A terrifying thought struck Nox. Faeast was built on martial prowess, and the Blackstones were part of the Philosophers, part of the families, part of the Three Great Powers. They should not have anything related to Snowground on their turf.Nox looked at the gigantic containers coldly and swung his arm. The container before him shattered. Weapons and copies of manuals fell out, revealing themselves to Nox.Nox grabbed the manuals and took a look. They covered many of Faeast's martial arts. Eight Extremities, Eagle Claw, Iron Saber, Eight Trigrams Staff Technique, The Solarios' Spear Technique, and more.As he went through the manuals and scanned the weapons in the containers, a powerful wave of bloodlust shot out of Nox's body."The Blackstones conspired with Snowground and smuggled Faeast's martial arts manual to them?" Fury and bloodlust exploded within Nox. He had worried that annihilating the Blackstones might be too cruel, but now he thought otherwise.The fact that the Blac
Snowground was one of the nations that attacked Faeast. Nox fought all ten nations six years ago and destroyed a million of Snowground's elites in the battle of Darkbog Mountains.However, Faeast lost tens of thousands of soldiers as well. That was the reason Nox flew into a rage and charged into Snowground's imperial city and killed their previous emperor.Since then, Snowground backed off about ten thousand miles and gave their land to Faeast in a bid for peace. At the same time, Snowground's royal family begged that Nox spared them.Six years had gone by, and that puny nation was here to attack Faeast once more. Nox was beyond enraged. He was a lord. Although he could throw his own safety away, he could not jeopardize the people.The fact that the Blackstones smuggled Faeast's manuals into Snowground for their people to cultivate could only mean one thing. Snowground's army could cultivate Faeast's martial arts. They could then start a war and kill Faeast's people with the same
"Shit, it's an earthquake! Everyone, find cover!"The people in the city quickly scrambled for cover as the tremors went on. The tremors did not last for long. About a minute later, all was quiet once more."The earthquake's over?" The pedestrians were surprised to see this."Why'd an earthquake start all of a sudden? The weather forecast didn't give us any warning about it.""Yeah, and we've never had any earthquakes here before. What was that about?"The people came out and had a heated discussion among themselves about the earlier aftershock. Although Rochfield Town was right beside Qustian Peak, it had never seen any earthquakes before. This was a bizarre event."Wait a minute. I think the earthquake came from Qustian Peak!" Some of the townsfolk had sharper ears, and they looked at the mountain beside their city."Qustian Peak? How'd an earthquake happen there?""Not sure, but from the looks of it… that's the source of the shock," someone answered hesitantly.The townsfol
"What? It felt like one, though. What is it, then?" Tuta was curious.Farma raised his head higher, and his eyes gleamed a brilliant green. "If I'm right, that shockwave has something a Faeastian powerhouse made.""What?" Tuta and his companion were stunned."Mr. Farma, that's not possible. What kind of warrior can even shake the earth so terribly? This city's about a hundred miles away from the mountain."The younger Snowgroundians did not believe Farma for even a second."Do not underestimate these people. Have you forgotten the humiliation we suffered during the big battle?" Farma asked.Tuta and his companion hung their heads low. Faeast fought ten nations all by themselves. Yet, the ten nations lost horribly. They were forced to retreat nearly ten thousand miles and surrender that piece of land to Faeast before they came to a truce.Tuta clenched his fists. "We will avenge the nation. We swear!" he said angrily.Farma answered slowly, "That is going to be a difficult task.
Qustian Peak was not a tall mountain, but it was encompassed by a dense forest. Regardless, the Snowgroundians were trekking through the woods swiftly, making their way to Blackstone Palace.They were obviously powerful warriors. So, they traversed through the harsh path as though it was a mere prairie."We should arrive there soon. General Senas will reward us handsomely once we retrieve the items and return to the border," said Tuta, the burly Snowgroundian towering over six foot five. He was staring at Blackstone Palace like a hungry wolf."Yeah. Once we get those manuals, our warriors can finally cultivate Faeastian martial arts." The other Snowgroundian smiled with malicious glee."Less talking and more walking. We're about to get there," said Farma. The trio flew ahead.A while later, they emerged from the forest and arrived at Blackstone Palace. However, the scene that greeted them left them stunned. The once grandiose palace was lying in ruins, and a gash a few dozen feet
"The Blackstones are truly gone from the face of this Earth. How did this happen?" Tuta shouted."And why didn't our spies tell us about this?" the other Snowgroundian asked. Snowground had always been in cahoots with the Blackstones, but none of their spies knew of the Blackstones' destruction."This can only mean one thing: they died a short while ago," blurted Mr. Farma."Is that so?" Tuta paused."Yes. Take a look at the corpses. Judging from the rot, I reckon they have only died for days." Farma pointed at the bodies on the ground.Tuta and the other Snowgroundian looked at the bodies and nodded."Blast. If they're all dead, what about our stuff? We paid so much for those!" Tuta cursed angrily.The Blackstones had taken Snowground's treasures and payment for the manuals, but the Snowgroundians could not get what they were promised with their partners as dead as dirt."Shit. General Senas will be livid if we return empty-handed," the other Snowgroundian said.Snowground sp
Nox slowly raised his eyes when faced with an incoming blow. Soon enough, a powerful, destructive aura flowed out of his eyes. The air around them turned into stretches of invisible chains, imprisoning Tuta."Blast, what is going on?" The frightened Tuta tried to pull his fist back, but it was too late."You damn fool!" Nox tapped the air, and a sliver of formidable aura shot out of his finger and pierced Tuta's forehead.The most powerful berserker of Snowground exploded, his towering body nothing more than chunks of flesh as it splattered against the ground."Tuta!" Farma and the other Snowgroundian were horrified to see Tuta getting killed so easily."W-Who are you? How dare you kill my countryman?" the other Snowgroundian stammered with fear.Nox only smirked. "Your country is nothing but a minute blip on the map. You have no right trampling all over Faeast." He tapped the air, and the Snowgroundian died the same way Tuta did. He was nothing but a pile of flesh now.Nox kill
Nox killed a million or so of Snowground army elites when he duked it out with the Snowground army, filling Darkbog Mountains with mounds of corpses. It wouldn't be an overestimation to say that its land was drenched in red all those years ago.Snowground's military strength was set back by fifty years thanks to Nox, but now, some of Faeast's generals were working with them. That was unacceptable. "Tell me their names," Nox said coldly.Farma was too frightened to go against Nox. So, he promptly blurted, "Salasor Elson, lieutenant colonel of the cavalry, Craicius Choplin, the commander, and Zed Foster, general of border defense."…As the priest listed out all the names of the traitors, Nox committed them to memory. Once he was done answering, Nox said coldly, "And who's the Snowground general stationed in Darkbog Mountains?""G-General Senas," said Farma honestly."Senas? Ah, the old git who lost an eye?" Nox sneered.Farma squealed in shock, "W-Who are you? How do you know abo
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
The talismans were Magic Mountain's Forbidden Art, and Nox had fused them with Ultimate Sun Dragon Manual. Nox's mentors back in Mystia had taught him the Sovereign Seal earlier than expected.Their goal was simple. If Nox became the Sovereign, he could use the seal to command all the natural energy around him. If he didn't become the Sovereign, he would teach the Sovereign how to use the seal.The Sovereign Seal was a Saintly technique and the most ancient technique around. It was stronger than a Celestial technique.A golden seal brighter than the sun slowly rose into the air. It was the Sovereign Seal.As it appeared, natural energy gathered around it. The energy flew into the relics Brundela took from Faeast. Within a museum not open to the public, a bronze sword started to tremble as natural energy flowed into it. That got the attention of a professor."That sword belonged to Faeast's Emperor Elijah! What is going on?"A silhouette came out of the sword, and his aura was maj
Back in the navy command center, Fergus got the drone footage of Brundela's latest development. There were a few generals from the Nox Army with him. They could see that the monsters in the capital were far stronger than the ones they took out."It's a pity the capital is too densely populated. We have the weapons, but we can't use them." Fergus slammed the table in frustration. Even if the capital were to fall into enemy hands and the people torn apart by the monsters, Fergus could not order his men to fire at the capital, or things would be bad for them.Fergus could only open fire if the monsters were in a no man's land."Commander Parrish, the lord has orders. We are to keep the waters guarded. Once the capital's crisis is over, we are to make our way to the port and give humanitarian aid," a Nox Army general said telepathically. He just got Nox's orders."Is that so? Then Nox can stop this crisis." Fergus' eyes shone. He had no idea what Nox was planning, but he was the Sovere
Demons were walking the lands of Brundela. Legendary creatures were roaming the streets as if the end of days were here. The resurrected monsters were causing chaos everywhere. When the Titans showed themselves, despair washed over Brundela.There were too many monsters running around. Even after the Twilight Order and Ice Temple cultivators sent out everyone they had, it still wasn't enough to stop these creatures. The monsters went straight to the council hall, and so did the Titans.The Ice Temple Lord created a Magic Ice Formation and kept using Forbidden Arts and mystical artifacts to fend off the enemies. He had already done his best."You have to do something, Nine-State Lord. I can't hold on much longer!" the Ice Temple Lord said telepathically.Though monsters were about, they were not a threat to the Ice Temple Lord. he could leave anytime he wanted, but he had a deal with Nox. If he were to desert the battlefield, he would face a hell far worse than he could imagine late