The mention of that case elicited a sigh from Penelope. She was the matriarch of the family and, though old and blind in one eye, was wiser than anyone else.Sixteen years ago was the year Nox and his mother were exiled. Daniel didn't have a choice, however. Nox found out that the real culprit might be the emperor after investigating. The emperor had forced the Greenshades, or to be specific, Daniel, to do it.However, Nox still couldn't find out why. That was why he stayed away from Nineve. He was worried that if the emperor was deeply involved with the exile of him and his mother all those years ago, things would get complicated.Penelope sighed. "It doesn't matter what you think, Nox. Nineve truly loves you. No matter what choice you make, do not hurt her. She's a good girl. I watched her grow up. I'd love for you to marry her and give me a great-grandchild." There was hope in her eyes.She was in the last years of her life, after all. She wanted to see her great-grandchild whil
Though Gina would like for them to stay, Nox's promise made her nod. "That's a promise, Noxy!""Yes, it is. I promise." Nox smiled."Pinky promise!" Gina held out her finger."Okay! Here's a pinky promise. I'll be back!" Nox made the pinky promise. Some small talk later, Nox was finally leaving."I'm going now, Grandma." He looked at Penelope.Though Penelope wanted him to stay, she waved her hand. "Run along now."Nox bowed at her before turning around and leaving with Awesome. Penelope held Gina's hand, seeing Nox off with a heavy heart. Once he disappeared into the distance, she looked to the left. "How long are you going to hide?"Daniel came out of the shadows and approached his mother. Smiling, he said, "Hello, Mother."Penelope glared at Daniel. "I can't believe you still have the gall to see me. Tell me, will Nox be in danger?"Daniel scratched his nose. "No, I think.""You think? Tell me the truth. Is the family he's fighting powerful?" Penelope asked. It turned out
Within the remote valley, towers, pavilions, and castles stood. This was the base of operations for the Blackstones, and they called it Blackstone Palace.As masters of contraption for thousands of years, this palace was made with remarkable craftsmanship. There were palaces hanging from the mountainside, and chains and bridges connected the place.The Blackstones were famous for their contraptions, but ever since modern society happened, their contraption skills went on a decline.Still, the Blackstones were a mystery among the Philosophers. Besides the top ten Philosophers, most people had no idea about their existence.Buildings and towers stood among the ancient land. Among these buildings were Blackstone family members in black. They each had a wooden box on their back but in different sizes.These boxes were not to be underestimated, for within them were the contraptions of the Blackstones. There were contraptions for all kinds of situations. Some were used to kill, while so
"Sir, all the Top Legend Realms were… were all killed by Nox," the old man said in a trembling voice."W-What?""How is this possible?""He killed all the Top Legend Realms? This can't be!"The elders were stupefied."It's all true. And that's not the only thing. Old Dragon's Peak was destroyed, and Starcatcher fell into ruins. The survivors at the mountain base saw the battle. Greenshade was like a god… No, a demon. He hovered in the skies above and radiated the air of an Immortal.""That demon killed everyone, including Mr. Horatio," the old man continued.Salazar shivered once more, as if he could not accept this. "Greenshade! I'll make him pay!" he roared as if madness had possessed him.Just then, an ancient voice came from the side. "Calm down, Salazar."A black-robed man with gray hair came out. He was a Five Mountains, and the air he radiated covered the whole hall.He was the current head of the Blackstones and Salazar's father, Hrimnir Blackstone."Father!"The mo
"As Greenshade has come back alive, he shall once more subjugate the families. Speak your minds. What ideas do you have?" Hrimnir said and looked at the elders."Family head, I think we should continue our collaboration with the Mousses. After all, they control the military. As long as Aphrodite remains lord, we will have a strong supporter," an elder said. He had eyes as sharp as a falcon's."Mr. Lorenzo's right. Greenshade might be the strongest man around, but he is only one man. His position was long taken away by the Mousses. I think we should keep the collaboration alive as well. One day, we will kill Greenshade," another elder said.Hrimnir answered, "You have a point, but I'm worried that Greenshade might not stop here."The first elder was surprised. "You're saying he's going to come here and challenge us?"Everyone fell silent. They were wondering the same thing. If Nox did come to their lair, what should they do?Then, someone broke the silence. "How dare he! We've liv
Just standing on the edge of the cliff was enough to experience bone-chilling cold. Hrimnir, dressed in a black robe, and Salazar were standing here at this moment."Father, must we ask for the patriarchs' help just because of Greenshade?" Salazar asked.Hrimnir said coldly, "Silence. You have no idea how strong he is. Six years ago, so many Top Legend Realms tried to stop him during his crowning ceremony, but he destroyed them all. Why do you think the Mousses gathered so many dissidents to deal with him?" His voice was sharp.Salazar hung his head low and said nothing more. Hrimnir added, "Remember, never underestimate the Great Lord of Faeast." He then looked at the abyss underneath. "Stay here. I shall ask the patriarchs to intervene."He leaped down into the fog. In the abyss, layers of mist swirled and twirled. Three gigantic bronze caskets were floating in the air somewhere down the cliff.Every coffin was about seven feet long, and they had been here for eons, for there we
The moment that hand gripped the lid, dark winds howled around the cliff, and dark energy spilled out of the coffin. One of the Blackstone's patriarchs was finally making his appearance.Hrimnir watched with wide eyes. An explosion rattled the air as the lid burst into smithereens. What came out was something that looked like a lich instead of a human. He was a gaunt old man with not an ounce of flesh on his bones. Only a layer of skin clung tightly to him.The moment he hovered, the black energy around him gathered in one place on his body, and the gaunt old man changed. Flesh grew rapidly on his bones, and even his head was changing.Moments later, the old man looked no older than someone in their fifties. His gaze was as sharp as a falcon's, and he was draped in a black robe. Powerful evil energy radiated from him.Though he looked like he was in his fifties, anyone could feel the stench of death wafting off him upon closer inspection. It almost felt like this man had died for a
When Hrimnir told Goede how Nox was crowned lord, fought the ten nations, brought peace to the world, and subjugated the Three Great Powers with Eight Techniques, he started buzzing with excitement.In the end, veins throbbed on his face."Hm?" The longer Goede listened, the darker his gaze was, and then he chortled. "I see we have many young talented warriors rising to power in the fifty years I was absent. Has Mystia produced any powerful warriors, then?"Goede seemed to not care about Nox. Instead, he wanted to know about Mystia."Not at the moment, Lord Goede.""What about the Underworld? Magic Mountain? And other sects?" Goede asked."None as well…" Hrimnir answered.Goede narrowed his eyes. "If they have not made their appearances, what makes you think we're in trouble?" He looked at Hrimnir coldly.Hrimnir shivered instinctively. He knew the kind of man Goede was. The family would never disturb them if nothing important was happening.They would only do so if they were
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