The princess stood in the bustling street after she left the Greenshades' manor, staring at the skyscrapers around her. "It's been years. Imperia's really growing."Since she was reminiscing about the past, Drunk didn't disturb her. Suddenly, Nineve blurted, "Let's go. It's time to get some answers.""From who?" Drunk asked, surprised."Who else? That heartless jerk who wouldn't leave my mind alone!" Nineve muttered as she hopped back into the resplendent carriage.Drunk laughed bitterly and leaped onto the coachman's spot. "Go!" He swung his whip, and the carriage set off.…Since his return to Imperia, Nox and his allies had stayed at his late mother's abode. This abode was where Nox made his memories and the proof of his bond with his mother.Bear and Bard went out on a recon mission for Azure Dragon and the Underworld's information early in the morning. Everyone else stayed in the courtyard.The brawny Steely asked Redsleeve, "You're spacing out again, Redsleeve. You've bee
He looked outside the abode and muttered, "Six Paths?"There was another person aside from Oldsmoke, Steely, and Redsleeve—Augustus, and he was sitting quietly with his legs crossed and with a sword lying on them.Augustus never talked much after he set off on this journey with Nox. He spent most of his time progressing his path of the sword and sharpening his mind. Keith was doing the same thing.Keith had enough power to become the patriarch of a family after becoming a Second Layer Firmament.Suddenly, they heard the clankings of a carriage traveling across the air of the courtyard. Nineve had arrived."What's that?" Oldsmoke, Redsleeve, and Steely came out of the courtyard, feeling surprised.Redsleeve stared at the carriage in astonishment and blurted, "Hm? A carriage? We're in modern society. Who even uses carriages anymore? Oh, wait. Is this a movie shoot?"Oldsmoke's eyes glimmered as he clicked his tongue in admonishment. "This is a luxurious carriage. Look, it's got dr
That was the power of a Six Paths. His aura alone had trapped the trio so well that they couldn't even move a muscle. After Drunk trapped them, he smiled. "Calm down, children. I'm not here to harm any of you. I was upfront. I'm only here to collect my mistress' debt."The old man then walked into the courtyard, but a loud buzz of a sword graced the air before he could. A sharp wave of sword energy quickly followed as it hurtled toward Drunk like a lightning bolt.It was a wave of powerful blade energy, and the air was filled with will-of-the-sword. "Hm?" The sight of this blade energy made Drunk's eyes glimmer, and he raised two fingers.It seemed as though the world had shifted. Sure enough, the terrifying energy was caught between his fingers. The one who made that attack was none other than the Southkings' most brilliant genius, Augustus.Augustus' face shivered when he saw the old man thwarting his attack so easily. He certainly wasn't expecting that. Then, a voice rang out, "
The seven stars hanging in the sky twinkled, and seven swordsmen—clones of Augustus—came flying down. Their target was none other than Drunk."Hm? Seven Stars, eh?" Drunk watched the clones and smiled. "You can use this Forbidden Art at such a young age? Why, someone like you only comes once a hundred years. Pity your will-of-the-sword hasn't reached the true power of Seven Stars just yet. Else, you could become a Four Faces."Drunk held up his right hand and tapped the sky twice. The dark sky shivered. Before the clones could even land a hit, they shattered into pieces. Drunk had dismantled Seven Stars before Augustus' eyes just like that.Augustus wasn't panicking. Instead, he summoned all his will-of-the-sword in an attempt to attack the man once more. However, Nox's voice thundered, "Little one, stop. You're not his match."Augustus harrumphed and tucked away all his will-of-the-sword. He was glaring at Drunk with dismay.When Nox spoke up, Drunk turned his gaze to the inner s
Battle of wills. The fighters could kill their enemies with nothing but a single thought alone. It was something only those ranked Five Mountains and above could wield.Although neither Nox nor Drunk seemed like they were fighting for their lives, a battle of wills was more terrifying than facing down a hundred Top Legend Realms.White magick swirled around Drunk, engulfing him, while the courtyard was covered in Nox's golden light.Two waves of powerful Willpower clashed and bashed in the air. Everything around them, including the ground, was starting to crack and split from the pressure."Third step." Drunk had taken yet another step. Regardless, his expression had turned grave. His legs felt like literal lead.The courtyard's aura grew exponentially stronger as Drunk started to shiver. "Good going, boy. I've never run into this kind of situation in forty years." He roared with laughter. "Good, good!"Drunk grabbed his gourd and drank deeply. Then, his hair billowed as his aura
Nox's allies were staring in confusion and shock. They couldn't believe the princess was crying and punching Nox with such abandon. They couldn't help but wonder what was going on.A long time later, Nineve finally stopped punching Nox. Perhaps her hands were hurting, or perhaps she had exhausted herself from crying.Then, Nox gently looked at her. "You're all grown up now, Nineve."Nineve was still sobbing. "Thanks, Captain Obvious. It's been more than ten years!"Nox laughed. "I know it has.""How dare you joke about this?" An aggrieved Nineve started crying again.Nox wiped her tears off gently like she was his sister. More than a decade ago, they were childhood friends. Nineve would follow Nox everywhere he went like a duckling, calling him Noxy.It had been more than ten years now. After he was crowned lord, Nox did check on Nineve, though surreptitiously. He was already forced into marriage with the Mousses. Thus, he had no courage to face her again.However, fate had its
She was at Blackwood's borders when she received the news of Nox's death, and she promptly fell to a dead faint. Drunk helped her come to, but Nineve still couldn't accept the truth.The news hit Nineve so hard that she went three days and nights without good. Drunk had to coax her out of her shell before Nineve would eventually get over her sadness.A while ago, Nineve received news of chaos in Imperia and the killings of many clans' Top Legend Realms.That was the reason Nineve had the idea of returning, and then news from Imperial City came. Nox wasn't dead. When Nineve was told of it, the princess who left because of her broken love made haste just to see him.Now, she had finally gotten to see Nox once more.Nox raised his head. "It's a long story. I'll tell you some other time.""Why not now?" Nineve asked."Because it's not the right time."Since Nox was adamant, Nineve said, "Fine. You can tell me after this." After talking about the fact that Nox was still alive, Ninev
The answer struck Nineve down to her very core, and her eyes went wide as tears streamed down her cheeks. Her heart was broken. Nineve spent years missing Nox. Yet, the man she loved had fallen for someone else when she finally sought him out."Fine… Fine! I hate you, Nox! I hate you!" She bawled.…While Nox and Nineve were having their reunion, Drunk was on the carriage, holding his oversized gourd. Nox's allies were on the corner, too scared to approach the unkempt man. They had seen and experienced his power first-hand, after all."It's Eight Gates after Seven Stars. That boy is already an Eight Gates?" Drunk muttered, thinking about the battle with Nox. "No. Even if he is, he couldn't have stopped me so easily. Goddammit, he's a monster."The longer he thought about the battle, the more dismayed Drunk became. He had been a legend for so many years. Yet, he lost a battle to Nox even before they even met. It was demoralizing.The best way to cure that was to drink himself stup
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