As soon as the name of the Mousses left the old man's lips, Nox's face darkened while a cold fury settled in his eyes.He wasn't the only one. Awesome and Douglas, standing beside him, also wore grim expressions, the weight of the revelation sinking in.Nox pressed further, his voice stern. "What about my grandma? My father? Where are the others?"The old guard, who was barely holding on, rasped, "Mr. Greenshade… they were all taken by that Mousse bastard. Everyone's been captured.""What? Captured?" Nox's face tightened, anger bubbling beneath the surface."Yes," the old man wheezed, barely able to speak.Then, he revealed the full horror of what had happened to the Greenshade clan that night with his dying breath.It turned out that tonight's battle wasn't a true defeat for the Greenshade clan. The tide had turned when the Mousses secretly captured Penelope, throwing the entire Greenshade clan into chaos.Once the Mousses had her in their grasp, Jacques used the opportunity t
Ever since Aphrodite seized Nox's lordship, the residence had been renamed "Phoenix Residence."Right now, Phoenix Residence was a fortress, its defenses tight as a drum. Every corner was occupied by military personnel on high alert.Just then, three figures emerged from the shadows, advancing steadily toward the fortified gates.They were none other than Nox, Awesome, and Jasper.Several guards immediately spotted them the second they stepped into view at the entrance."Stop! This is a military zone. No unauthorized personnel are allowed entry!" one of the guards barked.Alas, his warning fell on deaf ears.The trio continued striding forward with purpose, unfazed by the warning."This is your last warning! If you don't stop, we'll shoot!" the guards shouted, raising their weapons, ready to fire.Just then, Nox's icy voice sliced through the tension, declaring, "I'm only here for Aphrodite Mousse! Whoever gets in my way will die!"The guards froze at the sound of Aphrodite's
The Phoenix Residence was now a sea of people. Everyone stood armed with their weapons aimed at the entrance. Naturally, Wyatt, the military general, was also included in their numbers.Just then, the massive gates of the military headquarters exploded open with a thunderous crash, revealing three figures stepping into view."General, it's these three maniacs! They've breached the gates!" one soldier hurriedly reported to Wyatt.Wyatt narrowed his eyes upon spotting Nox among the trio, a chill settling over him. "Everyone, get the machine guns ready! I refuse to believe these lunatics can turn the tide today!"Machine guns were quickly set up with a clatter. Hundreds of soldiers readied their weapons, aiming directly at Nox, Awesome, and Jasper as they stepped inside.Faced with the daunting sight of so many armed members, Jasper darted forward without hesitation, positioning himself protectively in front of Nox. "Noxy! Let me handle these clueless punks!" he declared with a grin
Once the soldiers had retreated, Nox strode confidently toward the Phoenix Residence with unwavering steps.Wyatt, not daring to question him, followed quietly behind.This grand mansion once belonged to Nox. Now, it had passed into the hands of Aphrodite—a bitter reminder of how quickly fortunes change.As Nox stood before the imposing gates, he thundered, "Aphrodite Mousse, get out here and face your death!"His roar echoed like the wrath of heaven, reverberating through the empty rooms of the residence.Yet, there was no reply. There was no sign of Aphrodite anywhere."Hey, where's that viper Aphrodite?" Awesome snapped, turning to Wyatt, clearly irritated by the silence."Lady Phoenix… she's been away for a couple of days now!" Wyatt stammered, hurrying to answer.When Awesome heard that Aphrodite had long since left the Phoenix Residence, he started cursing under his breath, clearly frustrated.Nox, however, was silent—until a volcanic surge of killing intent erupted from
As Aphrodite finished unlocking the chains, she glanced at the old woman. She wasn't sure whether Penelope had heard her as the older woman remained silent, her expression unreadable.Aphrodite offered a gentle smile, brushing aside the tension. "Grandma, I'm so sorry. My men still need to learn a thing or two about handling things with care, but I've made sure they learned their lesson. There's no need for you to be upset now." Her voice was sweet, almost playful.Yet, the old woman stayed quiet, her face as still as stone."Are you mad at me?" Aphrodite asked, a sigh escaping her lips. "It's been years since we've seen each other, and I almost became your family, your granddaughter-in-law. What a shame…" Her tone carried a mix of amusement and nostalgia. It was as if she was reminiscing on some joke only she understood.Just then, Penelope turned her head, her gaze cold and sharp as ice. She stared directly at Aphrodite, eyes narrowing."What do you want?" she asked firmly, her
She continued with a smirk adorned on her lips, "If Nox were to die right now, who do you think the people would remember? Me or a corpse?"Penelope shot back, "And you think you can just eliminate the Greenshade clan?""Why not? Have you forgotten? Every last one of you in the Greenshade clan is at our mercy now. Your clan could vanish from this world with just a word from my lips!" Aphrodite declared, her voice dripping with menace."You wouldn't dare!" Penelope roared, her voice unexpectedly fierce for a woman of ninety with no martial skills.No one anticipated the chilling aura that suddenly surrounded her."Listen well, girl! Allow me to remind you that my clan has never feared death. My grandson will avenge us even if you wipe us out!"Aphrodite burst into giggles at Penelope's words."They say the Greenshade clan is stubborn. After our enlightening chat today, I see that the rumors are true! Grandma, my advice to you is simple. Cooperate with us, or every poor soul in yo
"Don't worry, Grandpa. I'll make that old hag submit to us!" Aphrodite declared, her voice sharp and resolute.A sudden burst of laughter erupted from Jacques."Why are you laughing, Grandpa?" she asked, bewilderment flickering across her face."I'm just amused that you would underestimate that matriarch so badly!" he replied, chuckling."What do you mean, Grandpa? She's just a blind old lady with no power to back up her words! Surely, I can handle her!" Aphrodite shot back, a hint of defiance in her tone."No, you can't handle her," Jacques said bluntly."How can that be? Grandpa, you're seriously underestimating me!" Aphrodite pouted, her expression morphing into one of defiance."I'm not underestimating you. You're underestimating that matriarch!" Jacques lifted his gaze, his tone turning earnest. "Do you know why the Greenshade clan has become the strongest in the world and why they have commanded respect in Imperia for so many years? They still have countless Legend Realm w
"Aphrodite, you should know by now why I told you that you can't win against the matriarch of the Greenshade family, yes?" Jacques said. Aphrodite fell silent. Frankly speaking... She never thought that the Greenshade clan would have such a history or someone that legendary. After she gave it some thought, she asked, "Is this the real reason you've been so afraid of the Greenshade clan, Grandpa?"Jacques slowly nodded. "Did you know? While the Greenshade clan had fallen from grace, it was still the same family once known as the most powerful in the world. Before we have absolute confirmation that Cassian is dead, none of us can make a move against anyone in the family," he replied. Aphrodite nodded and remained silent. "Remember this, Aphrodite. We are capturing those from the Greenshade clan to deal with Nox. Once Nox is dead, our family will have complete control over the martial artists of Faeast."That was what he eventually concluded. There were no more protests fr
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
Aphrodite was a master manipulator. She knew the weaknesses of Nox's underlings, and she praised Bard, "At least you know where you stand, Bard. You never overreach. Though we failed to make you one of us, I still thought it'd be a shame to kill you."Bard smiled. "Oh, you're such an actor, Ms. Mousse. You know why we don't like you? Queenie is a genuine lady, just like our lord. You're far inferior to her. And don't flatter yourself. Of course, I know where I stand. I can't even reach the pinnacle of martial arts, let alone cultivation."No matter how smart I am, my lack of talents holds me back. I can never be made an important leader." He was only spared because he couldn't become a threat to the Mousses.Nox didn't use schemes because he didn't need them. Absolute power could trump any plot.Vermilion Bird clenched her teeth. "What is the meaning of this? The lord knows that the bitch is here?"Bard shook his head. Vermilion Bird was a smart woman, but Aphrodite made her lose
Aphrodite felt nothing but sorrow, and Vermilion Bird burst into laughter. "I expected nothing less from these people. Your men are just like their employers. Hey, knights, you guys want to find out more about Faeast martial arts? See those Mousse guys? They're masters. Deal with them."Vermilion Bird gave her orders. She knew these people would escape the moment she showed up. The knights flew off, going after the escaped Mousses. The Mousses were a family of warriors, while these knights were cultivators, to an extent. They wore mystical artifacts, and the Mousses' guys didn't have something like that.The battle was fierce but short. The Mousses' powerhouses were taken out, and the rest were dealt with by the Shadow Division."And now only you're left. Interesting, isn't it? Karma always bites you in the ass. You betrayed my lord, and now your men betray you. You deserve this," Vermilion Bird cursed."Yes, I deserve this, but as long as he wants to be the Nine-State Lord, then w
'The beating heart of this land?' The woman's underlings looked grim. They were supposed to be the master tacticians here. Yet, Nox played them like a cheap kazoo. 'He's a far better tactician than we expected!'Nox began his counterattack not long after the Ocean of Death incident. This woman was none other than Aphrodite, Nox's old flame. When she saw Brundela's fate stabilizing, she knew right then that things had gotten out of her hands."Tell the Mousses in Eropa to retreat right away. There is no need to stay here any longer. He's not attacking us because he's waiting for us to do the same. The moment our men try to start anything, he'll swoop in and take them all out. "No one can beat him if he decides to go all the way. Not even me," said Aphrodite.Suddenly, the Mousses' powerhouse noticed something. "I sense bloodlust. Who goes there? Show yourself!" The powerhouses unsheathed their weapons and stood around Aphrodite, protecting her.A group of black silhouettes appeare