Bartemius' face fell. Nevertheless, he noticed the malice in Nox's eyes, and it stemmed from disdain. "What is that supposed to mean, boy?" Bartemius asked, keeping his fury in check."Isn't it obvious? You are not worthy enough to be emperor, not even if you're a Royal Apex. I will never betray my ancestors." Nox shook his head.Bartemius finally realized he had missed something. "Who are you, boy? Which family are you affiliated with?" he asked solemnly."My name is Nox. Nox Greenshade. You killed a lot of people a hundred years ago, and some of them were members of my family."Bartemius inhaled sharply. 'He's a Greenshade?' His pupils contracted as a wary look appeared on his face. The Greenshade clan was an ancient family in Faeast. They'd already existed since the days of the first emperors.Any history that dated so far back couldn't be verified, but the Greenshades remained prominent even after so many millennia. They'd witnessed heroes and talented individuals born from th
"The lord is already this powerful? Bartemius is an Intermediate Pinnacle Legend Realm!" Vermilion Bird was stunned. She wondered what her lord had gone through during her absence."Don't look so surprised. Nox is far more powerful than we are. We'll never understand how powerful he is until we get to a certain level. When we do, we'll realize just how incredible he is," Quilo praised.Vermilion Bird was a little confused. She was still musing over what Quilo said when the magma exploded. Soon, a flame pillar shot up into the sky, and Bartemius came flying out, strongwind covering his body."You're a decent one, boy. I can see why they call you the Nine-State Lord. The old me would've been defeated. However, I have now absorbed natural energy and practiced Mystia's Celestial technique. You are no match for me! Great Physique Manual, Vajra Seal!"Runes appeared on Bartemius' skin, and his aura skyrocketed with the boost of power it gave, causing him to double in size. He became so p
A layer of protective energy sprang forth and covered Nox, howling like a hurricane.Bartemius was flabbergasted. "How do you…""The question should be the other way around. Protective energy isn't a rare technique in Mystia. Only an idiot like you thinks they're something worth gatekeeping." Nox scoffed.'That look again!' Bartemius might spew blood at this point."You insolent little… Who do you think you are? You have no right insulting me, Greenshade!" Bartemius summoned another manual, and his body was covered in flames. An air of violence rampaged around him.A crimson saber flew out of the magma. Bartemius' aura grew stronger with that weapon in hand. "The Caesar Saber Technique is unparalleled, and I am Faeast's Lord of Saber!" He caressed his weapon as his lips curled into a sneer.The saber unleashed a wave of ice-cold energy, turning everything around it into frost."Oh, so we're not clashing techniques now? Fine, weaponry it is! Eight Techniques, Swordmaster!"Nox h
"Blooddrinker!" Bartemius swung his saber, and a ribbon of light a thousand feet long hurtled toward Nox."Swordmaster, Unto the Origin." Nox controlled all power with his sword. This technique could take out most enemies back in Heaven's Cage. Now, it could wipe them off the map. Even gods would fall under his attack.When the sword fell, everything died. Even the magma was compressed further downward. Bartemius' saber energy dissipated upon impact while his weapon shattered into pieces. The shard flew at Bartemius, riddling with holes.Bartemius' meridians were destroyed as his saber energy rampaged through his flesh and bones. His crushed innards splattered against the ground as he fell into the magma. Shortly after, the suppressed sea shot back up, covering the underground battlefield in flames."I'll take Vermilion Bird, Nox!" Quilo wasn't powerful enough to stay here for prolonged periods. He grabbed Vermilion Bird and leaped toward the passage that led down here."Vermilion
Nox and Quilo leaped into the sea of magma and went straight to the deepest depths. They broke through the ground and entered the chamber of the Dragon's Vein. This was a hidden vein that covered more than half of Faeast. Magma flowed slowly over it while the vein shone a dark golden hue.Quilo couldn't help but think that they had somehow stumbled overground. Still, he was quick to snap out of it, commenting, "So this is the Dragon's Veins. Legend claims that there are nine of them, and they can decide a nation's fate."Only one is left, and it's in Imperia. That's why the previous dynasty's administrators made Imperia the nation's capital."Quilo couldn't hide his excitement. It was a big deal to lay his eyes on the Dragon's Vein."They're not that powerful. Dragon's Veins can produce natural energy. Spiritual energy is split into Yin and Yang. The energy we usually have access to is Yin Energy. Yang Energy is way up there in the sky."To be a cultivator means to master the ar
For real cultivators, this was heaven on earth. "I shall leave Faeast in your hands, Nox. If the Limerents try anything funny, punish them as you see fit. Yes, even my uncle. If anyone turns their back on Faeast, I give you the power to issue a kill order."Quilo was staring at Nox. It was clear what he had in mind. He wanted Nox to be the new ruler—the new emperor. Nox said nothing. He merely nodded with a smile. Nox knew that Quilo trusted him, but Quilo couldn't tell him what to do.Quilo went into cultivation after giving Nox his final orders. Before he left, he said telepathically, "You can use the formation as well, Dad. If anyone tries to break in, use it to kill them."Quilo froze. In Faeast, it was common for sons-in-law to call their father-in-law 'Dad,' but he knew Nox meant something more than that. "Very well. You're now my godson." He laughed and entered strict isolation. He would not leave until he became an Emperor Realm warrior.Nox returned to the underground cham
Vermilion Bird just had a breakthrough and needed time to stabilize her powers. The battle with Bartemius also wounded her badly. So, she had a lot of internal injuries, and Nox saw no need for her to risk herself."I am not just your comrade, milord. I am also a general of Faeast. No Nox Army soldier would retreat in battle. Winterosch is trying to invade us. It is my duty to protect my nation. "This is not just a battle between countries. Two temples are behind this, and this battle needs me," Vermilion Bird insisted.Nox did consider that. Bard alone wasn't enough to deal with this. "Fine, but be careful. We're in no hurry. The battle's still days away. We'll go to Northstate together once you're healed." Nox nodded."Of course." Vermilion Bird was excited that she could fight with Nox again.Jaculus naturally didn't know that Nox would require days to heal Vermilion Bird. "It's been five days, and we still have no news. He can't be taking that long, can he?" Jaculus muttered,
Nineve was exhausted after all the work she'd done a few days ago, but Atlas' grumbling swept her exhaustion away, replacing it with rage. She slammed the table and glared at Atlas, much to his confusion."What's that supposed to mean, great-uncle? We're all working for Lord Nox here. We're his subordinates! This is your job!"Atlas gasped. "You're lecturing me, girl? Not even your father would take that tone with me!" Atlas only respected Nox out of everyone in this army. He was second-in-command. To him, a princess was worth nothing."Goddammit, Atlas, will you see sense? Lord Nox isn't crowned lord because of his generosity! He's not like my father! He made his way up because he slaughtered enough people to make mountains out of corpses!"He only keeps you around because you're useful to him and the nation. The moment he thinks you're a threat to Faeast or a dissenter, you're dead. It won't be Nox who does it, but my father," said Nineve.That made Atlas shiver. He knew Quilo.
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
Now they had one, and it was Elizabeth. Her speech awakened the bravery and courage lying within the people of Brundela. An overwhelming majority of the council members stood up and chanted, "Long live the queen! Long live Brundela!""Good." Nox noticed something. The fate of Brundela stopped its downward shift and was stabilizing."The Mortal World and mortals. The Realm of the Gods has been here for millennia, and still, I can't figure out how mortals work." The Ice Temple Lord was confused. These mortals were prone to deception and scams. They were weak and frail. Yet, they had the potential to unleash strength that could shock even the gods."It's solidarity. You guys wouldn't get it. You call yourselves gods and lock yourselves up in the Realm of the Gods. You try to enslave the world despite being so out of touch with it."Do you know why I call you false gods? True gods are omnipotent. Their word is law. They can change the rules that govern this world just by saying it, b
Ice Temple's Lord didn't even look at Dickson. The man was so crushed that there wasn't even a hint of arrogance left in his soul. The Ice Temple's Lord's technique locked his spirit. So, it was not severely weakened. Thus, He would die very soon, even without the Ice Temple's Lord attacking him."Please, leader of gods. You are the only true god. I swear my undying loyalty to you. Spare me, please!" Dickson begged for his life.Dickson finally met his match. The arrogant would-be king couldn't even do anything against the Ice Temple's Lord."Oh, I can save you, but what makes you think you're worth it? You're lower than scum, and you think you have the right to ask for my favor? Repent and pray, then I might make it quick for you. Refuse, and only unending hell awaits."That threat scared Dickson. He cried and begged for mercy. He cursed his own soul and put his faith in a god stronger than his master."And you think you deserve the gift of life, maggot? Open your eyes, mortals
Two cultivators were fighting in mid-air, while the other Ice Temple cultivators made an invisible barrier to keep them in, or the council hall would be destroyed from the impact of the fight.The battle was awe-inspiring, and Dickson became smug. So what if his enemy was a leader of gods? Perhaps he was no match for one, but the Assad gods could easily destroy him if a slave could fight him for a prolonged period.Ice Temple's Lord realized that Dickson couldn't feel pain as the essence had nearly devoured his spirit. He was nothing if not feral, and he did not fear death at all. A brilliant idea appeared in his mind. He could create an army of fearless gods if he could get his hands on this technique.Nox said telepathically, "How much longer are you going to take? He's just a useless tribute. Do you honestly want to keep this up until he burns himself away?"Ice Temple's Lord's pupils contracted, and he looked at Nox. Nox looked up from his book. The Ice Temple Lord thought th