Draco shot up from his seat, and so did Alexander. Both did not look happy at all."Milord, how is that possible? Aphrodite is your…" Draco couldn't finish his sentence. He had no idea how."You're wondering why my erstwhile fiancee tried to kill me, yes?" Nox asked."Yes."Nox revealed a smile, but it soon turned into a twisted one. "I did not expect Aphrodite to stab me in the back either. The weaklings were no match for me. They could send out the strongest Legends, and they wouldn't even be able to defeat me. My 'demise' was thanks to Aphrodite."Hatred flared in Nox's eyes. "That night, she served me alcohol laced with poison. She used the strongest poison, Kirin Firepoison, against me. If it were not for her, no one could've defeated me," he hissed.Draco and Alexander were flabbergasted. This was the first time Nox ever told anyone about the truth behind the Battle of the Ten Nations. Everyone thought Nox defeated the ten nations by giving up his own life.They had no ide
Draco could understand that. As Nox said, the Mousse Family's strength was immeasurable. Not even Nox knew how powerful they were. After all, the family had survived for a thousand years.Legend had it that they had enough wealth to rival a country. Some said they had powerful warriors lining the family. Even their servants were top warriors.Draco clenched his fists. "Damn that family. Someday I will make them pay for harming my lord."After telling them the truth about the battle, Nox said, "Let's put this to rest for now, Draco. Just remember to keep the news of my survival a secret."Draco nodded solemnly. "I understand."Nox stretched his arms."Milord, do you know of the cure for Kirin Firepoison? If you require my services, I will do anything to hunt down the cure," said Alexander.Nox said, "It's alright, Alex. No one can cure this poison. Unless you can gather three cold herbs that are a thousand years old each and make a dose of Bloodchanger, nothing can cure this pois
George thought he was seeing things. He rubbed his eyes, but he still saw Nox and Alexander standing together. His jaw went slack. It almost felt like Alexander was the servant, while Nox was his master.Nox and Alexander made small talk, and Alexander left, while Nox went into the residence. George was starting to get uneasy as Nox came closer.He wondered, 'How'd he come back so soon? Didn't the Joshtons capture him? Did Alexander save him? But that's not right. How did he know the richest man of Riverton? Wait, did Queenie ask Alexander for help?'A light bulb lit up in George's head. He thought, 'I bet it is.' He thought his daughter must've begged Alexander to save Nox, and he got all proud and important. He mused, 'My daughter's awesome.'Nox saw George, and he said, "Hello, Mr. Sanders."George harrumphed. With mockery, he said, "Oh, you're released fast. Not bad."Nox smiled, but he said nothing."Greenshade, was that Alexander Weeks who took you back?"Nox didn't expec
She trudged into her house and saw her mother. Yvette quickly approached her daughter."Queenie, you're back." She then saw her daughter's puffy eyes and the tears hanging on her eyelashes. She asked, "Why'd you cry? Tell me, what happened?"Queenie was reminded of all the things that had happened, and she burst into tears. "Mom, Nono didn't kill anyone. He only said that to save me! Please, trust me! Help Nono!"Yvette was puzzled. "What are you talking about? I thought you saved Greenshade."Queenie's crying stopped at once, but she was bemused.Yvette said, "I mean, you asked Mr. Weeks to save Greenshade, didn't you?""What? Nono's back?" Queenie shouted in disbelief."Yeah, he came home in the afternoon. Don't you know that?"Queenie paused for a few moments, and she quickly asked, "You're not lying to me, are you? Is Nono really back?""Why would I lie to you? He's back. Just go to his room and see for yourself."Queenie ran upstairs and charged at Nox's room like a madw
Nox couldn't tell Queenie he did kill Silas. She was just a civilian, and the truth would scare her.Just like that, the Joshtons' fiasco was over, but Queenie couldn't understand why Nox was released for no reason. She thought the Joshtons actually did it out of the kindness of their hearts. She came out of Nox's room and felt a lot brighter.George appeared all of a sudden. "Queenie.""Dad? Why are you here?" Queenie asked curiously."Come here, Queenie. We need to talk," said George mysteriously."About what?""Just come over and you'll find out." George beckoned at his daughter.Queenie really wanted to know, so she followed her father into the courtyard. She asked, "What is it, Dad?"George looked at Nox's room and asked, "Queenie, tell me. How did the talk with Alexander go?""What talk? What are you talking about, Dad?" Queenie was speechless."You think you can keep it a secret? You're dating Alexander, aren't you?"Queenie couldn't believe it. "What are you saying,
Queenie thought, 'Oh no. That geezer really does like me. What should I do now?'George looked at his quiet daughter and smiled. "I think Mr. Weeks is a nice guy, Queenie. He is actually courting you. Anyone else would be moved, wouldn't they?"Queenie was in a rut."Queenie, listen to me. Ask Mr. Weeks out for a meal and talk things out. And thank him sincerely. I know you don't like him because he's old, but he's a man. So what if he's older? That's all I have to say. And you're kicking Greenshade out. If Mr. Weeks finds out you're harboring a guy, it won't look good."After that, George went away, leaving Queenie looking troubled.…The next dawn, Nox woke up and started meditating. Morning came, and Nox noticed Queenie hadn't gone out for work, so he sought her out. He went to her room only to see her seated on the window sill, melancholic.Her head rested on her hands, and there was a troubled look on her face. Curious, Nox went closer. "What's wrong, Queenie? Why are you s
Queenie answered, "I'm telling you, I know he likes me. No other explanation for his helping me all the time. And he gave me a diamond worth billions on the ball a few days ago. Do you have any idea how expensive that thing is, Nono?"A frown furrowed Nox's forehead. He mused, 'Well, damn. All I wanted was for Alex to be nice to Queenie, and she thinks he likes her. Guess he'll have to come up with an explanation.'Queenie thought Nox was silent because of the mention of the billion-dollar diamond. She quickly said, "Are you mad because someone gave me a diamond that expensive, Nono? Don't worry, I'm not that superficial."She said, "The diamond was pretty, but I didn't care about it. I gave it back to Alexander." She held Nox's hand. "I won't dump you. I know you lost your memories and might only be a mechanic, but it's alright. Nothing's more valuable than genuine feelings."She continued, "You attracted me, so I'm not going to dump you, not even for the richest man in this city.
When she came to the building, Queenie stared at it, her eyes wide as saucers. "What a tall building. That's the city's richest company for you," she muttered. She went into the building.There was an exquisite office on the sixty-sixth floor, and it belonged to Alexander. He just came back from a meeting, and sitting across from him was his daughter, Annie.Annie was in formal attire, beautiful as a celeb. Her hair was wine-colored and slightly curled. She had a body more perfect than a model's, and she shone like a diamond. Annie studied abroad since she was little, and she was a successful woman.At 17 years old, she already had an MBA and a Master's in Finance. She was also fluent in four languages, but everyone said she was too pushy and bossy, so they called her the tigress of the business world, or simply the tigress.Annie was in a suit, black stockings, and red heels. She was handing a material report to Alexander, reporting, "Dad, this is the second season's sales for my
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