An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2665

Chapter 2665

After leaving the strange bamboo forest, Grace and her group headed southeast in the direction pointed out by the old Taoist.

The deeper they walked, the thicker the fog became. The bamboo leaves no longer rustled pleasantly but instead fell into a heavy silence. The faint fragrance of bamboo was now mixed with a sweet, unsettling smell.

“Miss, can you believe what that old priest said?” the female guard whispered, her eyes darting around.

Grace’s expression stayed serious. She shook her head slightly. “It’s hard to tell if it’s true. But it’s the only clue we have.”

If Logan hadn’t been with her, Grace would never have dared to take the risk.

After about an hour, the bamboo gave way to a deep canyon—just as the old man had described.

The mouth of the canyon was narrow, the black rock walls on both sides steep and bare, forming a sharp contrast to the lush green behind them. A cold wind blew from its depths, carrying with it biting chill and the stench of decay. The dim light inside made the canyon look like the gaping maw of a beast waiting to devour intruders.

“This is it.” Grace stopped at the entrance, took a deep breath, and tried to steady the pounding in her chest.

She could feel the danger ahead. It seemed greater than the carnivorous plants and soul-crying grass they had faced, perhaps even rivaling the white-robed man who had controlled thunder.

The guards tensed, their hands gripping their weapons tighter as they closed ranks protectively around her.

“Logan, have you found anything?” Grace asked quietly.

“This canyon is strange.”

Logan narrowed his eyes. His spiritual sense probed forward, but it was swallowed like a drop in the ocean, suppressed by some unseen force. He could only sense a vague chaos.

“Stay close to me and be alert.” His voice was calm but firm. He stepped into the canyon first.

The group hurried after him.

The temperature dropped sharply inside. The wind cut through their clothes like ice, seeping into their bones. The ground beneath their feet was soft and damp, their steps muffled in the silence. The towering cliffs on either side blocked out the sun, allowing only a thin sliver of light through a crack above.

The smell of decay grew stronger, laced with a sulfuric stench.

“Clack.”

A guard had kicked something. Looking down, he saw a white bone—part of a beast’s leg.

As they went deeper, more bones appeared, scattered across the mud. Some belonged to animals, others were clearly human. Skulls and ribs lay broken, silent warnings of what awaited them.

Fear seeped into the guards’ hearts.

“Steady your minds. Don’t let evil seep in.” Logan’s cold voice cut through their dread, steady and grounding, quieting the panic gnawing at them.

He knew this canyon held not just physical dangers but also a corrosive energy that targeted the mind.

After a mile, the path widened. The ground was pitted with bubbling potholes filled with sticky black liquid, reeking of sulfur.

Here and there, strange plants grew—twisted, brightly colored things that swayed without wind, as though alive.

Then, from the depths of the canyon, a low roar rolled out, faint but heavy, vibrating straight into their souls. Everyone stiffened.

Logan’s steps slowed. His hand moved to rest on the hilt of his sword. He could sense the presence ahead—an extremely powerful life form, violent and chaotic, its aura no weaker than that thunder-wielding man.

“Be careful,” he warned softly.

The guards immediately drew their blades, forming a defensive ring around Grace.

The roar came again, closer this time, followed by heavy footsteps and the grinding of chains against rock.

A foul, fishy wind blew toward them.

Then the shadow at the canyon’s bend twisted, and a monstrous figure emerged—its aura thick with murderous intent.

It was a lizard-like beast with three heads.

Its body was covered in black, metallic scales, glowing faintly with lava-red light that seeped through the cracks. Its scarlet eyes burned with violence and destruction. Its limbs were as thick as stone pillars, claws gouging into the ground, and its bone-spurred tail smashed against the walls, leaving deep scars.

Thick black chains bound its neck and limbs, runes glowing faintly along their lengths. The other ends of the chains were anchored deep into the rock. Even restrained, the monster’s oppressive aura made the guards’ breaths falter and their knees buckle.

Only Logan stood firm, calm as ever, his hand still resting on his sword.