Keith looked at Nox's room for a moment. "I suggest you don't disturb him right now.""Eh? Did something happen?" Bear was surprised."Nothing. The lord's childhood friend came over before you came back," Keith said."What? The lord has a childhood friend? Who?" Bear loved to gossip. Naturally, he was interested in finding out who Nox's childhood friend was."She's not an ordinary woman. His childhood friend is Princess Nineve herself," said Keith."What?" Bear's knees almost turned to jelly. "The princess? A-Are you sure you're not joking, Keith?" Bear was shocked."Are you stupid? Why would I lie about that?" Keith shot him a glare.Bear mused over it for a while and looked at Nox's room. "Whoa, the lord is something. I can't believe the princess would fall for him as well, but I guess I shouldn't be too surprised." Bear raised his thumb."You'd better shut your mouth. If the lord hears that, he'll skin you alive."Bear shut his mouth, but he screamed inwardly, 'Yeah, that's
Euphony Pavilion was an ancient structure in Imperia. Its history dated back a thousand years ago. It was octagonal and stood sixteen stories tall, overseeing Imperia like an architectural marvel of a mountain.It was early in the morning, but Euphony Pavilion was cleared out. Aside from warriors in combat suits standing guard, no one was allowed entry.The Simmer clan was holding a banquet for their VIPs, after all. No one knew who the VIPs were, however. On the sixteenth story of Euphony Pavilion, a resplendent parlor stood. A dozen representatives from clans in the southwest and all over the nation congregated within.These representatives were at least Legend Realms, and some of them were Top Legend Realms.There were the Asper clan from Southrise, the Tudora clan from Westriver, and the Lightwing clan from Easthope. The one in the center was the Simmer clan from the southwest.As the biggest clan in the southwest, the Simmers possessed great power. Their members numbered more
The thuds of the newcomers' footsteps reached the second floor. Soon, two lanky Top Legend Realms appeared. They were in robes with the shade of ink, and a golden 'Blackstone' was embroidered on their chest.These were the representatives of the Blackstone family. The whole building was covered in an eerie air the second they stepped onto the second floor. These two were carrying bizarre, dark, wooden caskets.There was a foreboding and bloodthirsty air about them. The Blackstones were famous among the Philosophers. Their ingenuity and contraptions had made a name for themselves even during the rule of the Sovereigns.The Blackstones' ancestors journeyed across various nations and helped various rulers to unify their empire two thousand years ago. This family was not just a thousand years old; they were a few millennia old.Although they seldom showed their faces after the Warring States era, they were still powerful throughout the eras, being a classic representative of the Philos
Charles burst into laughter. "How arrogant, Mr. Simmer. You'd have your head lopped off if you had made such a request to me six years ago," said Charles.Six years ago, Nox was crowned lord and subjugated all Three Great Powers. None dared to voice their dissent. Charles then added, "However, you make a good point.""Lord Nox was only crowned because he fought the ten nations and contributed greatly to the nation. The people loved him. That's why the Three Great Powers let him rise to prominence.""Now, we have a new lord, and the martial arts world will be welcoming a new era of prosperity. As you have said, the Three Great Powers should flex their muscles."Bolson and the other representatives said loudly, "A wise decision, descendant of the Blackstones!"Charles smiled. "I heard our Lord Nox is still alive?"Bolson said, "Yes, and not only is he alive, but he has slain many clans."A smirk curled Charles' lips. "Interesting. I have longed to meet Lord Nox, and now I shall ha
When the box was shown, Bolson and the other clans' representatives' eyes shone with greed. They chorused, "Is that the Box of Contraptions?"Charles extended his fingers and pressed the box. His fingers languidly flew through eighteen contraptions on the box as though they were flitting across a piano.The order to unlock each puzzle was rigid and must be resolved in a specific manner. If anyone got one process wrong, the box would lock itself forever. Not even the Blackstones' patriarch could unlock it.The eighteen contraptions were unraveled under Charles' deft hands. Once they were resolved, a click rang out as the Box of Contraptions slowly fell open.A powerful wave of injunctions undulated from the box. There were three talismans lying within. One was yellow, one was black, and one was red. The talismans were the size of a palm, but they radiated a powerful air of injunction all the same.All three talismans had the word 'Forbidden' written on them. Bolson stared at the ta
As the last words fell, a creak echoed in the air as a door swung open. Nox had made his grand appearance. However, he was seated and having a cup of tea.Beside Nox were Keith, Augustus, Bear, and Bard. When they realized Nox had always been in a room downstairs, Bolson and the others stared with wide eyes. Charles had the same reaction."Are you…" Bolson had never seen Nox. Hence, he didn't recognize the man."You bastard! You don't even recognize the lord, yet you still have the gall to attack him?" Bear cursed.'The lord?' Bolson's gaze took on a tincture of iciness as he shot a venomous look at Nox.Still, he blurted with a tinge of absurdity, "Y-You're Nox Greenshade? Lord Nox?"Bear growled, "Now, you know who you're dealing with. When he was crowned at Mystia, all warriors were ordered to bow every time he appeared! Why are you still standing, you curs?"The warriors were shocked, and they almost fell into a subservient position. Suddenly, a Legend Realm said sharply, "H
'He won't hesitate to kill us all if we disobey his direct order?' The representatives shivered. They knew Nox was going to kill them all."How arrogant, Lord Nox. The clans have existed for a thousand years, and you think you can decide our fate on your whim?" Bolson roared.The legacy of martial arts was rooted in the Three Great Powers for thousands of years, and they could not do with any single one out of the loop. However, Nox was threatening to kill them all if they didn't obey his order."We might be wary of you if you're still the lord. However, you are now disgraced. Your place is now taken by the Mousses. You're nothing but worthless trash, and you think you can destroy us all? How laughable!" a Half Top Legend Realm said.Then, a tiger's roar reverberated around the parlor. Everyone's eyes went wide as a ten-foot tall tiger's avatar appeared. Keith, as the first Top Legend Realm under Nox's command, would not allow anyone to insult his lord.As the avatar appeared, Kei
Keith charged ahead and turned into a green blur that targeted the old man. Just when he was about to kill the guy who disrespected Nox, Bolson snorted.Bolson raised his hand, and a golden palm swung down on Keith. However, Kevin wasn't deterred as the aura of a powerful Top Legend Realm washed over him. Instead, he roared and unleashed all his Tiger Demon's power. The avatar swung its paw to fend off the golden palm.The air exploded, and the avatars turned opaque. Keith staggered backward while Bolson was flushed with victory. The air of a Second Layer Firmament radiated from him like a banner of mockery."Again, you cur! Keith wanted to throw hands once more.However, Nox stepped forth. "Back down, Keith."Keith let out a begrudging roar and stepped back, standing behind Nox.Nox sat back down and slowly looked at Bolson and the other clans. "I have only one order. Obey me, or die. You make the call."Someone chortled, "So you're the famous Lord Nox? You're as arrogant as th
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