"You may leave now," said Nox. He didn't want to see Fabian around.Fabian knew he was being dismissed. So, he quickly excused himself. After he was gone, Nox narrowed his eyes, staring at the darkness. "Little one, get the… little one hiding in the shadows.""Yes, Nox." Augustus swung his arm at the darkness on his left. "Get your ass out here!" A palm struck the darkness.A child with an oversized head and wide eyes was hiding in the darkness. When he saw Augustus' palm strike, he gasped and swung a punch at it. Alas, the boy was obviously outmatched.He fell on his rear with a thud and groaned with pain. However, he was not angry. Instead, he dusted himself off and leaped again. This boy was none other than Douglas' grandson—Phineas.Keith, Bear, and the others were wondering why a boy of his age showed up here all of a sudden. "Who is this boy? He eavesdropped on us?" Bear was curious.Redsleeve and Oldsmoke were regarding Phineas curiously as well. Oddly, Phineas was unafrai
Alas, the child's ambitious declaration only made everyone laugh harder. As expected, the boy went red with fury and frustration. "What are you laughing at? I'll punch you!"Nox stopped everyone, saying, "Alright, everyone, stop laughing." He turned to Phineas. "Why do you want to be number one so much? Why do you want to beat Nox?"Phineas had no idea what to say. He mused over it for a while and rubbed his head. "If I become number one, Grandpa won't keep locking me up in Martial Pavilion. I won't have to train all the time.""Oh, I see." Nox understood now. 'The boy wants to beat me because he doesn't want to train.'"Mister, you're a handsome guy, and you're decent. Can you tell me who's Nox?" The boy had no idea that Nox was standing before him.Nox smiled. "That will be me.""What?" The boy's eyes went wide. He eyed Nox and asked, "You're really Nox?""In the flesh." Nox nodded with a smile.Phineas was flabbergasted. He looked at Nox for a long while before saying, "Why
Being born with extraordinary strength gave Phineas a level of talent that was on par with Augustus. At four years old, he could break boulders, and at ten, he could beat up the Martial Pavilion's instructors easily. This boy was truly one of a kind.The punch's slipstream roared, and his fist charged at Nox like a truck. Nox looked at the boy, but he didn't dodge. Instead, he smiled and praised, "Good technique."The fist fell on Nox's chest with a thud, but he didn't move an inch. Not even his clothes wavered."What?" Phineas was dumbstruck. He couldn't believe his half-ton punch didn't even make Nox budge. More importantly, it felt like his strength melted away the moment he touched Nox. To add insult to injury, not even his clothes billowed upon the impact.The boy was utterly dumbstruck when Nox said, "You won. You're number one now."'Huh? That punch was 1100 pounds heavy, but your clothes didn't even flutter. Yet, you say I won?' Although the boy was young, he had a high le
Back in Douglas' residence, an elderly, worried Legend Realm was talking to Douglas. "Minister, bad news. Master Phineas is missing!""What? The brat's missing? I thought he was at Martial Pavilion?" Douglas demanded."Minister, they said Master Phineas left the Martial Pavilion a few hours ago! We have no idea where he has gone!"Douglas' face fell. "Dammit, he keeps creating all these problems for me. Find that brat right now!" He adored his grandson. Naturally, he was worried about the boy's disappearance.Then, a servant came over. "Minister, a few hours ago, I saw Master Phineas hiding outside your study, listening in on your conversation. Perhaps he…"Douglas did not look happy at all. "What'd you say? He eavesdropped on me?""Yes, Minister. I thought he wanted to see you, so… so I didn't stop him," said the servant.The look on Douglas' face shifted. A few hours ago, he told Fabian to tell Nox about the four ancient clans' plan. 'Did he hear me talking about Nox?' Douglas
Douglas couldn't believe his own eyes. If this was the old Phineas, it would be easier to witness pigs flying than make him train in the Martial Pavilion. Yet, he had willingly gone off to train! Even better, he had become a tad humbler. 'My gods…'The servant was wide-eyed and curious. "Minister, Master Phineas has changed.""I'm not blind. I can see that. But what pushed him to change so quickly?" Douglas was reminded of Nox. 'Could he be the reason for the boy's change?'While Douglas was ruminating, an elderly man in gray sidled up to him. "Urgent news, Minister. The four ancient clans have made their move."Douglas' face fell. "To my study."A moment later, Douglas and the old man arrived at the study. "Tell me, what did they do?" Douglas asked.The old man answered, "Our spies have notified us of the clans' inviting of their Top Legend Realms to make their move. They will welcome the Top Legend Realms at the Frontal Gates tomorrow at noon. Not only that, but Public Works, A
He had Nox to thank for Phineas' change. So, Douglas must repay such a favor."Understood. I shall relay that order." The gray-robed man disappeared into thin air.Then, Douglas looked at the heavens coldly. "A storm is coming to Imperia."…The night went on. Nox was on the phone, talking to Queenie. It had been more than an hour since they were on the phone. Nox was told that, under Selina's guidance, Queenie was now a martial artist. She was cultivating the Dance of Butterflies.Everyone else was in Riverton as well, awaiting Nox's orders. After that call, Nox returned to the courtyard. He saw Augustus, Bear, Bard, and everyone else standing straight and tall, looking at a room on their left with worry.Waves of powerful blood energy rushed into the sky. This was Martial Blood, something that could only form after someone became a Top Legend Realm. Scathing flames followed the Martial Blood, and thunderous roars came out of Keith's mouth.Nox asked, "What are you people doing
While everyone was avidly watching Keith achieving his breakthrough, a silhouette approached the courtyard quietly. Nonetheless, Nox noticed them right away. "Who goes there?"A silhouette in a training outfit appeared like a phantom. "Milord, commander, I am Hidden Eye BL41." The man knelt to Bear and Nox.The Shadow Division had a hundred thousand Hidden Eyes. They were scattered around Faeast and the world, tasked to collect information. This was one of them—BL41.Nox asked, "What is it?""Milord, I have news. The Zephyrs, the Shredders, the Stallions, and the Induses will be welcoming their Top Legend Realms' return tomorrow."The look in Nox's eyes turned icy. Top Legend Realms were not allowed to roam this land, or they would be slain. That was the taboo from Mystia. However, the fact that the clans asked their Top Legend Realms to appear could only mean one thing. They were disregarding the taboo."Are they mad? Have they lost it to break the taboo so openly? Are they diso
Keith, having gone through another breakthrough, had an astounding level of Martial Blood. Not even the five Top Legend Realms at Blackwater Penitentiary could compare to him now, not even if their powers were combined. That was how powerful Top Legend Realms could be.Now, an Advanced Top Legend Realm wanted to slaughter all four ancient clans. Tomorrow's ordeal's outcome was now uncertain.…The next day's sunlight shone on the Frontal Gates. Since it was one of the oldest gates of Imperia, this was where the hustle and bustle happened. However, the streets around the gates were quiet and deserted. All shops were closed, and not a soul was to be seen.A group of warriors stood outside the gates, and there were hundreds of them. They came from the Zephyrs, Shredders, Stallions, and Induses. These clans were ancient and had strength on par with the Greenshades.Nonetheless, the ancient clans started laying low following their patriarchs' seclusion. Yet, after Nox's open killing of
'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
"He couldn't even kill Nameless, and he only became an Ascendant through the Heavenly Dao's blessing. However, I can already summon the High Heavens' spiritual energy! How will you cut me down now?" With the spiritual energy he summoned, the enemy leader stirred the clouds, and Nox's will-of-the-sword was getting haywire.Nox scoffed. "The Heavenly Dao's blessing? You think he managed that because of a blessing? And you call yourself the leader of the path of the martial. You know nothing.""And why do you say so?" the enemy leader asked solemnly.Nox took a deep breath and stared at the enemy leader. "The heavens gave me glory, and not even I would say I am blessed by the Heavenly Dao. The founder ascended to save Faeast's people. He wanted someone from the High Heavens to kill Nameless. Answer me this: if you don't have enough power, would you challenge the Heavenly Dao for your faction?"Nox challenged, "If you fail an ascension, you will be destroyed, and that includes your sou
"So, your student's here. If he was one moment later, you'd be dead," the black-robed man said, sneering.Achille did not look happy at all. He looked at Nox with chastise in his eyes. Nox was worried about him. If he didn't show up, Achille would die."This is no sparring session, master. This is about the people of the world. If you want to spar with someone, Dominic and Voltaic are your real rivals. If you want to fight them after this, I won't stop you," said Nox.That managed to calm Achille down. He felt ashamed. "Heavens, my mindset was a mess just now. I thought I could face death calmly, but…""Every living being will try their best to survive, you told me that. We only sacrifice ourselves if the outcome is worth it. Now that I'm here, sacrificing yourself is just being stupid," said Nox.Achille sighed, but he was glad that his student could be so understanding about so many things. It was his honor. "Very well, then we shall kill this leader. You're right. This is no sp
Black Tortoise was stunned. 'So, they're serious?'He stared at the enemies and asked coldly, "Is this offer serious? You'd better not be lying to me.""You think we'd lie? We could trample you easily if we wanted to, but your damn lord is on his way back here!" The captains wanted to surrender immediately, or they might actually die.Black Tortoise was a little hesitant. If Nox was on his way back, he'd never give these people a chance to surrender. That could only mean one thing. The battle was inconclusive, but Aphrodite's plan worked. At least the powerhouses were taken down.The ten powerhouses were the path of the martial's true pillars. The enemies were surrendering without any one of them here, however. That could only mean that something had happened to them."Very well, I accept your terms and offer to surrender. But you'll have to tear down your defenses while the sacred beasts set up a formation," said Black Tortoise.The captains hesitated, but the powerhouses urged