"Because he shone too brightly six years ago," said the emperor with resignation."What do you mean?" Nineve was still confused.""You might not know this, but a monk from Mystia told his fortune on the day Nox was born. He said that Nox was born to be emperor. Ever since then, I've been wary of him…" The emperor spoke of his worries.He was the one who ordered the attack on the Greenshades. He was the one who made Nox marry Aphrodite. Nineve could not believe what she was hearing."I have made many mistakes. I pinned the blame on Nox when he was not to be blamed. Six years ago, to keep him in check, I made him marry Aphrodite." Finally, the emperor told Nineve the truth.Nineve shed more tears. She could not believe that the marriage between Nox and Aphrodite was a ploy by her own father."Please do not be angry at me, Nineve. I had to do it for the nation. It was all for Faeast's safety." The emperor extended his hand, intending to console Nineve. Unfortunately, she flinched aw
A rundown courtyard stood on the outskirts of Imperia. It was where Nox and his mother lived before the disease took her away from him. Nox had been staying in this place since his return.His friends were guarding this place now. Three silhouettes stood outside the courtyard: Oldsmoke, Steely, and Redsleeve. They became Nox's followers because of Daniel's orders.Suddenly, raucous laughter came from within the courtyard. "The lord is incredible! He sliced the head off Snowground's emperor! Again!"The one who spoke was Bear, one of Shadow Division's commanders. He was as big as a bear, and the man was watching international news on his tablet, laughing all the way. Then, Bear approached Keith quickly and handed the tablet to him."Keith, look, Snowground has a new ruler, and it's a chick!"An inscrutable Keith said, "That's what they get for crossing the lord.""Agreed. Those barbarians think they could steal our martial arts manuals and get away with it? That puny nation deserv
"I had better check in on them before they could wreck the place."Some mountains stood behind the rundown courtyard. The buzz of sword energy sliced through the clouds and flew into the skies. A line of white glazed the heavens, glimmering brightly like stars as the Northern Stars appeared.The seven stars started to shine as the sword energy appeared. A cold voice from the mountains declared, "Forbidden Arts, Northern Stars!"The stars shone brighter, and the skies darkened. The darkness covered tens of thousands of yards, plunging everything beneath into darkness. Then, a silhouette flew into the heavens.He was neither tall nor wizened with age. Yet, the sword energy shot out of him like a pillar. He was holding a golden sword with both hands. Then, his form merged with his sword when he flew into the skies.This boy was the genius swordsman of the Southkings—Augustus, the young marquis. At the same time, Augustus merged with his sword while casting the Forbidden Art. A bald m
As the swords fell upon the monk's bell, the ground shook while the bell echoed. Even debris fell from the mountains behind them. However, the bell only sank from the attack, blocking Augustus' swords."Not bad, lad. Your attack's improved since last time. Again!" Awesome mocked, sitting cross-legged in the bell.The young Augustus glared at the monk angrily as his attack failed. "I'll break this stupid bell today!""Do it, then! No one but the boss could break my bell since I started my training! If you can do it, you can brag to all of those dumbass geniuses back in Mystia!"Augustus summoned his will-of-the-sword again and prepared for the next attack. Alas, a voice said, "Goddammit, stop fighting!" The portly Bear appeared out of nowhere.Awesome mused for a quick moment. "What brings you here, Bear?"Bear looked at the destroyed landscape and the rolling boulders. "If I hadn't shown up, you'd have blasted this place to pieces!""Oh, you're worrying too much. I was just spar
"Really?" Bear did not seem to believe Awesome even for a single second."Yeah. To be honest, the kid's a super genius swordsman. There aren't many like him, even in Mystia. Aside from the boss, there's only one swordsman more powerful than him that I've seen so far. Only one," muttered the monk as he took a trip down memory lane."There's someone out there who can swing a sword better than the little one?" Bear sounded doubtful. He thought Augustus was one of the, if not the best, swordsmen around. He was surprised that Awesome had seen someone better."Yeah, that monster's on another level," said Awesome as he was reminded of someone he knew."Who's the guy?" Bear quickly asked."He's a Sword Sect guy. Comes from Magic Mountain. I wouldn't bother with his name," said Awesome.'Magic Mountain's Sword Sect?' Bear thought as his heart raced with shock. Magic Mountain had always been a legend among Faeast's martial artists. There were many stories about that place.It was shocking
Bear scrolled through his phone until he saw Senami's photo before handing his phone over to Awesome. "So, what do you think? Pretty, isn't she? And she's hot too, yeah?"The monk could not tear his gaze away. He was practically vibrating with excitement as he said, "She really is hot! I like exotic women!"Bear laughed loudly."Bear, tell me. How can I make her mine?" Awesome felt himself falling in love again. Senami was too gorgeous, after all. She had perfect looks and curves. Her hair was fiery red, and her eyes were a shade of beautiful blue. It only made her look prettier."I don't think you can get her, Awesome." Bear tucked his phone away."Why?" Awesome protested."Because she's the ruler of Snowground now."Awesome felt sad. Although he feared nothing, he could not just kidnap the ruler of a nation and make her his woman. More importantly, Awesome wanted a relationship where he and his partner could be equals.He wanted a relationship where the feeling was mutual. If
As one of the ex-commanders of the Shadow Division, Bear could get themselves a private jet as easily as snapping his fingers. When Bear actually made the call, the monk looked at him with worship in his eyes. "That's awesome, Bear! From now on, I am your sword and shield! I will cut through anything you want me to!"Bear chuckled. The two perverts got themselves a private jet. After they boarded the flight, Bear texted Keith and the others about their trip to Snowground and their meetup with Nox.Back in the courtyard, when Keith and Bard got the text, they immediately frowned with disapproval. "The idiot took Awesome with him too. What now, Keith?"An expressionless Keith said, "They've boarded the jet. It's too late to stop them."A speechless Bard looked at the text. "The dumbass is up to something, I bet."Keith harrumphed. "We'll whoop his ass when he returns. Sadly, before that can come to pass, we need to guard this place until the lord returns."Bard nodded and said noth
"But Your Majesty, hundreds of thousands of Faeast soldiers are still within the borders of our nation, and that demon is still around. What should we do?" The minister looked worried. The demon he spoke of was none other than Nox.Ever since Nox made Senami the ruler of Snowground, he went into the mountains behind the Golden Chambers and stayed there. None knew what he was doing, not even Senami.To the nation of Snowground, Nox was a demon. As long as he was here, they would continue to live in terror. Nox brought an indelible nightmare for them, after all.Senami said, "Although he is here, there is no need to worry. If he wanted to wipe us out, he wouldn't have bothered making me the empress.""Even so, it would be a scandal of massive proportions if they find out we have a Faeastian presiding within the Golden Chambers," said the minister. He was right. Nox was a Faeastian. Yet, he had made the Golden Chambers his own.The Golden Chambers was not only where the ruler and min
"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
Their targets were the relics around the altars. The moment the whirlpool showed up, the black energy conjured black walls and kept Brundela on lockdown, cutting off all communications.Possessed by evil spirits, gods from ancient civilizations came back to life. In the underground graveyard, the dead came bursting out of their coffins, and skeletons with phantom flames flickering around them charged at the holy knights and James' secret agents.Nothing more needed to be said. The holy knights' leader led the charge. The other knights resolved to fight to the death as they battled the skeleton gods.James and his secret agents fired off at the enemies, but the bullets did nothing to the skeletons. All they managed was to light a big spark. Only grenades and howitzers could deal damage to them, and even then, the damage was light.The battle was fierce. Though the knights did not fear death, they were still weaker than the prehistoric gods. These skeletons were nigh invincible, and
Nox was hovering higher than the Ice Temple Lord, and he got everyone's attention."Who's that?""It's a Faeastian!""My God, it's the Nine-State Lord!" Nox was known throughout Faeast and the world. Brundela's council members had recognized him the moment he showed up. They had nothing but fear for gods, yet Nox was the strongest man in the Mortal World, so they respected him.The clouds in Brundela's skies were hanging heavily over the ground, and the icy aura they radiated was making everyone shiver. Winter seemed to have come early for Brundela. The temperature was dipping fast.Back in the control center, intelligence agents were watching the surveillance footage closely, and they noticed the altar. The Twilight Order and Ice Temple cultivators were there, strengthening the altars' seal the best they could. There were soldiers guarding the altar as well.For some reason, the secret agents had a feeling something bad was going to happen. Murphy's Law, as they said.Suddenly,
A sliver of energy flew out of the puppet and gathered natural energy around it. Then, the temperature rose at a blistering rate. Fortunately, Bard's reminder came just in time, and Vermilion Bird was prepared for this. She led her team away from the spot.A pillar of fire engulfed the building, and heat waves shot off in every direction, lethal and deadly. The light eventually faded, and all buildings in a few hundred yards were razed to the ground.If Vermilion Bird had killed the puppet without thinking just now, she would have lost all her men and suffered serious injuries. "That bitch! I'm going to make her into a human swine one day! I'll give her hell!" she cursed.Bard gasped. 'Yeah, women can be really terrifying.' Not one General was a normal person.This incident didn't escape Nox, of course. He saw it through his divine sense. "Heh, you can't fight the flow of history? You say that, Aphrodite, but you've done the same thing more than once. Schemes and plots when your ey