Nox snorted and swung his hand. The silhouette scattered like ash, leaving no trace behind. After that, Bear and Bard quickly freed Keith from his chains. Bear immediately noticed the Soul-Crushing Nails on Keith's chest. He tried to pull them out, but Nox said urgently, "Bear, don't move.""What's wrong, milord?" Bear turned around, confused."Those are Soul-Crushing Nails. They pin the soul down and silence the victim's life energy. Pull them out, and Keith will lose all his life energy in the blink of an eye. He will die," warned Nox."What?" Bear was frozen as he stared at the nails with wide eyes. Every nail radiated dark, cold air. Every nail was the size of a thumb and was buried in Keith's body. His eyes went red. "What now, milord? Are we going to let these nails torture Keith?""Don't worry. Take him home. I'll heal him myself."Nox's guarantee gained a collective sigh of relief from Bear and Bard. They propped up the bloodied and tormented Keith.Just when they were a
"It feeds on humans and flames. The battle we had earlier left behind a mountain of bodies. It scented them. So, it came," Nox explained.Bear wanted to ask what 'it' was, but the air was pierced with the roar of a beast. Everyone watched with wide eyes as pillars of flames shot up the air. Then, a mountainous, fire-breathing monster appeared before their eyes.The monster had the head of a cow, eyes as big as bells, and skin covered in black scales. Half its body was like a lizard, and it was as tall as a hill. It breathed fire through its mouth, and an air of destruction swam around it.A shocked Redsleeve staggered backward. "My gods, what is this monster?"Oldsmoke and Steely had never seen this monster before. So, they couldn't help but blanch at the sight. Augustus, however, felt sharper than ever. If Nox said the word, he would fight this monster with every inch of his life.Meanwhile, Bard stared at the fire-breathing monster with saucers for eyes. "Could this be the legen
As Nox stepped forward, the beast took another trembling step back as if it was prey seeing a predator. Nox smiled at its reaction. "Ah, so you recognize me. Then, kneel!"The One-Legged Beast knelt before Nox like a puppy obeying its master, hanging its head low. Even the flames it breathed seemed to be dying. It whimpered, begging for mercy.Nox leaped and landed before the beast's head, and he patted it. "Good. You did well this time. So, as promised, I won't beat you up."Everyone almost screamed again. After all, the legendary guardian beast was kneeling before Nox like an obedient puppy. Anyone would have trouble accepting such a reality."I have something to do this time. So, I won't be staying." Nox patted the beast's head and left.The beast saw him off and blinked as if to say, 'Thank the Gods, you're finally gone.'Nox left the beast to its own devices and led his very shaken group away. Nox saved Keith that night and announced open hostility towards Faeast's clans. He
However, the moment they made their move, they ran into the assault of a suicide squad. The squad of three thousand was led by Daniel, leader of the once-top clan. The Heffersons and Geoffreys weren't expecting this.Daniel stood tall in the darkness, and behind him were ten elder members of the Greenshade clan. All were Advanced Legend Realms. Besides that, Claude and Winston were with Daniel.The once-most-handsome man of Imperia ignored the roaring question. Instead, he looked in the direction of the Imperial Tomb quietly. "I see Nox has finished his business.""Yes, Daniel." Claude stared into the darkness and laughed wildly. "The old bastard thought he could stop Nox with five Top Legend Realms? They could do nothing, not even if they tripled their numbers!""Claude, you're wrong," said Daniel."How so?" Claude was confused.His gaze still on the darkness, Daniel said, "The old bastard is cunning. He knows Nox's power, yet he only sent in five Top Legend Realms? He did it on
Feeling Daniel's murderous intent, the survivors of the Heffersons and Geoffreys felt their hearts shiver. The Legend Realm asked, "What do you want, Daniel?" He could feel Daniel's murderous intent, and it could crush them easily.Daniel stood proud in the darkness. His hair billowed in the night. Though he was no longer young, he still looked handsome, and the aura he radiated made him more dashing than ever. "For eighteen years, my clan stayed away from the bid for office and power. The world thinks we're on a decline. They've forgotten about our glory days."And now, you maggots had the gall to lay a finger on my son?" he boomed.As the erstwhile top clan, the Greenshades stood at the pinnacle of clans. Eighteen years ago, the Greenshades were on par with sects. However, for eighteen years, they never fought for office or power.Now, the sleeping tiger was aroused. However, the survivors were perplexed. "What? Your son? What are you talking about? How'd we ever cross your son,
With Daniel and his brothers around, they had no chance of escaping."Mr. Greenshade, please, have mercy on us. We're all part of the clans here. Spare us, and we'll swear fealty to you. To Lord Nox!"Daniel sneered. "You wish for mercy? My son gave it to you when he was crowned lord six years ago. No, tonight, you deserve none of that." He swung his hand.The dozen Legend Realms behind him darted ahead. They were all Advanced Legend Realms, and there were two False Top Legend Realms with them. This was just part of the Greenshades' power.Back then, when they ruled the clans, the Greenshades' power was immeasurable, especially Daniel's. Legends had it that he was already a Top Legend Realm eighteen years ago, but he never got into any battles since then.Now, that was about to change. As the Top Legend Realms darted ahead at Daniel's behest, the Geoffreys and Heffersons had to defend themselves as much as they could."We'll have to fight them!" said Winona, as she saw no way out
The night's events would shake Imperia. Of course, Nox's barging into Darkwater Penitentiary, slaying five Top Legend Realms, saving Keith, and alerting the One-Legged Beast was a big enough event. However, the annihilation of the Geoffreys and the Heffersons was equally momentous.The news could shake Imperia by themselves, but two of them together would almost put it in an upheaval, though Nox didn't care. He didn't announce his return, but there was one point he needed to prove. If anyone harmed his brothers, he would slay them and their families.Morning came, and rays of sunshine shone upon a rickety courtyard in Imperia. Ever since Nox came back, he'd been curing Keith all the time. None knew Keith's situation.Bear, Bard, Augustus, and the trio stood outside the room the whole night. Everyone was waiting for the results of the healing, but Nox still hadn't come out. It had been a whole night. They were getting worried.Bear paced back and forth, muttering, "Hey, Bard, do you
Keith was, as everyone knew, a commander of the Shadow Division and a powerful warrior. If he knew that his elixir field was sealed, and his power was destroyed, it would be a worse punishment than killing him.Nox raised his head, his gaze dark. "If we want to break through the seal, then there is only one way.""What is it, milord?" Bear asked quickly.Everyone looked at Nox nervously.Nox said, "We must help him break through to Top Legend Realm."Everyone present was thunderstruck. 'He must become a Top Legend Realm?'The path of martial arts in Faeast went like this: warrior, Combatant, Greater Combatant, Grandmaster, and Legend Realm, or divinity, as some might call it. These evolutions were greatly tied to the changes in a warrior's elixir field.With Keith's elixir field sealed, the only way to deal with it was for him to move on to the next level. He must become a Top Legend Realm and enter the circle of the strongest warriors. Only then could his elixir field be unseal
Three months later, Nox declared Faeast as the leader of all nations, ushering in a true era of peace and prosperity. Then, he abdicated the throne, passing the throne to Nineve. Nox proclaimed that this nation was neither the Greenshade nor the Limerent family's, but a world that belonged to its people.One year later, Nox and Queenie lounged under the warm sun on the sandy shores of the Ocean of Death, enjoying a rare moment of tranquility. The world had finally settled into peace, allowing them to take a well-deserved rest."Nono, what's Aphrodite up to?" Queenie asked, her brows furrowed as she leaned against Nox. "Is she planning something shady again? She's been building alliances all over like she wants to imitate the Three-Eyed Empress.""Death changes people," Nox replied calmly. "Don't worry about her. She knows exactly what she's doing."Old Aphrodite would've killed Jacques and run off to save herself without a second thought. Instead, she spared him, stripped his cul
The Nine-State Crucible hovered majestically over the heavens, drawing all the spiritual energy from the Nine States and Five Domains into itself. As the ultimate artifact of Faeast, the crucible was unmatched—a legendary relic that had never known defeat.The origins of the Nine-State Crucible were shrouded in mystery. No one knew who forged it nor why it disappeared over the ages. For centuries, many dismissed it as a mere myth. Yet now, it reappeared, proving its existence—and, by extension, the truth of all the ancient legends tied to it.The sight left every cultivator present in awe, bowing in reverence to the artifact."The ancient sovereigns of Faeast forged the Nine-State Crucible to safeguard the Nine States and Five Domains. "Its power ensures that Ascendants cannot interfere with the mortal realm. It has crushed even Ascendants in the past, and you, still merely a mortal cultivator, think you can stand against it? I promised to crush you, and I will!"With Nox at it
However, only Nox himself could sever the celestial providence. Only by cutting off the Celestial Lord's celestial providence could Faeast's providence be restored to its peak."Damn it! Nox Greenshade! Do you really think you can defy the heavens? I didn't want to damage my cultivation, but it seems I have no choice but to go all out! You think a one-ring Minor Saint can defeat me? I am the Celestial Lord—the apex of mortals, the Great Saint of Dao and Virtue, ordained by the heavens themselves!"The Celestial Lord's furious roar resonated across Mystia, drawing in vast waves of spiritual energy from the realm that converged upon him alone."Great Saint of Dao and Virtue? If the so-called heavens of the Transcendent Firmament made you, it only proves that even they have failures," Nox retorted coldly.Even the Celestial Lord, enraged as he was, could scarcely believe Nox's audacity—daring to disparage the mighty figures of the Transcendent Firmament."I am indeed a one-ring Minor
'What? Griffin was a sworn brother to Magic Mountain's founder?!'"That's right," confirmed the formation master. "He only told us recently."As the first to learn of this connection, he had shared it with the Saints of the Five Elements, ensuring they wouldn't betray their alliance. Using the promise of ascension as leverage, he managed to secure their cooperation. After all, the Great Saint of Fire had already reached the threshold for ascension.The risks were minimal, and upon ascending to the Transcendent Firmament, the Magic Mountain's founder would surely offer his guidance. For that reason alone, the five mentors had rallied to aid Nox.With such mighty forces gathered, morale on Nox's side soared. Meanwhile, the Whitefield family's spirits plummeted, crashing from the heights of hope to the depths of despair in mere moments. The mental strain caused several of their weaker-willed members to break completely.With dread settling over them, the Whitefields could only place
The Whitefields were getting cocky, but then they realized the powerhouses that came weren't responding. The aura was powerful, but there was no life in it. On closer inspection, they noticed that the leader of the group only had half a body left. His soul was missing. The quartet behind him was nothing but a pile of mincemeat.The portal buzzed again, and seven silhouettes came out. Five of them felt domineering, and they looked prideful. It almost felt like they were peerless. These people were none other than the Saints of the Five Elements.Four of them were Pinnacle Minor Saints. While one had an aura so strong, this place couldn't handle it."A Great Saint! Great Saint of Fire!" Fiery Ignis, Dominic, and Achille couldn't believe their eyes.It had been too long since Mystia saw a Great Saint, and he was Nox's mentor."So, he's the one who broke through first. But now he's already hit his bottleneck. The other four's power isn't enough. If the Sacred Beast Seal isn't upgraded
The Montgomerys and the Byrds decided to see Nox together, but they were refused. They were cursing Nox and calling him disrespectful, but then they saw Nox and his team taking a portal to the path of the ancient divine."What? He went right to them? Why? He's going to fight the Celestial Lord now?" The representatives were shocked.'How dare they!' they thought.Nox and his team went through the portal quickly and appeared right over the Whitefields' place. The Whitefield family was the newest member of the divine four and the real mastermind behind the Inkdarks' demise."Kirin, I told you I'd take you back here someday. I told you that when we come back, the Whitefields will be no more. If you can't do it, I can wipe them out for you." Nox looked at Kirin."Don't look down on me, milord. You don't need to dirty your hands for them. I'll do it!" Kirin summoned his avatar, and with Saint power infused, the avatar turned into a real beast. The sacred beast itself descended upon the
"Time to finish this. My lord's going to the path of the ancient divine next. You should decide who's going to take over after the Celestial Lord is taken down. That's all. Now let's talk about our personal business. Listen up, anyone who had a part in attacking my family, tell your clans that I'm coming for them. I'm killing all of you!"Bloodlust filled the air, and the representatives were shocked. "You killed your own family. Yes, we made them attack you, but we never wanted to wipe it out!" the Whitefields' representative said.Kirin flew into a rage. "How low can you go? You forced them to kill me, or you would wipe us out instead! You think I'm stupid? You'd have killed my family either way! I know how you guys function. You're crueler than any beast out there. Listen up, there's still time to plan for your funeral. You'd better make a good plan."Kirin chased everyone away. The families were going back to prepare for battle, but two remained behind. One was the Byrds' repres
Nox's Magick Sword crushed the enemy leader's soul. "I said I would cut you down, and I did. Now do you see who's the ignorant one?"The enemy leader realized that Nox was the man at the pinnacle. Perhaps the moment Nox became a faux Saint, he was already no match for him. "So what if you can kill me? You are Faeast's Sovereign, and you have a duty to push Faeast to power. But the Celestial Lord still exists. As long as he is around, your wish will never be fulfilled." He sneered."Is that so? Well, he's next on the list to be culled. If anyone tries to make an enemy out of me, I will destroy them and their families, even if they are from the path of the ancient divine!"Nox shattered the remains of the soul, and the path of the martial's leader was no more. The problem harassing Faeast for millennia could be solved at long last. Achille was stunned. It hadn't been that long, but Nox had surpassed him.Nox was better than him in every way. He was an even better swordsman than Achil
The enemy leader was waiting. One technique broken wasn't enough to take Nox out. He wanted to wait until Nox had cast all he knew and find an opening to take him down, but Nox wanted to take him down with the power of the sword."You're stubborn. Very well, this makes things easier for me. I'll kill you, or at the very least, wound you!" He'd be stupid not to take advantage of this. The enemy leader's avatar morphed into a gigantic fist and slammed into Nox's chest.The impact shot through his body and reached his soul. Nox spat blood, and his soul was injured.Achille couldn't stand by anymore. Nox just told him not to push himself, but he wasn't taking his own advice. Then, Nox's weak will-of-the-sword shone blindingly, and then Unto the Origin appeared once more."Even under my pressure, you can use this technique? You're strong, but you're as stubborn as your mentor. You've lost your chance! Die! You'll never get here in time, Achille! Shadowkill!"The enemy leader's avatar t