An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

Three Frost Needles streaked through the night sky, each carrying a biting cold as they targeted Dustin's upper, middle, and lower vital pressure points.

"Hmm?" Dustin frowned and immediately raised his sword to block.

The three needles struck the sword and instantly exploded into clouds of frost. Upon contact with the frost, the sword was immediately encased in ice.

Simultaneously, a biting cold followed the frozen blade, spreading rapidly along his arm. In the blink of an eye, his hand holding the sword was frozen solid.

"Frost Needle?" Dustin's face darkened as his mystical pure energy surged within him.

The icy mist around him quickly dissipated, and cracks formed on his frozen arm. With a shiver, the ice on his arm swiftly broke apart, reverting it to its normal state.

Fortunately, he managed to avoid a direct hit from the Frost Needle. If it had struck him, it would have significantly damaged his body's functions.

Despite his considerable strength, such an injury would have been severe. For someone less resilient, it could have been fatal or turned them into an ice sculpture.

It was evident that the assailant had intended to kill him.

Dustin shifted his focus away from the beastly Predator toward the direction of the voice.

On a nearby rooftop, a figure was sprinting toward Dustin. As the figure drew closer, he paused and leaped into the air gracefully, gliding like a bird before lightly landing 30 feet away from Dustin.

Dustin looked closely and saw an elderly man with white hair. The elderly man was slender and dressed in elegant attire. His eyes were sharp as a hawk and exuded an intimidating presence.

"Who are you?" Dustin asked coldly.

"I'm Acheron Wood, an elder of the Celestial Alliance," the elderly man with white hair replied. He stood proudly with his hands behind his back.

Wood?" Dustin's eyes

with the name. After all, Acheron was one of the top elders of the Celestial Alliance, ranking just below the

strength and influential background,

I didn't expect him to show

is great! With Elder Wood on our side, those assassins are as good as

strange about Elder Wood's actions. It doesn't seem like he's here

a flurry

it would be expected for the Celestial Alliance

of pursuing revenge, Acheron's decision to intervene and prevent Dustin from killing

ends here. Hand over this beast to me, and you can walk away," Acheron said in a commanding tone, his

him over? Why should I?" Dustin's face remained

Acheron frowned. "What? You

the martial world and an elder

a reason,"

because I'm an elder of the Celestial Alliance, I've got some power and influence. Let's face it, I'm stronger than you.

assert yourself," Dustin said with a faint smile,

hand over that beast to me. Otherwise, don't blame me for not being nice!" Acheron's

full of surprises. If they continued to delay, things would likely take a turn for the worse. And by that point, capturing the beast wouldn't be

really don't appreciate being threatened. If you had approached me differently, I might have been

at me, using sneak attacks with those Frost Needles. No matter what you say now, I'm not

staring death in the face!" Acheron said.

his sleeve. Then, three Frost Needles shoot out, aiming

raised his sword