The mention of Fiery Ignis almost chilled the Top Legend Realm's blood. A hundred years ago, the Underworld fought Fiery Ignis. The result was quite literally fire and blood.The Hell Commissions, all four of them, dispatched twenty-six Six Paths, ten Seven Deaths, and even some Eight Gates from the First Commission.None returned from the fight. Not even chunks of their corpses could be found. The only thing that stood as proof of the fight was the mountain, but even half of that was scorched to the ground.Even now, not a blade of grass could grow on that mountain. It was utterly barren. Since then, Fiery Ignis had gone missing. Legends claimed he had gone off to Mystia.The possibility of Nox being the nightmare's student caused the Top Legend Realms to look grim. They couldn't help but turn their dark gazes upon Nox."Blazing Lotus. That's Fiery Ignis' signature move from a hundred years ago. Could he really be that demon's student?" the one-eyed man proposed. His lone good ey
"Before I kill you, I have one question for you. The Underworld's made up of the nine Reaper Chambers and the four Hell Commissions. They say only Four Faces and anyone stronger than them can be a member of the Hell Commissions. So… which Commission are you working for?" Nox asked slowly.The fact that Nox could call out those departments shocked the Four Faces. The one-eyed man asked, "Damn you! How did you know of the Hell Commissions?"The Underworld had been lying in the shadows since a hundred years ago. Frankly, they only crawled out of the dark because of the Mousses.Nox couldn't be older than 20. So, he should not have known about something like this.Nox smiled. "I'm asking the questions here. Just answer it."The one with the crimson rune in his eye sneered. "I will grant you your last wish. We're members of the fourth Commission—the Rakshasa Commission.""Ah, maggots from the Fourth Commission."The Top Legend Realms flew into a rage. "How dare you insult me!"Nox s
As Gunther cast Absolute Zero, snow started to fall."Two Four Faces and one Third Layer Firmament. You should just attack all at once. Do stop wasting my time," scoffed Nox proudly."You brat! I'll kill you!" The Third Layer Firmament could not handle Nox's arrogance any longer. He was old friends with the Top Legend Realm Nox killed.The moment Nox burned that man into nothingness, this man wanted to kill him right then and there. Alas, he was wary of the Fiery Lotus Golden Eye. However, he was not scared now as he had two Four Symbols with him.Top Legend Realms had Nine Layer Firmaments. The Upper Three were: Seven Deaths, Eight Gates, and Supreme. The Middle Three Were: Four Symbols, Five Mountains, and Six Paths. The Lower Three were: First Layer Firmament, Second Layer Firmament, and Third Layer Firmament.Every layer of Firmament was obscenely different from anything preceding it. Top Legend Realms in the Lower Three were vastly weaker than the ones in Middle Three.Altho
"Absolute Zero, Freezing Souleater!" the one-eyed man roared. The snowflakes in the air morphed and turned into mini arrows that glinted dangerously.The layer of frost that floated in the air broke and turned into slender arrows as well. The arrows howled, and black energy billowed.Absolute Zero was something the one-eyed man created absorbing the cold energy under the glacier of the Frozen South. Although the slivers of cold energy were as thin as needles, they could freeze a mammoth with just a tiny prick.That spoke volumes about the power of the cold energy. The ice arrows flew toward Nox like rain while the sorcerer seized the chance to make his move. No one would dare underestimate Nox after his display earlier.The tower in his hand spun quicker and quicker as it grew taller and taller. Soon, it was about ten feet tall."Crush him, Bloodworld Tower!"The sky above started to twist as it was drenched in red. The sorcerer chanted an incantation, and the tower fell upon Nox
The sorcerer made hand seals, and black energy the size of arms spilled from his body. "Four Symbols, Illusory Dragon!" he said.Black energy converged and turned into a three-headed dragon. Each snarling head was the size of a millstone. The sorcerer pointed at Nox. "Go."The roaring dragon charged at Nox, but Nox did not bother to dodge. He merely swung his fist, and a wave of will-of-the-fist fell upon the dragon's heads.The dragon roared. Nox beat it back with a single blow.The one-eyed man attacked Nox from behind. He made a saber with his ice, infusing it with cold energy. As he swung down, the world itself seemed to freeze.Before the saber could hit, Nox disappeared from his sight. It was as if he had moved faster than light itself. The ice saber slammed into the ground, freezing the ground Nox had stood just a second ago. To his opponent's frustration, he was nowhere to be found."Where is he?" The one-eyed man was shocked.A voice came from over his head, "Is that al
"Gunther is a Four Symbols, but that brat defeated him with a single blow? Is he stronger than a Six Paths? No. Impossible. He's too young!" The sorcerer's eyes were still wide in disbelief.He had no idea how strong Nox was. Nox swung his arm, and the gigantic sword flew into the air, hanging just right above his head. "Your turn." Nox pointed at the sorcerer, and the sword flew at him.The sorcerer retreated as fast as he could, terrified of the sword. He quickly put his hands together. "Realm Barrier, open!"The air thudded as layers of blood-red barrier covered him. This crimson barrier was something only a Four Symbols could cast.The barrier barely stopped Nox's sword. "I'm a Top Legend Realm sorcerer, you brat! I have fought my fair share of battles for thirty years! You will never break my Bloodshield Barrier!"The sorcerer was confident in his Realm Barrier. The crimson barrier spread about twenty feet and covered him in a cube. He was the ruler of this space."Realm Bar
He was just about to run when Nox sneered. "Forget you, not even a god could run from me." He grabbed the air, and the gigantic barrier blinked. Then, countless beams of light appeared. Nox had no intention of allowing this man to survive."Die." Nox gripped his fingers together, and the golden beams pierced through the Third Layer Firmament. He screamed and died on the spot.Just like that, Nox killed three out of four Underworld Top Legend Realms. The one-eyed Top Legend Realm, the last remaining survivor, was crumpled on the ground. However, he no longer had any fight left in him.After Nox was done, he slowly turned his attention back to his last opponent."D-Don't kill me. I'm sorry, please! Don't kill me!" At the end of his life, Gunther started begging for mercy.He did not want to die here. Although he was a member of the Underworld, he was still afraid of death, especially when he had spent centuries just to become a Four Symbols.Nox looked at him coldly. "Give me a goo
"Oh, fine. You should at least know where the Rakshasa Commission is, right?" Nox continued.Gunther was a guest officer of the Rakshasa Commission. It would be utter tomfoolery if he had no idea where the Rakshasa Commission was located.Gunther knew he would die if he did not speak the truth. He clenched his teeth. "Lord Nox, the Rakshasa Commission is at Noir—"The answer was cut off by an eerie laughter. "Are you sure you want to answer that, Gunther?"Six silhouettes appeared around the ancestral land of the Mousses. There were six people, and all of them were stronger than Four Symbols. The one in the center wore a bronze phantom mask, and he radiated the air of a Six Paths."Harvester?" Gunther was shocked to see these people here.The administrators for the Hell Commissions were called Harvesters. Now, one of them was here.Nox looked at the newcomers coldly. "Rakshasa Harvester, I presume? I have been waiting."The man in the center was surprised to hear that. "You hav
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