Nox told Nineve about the underground vault and his short encounter with the Snowgroundians. The story filled Nineve with rage.She was the princess, so she knew what treason meant more than anyone. The Blackstones betrayed the nation. She thought Nox was a bit cruel for annihilating the Blackstones, but after hearing what they did… She clenched her fists tightly as a fearsome scowl appeared on her face."Unbelievable! Did they work with Snowground? Did they forget that Snowground was one of the nations that attacked us? Those bastards killed our people!"Nox said, "And that's why I razed their place to the ground.""And that was the right thing to do! The treasonous bastards! My father would've killed them all if he knew about this!" said Nineve furiously. Everyone in Faeast knew that the nation was their home. Yet, one of the Philosophers had turned their back on their nation."This treason isn't like your regular betrayal. If I'm right, Snowground only has the gall to pull this
Nineve fell silent, for she knew Nox was speaking the truth. A war was no child's game. It was a great battle between nations.After a beat, Nineve held Nox's hand. "I'll go with you, then. That much is alright, isn't it?"Nox shook his head with a smile. "No. I'm going alone. Besides, if you're with me, I'll have to keep an eye on you."Nineve knew she was weak. If she did follow Nox along, she would only be deadweight. So, she sighed and said, "So when are you setting off?""Now," said Nox."That soon?" Nineve was reluctant to see him leave."I have to. The bastards tried to steal our nation's treasure. I will make them pay for what they did. This lesson must be drilled into their heads!" Nox said coldly.Nineve was not one to argue when Nox had made up his mind, so she said, "Fine. I have your back no matter what, stupid Nox. When I return to Imperial City, I'm informing my father to send some troops in."Nox said, "Snowground doesn't warrant that kind of attention. Tell the
Even though she was frustrated, Nineve held it in. She was the princess, after all. So, she had to maintain decorum, even if it was just an act.Night came fast enough, and they went into their respective rooms. Nineve felt even more frustrated after that. Her room was right next to Nox's. As a result, she kept pacing around, trying to air some of her frustration."What now, what now? Stupid Nox won't even try to sleep with me. Am I going to spend the night in a room away from him? Goddammit, this isn't why I asked him to stay! Unbelievable!"The more she thought about it, the more the princess was in a rut. If everything went her way, she should be spending the night talking to Nox and falling asleep in each other's embrace. That was happiness.Yet now… After Nox returned to his suite, he did nothing. Thus, it was awkward for Nineve. "Gods, am I expected to knock on his door at this hour? No, that's too embarrassing! I'm a lady and a princess at that! I can't just knock on his doo
Nox was a little speechless about getting dragged into Nineve's room without his consent.Nineve decided to throw away all pretenses. She did not care if she was unladylike. She came all the way to Qustian Peak just to see the man she loved. Now that they were together, she would seize the chance to take him for herself."Stupid Nox, do you like me?" Nineve blurted right after she closed the door, and what a question it was. She looked at Nox seriously.Nox was flummoxed. "Sorry?""I'm asking you, do you like me?" Nineve repeated herself.Nox was having a little crisis in his mind, facing Nineve. They were childhood friends, and everyone thought they would end up as a couple. Alas, fate had a twist in mind.After he and his mother were exiled sixteen years ago, Nox never saw Nineve again, and now they were reunited. He had no idea how to answer that very abrupt question.A moment of silence later, Nox raised his head, "Why the sudden question, Nineve? You know I've always seen y
"Who's the woman? Tell me! The celeb who hugged you in Imperia? Is that the woman you fell for?" Nineve asked like a madwoman.Nox looked at the agitated princess. "Calm down, Nineve.""Calm down? I've always loved you, but now you're telling me you fell for someone else? It's that celeb, isn't it? Isn't it?" Nineve started crying at the end.Nox knew this would happen the moment he told her the truth. He said, "It's not her.""Then, who is it?" Nineve asked. She thought Nox only dumped her because of that celebrity, so she found it weird that Madison was not the other woman."Her name is Queenie Sanders, and she is in Riverton," Nox answered. It was the truth, and he did it out of resignation."She's in Riverton? And Queenie Sanders is her name?""Yes."Nineve cried as she asked, "What part of her is better than me? Why'd you go for her?""She's not better than you at anything. She doesn't have status or prestige," said Nox truthfully. Queenie was just a girl from a regular f
"It was then, I knew I could not let her down. She's a kind and genuine woman," Nox said. That was the end of the story. When he raised his head, he was met with a tearful Nineve."I did this world right. I did this nation right. I spent my whole life doing the right thing, Nineve. I cannot betray Queenie."Nineve fell silent. Although the princess was a spoiled girl, she was kind under all her layers. In the end, she wiped the tears off her face. "I can see why you chose her." A bitter smile curled her lips."But haven't you forgotten something? I spent my whole life loving you. I traveled to Moravia for more than ten years, despite everyone's objection. I did it all for you. I came all the way to Qustian Peak just to find you…"She sobbed and was a mess of tears. Nox could not betray Queenie, but what about Nineve? Who would patch the void in her heart?Nox looked at the crying Nineve, and he felt his heart breaking into a million pieces. He knew that no matter the choice he mad
Nineve could not calm down. All she had running in her mind was Drunk's advice: take Nox's virginity. Only then could she truly be his woman.As the dress was torn off, Nineve's shoulder was revealed. Her beauty and curves were unparalleled, especially the latter. She had a perfect body, and her skin was glimmering like pearls, yet it was soft and supple.Nineve took her clothes off with one hand while holding Nox in the other, kissing him. Nox was stunned. He just wanted to console Nineve, but instead, he made her passion flare.Nineve's breathing was getting faster, and her clothes were all taken off, revealing her perfect body, long, fair legs, and busty chest before Nox's eyes."Nineve, you can't…" Nox wanted to stop Nineve's antics, but Nineve was already beside herself. She did not care what Nox had to say. Instead, she fell into his embrace and kissed him greedily.Nox was just a man at the end of the day. With a beautiful woman in his embrace, Nox's willpower crumbled in m
When Nox noticed the odd look on her face, he asked in concern, "What's wrong, Nineve?"Nineve shook her head. "It's nothing," she said quickly.Nox had no idea why Nineve was having a stomach ache. He was about to press further, but then he saw patches of red on the sheets, and he froze. Then, he understood what was going on. It was Nineve's first time. So, her stomach hurt a little after their night of passion."Sorry, Nineve." Nox was looking at the red patches.Nineve blushed and covered the patches with the blanket. "Don't apologize to me. I'm yours, after all."Nox was a little touched."Stop worrying about me and get up. You have some Snowground bastards to kill." Nineve quickly turned around and changed into new clothes in case Nox started worrying too much.The lovers got changed and washed themselves up. Since Nineve wasn't bringing up last night's events, Nox would not talk about it either. After all, it was hard to bring this up.After breakfast, Nineve was finally
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