Chapter 2221
"I'm sorry. I can't answer that question because I don't know, either." Hank shook his head. He was already breaking the rules by telling them about the God King's involvement.
Furthermore, disclosing the God King's identity or whereabouts was out of the question.
In Dragonmarsh, even someone as powerful as the God King had to tread carefully. Any hint of their whereabouts, followed by an ambush from elites, would spell disaster.
"No problem. It's just a random question out of curiosity." Dustin simply shrugged it off with a faint smile.
"If there aren't any questions, how about we break for lunch? I've arranged a feast, and we can continue our conversation over food." Hank extended an invitation with a neutral expression.
"Sure." Dustin nodded.
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"Let's go, everyone!" Hank called out before leading the group to the dining hall.
Everyone was famished after waiting all morning. They immediately indulged in the feast laid out before them. Once they were full, Hank organized various entertainment to keep everyone occupied. Yet, he kept the mission timing vague and advised them all to stay on standby.
Dustin understood it was a precaution by the Hall of Gods against leaks.
After lunch, he cup with an excuse and left. He deemed the visit quite fruitful.
He had discovered the Hall of Gods' plan to infiltrate Sacred Wrym Summit's forbidden ground and beca spy in the process. He was prepared to adapt to unforeseen circumstances.
He also knew he couldn't take on the entire Hall of Gods team by himself. But he was ready to alert Sacred Wrym Summit if necessary and stopped the Hall of Gods' scheme.
Back at the tavern, Dustin was surprised to see someone inside. It was a woman with a pretty face but a strange presence.
"You're finally here?" he exclaimed in surprise.
As he assessed her appearance, he soon recognized who it was.
It was Grace, but she seemed different. She had changed her appearance again and assumed a different guise. If it weren't for his keen insight, he might not have recognized her.
"Oh? You figured it out fast? I was hoping to tease you a bit," she said with a faint smile. Then, she poured two cups of tea.
"Your appearance might change, but your vibe doesn't. Unless you can hide it, I can always tell." Dustin sat down and took a sip of tea. "So, how did it go? Are you finished with the task? Does the progress look promising?" Grace smiled and replied, "Despite a few setbacks, everything's been sorted out. The timing couldn't be better, and I won't miss the Combat Tournament." "Oh! What about that assassin I sent you? Is the beast transformation natural, or is it the result of elixirs?" he asked.
Predator's beast transformation ability was unnerving. It directly broke through three levels from a grandmaster martial artist to reach the level of an ultimate grandmaster.
Even for someone as knowledgeable as Dustin, encountering such an anomaly was unprecedented.
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"It's still being analyzed, and I'm not certain of the details yet. But rest assured, I'll keep you updated," Grace assured him.
Equipped with a detailed report of that night's events, she promptly assembled a team of experts for a thorough investigation.
If Predator's beast transformation ability could be cultivated, it would be a groundbreaking discovery.
Moreover, if every soldier on the battlefield could access beast transformation through elixirs, it would lead to a massacre with one side dominating completely.
"This assassin is extremely valuable, and you have to keep an eye on him. It would be a huge loss if he had been rescued by others," he reminded.
"Don't worry. I've found a secure location. No one will discover it." She smiled.
"There's one more thing I need to discuss with you," Dustin said. "This morning, I saw people from the Hall of Gods. They're No Peopl Yre planning to break into the forbidden ground of Sacred Wrym Summit to search for treasures." "The Hall of Gods?" Grace raised her eyebrows.
She said, "These guys have never had good intentions. I anticipated they would cause trouble at the Combat Tournament, but I didn't expect their target to be the rare treasures within the forbidden ground."
"The news about the rare treasures has already spread, so it's not surprising that the Hall of Gods is taking action. Although we're unsure of when they'll strike, I estimate it will be within the next few days. How do you plan to handle this?" he asked.
Chapter 2222
"Sure. I'll go along with your plan." Dustin nodded.
The rare treasures hidden in the forbidden ground of Sacred Wrym Summit were likely the Dracan essence.
A treasure linked to the fate of the nation should never fall into the hands of the Hall of Gods. Who knew what kind of trouble that might cause? Dustin had initially braced himself to tackle this challenge alone. But now, he felt much more confident about taking on the Hall of Gods with Grace by his side.
As a representative of Dragonmarsh royalty, she had the influence to rally allies and back them up.
Grace said, "Okay, enough about the Hall of Gods. You need to stay focused on bringing your best at the Combat Tournament." 2 She added, "And remember, Sacred Wrym Summit wouldn't organize something meaningless. The top three competitors are in for sserious perks and rewards." "I've already registered. I'm fully committed to giving it my all. You can count on that," Dustin replied with a smile.
In fact, he was excited about facing off against strong opponents in the tournament.
"By the way, there's another important matter I need your help with," she said, changing the subject.
Dustin looked curiously at her. "Oh? What's that?" "I have a close friend who cfor the Combat Tournament. But she suddenly felt sick yesterday. Despite consulting several renowned doctors, they couldn't do anything. That's why I'm coming to you." She knew Dustin was a medical genius. Unless someone was at death's door, he could handle any tough case with ease.
"Close friend? What's the story there?" He raised an eyebrow.
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Since she was the princess of Dragonmarsh, he knew anyone who could be friends with someone of her stature must be pretty remarkable, too.
"You know Alloy Marshall, the Celestial Alliance's guildmaster, right? Well, my friend happens to be his daughter, Alicia Marshall," Grace stated.
"Ah, I see." Dustin nodded.
"Huh? You know her?" "I don't, but I've heard about her. She's fifth on the Beauty Ranking list and has a solid reputation in the martial world," he said.
Every young talent in the Celestial Alliance was vying for Alicia's attention. It was partly because of her status but also because of her undeniable beauty.
Described as breathtaking and mesmerizing, she had everyone under her spell. Even Fenley, one of the Celestial Alliance's brightest talents, couldn't resist her charm.
That just showed how irresistible she was.
"Yes. I can't deny her beauty caught my eye," Dustin admitted.
Grace smiled mischievously. "Well, if you're interested, I could totally set you two up," she teased and playfully winked at him.
"No thanks!" 1 Dustin quickly refused. "Thanks for the offer, but let's not stir up any unnecessary . I've got enough problems as it is, and I don't need any more." Alicia wasn't just a knockout on the Beauty Ranking. She was also the daughter of Alloy, the guildmaster of the Celestial Alliance.
With plenty of men trying to win her over, any special attention toward her could stir up and envy.
To Dustin, she was the classic fefatale that he preferred to steer clear of.
"Geez, you look like you've seen a ghost... Was all that fuss really needed?" Grace chuckled.
Most men would try to cozy up when they saw a beautiful girl. But she wondered why Dustin was doing the exact opposite.
"I'm here to heal the sick and save lives, not get involved in romance," Dustin said earnestly.
"Fine. I won't try to set you up. But if you can cure Alicia's illness, think of it as a favor from the Celestial Alliance. They'll owe you one if you ever need their help." "Let's go. We should check on the patient," Dustin said, not saying much else.
His decision to help wasn't just about obligations to the Celestial Alliance. It was also a sign of respect for Grace. Otherwise, convincing him to step in wouldn't have been so simple.
Half an hour later, Dustin and Grace pulled up to a lakeside villa in their car.
The villa was close to Sacred Wrym Summit. It was nestled amidst lush green mountains with a stunning view of the lake. It was an excellent place to reside.
The place was also fortified with walls and guarded heavily to keep out unwanted visitors.
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As Dustin and Grace approached the gate, they were stopped by several vigilant guards.
"This is a private residential area. You can't enter without an invitation." The guards were all on high alert as their hands were already on their weapons as they spoke.
If Dustin and Grace made any sudden moves, they wouldn't waste a second before taking action.
"Don't worry. We're here to treat Alicia's illness," Grace reassured with a polite smile and showed them the golden emblem. It was a gift from Alicia. The emblem granted Grace special access within the Celestial Alliance.
"Oh, you're Ms. Marshall's esteemed guests. My apologies for the earlier misunderstanding. Please cin." The guards nodded respectfully at the sight of the emblem and opened the gate to let them through.
Grace's emblem marked her as a VIP within the Celestial Alliance. It was reserved for the highly esteemed ofthose who had made substantial contributions. When the guards saw it, they couldn't afford to be anything less than respectful.
Passing through the gates and strolling through the garden, Grace and Dustin approached the villa.
Just then, a middle-aged woman dashed out anxiously.
"Ms. Linsor, you're finally here. Ms. Alicia's condition has worsened.
Please, cquickly!"
When the middle-aged woman spotted Grace, she seemed to view her as a savior and promptly ushered her indoors
Chapter 2223
Grace and Dustin followed a middle-aged woman into the villa.
In the bedroom, a woman of striking beauty and regal presence lay unconscious on the bed.
She was in her early 20s, with flawless skin and captivating features, even in her unconscious state. Her nwas Alicia Marshall, and she held the fifth spot on the Beauty Ranking list.
Each of the top ten women on the Beauty Ranking had a unique appeal. Alicia's beauty was like a rare alpine flower, pure and captivating, even without makeup.
Aside from the unconscious Alicia, there was also a man and a young woman standing in the room.
The man, around 30, dressed sharply in a suit. He was tall and handswith a piercing gaze.
The young woman, about 17 or 18, bore a strong resemblance to Alicia. She was equally beautiful and exuded a youthful energy. She was Alicia's younger sister, Aurora Marshall.
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"Brian, Alicia's condition is worsening by the minute. When will that renowned miracle doctor you call arrive?" Aurora asked. "We can't afford to wait much longer!" She was visibly anxious as she glanced at Alicia lying on the bed.
The sisters had sneaked out without their father's knowledge. They intended to participate in the Combat Tournament for fun and to meet the talents from across the region.
However, Alicia suddenly fell sick a few days ago and slipped into a coma. Her condition deteriorated rapidly. Aurora had tried to summon several renowned miracle doctors from the martial world, but none of them could help. Alicia remained unconscious, and her condition continued to worsen.
Aurora was at her wit's end. If anything happened to Alicia, how would Aurora explain it to Alloy? Brian Stern frowned and said earnestly, "Dr. Kenan Quake is on his way. He should be here soon." Brian was the chief senior disciple of Alloy. Although he wasn't as talented as Fenley, he wielded considerable influence within the Celestial Alliance.
Moreover, he had fallen for Alicia for a long time. So, he was naturally worried when he saw her in this state. "Ms. Aurora! The miracle doctor is here." Martha Burke, the middle-aged woman, rushed in with Dustin and Grace.
"The miracle doctor?" Aurora's face lit up. "Where is he?" "He's right here." Martha gestured toward Dustin.
"Huh?" Aurora blinked in slight confusion. She scrutinized Dustin with a hint of skepticism. "Martha, are you sure you haven't mistaken someone else for the miracle doctor?" She had always pictured miracle doctors as wise elders with charisma. But Dustin appeared entirely ordinary, and he seemed a bit older than her.
There was nothing about him that screamed "miracle doctor".
"This is the miracle doctor brought by Ms. Linsor," Martha hurriedly explained.
"Faith Linsor?" Aurora's gaze lingered on Grace before she recalled the name.
"Hi, Aurora. It's been a while." Grace smiled faintly.
Grace went by the n"Faith Linsor" when she first met Alicia.
"No need for pleasantries. I only have one question. Is this person you've brought capable?" Aurora asked sternly.
Aurora never really warmed up to Grace. She always sensed Grace had shidden agenda. But because Alicia was so close to Grace, Aurora had to ignore her gut feelings.
"Yes," Grace said solemnly. "Dr. Rhys is known for his miraculous healing abilities. He's capable of resurrecting the dead. I believe he can cure Alicia." Upon hearing this, Dustin glanced at Grace. It made him feel awkward to be spoken of so highly.
"Resurrecting the dead? Hmph! Is that so miraculous?" Brian, standing nearby, eyed the pair suspiciously. He wondered how someone in their 20s could have such advanced medical skills.
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Even a miracle doctor wouldn't dare to claim the power to resurrect the dead. So, Brian naturally doubted their credibility when they boldly made such claims. "Why don't you let us try?" Grace didn't elaborate further. She believed actions spoke louder than words.
"Hmph! Alicia is the heiress of the Celestial Alliance. How dare you treat her like sguinea pig? If the N something goes wrong, can you handle the consequences?" Brian said coldly. "I'm her friend. I'd never do anything to hurt her," she replied firmly.
"Alicia has plenty of friends. How do I know who you really are? As her senior, I have to ensure her safety," he said and blocked their path.
To him, Grace and Dustin seemed like opportunists. They probably caught wind of Alicia's illness and figured they would take a shot at curing her.
If they failed, no harm was done. But if they succeeded, it would boost their reputation.
"Alicia's in a critical condition. If we don't act fast, her life is in danger.
Also, if you care about her, please don't get in our way." Grace frowned. 1
"I've already called a miracle doctor. Her illness is none of your concern. I demand that you leave immediately!" Brian's tone was firm as he ordered them out. 4
Chapter 2224
"Are you telling us to leave?" Grace asked.
She narrowed her eyes and added, "We're here to save Alicia, yet you're trying to drive us away. What's the matter? Don't you want her to wake up?" "Ridiculous!" Brian scowled. "I'm her senior. Of course, I want her to wake up." "Then, why are you stopping us from treating her?" she countered.
"Because I don't trust you!" he asserted. "Who knows what your intentions are? What if you make her condition worse?" "If I'm not confident, I won't do it," Dustin chimed in abruptly.
"Do you hear that? Regardless, let us diagnose Alicia first," Grace insisted.
"No! The miracle doctor I've called will be here soon. Your help isn't necessary!" Brian rejected them firmly. "Aurora, what do you think?" Grace stopped arguing with Brian and turned toward Aurora instead.
As Alicia's younger sister, Aurora had absolute authority in this situation. If she agreed, Grace would take action and disregard Brian's objections.
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"How about... we let Dr. Rhys treat Alicia first, Brian?" Aurora paused briefly but ultimately chose to trust Grace. The miracle doctor Brian had arranged hadn't shown up yet, and Alicia's condition was deteriorating rapidly. If they delayed any longer, who knew what consequences it might bring? 1 Now, she could only hope for a miracle.
"Aurora, you're so foolish!" Brian snapped. "The martial world is dangerous, and people may have hidden motives. What if they're out to harm Alicia? We can't take that chance!" "But Alicia's life is hanging by a thread. If we keep stalling and something goes wrong, who's going to shoulder the blame?" she countered.
"Well..." Brian hesitated.
"How about we wait for another five minutes? If your miracle doctor hasn't arrived by then, let Dr. Rhys treat Alicia. How does that sound?" Aurora asked, offering a compromise.
The five-minute window was her way of giving Brian an alternative. Ideally, Kenan would arrive within that time. But if not, Dustin would be her choice.
"Okay. We'll wait five minutes!" Brian glanced at his watch and reluctantly nodded.
With the discussion reaching this point, he realized he couldn't keep stalling without causing misunderstandings. Five minutes later, he couldn't shake off his growing anxiety when Kenan hadn't arrived.
"What's taking Dr. Quake so long? Where is he?" Brian frowned and peered out the doorway.
"Mr. Stern, time's up. Since your requested doctor isn't here, let's leave it to Dr. Rhys." Without waiting for Brian's response, Grace winked at Dustin.
Dustin got the hint and approached the bed to diagnose Alicia.
Brian's expression darkened, but he said nothing.
"Hmm?" Dustin frowned after diagnosing Alicia.
His reaction made Grace somewhat nervous. "How is she? What's wrong with Alicia?" she asked cautiously. "She's not sick, but she's been poisoned," he replied gravely.
"Poisoned?" Grace was taken aback. She immediately turned toward Aurora. "Has Alicia eaten anything unusual recently while you two were near Sacred Wrym Summit?" "We've been wandering around Sacred Wrym Summit for the past few days, eating and sleeping together. Nothing unusual happened." Aurora shook her head.
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They had been sharing the sfood. So, if Alicia had been poisoned, Aurora would have been affected too.
"Poisoning isn't just about what you eat. Insect bites, unusual scents, and even contact with certain individuals can all lead to poisoning," Dustin added. A poison expert didn't just target food. They would use all sorts of sneaky methods that were hard to guard against.
"I don't understand any of this. My only concern is whether you can cure my sister," Aurora said anxiously.
"The poison in your sister's system is pretty unique. I can treat it, but I'll need stto prepare the antidote," Dustin replied.
"How long will it take?" she asked.
"Two days," he stated.
"Two days?" Aurora frowned. "Given my sister's current condition, I'm afraid she might not last that long." "Don't worry. While I can't make your sister wake up immediately, I can keep her alive for the tbeing."
With a flick of his wrist, Dustin sent a series of silver needles shooting out from his sleeve Each needle was aimed at the vital pressure point on Alicia's body. As the silver needles spun wildly, wisps of mystical pure energy swiftly flowed into Alicia's circulatory pathways to keep her alive.
"I'm using the ethereal resurgence technique with these needles As long as they remain in place, Alicia will be safe for three days," Dustin explained. "Is it that impressive?" Aurora raised an eyebrow. "What if the needles are removed?" i She'll die within three hours," Dustin stated bluntly.
Chapter 2225
"Huh?" Aurora was startled by Dustin's words.
Removing the needles would mean death within three hours. Wasn't that practically a death sentence? "Hmph! I don't care about your ethereal-whatever technique. If you can't cure Alicia, you can only blyourself for the pain you'll be in!" Brian said coldly.
Dustin glanced at him and retorted, "If you can't be of any help, then please keep quiet. Your constant blabbering is getting on my nerves." "Why you-" Brian gritted his teeth but ultimately restrained himself from lashing out.
If Dustin had managed to cure Alicia, Brian would have had nothing to say. But if he failed, Brian would undoubtedly teach Dustin a lesson.
"Dr. Rhys, what do we do now?" Aurora changed the subject.
"Take good care of your sister, and make sure nobody touches her. I'll go back and prepare the antidote now," Dustin said.
Then, he winked at Grace before leaving the room.
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"Aurora, remember what Dr. Rhys said," Grace reminded her before following him and exiting the room.
Once outside the villa and ensuring there were no eavesdroppers, she couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. "What's going on? Is there something suspicious about Alicia's illness?" She could tell he wasn't telling them everything earlier.
"Yes." Dustin nodded solemnly. "Alicia isn't poisoned, but she is under witchcraft." "Witchcraft?" Grace raised an eyebrow.
He said solemnly, "I've examined Alicia earlier, and there was a dark energy within her. It's potent and defensive, which makes it difficult to remove. It's a powerful spell that drains vital energy. At this rate, she'll have about three days left." He had just engaged in a battle of energies using his mystical pure energy against the dark energy within Alicia. But she might die before he succeeded.
"With such potent witchcraft, does it mean the Mystic Arts Order is involved?' Grace began to speculate.
As a disciple of the Regal Observatory, she knew her way around witchcraft pretty well. Dealing with regular witchcraft was a breeze, but whatever was inside Alicia seemed next level.
Apart from the high-ranking members of the Mystic Arts Order, she couldn't think of anyone else with such abilities.
"Does Alicia have any vendetta against the Mystic Arts Order?" Dustin asked.
"I've never heard of any." Grace shook her head. "But the members of the Mystic Arts Order are known for their impulsiveness and tendency to engage in questionable activities." He remarked, "While the Mystic Arts Order may not adhere to conventional morality, they're not entirely unreasonable. Without a deep-seated grudge, they wouldn't resort to such drastic measures." Casting a spell as powerful as the one on Alicia would not only drain the caster mentally and physically but could also cause harm.
Nobody would undertake such an act without a compelling reason. Hence, they were either driven by personal gain or fueled by deep-seated animosity.
"If it's not the Mystic Arts Order, who else could it be?" Grace pondered.
"Compared to the Mystic Arts Order, I'm more inclined to suspect the Hall of Gods," Dustin said, narrowing his eyes.
"Since the start of the Combat Tournament, the Hall of Gods has disrupted proceedings more than once. They targeted talented individuals from various sects. It's their modus operand!." "Alicia's martial talents aren't particularly outstanding, so why would the Hall of Gods invest so much effort in targeting her?" she asked curiously.
He argued, "She might not directly threaten the Hall of Gods, but who she is matters. She's a key player. If she suddenly dies, how do you think Alloy, the guildmaster of the Celestial Alliance, would respond?" "He'd be furious," she replied without hesitation.
Alloy had two daughters, and he treated Alicia as his most precious treasure. If anything were to happen to her, he might lose his mind.
"What if Mystic Arts Order were to blfor Alicia's death?" Dustin asked again.
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"In that case, the two major sects would engage in a bloodbath!" After a brief pause, Grace quickly grasped the situation. "I got it! The Hall of Gods is trying to create conflict.
"If Alicia died from witchcraft, the Celestial Alliance would inevitably suspect the Mystic Arts Order. With sfabricated evidence, the enraged Alloy might choose to go to war directly. "By then, the entire martial world would be plunged into chaos and bloodshed!" If a large-scale conflict were to erupt between the Celestial Alliance and the Mystic Arts Order, the stability of the realm would be threatened.
And this was the scenathat the Hall of Gods was anticipating.
"First, they disrupt the martial world. Now, they're aiming to disrupt the government. That's the Hall of Gods' main objective," Dustin said.
A cold gleam flashed in his eyes. "These power-hungry wolves need to be taken down."
"If it's indeed the Hall of Gods causing trouble, then I must warmthe Celestial Alliance to beware and not fall into their trap," Grace said with a grave expression. "Wait." He raised a hand to stop her. "These are all speculations without any evidence.
"Gaining trust won't be easy, and how can you be sure there isn't a mole from the Hall of Gods within the Celestial Alliance? If we expose them now, we'll only alert the enemy." "What do you suggest then?" Grace asked, intrigued.
"Since the Hall of Gods intends harm, why don't we turn the tables and m eliminate their influence in one fell ate swoop!" Dustin clenched his fist fiercely, his eyes ablaze with determination. 4
Chapter 2226
"What's your plan?" Grace arched her eyebrow.
"First, we need to find a way to dispel the witchcraft from Alicia's body. Then, we'll use her as bait to lure out the mastermind," Dustin replied succinctly.
Once they pinned down the culprit, they wouldn't have to do anything more. The Celestial Alliance members would handle it. After all, Alloy wouldn't just let those who hurt his daughter off the hook.
"What do you needto do?" Grace asked.
"I need you to gather smedicinal herbs foras quickly as possible. I plan to use poison to counteract the dark energy and force it out of Alicia's body." Dustin quickly jotted down a prescription and handed it to her.
She glanced briefly and nodded. "No problem, I'll gather everything within three hours." With the power of Dragonmarsh royalty, she would have no trouble getting her hands on rare medicinal herbs. After Dustin and Grace left the lakeside villa, they got busy with their respective tasks.
Just shortly after the two departed, a white-haired elder with a beard in a vintage suit entered the villa with two disciples. He exuded an air of elegance and wisdom.
"Dr. Quake! You're finally here? Please, cin!" Brian, standing at the door, greeted the white-haired elder with a big smile as he ushered him into the villa. "Mr. Stern, I'm sorry for the delay. I had sunexpected matters to attend to. Thank you for your patience," Kenan Quake, the white-haired elder, apologized for being late.
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"It's okay. I'm just glad you could make it," Brian said courteously.
Kenan was renowned as a miracle doctor in the martial world. He had close connections to the Celestial Alliance.
Moreover, he had healed countless influential figures with mysterious illnesses, which earned him the moniker "Master Healer".
When dealing with such a skilled doctor, proper respect was a must, especially for martial artists who often faced injuries or health issues.
"Mr. Stern, how is the patient?" Kenan asked.
"The situation is looking grim. Alicia's still in a coma, and her condition is getting worse. We've tried everything, but no doctor's been able to help," Brian replied. His tone was tinged with concern.
Brian seemed to recall something and abruptly changed the subject. "Oh, by the way. A young doctor cby earlier and performed ssort of ethereal technique on Alicia.
"He jabbed her with those 'ethereal-whatever' needles and then left abruptly without explanation. I'm not sure if it had any effect." "How outrageous!" Kenan frowned. "The patient's condition is critical. How can you allow unidentified doctors to diagnose and treat her recklessly? "If anything goes wrong, who will take responsibility? Hurry up and taketo her." "Cwith me." Brian quickly led Kenan and the others into Alicia's room.
"Brian, who are these people?" Aurora was curious as she looked at the three unfamiliar faces entering the room. "Aurora, this is the renowned Dr. Quake I mentioned earlier. And these two are his disciples," Brian briefly introduced them.
"It's an honor to meet you, Dr. Quake. I've heard of your great reputation," Aurora greeted.
"Let's skip the pleasantries and focus on the patient." Kenan got straight to the point.
"Dr. Quake, this is my sister, Alicia. She just got sacupuncture. Can you make sure it's legit?" Aurora motioned toward Alicia as she spoke.
"Hmm?" Kenan approached and studied Alicia closely. His frown deepened.
"Where did you find this amateur? Allowing him to treat her without understanding the situation first? What if something goes wrong?" he asked.
"An amateur?" Aurora blinked. She exchanged a glance with Brian and hastily asked, "Dr. Quake, does that mean there's something wrong with his treatment?" "Of course, there's a big issue here, and it's serious," Kenan said gravely.
"The patient looks weak, pale, and blue-ish. She was obviously poisoned. In a case like this, the first step should be using a tonic to boost the body's strength.
"Then, silver needles are used to draw out the toxins by stimulating specific pressure points. But whoever treated her did the opposite.
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"He didn't give the tonic but used silver needles to block the vital m pressure points This would trap the toxins inside the body. This isn't healing, and it's harming the patient!" At this revelation, Brian's and Aurora's expressions changed.
If Dustin's incompetence were the problem, it'd be one thing. However, if he was deliberately causing harm, that changed everything.
"Hmph! I knew that guy was up to no good. He's downright evil!" Brian gritted his teeth. His expression clouded with anger.
"Dr. Quake, are you sure these silver needles aren't for healing but for harming?" Aurora asked again.
"I've been practicing medicine for many years; I wouldn't make a mistake," Kenan replied solemnly.
"Either the person administering the needles is an amateur who knows nothing, or they're intentionally or causing harm. Either way, these silver needles have no benefit for treating illness." With that, Kenan stepped forward and prepared to remove the needles.
"Wait!" Aurora quickly raised her hand to stop him. "Dr. Quake, that person om said these silver needles are meant to prolong my sister's life. If they're removed, she might not live for more than three hours!" "Prolong her life? Hah! What a joke!" Kenan sneered.
He added, "Toxins are accumulating in the patient's body, and they're unable to be expelled. And now he is using silver needles to seal the vital pressure points? "Is he trying to hasten the patient's death? If we follow his logic and leave the silver needles in place for three hours, the patient will undoubtedly die!"
Chapter 2227
"What? Alicia will die?" Kenan's words sent shivers down Aurora's and Brian's spines. They hadn't anticipated the severity of the situation.
"That damned bastard! How dare he harm Alicia? I'll get someone to bring him in right now!" Brian immediately pulled out his phone to make a call.
Assassinating the Celestial Alliance's guildmaster's daughter was like inviting death.
"Dr. Quake, what do we do now? Can my sister be saved?" Aurora panicked as she processed the news.
She had turned to Dustin out of sheer desperation and hoped for a miracle since she had no other options. However, she regretted her decision after hearing Kenan's assessment. Comparing a nobody to a highly skilled doctor in the martial world, Kenan was the obvious choice.
"If it were anyone else, your sister would be beyond saving. But fortunately, I'm here today. As long as she's still breathing, I can bring her back from the brink," Kenan said confidently.
"Then, please, Dr. Quake, save her immediately. We'll be forever grateful for your assistance." Aurora's face lit up with hope.
"Dr. Quake, we're putting our trust in you." Brian clasped his hands respectfully.
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"Don't worry, you can trust my expertise." Kenan stroked his beard and stepped forward. He began removing the silver needles from Alicia's body.
As soon as the needles were out, Alicia began convulsing violently, and thin streams of black blood started trickling from her nose.
"Dr. Quake, what's going on? My sister's condition is getting worse." Aurora panicked.
Just moments ago, everything seemed fine. But now, Alicia was exhibiting strange symptoms and even had a nosebleed as soon as the needles were removed.
"Relax, it's just a minor issue," Kenan said calmly.
He continued, "Her circulatory pathways were blocked and caused toxins to build up. Now that the needles are out, these reactions are normal. Once she takes my medicine, she'll be fine." "Don't worry. Dr. Quake's skills are known around the world. With him here, you can relax," Brian reassured her. "That's great." Aurora breathed a sigh of relief.
Kenan was renowned for his skills, and his confidence was reassuring.
"Sanny, bringthe Enigma Mist," Kenan called out.
"Yes, sir." One of his disciples opened a medical kit and carefully took out an intricately designed green bottle.
The bottle was small and about the size of a fist. Its surface was engraved with mysterious patterns, which gave it an extraordinary appearance.
After receiving the bottle, Kenan said, "Bringa bowl." Another disciple quickly brought over an empty bowl and handed it to him.
Kenan uncorked the bottle and slowly poured a milky-white liquid into the bowl. He stopped when it was about a third full.
"Do you two know what's in this bowl?" he asked while holding the bowl up to show Aurora and Brian.
"This liquid is pure white and has a unique fragrance. It must be something special," Brian responded cooperatively.
"Yes," Kenan said.
He added proudly, "This is my meticulously concocted Enigma Mist. It aids in healing the wounds and removing toxins from the body. It will also prolong life.
"Don't be fooled by the size of this bottle. It holds immense value, as it tookthree years and over ten thousand rare herbs to perfect its formulation. "By using ancient methods, it had to be brewed for 49 days. During this time, I had to monitor the temperature consistently.
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"It was a labor of love and not something I would share lightly. But for the daughter of the Celestial Alliance guildmaster, it's worth it." "Thank you so much, Dr. Quake. We will never forget your kindness." Brian placed his hand on his chest, showing his respect.
"As long as you can heal Alicia, we will do anything you ask,' Aurora added.
As Alloy's daughter, Aurora was no fool.
Kenan's lengthy explanation made it clear that the Enigma Mist was m incredibly precious. Also, curing Alicia would require a significant reward from the Celestial Alliance. However, Aurora wasn't concerned about the cost since she only cared about her sister's recovery.
"Good, very good. With your assurances, I'm relieved," Kenan said while stroking his beard with a satisfied smile.
Seeing that Brian and Aurora understood his hint, he handed a om small bowl of Enigma Mist to her and said, "Ms. Marshall, feed this to your sister. In less than ten minutes, she'll be out of danger." Aurora nodded and accepted the bowl of tonic with care. She used a spoon to feed it to Alicia, one small sip at a time.
The moment Alicia swallowed it, she reacted suddenly. Her body spasmed as if jolted by electricity.
In the next moment, she coughed up a mouthful of blood. Sof it splattered on Aurora's face.
Chapter 2228
Aurora's eyes widened in shock. She touched the blood on her face and looked over at Alicia on the bed, who was coughing up blood.
Kenan and Brian were equally shocked by the sudden turn of events. No one anticipated that after drinking the Enigma Mist, Alicia's condition would deteriorate.
"Dr. Quake! What... What's going on?" Brian asked anxiously.
"Dr. Quake! You assured US that the Enigma Mist would bring my sister back from the brink. Why is she coughing up blood now?" Aurora was frantic.
"Don't worry. It's just a minor setback. Letcheck her again," Kenan reassured them.
He quickly approached Alicia to take her pulse and frowned. "This is unexpected. Her pulse is weak, and her blood circulation is poor.
"These symptoms suggest poisoning. The Enigma Mist should have detoxified her. But why isn't it working?" The Enigma Mist was supposed to cure any poison and extend life. Just a sip should have stabilized Alicia's condition. But this unforeseen reaction left him perplexed.
"Dr. Quake, what's going on with my sister? Do you truly have the ability to cure her?" Aurora's expression was a mix of anxiety and fear.
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A moment ago, Alicia was fine. But after Kenan removed the silver needles and fed her the medicine, her condition worsened. It raised Aurora's doubts about Kenan's medical skills.
"Of course. I can." Kenan took a deep breath and said calmly, "Although the Enigma Mist didn't have the desired effect, I have other methods to remove the toxins from her body." "Whatever it takes, just cure my sister first!" Aurora urged.
"Don't worry. My acupuncture technique is highly regarded in the martial world. Handling this case of mild poisoning is a breeze," Kenan said confidently.
Being known as a miracle doctor wasn't without reason. If the Enigma Mist didn't work, he would use silver needles to remove the poison.
"Aurora, don't worry. With Dr. Quake here, everything will be fine. Just stay calm and don't distract him," Brian said.
Aurora nodded upon hearing that. Though anxious, she managed to keep her emotions in check.
"Sanny, bring the silver needles." Kenan stretched out his hand.
His disciple swiftly understood the gesture. He retrieved a packet of silver needles from the medical kit and laid them out before Kenan.
With a flick of his wrist, Kenan had three needles between his fingers. Then, he precisely inserted them into Alicia's shoulders and chest.
"Hold her up," Kenan commanded.
Aurora didn't hesitate. She quickly propped the unconscious Alicia into a sitting position with her back facing Kenan.
"Pay attention. This technique is called the Styx Passage," Kenan remarked.
He flicked his wrist as five silver needles appeared between his fingers. The needles shot out and hit Alicia's neck, back, and waist with precision.
"Again!" he said as he sent five more needles flying toward Alicia.
Every needle hit its mark, which showcased Kenan's mastery of the technique. Such skill couldn't be attained without decades of practice.
"Breakthrough!" After the needles were in place, Kenan used his index and middle fingers to press firmly on the midline of Alicia's back.
Her body convulsed, and she suddenly spat out a mouthful of dark, clotted blood. It splattered on the wall. With that, her spasming body gradually returned to normal. Even her lips, once pale, started regaining color.
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"Most of the toxins in her body have been cleared out. Keep feeding her the tonic, and I believe sheft be fine I soon," Kenan said. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, and he looked somewhat tired.
Despite the impressive display, the technique drained him significantly, and it left him with barely any true energy. It would take him at least a few days to recover. If it hadn't been necessary, he wouldn't have resorted to using the Styx Passage technique. However, for now, the results seem promising.
"As expected of Dr. Quake. You're incredible!" Brian gave him a thumbs-up.
He praised, "I've heard about the Styx Passage technique-how it's said to said to perform miracles and even bring the dead back to life. Seeing it demonstrated today, it absolutely lives upto its reputation!" "Bringing the dead back to life might be an overstatement. But as long as the patient is still breathing, I can cure them," Kenan said with a proud smile.
"You're too modest. If it weren't for you, Alicia might not have made it through today." Brian clasped his hands together and looked at him in admiration.
"Dr. Quake, is she really going to be okay?" Aurora frowned as she looked at Alicia, who was still unconscious. Alicia's complexion had improved slightly. But her breathing and pulse remained faint and showed no signs of improvement.
"What? You don't trust my medical skills?" Kenan sounded displeased.
He put his hand behind his back and continued, "I've been in the martial world for so many years. There's never been a disease I couldn't cure.
"I can assure you that as soon as she takes another sip of the Enigma Mist, she'll wake up immediately. If you don't believe me, try it yourself!"
Chapter 2229
"Of course, we trusted you. We believe you," Brian said with an apologetic smile.
He went on, "If it weren't for you, Alicia would probably be dead by now." "It's just a small effort on my part. So, it's nothing to fuss over," Kenan said while stroking his beard.
He added, "Sanny, feed her a bit more of that Enigma Mist and let Ms.
Marshall witness my capability." "Yes, sir!" Sanny replied. He then carefully fed Alicia a couple more sips of the Enigma Mist.
After swallowing the tonic, Alicia's legs twitched, and then she went still.
Sanny was stunned upon seeing that. Then, he cautiously checked Alicia's breathing. In an instant, he jerked back as if electrocuted, and his face contorted in fear.
He stammered, "Dr. Quake! The... the patient has stopped breathing." "What?" The revelation sent shockwaves through the room. Even the self-assured Kenan looked shaken.
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"Stopped breathing? How is that even possible?" Kenan pushed his disciple aside and checked Alicia's pulse. It had indeed stopped.
"How could this be? This shouldn't have happened!" He panicked.
He had carefully followed the steps.
First, the Styx Passage technique was used to extract the toxin from Alicia's body. Then, it was supplemented with the Enigma Mist. Everything should have proceeded smoothly.
In theory, Alicia should have at least regained svitality after drinking the tonic and begun to recover. But she remained unconscious, and she had also stopped breathing entirely. What went wrong? "Dr. Quake! Didn't you say everything would be fine? Why has my sister stopped breathing?" Aurora was agitated and grabbed Kenan's shirt.
Before the treatment, he made grand promises. However, as soon as he began, everything went terribly wrong. First, there were convulsions, followed by blood vomiting. And ultimately, she stopped breathing. What kind of skilled doctor was this? He was a quack doctor.
"Dr. Quake! What... What the heck is happening?" Brian frowned and eyed him suspiciously.
"Don't worry. It's just a coma-like state. She can still be saved. She can be saved!" Kenan wiped the sweat off his brow and tried to stay calm.
In his years of experience in the medical field, he had treated countless patients and faced situations like this. However, this case was different.
Alicia was a patient with powerful connections and influence. Failing to save her wouldn't just mean losing his reward. It could also tarnish his reputation.
The pressure was immense.
"You better bring my sister back, or you'll pay with your lives!" Aurora screamed.
If she had known Kenan was this incompetent, she would never have listened to him and removed the silver needles. If her sister died, Aurora wouldn't let Kenan off the hook.
"Sanny! Hurry up and get the Revivex!" Kenan didn't hesitate. He promptly instructed his disciple to retrieve his precious possession.
Revivex was a top-grade tablet. He had acquired it from the stoneray Order at a great expense and with a significant favor. It was rumored to bring people back from the brink of death, hence the name.
No matter the severity of the injuries or the absence of pulse and breath, Revivex could temporarily sustain life. This tablet was Kenan's prized possession. It was reserved for a critical moment to save his own life.
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Despite countless offers from wealthy elites, he had always refused to sell it. However, he had no choice but to use it to save Alicia and protect his own life. "Dr. Quake! Here's the Revivex!" Sanny opened the medical kit's hidden compartment. He swiftly retrieved a delicate wooden box and handed it to Kenan.
When Kenan opened the box, a golden tablet was inside. It gleamed transparently under the sunlight and resembled a piece of fine gold. It also had a unique fragrance that was refreshing and invigorating. "Is this the legendary Revivex that can bring people back from the brink of death? It's truly extraordinary." Brian's eyes sparkled with amazement.
He had heard of the tablet from the Stoneray Order. It was a priceless treasure that couldn't be bought regardless of the amount offered.
Due to the rarity of its ingredients, Stoneray Order could only produce one Revivex every ten years. Hence, its value was beyond measure.
Kenan brought out his most precious possession and said, "With Revivex, she will be safe." He took a deep breath and reluctantly fed the tablet to Alicia.
Revivex was a treasure worth more than gold. He would never part with it unless the situation were dire.
Now, he could only hope that the tablet lived up to its legend and could pull Alicia back from death's door. Otherwise, he would be in serious trouble. Failing to save the daughter of the Celestial Alliance's guildmaster could cost him more than he could afford
Chapter 2230
The Revivex dissolved in Alicia's mouth. Its golden liquid smoothly slid down her throat.
A surge of vitality coursed through her body and reached every cell. Her heart, which had stopped, gradually resumed beating.
With each heartbeat, Alicia's chest rose and fell gently as her breathing returned to normal.
"She's breathing! Alicia's breathing!" Brian exclaimed happily.
"This is amazing! My sister is alive again!" Tears of happiness streamed down Aurora's cheek.
Kenan breathed a sigh of relief. He was grateful for the miraculous effect of the legendary Revivex tablet that revived Alicia.
Without it, his reputation would have been at risk. Though using such a precious tablet caused him sdiscomfort, the outcjustified it.
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"No wonder they call it Revivex," Brian marveled.
The ability to revive someone from the brink of death indeed demonstrated Revivex's extraordinary nature.
"Though it was a bit of a rollercoaster, thankfully, everything turned out okay." Kenan forced a smile, though sweat dampened his back.
He still couldn't understand why the Enigma Mist and Styx Passage technique had no effect on Alicia. In fact, they exacerbated her condition.
It was just a case of mild poisoning, yet why was it so challenging to treat? What went wrong? "Dr. Quake, something's not right," Aurora remarked and frowned. "My sister's breathing is getting weaker." 1 "What? How is that possible?" Kenan rushed over to check Alicia's pulse, and his face turned grim.
Just as Aurora had observed, Alicia's pulse was weakening again despite her earlier revival.
It seemed that Revivex's effects had only offered a fleeting spark of life. At this rate, Alicia would be gone within half an hour.
"Dr. Quake, what are we going to do now? You need to figure something out fast," Aurora urged anxiously. "I... I..." Kenan hesitated and was unsure of howto respond.
He had used the Enigma Mist for detoxification and tried the Styx Passage acupuncture for purging toxins. Plus, he even turned to his last resort, the Revivex pill, in a desperate bid to save Alicia's life.
But despite exhausting all his methods, there was no improvement. What had begun as a minor illness had only worsened with each treatment attempt.
He was at a loss.
"Dr. Quake! Why are you just standing there? Save her!" Aurora raised her voice.
Kenan sighed. "The patient's condition is just too strange. The illness is unlike anything I've encountered in all my years of practice. I'm afraid there's nothing more I can do." His face was clouded with shand helplessness.
"What do you mean, nothing you can do?" Aurora immediately grew agitated.
She spat, "You were so confident earlier and promised to cure Alicia. And now you're saying you can't do anything? You're a fucking skilled doctor, for goodness sake!" "I..." He was speechless under her reproach.
"Dr. Quake, do you have any other miracle cures? Bring them out, no matter the cost, as long as they can save Alicia," Brian urged.
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"It's useless." Kenan shook his head, and his face turned grim. 1 He went on, "I've tried everything I could think of, and I've exhausted all my resources, including the Revivex tablet.
"Yet, the patient's condition shows no signs of improvement. It seems seems like there's nothing more I can do for her. I You! you should prepare yourselves for the worst." "Stop your mourning nonsense!" Aurora fumed.
She grabbed Kenan by the collar and roared, "You quack doctor! You've turned my sister Alicia tothis mess.
vel And now you think a few words will absolve you of responsibility? If my sister doesn't make it today, every single one of you will pay the price!" "Ms. Marshall, you... you're being unreasonable," Kenan stammered. He looked desperate.
"I don't care about that. Today, you must cure my sister," she roared.
"Aurora, calm down. Let's think this through. We'll find a way to save Alicia, " Brian reassured her.
"Save? This quack doctor pulled out the silver needles, and now her condition had worsened. How the hell are we supposed to save her now?"
As she yelled, Aurora seemed to have a sudden realization. "Wait a second! Dr. Rhys had stabilized Alicia's condition before. If we bring him back, maybe there's a chance after all." "Even Dr. Quake couldn't do anything. You think that kid can?" Brian responded skeptically.
"We have to try," Aurora said firmly. "Martha, get in touch with Faith and ask her to bring Dr. Rhys back to save Alicia!" She was at her wit's end and resorted to desperate measures by bringing Dustin back to cure Alicia. Though the odds were slim, there remained a glimmer of hope. 3 What if a miracle were to occur?
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