“Hey! Are you mute? I might have to give you a wake-up slap.” Dalen pretended to be mad, lifting his hand as if he were going to hit Pyro.
Terra stepped in, urging. “Dalen, let’s talk it out. Pyro has had enough. Look at his bloody face.”
“What’s the fuss about a bloody face? He brought it on himself!” Dalen pushed Terra aside, shouting, “If he doesn’t apologize to Dustin, I’ll break his legs!”
“Alright, that’s enough. Let’s stop this and grab a bite. We haven’t eaten yet,” Dustin interrupted, putting a stop to the commotion.
Although it was an act, Dalen respected Dustin and didn’t argue further. ”
Dustin, you’re generous. I appreciate that.”
Dalen nodded at Dustin. Then, Dalen glanced at Terra and the others, saying sternly, “The five of you, take a hike. Don’t ruin my chill time with Dustin!”
“Dalen, we were tasked this time to…” Terra paused in his words.
“I know what to do. You don’t have to remind me. Get lost!” Dalen shot a cold glance at Terra.
Terra was startled and refrained from saying anything. He quickly gestured for the others to leave.
As they exited the tavern, Aqua protested. “Terra! That bastard injured Pyro so badly. Shouldn’t we do something about it?”
Typically, only the Evil Quintet from the Shadow Citadel bullied others, and nobody dared to disrespect them like this.
If Dalen hadn’t stopped them just now, Aqua would have shown Dustin the power of his Heartrend Grip technique. Terra said calmly, “That youngster is surprisingly strong for his age. He’s got some impressive roots for sure.
“Let’s concentrate on the mission and avoid unnecessary problems. We can talk about this again after the Combat Tournament.”
Upon hearing this, the others just nodded. As Shadow Citadel disciples, they knew it was crucial to focus on their tasks. Worrying about revenge would be the least of their concerns since failing the mission meant losing their lives.
Back inside the Tipsy Tavern, Dalen apologized to Dustin, feeling embarrassed. “Sorry about their earlier behavior, Dustin. They’re a bit rough around the edges. I apologize on their behalf.”
“No worries, Mr. Shade. You did the right thing. If you hadn’t intervened in time, things might have taken a bloody turn today,” Dustin responded with a wry smile.
“Dustin, your martial skills are unparalleled. They wouldn’t stand a chance against you. Let’s consider this drink an apology,” Dalen said as he raised his glass and downed it in one go.
As the strong liquor went down, Dalen’s originally fair and exotic face quickly flushed with a rosy hue, making him look alluring. Dustin raised an eyebrow, feeling a strange sensation inside him.
Dalen’s complexion was even more appealing than a woman’s. His expressions and smiles were truly captivating. It was easy to be drawn in if a person was not careful.
“Dustin, if you’re participating in the Combat Tournament, keep an eye out for a few specific people,” Dalen added, getting straight to the point after finishing his drink.
“Oh? Who are they?” Dustin asked.
Dalen shared with a serious tone, “The Sacred Wyrm Summit is organizing the Combat Tournament, and this time there’s an age limit.
“Those over 40 can’t join, so we won’t be against experienced elites. Our main rivals will be those mentioned in the Legendary List.
“Those who make it to the Legendary List are not just super talented but incredibly strong. Each person on the list is considered a true genius. This year’s list is powerful, with individuals showing off exceptional skills.
“Take Jude, who’s number ten on the list. He’s a master of spear techniques and effortlessly defeated three martial artists from abroad who were grandmasters.
“Then, there’s Sam, ranked ninth. He’s from the Dawson Clan and is a super rare talent. He mastered all sorts of hidden weapons when he was only eight.
“By the time he hit 20, he was a grandmaster. He was awarded the Storm Needles, which can break through internal energy and take out grandmasters.
“And Kendricks, who’s at number eight, has some wild rumors about him. People say he’s a ruthless demon who doesn’t think twice about killing.
“When he entered the martial world, he single-handedly wiped out three major sects in the north and beheaded three grandmasters. He’s got quite a reputation.
“So, we’ve got to keep an eye on these three and be careful. I got word that they were seen near Sacred Wrym Summit, and it looks like they’re planning to participate in the Combat Tournament.”
