An Understated Dominance

Dustin didn’t flinch as the electric serpent charged toward him. Instead, he channeled his mystical energy into a spear and thrust forward. He was eager to test the strength of Stormcraft.

The true energy spear collided with the Stormcraft and unleashed a loud crack of thunder. Energy rippled outward and dispersed in every direction. Their energies collided with such force that neither gained the upper hand.

Neither Dustin nor Caleb gained the upper hand in this exchange, yet neither backed down. They continued to trade blows in a fierce, close- quarters fight. Each strike resonated like a drumbeat in a relentless battle.

“I can’t believe Dustin is holding his own against Caleb. This is unbelievable.

“Dustin is pretty strong, so it’s not surprising he can fight like this.”

“You don’t get it. Dustin is renowned for his lethal sword techniques. Yet, he’s standing firm against Caleb, who used Glow Incantation and Stormcraft, just with his fists. That speaks volumes about his cultivation.”

“If Caleb wants to win, he’ll have to use a Divine Talisman. But that technique is risky as it could hurt both of them.”

As the spectators watched the two clash in the battle ring, they couldn’t help but murmur among themselves. Everyone knew that neither Dustin nor Caleb had yet to use their killing moves.

Though the fight was intense, neither opponent would claim victory anytime soon unless they used their trump cards or tried to wear each other out.

“The young man named Dustin Rhys is quite impressive, but I’ve never heard of him before.” Kaden narrowed his eyes.

He focused intently on Dustin as he tried to discern the source of his abilities. But Dustin’s techniques were so diverse that he couldn’t identify any distinct lineage or guild teachings.

“The world is big, and extraordinary geniuses are bound to emerge. I’ve looked into him, and his background is shrouded in mystery. Whoever is behind him is no small player,” Alloy remarked meaningfully.

With the intelligence network of the Celestial Alliance at their disposal, digging up dirt on someone should be easy. But after two days of investigation, the information on Dustin was scarce, and many critical details had been deliberately hidden.

This only confirmed that a powerful force was behind him. Given that only a significant force could slip past the Celestial Alliance’s watchful eyes, it was likely that this influence was connected to royalty.

“I wonder which renowned mentor trained him?” Kaden pondered.

“He has used a sword before,” Cyrus suddenly chimed in.

“So what? There are plenty of sword users in this battle ring. What does that prove?” Alloy shot him a sideways glance.

Cyrus’s following words caught everyone off guard. “With just that one strike, I could feel Seth’s presence in his energy.”

Alloy’s eyes widened in surprise. “Seth Hughes? The Sword Whisperer? But… he’s dead, right?”

The fight between Seth and Alaric outside Oakvale was nothing less than legendary. When it was over, the entire Dragon Guard lay in ruins. After they died, there was a major upheaval in the Champ-Tier List.

Even after a year, the aftermath of that fight still looms large. So, when Alloy heard Seth’s name, surprise washed over him.

After all, Seth had single-handedly destroyed the Dragon Guard with a single sword strike. That legendary blow was said to rival the power of terrestrial immortals.

“Seth is dead, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any successors,” Cyrus said coldly. “I’ve studied swordsmanship for years, and I believe my understanding rivals anyone’s. So, I’m certain Dustin is connected to Seth.

“Are you saying that Dustin could be Seth’s disciple?” Kaden quickly caught on.

“I’m about 90% sure,” Cyrus nodded.

He had faced Seth before and was well- acquainted with his sword energy. But yesterday, he sensed the same energy. from Dustin. Though it wasn’t as powerful as Seth’s, it was still formidable.

“I didn’t realize Seth had accepted such a disciple. At least his swordsmanship didn’t die with him. Otherwise, it would’ve been a real shame if it had.” Alloy sighed.

He didn’t doubt Cyrus’ words. After all, there wasn’t a soul in the world who understood the way of the sword better than him.

“Sage Foyer, please forgive my bluntness. If Dustin uses his sword, your disciple doesn’t stand much chance. The best move right now is to use a Divine talisman to suppress him before he draws his weapon,” Cyrus advised.

If Dustin had mastered Seth’s sword techniques, it would spell trouble for Glenn. Cyrus believed it would be best if Caleb could defeat Dustin.

“The outcome of the match isn’t something we can control. We’ll just have to see how they perform.” Kaden smiled faintly and didn’t seem concerned. While he hoped for Caleb’s victory, he wasn’t overly invested in the outcome. He believed in letting fate take its course.

“What’s wrong, Mr. Hadley? Are you scared?” Alloy teased with a knowing smile. “I see you’re wary because Dustin is Seth’s disciple.”

“What do you mean by that?” Cyrus glared at him.

“I remember you sparred with Seth before, but it didn’t end well for you. It’s natural to feel some trepidation upon meeting his successor,” Alloy said with a knowing smile.

He continued, “Both of you specialize in sword technique. If your disciple were to lose to Seth’s, that would certainly reflect poorly on you. I understand your concern.”

“Hmph! Enough with the sarcasm!” Cyrus snorted. “So what if he is Seth’s disciple? When facing Glenn, the only outcome he’ll see is defeat!”

Then, he changed the subject. “And it’s not just him. Even your disciple, Fenley, won’t stand a chance against Glenn. If you doubt it, let’s just wait and see.”