With all his men dead, the Four Symbols was the only one left on the Mousses' side. "You're the only one left." Jasper turned to the old man.The old man's face was twitching, and he was shivering in fear. He looked at Jasper fearfully and asked, "Y-You're a Sword Sect member?""And so what if I am?" Jasper asked."Your sect is one of the Six Great Sects. You can't kill us!" cried the old man in despair in the last moments of his life."And so what if I did kill you?" Jasper sneered."But aren't you here to join the meeting? You're supposed to be on our side in the hunt for Lord Nox," asked the old man, but death was closing in."You idiot. Lord Nox is an elder of mine. He's my patriarch's sworn brother, and you want us to help you guys hunt him down? Are you mad?" Jasper cursed.The old man was speechless, while Awesome burst out laughing and smacked his leg. "Yeah, they're fools, aren't they?"The old man knew he would die today, but the humiliation enraged him. He roared, an
Nox stared at the corpse and raised his right hand, and then he cast Runic Talisman. "Eight Techniques, Runic Talisman!" he declared imperiously as he drew runes in the air. Then, an eerie black rune appeared before the trio.Everything around them took on a hint of iciness, and the cold seemed to seep into their skin. "What is this?" Awesome stared at the rune, his eyes wide."That's Soulburner, you idiot. This talisman can control the souls of the dead and turn them into the user's servants," Jasper explained."Yeah, yeah, know-it-all. Let's see you cast that," Awesome snapped, feeling annoyed.Jasper was about to retort, but Nox said, "Shut it!"The both of them shut up. After that, Nox tapped the forehead of the old man with the black rune still burning by his side. The rune then fell onto the old man's face. "I summon thee, spirit." Nox made hand seals and pointed at the old man's body.The old man's spirit slowly left its body. Nox then tapped the spirit's forehead. "Soulse
The moment Aphrodite's phantom 'professed her love,' Jasper and Awesome's jaws slackened. 'What the fuck?' they thought.After Aphrodite left her message, the scenes disappeared. Nox remained standing in his spot, cold and furious. The bloodlust that shot up into the skies was scaring his friends. They kept their mouths shut, too scared to even ask anything. All they could do was look at Nox.A long while later, Nox said coldly, "I'll kill you one day, Aphrodite." He waved his hand, and golden flames rained on the old man's corpse, burning it into nothingness."Boss.""Nox…"Awesome and Jasper carefully asked, "Are you alright?"Inscrutably, Nox answered, "Yes." The bloodlust was slowly subsiding.Feeling that, Jasper quietly asked, "Who's that woman in the old man's memories? Why did she profess her love to you?"Awesome huddled closer. "Yeah, and she's hot."Nox looked at the manor icily. "That woman is Aphrodite Mousse. She's Jacques' granddaughter.""Aphrodite?" Awesome m
The destruction of the manor was not enough to assuage Jasper. "Let's go, Nox! We're killing all the Mousse family bastards!""Jas-Jas is right! Let's go!" Awesome chimed in.Yet, Nox said, "The Mousses are cunning snakes. I've been trying to find out where they're hiding ever since I came back, but their family is a massive web. No one really knows where their lair is, or I'd have destroyed them long ago."Awesome and Jasper thought that must be true. Nox wasn't someone who would delay his vengeance. Problem was, that he could not find where his enemies were hiding.Jasper asked, "What now? We're just going to let them do what they want?""Don't worry. With the sects out and about, the Mousses will show themselves sooner or later. They're the masterminds behind this, after all. We don't have to find them. They will come to me," Nox said calmly.Jasper mused. "Hm, you're right. We only showed up because they invited us. Yeah, they invited Magic Mountain, too.""Hey, punk. They d
"I think so. Nightingale wouldn't have saved that monk otherwise, nor would he have killed Moste Magicke's successor," said Pavilion of Regality's elder.The sects' people fell silent. Shatterheart looked worried. "If Magic Mountain is indeed siding with Lord Nox, things will become difficult. Their Flying Sword is peerless, after all."Homer said angrily, "They might be strong, but we are no pushovers either! He killed our successor, and I demand an explanation, or this means war!"The other sects said nothing. Calling for war against Magic Mountain could be disastrous. Sword Sect had always been the most mysterious and terrifying sect of all. That place was on par with Mystia.Shatterheart looked at Jacques. "What do you think, Mr. Mousse?"Everyone looked at Jacques. He smiled. "The six sects should be united in defending the sects' dignity. If Magic Mountain does stand with Lord Nox, then I'm afraid a war is coming.""So, you wish for us to fight Magic Mountain?" Shatterheart
Shatterheart said something to the monk behind him, and the monk hurried away to ask their patriarch to join the fray as well. Once the patriarchs joined the battle, things would take a turn for the worse."Just in case, I've contacted some helpers as well," Jacques added."Who would they be?" The sects' people looked surprised.Jacques clapped his hands. "Come out."A trio of powerhouses appeared, radiating powerful auras of Top Legend Realm. The one in the lead was limping. His face was covered in hideous scars, and he was carrying a black box on his back. The moment he appeared, the air was filled with the sharp stench of poison. He had green eyes, and there was a mist within them.Behind the limp man was another man and a woman. The man was an Upper Three, and on his back was a black machete. The woman was beautiful and alluring and wore a short green dress. Her eyes glimmered with a seductive glint.The trio bowed to Jacques. "Greetings, Mr. Mousse."Jacques waved them down
The House of Enlightenment's members seemed unreceptive toward Venom, so Jacques stepped in. "Calm down, Master Shatterheart. These people are here to help the Three Great Powers. You don't want us to crumble, do you?"Shatterheart fell silent. Though he did not want to work with Venom, the thought of Awesome and Jasper's overwhelming strength and the prospect of facing them again made him relent.Moste Magicke's and Pavilion of Regality's people chimed in as well. "Master Shatterheart, please work with Mr. Mousse this time for the sects' sake."In the end, the monks relented and said nothing more. Now that everyone was silent, Jacques smiled. "I'm sure you've heard of these two as well. This is Slaughter, and the lady is the Jade Countenance Foxy, Astrid Bellini."What?" The sects' people were shocked once again. Just like Venom, these two were famous many years ago. Astrid, especially, made a name for herself twenty years ago. She was also called the Tricksterfox.Astrid even de
"Are you missing my grandfather, Nox? We can go to Magic Mountain right now if you want to see him. Before his isolation, he told me he wanted to spar with you." Jasper smiled.Nox smiled as well. "Of course. I'll see him once this affair is over.""Nice."While Nox and Jasper were chatting, Nox's friends were standing outside the chamber. Bear asked curiously, "Awesome, who is that guy from Magic Mountain? What's his deal, and what's he and the lord talking about?"Everyone turned their sights to Awesome. Sword Sect was mysterious, and it was also the dream of all Faestian warriors. Everyone would love to have a flying sword of their own so they could ride it. Besides, swords could also do a lot of cool stuff.Awesome, however, did not seem enthusiastic about Jasper. He scoffed. "Nothing special about that punk besides his absurd talent for swordsmanship.""Really? I think he's terrifyingly powerful, though," Bear said."And so what? The boss whooped his ass back then anyway."
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