That was an order from Nox!Nox was still alive!Douglas could hardly believe it. Before he even realized it, he was already in tears.The Command Office erupted into thunderous cheers.Meanwhile, at Vertolt, the gate was about to fall, yet no orders came from the capital."General, there is still no reply from the capital. They claim the general guarding the weapons refused to carry out their orders!" The messenger informed Dylan of the news."Every second is urgent when it comes to warfare. There can't be any delay. If the thieves of Winterosch invade Northstate, there will be dire consequences!"When that happened, Dylan would have turned into a criminal in Faeast.Half of Vertolt had fallen, and the berserkers from Winterosch kept charging in for the kill. The only thing Dylan could do was fight to his death.At that critical moment, the gloomy sky was suddenly chased away by beams of golden rays.One of the rays pierced through the stormy clouds and shone down on Vertolt
The mental and spiritual boost caused morale among the guards to skyrocket, prompting all of them to charge into battle with blood rushing through their veins in excitement.Black Tortoise descended from the skies and defended the gate all by himself. Despite the millions of invading soldiers from Winterosch, no one was able to get past Black Tortoise.The berserkers of Winterosch ended up completely surrounded by Vertolt's guards after leading the charge.As the commander of Winterosch saw the berserkers, his greatest elites, get surrounded, he had no choice but to order his troops to do all they could to save the berserkers, even giving up the strategy of pushing past the gate with mere weapons. Instead, he ordered the great siege cannons to aim and fire at Vertolt.The thunderous claps of cannons echoed through the air, but every shot was blocked by the Sacred Beast Formation.Winterosch's commander had no choice but to fully arm his troops with siege weapons so that they could
The 100,000 soldiers led by Atlas slaughtered a million soldiers from Winterosch.With such a comparison of strength, the Winterosch soldiers immediately turned into a disorganized mob.The 100,000 soldiers were elites with hundreds of battles and the battle of Heaven's Cage under their belt. Every one of them was a highly skilled martial artist who could stand strong against a hundred men all by themselves.In contrast, the only soldiers in the Winterosch army who could stand strong when outnumbered were the berserkers. However, they had led the charge and were already massacred. Thus, when it came to a clash of blades, Winterosch was no match for Black Tortoise's troops.At the sight of the tables being turned against them, Winterosch's commander ordered his troops to abandon their hostages and camp for a full withdrawal. He was afraid the remaining 300,000 of his men would be culled as well. Moreover, morale was at an all-time low, with many of the soldiers breaking down in fear
"Valhalla? Even if it exists, those are just evil spirits not even fit to be called an evil god.""What? How dare you insult my gods? You scoundrel!""Insult? You're right. During my reign of terror in Mystia, I've killed thousands of evil spirits in Assad Temple and Valhalla. Why else do you think those priests are so afraid of me?" Nox scoffed.Winterosch's commander froze. After a brief moment of hesitation, he hefted his ax higher and continued his charge."You are a man much stronger than those fake gods. Still, you shouldn't have angered Faeast." With a flick of his fingers, Nox shattered the giant ax along with the commander's arms.Agony shot through the commander. Before the shriek of pain could even leave his throat, a figure flashed across the field while his vision spun. The last thing the commander saw was his headless body.With one strike, Nox had decapitated the commander. He walked toward the Winterosch army with his head in hand.The soldiers had already broken
"Don't cry. I'm back now, aren't I? Certain people will be disappointed by that."Nox summoned water out of thin air through condensation and used the water to clean Nineve's face. He then turned to look at the one member of the Mousses who was present.That one glance scared the man halfway to death."Lord Nox, I had nothing to do with this! I was only acting on orders. There is no way I would dare to disobey Ms. Aphrodite's orders!" the man howled on his knees."Don't tell me that. Your life is not in my hands. That depends on the law," Nox replied with a huff.The army of 100,000 marched over to subdue the remnants of the Winterosch army. If not for Atlas' roar, they might have instantly rushed in to execute every soldier who was about to surrender."To destroy is easier than to create. Every country has good and evil men. If you don't stop the killing, the cycle of hate will never stop. It's more important to kill and subdue those in power," Atlas declared.As someone who ha
Seeing Nox approach, Dylan pointed at the bloody streets and corpses lining the streets of the city. "Look. These were someone's child, someone's parent. What is true for Faeast holds true for Winterosch as well."However, the main culprits of the battle will always be hiding in the safest place possible, watching the warriors fall as if they had nothing to do with the deaths."If we win, they get the credit. If we lose, they insist on revenge. A loss will ruin the country's entire economy. Just who will suffer then?"When we get our revenge, the dead will still be the descendants of the same warriors."At that, Dylan gave Nox a meaningful look.Nox understood what he meant."Don't worry, General Strohm. I've declared war against the Sect Alliance just for the chance to exterminate all hidden threats in one go. I'll sacrifice my generation for peace in Faeast forevermore," Nox declared with determination. He had never swayed from this goal, and he never would."Alright. I don't
"Nox! Do you know how worried I was? I was so afraid you died..."Governor's Residence, Northstate capital.Awesome kept clinging to Nox as he cried his heart out."Cry if you want to, but stop wiping your snot on my shirt! Get off!"People were worried about Nox's life because he was the heart of the nation. The stability of Faeast could not be placed at risk.Awesome's fear was much more innocent. He was only afraid of losing Nox as a boss.Despite Nox's shouting and disdain for how Awesome liked to mess around, he knew Awesome would always be the first to march to war when the nation was in trouble.When Awesome went to Nineve, he never planned on leaving her side alive.Frankly speaking, he held a grudge against the Confucians. The enemies were already banging on the country's doors, itching to trample over every warrior in Faeast, but the Confucians were unmoved."They aren't unmoved. Didn't they send someone here, too?" Nox said with a shake of his head.True, they had
"I trust you also know of His Majesty disappearing into the underground chamber?" Nox said.Everyone present nodded. Nox observed their reactions with a closed eye. Except for Atlas' worry for his nephew, everyone else was preoccupied with the war that would be happening in seven days. It was as if no one cared that Quilo might have died.As people used to say, the ascension of a new ruler was the start of a new government. Now that Faeast's new fate was born because of Nox while also being centered on him, his influence greatly surpasses Quilo's.However, Nox was not happy to see that. He knew he was not as good at governing the country as Quilo.Deep in his thoughts, Nox continued, "His Majesty ordered that I take full control over Faeast's military."I hereby announce that Atlas will be taking over as the Viceroy of the North, Black Tortoise as the commander of the Nox Army, and Marquis Strohm as the Governor of Northstate, standing guard over Vertolt. As for the rest, you will
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