Alexander's heart sank, and he was reminded of Cashmere. He knew this was that git's trick. "I apologize, milord. It is my carelessness that led the bastards to you," Alexander quickly said.Nox waved him down. He said in an offhand manner, "They're nothing but insects. Pay no heed to them. If they want revenge, they're welcome here."Alexander paused. "I'll get my men here, milord.""There is no need for that," Nox stopped."Milord, do you plan to face the whole of Blackdragon alone?" asked Alexander, still perplexed.Nox stood up. "Alone? I can take them down single-handedly. Now go home."Alexander wanted to say more, but Nox was too lackadaisical about it, and he wasn't listening. In the end, Alexander bowed and retreated.…It was about ten in the morning, and a dozen cars had arrived at Dragoncourt. A group of men in black leaped out of the car. These were Blackdragon members, of course.After all of them had gotten out, Cashmere and Geronimo appeared."This is the plac
As more members fell down the cliff, screams echoed through the air. It didn't take long before eight members met their demise.Geronimo was looking more solemn, each scream piercing the fog. "What now, Cashmere? Why can't we get out of the fog?"Beads of sweat were forming on Cashmere's forehead. He stared at the fog coldly. "Shit. This might be a formation," he blurted."A formation?" Geronimo was shocked."Yes. Everyone, stay put! I'll break the formation!" Cashmere roared, and he pulled out a couple of talismans. He chanted, "Three paths hidden in the clouds of fate, open the path, the flames of the mystical.""Go!" A stream of fire the size of an arm burst forth from Cashmere's palm, and it roared into the fog, but before it could go far, the flames disappeared.Cashmere turned three shades whiter. He quickly made more hand seals and took out a bronze geomancy compass. The item had an ancient air around it. Cashmere bit his finger and infused a drop of blood into the compass
"Who are you, punk?" Geronimo demanded.Nox laughed. "You came to me for vengeance, and you don't even know my name?""What? You're the one who killed Casey?" Geronimo growled.Nox put his hands behind his back. "That is correct," he said arrogantly.Geronimo was about to take down the killer, but Cashmere stopped him. Cashmere looked at Nox. "Who are you? I don't believe Blackdragon has had any squabbles with you. Why did you kill Casey?"Nox said coolly, "Because the animal deserved it."Geronimo said, "He confessed, Enlightened. Let's kill him!"Cashmere said nothing. He could feel the aura coming from Nox, and it was strong enough to strike fear into a sorcerer like him. Cashmere said, "One last chance. Are you sure you want to make us into your enemy?"Nox laughed. "Don't even try to use your organization to threaten me. Blackdragon is nothing to me!"Cashmere finally got furious. No one ever dared take that attitude with him before. "Very well. If death is what you seek,
"Otherwise, I'll break your limbs and make you regret you were ever born!"Nox didn't even care. He laughed. "Three blows. If you can even touch me, I lose. What say you?"The disdain infuriated Geronimo. "Arrogance!" He spread his arms, and a burst of air sprang forth. The burst of air stirred up a powerful air current, charging toward Nox.Even the air around Geronimo was howling. The air current exploded the moment it touched Nox, and a crater was left on the ground.But weirdly enough, Nox wasn't there in the crater, almost as if he'd disappeared.Then Geronimo heard a voice from behind."First blow."Geronimo's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly retreated. He curled up his fists and spun back like a cannon. The air around him swirled and turned into ripples. Once again, explosions roared through the air.When the dust had settled, Nox stood ten feet away, unfazed and unhurt. Geronimo had struck twice, but none touched Nox. He was shocked, and Cashmere did not look happy
Geronimo's arms were a bloody mess, and he fell to the ground, ashen. No one expected Nox to heavily injure Geronimo in one blow."Mr. Burns!""Geronimo!"Cashmere and the men in black gasped.Nox said coldly, "You took the blow head-on and survived. But now you die." Nox waved his arm again, and a powerful, inexplicable aura crashed down on Geronimo.When Geronimo felt the murderous intent coming at him, he activated all his inner energy to block the attack, but it was too late. Nox curled his fingers and held Geronimo in the air without touching him.Everyone was stunned, especially Cashmere. He shouted, "Geronimo!"Cashmere quickly made hand seals, and three streams of flames darted at Nox.Nox harrumphed and swung his arm. The streams of flames shattered. "If I want him dead, no one can stop me, especially not you."Nox tightened his grip, and something cracked. Geronimo was turned into a pile of mincemeat, trapped in something invisible.Nox tossed the mangled mess back
"Chamberlord, he's too powerful for us to take on. And if I'm right, he's both a martial artist and a sorcerer. He's on par with a Greater Grandmaster."Everyone looked terrified. They knew how powerful a Greater Grandmaster could be. Faeast was a nation of warriors, but even then, not many could become a Greater Grandmaster. A Grandmaster had enough power to take on a powerful family.A Greater Grandmaster could be the ruler of a fiefdom, and now one was right here in Riverton."And so what if he is? He killed my son and my chamber's members. If I don't avenge them, how am I supposed to run this show?" Logan roared.Everyone fell silent, including Cashmere."Cashmere, heed my order! Declare the Blackdragon Decree! If the bastard wants to play, I'll play with him! Let's see if a Greater Grandmaster can fend off 3000 men!"Shocked, Cashmere asked, "Chamberlord, must we really use that decree?"Blackdragon Decree was the Blackdragon Chamber of Commerce's highest order to kill. The
Alexander sighed. "Long story, Annie. Just stay at home for now.""But at least tell me the reason, Dad," insisted Annie.Backed into a corner, Alexander had to tell the truth. "Ever heard of Goldcity's Blackdragon?"A moment of stunned silence later, Annie asked, "The local underground ruler of River Tri-State?""Yes.""You're saying we crossed the Blackdragon Chamber of Commerce?" Annie asked quickly. Any blueblood in River Tri-State worth their salt would know of Blackdragon, including Annie.Alexander sighed. "Technically, yes.""But how? They're in Goldcity. Why did they come to Riverton? And why do they want to fight us?" Annie had more questions."Empire Corp isn't the one at odds with them. It's…" Alexander wanted to say it was Nox, but he swallowed his words.Ferguson came in a hurry. "Mr. Weeks, bad news!"Alexander quickly asked, "What happened?""According to my investigations, Blackdragon has announced the Blackdragon Decree, and Logan's students are all in Rive
Ever since Nox left, George and Yvette were overjoyed. Queenie, however, looked out of it. Ever since the incident on the bridge, Queenie missed him more and more.She couldn't do anything about it. Her parents wouldn't let her see Nox, and she had too much work to do. It had been a while since Queenie saw Nox. She had no idea where he was staying either.Queenie came back home, but she was still thinking about Nox. After a simple dinner, she went back to her room.George didn't care even if his daughter looked troubled. He wanted his daughter to date Alexander, not Nox. If Queenie got together with Alexander, his family would rise to prominence.Yvette looked at her daughter. Worried, she said, "She won't talk to us. What should we do?"George said dismissively, "Don't worry. She'll be fine once she forgets that punk.""But she's not getting any younger. She should be getting a boyfriend now," said Yvette."Are you stupid? Alexander is courting her. If they get together, our fa
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