An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

"Despicable?" Bran shook his head as he chuckled.

"Jackson, you're the lead disciple of the Embersteel Order. I'm really disappointed to hear you say

something like that." He was gratified to see Jackson deflated.

"Bran, you know the saying—first come, first served. We've staked our claim here. You should go

somewhere else." Sophia asserted.

It would become increasingly disadvantageous for her if more people found out about the treasures

beneath the lake.

If she couldn't outcompete them or was beaten to it, then all her efforts would be in vain.

"Oh? It's Sophia from Harmony Sect. It's been two years since we last met, and you've grown even

more beautiful." Bran grinned.

"Thank you for the compliment, Bran," Sophia replied with a faint smile.

"Bran, Harmony Sect discovered this place first. Can you let us have it?"

"Sophia, it's not that I don't want to, but this is a mission given to us by our sect. I have no choice."

Bran suddenly changed the subject, "But of course, if Harmony Sect is willing to befriend Frostwing

Sect and bestow you to me, I might consider making concessions."

Sophia frowned slightly at that but quickly regained her composure.

However, Jackson, who was standing beside her, grew angry and shouted, "Kingsley! What the hell do

you mean by that? Shove that disgusting attitude back up your ass! I swear I'll cut you into pieces!"

All the sects in Southwest knew that the Embersteel Order and Harmony Sect had formed a marriage

alliance and that Sophia was Jackson's fiancee.

Bran's words were a clear attempt to humiliate them.

"Cut me into pieces? Hahaha ..."

Bran sneered as he scrutinized Jackson, mocking, "Jackson, just look at your current state. Do you

really think you can win me in a fight?"

"Even if I'm injured, I can still deal with you easily!" Jackson was furious and brandished his sword,

ready to attack.

"Wait!" Sophia grabbed Jackson and held him back.

She commented calmly, "Jackson, they have strength in numbers. Rushing in like this would put you at

a disadvantage."

It would have been manageable if Jackson was only going against the Frostwing Sect. However, the

Drakes Dominion Order was also watching from the sidelines.

Although Jackson was strong, he couldn't possibly take down the elite disciples of two major sects

alone.

"That bastard is getting on my nerves!" Jackson gritted his teeth in indignation.

"Bran, get to the point. Don't waste your time with them," Yonah finally spoke up, his expression cold.

He was displeased that Bran couldn't get his priorities straight. How could he think about flirting when

they were so close to the treasures?

"Alright, calm down, Yonah. I'll go up and negotiate."

Bran smiled slightly as he walked up to Grace. "Ms. Linsor, since you're leading this team, we'd like to

negotiate a deal with you."

"Oh? What deal?" Grace was unperturbed.

"We're all here for treasure hunting, and there's no need for any unnecessary conflict between us. So,

why don't we cooperate and benefit together?" Bran suggested with a half-smile.

Grace didn't refuse outright and asked, "What do you have in mind?"

"It's simple. We have three factions here and can all work together to find the treasures. Once we

obtain them, we'll split them evenly among our three groups.

"No one loses out that way," Bran proposed with a smile.

In the past, he wouldn't have entertained such notions. However, considering Grace's sizable group

and the formidable Sandscale on their side, relying solely on force would be impractical.

The best solution was to collaborate.

"Split it evenly among our three groups?" Grace raised an eyebrow.

"So, one share for the Frostwing Sect, one for the Drakes Dominion Order, and another for me?"

"Yes, exactly." Bran nodded.

"What about the Embersteel Order and Harmony Sect?" Grace asked in return.

"Even if you combined both of their groups, they only make up a few people. What makes them

qualified to share the treasures?" Bran sneered in disdain, casting a provocative glance at Jackson.

"What the hell are you saying?"

Jackson glared at him and shouted, "Who do you think you are? What makes you think you can look

down on us?"

"I'm just stating facts," Bran said with a smirk.

"Look at the group of weaklings around you, what can they do? What makes you think you can

compete with us?"

"Go to hell! How dare you claim we are not good enough? Fight me if you have the guts!" Jackson

taunted.

"Shame on you. I’m not even interested in bothering with you at all."

Bran shook his head and then turned to Grace. "Ms. Linsor, what do you think?"

"I find it inappropriate."

Grace continued calmly, "If we're going to share, it should be a fair distribution among everyone. How

can we favor one side over the other?"

She saw through Bran's attempt to sow discord and divide their forces under the guise of cooperation.

However, those tactics wouldn't work on her.

"Ms. Linsor, it's the survival of the fittest. We're already making a significant concession by offering you

a share. We will absolutely not agree to give out another share!" Bran's expression grew solemn.

In a world where the strongest ruled, both the Embersteel Order and Harmony Sect were not worthy of

standing on equal footing with them. Bran refused to accept this outcome.

"If that's the case, then there’s no need for discussion," Grace flatly refused.

"What?" Bran frowned.

His expression turned dark as he said, "Ms. Linsor, you should know that the Frostwing Sect and the

Drakes Dominion Order are the top two sects in Southwest.

"If you become our ally, you stand to benefit. But if you choose to be our enemy, only death awaits you!

Consider the consequences yourself!"

In the end, Bran issued an open and blatant threat.