"This is going to be a hard battle. Mystia's warriors are already stronger than Faeast's, to begin with. This guy is a few levels above me, too. I wonder if I can survive long enough to handle ten blows coming from that guy."Atlas was worried even before the fight had begun. As a result, he had lost in terms of aura."I see you haven't made up your mind yet, Atlas, but it doesn't matter. You're no match for me anyway. If I can't kill you in three blows, then I fail as a god." Hectorio raised two fingers. Golden lightning and crimson fire fused, and the attack charged at Atlas."Here it comes!" Atlas roared and cast the Limerents' technique. At the same time, he tossed all his artifacts out. Alas, Hectorio's technique closed in while Atlas was frantically setting up his defense.Soon, a terrifying pressure crashed down on the battlefield, and Atlas almost fell from the hit. "No!" Atlas roared as he tried his best to stop the attack.Blinding light draped over Heaven's Cage, lighti
The silhouette finally moved."You're moving now? Too late! You're dead! Even if you survive this, you're still going to get hurt badly!" Hectorio guffawed.The figure took a step forward and shattered the ice. He swung his fist at the magic ice and destroyed the technique that could kill Atlas in his prime.'What?' Hectorio couldn't believe his eyes. 'He destroyed my technique with nothing but his physical strength? How powerful is his body?'The figure crossed the mountain easily and descended into the army after shattering the ice. He then reappeared right in front of Hectorio. It was as if he had teleported right before Hectorio.He showed so suddenly that Hectorio could only stare at him dumbly. Regardless, he instinctively flew backward. The figure followed closely. Soon, he was inches away from Hectorio, forcing them to meet face-to-face."You're nothing but a false god, and yet you dare insult my lord?" The figure slammed his foot into Hectorio's torso.Hectorio's face s
The real battle was finally beginning. Hectorio stopped using his techniques. He only fought Black Tortoise with nothing but his physical prowess. They pulled no punches, and Hecotrio was faster and stronger than Black Tortoise. Nox's underling was at a disadvantage.However, the soldiers were dominating the phantom cultivators. The injured Atlas was going after the escaping Phantom King. His aura was dominating the Phantom King's, and it was a matter of time before he could kill his quarry.Back in the formation, the warden told Nox what he had just seen on the battlefield. "Sir, Hectorio's an Ice Temple guy. He's at an advantage even without using any temple spells. If he does use any spell, Black Tortoise might lose."Not like we were expecting him to win. We just needed him to buy time. You're here to destroy the Phantom Tribe. Do that, and you win," said the warden."Is that so? Is that all Mystia can do? Do you really think the Mousses lured me here to let me do as I please?"
"Sacred Beast Seal: Seal!" The green tattoos on Black Tortoise's body shone brightly, and energy webs shot out of the pillars. They turned into a domain and sealed Phantom Peak. The domain was just enough to protect the nation's fate hovering over the soldiers' heads.Hectorio didn't care that there was a barrier. He slammed into it, and he almost died. "What is this? Runes? Formation? I don't care, just break already!"Hectorio slammed Sacred techniques onto the barrier, but the barrier didn't budge."You fool! That's Sacred Beast Seal! That's the killer skill of Nox's Four Great Generals! Damn him! He taught his men the guarded technique of the Beast Temple!" the voice overhead roared, dripping with envy and fury.The god behind the voice couldn't believe that Nox would teach his mortal underlings this technique. 'Killer skill?' Hectorio was stunned. If his boss said this was a killer skill, he wondered if it could kill him."Are you dumb? The Seal Black Tortoise knows it isn't
"Emperor's Manual: Invincible Warrior!" Black Tortoise switched up his technique and cast the Limerents' Forbidden Art. The aura of royalty appeared, and an air of invincibility covered him.Dark gold aura charged forth like waves, and the frozen throne shattered into pieces. The tables turned so fast, Hectorio couldn't react in time. "What the hell is this? Black Tortoise knows the Limerents' Forbidden Art? Dammit, the Limerents took an outsider as their own?"Something broke, and this time, it was Hectorio's golden spear. With his artifact and formation broken, the recoil almost killed him."Royal Gambit: Undefeated Ruler!" Black Tortoise cast another Forbidden Art, and a golden sword descended from the sky and slammed into Hectorio, piercing him from head to toe.Hectorio fell to the ground, his bones and flesh broken. He couldn't get back up. If not because of his incredible power tethering him to life, he would have died."You useless piece of trash! You're a Flawless Supreme
He used the Talismanic arts that was meant to target and destroy Yin powers and evil gods. He sneered. "You dared to ambush me? Did you really think I wouldn't notice you? At your meager level of the Supreme realm's initial stage, you're not even on par with the Defender Lord of the North! Who gave you such reckless courage?"As his words echoed, Phantom energy surged from him, shattering the talismans of the prison warden and sending the man sprawling to the ground. He shivered uncontrollably as frost crept over him. Barely able to move, the warden lay there, half-frozen and gasping for breath.With the warden dealt with, Hectorio turned his focus to Nox. "Nox, prepare to die!" He unleashed a frigid, deathly wind as he directed his sinister powers straight at Nox's vital point. If he could end Nox's life here, it would eliminate a grave threat to the Ice Temple once and for all and secure his own legacy in the years to come!Just as he was within striking distance, Hectorio co
"How dare you! Mystia isn't a place a mere mortal can defy!" thundered Valkyron."It's not just Mystia! Anyone who dares to threaten Faeast is my enemy! No matter whether it's gods or demons, I will kill them all!" Nox said.Valkyron trembled with rage, but he held himself back because he was aware that confronting Nox wasn't a battle he could guarantee winning. If he fought and returned empty-handed, it would only make him the subject of ridicule in Mystia's other temples."Don't get too smug. You'll pay for this. Just wait!" he snarled."Save it! If you're too scared to face me, keep quiet and get lost!" Nox's gaze sharpened as he activated his powers, erasing the divine projection with a dismissive wave.He was all too familiar with Mystia. Their power structure was highly complex, and even if they took action, they would never commit fully. The one who really wanted him dead was the Mousses!He had a premonition that Aphrodite would definitely not stop there.Sure enough, Va
Nox's eyes flickered open. "They're here!" he muttered, sensing that Aphrodite's scheme was not as simple as it seemed. Whoever was coming wasn't an enemy but, more likely, an old ally whose life he couldn't easily take.To the north of the Heaven's Cage, a figure charged through the mountains and appeared atop Phantom Peak. The sight of him brought a roar of joy from the hundred thousand soldiers stationed there while Atlas' face fell as he inwardly said that this issue was not good.The soldiers recognized him instantly as Lord Aldric, Northguard of Faeast. He was a powerful figure from the younger generation whose accomplishments included restoring significant lands in Faeast, achieving glory and honor for the country, and rising to prominence and kingship alongside Nox. His actions were seen as a way to redeem past losses and restore pride to the nation. He was also named lord before Nox.His fame in Faeast was second only to Nox's, and the royal family had groomed him as a
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