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
An abandoned mountain stood a few hundred miles away from Imperia. Although it was a nameless mountain, a hundred Hidden Dragon Guards and Shadow Division members were gathered there. They were solemn. Their eyes were filled with tears and red with rage. The one in the lead was Jaculus.Before Nox took his leave, he entrusted Imperia's Shadow Division members to him. The only order he left for Jaculus was to keep the emperor safe. Jaculus knew the emperor only stayed in Imperia to keep things under control and Nox's remaining loved ones safe.The biggest threat was the escaped patriarch of Moste Magicke. The Hidden Dragon Guards had been working with the Shadow Division to track him down over the last three days. This was where their trail led to."Commander Riveria, the lord gave us his orders. He wanted these people to give up the chase, but they disobeyed him…" A Shadow Division captain clenched his teeth.The people gathered here were furious and sorrowful because their comra
Still, there was a frown on Verdando's face as he saw the incoming aircraft. Although he could kill these warriors easily, he was still wary of those who did not fear death. That wariness also extended to the unfeeling, uncaring metal wave of weapons.Humanity has its limits. He could still remember how a tactical missile destroyed his sect. If he hadn't escaped fast enough, he'd be a spot of grime on the ground now. "It's a good thing Imperia's right in front of me. You wouldn't dare fire at the city."Verdando sneered and cast his technique to disappear.Back in the palace, Quilo was informed of the news of Verdando being found.Douglas was the one giving the report, saying urgently, "Guard Five is stopping him as hard as they can, but the latest intel is that he disappeared after destroying an HBCT. The experts are on their way. Shadow Division and the Hidden Dragon Guards are making their move…" His expression turned darker the longer he spoke.Only idiots would face these w
The alarm's scream stunned the commanders. They wondered what was going on."Something's moving at impossible speeds! It's gone from the radar!""Then amp up the radar's power!"The plane's staff's voices came from the comms. The protective aircraft was in position, ready to shield the carrier."What the hell? The Sect Alliance got themselves a tactical missile? Shit, I'll shoot everyone in the military dead if that's true!" Bear cursed."Calm down. The emperor's doing his job. The Hidden Dragon Guards are keeping a close eye on the military's top dogs. This would never happen."Bard continued, "This is probably something foreign forces did. Still, we're deep in Faeast. They couldn't have concocted something that could fool the satellite surveillance. Even if they could, that would mean that they have killed a high-ranking politician. It would mean war."Keith confirmed that hypothesis as the Defense Ministry found no anomaly."Calm down, it's neither the Sect Alliance nor th
"You knew the guards couldn't stop me, so you told them to leave. I do wonder why you didn't go with them, though. If you'd gone into the underground chamber, not even someone of my caliber could find you easily."Verdando approached the emperor, hands behind his back. He stopped before the golden staircase and bowed mockingly.Quilo slowly stood up and unsheathed his sword. "The guards will only die if they join this battle. You know why I stayed. You only came to me because you knew I wouldn't," said Quilo softly.The Blade of the Emperor stood on the staircase. Quilo put both hands on the hilt, standing before Verdando like a mountain. He looked solemn yet inscrutable and majestic."Hm, I feel pressure coming off you. I expected no less from the emperor. Your aura is strong," Verdando praised, nodding his head. He then scanned the chamber. "So, this is the chamber of the emperor. It has stood for a thousand years and witnessed three dynasties. Even now, it still stands."Verd
One attack and the strongest emperor was showing signs of defeat. A Supreme was powerful beyond imagination. Quilo knew he was no match for this man long before the fight had begun.He had time to escape, yet he insisted on fighting the enemy. He was the ruler of Faeast. He was the one who inherited the will of this nation's people. They acknowledged him as emperor, as heir to the will of the great unification. He couldn't leave without a fight."Even a scholar will die for honor. A ruler must set a better example.""And that's what I was counting on. You'll lose your life in exchange for honor, but I won't kill you. Work with us. There is no true emperor in Faeast. Heroes only exist in stories. Stories written by the victors."He persuaded, "Don't you see? It's a dog-eat-dog world. Working hard will never get you anywhere. Think of the greater good. The great unification can only happen when billions die. Only a decentralized rulership can keep Faeast peaceful for a long, long tim
'So, everything I've worked for would come to nothing?' Quilo thought with despair. When Verdando told him the elders he'd been counting on were killed, it hit him hard. He spewed blood and almost lost his balance.At the same time, someone in the royal bunker started to worry. Nineve felt her heart race as panic rose. "What's going on? I feel restless. Hey, where's my father? You said he'd come soon enough. Where is he?" She grabbed one of the royal generals."I don't know. The decree told me to escort you to the bunker, and they told me nothing else." the general said. Alas, he let slip something important in his panic."What? Me? Only me?" Nineve was stunned. The decree she got talked about all royal family members. She realized what was going on. "Something very wrong has happened."She wanted to leave, but all the Forbidden Army soldiers were quick to stop her. "Your Highness!""Out of my way!" Nineve couldn't break through the lines, nor could she tell them to step away. She
Queenie had gone missing. Nox's lady was in trouble. Douglas was in the underground chamber, filled with worry. That girl went missing in the blink of an eye. The Forbidden Army searched the whole palace, but they couldn't find her.Douglas had no choice but to send out a message to everyone in Imperia to find her. The troops that were going to gather at the palace were thrown into disarray. They had no idea if they should search for Queenie or help the emperor.Quilo wasn't aware of any of this. He didn't have the strength to care about anything but the battle before him. Verdando's speech wore his conviction out like sandpaper, and his righteous energy lost its luster."There's no future in what you're doing. There is no shame in surrendering. History is written by the victors and survivors. Your legacy means nothing if you're dead. Tell me where Nox's woman is, and I will leave. No one will know what happened here."Verdando continued, "Your people will only know how you shatter
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