A deep and eerie silence fell over them like a vacuum.It appeared as though time had stopped as raindrops hovered in mid-air. Mireil's eyes nearly burst out of their sockets as they grew wider in shock.This power was beyond anything that mortals could achieve. If anything, it was the might of gods and humans themselves! "So, you're the one pulling the strings behind all this. No wonder Jaculus has been pushing himself so hard. Tell me! Who are you?" He spat and threw Jaculus aside like a piece of trash. His full attention was now locked on the shadowy figure before him.Thud!The figure moved. Each step he took shook the earth. It was as though his feet were crashing through the clouds. The sheer pressure from his presence was overwhelming, causing Mireil to momentarily lose focus.In that brief instant of disorientation, the shadow expanded infinitely, and it seemed to touch the sky!Mireil's body rebelled against him, and his knees nearly buckled under such divine power.
"Once I make this move, no one beneath the Supreme Realm can stand against me. Lord Nox, prepare to meet your demise!"Mireil's words echoed, heavy with malice. "Killing you is only the beginning. The world will witness that the Celestial Ordinance's Abode is the true ruler of Faeast. Every soul shall bow before us and recognize us as the only god of this world!"Thunder boomed as a blood dragon crafted entirely from the power of lightning tore through the clouds from the heart of the storm. Its massive, menacing form hurtled toward Nox and consumed him!However, Nox remained unfazed. His gaze was cold. "Hmph, you're not even qualified to be a mere evil spirit. Yet, you dare compare yourself to a true god?"You, who are merely half away from ascending to the Supreme Realm, dare to speak of gods in front of me?"He took another step and raised his hand with ease. All the stagnant raindrops flew right back up to the clouds.At that moment, the backward droplets transformed into cou
The insides of Nox's body shook as a sliver of Ultimate Sun Energy shot out of him, charging into the skies above. It turned into a golden dragon and covered most of Imperia. The dragon's roars echoed throughout the city, and the air rumbled.Mireil's blood dragon was still roaring. It was a provocation for the golden dragon, allowing a fake dragon to live even for a second longer was an insult to the golden dragon.Unadulterated Ultimate Sun Dragon Energy came bursting out of the golden dragon's maw. Ignorant of its enemy's power, the blood dragon tried to defend itself. Unfortunately, the energy pierced through its body mercilessly. Burning energy exploded in its body, and golden beams of light shot in every direction.The blood dragon was destroyed less than a moment later. With his spell broken, Mireil suffered powerful recoil, causing him to spew blood. His skin cracked, and blood spilled from him as though he was a fountain. Moments later, he was nothing but a sheen of red.
"To think the great Lord Nox is nothing but a villain. And you think you can stand up against the sects? I'll destroy your conviction, Lord Nox, even if it means the death of me!""Shut it, you bastard! How dare you insult my lord! It's just as well that he's taking your essence!" Jaculus would not stand for any slander against his lord. Nox was doing a good deed by ridding Mireil. It was only right to be given a reward for his efforts."Don't put yourself on a pedestal, scum. Your essence can't even make me one mote stronger." Nox's lips curled. He was a Supreme, while Mireil was just an Eight Gates. Consuming the weak's essence would only weaken Nox.Besides, Nox didn't learn any Forbidden Arts related to the consumption of essence. He cast Revival again. The blood-red gem turned lively green, radiating the scent of fresh grass and jade. One whiff was enough to sober up the mind.Nox sent it flying down, and it stopped atop the medical tent. The gem broke into hundreds of slivers
Jaculus was shaken. However, he felt encouraged when he saw unwavering conviction flaring in Nox's eyes. "Milord, I will never lay a finger on innocent Faeastians ever again. If I turn my back on this promise, I will take my own life as recompense. The Hidden Dragon Guards share my conviction." He went on his knees, crying."That's all? No, with great power comes great responsibility. It is your job to keep your men in check. If you can't even do your job, you can forget working for me," said Nox coldly.It didn't take long for Jaculus to understand what Nox meant. "I will slay anyone who tries to stop Faeast's rise to power."Nox nodded with satisfaction. The warriors who came up the mountain heard everything. Nox's brothers all shared his goals and aspirations. They'd resolved to see Nox's ambition through. Now, the Hidden Dragon Guards truly knew who Nox was.They understood why his men would risk their lives for him. Everything they did was for the rise of Faeast. Of course,
"Milord, the Sword Sect bears news. They managed to destroy the Pavilion of Regality with the help of Grand Weaver's workshop—the Sword Sect's leader slain their patriarch. We also have good news from the western frontier. Our soldiers have taken Moste Magicke out."The member continued, "However, their patriarch is too powerful for us to handle. He broke through the lockdown. We and the Hidden Dragon Guards have sent our men after him.""I see. The patriarchs are at least half-Supremes. Tell your men to back off. They can't handle that old man," said Nox solemnly."Yes, milord. Jaculus wishes to know if we are attacking Heaven's Cage. The enemy has Mystia's support. So, we'll need your orders if we're to take them," said the member."No. I will deal with that one myself. They'll know when we're moving out," said Nox.Nox remained before his ancestors for a long time, musing over the phenomenon that happened earlier. He wondered if it was a coincidence, or if his ancestors were tr
This issue, however, was a major one. Nox must consider every single possibility if he wanted to keep this momentum. His soldiers' lives were on the line. The fate of the people was at stake. He could not afford to make a single mistake. Otherwise, his people would be dragged into war."So that's why you always look dour, emperor. I knew this was a troublesome job. I very much prefer flying solo." This was why Nox refused to be crowned Defender Lord. His previous position had no administrative duties. All he had to do was fight.He had the emperor dealing with all the red tape and administrative duties behind the scenes. All he had to do was fight. Alas, a Defender Lord would hold both administrative and military power.They would have to deal with all the unpleasant, political stuff cropping up like mushrooms after a rain. Nox had a headache just thinking about it.Quilo was in his palace, sleep eluding him. He was keeping an eye on Nox's situation. Although he was in the palace
Nox bowed to Quilo solemnly and made his way to the airport, not looking back at all. "Nox…" Quilo saw Nox off, tears welling up in his eyes. They weren't just king and subject. Quilo saw Nox as his own.Someone sobbed in the darkness. Quilo waved his hand, and the barrier that could block divine sense shrank back into the artifact. Queenie came out of her hiding spot. She was a mess of tears.She knew Nox was going to war so Faeast could remain at peace. He could not afford to be distracted, not even for her. He had to put his love aside for this."I wish I never knew him, Your Majesty. I'm useless. I can't even help him. I'm deadweight! And now you have to stay back because of me." Queenie was bawling.She was trash compared to all the other ladies vying for his attention."My dear Queenie, I've lived long enough and seen my fair share of things. You might not understand it now, but someday wisdom will come to you. Romance does get in the way of big things sometimes, but think a
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