


A Joyful Awakening


Dustin abruptly stood up, nearly tripping in his haste to leave.

"Who's gone?" a woman entered the room at that moment.

She possessed a stunning beauty, an elegant stature, and a refined demeanor, resembling a fairy from a painting.

It was Natasha, who had miraculously awakened!

"Natasha?" Dustin stammered, his eyes wide in disbelief. "You... you're not dead?"

"Dead?" Natasha responded with a puzzled expression. "I'm perfectly alive. Why would I be dead?"

"But just a moment ago..." Dustin glanced at Ruth, who had been in tears earlier, only to see her burst into laughter. "Hahaha... Brother-in-law, how gullible are you? My sister is blessed with good fortune. Why would she die? Were you really scared just now?"

"What on earth is going on—" Dustin was so exasperated he was about to storm out and give her a piece of his mind, raising his hand as if to swat her. Ruth, in response, swiftly hid behind her sister. "Brother-in-law, I was just teasing you. Why are you so quick to anger?"

"You naughty girl! Can you make jokes about such serious matters? Do you realize how terrifying that was?" Dustin's voice trembled with anger.

When he'd heard the news of Natasha's supposed death, it felt like his heart had stopped, and he'd been emptied of his spirit.

"Ruth! You should know better!" Natasha scolded her sister, giving her a gentle smack on the head. "Go on, prepare some food for your brother-in-law. He's just woken up and still needs to regain his strength."

"Okay," Ruth muttered as she stuck out her tongue and quickly dashed out of the room, escaping Dustin's impatient gaze.

"Husband, how are your injuries? Would you like to—" Natasha began to ask but was interrupted when Dustin suddenly rushed forward, wrapping her in a tight embrace that he refused to release.

There were a thousand words in his heart, but he couldn't find the words to express them.


Chapter 1025: Reconnecting in Relief
Dustin held her tightly, savoring the warmth of her body and the scent of her skin. It was only in this moment that his previously racing heart finally found peace.

"It's good to be alive," he whispered softly after a long while.

"Alright, alright, stop squeezing me. If you keep hugging me like this, I might run out of breath," Natasha chuckled and patted Dustin on the back.

While she cherished this moment, his embrace was undeniably tight.

"Ahem... I apologize; I got carried away," Dustin quickly released her, realizing his overzealousness. It had been an involuntary reaction.

"I'm happy that you can be so unrestrained. It just proves how much you care about me," Natasha said with a sweet smile, her heart filled with joy.

They had now truly shared life and death together, an experience far more profound than her relationship with Dahlia.

Marriage? That was just a piece of paper. They had exchanged their lives!

"Husband, please rest for a while. I'll check if the medicine is ready," Natasha said as she stood on her tiptoes, kissed Dustin on the cheek, and then gracefully departed the room.

Watching her elegant figure recede, Dustin couldn't help but smile, feeling a similar warmth in his heart.

They had finally overcome this ordeal.

" Cornelius."

After regaining his composure, Dustin called Cornelius, who was waiting at the door, and inquired, "Has anything significant happened recently?"

Natasha had been unconscious for three days, and he himself had been asleep for three days. In total, a week had passed.

"Master Dustin, things have been relatively quiet in the Millsburg recently. No major incidents have occurred," Cornelius reported.

Unmasking the Fox
As Cornelius continued, he shifted the topic, saying, "By the way, there's something concerning The Harmons that's worth noting. Since Trent Harmon assumed power, some of The Harmons's revered elders and heroes have been forced out by Trent Harmon and his daughter. The Harmons is in a precarious situation."

"Trent Harmon is purging dissidents, driving away anyone who doesn't toe the line. It's a reckless move," Dustin shook his head, fully aware that, despite The Harmons's deep roots, they couldn't withstand Trent Harmon's actions.

"Master Dustin, I believe The Harmons poses a hidden threat," Cornelius added. "You once instructed me to provide protection for Hector Harmon. In just a few days, Hector was subjected to three kidnapping attempts and two assassination plots. Fortunately, we thwarted them all."

"Hmm?" Dustin furrowed his brow. "Are these attacks carried out by insiders from The Harmons?"

"While they're all hired assassins from outside, there's no doubt that Trent Harmon and his daughter are behind this," Cornelius stated with unwavering confidence.

"It appears that their true colors are finally showing," Dustin mused, rubbing his chin. "In that case, continue to keep tabs on Trent Harmon. If he makes any suspicious moves, inform me immediately. I'll seize the opportunity to apprehend them all."

"Understood," Cornelius nodded.

"Oh, by the way, has there been any recent activity from Ronald Reeds and the warriors from the forest?" Dustin inquired suddenly.

"After returning from the Black Forest, Ronald Reeds went into seclusion and hasn't seen anyone. The Martial Alliance has practically transferred all its authority to the deputy leader," Cornelius replied.

"Seclusion?" Dustin snorted disdainfully. "He intends to use the Sky Spirit Orb to break through to the Grand Master realm. Unfortunately for him, I won't let that happen."

"Master Dustin, what do you plan to do?" Cornelius asked tentatively.

"We'll focus on recuperating first. Once I've fully recovered, I'll issue a public challenge to Ronald Reeds, the leader of the martial arts world!" Dustin declared surprisingly.

"What? Challenge the leader of the martial arts world?" Cornelius's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Master Dustin, are you joking? Among the Five Grand Masters, Ronald Reeds is the strongest. Challenging someone of such stature would be akin to courting death."

"Who lives and who dies is still uncertain," Dustin replied, narrowing his eyes and speaking with a deadly seriousness. "A showdown with Ronald Reeds is inevitable. If there's no clear victor in the Black Forest, then we'll battle it out in the Martial Alliance. If he wishes to reach the Grand Master realm, he'll have to overcome me as a hurdle. I will make sure of it!"

Should Ronald Reeds survive, Dustin would feel that Sir Paul had died in vain. If a hypocrite like Ronald Reeds were allowed to continue leading the martial arts world, it would be a grim future for the martial arts world indeed.


Chapter 1026: A Dose of Affection
"Honey, it's time to drink your medicine," a melodious female voice chimed in.

As Dustin conversed with Cornelius, the graceful Natasha entered, carrying a steaming pottery bowl in her hands.

She wore a sweet smile, her cheeks tinted with a rosy hue, and carefully held the bowl out to Dustin.

"Come on, Honey, take your medicine."

"..."

Dustin's eyebrows twitched. Why did this scene feel so familiar?

"Honey, what's the matter? Drink up," Natasha encouraged with an innocent tone.

Dustin resisted with all his might, his face showing his reluctance.

"I've prepared this especially for you," Natasha said, raising an eyebrow teasingly. "Don't tell me you suspect me of poisoning you."

"Well, it's not so bad to die beneath a peony and become a ghost," Dustin sighed dramatically before finally taking the soup and downing it in one gulp.

Seeing the comical expression on his face, Natasha couldn't hold back her laughter any longer.

"Alright, alright, don't worry. Let's go eat. Today's menu is filled with your favorite dishes."

Natasha took a tissue, wiped Dustin's mouth, and then looped her arm through his, leading him towards the door.

Ring, ring...

Just a few steps away, her phone suddenly rang.

Natasha's face instantly turned cold as she answered, "Alright, I'll be there in a minute!"

After hanging up the phone, she hurriedly left, her expression now tinged with seriousness.

A Mother's Defense
"What's going on?" Dustin asked, puzzled.

"Haley got into trouble at the kindergarten, and I need to go there immediately," Natasha explained.

"Alright, I'll go with you," Dustin replied without hesitation, signaling Cornelius to prepare the car.

Ever since Nelson had left, Dustin had come to regard Haley as his goddaughter. When your goddaughter is in trouble, you can't just stand by and watch.

...
Inside Golden Apple Kindergarten at that very moment:

"You witch! How do you raise your child? Look at what this brat did; he scratched my son's face!"

"My son has never been hurt before, and you dare let this brat lay a finger on him? I think you're just tired of working!"

A plump, extravagantly dressed lady pointed at Cecilia's face and hurled insults.

Beside her stood a plump little boy with a pudgy face.

The boy was noticeably larger and stockier than his peers, and he had a faint scratch on the left side of his face.

"Mrs. Chang, children often bump into each other and get minor injuries. Besides, your son started it," Cecilia said as she glanced at Haley, who had a swollen nose and bruised face, feeling sympathy for her daughter.

But due to the other party's status, she held back her anger.

"Hmph! So what if my son started it? If this brat hadn't provoked my son, would my son have hit her? In the end, it's all her fault!" Mrs. Chang placed her hands on her hips and spoke aggressively.

"Haley, what happened? Did something go wrong?" Cecilia turned to her daughter and asked.

"I didn't do anything wrong, Mom," Haley quickly shook her head and said, her face filled with sorrow. "Maxwell Chang called me names first and insulted me for not having a father. Then he led his friends to attack me. Mom, I didn't do anything wrong. It's not my fault."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke.

"Don't cry, Haley. Mommy believes you," Cecilia reassured her, wiping away her tears. She then turned to Mrs. Chang and said, "Mrs. Chang, did you hear all of that? Your son insulted and attacked my daughter first. Moreover, the injuries on my daughter's face are much worse than those on your son's."


Chapter 1027: The Fateful Encounter
"Fart!"

Mrs. Chang was not pleased. She scowled, "How could this girl compare to my precious son? My son's single strand of hair is worth more than her entire life! Listen closely, kneel down and apologize right now, or you'll regret it!"

"Mrs. Chang, please, let's be reasonable here. It's clearly your son's fault. Why should we apologize?" Cecilia furrowed her brows.

Smack!

Mrs. Chang raised her hand and delivered a hard slap to Cecilia's face, berating, "I'll ask for an apology when I want one. No need for your nonsense. If you dare lay a finger on Lai Lai again, I'll make you regret it!"

"You—" Cecilia gritted her teeth but remained composed.

She couldn't believe how unreasonable the other woman was being. Not only did she refuse to apologize for her son's mistake, but she had also resorted to violence.

What an infuriating situation!

"Don't hurt my mom!"

Haley suddenly stepped forward, her small hands outstretched, her little face contorted with anger. "You villain! Old hag! I'm going to summon Ultraman to defeat you!"

"Hey! You little troublemaker! You deserve a good spanking!" Mrs. Chang retorted, growing angrier and slapping Haley across the face, sending her tumbling to the ground, nosebleed and all.

"Haley!" Cecilia gasped, swiftly scooping up her daughter.

Her heart ached as she looked at Haley's red and swollen face.

"You fatherless brat deserves a lesson!" chimed in the little chubby boy (Maxwell), placing his hands on his hips, brimming with pride.

"Listen up, you two lowlifes. Kneel down and apologize immediately. Then, compensate my son with one million dollars for his medical expenses. Otherwise, I'll ensure you won't have a moment's peace!" Mrs. Chang declared sternly.

"You're being completely unreasonable!" Cecilia seethed. "I'm calling the police, and I want an officer to come and mediate this!"

With determination in her eyes, she retrieved her cell phone, ready to make the call.

"Calling the police?"

Unleashing Chaos in the Park
Mrs. Chang snatched the phone from Cecilia's hand, hurling it to the ground with a curse, "You think calling the police will help? Let me tell you, my partner is an officer at the police station! My brother is a well-known big shot! Even if I dug a pit to bury you, no one would dare to utter a word!"

"I... I refuse to believe there's no justice in the world!" Cecilia retorted angrily.

"Justice? The only justice here is what I decree!" Mrs. Chang proclaimed before delivering another stinging slap to Cecilia's face.

Cecilia's legs gave way, and she crumpled to the ground, her pregnant belly making it impossible to rise quickly.

Onlookers watched in helplessness but dared not intervene.

"Mom!" Haley cried out in distress, tugging at her mother's arm with all her might, though she couldn't budge her. Instead, she stumbled and fell herself.

A preschool teacher nearby couldn't bear it any longer and moved to help, but Mrs. Chang's intimidating glare made her recoil in fear.

"Maxwell, didn't that little brat hit you just now? Go ahead, hit her back, hit her to death, and Mom will support you!" Mrs. Chang encouraged her son, patting him on the shoulder.

"You little brat, you're in for it now!" The chubby boy gained newfound courage. He pinned Haley to the ground, raised his fists, and began to pummel her without restraint.

There was no hesitation in his actions.

"Hit her! Harder! Excellent job!" Mrs. Chang clapped and laughed, wearing a smug expression.

"Stop!"

At that moment, a thunderous roar echoed from the park's entrance.

In a flash, a figure dashed in and delivered a resounding slap to the chubby boy's face.

Smack!

The blow distorted the boy's features, sending him flying backward to the ground.


Chapter 1028: Unexpected Hero
The sudden turn of events left everyone stunned.

No one had anticipated that someone would dare to lay a finger on Mrs. Chang's son.

You see, Mrs. Chang had quite the reputation for being a tyrant in this neighborhood, and nobody dared to cross her.

"Ouch! I've got you!"

After the initial shock, Mrs. Chang rushed forward and scooped up her dazed, battered son.

At this point, the chubby boy sported a crooked nose, a swollen mouth, a bleeding lip, and two missing front teeth.

The side of his face that bore the brunt of the attack was inflamed and grotesquely swollen.

"Maxwell! Don't scare me! Wake up!" Mrs. Chang pleaded frantically, shaking him gently. Once the boy regained consciousness, she breathed a sigh of relief.

But her relief was short-lived.

"Who did this? Who just hit my son? Show yourself!" Mrs. Chang whirled around, her teeth clenched in anger, as if she were ready to devour someone.

"It was me!"

Dustin stepped forward, his face dark with fury.

Especially after seeing the bruises on Cecilia and Haley's faces, his eyes gleamed with a dangerous intensity.

"You dare strike my son? Do you even know who I am?" Mrs. Chang barked, trying to reassert her dominance.

Smack!

Without hesitation, Dustin raised his hand and slapped her. He demanded, "Who are you?"

"I..." Mrs. Chang tried to speak, but before she could utter a word, Dustin slapped her again, causing her to stumble.

"Who are you?" Dustin repeated, his voice unwavering.

"I am..."

A Lesson for Mrs. Chang

Smack!

Mrs. Chang attempted to speak, but before she could utter a word, another resounding slap landed on her face.

"Again, who are you?" Dustin's voice remained icy.

"You—" Mrs. Chang seethed with rage, poised to unleash a torrent of curses.

Dustin, however, didn't give her the opportunity. He delivered another forceful slap to her face.

"Who are you?"

"Smack!"

"Say it."

"Smack!"

"Why won't you speak?"

"Smack!"

"Weren't you acting all bold just moments ago? If you're capable, say something!"

"Smack!"

Mrs. Chang's world became a whirlwind of pain as Dustin relentlessly interrogated her with every blow. Her nose was bruised, her face swollen, and she leaned against a wall, barely able to stay on her feet.

After enduring more than a dozen slaps, Mrs. Chang was unrecognizable. Blood streamed from her nose and mouth, and even a few teeth lay scattered on the ground.

Her appearance was nothing short of horrifying.

Onlookers, including parents and kindergarten teachers, were left in shock.

"Oh my goodness! Who is this person? He actually dared to lay a hand on Mrs. Chang? Is he playing with fire?"

"Judging by his demeanor, he probably has no idea how powerful Mrs. Chang is. He's in for a world of trouble!"

"He clearly doesn't know his place! Crossing Mrs. Chang is a one-way ticket to disaster."

"…"


Chapter 1029: A Clash with the Principal
Amidst the hushed whispers and pointed fingers, everyone marveled at Dustin's audacity.

What could have been resolved with a simple apology had now escalated into a dire situation. If Mrs. Chang were to continue suffering such blows, she'd either end up with broken limbs or buried alive in conflict.

Smack!

Dustin delivered another forceful slap, sending Mrs. Chang sprawling to the ground. He demanded once more, "Tell me, who are you?"

Mrs. Chang's face contorted, and the world seemed to spin around her. She felt dizzy, disoriented, unable to discern which way was up.

"Stop!"

At that moment, the kindergarten principal pushed her way through the crowd and rushed over.

Upon seeing Mrs. Chang, swollen and battered like a pig's head, the principal gasped and quickly helped her to a chair. "My goodness, Mrs. Chang, how did you sustain these injuries? Who did this to you?"

Trembling, Mrs. Chang pointed at Dustin.

"Damn!"

The director turned angrily to Dustin, shouting, "Who are you? How dare you assault Mrs. Chang? Do you comprehend the magnitude of trouble you've brought upon yourself!"

"Who are you to point fingers at me?" Dustin retorted with a stern expression.

"I?"

The principal puffed out her chest proudly. "I'm Principal Smith, in charge of this kindergarten. All matters here fall under my jurisdiction."

" Principal Smith, huh? Perfect timing," Dustin nodded and gestured toward Mrs. Chang. "This woman is unreasonable and a bully. She must be expelled immediately."

"Nonsense!"

Principal Smith glared and rebuked, "You're the one who committed assault, yet you have the audacity to slander Mrs. Chang? That's like a thief accusing another thief!"

"I struck her because she deserved it. Open your eyes and see. The injuries on my sister-in-law's face and my goddaughter's body were all inflicted by her. I merely delivered some well-deserved justice on their behalf," Dustin stated calmly.

"Yes, Principal Smith, both mother and son went too far and deliberately stirred up trouble," Cecilia chimed in.

"Silence!"

Principal Smith turned and barked before facing Dustin again, this time with a domineering tone. "I didn't witness anything earlier. All I saw was you assaulting people. Now, I order you to apologize to Mrs. Chang immediately and compensate her for all losses. Otherwise, don't blame me for calling the police and having you arrested!"

"Are you blind or something?"


Principal Smith's Defeat


Dustin's expression remained stern as he retorted, "When this shrew was assaulting someone earlier, you stood by idly, seemingly oblivious to the situation. But now that she's facing the consequences, you immediately leap into action, baring your teeth and claws. Are you her lapdog?"

"You—You're out of line!" Principal Smith, realizing his scheme had been exposed, couldn't contain his anger. "Let me warn you, if you don't apologize today, I'll expel Student Haley from this kindergarten! She'll never be able to enroll here again!"

"Expelled from the kindergarten? Haha... Principal Smith, you certainly wield great authority!" Dustin scoffed. "Do you believe this is the only kindergarten in the entire Millsburg? If we leave here, my goddaughter will still have plenty of educational options."

"That's right! I've been in the education field for twenty years, and I have connections everywhere. If I make a single phone call, no kindergarten will dare admit this little rascal!" Principal Smith asserted sternly.

"What did you say?" Dustin's face darkened.

"What? Are you scared?" Principal Smith taunted. "Listen to me, as long as I don't give my approval, no one will dare accept this wild child..."

Smack!

Before he could finish his sentence, Dustin raised his hand and delivered a resounding slap to Principal Smith, sending him sprawling.

The crowd was once again left in shock.

Was this guy fearless? Wasn't he afraid of being expelled by the principal?

"You... You dare to strike me?" Principal Smith scrambled to his feet, his face burning with embarrassment, a mixture of shock and anger coursing through him.

Parents of students usually bowed and scraped to Principal Smith, offering flattery. Even if they presented gifts, it was subject to her mood.

Now, this person not only showed no respect, but he had also struck her. Could this situation get any more topsy-turvy?

"What's wrong with striking you?" Dustin retorted with a steely expression. "You follow the crowd, can't differentiate between right and wrong, and abuse your authority to bully others. Allowing someone like you to educate and guide children is a grave disservice to their upbringing!"
 
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Chapter 1030: Inspector Chang's Arrival
Dustin's words reverberated so loudly that Principal Smith quivered with anger, his face alternating between shades of green and white, as if he had consumed a fly.

Some parents who had previously felt oppressed by the school's principal secretly applauded, feeling a sense of relief. After all, they had often been looked down upon by Principal Smith.

"You... You dare to scold me? Who do you think you are? You dare to lecture me?" Principal Smith seethed with rage, his face flushed with anger. "Just you wait! I'm going to expel Haley from this kindergarten! I'll blacklist her! I'll make sure she can never attend school again! I'll blacklist all of you!"

"Blacklist?" Dustin sneered, kicking Principal Smith to the ground. "You think you can blacklist us? I'd like to see how you plan to accomplish that!"

Principal Smith was knocked to the ground by the kick. When he got up, he immediately yelled at the top of his lungs, "Security! Security! Where are you? Come here!"

As he yelled, two security guards rushed in.

But before they could take any action, Dustin turned to glare at them, freezing them in their tracks. They felt a chill run down their spines, unable to move.

"Hey! What are you two standing there for? Go ahead and deal with him!" Principal Smith urged in frustration.

However, before the security guards could react, Dustin turned around and stared at them, causing them to freeze in place.

For a moment, their backs were drenched in sweat, and they dared not make a move as if they were being hunted by a wild beast.

"The Smith’s Family name! How did a penniless person like you become the principal of this kindergarten?" Mrs. Chang, who had managed to stand up, indignantly questioned. "I'm warning you, if you don't give me an explanation for today's events, you'll pay the price!"

"Huh?" Principal Smith's face froze, and he hastily stepped forward, wearing a forced smile. "Mrs. Chang, it's not my fault. It's all because of this man's arrogance. But don't worry, I've already called the police, and they'll be here shortly. I guarantee they'll deal with him swiftly. Today, he won't be able to eat in peace!"

"Hmph! And that woman and the child, they can't escape punishment either!" Mrs. Chang added with resentment.

"No problem, no problem!" Principal Smith nodded vigorously.

"You're still spouting nonsense, aren't you?" Dustin's eyes turned icy as he slapped Mrs. Chang to the ground once again. He continued to slap and kick her, scolding, "I told you to be ruthless, so I'll be ruthless with you! If I don't teach you a lesson, you'll never learn!"

"You... You... You're outrageous!" Principal Smith was both shocked and infuriated, but he didn't dare to step forward to help. He had experienced Dustin's slap earlier, and it had been excruciatingly painful. You could tell from Mrs. Chang's disfigured face.

"Stop! Stop this immediately!"

At this moment, several uniformed individuals burst through the door.

The leader was a burly middle-aged man around forty years old.

He had broad shoulders, a sturdy build, and a stern countenance that exuded an imposing aura. As soon as he entered the scene, the crowd scattered, not daring to obstruct him.

"It's Inspector Chang! Inspector Chang is here!"

"Oh no! This man beat Mrs. Chang like this. With Inspector Chang's power, won't he send him straight to jail?"

"Inspector Chang is so influential that even if this guy survives, he'll be in big trouble!"

As soon as the uniformed men appeared, the crowd stirred with commotion.

Whispers and sidelong glances filled the air as they turned their attention to Dustin, their expressions revealing a mix of sympathy, pity, and schadenfreude.

"Inspector Chang, you've finally arrived!"

Principal Smith, seeing Inspector Chang, appeared as if he had found a savior. He rushed forward and began to complain, "If you had come any later, Mrs. Chang might have been beaten to death!"

"Hmm? What's going on here?" Inspector Chang furrowed his brow.

"Husband!"

At that moment, a wailing cry rang out, and Mrs. Chang, her face bloodied, crawled to Inspector Chang's feet.

"May I ask who is calling my name?" Inspector Chang seemed slightly bewildered, struggling to comprehend the situation.

"Inspector Chang! She's your wife, Mrs. Chang!"


Chapter 1031: An Unexpected Intervention
Principal Smith quickly reminded Inspector Chang, "Wife?

Inspector Chang took a closer look, and his eyes widened instantly. "How did you get injured like this?"

"It's all his... that man did it all!" Mrs. Chang trembled as she pointed at Dustin.

"It's you?" Inspector Chang's gaze turned cold as he looked at Dustin. "Did you assault my wife?"

"It was me," Dustin nodded, admitting it openly. "This shrew was bullying others, so I taught her a lesson."

"You're quite bold! How dare you teach my woman a lesson?" Inspector Chang's expression grew stern, and his eyes held an unfriendly glint. "Tell me, how do you intend to resolve this matter?"

In this region, everyone was expected to show him some respect. Anyone who dared to harm his wife must either have a powerful background or be extremely reckless. Without knowing Dustin's identity, he still tried to leave some room for negotiation and didn't immediately jump to conclusions.

"Have this shrew apologize to us, and I won't pursue today's events any further," Dustin replied calmly.

"What? An apology?" When this statement left his mouth, everyone present was astonished. Was this person out of his mind? He had just assaulted someone, and now he wanted an apology? What was even more astounding was that he made this demand in front of Inspector Chang, as if he was disregarding the inspector's presence.

"You rascal! Do you know what you're saying?" Before Inspector Chang could respond, Principal Smith, who couldn't hold back any longer, yelled, "This is Inspector Chang from the patrol room! He's equivalent to ten thousand people! How dare you act so insolently in front of Inspector Chang? It seems you're tired of living!"

Inspector Chang held a high rank in the patrol room and wielded tremendous influence. A single word from him could determine the fate of ordinary individuals.

"This scoundrel is extremely audacious! Quick, capture him! Subject him to the harshest interrogation!" Mrs. Chang ground her teeth, displaying a hateful expression that made Dustin want to tear her apart.

"Young man! How dare you be so audacious after assaulting someone? What makes you so confident?" Inspector Chang squinted his eyes, growing increasingly irritated.

"You requested a resolution, and I provided you with one. Are you still dissatisfied?" Dustin retorted.

"Hmph! Since you're so impudent, don't blame me for handling this matter impartially!" Inspector Chang waved his hand and shouted, "Come here! Arrest this man and put him behind bars!"

"Yes, sir!" Several patrol officers stepped forward, ready to arrest him, pulling out their handcuffs.

"Wait!" At this moment, Natasha, who had been observing the situation coldly, suddenly stepped forward.

Her exquisite appearance and impeccable demeanor instantly captured everyone's attention.

"Natasha... Miss Natasha Harmon?" Inspector Chang's pupils contracted, an inexplicable unease settling in.

Why was the daughter of the Harmon Family here?

"Inspector Chang, I witnessed the entire incident clearly. It was your wife who initiated the physical altercation. If anyone should be arrested, it should be her!" Natasha stated icily.

"Ridiculous! Where did this woman come from? How dare she point fingers at Inspector Chang?" Principal Smith glared at her and threatened, "I advise you to stay out of this, or I'll have you arrested as well!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Inspector Chang slapped Principal Smith hard across the face and scolded him, "What's wrong with you? Why did you say that? Apologize to Miss Natasha Harmon immediately!"


Chapter 1032: A Battle of Words and Influence
"Ah?" Principal Smith was stunned, his face still burning from the slap, and he felt a bit bewildered. He had defended Mrs. Chang, but now he was being slapped.

"What are you standing there for? Apologize!" Inspector Chang slapped him once more with his backhand.

The Harmons are intimidating, and the little kindergarten principal is a better scapegoat.

"Yes, I apologize..." Principal Smith muttered with a dejected look.

Though he didn't understand the situation, it was evident that this woman had significant influence. Otherwise, Inspector Chang wouldn't react so strongly.

"Miss Natasha Harmon, I'm terribly sorry. I didn't see you earlier," Inspector Chang said with a smile on his face, feeling the need to salvage the situation. "May I ask what brings you here?"

"This is my husband, and this is my goddaughter," Natasha replied without hesitation. "Your wife assaulted my goddaughter, and in self-defense, my husband intervened. I believe this can be classified as self-defense, don't you agree?"

"What?" Inspector Chang was taken aback for a moment but soon nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, it was self-defense! I was hasty earlier and almost misunderstood a good Samaritan. It's all my wife's fault, and I apologize to everyone on her behalf. From now on, I'll make sure to discipline her properly."

"Discipline?" Dustin interjected, "What we want is that the person who committed the mistake should apologize."

"This gentleman is suggesting that the one at fault should apologize?" Inspector Chang said with a strained smile.

Dustin then made it clear, "We don’t need your apology, Mr Inspector. Your wife should apologize herself."

"What this gentleman is saying is that the person who made the mistake should offer a personal apology," Inspector Chang reiterated.

Mrs. Chang, however, was uncooperative. She pushed Inspector Chang away, pointed at him, and berated, "You coward! When your wife and child were being bullied, you didn't step in to help. Now you want me to apologize? What kind of man are you?"

"Shut up!" Inspector Chang scolded her, his patience wearing thin. "This is Miss Natasha Harmon's daughter! Watch your words!"

"What if she's Miss Natasha Harmon's daughter? I'm not afraid!" Mrs. Chang retorted fiercely. "Even when the Harmon Family was at its peak, I wouldn't be afraid! Don't forget, my younger brother holds a high position in Stonia. What's a mere Harmon Family to us?"

"You, you... can you be more cautious with your words?" Inspector Chang was growing increasingly anxious and kept signaling her.

In reality, her brother-in-law was working a part-time government job in Stonia, but he was essentially a well-off kid living off his family's wealth. He had no real power, only relying on connections and money. Once he lost those, he'd be helpless.

Ultimately, people had to possess genuine abilities to make it in the world. Relying solely on looks to get by wouldn't last long.

"I'll say it if I want to!" Mrs. Chang placed her hands on her hips, appearing utterly defiant. "You're too timid to defend us, so I'll contact my brother to teach these narrow-minded people a lesson in person!"

"That's enough! Don't blow this out of proportion!" Inspector Chang had a headache.

"If it becomes a big deal, so be it! Who's afraid of whom?" Mrs. Chang disregarded him and immediately dialed for help on her phone. Afterward, she taunted, "If you're not a coward, don't run away. Cowards are bastards!"

"Alright, I'll wait for you. Let's see who you can call." Natasha responded with a stern expression. In all of Millsburg, there weren't many people with higher authority than her grandfather.


Chapter 1033: A Chance Encounter
Inside a fancy Western restaurant, several elegantly dressed young men and women were enjoying their evening together, sipping on drinks and engaging in lively conversation.

"Sister Dahlia, you're really lucky. Becoming Lord Eugene Montgomery's goddaughter is a remarkable achievement!" exclaimed a cheerful woman dressed in red, her enthusiasm shining through.

Meet Victoria Sterling, the legitimate daughter of the Sterling family, one of the most affluent clans in Stonia!

"I heard Lord Eugene Montgomery has been away at war for years and has no heirs. The fact that he chose you as his goddaughter proves your exceptional qualities, both in terms of ability and integrity," chimed in a man with slicked-back hair and a rosy complexion. This charismatic figure was none other than Aiden Mitchell, Victoria Sterling's boyfriend.

"Sister Dahlia, can you tell us how you and Lord Eugene Montgomery crossed paths?" Victoria Sterling couldn't contain her curiosity.

After all, Lord Eugene Montgomery had always lived in seclusion, maintained an aloof demeanor, and never formed any close associations. His sudden appearance in the Millsburg and his decision to take on a goddaughter had sent shockwaves throughout Stonia's elite circles.

"It's actually quite a simple story," Dahlia began, taking a sip of her red wine. "Five days ago, I stumbled upon a car accident right outside my house. The driver was critically injured, and I rushed him to the hospital. To my surprise, that person turned out to be Lord Eugene Montgomery."

"Huh? That's it?" Victoria Sterling looked momentarily puzzled, expecting a more dramatic tale.

She had anticipated a hidden secret, but it seemed that Dahlia's relationship with Lord Eugene Montgomery was based solely on a chance act of kindness.

"And if not?" Dahlia shrugged nonchalantly. To her, saving a life was merely an accident, and her newfound status as a goddaughter was due to various factors.

"But why would Lord Eugene Montgomery, known for his courage, end up in a car accident?" Victoria Sterling murmured, sensing something amiss.

"Miss Victoria, you invited me here to discuss business, didn't you?" Dahlia asked pointedly. "Why veer into personal matters?"

Victoria Sterling quickly recovered, offering a forced smile as she shot a knowing glance at Aiden Mitchell.

He immediately grasped her cue and presented a document with both hands. "Miss Dahlia, this is our proposed cooperation plan. Please take a look."

"Two billion?" Dahlia raised her eyebrows in surprise as she examined the document. "Miss Victoria, you're incredibly generous. This deal practically hands me money on a silver platter."

"It's just two billion, nothing more. As long as you're happy, consider us friends," Victoria Sterling replied with a warm smile.

For a wealthy family like hers, two billion was a drop in the bucket. But using this investment to establish a connection with Lord Eugene Montgomery could yield colossal returns.

"Alright, since Miss Victoria is so sincere, I look forward to a fruitful partnership," Dahlia said, reaching out her hand.

"Here's to a successful collaboration!" Victoria Sterling enthusiastically shook her hand, sealing the deal.

Suddenly, a cellphone rang, interrupting their conversation.

Aiden Mitchell's face darkened as he answered the call. "What? An altercation at the kindergarten? Alright, I'm on my way. Sis, just wait. I'll handle this for you today!"

Victoria Sterling, still puzzled, inquired, "What's gotten into you? Why the sudden rush?"

" Victoria, some local troublemakers got into a brawl with my sister at her kindergarten. I have to go check it out," Aiden Mitchell explained.

"Go ahead, but don't be too long," Victoria Sterling waved dismissively. Dealing with a small-time local thug was child's play for someone like him.

Chapter 1034: An Unexpected Turn of Events
Half an hour passed by as Victoria Sterling and Dahlia continued their conversation. However, their pleasant evening was disrupted by an unexpected phone call.

Victoria hastily answered the call and rushed back with a trembling voice, "Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-

"What? You got beaten up too?"

Victoria Sterling's brow furrowed. "What happened? Didn't I send two bodyguards with you?"

Her bodyguards were carefully selected, and they should have easily handled even a local troublemaker.

"These two were utterly useless. They were beaten down as soon as the fight started. I didn't stand a chance either," Aiden Mitchell complained, sounding quite aggrieved.

"Did you mention the Sterling family's name?" Victoria Sterling asked.

"Of course I did, but this guy just kept on beating me!" Aiden Mitchell replied, still shaken.

"What? He showed no respect for the Sterling family?" Victoria Sterling's eyebrows shot up in anger. "How dare he defy us for the sake of a mere local thug? Just wait, I'm heading there right now!"

"Alright, hurry, I'll try to hold him off," Aiden Mitchell agreed.

"..."

"Miss Victoria, it seems you're facing some trouble. Would you like my assistance?" Dahlia offered unexpectedly.

"It's a minor issue, not worth bothering with. But if you're interested, Sister Dahlia, you can accompany me to deal with it," Victoria Sterling suggested with a smile.

"Sure, I have some free time anyway. Let's go together, Miss Victoria," Dahlia agreed with a nod.

After all, they had just struck a deal for two billion, so a little understanding and flexibility wouldn't hurt.

Leaving the restaurant, they summoned a few bodyguards and headed straight to Golden Apple Kindergarten.

Meanwhile, inside Golden Apple Kindergarten:

Aiden Mitchell, his nose bruised and face swollen, huddled in a corner with Mrs. Chang, trembling with fear.

Initially, when he had arrived, Aiden Mitchell had flaunted his newfound power, acting like a boss and pulling rank as though he were invincible.

However, after only a few slaps, the illusion of his superiority had crumbled.

A proud man had been reduced to tears, beaten and broken.

"Kid! Don't you dare run away! My backer is on the way, and you'll be in for a world of hurt when they arrive!" Aiden Mitchell, although sobbing, was far from conceding defeat.

Ever since he'd become involved with the Sterling family's daughter, he had believed he was on top of the world and treated everyone with condescension.

Yet, the person before him had shown no regard for the Sterling family's influence and had slapped him without hesitation. It was an affront he couldn't bear!

"What? You've had enough? How many more slaps do you want?" Dustin raised his hand, and Aiden Mitchell cowered behind his sister, shouting inwardly, "Kid! You might be bold now, but you'll cry later!"

"That's right! I want to see you cry!" Mrs. Chang joined in.

"Everyone, let's calm down. In my opinion, we should just let this go and avoid escalating the situation," Inspector Chang attempted to mediate.

Though he favored his wife, he couldn't afford to offend the Harmon Family. Thus, he tried to reason with both sides.

"Shut up, you good-for-nothing!" Aiden Mitchell, finding an outlet for his anger, lashed out. "My sister and I got beaten up, and you, the so-called protector, stood idly by. You're nothing but a coward! I won't allow you to be my brother-in-law any longer. Tomorrow, you're divorcing my sister!"

"Divorce! I’ll divorce him tomorrow!" Mrs. Chang added, her indignation apparent.

Having such a spineless husband was an immense stroke of bad luck for her.

"You...you're being unreasonable!" Inspector Chang was starting to look bewildered.

It was one thing to be arrogant in everyday life, but Aiden Mitchell had utterly no sense of perspective.

Aside from San Jueding and a few shadow guards behind the scenes, who could resist the Harmon Family's influence in the area?

"Step aside! Make way!" While the commotion continued, several burly bodyguards suddenly entered the scene.

Chapter 1035: Clash of the Titans
As they moved through the crowd, the burly bodyguards forcefully cleared a path, creating a spacious area for Victoria Sterling's grand entrance.

Dressed like a princess, Victoria Sterling, with her stunning looks, opulent attire, and the air of aristocracy cultivated since childhood, unmistakably appeared to be of a noble lineage.

"Victoria! You're finally here!" Aiden Mitchell's eyes lit up when he saw her, and he rushed to greet her, tearfully saying, "Look at my face, it's been battered! You have to make a decision for me this time!"

"Hmm?" Victoria Sterling extended her hand and pinched Aiden Mitchell's chin, scanning the surroundings. Her face darkened swiftly. "Who did this to you?!"

Her criteria for her man were threefold: he had to be handsome, strong, and make her happy. Aiden Mitchell's once-handsome face, now marred by bruises, felt like a violation of her personal property, and she couldn't tolerate it.

"It was him!" Aiden Mitchell pointed at Dustin with venom in his voice. "He's the one who attacked me and even threatened to take you down!"

"Oh?" Victoria Sterling observed him and retorted sharply, "Anyone who dares to disrespect me? You must be quite audacious!"

"Where did you crawl out from?" Dustin looked at her with impatience. This felt like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole, with another challenger popping up after each defeat.

"What impudence!" Aiden Mitchell retorted, glaring. "Do you even know who she is? Let me enlighten you: she's the daughter of the Sterling family, one of Stonia's top elites!"

This revelation sent shockwaves through the crowd. "The Sterling family of Stonia? They're a wealthy and powerful family!"

"Why would someone from the Sterling family come to our small town?"

"This guy's in big trouble now! He's offended Miss Victoria. He's going to regret it!"

As people whispered among themselves, they were not only surprised by Victoria Sterling's identity but also felt a growing sense of sympathy for Dustin.

The elite from Stonia seemed to exist on a different plane altogether in Millsburg.

"Boy, are you trembling with fear yet? Are your legs shaking?" Aiden Mitchell taunted, puffing up his chest with pride.

With the backing of the Sterling family, he could certainly afford to be cocky.

"Humph! You were quite bold earlier. Why so quiet now? What a coward!" Mrs. Chang also gloated.

"You asked for this! This is what happens when you cross Mrs. Chang. Let's see how you suffer next!" Principal Smith sneered, his eyes gleaming with schadenfreude.

Those who dared to challenge the powerful should be prepared for the consequences. By provoking the elite, they were inviting their own destruction.

"The one who hit me must pay the price," Victoria Sterling declared with an icy and haughty demeanor. "I command you to cut off your own hands and then kneel before my boyfriend in apology. Only then will I consider sparing your life."

"Idiot!" Dustin retorted, not mincing words. "Who do you think you are? Daring to flaunt your power in front of me? Leave immediately, or I won't hesitate to teach you a lesson!"

"You... What did you say?" Victoria Sterling was taken aback, finding it hard to believe her ears.

Had she misheard him? Who dared to speak to her like this?

"Didn't you hear me clearly? Fine, I'll repeat it," Dustin took two steps forward, raised his voice, and enunciated each word, "Get out of here right now, or I'll give you a taste of my fists!"


Chapter 1036: The Power of Resolve
"Arrogant!"

"Presumptuous!"

Dustin's audacious words instantly ignited the anger of Aiden Mitchell and the others.

How dare he show such disrespect to the daughter of the Sterling family? He was clearly courting trouble!

"You... How dare you tell me to leave?"

After a moment of shock, Victoria Sterling became furious. "You lowlife! You're utterly impudent and reckless! Today, I'll teach you a lesson! Someone, get him!"

"Yes!"

Immediately, several bodyguards lunged at Dustin without hesitation.

"Bang, bang, bang..."

In the blink of an eye, figures flashed, and the bodyguards who had rushed forward were sent flying one after another, crashing to the ground unconscious.

"Ah?"

The sudden turn of events left everyone dumbfounded.

It had all happened so quickly that they couldn't even comprehend it. From Victoria Sterling's order to the bodyguards' attack and subsequent incapacitation, it had taken no more than two or three seconds.

The entire battle had concluded before their eyes could even register what had transpired.

It was simply astonishing.

"How about it? Do you still wish to continue?" Dustin remained composed, showing no emotion, as if he hadn't moved at all.

"Who the hell are you, kid?!"

Aiden Mitchell involuntarily took a step back.

Damn, he had thought that Victoria Sterling's bodyguards would be formidable, but they had been defeated with ease.

What a waste!

"Indeed, with so many Sterling family bodyguards, they couldn't even handle this one untouchable?"

Mrs. Chang and Principal Smith exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes filled with surprise.

Even Victoria Sterling herself appeared somewhat uneasy at this point.

Her personal bodyguards were all elite individuals who had undergone rigorous training.

Normally, they could take on ten opponents each, so why couldn't they handle even one untouchable now?

"Sir Dustin, perhaps it's best if we leave. There's no need to make a scene," Cecilia whispered, attempting to dissuade him.

She didn't want Dustin to create too many enemies on her behalf. Although the Kirin Gang was formidable, it was clear that the Sterling family held even greater power. Continuing to provoke them could lead to dire consequences.

"Leave? That's wishful thinking!" Victoria Sterling suddenly blocked the exit, her tone stern. "People who dare to fight me think they can just walk away? Today, I will teach you a lesson! Someone, apprehend him!"

"Understood!"

Several bodyguards moved forward once again to seize Dustin.

"Bang, bang, bang..."

In an instant, figures darted around, and the bodyguards were sent flying one after another, landing heavily on the ground in a state of unconsciousness.

"What? You want more?" Dustin asked coldly.

"Humph! I know you have some skills, but so what? In this world, it's not personal strength that matters, but power and status!" Victoria Sterling raised her head proudly, her tone cold and arrogant. "Now, I'll give you another chance. Cut off your own hands and kneel to apologize to my boyfriend. Only then will I spare your life. Otherwise, disaster will befall you soon!"

The Sterling family had an abundance of skilled fighters, too numerous to count. Though the man before her possessed good martial arts, he was insignificant compared to true masters.

"Boy! Don't think that defeating a few bodyguards makes you impressive. It's easy to fight a few, but can you contend with hundreds or thousands of people? If you're wise, you'll surrender now. Otherwise, you'll soon regret it when the Sterling family takes revenge!" Aiden Mitchell shouted.

"It's ridiculous! A lowlife like you thinks you can challenge a prestigious family from Stonia?" Mrs. Chang and Principal Smith sneered.

No matter how strong an individual might be, compared to a wealthy family, they were as insignificant as an ant before a mountain.

"My patience is limited. If you don't leave now, don't blame me for taking action," Dustin warned, growing impatient.

"Do it?"

Victoria Sterling sneered. "Come on, then. Are you itching to touch me? Let's see if you have the guts!"

As soon as she uttered the word "guts," Dustin raised his hand and delivered a resounding slap to Victoria Sterling's face.

"Snap!"

The sound was crisp, and the force of the slap left Victoria Sterling feeling dizzy and struggling to maintain her balance. Fortunately, Aiden Mitchell caught her, preventing her from falling

"You're really intolerable!"


Chapter 1037: The Arrival of an Unexpected Guest
Dustin wore an expression of discontent. He generally didn't pay much attention to women, but dealing with a shrew was a different story.

"Well..."

The sight of Victoria Sterling, who had been slapped, left everyone in shock and disbelief.

Was this guy insane?

Even if he had fought the Sterling family's bodyguards, how could he dare to strike the daughter of the Sterling family?

She was the legitimate daughter of a wealthy family!

One of the top elites in Stonia!

Striking such a prominent figure openly—was he trying to court disaster?

Or did this guy genuinely fear nothing?!

"How dare you hit me?"

Victoria Sterling covered her burning face, her eyes filled with disbelief. She had never been struck by anyone, let alone publicly slapped in the face. It was a tremendous humiliation.

"Hey! Why do you keep repeating the same thing? Can't you come up with something new?" Dustin couldn't help but remark.

"I... I'll fight you!" Victoria Sterling yelled, lunging toward Dustin with her teeth bared and claws out.

"Victoria! Calm down! Calm down!" Aiden Mitchell quickly intervened and held her back.

Rushing forward would only invite more trouble.

"That's enough!"

At that moment, a woman with delicate features, starry eyes, and a stunningly beautiful face walked in through the door.

This woman possessed both beauty and an impeccable figure. Her cool and refreshing aura was akin to a soothing breeze on a hot summer day, making people feel at ease.

"Dahlia?"

Upon seeing the woman, Dustin's pupils contracted, revealing a hint of surprise. He hadn't expected to encounter her here.

"What a small world!" Natasha, who was standing behind Dustin, couldn't help but scrunch up her nose and feel a bit disgruntled. She had initially crossed her arms, as if she were watching a spectacle. However, Dahlia's appearance prompted her to take things more seriously.

As her greatest romantic rival in this lifetime, she had to be cautious. It wouldn't be good if her love rival managed to steal her man.

"Dahlia, why are you here, sticking your nose into this mess?" Natasha stepped forward and stared intently at her romantic rival, her tone somewhat confrontational.

Two stunningly beautiful women, each with a different temperament but equally captivating, stood together, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Even the bystanders were momentarily stunned.

"Who are you? Do I know you?" Dahlia asked, her expression cold as she scanned Natasha from head to toe.

"Hey! Miss Dahlia is so noble and forgetful. It hasn't been that long since we last met, and you don't even remember who I am?" Natasha raised her eyebrows.

"Have we met before? I don't recall it," Dahlia replied, her brow furrowing slightly as her confusion deepened.

"Playing dumb, huh? You're really good at it. It seems you genuinely don't take me seriously!" Natasha's demeanor turned frosty, and she exuded an air of regality.

"Natasha..."

Dustin, who was behind her, tugged at Natasha's sleeve and whispered, "She has amnesia, and she can't remember many things."

"Amnesia?"

Natasha's beautiful eyes widened, displaying a hint of surprise. "Is that true?"

"It's absolutely true," Dustin affirmed, nodding solemnly. "Not only has she forgotten you, but she's also forgotten me. Most of her memories from the past three years are gone."

"What? She's forgotten you too? Haha... That's fantastic!" Natasha couldn't help but burst into laughter. However, when she saw Dustin's peculiar expression, she suppressed her amusement and pretended to sigh, saying, "Oh, it's truly pitiful. How did she lose her memory so thoroughly? Is it really true? Such a pity... such a pity... hehe..."


Chapter 1038: A Bewildering Encounter
"What are you two whispering about?" Dahlia's expression grew even more puzzled as she observed Natasha's erratic behavior.

Is this woman insane?

"It's nothing, really. I just mistook someone for another person. My apologies." Natasha forced a smile and offered an apology, choosing not to pursue the issue further.

What could she do?

Engaging in an argument with someone with amnesia was pointless, after all.

"Baffling," Dahlia muttered to herself with a furrowed brow.

Even though she didn't recognize the woman in front of her, something about her demeanor felt unsettling.

Dahlia gave her a sidelong glance before directing her attention towards Dustin. "Wait a minute... you look familiar. Have we met before?"

"Huh?"

Dahlia's statement caught Natasha off guard. She was supposed to have amnesia—how was she suddenly recalling things now?

Is she playing games with me?

"You remember me?" Dustin was equally surprised and perplexed.

"Oh, I remember now. You're the insurance salesman," Dahlia said after a moment of contemplation.

A while back, this man had tried to sell insurance at the hospital but had been unceremoniously ejected by her mother.

"Yes, I sell insurance," Dustin confirmed with a nonchalant nod.

It seemed that Dahlia had truly forgotten the events of the past, which was just as well.

They were strangers to each other, and it was better that way.

"Hmph! I thought he was some powerful individual, but it turns out he's just a handsome insurance salesman!"

"A bottom-tier commoner dares to challenge Miss Victoria? He's clearly seeking his own doom!"

"Even with a net worth in the hundreds of millions, I wouldn't dare raise my voice here. It's absurd for an insurance salesman to be so audacious!"

Once they learned of Dustin's identity, everyone resumed their chatter. Aiden Mitchell, Mrs. Chang, Principal Smith, and others regarded him with disdain and condescension, as if they were looking at a fool.

Their previous apprehension, thinking that Dustin might have influential connections, had been replaced by scorn upon discovering that he was nothing more than a pretentious insurance salesman.

"Sister Dahlia, are you familiar with this insurance salesman?" Victoria Sterling asked cautiously.

"I've only met him once, so I wouldn't say we're familiar," Dahlia replied with a shake of her head.

"That's good then." Victoria Sterling secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Meanwhile, her gaze toward Dustin became even more malevolent.

If the two of them were acquainted, she would need to be cautious. But since they weren't, she no longer felt the need to hold back when seeking revenge.

"I'd like to offer some advice. Apologize to Miss Victoria immediately. There might still be room for resolution regarding today's events," Dahlia suggested.

"Apologize? She's not worth it." Dustin responded calmly.

"Hmm?" Dahlia's brow furrowed slightly. "I'm offering you friendly advice. Miss Victoria's family is powerful, and she's not someone you should mess with. Don't ruin your life over a petty dispute."

Stonia's wealthy families were insurmountable behemoths for ordinary individuals. Crossing a wealthy family's heir could lead to a miserable end.

"Thank you for the advice, but I'm not concerned," Dustin replied with a nonchalant shrug.

"Have I not made myself clear enough? Offending Miss Victoria will lead to your demise!" Dahlia said with a stern expression.

Why was this person so stubborn and ignorant?


Chapter 1039: A Defiant Stand
"You've made your point, and I've heard you loud and clear. However, all of you are mistaken about one thing. I'm not afraid of the Sterling family; in fact, the Sterling family should be afraid of me," Dustin stated stoically.

Laughter erupted among the onlookers.

"The Sterling family should be afraid of you? Hahaha... Did you take the wrong medication, kid? Do you even comprehend what you're saying?"

"An insurance salesman dares to utter such arrogant words! He truly doesn't know his place!"

"Ignorant! It seems like he doesn't understand the caliber of the opponent he's offended!"

The crowd shook their heads and pointed, making Dustin appear foolish.

"Stubborn," Dahlia murmured, shaking her head slightly. "I've given you a chance. Since you don't know how to appreciate it, I'll leave it at that."

Normally, she wouldn't have gotten involved at all, and she had no idea what had transpired today.

"I don't need you to give me a chance, and we have the upper hand now. We're in a hurry, and at worst, we'll die!" Natasha asserted forcefully.

In terms of looks, both sides were equally attractive, but when it came to presence, she had the upper hand.

"How audacious! Why are you speaking to Sister Dahlia like this? Do you even know who she is?" Victoria Sterling shouted indignantly.

As the goddaughter of Lord Eugene Montgomery, revealing her true identity would shake the world!

"Let's not interfere in this matter," Dahlia stated indifferently. She wasn't one to push herself into others' affairs or argue over trivial matters.

"It's better if you don't interfere; otherwise, you might get hurt," Natasha said with a slight smile. "Husband, let's ignore these people and go home for a meal."

With that, she took Dustin in one hand and held Haley in the other, strolling out of the kindergarten in a relaxed manner.

Even though Dahlia had lost her memory, it was best for both parties to minimize their interactions.

With today's advanced medical technology, what if her memories suddenly returned?

No, she needed to fast-track this process before Dahlia regained her memory!

If there was no other option, she might even resort to alcohol-induced memory loss!

"Damn it..."

Victoria Sterling gritted her teeth in frustration as she watched them leave.

She was currently too powerless to do anything. Her first step was to request reinforcements from her family before she could deal with that troublesome couple.

"Aiden Mitchell, where did that woman come from? How dare she be so arrogant?" She turned to ask.

"I heard her surname is Harmon. She seems to be from the Harmon Family and wields significant influence here," Aiden Mitchell promptly replied.

"The Harmon Family? Hmph! They're just local nouveau riche, lording over this small place. Compared to the wealthy families in Stonia, they're worlds apart!" Victoria Sterling sneered.

Stonia was the capital of the Balermo, a city where heroes congregated and stood above all else.

Even a second-tier power from Stonia could dominate the Millsburg, let alone a wealthy family like the Sterlings.

In her eyes, the Harmon Family was utterly insignificant.

"What's going on? Why do my emotions feel so turbulent?"

Watching Dustin and Natasha depart, Dahlia inexplicably experienced discomfort.

It was a sensation that defied explanation, as if something had been taken away.

Very strange.
"Sister Dahlia, what are you looking at? You don't want to help that person, do you?" Victoria Sterling inquired cautiously.

"I won't get involved in your affairs," Dahlia replied, shaking her head.

"I'm simply reminding you that there's no reason for such a small character to catch your attention."

Victoria Sterling smiled lightly and winked at Aiden Mitchell. "Hurry to Stonia and call for reinforcements. I can't let this slide today!"


Chapter 1040: Tragic Accident
On the drive back, Dustin was behind the wheel while Natasha sat in the passenger seat. In the back, Cecilia and Haley were seated.

"Haley, if anyone bullies you again in the future, remember to tell your godmother, and she will take care of them for you, okay?" Natasha spoke while using a wet tissue to wipe dirt from Haley's face.

"Yes, I understand," Haley responded seriously.

"Haley, starting tomorrow, your godfather will teach you martial arts, okay?" Dustin proposed earnestly. "If anyone dares to bully you, you can defend yourself; if you want to bully, you can also defend yourself!"

"What are you talking about?" Natasha chided. "Learning martial arts is difficult, and we don't want our baby to be exhausted. Besides, girls shouldn't be focused on fighting. Learning some piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting would be more suitable."

"Too many skills are unnecessary. Learning some basic self-defense would be beneficial," Dustin explained. "Starting martial arts training early is essential."

"To be honest, darling, you should focus on cultivating a wide range of skills, not just martial arts. After all, you're a girl, and you should be well-rounded," Natasha insisted.

Haley interjected, "I will listen to godmother."

"Okay, if that's what you prefer. When you're a bit older, your godmother will arrange things for you," Natasha assured, gently patting Haley's head.

Seeing their lighthearted conversation, Cecilia felt her eyes well up with tears. She had witnessed Dustin and Natasha's actions countless times before, and with such protective godparents, Haley's life would be bright and secure.

"Honey, since we're already out, would you like to eat something outside?" Natasha suggested, turning to Dustin. "Haley, what would you like to eat?"

"I want French fries and a burger, is that okay?" Haley asked with a tilted head.

"Of course, no problem. Godmother will treat you to as many as you want today!" Natasha responded with a slight smile.

"Great! I get to have French fries and a burger!" Haley cheered with excitement.

Dustin and Natasha shared a knowing glance, understanding the simple joy that children found in such treats.

Suddenly, Natasha's expression changed as she glanced to the side and shouted, "Honey, be careful!"

"Huh?" Dustin's eyebrows furrowed as he turned his head.

A large truck was suddenly running a red light, seemingly out of control, and heading straight toward them.

In the nick of time, Dustin swerved the car in an attempt to avoid a collision. However, the large truck accelerated rather than braking and crashed into the side of their vehicle.

"Boom!"

A deafening crash echoed through the air.

The car was sent tumbling, rolling multiple times before coming to a halt more than ten meters away.

A long skid mark was left on the road, and car debris was strewn everywhere.

The entire incident unfolded in a flash, leaving no time for reaction.

Instinctively, Dustin had used his body to shield Natasha at the last moment.

Even so, Natasha had suffered a blow to the head and various contusions from the impact and subsequent rolling. Her body was covered in scratches.

"Natasha, are you okay?" Dustin's expression shifted.

"I... I'm fine... Hurry, check on Haley!" Natasha shouted weakly.

"Haley?"

Dustin twisted to look at the back seat.

In the rear, Haley was already unconscious, hanging upside down with his head down and feet up. His right arm was twisted and broken, two ribs were fractured, blood was flowing from his mouth and nose, and he had numerous shards of glass embedded in his body. It was clear that he was severely injured.

However, Haley wasn't the only one in a bad state; Cecilia was also faring poorl
 
Gily said:
Chapter 1030: Inspector Chang's Arrival
Dustin's words reverberated so loudly that Principal Smith quivered with anger, his face alternating between shades of green and white, as if he had consumed a fly.

Some parents who had previously felt oppressed by the school's principal secretly applauded, feeling a sense of relief. After all, they had often been looked down upon by Principal Smith.

"You... You dare to scold me? Who do you think you are? You dare to lecture me?" Principal Smith seethed with rage, his face flushed with anger. "Just you wait! I'm going to expel Haley from this kindergarten! I'll blacklist her! I'll make sure she can never attend school again! I'll blacklist all of you!"

"Blacklist?" Dustin sneered, kicking Principal Smith to the ground. "You think you can blacklist us? I'd like to see how you plan to accomplish that!"

Principal Smith was knocked to the ground by the kick. When he got up, he immediately yelled at the top of his lungs, "Security! Security! Where are you? Come here!"

As he yelled, two security guards rushed in.

But before they could take any action, Dustin turned to glare at them, freezing them in their tracks. They felt a chill run down their spines, unable to move.

"Hey! What are you two standing there for? Go ahead and deal with him!" Principal Smith urged in frustration.

However, before the security guards could react, Dustin turned around and stared at them, causing them to freeze in place.

For a moment, their backs were drenched in sweat, and they dared not make a move as if they were being hunted by a wild beast.

"The Smith’s Family name! How did a penniless person like you become the principal of this kindergarten?" Mrs. Chang, who had managed to stand up, indignantly questioned. "I'm warning you, if you don't give me an explanation for today's events, you'll pay the price!"

"Huh?" Principal Smith's face froze, and he hastily stepped forward, wearing a forced smile. "Mrs. Chang, it's not my fault. It's all because of this man's arrogance. But don't worry, I've already called the police, and they'll be here shortly. I guarantee they'll deal with him swiftly. Today, he won't be able to eat in peace!"

"Hmph! And that woman and the child, they can't escape punishment either!" Mrs. Chang added with resentment.

"No problem, no problem!" Principal Smith nodded vigorously.

"You're still spouting nonsense, aren't you?" Dustin's eyes turned icy as he slapped Mrs. Chang to the ground once again. He continued to slap and kick her, scolding, "I told you to be ruthless, so I'll be ruthless with you! If I don't teach you a lesson, you'll never learn!"

"You... You... You're outrageous!" Principal Smith was both shocked and infuriated, but he didn't dare to step forward to help. He had experienced Dustin's slap earlier, and it had been excruciatingly painful. You could tell from Mrs. Chang's disfigured face.

"Stop! Stop this immediately!"

At this moment, several uniformed individuals burst through the door.

The leader was a burly middle-aged man around forty years old.

He had broad shoulders, a sturdy build, and a stern countenance that exuded an imposing aura. As soon as he entered the scene, the crowd scattered, not daring to obstruct him.

"It's Inspector Chang! Inspector Chang is here!"

"Oh no! This man beat Mrs. Chang like this. With Inspector Chang's power, won't he send him straight to jail?"

"Inspector Chang is so influential that even if this guy survives, he'll be in big trouble!"

As soon as the uniformed men appeared, the crowd stirred with commotion.

Whispers and sidelong glances filled the air as they turned their attention to Dustin, their expressions revealing a mix of sympathy, pity, and schadenfreude.

"Inspector Chang, you've finally arrived!"

Principal Smith, seeing Inspector Chang, appeared as if he had found a savior. He rushed forward and began to complain, "If you had come any later, Mrs. Chang might have been beaten to death!"

"Hmm? What's going on here?" Inspector Chang furrowed his brow.

"Husband!"

At that moment, a wailing cry rang out, and Mrs. Chang, her face bloodied, crawled to Inspector Chang's feet.

"May I ask who is calling my name?" Inspector Chang seemed slightly bewildered, struggling to comprehend the situation.

"Inspector Chang! She's your wife, Mrs. Chang!"


Chapter 1031: An Unexpected Intervention
Principal Smith quickly reminded Inspector Chang, "Wife?

Inspector Chang took a closer look, and his eyes widened instantly. "How did you get injured like this?"

"It's all his... that man did it all!" Mrs. Chang trembled as she pointed at Dustin.

"It's you?" Inspector Chang's gaze turned cold as he looked at Dustin. "Did you assault my wife?"

"It was me," Dustin nodded, admitting it openly. "This shrew was bullying others, so I taught her a lesson."

"You're quite bold! How dare you teach my woman a lesson?" Inspector Chang's expression grew stern, and his eyes held an unfriendly glint. "Tell me, how do you intend to resolve this matter?"

In this region, everyone was expected to show him some respect. Anyone who dared to harm his wife must either have a powerful background or be extremely reckless. Without knowing Dustin's identity, he still tried to leave some room for negotiation and didn't immediately jump to conclusions.

"Have this shrew apologize to us, and I won't pursue today's events any further," Dustin replied calmly.

"What? An apology?" When this statement left his mouth, everyone present was astonished. Was this person out of his mind? He had just assaulted someone, and now he wanted an apology? What was even more astounding was that he made this demand in front of Inspector Chang, as if he was disregarding the inspector's presence.

"You rascal! Do you know what you're saying?" Before Inspector Chang could respond, Principal Smith, who couldn't hold back any longer, yelled, "This is Inspector Chang from the patrol room! He's equivalent to ten thousand people! How dare you act so insolently in front of Inspector Chang? It seems you're tired of living!"

Inspector Chang held a high rank in the patrol room and wielded tremendous influence. A single word from him could determine the fate of ordinary individuals.

"This scoundrel is extremely audacious! Quick, capture him! Subject him to the harshest interrogation!" Mrs. Chang ground her teeth, displaying a hateful expression that made Dustin want to tear her apart.

"Young man! How dare you be so audacious after assaulting someone? What makes you so confident?" Inspector Chang squinted his eyes, growing increasingly irritated.

"You requested a resolution, and I provided you with one. Are you still dissatisfied?" Dustin retorted.

"Hmph! Since you're so impudent, don't blame me for handling this matter impartially!" Inspector Chang waved his hand and shouted, "Come here! Arrest this man and put him behind bars!"

"Yes, sir!" Several patrol officers stepped forward, ready to arrest him, pulling out their handcuffs.

"Wait!" At this moment, Natasha, who had been observing the situation coldly, suddenly stepped forward.

Her exquisite appearance and impeccable demeanor instantly captured everyone's attention.

"Natasha... Miss Natasha Harmon?" Inspector Chang's pupils contracted, an inexplicable unease settling in.

Why was the daughter of the Harmon Family here?

"Inspector Chang, I witnessed the entire incident clearly. It was your wife who initiated the physical altercation. If anyone should be arrested, it should be her!" Natasha stated icily.

"Ridiculous! Where did this woman come from? How dare she point fingers at Inspector Chang?" Principal Smith glared at her and threatened, "I advise you to stay out of this, or I'll have you arrested as well!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Inspector Chang slapped Principal Smith hard across the face and scolded him, "What's wrong with you? Why did you say that? Apologize to Miss Natasha Harmon immediately!"


Chapter 1032: A Battle of Words and Influence
"Ah?" Principal Smith was stunned, his face still burning from the slap, and he felt a bit bewildered. He had defended Mrs. Chang, but now he was being slapped.

"What are you standing there for? Apologize!" Inspector Chang slapped him once more with his backhand.

The Harmons are intimidating, and the little kindergarten principal is a better scapegoat.

"Yes, I apologize..." Principal Smith muttered with a dejected look.

Though he didn't understand the situation, it was evident that this woman had significant influence. Otherwise, Inspector Chang wouldn't react so strongly.

"Miss Natasha Harmon, I'm terribly sorry. I didn't see you earlier," Inspector Chang said with a smile on his face, feeling the need to salvage the situation. "May I ask what brings you here?"

"This is my husband, and this is my goddaughter," Natasha replied without hesitation. "Your wife assaulted my goddaughter, and in self-defense, my husband intervened. I believe this can be classified as self-defense, don't you agree?"

"What?" Inspector Chang was taken aback for a moment but soon nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, it was self-defense! I was hasty earlier and almost misunderstood a good Samaritan. It's all my wife's fault, and I apologize to everyone on her behalf. From now on, I'll make sure to discipline her properly."

"Discipline?" Dustin interjected, "What we want is that the person who committed the mistake should apologize."

"This gentleman is suggesting that the one at fault should apologize?" Inspector Chang said with a strained smile.

Dustin then made it clear, "We don’t need your apology, Mr Inspector. Your wife should apologize herself."

"What this gentleman is saying is that the person who made the mistake should offer a personal apology," Inspector Chang reiterated.

Mrs. Chang, however, was uncooperative. She pushed Inspector Chang away, pointed at him, and berated, "You coward! When your wife and child were being bullied, you didn't step in to help. Now you want me to apologize? What kind of man are you?"

"Shut up!" Inspector Chang scolded her, his patience wearing thin. "This is Miss Natasha Harmon's daughter! Watch your words!"

"What if she's Miss Natasha Harmon's daughter? I'm not afraid!" Mrs. Chang retorted fiercely. "Even when the Harmon Family was at its peak, I wouldn't be afraid! Don't forget, my younger brother holds a high position in Stonia. What's a mere Harmon Family to us?"

"You, you... can you be more cautious with your words?" Inspector Chang was growing increasingly anxious and kept signaling her.

In reality, her brother-in-law was working a part-time government job in Stonia, but he was essentially a well-off kid living off his family's wealth. He had no real power, only relying on connections and money. Once he lost those, he'd be helpless.

Ultimately, people had to possess genuine abilities to make it in the world. Relying solely on looks to get by wouldn't last long.

"I'll say it if I want to!" Mrs. Chang placed her hands on her hips, appearing utterly defiant. "You're too timid to defend us, so I'll contact my brother to teach these narrow-minded people a lesson in person!"

"That's enough! Don't blow this out of proportion!" Inspector Chang had a headache.

"If it becomes a big deal, so be it! Who's afraid of whom?" Mrs. Chang disregarded him and immediately dialed for help on her phone. Afterward, she taunted, "If you're not a coward, don't run away. Cowards are bastards!"

"Alright, I'll wait for you. Let's see who you can call." Natasha responded with a stern expression. In all of Millsburg, there weren't many people with higher authority than her grandfather.


Chapter 1033: A Chance Encounter
Inside a fancy Western restaurant, several elegantly dressed young men and women were enjoying their evening together, sipping on drinks and engaging in lively conversation.

"Sister Dahlia, you're really lucky. Becoming Lord Eugene Montgomery's goddaughter is a remarkable achievement!" exclaimed a cheerful woman dressed in red, her enthusiasm shining through.

Meet Victoria Sterling, the legitimate daughter of the Sterling family, one of the most affluent clans in Stonia!

"I heard Lord Eugene Montgomery has been away at war for years and has no heirs. The fact that he chose you as his goddaughter proves your exceptional qualities, both in terms of ability and integrity," chimed in a man with slicked-back hair and a rosy complexion. This charismatic figure was none other than Aiden Mitchell, Victoria Sterling's boyfriend.

"Sister Dahlia, can you tell us how you and Lord Eugene Montgomery crossed paths?" Victoria Sterling couldn't contain her curiosity.

After all, Lord Eugene Montgomery had always lived in seclusion, maintained an aloof demeanor, and never formed any close associations. His sudden appearance in the Millsburg and his decision to take on a goddaughter had sent shockwaves throughout Stonia's elite circles.

"It's actually quite a simple story," Dahlia began, taking a sip of her red wine. "Five days ago, I stumbled upon a car accident right outside my house. The driver was critically injured, and I rushed him to the hospital. To my surprise, that person turned out to be Lord Eugene Montgomery."

"Huh? That's it?" Victoria Sterling looked momentarily puzzled, expecting a more dramatic tale.

She had anticipated a hidden secret, but it seemed that Dahlia's relationship with Lord Eugene Montgomery was based solely on a chance act of kindness.

"And if not?" Dahlia shrugged nonchalantly. To her, saving a life was merely an accident, and her newfound status as a goddaughter was due to various factors.

"But why would Lord Eugene Montgomery, known for his courage, end up in a car accident?" Victoria Sterling murmured, sensing something amiss.

"Miss Victoria, you invited me here to discuss business, didn't you?" Dahlia asked pointedly. "Why veer into personal matters?"

Victoria Sterling quickly recovered, offering a forced smile as she shot a knowing glance at Aiden Mitchell.

He immediately grasped her cue and presented a document with both hands. "Miss Dahlia, this is our proposed cooperation plan. Please take a look."

"Two billion?" Dahlia raised her eyebrows in surprise as she examined the document. "Miss Victoria, you're incredibly generous. This deal practically hands me money on a silver platter."

"It's just two billion, nothing more. As long as you're happy, consider us friends," Victoria Sterling replied with a warm smile.

For a wealthy family like hers, two billion was a drop in the bucket. But using this investment to establish a connection with Lord Eugene Montgomery could yield colossal returns.

"Alright, since Miss Victoria is so sincere, I look forward to a fruitful partnership," Dahlia said, reaching out her hand.

"Here's to a successful collaboration!" Victoria Sterling enthusiastically shook her hand, sealing the deal.

Suddenly, a cellphone rang, interrupting their conversation.

Aiden Mitchell's face darkened as he answered the call. "What? An altercation at the kindergarten? Alright, I'm on my way. Sis, just wait. I'll handle this for you today!"

Victoria Sterling, still puzzled, inquired, "What's gotten into you? Why the sudden rush?"

" Victoria, some local troublemakers got into a brawl with my sister at her kindergarten. I have to go check it out," Aiden Mitchell explained.

"Go ahead, but don't be too long," Victoria Sterling waved dismissively. Dealing with a small-time local thug was child's play for someone like him.

Chapter 1034: An Unexpected Turn of Events
Half an hour passed by as Victoria Sterling and Dahlia continued their conversation. However, their pleasant evening was disrupted by an unexpected phone call.

Victoria hastily answered the call and rushed back with a trembling voice, "Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-

"What? You got beaten up too?"

Victoria Sterling's brow furrowed. "What happened? Didn't I send two bodyguards with you?"

Her bodyguards were carefully selected, and they should have easily handled even a local troublemaker.

"These two were utterly useless. They were beaten down as soon as the fight started. I didn't stand a chance either," Aiden Mitchell complained, sounding quite aggrieved.

"Did you mention the Sterling family's name?" Victoria Sterling asked.

"Of course I did, but this guy just kept on beating me!" Aiden Mitchell replied, still shaken.

"What? He showed no respect for the Sterling family?" Victoria Sterling's eyebrows shot up in anger. "How dare he defy us for the sake of a mere local thug? Just wait, I'm heading there right now!"

"Alright, hurry, I'll try to hold him off," Aiden Mitchell agreed.

"..."

"Miss Victoria, it seems you're facing some trouble. Would you like my assistance?" Dahlia offered unexpectedly.

"It's a minor issue, not worth bothering with. But if you're interested, Sister Dahlia, you can accompany me to deal with it," Victoria Sterling suggested with a smile.

"Sure, I have some free time anyway. Let's go together, Miss Victoria," Dahlia agreed with a nod.

After all, they had just struck a deal for two billion, so a little understanding and flexibility wouldn't hurt.

Leaving the restaurant, they summoned a few bodyguards and headed straight to Golden Apple Kindergarten.

Meanwhile, inside Golden Apple Kindergarten:

Aiden Mitchell, his nose bruised and face swollen, huddled in a corner with Mrs. Chang, trembling with fear.

Initially, when he had arrived, Aiden Mitchell had flaunted his newfound power, acting like a boss and pulling rank as though he were invincible.

However, after only a few slaps, the illusion of his superiority had crumbled.

A proud man had been reduced to tears, beaten and broken.

"Kid! Don't you dare run away! My backer is on the way, and you'll be in for a world of hurt when they arrive!" Aiden Mitchell, although sobbing, was far from conceding defeat.

Ever since he'd become involved with the Sterling family's daughter, he had believed he was on top of the world and treated everyone with condescension.

Yet, the person before him had shown no regard for the Sterling family's influence and had slapped him without hesitation. It was an affront he couldn't bear!

"What? You've had enough? How many more slaps do you want?" Dustin raised his hand, and Aiden Mitchell cowered behind his sister, shouting inwardly, "Kid! You might be bold now, but you'll cry later!"

"That's right! I want to see you cry!" Mrs. Chang joined in.

"Everyone, let's calm down. In my opinion, we should just let this go and avoid escalating the situation," Inspector Chang attempted to mediate.

Though he favored his wife, he couldn't afford to offend the Harmon Family. Thus, he tried to reason with both sides.

"Shut up, you good-for-nothing!" Aiden Mitchell, finding an outlet for his anger, lashed out. "My sister and I got beaten up, and you, the so-called protector, stood idly by. You're nothing but a coward! I won't allow you to be my brother-in-law any longer. Tomorrow, you're divorcing my sister!"

"Divorce! I’ll divorce him tomorrow!" Mrs. Chang added, her indignation apparent.

Having such a spineless husband was an immense stroke of bad luck for her.

"You...you're being unreasonable!" Inspector Chang was starting to look bewildered.

It was one thing to be arrogant in everyday life, but Aiden Mitchell had utterly no sense of perspective.

Aside from San Jueding and a few shadow guards behind the scenes, who could resist the Harmon Family's influence in the area?

"Step aside! Make way!" While the commotion continued, several burly bodyguards suddenly entered the scene.

Chapter 1035: Clash of the Titans
As they moved through the crowd, the burly bodyguards forcefully cleared a path, creating a spacious area for Victoria Sterling's grand entrance.

Dressed like a princess, Victoria Sterling, with her stunning looks, opulent attire, and the air of aristocracy cultivated since childhood, unmistakably appeared to be of a noble lineage.

"Victoria! You're finally here!" Aiden Mitchell's eyes lit up when he saw her, and he rushed to greet her, tearfully saying, "Look at my face, it's been battered! You have to make a decision for me this time!"

"Hmm?" Victoria Sterling extended her hand and pinched Aiden Mitchell's chin, scanning the surroundings. Her face darkened swiftly. "Who did this to you?!"

Her criteria for her man were threefold: he had to be handsome, strong, and make her happy. Aiden Mitchell's once-handsome face, now marred by bruises, felt like a violation of her personal property, and she couldn't tolerate it.

"It was him!" Aiden Mitchell pointed at Dustin with venom in his voice. "He's the one who attacked me and even threatened to take you down!"

"Oh?" Victoria Sterling observed him and retorted sharply, "Anyone who dares to disrespect me? You must be quite audacious!"

"Where did you crawl out from?" Dustin looked at her with impatience. This felt like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole, with another challenger popping up after each defeat.

"What impudence!" Aiden Mitchell retorted, glaring. "Do you even know who she is? Let me enlighten you: she's the daughter of the Sterling family, one of Stonia's top elites!"

This revelation sent shockwaves through the crowd. "The Sterling family of Stonia? They're a wealthy and powerful family!"

"Why would someone from the Sterling family come to our small town?"

"This guy's in big trouble now! He's offended Miss Victoria. He's going to regret it!"

As people whispered among themselves, they were not only surprised by Victoria Sterling's identity but also felt a growing sense of sympathy for Dustin.

The elite from Stonia seemed to exist on a different plane altogether in Millsburg.

"Boy, are you trembling with fear yet? Are your legs shaking?" Aiden Mitchell taunted, puffing up his chest with pride.

With the backing of the Sterling family, he could certainly afford to be cocky.

"Humph! You were quite bold earlier. Why so quiet now? What a coward!" Mrs. Chang also gloated.

"You asked for this! This is what happens when you cross Mrs. Chang. Let's see how you suffer next!" Principal Smith sneered, his eyes gleaming with schadenfreude.

Those who dared to challenge the powerful should be prepared for the consequences. By provoking the elite, they were inviting their own destruction.

"The one who hit me must pay the price," Victoria Sterling declared with an icy and haughty demeanor. "I command you to cut off your own hands and then kneel before my boyfriend in apology. Only then will I consider sparing your life."

"Idiot!" Dustin retorted, not mincing words. "Who do you think you are? Daring to flaunt your power in front of me? Leave immediately, or I won't hesitate to teach you a lesson!"

"You... What did you say?" Victoria Sterling was taken aback, finding it hard to believe her ears.

Had she misheard him? Who dared to speak to her like this?

"Didn't you hear me clearly? Fine, I'll repeat it," Dustin took two steps forward, raised his voice, and enunciated each word, "Get out of here right now, or I'll give you a taste of my fists!"


Chapter 1036: The Power of Resolve
"Arrogant!"

"Presumptuous!"

Dustin's audacious words instantly ignited the anger of Aiden Mitchell and the others.

How dare he show such disrespect to the daughter of the Sterling family? He was clearly courting trouble!

"You... How dare you tell me to leave?"

After a moment of shock, Victoria Sterling became furious. "You lowlife! You're utterly impudent and reckless! Today, I'll teach you a lesson! Someone, get him!"

"Yes!"

Immediately, several bodyguards lunged at Dustin without hesitation.

"Bang, bang, bang..."

In the blink of an eye, figures flashed, and the bodyguards who had rushed forward were sent flying one after another, crashing to the ground unconscious.

"Ah?"

The sudden turn of events left everyone dumbfounded.

It had all happened so quickly that they couldn't even comprehend it. From Victoria Sterling's order to the bodyguards' attack and subsequent incapacitation, it had taken no more than two or three seconds.

The entire battle had concluded before their eyes could even register what had transpired.

It was simply astonishing.

"How about it? Do you still wish to continue?" Dustin remained composed, showing no emotion, as if he hadn't moved at all.

"Who the hell are you, kid?!"

Aiden Mitchell involuntarily took a step back.

Damn, he had thought that Victoria Sterling's bodyguards would be formidable, but they had been defeated with ease.

What a waste!

"Indeed, with so many Sterling family bodyguards, they couldn't even handle this one untouchable?"

Mrs. Chang and Principal Smith exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes filled with surprise.

Even Victoria Sterling herself appeared somewhat uneasy at this point.

Her personal bodyguards were all elite individuals who had undergone rigorous training.

Normally, they could take on ten opponents each, so why couldn't they handle even one untouchable now?

"Sir Dustin, perhaps it's best if we leave. There's no need to make a scene," Cecilia whispered, attempting to dissuade him.

She didn't want Dustin to create too many enemies on her behalf. Although the Kirin Gang was formidable, it was clear that the Sterling family held even greater power. Continuing to provoke them could lead to dire consequences.

"Leave? That's wishful thinking!" Victoria Sterling suddenly blocked the exit, her tone stern. "People who dare to fight me think they can just walk away? Today, I will teach you a lesson! Someone, apprehend him!"

"Understood!"

Several bodyguards moved forward once again to seize Dustin.

"Bang, bang, bang..."

In an instant, figures darted around, and the bodyguards were sent flying one after another, landing heavily on the ground in a state of unconsciousness.

"What? You want more?" Dustin asked coldly.

"Humph! I know you have some skills, but so what? In this world, it's not personal strength that matters, but power and status!" Victoria Sterling raised her head proudly, her tone cold and arrogant. "Now, I'll give you another chance. Cut off your own hands and kneel to apologize to my boyfriend. Only then will I spare your life. Otherwise, disaster will befall you soon!"

The Sterling family had an abundance of skilled fighters, too numerous to count. Though the man before her possessed good martial arts, he was insignificant compared to true masters.

"Boy! Don't think that defeating a few bodyguards makes you impressive. It's easy to fight a few, but can you contend with hundreds or thousands of people? If you're wise, you'll surrender now. Otherwise, you'll soon regret it when the Sterling family takes revenge!" Aiden Mitchell shouted.

"It's ridiculous! A lowlife like you thinks you can challenge a prestigious family from Stonia?" Mrs. Chang and Principal Smith sneered.

No matter how strong an individual might be, compared to a wealthy family, they were as insignificant as an ant before a mountain.

"My patience is limited. If you don't leave now, don't blame me for taking action," Dustin warned, growing impatient.

"Do it?"

Victoria Sterling sneered. "Come on, then. Are you itching to touch me? Let's see if you have the guts!"

As soon as she uttered the word "guts," Dustin raised his hand and delivered a resounding slap to Victoria Sterling's face.

"Snap!"

The sound was crisp, and the force of the slap left Victoria Sterling feeling dizzy and struggling to maintain her balance. Fortunately, Aiden Mitchell caught her, preventing her from falling

"You're really intolerable!"


Chapter 1037: The Arrival of an Unexpected Guest
Dustin wore an expression of discontent. He generally didn't pay much attention to women, but dealing with a shrew was a different story.

"Well..."

The sight of Victoria Sterling, who had been slapped, left everyone in shock and disbelief.

Was this guy insane?

Even if he had fought the Sterling family's bodyguards, how could he dare to strike the daughter of the Sterling family?

She was the legitimate daughter of a wealthy family!

One of the top elites in Stonia!

Striking such a prominent figure openly—was he trying to court disaster?

Or did this guy genuinely fear nothing?!

"How dare you hit me?"

Victoria Sterling covered her burning face, her eyes filled with disbelief. She had never been struck by anyone, let alone publicly slapped in the face. It was a tremendous humiliation.

"Hey! Why do you keep repeating the same thing? Can't you come up with something new?" Dustin couldn't help but remark.

"I... I'll fight you!" Victoria Sterling yelled, lunging toward Dustin with her teeth bared and claws out.

"Victoria! Calm down! Calm down!" Aiden Mitchell quickly intervened and held her back.

Rushing forward would only invite more trouble.

"That's enough!"

At that moment, a woman with delicate features, starry eyes, and a stunningly beautiful face walked in through the door.

This woman possessed both beauty and an impeccable figure. Her cool and refreshing aura was akin to a soothing breeze on a hot summer day, making people feel at ease.

"Dahlia?"

Upon seeing the woman, Dustin's pupils contracted, revealing a hint of surprise. He hadn't expected to encounter her here.

"What a small world!" Natasha, who was standing behind Dustin, couldn't help but scrunch up her nose and feel a bit disgruntled. She had initially crossed her arms, as if she were watching a spectacle. However, Dahlia's appearance prompted her to take things more seriously.

As her greatest romantic rival in this lifetime, she had to be cautious. It wouldn't be good if her love rival managed to steal her man.

"Dahlia, why are you here, sticking your nose into this mess?" Natasha stepped forward and stared intently at her romantic rival, her tone somewhat confrontational.

Two stunningly beautiful women, each with a different temperament but equally captivating, stood together, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Even the bystanders were momentarily stunned.

"Who are you? Do I know you?" Dahlia asked, her expression cold as she scanned Natasha from head to toe.

"Hey! Miss Dahlia is so noble and forgetful. It hasn't been that long since we last met, and you don't even remember who I am?" Natasha raised her eyebrows.

"Have we met before? I don't recall it," Dahlia replied, her brow furrowing slightly as her confusion deepened.

"Playing dumb, huh? You're really good at it. It seems you genuinely don't take me seriously!" Natasha's demeanor turned frosty, and she exuded an air of regality.

"Natasha..."

Dustin, who was behind her, tugged at Natasha's sleeve and whispered, "She has amnesia, and she can't remember many things."

"Amnesia?"

Natasha's beautiful eyes widened, displaying a hint of surprise. "Is that true?"

"It's absolutely true," Dustin affirmed, nodding solemnly. "Not only has she forgotten you, but she's also forgotten me. Most of her memories from the past three years are gone."

"What? She's forgotten you too? Haha... That's fantastic!" Natasha couldn't help but burst into laughter. However, when she saw Dustin's peculiar expression, she suppressed her amusement and pretended to sigh, saying, "Oh, it's truly pitiful. How did she lose her memory so thoroughly? Is it really true? Such a pity... such a pity... hehe..."


Chapter 1038: A Bewildering Encounter
"What are you two whispering about?" Dahlia's expression grew even more puzzled as she observed Natasha's erratic behavior.

Is this woman insane?

"It's nothing, really. I just mistook someone for another person. My apologies." Natasha forced a smile and offered an apology, choosing not to pursue the issue further.

What could she do?

Engaging in an argument with someone with amnesia was pointless, after all.

"Baffling," Dahlia muttered to herself with a furrowed brow.

Even though she didn't recognize the woman in front of her, something about her demeanor felt unsettling.

Dahlia gave her a sidelong glance before directing her attention towards Dustin. "Wait a minute... you look familiar. Have we met before?"

"Huh?"

Dahlia's statement caught Natasha off guard. She was supposed to have amnesia—how was she suddenly recalling things now?

Is she playing games with me?

"You remember me?" Dustin was equally surprised and perplexed.

"Oh, I remember now. You're the insurance salesman," Dahlia said after a moment of contemplation.

A while back, this man had tried to sell insurance at the hospital but had been unceremoniously ejected by her mother.

"Yes, I sell insurance," Dustin confirmed with a nonchalant nod.

It seemed that Dahlia had truly forgotten the events of the past, which was just as well.

They were strangers to each other, and it was better that way.

"Hmph! I thought he was some powerful individual, but it turns out he's just a handsome insurance salesman!"

"A bottom-tier commoner dares to challenge Miss Victoria? He's clearly seeking his own doom!"

"Even with a net worth in the hundreds of millions, I wouldn't dare raise my voice here. It's absurd for an insurance salesman to be so audacious!"

Once they learned of Dustin's identity, everyone resumed their chatter. Aiden Mitchell, Mrs. Chang, Principal Smith, and others regarded him with disdain and condescension, as if they were looking at a fool.

Their previous apprehension, thinking that Dustin might have influential connections, had been replaced by scorn upon discovering that he was nothing more than a pretentious insurance salesman.

"Sister Dahlia, are you familiar with this insurance salesman?" Victoria Sterling asked cautiously.

"I've only met him once, so I wouldn't say we're familiar," Dahlia replied with a shake of her head.

"That's good then." Victoria Sterling secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Meanwhile, her gaze toward Dustin became even more malevolent.

If the two of them were acquainted, she would need to be cautious. But since they weren't, she no longer felt the need to hold back when seeking revenge.

"I'd like to offer some advice. Apologize to Miss Victoria immediately. There might still be room for resolution regarding today's events," Dahlia suggested.

"Apologize? She's not worth it." Dustin responded calmly.

"Hmm?" Dahlia's brow furrowed slightly. "I'm offering you friendly advice. Miss Victoria's family is powerful, and she's not someone you should mess with. Don't ruin your life over a petty dispute."

Stonia's wealthy families were insurmountable behemoths for ordinary individuals. Crossing a wealthy family's heir could lead to a miserable end.

"Thank you for the advice, but I'm not concerned," Dustin replied with a nonchalant shrug.

"Have I not made myself clear enough? Offending Miss Victoria will lead to your demise!" Dahlia said with a stern expression.

Why was this person so stubborn and ignorant?


Chapter 1039: A Defiant Stand
"You've made your point, and I've heard you loud and clear. However, all of you are mistaken about one thing. I'm not afraid of the Sterling family; in fact, the Sterling family should be afraid of me," Dustin stated stoically.

Laughter erupted among the onlookers.

"The Sterling family should be afraid of you? Hahaha... Did you take the wrong medication, kid? Do you even comprehend what you're saying?"

"An insurance salesman dares to utter such arrogant words! He truly doesn't know his place!"

"Ignorant! It seems like he doesn't understand the caliber of the opponent he's offended!"

The crowd shook their heads and pointed, making Dustin appear foolish.

"Stubborn," Dahlia murmured, shaking her head slightly. "I've given you a chance. Since you don't know how to appreciate it, I'll leave it at that."

Normally, she wouldn't have gotten involved at all, and she had no idea what had transpired today.

"I don't need you to give me a chance, and we have the upper hand now. We're in a hurry, and at worst, we'll die!" Natasha asserted forcefully.

In terms of looks, both sides were equally attractive, but when it came to presence, she had the upper hand.

"How audacious! Why are you speaking to Sister Dahlia like this? Do you even know who she is?" Victoria Sterling shouted indignantly.

As the goddaughter of Lord Eugene Montgomery, revealing her true identity would shake the world!

"Let's not interfere in this matter," Dahlia stated indifferently. She wasn't one to push herself into others' affairs or argue over trivial matters.

"It's better if you don't interfere; otherwise, you might get hurt," Natasha said with a slight smile. "Husband, let's ignore these people and go home for a meal."

With that, she took Dustin in one hand and held Haley in the other, strolling out of the kindergarten in a relaxed manner.

Even though Dahlia had lost her memory, it was best for both parties to minimize their interactions.

With today's advanced medical technology, what if her memories suddenly returned?

No, she needed to fast-track this process before Dahlia regained her memory!

If there was no other option, she might even resort to alcohol-induced memory loss!

"Damn it..."

Victoria Sterling gritted her teeth in frustration as she watched them leave.

She was currently too powerless to do anything. Her first step was to request reinforcements from her family before she could deal with that troublesome couple.

"Aiden Mitchell, where did that woman come from? How dare she be so arrogant?" She turned to ask.

"I heard her surname is Harmon. She seems to be from the Harmon Family and wields significant influence here," Aiden Mitchell promptly replied.

"The Harmon Family? Hmph! They're just local nouveau riche, lording over this small place. Compared to the wealthy families in Stonia, they're worlds apart!" Victoria Sterling sneered.

Stonia was the capital of the Balermo, a city where heroes congregated and stood above all else.

Even a second-tier power from Stonia could dominate the Millsburg, let alone a wealthy family like the Sterlings.

In her eyes, the Harmon Family was utterly insignificant.

"What's going on? Why do my emotions feel so turbulent?"

Watching Dustin and Natasha depart, Dahlia inexplicably experienced discomfort.

It was a sensation that defied explanation, as if something had been taken away.

Very strange.
"Sister Dahlia, what are you looking at? You don't want to help that person, do you?" Victoria Sterling inquired cautiously.

"I won't get involved in your affairs," Dahlia replied, shaking her head.

"I'm simply reminding you that there's no reason for such a small character to catch your attention."

Victoria Sterling smiled lightly and winked at Aiden Mitchell. "Hurry to Stonia and call for reinforcements. I can't let this slide today!"


Chapter 1040: Tragic Accident
On the drive back, Dustin was behind the wheel while Natasha sat in the passenger seat. In the back, Cecilia and Haley were seated.

"Haley, if anyone bullies you again in the future, remember to tell your godmother, and she will take care of them for you, okay?" Natasha spoke while using a wet tissue to wipe dirt from Haley's face.

"Yes, I understand," Haley responded seriously.

"Haley, starting tomorrow, your godfather will teach you martial arts, okay?" Dustin proposed earnestly. "If anyone dares to bully you, you can defend yourself; if you want to bully, you can also defend yourself!"

"What are you talking about?" Natasha chided. "Learning martial arts is difficult, and we don't want our baby to be exhausted. Besides, girls shouldn't be focused on fighting. Learning some piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting would be more suitable."

"Too many skills are unnecessary. Learning some basic self-defense would be beneficial," Dustin explained. "Starting martial arts training early is essential."

"To be honest, darling, you should focus on cultivating a wide range of skills, not just martial arts. After all, you're a girl, and you should be well-rounded," Natasha insisted.

Haley interjected, "I will listen to godmother."

"Okay, if that's what you prefer. When you're a bit older, your godmother will arrange things for you," Natasha assured, gently patting Haley's head.

Seeing their lighthearted conversation, Cecilia felt her eyes well up with tears. She had witnessed Dustin and Natasha's actions countless times before, and with such protective godparents, Haley's life would be bright and secure.

"Honey, since we're already out, would you like to eat something outside?" Natasha suggested, turning to Dustin. "Haley, what would you like to eat?"

"I want French fries and a burger, is that okay?" Haley asked with a tilted head.

"Of course, no problem. Godmother will treat you to as many as you want today!" Natasha responded with a slight smile.

"Great! I get to have French fries and a burger!" Haley cheered with excitement.

Dustin and Natasha shared a knowing glance, understanding the simple joy that children found in such treats.

Suddenly, Natasha's expression changed as she glanced to the side and shouted, "Honey, be careful!"

"Huh?" Dustin's eyebrows furrowed as he turned his head.

A large truck was suddenly running a red light, seemingly out of control, and heading straight toward them.

In the nick of time, Dustin swerved the car in an attempt to avoid a collision. However, the large truck accelerated rather than braking and crashed into the side of their vehicle.

"Boom!"

A deafening crash echoed through the air.

The car was sent tumbling, rolling multiple times before coming to a halt more than ten meters away.

A long skid mark was left on the road, and car debris was strewn everywhere.

The entire incident unfolded in a flash, leaving no time for reaction.

Instinctively, Dustin had used his body to shield Natasha at the last moment.

Even so, Natasha had suffered a blow to the head and various contusions from the impact and subsequent rolling. Her body was covered in scratches.

"Natasha, are you okay?" Dustin's expression shifted.

"I... I'm fine... Hurry, check on Haley!" Natasha shouted weakly.

"Haley?"

Dustin twisted to look at the back seat.

In the rear, Haley was already unconscious, hanging upside down with his head down and feet up. His right arm was twisted and broken, two ribs were fractured, blood was flowing from his mouth and nose, and he had numerous shards of glass embedded in his body. It was clear that he was severely injured.

However, Haley wasn't the only one in a bad state; Cecilia was also faring poorl
Click to expand...
Thanks for your Hard work ☺️
 
Hmm 🤔 who could be the perpetrator of this misfortune wanting Dustin to die with his family at the spot
 
Translated and posted by our platinummember Jungal2000


Chapter 1041: Tragic Accident
She was covered in blood, with multiple fractures in her limbs, a violent impact on her abdomen had ruptured her amniotic sac, and fresh blood was oozing from her abdomen.

"Cecilia! Haley!"

Dustin called out twice, but neither of them responded; both were unconscious.

He didn't dare to hesitate. He quickly got out of the car and, with a loud clang, pulled open the deformed car door to retrieve Cecilia and Haley.

Both of them were severely injured, so Dustin could only use his silver needles to stop the bleeding, use his true qi for healing, and ensure their survival before anything else.

"Sir Dustin!"

At this moment, several Kirin Gang disciples rushed over anxiously.

They were bodyguards arranged by Dustin to protect Natasha, and they had been discreetly guarding her.

Seeing the car accident, they immediately got out of the car.

"Quick! Get them to the hospital!"

After stabilizing the situation, Dustin quickly had Cecilia and Haley placed in the car, then directed the Kirin Gang disciples to take them to the hospital for treatment.

Afterward, he went to the other side of the car, opened the door, and carried the dazed Natasha out.

"Haley... how is Haley?" Natasha asked weakly.

"They're both injured, but their lives aren't in danger. Don't worry," Dustin comforted her as he treated her.

"As long as they're okay," Natasha sighed in relief.

"Sir Dustin, we've apprehended the driver; it was him!"

At this moment, two Kirin Gang disciples approached, escorting a bald-headed driver.

"Madam, Sir, I'm really sorry for what just happened. The brakes malfunctioned, and I lost control for a moment. I couldn't help it," the bald-headed driver explained, appearing innocent.

"The brakes malfunctioned?"

Hearing this, Natasha's expression darkened as she raised her hand and delivered a resounding slap to his face, demanding, "If the brakes malfunctioned, why did you step on the gas? You clearly aimed for us just now!"

"Madam, don't put it that way," the bald-headed driver replied, patting his burning cheek. He spoke with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, "In a moment of crisis like that, mistakes can happen, and I took responsibility for it. Besides, I have insurance, and regardless of whether it's a fatality or an injury, I'll compensate accordingly."

"Do you think it's over just because you're paying compensation?" Dustin's face darkened.

"Is there another option?" the bald-headed driver shrugged, his face appearing indifferent. "I wasn't drinking, I didn't flee the scene, and I took responsibility voluntarily. According to the law, the worst-case scenario for me is paying compensation, and if that's not enough, you can detain me for a few days."

With that, he even smirked, as if to say, "What can you do to me?"

"I have only one question: who ordered you to do this? Tell me, and I'll spare your life," Dustin coldly declared.

Today's car accident was obviously premeditated.

"Oh, ho... trying to intimidate me? You think I'm that easy to scare?" the bald-headed driver sneered, as if he wasn't worried at all. "With so many people watching, can you do anything to me? Are you going to kill me right here?"

"You—!"

Natasha was so furious she wanted to strike.

However, she was grabbed by Dustin, who then took a step back. "Don't argue with a dead man."

"Ha ha ha... What a coward! You don't even dare to strike; what use are you?" The bald-headed driver taunted, touching his burning face and speaking disdainfully. "Madam, with someone like him, you're better off with me. At least, I can take care of you comfortably."

As he finished speaking...

A car suddenly sped towards them, and with a loud "bang," it crashed directly into the bald-headed driver.

The impact sent him flying more than ten meters before he landed heavily on the ground and died on the spot, unable to close his eyes in death.

At this moment, the car door opened.

Old Cornelius stepped out, grinning, and said to the bald-headed driver, "Sorry about that, brake failure, but I have insurance, so I'll compensate accordingly."


Chapter 1042: Family Matters
Late at night, in a ward at Riverbend Medical Center.

Dustin and Natasha sat quietly by the bedside, watching Haley, who was already asleep, feeling a sense of heartache for him.

After undergoing surgery, Haley's broken bones had been mended, and all the necessary bandages were applied. The accumulated blood in his body had been drawn out by Dustin's silver needles.

Although he was out of danger, the physical and emotional trauma from the car accident, especially for a five-year-old child, was still significant.

"Don't worry; Haley will be fine," Dustin reassured Natasha, holding her hand.

"What a bunch of beasts, not even sparing a child," Natasha gritted her teeth, visibly angry.

"I will thoroughly investigate this matter. No matter who is behind it, I will not let it go!" Dustin's expression was serious.

They say that misfortune doesn't come singly, and the fact that both Natasha and Haley were injured had undoubtedly touched a nerve.

"Sister!"

"Daughter!"

At this moment, Natasha's Dad Hector, and younger sister, Ruth, rushed in anxiously.

Seeing Natasha with bandages on her head, both of them looked nervous and immediately began inquiring about the situation.

"Dad, I'm fine; it's just a scratch," Natasha said with an artificial smile.

"It's good that you're okay; I was really scared when I heard about the accident just now. Fortunately, you're all safe, which is the most important thing in such an unfortunate situation," Hector sighed in relief.

"Sister, how could this happen out of the blue? You guys didn't drink, did you?" Ruth asked cautiously.

"It wasn't our fault; someone attacked us," Natasha didn't hide anything and briefly explained what had happened.

After hearing the story, Hector and Ruth both furrowed their brows. "Who would dare to be so audacious? Attacking people in broad daylight? Have they no respect for the law?"

"We are currently investigating, and I believe we will have results by tomorrow," Dustin replied.

"Whoever it is, they will pay for this!" Hector said with a serious expression.

Normally, they might engage in political maneuvering, but when it came to the lives of their family and relatives, they had no tolerance for such behavior.

"Oh, you're all here!"

Just as they were talking, a well-dressed, cheerful-looking young man strode in.

Behind him were two uniformed aides.

"Dylan? Why are you here?" Natasha raised her eyebrows, looking somewhat surprised.

"I heard you had a car accident, so I, as your cousin, naturally had to come and see," Dylan said with a smile, looking Natasha up and down. "But judging by your appearance, it seems you weren't injured much. That's really something to celebrate!"

"Don't bother with the pleasantries. Just say what you want to say," Natasha couldn't be bothered with the niceties.

Ever since their father was forced to step down, the two sides had become irreconcilable.

"I came here tonight for two reasons. Firstly, I wanted to check on your condition, and secondly, I wanted to talk to Third Uncle," Dylan said.

"Do you have to trouble yourself? Just say it here," Hector replied indifferently.

"That's fine. Since we're all family, I'll be straightforward," Dylan leaned back in his chair, smiling. "Our Harmon Family's ancestors left behind a treasure map, right? According to tradition, the treasure map has always been kept by the family head. Now that you have taken over, Uncle Hector, should you hand over the treasure map?"


Chapter 1043: Confrontation
"Regarding this matter, I have already explained it to your father and your eldest uncle. The treasure map was stolen several years ago, and its whereabouts are unknown," Hector said.

"Uncle, if you say it like this, it's not fun at all," Dylan said as he peeled a banana slowly. "The treasure map is so precious, you cherish it more than your own life. How could it have been stolen? Are you hiding it for yourself, planning to keep it all to yourself?"

"Are you suspecting me? Where's the evidence?" Hector furrowed his brows slightly.

" Uncle, if you want to keep secrets from people, you should not do anything yourself. The truth is known to everyone," Dylan took a bite of the banana and smiled slyly. "As a younger generation, I advise you to hand it over early. Otherwise, no one can guarantee that today's events won't happen again."

At these words, the faces of several people changed, especially Natasha, who was furious.

"Are you threatening me?" Hector asked with a stern face.

"I dare not. I'm just giving you a friendly reminder," Dylan said with a half-smile. "You've been in charge for many years, and you've offended many people. Without the protection of the Harmon Family, your future will definitely be difficult. I hope Third Uncle will consider it carefully. I have other matters to attend to, so I won't disturb you all any longer. Goodbye."

With that, he patted his sleeve, got up, and walked out.

When he reached the door, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and said, "Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you some good news. Five days from now, Kate will officially hold her wedding with Tyler Grant. You are all welcome to attend the wedding banquet."

With that, he left directly.

"Hmph! What a vile person, he's disgusting!" Ruth spat at the door.

"I underestimated their ambitions. I didn't expect them to disregard family ties for the sake of the treasure map," Hector sighed lightly.

Dylan's display of dominance today was truly impressive.

He appeared to be smiling, but his words were full of threats.

"In five days, the two families will officially unite in marriage. It seems that Kate is going to use this treasure map as her dowry," Natasha frowned slightly.

The threat of death had already been issued, and if the treasure map wasn't handed over, those from the Harmon Family would definitely take further actions.

"Brother-in-law Dustin, how do you see this matter?" Ruth suddenly turned back and asked.

"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth," Dustin said coldly.

At his words, everyone fell silent.

Blood relatives who had been close in the past had now become enemies, and for a moment, they couldn't adapt to the change.

Did they really have to turn against each other?

"Which one of you is related to Cecilia?"

At this moment, a nurse suddenly ran in.

"I am a relative. What happened?" Dustin immediately stood up.

"After the rescue, Cecilia is safe now. However, she lost her child," the nurse said regretfully.

"What?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of everyone changed, especially Dustin, whose eyes instantly turned cold, and he exuded a murderous aura.

"Dylan! You really deserve to die!"


**Chapter 1044: Tragedy Strikes**

As Dustin and company arrived at the entrance of the operating room, they saw Cecilia, still unconscious, being wheeled out. Covered by a white sheet beside her was something horrifying: the lifeless body of a baby.

Dustin's hands trembled as he lifted the white sheet, revealing the tiny corpse of a newborn baby.

In an instant, his eyes turned bloodshot, and he gritted his teeth. He had promised Nelson that he would protect Cecilia and their child. Now, due to this car accident, not only were Cecilia and her daughter seriously injured and hospitalized, but their unborn child had also tragically perished. To him, this was a devastating blow.

Amidst his guilt and self-blame, anger surged within him. An indescribable rage consumed him.

"How could this happen? She was perfectly fine when she left. Why...?" Natasha's face turned pale, and she could hardly believe it.

Carrying a baby in her womb for nine months, on the verge of giving birth, she couldn't comprehend how this precious life had suddenly come to such a tragic end.

"I'm sorry, we did our best," a doctor explained regretfully. "The baby lost vital signs during the car accident. It's fortunate that we were able to save the mother."

"My child... my child..." Cecilia had awakened at some point, and upon hearing the doctor's words, tears flowed uncontrollably from her eyes. However, due to her extreme weakness, she lacked the strength to cry properly. Her face was filled with pain and despair.

"Sister-in-law, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault that you've been dragged into this," Natasha held Cecilia's hand, her eyes brimming with redness.

It was evident that this car accident was meant for her, and Cecilia and her daughter were innocent victims. She felt responsible for the child's death.

"What about Haley... How is Haley?" Cecilia suddenly realized and grasped Natasha's hand with renewed vigor, her anxiety intensifying.

"Haley is fine. She's safe, and she'll be discharged in a few days," Natasha reassured her.

Hearing this, Cecilia finally breathed a sigh of relief. But when she thought about her unborn child, she couldn't help but feel grief-stricken once more.

"Sister-in-law, I'm sorry. It's my fault that you're all suffering," Natasha said bitterly.

This car accident was clearly intended for her, and Cecilia and her daughter were collateral damage. She felt responsible for the child's death.

"Dylan!" Dustin's fists clenched, and his hatred was palpable.

The actions of this despicable person had completely crossed Dustin's bottom line.

"Dad, I will never let this matter rest," Natasha's face turned icy. "The Harmon Family is too tainted; it's time to clean house!"

Previously, she had considered family bonds and didn't want things to escalate to the point of infighting. However, the current situation made her realize that Dylan had lost his humanity. From the moment he orchestrated this car accident, he was after her life. Faced with such a beast, she couldn't afford to be merciful.

"Sigh..." Hector sighed lightly and ultimately chose to remain silent.

He understood clearly that after this incident, both sides were completely estranged, with no hope of reconciliation.

The Harmon Family was about to undergo a transformation.

---

The next morning, Harmon's mansion was adorned with decorations, filled with an air of festivity.


Chapter 1045: The Surprise Guest
A red carpet stretched for hundreds of meters, leading from the entrance of the mansion to the reception hall. Today marked the official announcement of Trent Harmon's position as the head of the Harmon Family, previously acknowledged within the family and now made public. Hence, the Harmon Family had invited a large number of guests to celebrate with a grand banquet.

Anyone who had a good relationship with the Harmon Family or sought to curry favor with them arrived to offer their congratulations. With the new family head, they would have to pledge allegiance once more.

In the meeting room, Trent Harmon, along with the core members of the Harmon Family, had gathered. However, compared to the past, the number of attendees was significantly smaller.

After these recent changes, nearly half of the core members had been suppressed or removed, and those present were mostly Trent Harmon's trusted allies and followers.

"Big Brother, after today, you will be the well-known head of the Harmon Family. Congratulations!" Jacob Harmon clasped his fists and was the first to offer his congratulations.

"Our head is brilliant, courageous, and possesses great talent and strategic insight. He's truly a remarkable leader for our Harmon Family!"

"Exactly! I believe that under the leadership of our head, the Harmon Family will undoubtedly prosper even more in the future!"

"Our head is mighty!"

The Harmon Family members exchanged words of praise, and Trent Harmon, buoyed by their flattery, was all smiles. He felt like he was floating on cloud nine.

He had never realized before that being the family head could make him feel so godlike and majestic. This feeling of ruling over everyone was truly wonderful.

"I can ascend to this position smoothly thanks to all of you. After this, I will reward everyone according to their merits, and I guarantee that no one will be treated unfairly!" Trent Harmon said with an air of grandeur.

"Congratulations to our new head!"

The people present were overjoyed, and they stood up and bowed.

"Uncle, today, after you take the position of the head, Kate will be marrying into the Grant family in a few days. It truly is a double blessing!" Dylan smiled and said.

"That's right."

Jacob Harmon nodded with a smile, "The Grant family is one of the top three influential families, and Tyler is an extraordinary talent. With such an outstanding son-in-law, Big Brother, you will soon be able to dominate the Millsburg with ease!"

"Speaking of which, I don't understand why Uncle Hector is so foolish as to refuse a marriage alliance with the Grant family. Could it be just because Natasha doesn't like it?" Dylan said with a hint of mockery. "If that's the case, it's truly absurd!"

"So, Big Brother, you are the most suitable person to be the family head. Brother Hector is too indecisive." Jacob Harmon added with a hint of flattery.

"When it comes to Third Brother, I remember now."

Trent Harmon knocked on the table and looked at Dylan. "Dylan, the task I assigned to you, how is it going?"

"Uncle Hector is stubborn, and it's quite challenging to deal with him," Dylan said, but then he changed his tone with a smirk. "However, I've found his weakness. I believe that within two days, he will willingly hand over the treasure map."

"This item is crucial. We must obtain it before the wedding!" Trent Harmon reminded seriously.

The treasure map was supposed to be Natasha's daughter's dowry, and if they didn't have it, they couldn't justify the marriage to the Grant family.

"Yes, rest assured. I guarantee that everything will go smoothly!" Dylan expressed his confidence.

"Excellent. In that case, everything is perfect." Trent Harmon nodded.

"Alright, Big Brother, it's about time. Let's go to the reception hall to greet the guests. A prominent figure will be arriving today, and I believe it will be a pleasant surprise for you," Jacob Harmon said with a meaningful smile.

"Oh? Is that so? I look forward to it," Trent Harmon responded with a grin, then led the group of people out of the meeting room.

However, as they stepped out of the door, a Harmon Family steward suddenly approached, holding a gift box in his hands.

"Head, there's a guest outside who wanted me to personally deliver this gift to you," the steward said, handing over the gift box with both hands.

"Oh? Is someone so eager to show their respect?" Trent Harmon chuckled, opened the gift box, and was horrified. He immediately threw the contents out.

"Thud!"

The gift box fell to the ground, and a bloody human head slowly rolled out.


Chapter 1046: Mysterious Gift
"What the hell! What is this?!"

When the severed head rolled out, everyone was startled, instinctively scattering in all directions. After seeing the situation clearly, their shock and bewilderment deepened.

Today was supposed to be a joyous occasion for Trent Harmon's ascent to power, but this grotesque gift wasn't just disrupting the event—it was a blatant provocation.

No, it wasn't even just provocation; it was an outright challenge!

"Who? Who dares to be so audacious and send a severed head as a gift?" Trent Harmon was furious, his good mood instantly shattered.

"Ignorant fool! How can you be so careless in your duties?" Jacob Harmon was livid, and he slapped the steward's face.

As the Harmon Family's steward, the man hadn't even checked the contents of the gift box before delivering it. What if it had contained a bomb?

"I... I thought it was just an ordinary guest. I didn't expect it to be like this," the steward stammered, trembling with fear.

He had assumed it was a gift from a guest trying to curry favor with the family head. He never imagined that it would contain a human head.

"What are you still standing there for? Go investigate immediately!" Jacob Harmon kicked the steward to the ground, and the man hurriedly scrambled away.

"Dad, I recognize that decapitated head. He was one of my man," Dylan said, his face darkening.

Initially shocked by the severed head, Dylan had realized that he recognized it—this was his vice-commander!

"Your subordinate? What's going on?" Jacob Harmon furrowed his brows.

"He helped me with something yesterday, and it seems he was targeted and retaliated against," Dylan said with narrowed eyes.

The car accident had been orchestrated by this subordinate. However, overnight, the man had ended up dead.

Without a doubt, it was likely the work of Natasha's wife, Natasha, taking revenge.

"So, today's incident is directed at you?" Jacob Harmon quickly grasped the situation.

"It seems so, but there's no need to worry," Dylan said indifferently. "I will handle this matter thoroughly, and if anyone dares to cause trouble, they will be seeking their own death."

"You know what you're doing," Jacob Harmon nodded. "Let's not worry about it, Big Brother. Dylan will take care of it."

Trent Harmon's joyful mood had been soured, and he stepped away from the gruesome gift.

Meanwhile, inside the Harmon Family's reception hall, Dustin found a quiet corner, sitting alone and sipping tea. The chilling aura emanating from him made the surrounding guests unconsciously keep their distance.

He remembered that the last time he visited the Harmon Family, he was a guest. Now, he was here for revenge.

A debt of blood must be paid in blood.

"Excuse me, handsome, can we sit here?" A clear and melodious female voice spoke up.

Dustin turned around and saw two women and a man standing behind him. The one who had spoken was a petite woman in a blue dress. To her left stood a woman in a red dress who was not only beautiful but also dressed in a fashionable manner, exuding an air of aristocracy. However, her demeanor appeared somewhat arrogant. On the right side of the man, although he was dressed in a designer suit, his appearance had a slightly mischievous look to it.

"Feel free," Dustin replied.

Chapter 1047: Mysterious Guests
Dustin responded with a simple acknowledgment.

"Thank you," the woman in blue politely replied, and then she and her two companions took their seats.

There was no other choice; this area had the most available seats, and Dustin's unassuming attire made him seem more approachable. Interacting with him should be relatively stress-free.

"Hey, handsome, I'm called Zara Lynn, and this is Elias Cooper. This is Collin Quinn. May I ask for your name?" The woman in blue introduced herself and then inquired, her personality appearing lively.

"We are strangers who happened to meet. No need to exchange names," Dustin replied coldly.

He was here to kill, not to make friends.

"Um..."

Zara Lynn's smile froze, and she seemed rather embarrassed.

"Hey! Why are you acting all high and mighty?" Elias Cooper couldn't stand it and said, "You were just asked for your name. What's so special about you? Look at your appearance; you don't seem wealthy at all. Where do you get the confidence to act this way?"

"That's right! Acting so arrogant with that impoverished look. You think you're worthy of knowing us? We don't belong to the same league!" Collin Quinn added, a look of disdain on his face.

"Let's forget it. Both of you, quiet down a bit," Zara Lynn quickly tried to defuse the situation.

"Zara Lynn, you're giving him too much face!"

Elias Cooper crossed her arms, her demeanor very haughty. "Do you know why no one is sitting with him? Because he's not worth it, and he probably doesn't want to associate with us!"

"Yeah! He's got a sour smell all over him; it's disgusting!"

Dustin paid no attention to their provocations, keeping silent and sipping his tea. His peripheral vision, however, remained fixed on the movements at the entrance.

But his silence was interpreted by Collin Quinn as guilt, making him even more arrogant.

"Now you know the difference, right? It's an honor for you to sit at our table. You should cherish it," Collin Quinn lectured.

"Hmph! You reek of sourness! It's revolting!" Elias Cooper held her nose in a pretentious show of disgust.

Dustin continued to ignore them, which only made Elias Cooper more displeased.

In a different setting, she would have verbally lambasted him and showered him with contempt.

"Look! The guest of honor has arrived!"

At that moment, someone called out. Everyone turned to see Trent Harmon, accompanied by several core members, making a grand entrance.

Instantly, everyone rose to greet him, offering their congratulations and well wishes for Trent Harmon's new position as family head.

The atmosphere in the room soared to new heights.

Elias Cooper and Collin Quinn were eager to approach, but their low status prevented them from squeezing into the crowd. They could only watch from a distance.

"Is that Dylan, the second son of the Harmon Family? He really is an extraordinary individual, with such an imposing demeanor!"

Elias Cooper admired his tall and upright figure, her eyes shining with excitement.

Dylan came from a prestigious family and was exceptionally talented. Among the young talents in the Millsburg, he ranked in the top ten. He was the dream lover of many young girls, including Elias Cooper.

"I heard that Dylan is now a senior officer in the Dark Panther Cavalry and also serves under the Goddess of War. His future prospects are limitless!" Zara Lynn added, full of admiration.

For someone like her, such a prominent figure was an unattainable existence.

"If I had half of Dylan's excellence, I'd be content." Collin Quinn sighed softly, his face full of envy.

Although his family had some wealth, he couldn't hold a candle to Dylan.

"Dylan might be outstanding, but it's useless."

Dustin stood up slowly, his eyes filled with killing intent. "Because he is now a dead man!"


Chapter 1048: Confrontation
"Hmm?"

Dustin's sudden outburst drew the attention of the three people beside him, who looked at him strangely, their eyes filled with confusion.

"Hey! What nonsense are you spouting? 'A dead man'? What are you talking about?" Elias Cooper gave him a disdainful look.

This guy, was he acting like an idiot?

"Kid! You're not jealous of Dylan, are you? You know he's better than you, so you're using foul language?" Collin Quinn questioned skeptically.

"Hmph! You have no abilities of your own, yet you like to envy others. It's truly disgusting!" Elias Cooper crossed her arms, her face full of disdain.

She despised people who were petty.

"Kid, if you have the guts, say it louder. Talking behind people's backs, what kind of hero are you?" Collin Quinn sneered.

"That's right! If you have the courage, challenge Dylan directly. Hiding behind and badmouthing people, how is that different from being a coward?" Elias Cooper pouted.

Although Zara Lynn didn't say anything, she shook her head secretly. She was starting to dislike Dustin as well.

Dustin ignored the three of them and instead picked up a wine bottle from the table, feeling its weight.

"Dylan Harmon!"

Suddenly, Dustin shouted loudly, shocking everyone present.

"Who? Who dares to address me by my full name?" Dylan immediately turned around, scanning the crowd with a sharp gaze.

But just then, a wine bottle suddenly flew towards him and hit him squarely on the head.

"Bang!"

There was a loud explosion as the wine bottle shattered, drenching him in red wine.

Dylan stumbled backward, feeling dizzy. When he touched his head, he found blood on his hand.

"Ah?"

This sudden turn of events shocked everyone. No one had expected that someone would dare to cause trouble at the Harmon Family's event, especially during such a grand occasion.

"Uhh..."

At this moment, Elias Cooper, Collin Quinn, and Zara Lynn were all dumbfounded. They had witnessed Dustin pick up the wine bottle and throw it at Dylan's head.

The problem was, how could someone dare to do this?!

Who was Dylan?

A scion of a prestigious family, a senior officer in the Dark Panther Cavalry, and a future young general. He was truly an outstanding figure among the young talents in the entire Jiangnan region.

Daring to provoke such a bigshot, wasn't that just seeking death?

Did this guy not value his life at all?

"You... You dare to attack Dylan? Are you insane?" Elias Cooper was both shocked and angry.

She had deliberately provoked him earlier, believing that Dustin wouldn't dare to respond.

The result?

Not only had he spoken up, but he had also become more ruthless, directly throwing a wine bottle at Dylan's head.

"Kid! You're really bold! You're in deep trouble now!" Collin Quinn swallowed hard, his eyes full of disbelief.

To avoid getting into trouble, he immediately distanced himself from the situation, fearing that he might be misunderstood by the Harmon Family.

"I knew I shouldn't have sat at this table."

Seeing the onlookers gathering around, Zara Lynn retreated a bit.

She now felt even more disgusted with Dustin.

This guy was like a trouble magnet, and anyone who got close to him would suffer.

"Dustin Rhys! So, it's you, you brat!"

Dylan's gaze locked onto Dustin, his face growing especially dark.

Trent Harmon, Jacob Harmon, and the others were also furious.

Today was a special day, and Dustin had come uninvited, causing trouble at the Harmon Family's event. This was a blatant slap in the face of the Harmons .

"Dylan! Today, I've come to take your dog life!" Dustin declared loudly, his voice resolute and forceful.


Chapter 1049: Duel
"Insolent!"

"Bold!"

"Daring to cause trouble at the Harmon Family, I think this brat is tired of living!"

After a momentary daze, the guests began to rebuke angrily, their faces filled with righteous indignation, and they clenched their fists, trying to show off.

The Harmon Family's guards, alerted by the commotion, also quickly surrounded the area.

"If you want my life, do you deserve it?" Dylan's face darkened. "If your bodyguard were here, you might have had a chance. But with just you, a useless person, daring to act so arrogantly in front of me is simply seeking death!"

Although he had been reprimanded by Old Cornelius earlier, Dylan was extremely confident when facing Dustin. Among his peers, besides the monstrous Tyler, who could compare to him?

"Kid! Today is the day I ascend as the family head. I don't want to kill anyone. If you're smart, surrender immediately!" Trent Harmon said in a deep voice.

He knew that Dustin had some abilities and had formed some kind of faction, but compared to the Harmon Family, it was insignificant.

Moreover, he still had the Grant family backing him up.

Dylan patted Trent Harmon's shoulder.

"Uncle, let me handle this. It's a matter between me and him," Dylan said calmly.

"To resolve the grievances between the younger generation, let them handle it themselves," Jacob Harmon added calmly.

To openly besiege Dustin would inevitably lead to accusations of bullying a weaker opponent.

If it were a one-on-one duel, even if someone were killed, no one would say much about it.

"Good, then I'll leave this brat to you."

Trent Harmon patted Dylan's shoulder.

"Don't worry, Uncle. Watch how I torment him."

Dylan was full of confidence and turned his gaze toward Dustin provocatively. "Dustin, do you dare to have a life-and-death battle with me? Whether you win or lose, it's your own fate!"

"What's there to be afraid of? In any case, you're going to die," Dustin replied coldly, his eyes filled with a chilling intent.

"Listen, everyone! He has agreed to a life-and-death battle. If he's killed later, don't blame me!" Dylan smirked.

Then he made a hand gesture to have the area cleared.

"Daring to challenge Dylan? He really doesn't know his own limitations!"

"Dylan is an innate master, and he's also an officer in the Dark Panther Cavalry. He's trained in the art of killing. This kid probably won't last three moves."

"Daring to cause trouble at the Harmon Family, he deserves to die!"

The people in the crowd began to gossip and discuss.

Their gazes toward Dustin were as if they were looking at a dead man.

"Hmph! A pauper like him dares to challenge Dylan, a genius? He's simply a mantis trying to stop a chariot," Elias Cooper sneered.

"For the sake of showing off, this kid doesn't even want his life. He's truly foolish!" Collin Quinn said disdainfully.

"Really doesn't know his place!" Zara Lynn sighed lightly.

In their eyes, Dustin's actions were undoubtedly suicidal.

"Dustin! Come on over and let me see what you're made of!" Dylan beckoned arrogantly, not taking Dustin seriously at all.

"Very well!"

Dustin didn't hold back. He took a step forward and suddenly closed the distance between them, throwing a punch.

There was no earth-shattering momentum, no overwhelming pressure; it was just an ordinary punch.

"Is this it?"

Seeing the seemingly effortless punch, Dylan shook his head with a mocking smile. He extended a single finger in a manner that seemed quite pretentious and gently pointed it at Dustin.

He wanted to win in a spectacular fashion, earning applause from the crowd.

"Snap!"

"Snap!"

"Boom!"

The moment their forces collided, three consecutive strange sounds echoed through the air.

The first sound was Dylan's finger bones breaking.

The second sound was Dylan's arm fracturing.

The third sound was Dylan crashing heavily into the wall like a cannonball, blood spraying from his mouth and nose as he fell unconscious.

For a moment, the entire hall fell into stunned silence.


Chapter 1050: Fierce Clash
"What?!"

Seeing Dylan lying on the ground like a dead dog, everyone was stunned.

A high-ranking officer of the Dark Panther Cavalry, an outstanding genius, had been defeated so easily?

What was going on?

People exchanged puzzled glances, utterly shocked.

They had initially thought this battle would be one-sided, with Dylan completely overpowering his opponent.

However, they never expected that, in just one exchange, Dylan would fall.

The difference was quite significant.

"Did I... Did I see that correctly? Dylan actually lost?"

Collin Quinn widened his eyes, finding it hard to believe.

He had thought Dustin was looking for trouble and seeking death, but it turned out he had been hiding his true strength.

"How is that possible? He... How could he be so powerful?"

Elias Cooper's face was filled with astonishment, and her lips quivered.

She couldn't accept that a seemingly ordinary pauper could defeat Dylan, such a prodigious talent.

"My goodness! Is he really this formidable?"

Zara Lynn covered her mouth in astonishment, her eyes filled with disbelief.

She had initially thought Dustin was acting pretentious and might not know his place, but now she realized he had genuine skills.

"I didn't expect this kid to be a master!"

Trent Harmon had a solemn face, his brows furrowed.

While he had witnessed Dustin's medical skills, he didn't know much about his martial abilities.

"My son, defeated in just one punch?"

Jacob Harmon was dumbfounded for a moment and found it hard to accept.

He could understand losing to Tyler, but why couldn't his son even defeat Dustin?

Was he really this inferior?

Dustin didn't pay attention to the astonishment of the crowd. He quickly approached Dylan, grabbed one of his legs, and started dragging him away.

His demeanor was as if he were dragging a dog.

Dylan's face scraped across the ground, leaving a long trail of blood.

"Bastard! Release my son!"

Jacob Harmon finally reacted and immediately shouted in anger.

Dustin seemed as though he hadn't heard him and continued to drag Dylan away.

The reason he didn't kill Dylan was that he wanted him to kneel in front of Cecilia and apologize.

"Men, kill this kid for me!"

Jacob Harmon roared furiously and immediately ordered a group of Harmon Family guards to attack.

Soon, a large number of Harmon Family guards rushed over.

The surrounding guests scattered in fear of being caught in the crossfire.

"Kill!"

Once they identified their target, the Harmon Family guards immediately rushed forward.

Dustin remained expressionless, raised his hand, and flicked it, sending a large number of silver needles flying.

"Swish, swish, swish..."

Accompanied by the sound of air being torn, the Harmon Family guards who had rushed forward fell one by one, none of them escaping unscathed.

"Ah?!"

Seeing this scene, the guests were once again filled with shock.

Everything had happened so quickly that they hadn't even seen what had occurred.

They only saw Dustin wave his hand, and all the Harmon Family guards fell.

It was truly bizarre.

After dealing with the guards, Dustin didn't stop. He continued to violently drag Dylan away and walked out of the reception hall.

"Men! Quick, bring everyone out!"

Jacob Harmon shouted in anger and immediately ordered, "Today, no matter the cost, we must capture this kid, or else the Harmon Family's reputation will be completely ruined!"

Doing such a thing in front of so many people, causing trouble openly and kidnapping Dylan, Dustin's behavior was undoubtedly trampling on the dignity of the Harmon Family.

If they didn't make an example of him, how could the Harmon Family face anyone in the future?
 
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