"So, you're saying you exiled Nox and his mother because you wanted to protect them?" Winston's eyes were wide.Daniel didn't answer, but he had a pained look in his eyes. He stared into the distance once more. "If I hadn't, Nox and his mother would've died."Claude and Winston were stupefied. They had resented Daniel for years because of what he did. They thought Daniel was heartless, but they couldn't even imagine the agony he had been experiencing."Who's the bastard who wanted Nox and his mother dead? Why?" Claude clenched his fists, fury flaring around him.Winston shot Daniel a confused look as well."You don't need to know who gave that order. Just remember not to tell anyone about this. If you do, you'll put the clan in a precarious position. I'm talking about the kind that'll exterminate us all.""What? We'll be wiped out? But we've existed for hundreds of years. We fear no one, Daniel!" Claude protested.Winston, being the smarter one, knew something was off. He tentat
The truth was all out. Claude and Winston finally knew the real reason Daniel did what he did. They understood the pain and agony he had gone through all these years.Claude asked, "Daniel, if you did all of that to protect Nox… Why won't you tell him? Why'd you keep the misunderstanding going on for so long?"Daniel shook his head. "I cannot tell him. He is the one with the brightest future among the clan. If I tell him, that will only put him in more danger. This secret must only be known to the three of us. I don't care if he hates me forever."Claude and Winston fell silent. That was what a good father would do. They would sacrifice everything to protect their children. Daniel's hands were tied."One more question, Daniel. Who's the bastard? Who wanted Nox dead? Who wanted to harm him and his mother?" Claude growled, his eyes bloodshot. He couldn't understand why this had to happen. Daniel was the number one Top Legend Realm thirty years ago. Yet, he actually feared someone?
The talk he had with Douglas left Nox in a state of disarray, and it was all thanks to the case sixteen years ago. It involved his mother and the man he hated the most—his father.He always assumed Daniel exiled him and his mother because he was a heartless bastard, but after hearing Douglas' story… Well, he had a feeling things weren't that simple.'Did he do what he had to because of a reason he couldn't speak of?' The thought of that only carved a storm on Nox's face.He locked himself in his room for a long time before finally trudging out of it.Redsleeve stood outside. Ever since she started working for Nox, she viewed him as her master. When he emerged, Redsleeve quickly approached Nox. "Master Nox!"Nox looked at her. "Come in. I have some questions for you."Redsleeve was stunned. It was the first time Nox wanted to talk with her alone. Redsleeve flushed slightly and nodded. A moment later, Nox had taken her into his room.Redsleeve was a little fidgety. One, Nox was ha
Nox couldn't understand. If there was one reason for Daniel's exile of his own wife and child, then it could only mean that that man was involved. The thought of that summoned a wave of icy air from deep within Nox.A long silence later, Nox stood up. "Come with me."Redsleeve didn't ask questions. She simply nodded.The Greenshades, the erstwhile top clan of Faeast. A pair of silhouettes stood before its gates. They were Nox and Redsleeve. Nox brought Redsleeve here after their talk."Do you know this place?" Nox looked at the golden plaque hanging on the entrance.Redsleeve nodded before she blurted enthusiastically, "Yes, I do!" Although she was raised by Daniel, she had never come to the Greenshades' abode. Suicide squads always hid in the shadows, but Nox actually brought her here."Are you going to see Mr. Greenshade?" Redsleeve's eyes glimmered as she looked at Nox curiously.Nox shook his head. "We're no longer related.""What? Then what brings you here?" Redsleeve was
Redsleeve quickly explained, "I'm just a servant, matriarch. I'm unworthy of Master Nox.""Oh, that's rubbish, dearie. Nox's mother and my son—" She quickly realized she was about to let something slip. So, she bit her tongue and stopped.Nox said, "I'd like to talk to you, Grandma. Alone. Is it fine?""Of course. Let's take this inside." The crone led Nox into her chamber."Redsleeve, you stay here," Nox said, then he followed his grandmother into her room.The first thing the crone did was grab a handful of gummies for Nox. She said Nox loved these when he was little. Nox smiled as he took the gummies and put them in his pocket.After she was done, the matriarch sat down and looked at Nox. "So, what do you have in mind, Nox?""Tell me the truth, Grandma. Did we cross the ruler sixteen years ago?"The matriarch shivered and quickly shut her mouth.The response only solidified Nox's assumption that the tragedy that happened to him had more going on than he thought. "Grandma?"
"On that same day, you were born, crying and kicking." The crone's face was filled with a blissful smile as she reminisced about Nox's birth.Nox was still confused. No one told him about the earthquake or rainbows on the day he was born."Since that day, the world spoke of how the True Dragon has descended upon my clan." The crone sighed."Six days after you were born, a monk in black robes came to our abode. His ears were unusually big, and he stirred up a gale when he approached us. He came to our backyard and stood under the ancient tree, staring at your mother and you."The crone continued, "We thought he was just a regular monk. So, we paid no heed to him. However, the moment he saw you, he said this, 'The true heir of the Greenshades shall wield the rule of Faeast.'"Nox was thunderstruck. 'The true heir of the Greenshades shall wield the rule of Faeast?' He knew how substantial that prophecy meant."Why didn't anyone ever tell me this, Grandma?" Nox asked tremulously."B
Redsleeve was playing with Gina outside, and from time to time, the girl's silvery laugh could be heard. Nox came out of the room a moment later, and Redsleeve approached him quickly. "Master Nox.""Time to go," Nox said.Nox and Redsleeve were about to leave, and Gina was reluctant to say goodbye. "Are you guys leaving, miss?"Redsleeve hunkered down and touched Gina's cheek. "Yes, we're leaving now, but we'll play again when I have time, alright?"Gina was obviously dismayed, but she muttered, "Fine."Nox was going to leave, but Gina shouted, "Noxy!"Nox stopped in his tracks. A moment later, he slowly turned around to face the girl."Grandma said you're my brother. My actual brother. Is that true?" Gina asked. It was a surprising question for Nox.Nox didn't answer immediately. He walked up to Gina and gently picked her up. "Yes, you are my sister.""Really?" Gina was ecstatic to hear that."Yes.""But if you're my brother, why don't you ever come back home? Dad said your
Nox didn't return to his abode after departing the Greenshade estate. Instead, he stood on the bustling street, his eyes cold and heavy with the troubles afflicting his mind.Redsleeve was with him, but she was a mere servant, so she kept quiet. A long while later, Nox blurted, "Redsleeve, you go back without me.""What? You're not coming with me, Master Nox?" Redsleeve looked at Nox curiously."I have something to handle." Nox walked down the busy street.Redsleeve saw him off. She hesitated for a few moments but eventually left.The talk with his grandmother gave Nox almost all the answers he needed. The answers were tied to that case sixteen years ago and the reason for his and his mother's exile. The real reason for that stemmed from Faeast's most sacred place—the Imperial Castle.Night gradually descended. The Imperial Castle stood in the center of Imperia, resplendent and unending. It was filled with impressive chambers and shimmering pavilions.This was Faeast's most impo
Harley sneered, having nothing but disdain for Atlas. "I can't believe the master would employ a shithead like you."Atlas laughed. "You think you're so high and mighty, but you're also Lord Nox's lapdog now. I am his subordinate, and we have a close relationship. I'm also the uncle of the emperor. That makes me Lord Nox's great-uncle," bragged Atlas."Dumbass. Just do your fucking job. Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise told me the Mousses might try something," Harley cursed.The mention of the Mousses made Atlas panic, but he calmed himself down and snored. "The Mousses? They won't dare do anything when I'm here. If they show up, I'll kick their ass! I command thirty thousand units. If they come to Imperia, it'll be the last thing they see!" Atlas was confident.Harley was speechless. 'My word, how can he be such a braggart?'With thirty thousand Nox Army units in Imperia, combined with the Forbidden Army, the regular guards, and 200 thousand elites protecting Imperia, nothing co
Vermilion Bird said, "Azure Dragon used to be an Advanced Eight Gates. After the Mousses had him under their control, he became a Supreme. Judging by these photos, he's gotten more powerful since then."'More powerful?' Nineve knew how the cultivators were ranked. Top Legend Realms were another kind of life form entirely. In Faeast, a Supreme could be made a lord. An undefeatable Supreme would be made a ruler. A Sovereign was made every five hundred years, while a ruler was made every century.Supremes appeared once every decade or so. "I don't get it. You three obviously found some power source, and with Nox's help, you leveled up. Azure Dragon only has the Mousses. How'd he level up so fast?"If the Mousses were so powerful, they wouldn't have to resort to assassinations or betrayals."Not the Mousses. It's all Azure Dragon. He's our captain. He's a very talented and cunning man. Emphasis on talent. He's so strong that not even three of us can compare to him, combined. The only g
Elizabeth said nothing but went red and hung her head low, causing Black Tortoise to panic."Uh oh. If you want him, you'll have to fight for him. That's all I can say, but the lord does think highly of you." He laughed."Shut it, Black Tortoise. You're talking nonsense here!" Vermilion Bird snapped. "See you, Your Majesty." She then took Black Tortoise and left the room quickly. They had work to do.The duo led most of the Shadow Division members back to Faeast. After the incident of Brundela, Faeast's fate was going strong, and the people were excited. However, beneath that excitement was unseen danger.Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise came back to Northstate's governor-general's place and met up with Nineve. Black Tortoise said solemnly, "What happened, Your Highness? We need the details."Nineve looked exhausted, and there were dark circles under her eyes. She had been working hard in Nox's absence. "Honestly, Atlas… I mean, the Defender of the Lord hasn't been pulling his we
Douglas worked through the night for the negotiation."One, you must apologize for your invasion of Faeast. Two, you will return all stolen relics to us and pay for damages. Three, you will open trade with Faeast, and it must be complete and total. Those are our demands. We promise not to interfere with your nation's administration. Once the aid is administered, our fleet and army will retreat from Brundela."And one more thing. Faeast recognizes you as Brundela's new ruler." That was interesting. It also meant that Faeast could rescind that recognition at any time. Elizabeth had no choice. Without Faeast, Brundela would be gone. In the end, the nations arrived at an agreement.At midnight, they called a press conference. Faeast helped Eropa settle a war and avert a world disaster. That news took the world by storm. The Eastern dragon was rising, and none could stop it. It wouldn't take long for Faeast to return to the top.Brundela's case was over. After they gave enough aid, Ferg
"They call you Great Generals?" the Ice Temple Lord laughed. "If I do want to betray him, how do you hope to stop me? You three had to take me on together, and it only ended in a draw. Now that I'm an Emperor and White Tiger is in a slumber, I can destroy you in a moment!"The Ice Temple Lord looked at Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise with disdain. Vermilion Bird's eyes were wide. She didn't care. She would fight the Temple Lord to the bitter end if she must.Black Tortoise was the calmer one, and he pulled Vermilion Bird back. "Calm down. Even if he wants to betray the lord, he at least would want to see the lord's body before he tries anything."Even a woman like Aphrodite lost this fight. He wouldn't dare try anything stupid."The Ice Temple Lord was still smug about being an Emperor, and now his celebration was cut short. Betraying Nox required a lot of courage. Nox's power terrified him. Even if he couldn't win the fight, Nox could at least come back safely.Besides, he only
The formation Nox created with the Sovereign Seal was on the brink of destruction. Once the formation was gone, the Sovereigns and the spirits would return to dust. In this final moment, Brundela's Faeastian called their friends and family in their homeland and projected the modern-day Faeast onto the gigantic screen in the plaza.The spirits cried when they saw how developed their nation had become. The Sovereigns and the rulers were meticulous people. They used to rule over a unified nation, so they knew how hard it was to create a dynasty. Every dynasty would have its peak and nadir.Every time a dynasty was on a decline, Faeast would be in danger. They didn't talk about the truth behind that video, of course. They admired the beautiful land of Faeast as they waited for their final moment to arrive."The hardest and darkest moment is behind us, sirs. Faeast has me now. You may rest in peace. I will not let you down. I will destroy the canker that infects Faeast and give it the pe
"You're going nowhere! Die!" The Sovereigns chased after the spirit, and a hundred rulers followed. They trapped the Titan's spirit and ripped him to shreds."Holy shit! That's the ancient Faeastian Sovereigns for you!" White Tiger roared with pride. He was on the roof of a tower somewhere.Emperor Elijah narrowed his eyes and exchanged a look with the other Sovereigns. He hurled the remaining essence of the Titan's spirit to White Tiger and stuffed him with it. The energy filled White Tiger up, and he ballooned. Black, rancid energy came out of his body, and he fell into madness.Nox cast Heaven's Demise and sealed White Tiger's consciousness. The Ice Temple Lord, realizing what the Sovereigns were trying to do, encased White Tiger in a coffin of magic ice."This is an impressive underling you have, Nine-State Lord. Devouring spirits gives him power. Anyone else would've lost their minds and become a killing machine, but White Tiger's already mad to begin with. There's no further
"The third kind of Emperor uses natural energy, the power of Yin and Yang, and the elements to become one. Since they use all kinds of elements and energy to become an Emperor, they are practically invincible."The Ice Temple Lord was excited. "So, you're saying I'm the strongest kind of Emperor?"Nox was speechless. "No, what I was trying to say was you took the wrong path. You could've absorbed the energy in the heavens, but you absorbed the Yin energy in the ground. You're stronger than Frostmir, but his level was higher, so you'd still be no match for him." Nox pursed his lips."Eh?" The Ice Temple Lord was disappointed. He thought he could be on par with Nox once he became an Emperor. The Ice Temple Lord wasn't the only one who gained power. The Ice Temple cultivators did as well. Black Tortoise, White Tiger, and Vermilion Bird gained a lot of power, too.Vermilion Bird was now a Flawless Supreme, Black Tortoise was an Advanced Supreme, while White Tiger was an Intermediate Pi
The fact that Nox could cast Sovereign Seal showed the Ice Temple Lord a new level of power. The Sovereign was more terrifying than the gods. 'No wonder they could rule the world in ancient times.'The ancient Sovereigns and rulers of Faeast attacked their enemies. The fate of Faeast gathered over their heads, piercing the clouds that hung over them. The weaker monsters were all slain, and Emperor Hans pierced the pharaoh with his spear, returning him to dust.Emperor Blade killed the god of another ancient civilization. The evil energy possessing them was purified. Moments later, the only gods left were the Titans. Unlike the possessed gods, the Titans were ancient cultivators.Even if they didn't master any spells or techniques, they'd trained their bodies to their absolute best. The Sovereigns and rulers didn't have much advantage against these enemies.These spirits were only summoned through the relics and the remnants of energy left within. Their bodies were gone, and their s