AN UNDERSTATED DOMINANCE (Dustin Rhys
Chapter 2201
"Get those bets in, quick! Trust me, put your bet on Number 13, Brandon Swift!" "Hey guys, it's to hit the jackpot! Don't miss this golden opportunity!" "Hey, does anyone have treasures to spare? I'll pay you back with interest once | win those celestial stones!" The gamblers clamored. They jostled forward and were eager to place their bets. Anything valuable was thrown into the betting table without a second thought.
Soon, the atmosphere crackled with excitement.
This round was like hitting the jackpot for the gamblers, so doubling down was a no-brainer.
"Hey, make sroom! We're here first, so let us get our bets in!" As the crowd of gamblers grew denser, chaos broke out.
Miles and Ruby were momentarily taken aback and surrounded by eager gamblers. The duo had to push through the crowd to get to the betting table.
After all, opportunities like this only conce. Plus, with only a few minutes remaining until the start of the fifth round, they couldn't afford to miss out.
It would mean a significant loss for them if they failed to place their bets before the betting pool closed. Thus, they disregarded decorum and pushed forward relentlessly.
"Don't fret, guys. There's plenty of tfor everyone. Let's maintain order and take turns." "We've got plenty of time. Everyone will get their shot at placing a bet." "Hey, you in the purple! Quit climbing on someone's back! Get down from there!" Abigail stood before the betting table and tried to calm the crowd and keep things orderly. She hadn't expected the situation to escalate like this.
At that moment, a crowd of hundreds had gathered around the table. It was packed tight with people, leaving no room for movement.
Luckily, the crowd stayed composed and refrained from causing trouble or getting rowdy. But if they had misbehaved, Abigail would have had to step in and assert her authority.
Indeed, the Mystic Arts Order's formidable reputation loomed over the crowd like a dark cloud. Those even considering causing trouble in their presence were flirting with danger.
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Everyone knew that the Mystic Arts Order was the last sect anyone would want to mess with among the three major sects.
Crossing them meant risking their life, and there was no telling how they would meet their end.
Five minutes later, the fifth round began.
Most gamblers had already placed their bets, with only a few stragglers left.
Abigail even extended the tby two minutes to accommodate them. She hoped to attract more gamblers.
"Dustin, why aren't you betting? This is a golden opportunity to win scelestial stones." After returning to his seat, Miles was curious about Dustin's lack of participation.
"| prefer to gamble for fun. Taking it too seriously can lead to trouble. It's all about enjoying the game," Dustin replied with a casual smile.
"You're way too laid-back. Life's not just about chilling out. Sometimes, you must dive in, stir things up, and keep it exciting. Otherwise, it's just dull." Miles chuckled.
"He's right. Passing up such an easy celestial stone-earning opportunity? | can't understand what's going on in your head." Ruby shook her head, eyeing Dustin as though he were a fool.
Dustin simply smiled and said nothing.
"Easy earning opportunity? Let's not count our eggs before they hatch. Whether Number 13 wins this match is still up in the air," Crystal interjected, offering Ruby a reality check.
Just like Dustin, she didn't place any bets either. She opted out of it, partly due to the hassle of dealing with the crowd and partly due to a nagging sense that something was off.
The smooth sailing of events troubled her.
Typically, the bookie would cut their losses and minimize risks when faced with a losing streak like this. But the Mystic Arts Order acted differently. They remained friendly, even offering loans to gamblers.
The fact that they were willing to lend celestial stones, even to those without any, struck her as peculiar.
After all, the Mystic Arts Order wasn't known for acts of charity. This behavior only heightened her suspicions.
"Crystal, we've seen Brandon's strength. Even | might have trouble facing him, let alone sunknown underdog. | believe he could secure victory in just ten moves," Miles asserted confidently.
"You're just too skeptical. If everyone's betting on Brandon, it means he's strong and likely to win. Don't you think our collective judgment outweighs yours?" Ruby shrugged, seemingly unperturbed.
"I'm not saying Brandon isn't good, but there's always someone better. Until the fight ends, nobody can guarantee he will win," Crystal replied.
"Don't worry, Crystal. This time, everything will be fine. Look at us. We've been on a winning streak for several rounds," Ruby reassured.
"I'm just reminding you to know when to quit while you're ahead," Crystal sighed helplessly.
After this round, we'll call it quits once we win another,Miles chimed in confidently
"Well, I hope you can keep winning" Crystal said and shook her head .
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The two beside her were completely obsessed with winning, and no amount of persuasion could sway them.
Brandon stood ready on the first battle ring, confidently assuming his stance. Across from him, his opponent was armed with a long sword.
His opponent had an average physique and an unremarkable appearance, but a glint of cold determination shone in his eyes.
"Who are you? State your name." Brandon's spear held at an imposing angle toward his opponent.
"I'm Carter Lane from Northland," the man responded impassively.
"Carter Lane from Northland? I've never heard of you before," he said arrogantly, "You're no match for me. Surrender now, or you'll lose more than just the fight." "Really? Let's see if you've got what it takes." Carter remained unfazed.
"I'm giving you a chance. Don't underestimate me. Once | make my move, you'll regret it." Brandon narrowed his eyes.
"Heh... Then, I'll show you what I'm capable of." Carter smirked as he slowly drew his sword.
"Hmph! Stubborn fool! Don't blme if | have to get rough!" Brandon growled and thrust his spear forward.
His attack was fast, like a bolt of lightning, packing a powerful punch.
AN UNDERSTATED DOMINANCE (Dustin Rhys
Chapter 2202
AN UNDERSTATED DOMINANCE (Dustin Rhys
Chapter 2203
Everyone was stunned as they watched Brandon suddenly collapse to the ground. Their eyes widened in disbelief, and their mouths hung agape.
Nobody had anticipated Brandon, a renowned talent of the Celestial Alliance's top ten, to be defeated by an unknown opponent.
With his reputation, he should have been dominating Group C. They couldn't understand how he could be defeated so quickly.
The spectators began questioning Brandon's ability and wondered if Carter was stronger than him.
"It's over! We're screwed!" "Dammit! What's Brandon doing? How can he lose to a nobody? What a useless bastard!" "The top ten talents of the Celestial Alliance? Bullshit!" "Fuck you, Brandon! You've really messedup this time!" "Shit! I've lost all my celestial stones!" After a moment of silence, the venue erupted into a chorus of sorrowful cries and frustrated curses.
Brandon's defeat dealt a heavy blow to the gamblers who had placed their bets earlier. They faced devastating losses, not just forfeiting their winnings but also their initial bets.
Shad gone as far as taking loans. They were expecting a windfall, only to end up losing everything.
"How could this happen?" Ruby's eyes widened in disbelief.
She struggled to cto terms with the outcome. Plus, she had wagered her entire fortune on the bet. Such a turn of events was beyond her imagination.
"No... it can't be! It was supposed to be a sure win! > Brandon lose?" Miles was devastated. His face paled, and his fingers trembled.
In the previous rounds, he had held back and refrained from betting everything due to his lack of confidence in winning.
But this time, his certainty in Brandon's victory led him to wager all his celestial stones, only to face bitter disappointment.
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For a moment, he struggled to accept reality.
"Miles, didn't you say earlier that we'd win? What do we do now?" Ruby was devastated.
After all, high hopes often led to big letdowns. Brandon's loss had dragged her from cloud nine to rock bottom.
"I..." Miles was rendered speechless by the question. He wondered what else they could do now.
They had already lost, so they could only chalk it up to bad luck.
They couldn't imagine snatching the celestial stones from the Mystic Arts Order. Who would dare to provoke them? What if they failed to retrieve the stones and ended up losing their lives? With Brandon unable to continue, the referee promptly declared the match's result, "This round winner is contestant number 54, Carter Lane!" In an instant, the arena echoed with a chorus of curses.
Brandon endured a barrage of curses and insults that even involved his family. Even the Celestial Alliance's reputation took a major hit.
After all, for Brandon, ranked among the top ten in the Celestial Alliance, to be defeated by an unknown newcomer was undeniably humiliating.
"Too bad. You were so close to winning." Abigail shook her head, feigning regret while inwardly feeling overjoyed.
This round, she recovered her initial investment and emptied the gamblers' pockets. She had quite a lucrative outcome.
"Sir! You said we'd win, so why did things turn out like this?" one person turned accusingly to the man in gray.
"Yeah! | bet everything | had, and now it's all gone. What am | supposed to do?" "It's all your fault! If you hadn't given us such a terrible choice, we wouldn't be in this mess!" "That's right! You must compensate us for our losses today!" The gamblers grew more agitated and directed their anger toward the man in gray.
"Are you blaming me? Did | force you to go all in?" the man in gray retorted.
He continued, "You were smiling when you were winning. But now that you've lost, you're pointing fingers at me? That's stwisted logic.
"Besides, | never promised a guaranteed win. You were greedy enough to follow my lead. And don't think you're the only one who lost. I've also lost everything!" His words silenced the accusations around him.
Though they struggled to accept it, the man in gray was right. After all, he hadn't forced them to follow him. If they lost, they couldn't point fingers anywhere but at themselves.
"Damn it! What a bunch of backstabbers! I'm done playing with you all!" After his outburst, the man in gray stormed off.
The gamblers exchanged confused looks and sighs.
But nobody noticed that when the man in gray left, he glanced at Carter in the ring.
"So, that's the plan, huh? Pretty slick," Dustin muttered with a smirk.
Earlier, he couldn't quite decipher Abigail's strategy og pares she magaged tetlith losses into wind Blt now, he finally understood her plan. She had it all planned out. Even before the betting began, she had everything prepared.
First, she arranged for her people to be in Group C. These individuals deliberately hid their true abilities while waiting for the right moment to act.
Then, Abigail arranged a guiding beacon, the man in gray. She bolstered the man's reputation through a series of consecutive wins.
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Then, she orchestrated him to entice the gamblers into mindlessly following his lead in betting.
When the man in gray gained enough popularity and credibility with his words, it would signal the tto spring the trap.
In simple terms, the betting pool was just a meticulously designed schfrom start to finish.
Whether it was the man in gray or the recently victorious Carter, they were both pawns in Abigail's game. The outchinged on her manipulation.
Her confidence stemmed from her control over the situation. She wasn't worried about the gamblers winning the bet.
Instead, she knew that manipulating the outcof a single gcould easily help her recoup her investment.
Essentially, all the present gamblers were her harvested crops. The timing of her actions depended entirely on her preferences.
"One failure means nothing. Con, everyone, keep betting. You'll win it back sooner or later," Abigail shouted and continued to entice more bets.
With plenty of spectators present, she could harvest one batch of crops now and another later.
She knew the gamblers would refuse to accept defeat and try to recon their losses, Even if they were penniless they could still borrow money. This fact made them valuable targets for Abigail to exploit.
"Crystal, you still have scelestial stones, right? Lendsome, and,I'll pay you back as soon as I win .Suddenly ,Miles turned to Crystal beside him. His eyes were brimming with eagerness. She could tell he had becaddicted to gambling.
AN UNDERSTATED DOMINANCE (Dustin Rhys
Chapter 2204
AN UNDERSTATED DOMINANCE (Dustin Rhys
Chapter 2205
Crystal frowned as she met Miles's intense gaze. "Miles, you should call it quits. If you continue to gamble, it'll only lead you deeper into trouble." Gamblers often found themselves trapped in a cycle of addiction, and they were never content with their winnings.
Their insatiable desire for more drove them to risk everything. Hence, it often led them to stray from the right path.
At that moment, he appeared to be showing signs of addiction. If left unchecked, it could lead to disaster.
"Just one more bet, Crystal. | promise. If | win this time, I'll quit for good," Miles pleaded earnestly.
"Yes, I'm with him. I've even wagered my sword. | need to win it back," Ruby chimed in.
Their hopeful eyes bore into Crystal's.
"Have you considered the consequences if you lose?" she countered.
"It won't happen, | swear. I'll be cautious this tand only bet when I'm confident. | won't lose again," Miles assured.
"Yeah, we were led astray before. If we had trusted our instincts, we'd be winning by now," Ruby added.
"Don't you get it? Gambling never ends well. If you keep going, it'll only end badly," Crystal said sternly.
"Crystal, just one more try. If we break even, we'll quit for good! | promise," Miles pleaded.
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"You've got plenty of celestial stones. Just lend us some. We'll pay you back if we win," Ruby added.
"Why are you so stubborn? Can't you see what's at stake here?" Crystal scolded.
"Crystal, you've seen how many times we've won before. What happened earlier was just bad luck. If you lend us scelestial stones, I'm sure we can turn things around!" Miles insisted.
"| just want to get our swords back. Please, give us one more shot?" Ruby pleaded.
"I'll get your swords back, but | won't lend you any celestial stones for gambling," Crystal stated firmly.
Upon hearing that, Miles and Ruby exchanged a helpless glance. They knew Crystal's resolve and that lending celestial stones was off the table.
Despite their significant losses, they couldn't bring themselves to give up. They still hoped to recover the celestial stones they had lost in the bet. Unfortunately, they had depleted their funds.
Ignoring their pained expressions, Crystal approached the betting table and redeemed the swords they had wagered.
Here are your swords. No more gambling." She tossed the swords back to Miles and Ruby.
A heavy sigh escaped from them as they looked at their swords. It wasn't happiness they felt but rather a profound sense of melancholy and regret.
The harsh reality was that the celestial stones lost in their bets were irretrievable.
"Don't be disheartened. Crystal is right. If you keep gambling, you'll only dig yourselves into a deeper hole," Dalen chimed in unexpectedly.
"You've already racked up a bunch of celestial stones. Obviously, you can afford to walk away. But we haven't gained anything," Ruby retorted sharply.
"You see, Mr. Shade knows when to walk away. But you? You win once, and suddenly, you're hungry for more.
How do you expect not to lose? Your insatiable greed is what's blinding you in the end!" Crystal scolded.
Miles and Ruby exchanged a glance and opted to stay silent.
Abigail's gambling schcontinued. With her enthusiastic urging, another batch of new gamblers joined in.
And so, the cycle began again.
First, she would allow the gamblers to win a few rounds. Then, she would let them savor success and gradually get addicted. Then, by manipulating the outcomes, she would reclaim everything.
Only a few could win the celestial stones, while the remaining ended up as her harvested crop.
Even after their losses, the gamblers hoped that luck could still be on their side. One defeat didn't dampen their optimism. They remained determined to keep going, fueled by the chance of a win.
This downward spiral led them deeper into the abyss of addiction, leaving them unable to break free in the end.
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Abigail keenly understood the gamblers’ mindset, which kept her composed. She knew that addicted gamblers rarely knew when to quit, and the greedy ones often ended up losing everything. At sunset, the first day's battle tournament ended.
There were many potential talents in Group C. As soon as the matches ended, these individuals becprtargets for numerous major sects.
Offers of tempting promises, generous rewards, and attempts to recruit them flooded in.
Major sects found it easier to retain disciples due to their abundant resources. However, smaller sects faced a different challenge.
With better prospects and resources, major sects enticed talent away with promises of lucrative rewards.
In contrast, Abigail, representing the Mystic Arts Order, wasn't interested in recruiting talent. Her focus was on treasures and alchemical secrets.
After a day of betting, she amassed several batches of profit and was pleased with her earnings.
"Alright, everyone, today's matches and bets are over. Let's reconvene tomorrow. Remember, the more rare treasures you prepare, the greater your potential earnings!" Abigail directed her subordinates to gather the treasures. Despite using up a crate of celestial stones, the treasures she obtained were worth ten times that amount.
After collecting them, Abigail warmly invited Dustin and his companions to dinner.
It was tto celebrate her big haul!
AN UNDERSTATED DOMINANCE (Dustin Rhys
Chapter 2206
Under the night sky of Sacred Wrym Summit, Abigail, well-heeled and in high spirits, had booked the second floor of Heighten Tavern for a celebratory feast.
The attendees were Dustin and his companions.
After all, making a fortune through unscrupulous means wasn't that honorable. So, it was crucial to keep a low profile.
"Sir, I'm in a great mood today. We're not leaving until we're all plastered!" Abigail poured the wine and clinked glasses with Dustin before downing it in one gulp.
He smiled in response and took a sip.
"Con, everyone. Dig in and enjoy! Don't be shy about it." She warmly encouraged Crystal and the others after downing her drink.
Dalen smiled and asked, "Ms. Robinson, that smile of yours tells a story. I bet today was a profitable day, right?" "Just a small haul and nothing too extravagant," she replied modestly.
"Ms. Robinson, it seems luck is always on your side. You always manage to turn the tide at the critical moment," Crystal remarked. Her tone seemed to suggest something.
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"Luck has nothing to do with it. It's all about my ability to turn the tide with my smarts." Abigail tapped her temple with her finger.
She continued, "I've strategically positioned several elites among the Group C contestants. Whenever they take the stage, I have complete control over the outcome. I determine the winners and losers, which givesan unbeatable edge." Crystal was taken aback upon hearing that. She had noticed a few clues throughout the day but wasn't sure about her assumptions.
However, she never anticipated Abigail's blunt admission. It even led her to question if she had misheard. Miles and Ruby exchanged incredulous glances and were equally taken aback.
They believed winning and losing in the bet depended solely on intuition and luck. However, Abigail's revelation completely shattered that belief.
"M-Ms. Robinson, are you telling us you manipulated today's betting pool?" Miles asked tentatively.
"Not every game, but I did manipulate the outcome. Even so, it's enough forto gain the upper hand," Abigail replied.
But... aren't you deceiving us?" Ruby asked and sprang to her feet.
After all, she was also one of the victims.
Abigail smiled ambiguously and said, "Deceiving? I don't see it that way. I'm just using my smarts to make smoney. What's wrong with that?" She continued, "And let's face it, if those gamblers weren't so greedy, they wouldn't have ended up as losers. "Crystal also made a nice haul of celestial stones. You would've won a lot if you had listened to her advice earlier." "You-" Ruby was about to say something, but Crystal interjected, "Ms. Robinson is right. Being too greedy never ends well.
"If you know when to stop, you won't lose everything. Today, Ms. Robinson has taught you both an important lesson, so you should thank her." "Of course, it's Crystal who'd understand," Abigail remarked with a faint smile.
She added, "I'm only being upfront because you're Sir's friends. Otherwise, I wouldn't even bring it up." Miles and Ruby exchanged a glance of resignation. Despite their annoyance, they knew they had to acknowledge the reality before them.
They blamed themselves for lacking the sharpness to detect the deception and yielding to greed. Perhaps the result could have been different if they had been more perceptive.
Abigail suddenly asked, "Oh, by the way, are you Group B contestants?" "Yes. Why?" Miles nodded.
"Group B contestants, huh? That's great. It just so happens I could use your help," she said.
Then, she took out several bags of celestial stones and placed them on the table. "I'll be running betting pools for the tournament, but I'm a bit short on staffing for the acting part.
"If you can pitch in, I'll reward you generously. These celestial stones are the down payment. Once everything's settled, I'll give you more." "Um..." The group couldn't help but look at each other upon hearing that. They hadn't expected Abigail to make such a request.
"Isn't this match-fixing? We're disciples of major sects, after all. How could we stoop to such a level?" Ruby frowned and rejected the idea.
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"Ms. Robinson, if we're caught, it won't just be our reputation on the line. The entire standing of our sect will suffer. That's a risk we simply for That's can't afford to take." Miles shook his head. "If you feel like these celestial stones aren't enough, we can always negotiate," Abigail offered with a smile.
Miles couldn't help but feel tempted by the offer. He knew he wasn't m among the top contenders in the the Combat Tournament, so the outcome-whether he won or lost-didn't trouble him much. Yet, the prospect of accumulating a bunch of celestial stones in just a few matches was too enticing to ignore.
As a member of the Sword Union, he felt obligated to uphold the sect's honor, which prevented him from taking any action that might tarnish it.
"Ms. Robinson, we appreciate the offer. But as the Sword Union disciples, we can't compromise our sect's integrity. I hope you understand," Crystal declined politely.
Celestial stones were valuable, but not at the expense of their integrity.
"Don't sweat it if you're not interested in my offer. Integrity matters more than anything else. you Îź evelife change your mind, just givea shout. There's no rush." Abigail smiled warmly and left it at that. As they chatted, a loud shout echoed from outside the tavern.
"Troublemaker! Cout and face the music!" The booming voice reverberated out of nowhere.
Abigail's smiling expression couldn't conceal the icy glint in her eyes.
AN UNDERSTATED DOMINANCE (Dustin Rhys
Chapter 2207
"Troublemaker! | know you're in there, so cout and face the music!" The loud shout echoed through the tavern again. It sent waves of unease rippling through the patrons.
Miles and the others instinctively turned their gaze toward Abigail.
To them, she was the only one who fit the bill of a troublemaker. But who would dare to be so bold as to challenge the Grand Sorceress of the Mystic Arts Order so openly? "Everyone, please continue enjoying your meal. I'll take care of this." Abigail smiled as she dabbed her mouth with a napkin. Then, she rose from her seat and descended the stairs.
Miles and the others exchanged glances and hurried to the window to see what was happening outside.
On the street, a burly man surrounded by a gang of 20 to 30 men was shouting threats. They wielded their weapons menacingly as if they were ready for action.
"Hey, doesn't that man look familiar?" Ruby arched her eyebrow as she recognized the burly man. She had seen him at the Combat Tournament, but his nmomentarily escaped her.
"It's Luke Harding from Frostzard Manor!" Miles chimed in.
"You're right! It's him!" Ruby nodded. "This punk caused a scene at the Combat Tournament earlier, and Caleb blasted him with Stormcraft magic until he was a mess. | didn't expect him to recover so quickly. He's quite resilient." "Luke's got the skills, but he's not the brightest bulb," Dalen remarked.
He unfolded his fan and said casually, "Caleb spared his life back at Sacred Wrym Summit, but now he's out looking for trouble again." "People like him, sheltered from reality, have no idea how dangerous the Mystic Arts Order can be." Crystal shook her head in disbelief. She shared Dalen's view on Luke's futile provocation.
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"Frostzard Manor is a major sect. By looking at the group of men that Luke's brought along, I'm worried that Ms.
Abigail might be outnumbered." Ruby observed the situation from above.
She noticed that the men accompanying Luke were elites. Despite Abigail's status as the Grand Sorceress of the Mystic Arts Order, Ruby couldn't help but worry about her confronting them alone.
"Ruby, don't underestimate them. Regular martial artists might fret over being outnumbered, but not the Mystic Arts Order. Think about it—what's their specialty?" Miles hinted.
"Witchcraft and parasitic poison?" Ruby quickly caught on.
"Exactly!" Miles nodded.
He went on, "Let's not talk about witchcraft and those dark arts. We haven't encountered anything like that. But just the parasitic poison alone is terrifying enough to make the top martial artists quake in their boots! "Given the size of the crowd at Frostzard Manor, if Ms. Robinson were to use her parasitic poison, she could incapacitate them effortlessly." "Is the poison really that deadly?" Ruby asked skeptically.
"More than deadly—it's downright unpredictable!" Miles shuddered.
He added, "Do you know how many elites from the martial world have fallen victim to parasitic poison? "It can kill its victim without leaving a trace. Plus, its eerie menace has haunted countless martial artists’ nightmares.
"The Mystic Arts Order has many enemies, yet no faction dares to pick a fight with them. That's because the terror of parasitic poison has deeply ingrained itself in everyone's minds.
"Even our sect would avoid confrontation unless provoked by profound animosity." The Mystic Arts Order thrived in outnumbered scenarios and employed various unorthodox tactics. Those who provoked their disciples would meet their end without understanding how it happened.
"So, Luke and his gang are walking into a hornet's nest?" Ruby raised an eyebrow.
She asked, "Are they really that oblivious? They're still eager for a fight despite knowing the risks of crossing paths with the Mystic Arts Order?" "We'll see soon enough," Miles remarked as he glanced out the window.
At that moment, Abigail confidently stepped outside the tavern's entrance.
"Troublemaker! So, you're here!" Luke angrily brandished his sword at her.
"It seems like you haven't learned your lesson from this morning. And you dare to swagger in front of me? Aren't you afraid of the consequences?" Abigail smiled, but her eyes betrayed a chilling coldness.
"Hmph! We'll see who's left standing in the end," Luke sneered.
Then, he shouted, "The men behindare martial arts experts I've paid handsomely. You might be tough, but you can't take us all on alone!" "Martial arts experts?" Abigail scoffed as she scanned the group. "A bunch of amateurs think they're experts? This is freaking hilarious!" "Outrageous!" "How dare you!" "This is absurd!" Abigail's words sparked anger among the martial arts experts, who began to curse her behavior. After all, these martial arts experts were prominent figures in the martial world.
Luke had invited them to join forces in defeating her. Their mission was fueled by the belief in wiping out evil and safeguarding the people.
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Yet, they never imagined Abigail would be so bold as to disregard them.
"Hey, troublemaker! Don't you dare get ahead of yourself! We're all geared up for this. Regardless of your skill, you won't throw us off track!" Luke's voice boomed.
Really? Then, bring it on. Let's see just how tough you are. I'm curious how many lives you think you've got to throw around .Abigail looked at them disdainfully and beckoned them with her finger.
Hey Luke, she's just a kid. There's no need for all the other big shots to jump in. With just in.With just two we'll have her tied up in no time." The Bovens brothers—twin siblings—volunteered for the showdown. "I've heard you two have been experimenting with poisons for years and have built up immunity to all sorts of toxins?" Luke asked.
"You're right!" The twins nodded in unison.
Then, one of the twins added, "Yeah, we might not have man talents but we're the go to guy for poisons .So dealing with this troublemaker should : [1 be a walk in the park for us." "Great! You two take the lead, and let's capture this troublemaker together." Luke's face lit up with determination.
The Mystic Arts Order's most dreaded weapon was their mystic poison.
Coincidentally, the Bovens brothers were immune to all poisons and utterly fearless. Hence, they were the perfect counter to Abigail's technique.
AN UNDERSTATED DOMINANCE (Dustin Rhys
Chapter 2208
"Don't worry, Luke. Since you hired us, consider your troubles taken care of. We're here to help," one of the Bovens twins reassured him.
"That's right. You just sit back and watch how we deal with this troublemaker," the other chimed in.
The twins bantered back and forth confidently as if victory was already in their bag.
Luke glared at Abigail and shouted, "Hey, troublemaker! Did you hear that? If you're wise, surrender now. Otherwise, today will be your last." "Enough with the chatter. Let's get this over with. I've got dinner waiting upstairs," she retorted impatiently.
"Arrogant fool!" "Get ready to face our wrath!" Enraged by her words, the twins quickly grabbed their weapons and charged forward.
Their choice of weapons was rather peculiar. One brandished a spear, while the other wielded an iron abacus. The iron abacus beads were released with a flick of the wrist. They shot out like hidden weapons as it rained down on Abigail.
Simultaneously, the spear lunged forward like a charging lance aimed directly at her.
Their coordination was flawless as they hid their deadly intent.
First, they used the barrage of abacus beads for distraction. Then, it was swiftly followed up with the spear for the finishing blow.
For an ordinary martial artist, countering such a tactic would be next to impossible.
But Abigail was far from ordinary. As the Grand Sorceress of the Mystic Arts Order, ranked second on the Legendary List, she didn't even bat an eye at the Bovens brothers' attack.
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"Is this the best you can do?" She snorted contemptuously and raised her hand.
A surge of internal energy exploded like a crashing wave and scattered the incoming abacus beads in all directions. It sounded like hailstones were pelting the surroundings.
"Go to hell!" Taking advantage of Abigail's momentary distraction, the elder Bovens brother lunged forward with his spear aimed at Abigail's chest.
Yet, she remained unfazed. She effortlessly intercepted the spear midair with two fingers.
His eyes widened in disbelief, and he was shocked at what had happened. He couldn't believe their meticulously trained killing technique had been effortlessly thwarted.
"Is that the best you can do?" Abigail's eyes glinted with deadly intent.
"You've walked right into our trap, troublemaker!" The elder Bovens brother's grin turned sinister as he swiftly triggered a hidden mechanism on the spear.
Suddenly, a Frost Needle shot out from the spear's tip.
The Frost Needle was among the top ten hidden weapons. It was crafted to pierce through protection armor energy and had a freezing effect.
Once it struck a vital point, it spelled doom regardless of how advanced one's cultivation was.
This Frost Needle was the Bovens brothers' last resort. They kept it as a last line of defense.
When he sensed the imminent threat of death, the elder Bovens brother decided it was tto unleash it.
At such close range, he knew it was impossible to evade it. "Hmph! Let's see you survive this!" Just when the Bovens brothers believed victory was assured, Abigail surprised them by clamping down on the Frost Needle with her teeth.
"What? How is this possible?" The twins' faces paled in shock.
Before they could react, she took a deep breath and forcefully spat out the needle. It pierced straight through the elder Bovens brother's throat.
"Ugh..." The elder Bovens brother's eyes widened in disbelief as he stood frozen in place. His entire body was immediately enveloped in ice and transformed into a frozen statue within moments.
Then, he toppled backward and broke into countless pieces. There was nothing left but fragments scattered across the ground.
"No!" Watching his brother's shattered remains strewn across the ground, the younger Bovens brother was filled with shock and fury.
He thought they had everything under control. But he never expected their attempt at a sneak attack would claim one of their lives.
"How dare you kill my brother? I'll make you pay!" the younger Bovens brother snarled.
With fury blazing in his eyes, he swung his iron abacus fiercely. All the beads were unleashed, and a relentless barrage was aimed straight at Abigail.
She stood motionless and raised her hand before swiftly sweeping her sleeve.
Suddenly, a surge of her grandmaster's internal energy exploded. It propelled the abacus beads backward with tremendous force.
The beads, like bullets discharged from a firearm, pierced through the younger Bovens brother's body. His body was riddled with gaping wounds.
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After spitting out a mouthful of blood, he collapsed onto the ground and drew his last breath.
The whole fight lasted only three moves.
"Dead... he's dead?" The sight of the two mangled bodies on the ground left everyone stunned.
They thought Abigail was just skilled with poison, and the supposedlym immune-to-poison Bovens brothers were her perfect counter. But no one expected that the twins would die so easily, with no chance to put up a fight.
It was clear the two sides were simply not on the slevel.
"The Bovens brothers?" Luke spat on the ground in disgust. "Those guys were a joke!" He thought the twins were tough but couldn't even last three moves against Abigail. How pathetic.
"Who else is itching for a one-way ticket to hell?" Abigail stood in m silence. Nengaze pierced the group with a bone-chilling coldness. In the past, she would have skipped the small talk and gone on a rampage. But now, she was at Sacred Wrym Summit.
In the days ahead, she had to run her betting pool. She knew too much bloodshed would damper her profits.
I That was why she hesitated to escalate things too far. Regrettably, while she might show sleniency, others might not be as willing to relent.
"Let us take you down!" At that moment, four members of the Greenfield Gang stepped forward behind Luke.
They were varied in height and build but exuded an air of dominance as a group.
"The Greenfield Gang? I've never heard of you." Abigail scoffed.
She added, "Why don't you all cat once? Don't waste my time. I've got places to be."
AN UNDERSTATED DOMINANCE (Dustin Rhys
Chapter 2209
"You're overestimating your abilities!" Abigail sneered as she watched Luke and his group charging at her. Without a second thought, she whipped out a fist-sized iron orb and hurled it their way.
The orb belonged to the Dawson Clan's collection of eight hidden weapons, known as the Phantom Blooms. There were 888 poisoned needles packed inside the iron orb. Each needle could penetrate an energy armor. Should any martial artist below the grandmaster level be struck by these poisoned needles, they would instantly be immobilized.
When the Dawson Clan lost their bet, Abigail acquired this weapon. Finally, she had the opportunity to put it to use.
The moment the Phantom Blooms orb was thrown, it emitted a faint hum. It signaled the activation of its mechanisms.
In an instant, the 888 poisoned needles were primed and poised for release.
"Hah! Do you think a puny hidden weapon can harm us? Dream on!" When Abigail threw the iron orb, Luke didn't hesitate and raised his sword to jab it. Upon impact, the orb erupted, and countless poisoned needles were released.
The needles shot out like an arrow as they scattered in all directions.
"Watch out!" someone shouted, but it was too late.
The activated poisoned needles of the Phantom Blooms transformed the surrounding area into a deadly zone spanning a radius of 30 feet.
Luke, leading the charge, bore the brunt of the attack. He had reacted swiftly and activated his energy armor for protection, but it was futile.
Follow on mediaurdu.blogspot.comUnbeknownst to him, the poisoned needles were designed to breach even such defenses.
Ssuccumbed instantly, while others lay wounded.
Luke was pierced by a barrage of needles, with over 100 needles penetrating his body. Behind him, the other experts suffered similar fates.
The power of the Phantom Blooms proved devastating as it caught them completely off guard.
Despite their knowledge of the Mystic Arts Order's mastery of poisons, they never imagined Abigail possessed the Dawson Clan's hidden weapons.
This lack of preparation made them vulnerable and turned them into easy prey.
Those with greater resilience managed to shield their vital points with weapons and thus narrowly escape death. Meanwhile, the weaker ones succumbed instantly to the onslaught.
In just one encounter, over 20 bodies were strewn across the ground.
The air echoed with the sounds of agony and curses as the wounded writhed in pain.
"The Dawson Clan's Phantom Blooms truly live up to their reputation. They're devastatingly effective," Abigail remarked.
She smirked as she surveyed the casualties around her.
Her choice to employ the Phantom Blooms had been spontaneous since it was driven by a desire to gauge its effectiveness. However, the results surpassed her expectations.
She had incapacitated more than 20 martial artists with a single activation of the Phantom Blooms. It proved that it was a formidable weapon for mass destruction.
Abigail knew she would be undefeatable in a fight if she had a few more Phantom Blooms.
"Holy cow! What just happened down there? Why did everyone collapse so suddenly?" Ruby exclaimed.
Her eyes were wide with astonishment as she peered through the window from the second floor. Everything had happened so quickly that she couldn't process it. All she saw was Abigail throwing something dark, and then Luke and his group were writhing in agony on the ground.
"It's the Dawson Clan's Phantom Blooms-one of their deadliest hidden weapons," Miles explained. "It's incredibly powerful and designed to pierce through energy armor. Anyone below the level of a grandmaster would struggle to defend against it." Though he had heard of the Phantom Blooms before, witnessing its devastation firsthand made him realize its terrifying potential.
Previously, he had regarded the Dawson Clan's claims with skepticism. He even dismissed them as mere boasting with a touch of exaggeration.
However, witnessing the devastating power of the Phantom Blooms firsthand made him realize the true extent of the threat posed by these hidden weapons.
"The Dawson Clan's Phantom Blooms? That's terrifying," Ruby murmured as she felt a shiver run down her spine. She might not have lived to tell the tale if she had been the one down there.
"While the Phantom Blooms are formidable, their range is limited to about 100 feet," Dalen explained.
Follow on mediaurdu.blogspot.comHe narrowed his eyes and continued, "Within that range, they're lethal, but er their power diminishes gignificantly beyond it Additionally, they're equipped with a delayed release mechanism to avoid unintended harm. "So, defending against them is relatively straightforward. Either flee swiftly or find solid cover for protection. "While the Phantom Blooms can pierce through energy armor, their penetration power isn't formidable. Rocks, steel-anything sturdy can weaken or even block the poisoned needles.
"In essence, it's a matter of running or hiding. And if you are a grandmaster martial artist, you can simply ignore them.
"The poisoned needles can pierce energy armor but can't penetrate a grandmaster's internal energy. In the end, hidden weapons are merely decorative if you're strong enough." While the Dawson Clan's hidden weapons proved effective, they cwith their own set of drawbacks.
Firstly, crafting such potent weapons required rare materials and intricate manufacturing processes, making mass production impractical. Moreover, only a select few elite disciples could possess them. Secondly, the Phantom Blooms were a consumable item. Once deployed, they couldn't be reused.
Lastly, their effectiveness was limited to martial artists below the grandmaster level.
Most hidden weapons could be easily disregarded at the level of a grandmaster martial artist. While rare hidden weapons could harm them, they were exceedingly scarce and known to few.
"Despite their drawbacks, the Dawson Clan's hidden weapons Sare still formidable. It would be wise to exercise caution if we ever encounter them in the future," Crystal remarked solemnly. She even doubted her chances of survival within 100 feet of the Phantom Blooms.
Furthermore, the Dawson Clan's hidden weapons had no restrictions. Even an ordinary person could defeat a martial arts expert.
Decades of dedicated training couldn't compare to the deadly potential held by an average individual.
That was the true terror of the Dawson Clan..
AN UNDERSTATED DOMINANCE (Dustin Rhys
Chapter 2210
Outside the tavern, the martial arts experts led by Luke lay sprawled on the ground. Many were either dead or wounded.
Amidst the aftermath, only Abigail stood unscathed.
The effectiveness of the Phantom Blooms had surpassed her expectations. She even contemplated further trades with the Dawson Clan for additional hidden weapons.
After all, traded weapons often held unexpected surprises.
Luke, sprawling on the ground, struggled to speak. "Troublemaker! You... you're despicable!" His resilience was remarkable despite being pierced by countless poisoned needles.
"You're still alive?" Abigail raised an eyebrow and was surprised that he survived.
He was just three feet away when the Phantom Blooms unleashed its barrage of poisoned needles. At that range, he should have been gravely injured.
For anyone else, it would have likely been a fatal blow. Yet, despite his severe injuries and immobility, Luke displayed astonishing resilience.
"Without your cowardly ambush with hidden weapons, would you even stand a chance against me?" His tone dripped with bitterness and defiance.
"Even on death's doorstep, your defiance remains. I can't help but wonder what thoughts swirl in your stubborn head." Abigail approached and looked at him condescendingly.
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She added coldly, "In the past, you would have met your end by now. But today, I'm feeling generous. I'll offer you a chance. Kneel before me, beg for mercy, and perhaps I'll consider sparing your pathetic life. What do you say?" Luke spat in response, and the glob landed on her clothes. "Whether you aim to kill or maim, it's your call. But if I hesitate today, they won't seeas their hero anymore!" Abigail glanced at the spittle staining her clothes. She frowned briefly before regaining her composure. "If death is what you seek, then I'll grant it." With a flick of her wrist, a long sword on the ground shot up into the air and landed neatly in her hand. Then, she swung it and sliced him cleanly in two across his midsection.
"Listen up, troublemaker! Even in the afterlife, you won't escape my wrath!" Luke's final words were drowned out as he gasped his last breath.
He died with his eyes wide open and his face frozen in a grimace of rage.
Abigail dropped the sword and turned toward the survivors. Before she could speak, they fell to their knees and begged for mercy.
"Please, Grand Sorceress, have mercy!" "We were just doing it for the money. We have no vendetta against the Mystic Arts Order. Please, Grand Sorceress, spare us! We'll never cause trouble again!" Several survivors' bodies were battered, and their movements were sluggish from the poisoned needles.
With no strength left to resist, their only chance of survival was to beg for mercy. Otherwise, they could risk facing the sfate as Luke.
"You're not completely clueless." Abigail nodded in satisfaction. "Now get lost, and don't let catch you again." "Okay! We'll leave now!" They scrambled to their feet and bolted away.
Just when they thought they had cheated death, they felt a sudden wind swept over them.
Several people saw a mysterious figure clad in white soaring overhead. With a back flip, the figure landed squarely in their path.
Upon closer inspection, they were shocked that the figure in white blocking their path was the guardian of the Mystic Arts Order.
"How dare you attack the Grand Sorceress? Go to hell!" After the outburst, the guardian in white struck down with a powerful palm.
With a roar, the guardian's internal energy morphed into a dark phantom, which pounced ferociously toward the group with its teeth and claws bared.
"W-Wait! The Grand Sorceress has promised to spare us-" Before they could finish explaining, the dark phantom lunged forward and tore them apart with a single ferocious swipe. Limbs were torn asunder, scattering across the ground in a gruesdisplay.
The Mystic Arts Order's guardian wielded the might of a grandmaster, rendering the entry-level divine martial artists utterly helpless in the face of his powerful strike.
"Grand Sorceress, the pests have been dealt with." After taking care of the few remaining individuals, he immediately approached Abigail and bowed respectfully.
"Good job." She nodded approvingly. "Make sure this place gets cleaned up pronto. I don't want anything ruining my appetite." Grand Sorceress," the guardian replied with nod.
Abigail dusted off her clothes. With a subtle sense of awareness, she lifted her head to glance at Ruby and the others on the second floor with a slight smile.
However, to Ruby, that smile seemed unsettling.
After returning to the second floor, Abigail acted as if nothing had happened and maintained her cheerful demeanor.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. The issue has been dealt with. Let's.
with. Let's get back to drinking she poured herself a glass of wine and downed it in one gulp. The others exchanged glances and raised their glasses in response. But Ruby stood there and stared at Abigail with mixed emotions.
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"Ruby, what's with the look? Do you have something on your mind?" Abigail asked with a smile.
"Ms. Robinson, those people were already incapacitated and pleading for mercy. Why did you feel the need to be so ruthless?" Ruby frowned.
She found Abigail's brutality distasteful. Even her tone had turned noticeably colder toward Abigail.
"What's the matter? Do you think I went too far?" Abigail smiled faintly.
"Yes!" Ruby didn't hold back. "You had already won. Why did you kill them?"
"Have you considered what would have happened if I hadn't been strong enough? I was h? I was outnumbered today.
N What fate would have awaited if I hadn't fought back?" Abigail countered. "I-" Ruby was at a loss for words.
Luke sought vengeance for his father. If he had defeated Abigail, he would have surely killed her.
"Looks like you've got your answer." Abigail smiled faintly.
She continued, "Today, they were the ones trying to kill me. I was merely defending myself. What's wrong with that?
"Besides, do you truly believe they are righteous individuals? They're just mercenaries committing heinous naries earso aets like arson, murder, and robbery.
Letting them live would only invite trouble. "Killing them is actually doing society a favor, don't you agree?"
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