Daniel heaved a sigh. "I wonder if you'll be mad at me, Yulia."A gust of wind winnowed into the courtyard, brushing against the corners of Daniel's eyes. He teared up slightly as he was reminded of his late wife.…A town stood near the Darkbog Mountains. Someone was singing in the most luxurious karaoke lounge in town. Unfortunately, their voice sounded like a dying seal croaking out its last whimper.Bear was the singer. Within the lounge where light strobed, a bunch of women—with heavy makeup on—were drinking away.In the center of these ladies, a monk with a flushed face and who stank of alcohol was lying on the chest of a red-haired woman, drinking away happily. The monk was none other than Awesome.Ever since he snuck out of Mystia, the monk let his desires control him. He broke all abstinence and would satiate his lust every single day. In his words, life was nothing without hot chicks around."You were great last night, monk. Two of my friends can't even get out of bed.
"Aw, come on, Bear. I was just starting to have fun. What's the rush?" a confused Awesome asked."Imperia. There's trouble back home, and we need to go back, pronto." Bear had a dark look on his face.Awesome sobered up. "What? What happened?" he asked blearily."There was an emergency call from Keith. The sects have made their move, and they sent out killers after them." Bear clenched his fists, his expression solemn.'The sects?' Awesome thought as he pouted. "There's nothing to worry about, then." The monk from Mystia was not scared of any sect.Bear, however, was far from calm. "Awesome, the lord is not in Imperia. Keith and the guys are the only ones left. If the sects did attack, no one could stop them." Bear looked miffed.Awesome could understand Bear's worries now. With Nox and him gone, only Keith, Bard, and some regular warriors were around. If the sects did attack them, they would be in trouble. "Holy shit, I forgot that Nox isn't around!" He jumped."We need to go b
After Nox turned Snowground into Faeast's vassal state, Imperial City threw a big celebration, and Nineve was a prime example of it. She gushed with excitement. After all, the man she loved achieved a feat almost no one could rival.However, she was also a little miffed. She was waiting for Nox's return. Yet, he didn't show up. It had been nearly a week since he completed his feat. The princess even called the guys at Darkbog Mountains, but they said he was already gone.That was why the princess was miffed. "Where'd stupid Nox go this time? Wait, he can't be wooing another girl, can he?" The thought of that riled her up. So, she sought her father out.Moments later, the princess was standing outside the Gilded Halls. From a distance, she saw Douglas and Felcro standing outside as well. These two were always allowed to stand by her father's side, and she wondered why they were standing outside now."Mr. Gaia, what are you two doing out here?" Nineve asked as she approached them.D
"I see. I'll have to check the guest out. See if the legends are true." The princess ran into the Gilded Halls.At the same time, a white sliver of sword energy flew out of the Gilded Halls, and a wave of gust howled behind. Atop the white light was a silhouette in green, riding on a flying sword."Whoa, a divine swordsman!" The princess watched the swordsman fly away, agape. She gasped with excitement.Douglas and Felcro saw the silhouette off. "That's Sword Sect for you," Douglas commented.Then, a majestic voice from within the halls said, "Come in, Mr. Gaia." That was the voice of the emperor.Douglas bowed, "Yes, Your Majesty."A moment later, Douglas, Felcro, and Nineve were in the Gilded Halls. The emperor was sitting atop his throne. The princess quickly approached him. "Father!"The emperor looked at his daughter. "And what brings you here?"Nineve pouted. "I wanted to see you. Mr. Gaia said you were talking to a Sword Sect guy? Is that true?"The emperor smiled. "Yes
"Destiny is inevitable, it seems. I thought the sects would not go after Nox, but I've obviously underestimated the lengths they would go to," murmured the emperor.Douglas answered, "Worry not, Your Majesty. I am sure Lord Nox can calm this storm down alone."The emperor waved Douglas down and rose to his feet. "I am not worried about Nox; however, I am worried about the effects this war will have on Faeast's martial arts world. It will be plunged into chaos. It'll be a disaster that we've not seen for a hundred years."He continued, "Many of my ministers are in cahoots with the sects to gain more clout and influence. If the martial arts world were to fall into chaos, so will the nation's stability."Douglas's heart sank, for he knew the emperor was right. The nation was built on martial prowess, and the Three Great Powers had established themselves deeply in this land. Should chaos befall them, the nation would be thrown into disarray.People with ambition would rise and fight f
Nineve was in her mansion, ready to ask her father about Nox, but then she caught wind about Royal Retreat and her father's isolation. She shrieked, "What? Father's going into seclusion? Why?""Mr. Gaia told me that the emperor has gone into isolation mode. Now, Mr. Gaia is in charge of administration," a servant answered."What happened? I just left the Halls. Why is Father going into seclusion so suddenly>" Nineve had a feeling something major was going to happen soon. "I have to ask Father about this."Nineve quickly approached Gilded Halls. When she arrived, the doors were already closed to her, and Royal Army's soldiers were guarding it. Felcro was also among them.Nineve looked at the closed doors and frowned. Quickly, she went up to the Gilded Halls. "What's going on, Felcro? Where is my father?"Felcro smiled at her. "His Majesty is in seclusion now.""And what's up with that? It's so sudden," said Nineve.Felcro remained smiling. "I do not know."Nineve was miffed. In
"Your Highness, you need to see this," said Drunk from outside.Nineve went back out. "What'd you find?"Drunk looked at the ground around him weirdly. "If I'm right, a fight happened here.""What do you mean a fight?" Nineve asked quickly."Look at the gashes. What do they look like?" Drunk pointed at the ground.Gashes as thick as arms decorated the earth underneath, and a broken tree stood limply on the side. Nineve stared at them. "Sword marks.""Yes. Anyone who can leave a mark this intense must be a Top Legend Realm."Nineve's heart sank. "So, you mean to say that a Top Legend Realm attacked Keith and the others?"Drunk shook his head. "I don't know, but I have sensed that a lot of powerful Top Legend Realms have been coming into Imperia lately."Shock took over Nineve's mind. Drunk was already a Six Paths decades ago, and now he was already a Seven Deaths. Nineve would never doubt his words. The fact that he said a Top Legend Realm attacked Keith and the others made her
The girl's praise made Madison blush. She smiled, crouched, and held Gina's chubby hands. "You will, I'm sure of it."Gina smiled happily. Then, she caught sight of Penelope leaving her abode. "Grandma!" She ran up to her grandmother and jumped into her arms. Then, she smiled and said, "The lady said I'll grow up to be as pretty as she is!"Penelope smiled and pinched Gina's cheek. "And I'm sure you'll be beautiful, Gina."Gina giggled."Run along now, though. I need to speak to our guest."The girl nodded. "Okay." She hopped away and got onto a swing. After the girl was gone, Madison quickly bowed to Penelope. "Hello, Mrs. Greenshade."After moving into the Greenshades', Madison found out that this was where Nox used to live. This woman was his beloved grandmother."Oh, you don't have to, young lady." Penelope smiled. "Daniel said you're all Nox's friends?" Penelope asked.Madison nodded. "Yes.""That's good to hear. Nox left this place when he was just a little boy. It's gre
"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