The following morning, Dustin was in a cozy, secluded villa. He sat on the bed with his legs crossed, focused on his training. When the sun rose, he slowly opened his eyes.
His martial arts cultivation was ascending at a breathtaking pace. He didn’t need to work hard and train, empowered by the Celestial Pearl.
The Celestial Pearl automatically helped him to absorb spiritual energy, constantly improving his powers. The better his natural talents, the more powerful the Celestial Pearl’s effects.
In less than a month, Dustin was close to becoming an ultimate grandmaster. He could break through to the next level anytime.
Still, he chose to be patient and focus on building a solid foundation. After all, he had half a year left before his decisive year-long agreement with Nestor ended.
Suddenly, his phone rang, and he retrieved it from beneath his pillow. Brooke’s voice on the other end sounded urgent. “Hey Dustin, I’ve run into some trouble. I need your help.”
Dustin asked in concern. “Is Mr. Shaffer in trouble?”
“No, it’s not about Mr. Shaffer,” Brooke clarified. “It’s about Mr. Welch Senior. Yesterday, he fell seriously ill out of the blue.
“The Welch family called in all the top doctors in South City, including me. We tried everything, but we can’t figure out what’s wrong.”
Dustin was surprised. “What kind of mysterious illness could stump you?”
To Dustin, Brooke should be able to handle complex illnesses. After all, Brooke could keep Cinna alive for the past decade.
“I suspect it might be some kind of witchcraft, but I’m unsure. It definitely doesn’t look like any ordinary illness,” Brooke whispered.
“Witchcraft? Are you sure?” Dustin arched an eyebrow. “I’m not entirely sure; it’s just a hunch. Given your expertise in the occult, I thought you could come and take a look.
“You mentioned needing Dragon Panax from the Welch family, right? If you can cure Mr. Welch Senior, getting the other herbs should be a breeze.”
“Alright, I’m on my way.” Dustin kept his response short and ended the call. Though he had secured Dragon Panax, he still needed the Iceheart Lotus and Emerald Corolla.
Dustin realized that saving Welch Senior’s life wasn’t just necessary for obtaining the herb he needed. It was also crucial for his long-term plans. If he allied with the Welch family, it could give him a strong foothold in Oakvale and help him achieve his goal.
Inside the Welch residence, Welch Senior lay on a bed, his appearance pale and frail. His lips were stained with blood. Thick ropes were tied tightly around him to restrain him during his hysteria. A group of doctors stood near the door, hesitant to get too close to Welch Senior.
Just half an hour ago, Welch Senior had undergone a startling transformation. He had displayed an unnatural burst of strength, injuring two bodyguards and biting off their ears before eating it.
His behavior was terrifying, leaving those who saw it deeply unsettled.
After a brief pause, Brooke cautiously approached the bed to check Welch Senior’s condition. He sighed in relief before swiftly exiting the room.
“Dr. Busch, how is my father? Is he okay?” Alistair Welch, the eldest son of the Welch family, asked. His wife, Joanne, his daughter, Eleanor, and several members of the Welch family looked at Brooke in expectation.
