The disciples were already back at training, but then a commotion happened outside. Timothy frowned. "What's going on? Why the commotion?"A disciple quickly came in. "Master, it's Bosco. He and some of our disciples got beaten up."Timothy's face fell, and then he saw a few disciples bringing in a group of bruised men. They were none other than Bosco and his friends. Nox kicked their arses.They knelt before their master. "Master, you have to help us."Timothy looked at them and icily said, "You useless wretches. I told you to keep your head buried in training, but you wouldn't listen to me. And now look what that got you into.""I'm sorry, Master, but the guy not only beat us up; he even insulted the dojo. We can't just take that lying down!" Bosco said.Timothy questioned, "And who has the gall to insult my dojo?""I don't know. All I know is he's a young guy. About twenty years old or something."Timothy laughed mirthlessly. "You useless fools. You couldn't even take down a
"Who are you looking for?"Bosco screeched, "Tell your boss to get his ass out here!"That shocked the servants. It was at the same time that Yvette, George, and Queenie came out. When they saw the people in the courtyard, George frowned."What's going on?" He approached the commotion.Queenie followed her father. She realized something felt off.The servants saw George coming. "Sir," they said.The Thunder Dojo guys laid eyes on George and Queenie."That's them! They beat us up, Simon!" Bosco pointed at Queenie and her folks.George saw who it was, and a chill ran down his spine. "Oh no! They're from Thunder Dojo!"Queenie's face fell. She could see they were here for vengeance.Simon looked at Queenie and her folks. Icily, he said, "Them? You're saying these people beat you up?""No, Simon. The guy who beat us up was a punk!" answered Bosco."Where is he?" Simon asked.Bosco stepped ahead and screeched at George, "Give me that punk, you bastard, or you're done for!"Geo
Since Queenie was adamantly refusing to hand Nox over, Simon's face fell. "Lady, a word of advice. Hand him over, or we'll be forced to hurt you."George tugged on his daughter. "Queenie, come on. Just hand him over."Queenie shoved George away, her eyes red with fury. "How could you, Dad? Nono did so much for our family! How could you do this to him?""Do what to him? He beat them up! What does that have to do with me?" George said insolently.Queenie was shivering with rage. She could not believe how shameless George was. Unafraid, she raised her head and faced the dojo's disciples. "I'll say it again: I won't hand Nono over even if it's the last thing I do!""You're tough. Let's see how tough you can get! Quattro, slap her!"A disciple strode ahead and swung his hand at Queenie, but just before the slap could land, someone said coldly, "Who dares hurt my woman?"And a silhouette appeared before Queenie out of nowhere. Nox was back. The disciple was caught by surprise, but he
Nobody saw how he moved. Nobody saw how he attacked. All they saw was a silhouette blurring around them, and then the screams started. All the disciples were sent barreling across the air.Not even a moment had gone by since Simon gave his command, and the fight was over before it barely began. The disciples were rolling on the ground, moaning in pain. Simon stared at the disciples in shock, his mind blank.'What kind of nightmare did we cross?' he wondered.After Nox was done with the disciples, he looked at Simon. "Your turn."Simon took a step back, rivulets of sweat pouring down his forehead. He kept moving backward, and with a quavering voice, he asked, "W-Who are you? We've never crossed you, so why are you—"Once again, Nox turned into a blur. Before they knew it, he was already standing in front of Simon. He grabbed Simon by his throat and lifted him off the ground."Listen up. I don't care who you are or where you come from. If you come after Queenie again, I will kill a
George put out his cigarette. "No matter what, we can't let him stay at our house any longer.""But what about Queenie?" asked Yvette."I'll talk to her. Don't you worry," said George.…Queenie's room was seized by silence. Ever since they came back, she'd been staring at Nox weirdly. Nox wondered why that was."Why are you staring at me, Queenie?"Queenie said nothing. A moment later, she asked, "Nono, what kind of work did you use to do?""Me?" Nox was surprised by the question about his past."Yeah.""Why do you ask?" Nox turned around, smiling at Queenie.A pause later, Queenie said, "It's just… Well, you fight really, really well.""I fight really well?" Nox arched an eyebrow."Yeah. The Thunder Dojo guys are trained in the martial arts, but you beat them back easily," said Queenie. "I thought you used to be a mechanic, but now you feel more like a professional bodyguard."Nox almost spewed.Queenie continued, "Tell me, Nono. Were you a bodyguard? Did you wear a bla
"That lad beat all of you black and blue? I can't believe I taught a bunch of fools!" Timothy yelled. His eyes were bulging, his face was purple, and he was venting his fury at his disciples.The disciples were kneeling before him. They were the same ones who got beaten up a few hours ago."We're sorry, Master, but the punk's too strong. We're no match for him," Simon said.Timothy roared, "You have the gall to say that? There is no way a greenhorn like him can be that strong! You think he's stronger than me?" He stomped on the tile below, and it started to break.Simon quickly added, "No, he's no match for you, of course!""Fine. Take me to him, then. I'd like to see the face of the man who insulted my dojo!" Timothy screeched.He was going to seek out Nox himself, but then a man's voice rang out at the doorstep. "Save it. I'm already here."The disciples froze up. "Who said that?" In surprise, they turned around.A dashing, imposing silhouette stood at the entryway. Everyone
Timothy had been practicing Aggrofist for nearly thirty years, and Nox's insolence enraged him. "Get on your knees and apologize to my disciples, or you're not getting out unscathed."Timothy pushed down on the rosewood table before him, and he left a mark of his palm on it. His strength was decent, but Nox merely grinned."And what if I refuse?"Timothy shot up from his seat. "Then you're asking for it!" he roared and charged ahead.He pounced on Nox like a panther, lashing his fists out at Nox, but Nox stood still. He moved a step, and the punch was easily dodged. Timothy grunted and hurled another punch, but alas, he missed again.Again and again, Timothy attacked, but he couldn't even touch Nox. Instead, he wore himself out. Timothy was speechless. "He's standing right there. Why couldn't I touch him?"Timothy was a Combatant, and he'd been practicing Aggrofist for so long. He might not be an expert, but at least he was a Combatant. Yet he couldn't even touch Nox after a bout
Nox slowly asked, "So, do you still want to fight?"Even though he was in pain, Timothy said, "No, I surrender.""Very well. Then do you confess that you allowed your disciples to push people around just because you have the power to terrorize everyone here?""Yes, I confess!" said Timothy tremulously. Tears were almost streaming down his cheeks."Then do you have any complaints about your broken arms?" asked Nox."N-No."Nox said coldly, "Good. At least you know your place. Listen up. If you ever allow your disciples to push people around or harass the Sanders Family again, broken arms will be the least of your worries."Nox was about to leave, but a trembling Timothy said, "A minute, please."Nox stopped in his tracks and turned around. "What? You have a grudge?""No, of course not. I just want to know who you are. And are you a Great Combatant? A rude question, I know, but can you answer me?"Nox smirked. He said nothing. Instead, he swung his right hand, and a blade made
"Oh, come on. We can talk this out!" Kirin curled his lips."I'm not making a request or begging for a favor, Kirin. This is an order. Remember what you said? I make a hole through Mount Eternia, and you owe me your eternal loyalty." Nox was furious. He came for an important reason. Nox knew it would hinder Kirin's cultivation, calling him out when the time wasn't ripe.He wouldn't come here if he knew he could get out of the mission alive. "You're coming out right now, you hear me?" Nox gave an ultimatum. If Kirin wouldn't come out, Nox might kill him.Kirin's aura changed. "You're threatening me? I thought you were my friend, but you think I'm your slave?"A kirin's avatar appeared. Unlike the Generals' avatar, this one was a living being. Flames danced around it, and a sea of fire roared around Mount Eternia."I'm already generous enough, Kirin. Faeast has been nothing but kind to you, and you got some of its fate as well. I'm the one who faced almost every single danger that t
Nineve was about to poke them, but Aphrodite said, "Don't move. They've projected their astral form.""Astral projection? So why's Nox alright?" Nineve was confused."Not everyone is an Immortal like him. His astral form is already in Mystia." Aphrodite rolled her eyes."Um…" Nineve blinked, and then she realized Aphrodite just scolded her. She was about to yell at Aphrodite, but Queenie told them to look at the sky. The Generals' astral forms merged with their sacred beasts."The Sovereign can create true gods. If the Generals manage to reach the pinnacle or die in battle, as long as they have a sliver of their soul left, they can merge it with their sacred beast. To an extent, they're immortal, but the price to pay is their freedom. The sacred beast will control them, and they don't have their own will," Aphrodite explained.There were a lot of cons, but only Faeast's Sovereign could create gods. Immortality alone was enough to whip the cultivators into a frenzy. Losing their ow
That kind of power could kill anyone who wasn't a Saint easily. Any faux Saint or half Saint would die the moment they touched it, but Nox absorbed the energy instead. His body started to change colors. His skin turned red, orange, yellow, green, and even more, as if he was poisoned.The energy swirled in Nox's body once and was expelled. Nox's face returned to normal. "Still can't do it. I'm not scared of sacred energy, and I can absorb it, but I can't refine it. I wonder if it's because of my power level. Maybe I can refine it if I become a Saint?" Nox muttered.He had no idea. Even back when he wasn't a Supreme, he could ignore the formation's threat. He still had no answer for that. Nox's astral form flew into the mountain and traveled the passage he and Kirin opened up six years ago. Into the depths he went.He was met with a new world, as if it wasn't explored at all. There was something magical inside the mountain. It teemed with life here, and many different beings roamed th
'What?' The Generals were confused, and White Tiger was a little frustrated."Milord, do you think we won't be of help? If she can come with you, why can't we?" Azure Dragon pointed at the princess. "Azure Dragon and the others might be useless, but I'm not!" He just got on the princess' bad side and annoyed his friends."Can you shut the fuck up?" Azure Dragon smacked White Tiger's head. An angry Nineve kicked him too.'He's looking down on me?'"I don't have much time. Stay back and keep an eye on Faeast. I have my reasons for taking them with me, and I need you guys to do something for me," said Nox.Azure Dragon could guess what that was. "You need us to summon Kirin?"'Kirin?' White Tiger shut up and said nothing more."Yes. I'm not sure if I can come back alive. It's time for him to join us." Nox nodded."I understand." Azure Dragon did as he was told. The other Generals did the same."Shit. That monster's coming out again." White Tiger was nervous. Kirin tormented him a
Nox had no choice but to take the ladies along. Queenie was fine with it, but Nineve could be a problem. Nox asked solemnly, "Will you come with me? I can't promise your safety, though.""You think I'm a coward? I don't need your protection! Besides, I can't stop you from saving your grandpa. And if I die out there, I don't have to be the empress anymore. I don't want to work all day like my dad did!" she said angrily, but Nineve wasn't afraid. Her family had no cowards.Atlas's reputation was the worst of them all. He worked with the Mousses at one point, but he never betrayed the country even in its darkest hour."Come back, Aphrodite. I know you're still there!" Nox shouted into the distance. And he was right. Aphrodite came back looking all smug."You've always been efficient, especially when it comes to important stuff. I knew you'd come to a decision soon enough." She smiled."Enough. I don't have time to tell the family, but Grandma probably knows what I'm doing. She'll exp
'Grandpa went to Celestial Domain.' Nox looked solemn. Nineve and Queenie had never seen him looking so grim before."I see. So that was an SOS. He must've been in trouble last time, but I wasn't powerful enough, so he didn't tell me anything. That communication spell must've taken everything he had," said Nox darkly.Time was not on their side. "I need to go now. I know the place. You're not coming with me, Master. Besides the founder, no one's strong enough for the journey," said Nox."What?" Nineve's jaw dropped. The Masters were all Pinnacle Legend Realms, and Sealmaster was a powerful Emperor. If not even they were powerful enough, that place must be a dangerous one.Nineve made it obvious she didn't want Nox to go. Queenie grabbed Nox's arm tightly. She couldn't dissuade him, but she wanted him to take her along. Aphrodite watched the drama unfold. She wondered what Nox would do."No." Nox frowned."Damn right you are!" the Master interrupted. "I can't tag along, but Nineve
"I know. They don't want their family broken up, but death is a release for you, Penelope, especially if living itself is painful." The Master sighed. If Nox heard that, he'd curse him, but Penelope thought it made a lot of sense."You have to live for yourself once. Death is another form of life for people my age. I couldn't do anything for myself while I lived. Death is how I will fulfill the promise I made when I was young."…Back outside, Aphrodite sat on the stairs and lit up a cigarette. She went through three before she said, "I presume you know what happened back then."Nox frowned. 'She knows everything.'Nox's reaction was the answer Aphrodite needed. "You overestimate my power. I don't have any spies in Imperia anymore, and no one can keep an eye on you."Nox almost shouted. Aphrodite had no idea he knew about the truth. That was just a ruse so she could observe him and get her answer."The mission is simple. Save Cassian and retrieve a treasure," said Aphrodite."W
'One of us will die? I need to make a choice again? Will I repeat my father's mistake?'Nox stared daggers at Aphrodite. "That is nonsense! Even if that prediction is right, we'll either get out of it together, or we die together! We will not live if the other dies!"Aphrodite paled. "That hurt my heart. Well, you are the Sovereign, and you won't give in to anyone. Even in death, you will be glorious." She smiled sadly.Nox didn't care about Aphrodite's prediction, but Queenie took it seriously. She knew Aphrodite wasn't talking nonsense."Shut it. Did you come with the Master, or did he invite you?" Nox didn't like Aphrodite at all. He didn't want to see her unless it was something important.Aphrodite knew Nox didn't like her, and she couldn't blame anyone. She did it to herself. "I know you don't like me. I would never come uninvited," she said.Nox narrowed his eyes. So that meant the Master called her here. Then, the drunken Master sobered up. Penelope opened her eyes as wel
"She called you a commoner! A peasant!" Nineve snapped."But is she wrong? I am a commoner." Queenie clicked her tongue. She didn't really care about her background.Nineve felt like crying, and Nox pulled her back. He said coldly, "And why are you here, Aphrodite? Why were you with a Master?"Aphrodite arched an eyebrow and answered slowly, "I can come and go as I please, Lord Nox. Remember, I saved this clan once."Nox's temples throbbed. 'How dare she try to pull another one!'Before he could fly into a rage, Aphrodite added, "If I hadn't escorted a Greenshade back to her home, Cassian couldn't have communicated with you. Though Penelope has lost her powers, she can still cast some spells as long as she has the right tools."Nox's face was twitching. Aphrodite was a sharp woman. Even now she could keep him at bay easily. She did help the family once back when she was younger. No one could compare to her intellect, save for the heavens themselves.She was just like the legenda