Everyone moved to the governor-general's place. Nox summoned all the government staff in the northern battlefront. Augustus was confused that there were so many people here. His family was just moving to a new spot. There was no need to be so formal.But when Nox took out the Golden Book of Lords, Augustus realized what he was going to do."Augustus Southking. You have contributed greatly to the battle of Mount Greatwhite, thus aiding Faeast in its sovereignty. You are hereby crowned Marquis of Northstate. You are granted the privilege of appointing your own ministers and creating the local governance."You shall lead your family, the Southkings, to guard Northstate for as long as you live."Augustus was stunned. 'What? Why am I a marquis now?' he wondered."I know it's hard to accept this, but the emperor had this in mind a long time ago, but he couldn't make you a proper marquis before you made any contributions. Now that you have done something, the emperor can see his wish thr
'Ah, she's throwing a tantrum again,' Nox thought.Not many would dare throw a tantrum around him. Nineve was one of those exceptions."I know what you're thinking. Who, to be honest. Queenie. She's living a better life than you. Than me, actually. My father taught her the Limerents' most guarded secrets, and he even made a copy of it for her in case she's too stupid to memorize it. Unbelievable."The best manuals are memorized, not copied down, and given to someone to bring along like they're going on a picnic. It's bound to be stolen somehow. And you made Mr. Edge her mentor. He's like the strongest guy around. If I had that kind of resource, I'd be leaps and bounds stronger now."Nox could see that Nineve was annoyed about that arrangement. Instead of answering, he asked her how she knew Dominic."I never went to Mystia, and neither did my dad, but my grandpa and great-grandpa did. I saw my great-grandpa before. He told us about the real powerhouses of the world. Dominic Edge i
Naturally, Nineve had her good parts as well. Her feelings for Nox never changed, no matter what happened. She could give up her position as princess just for love. Just for him. She could concede and have Queenie be the main girl while she would be the concubine.Naturally, Nox couldn't say that out loud. He could talk about Queenie even less. Quilo taught Queenie all about the Limerents' techniques, not just because of him. Once things like magick and secret techniques were involved, friendship or family alone couldn't be reason enough to teach someone completely.Everyone had their own principles. Quilo gave Queenie all the protection he could afford. He could risk his life for her, but he couldn't teach her all his family's techniques, not even if Nox were to beg for it."You'll understand it someday, Nineve." Nox pulled Nineve into his arms but said nothing. That hug was better than any answer. It showed Nineve that he cared about her.Nineve scrunched up her nose and snorted.
"It's alright. Boys tend to think a lot. We grumble sometimes." Nox laughed."That was no ordinary complaint! I won't allow you to leave! If there's work to be done, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise can do it! You want to train them, right? Then don't do everything yourself!" Nineve kept hounding Nox, refusing to let him leave.Nox said nothing and took her into their bedroom. He listened to her complain and cry until she was tired, and then she hugged Nox and fell into a deep sleep."My princess, you were here to sleep, and now you have what you want." Nox kissed Nineve gently and hugged her as he fell into sleep.The next morning, Nox left his room. He cast a sleeping spell on Nineve so she wouldn't wake up. She'd have a nice dream."The princess is worn out. Let her rest. Do not wake her. She will stir in due time," Nox told the servants that came from Imperia, then he left the residence.Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise were already waiting outsi
These people were stationed abroad and were rarely home. Seeing Nox was a pipedream, but now that their dream had come true. The lads teared up."Thanks for the hard work, people. This is the final stretch, so put your back into it." Nox went and shook hands with the secret agents."It is our duty to serve the nation, milord! It is an honor to serve you! We're prepared to die for the nation!" The secret agents saluted.Nox was glad. No nation's agents could compare to Faeast's. They were the most lovable people in the world.They didn't spend too much time on small talk. Nox was here for business. Vermilion Bird's return meant she would take over Shadow Division. They had bases all over the world and collected information from all corners of the globe. This was the most advanced intelligence agency in the world.Vermilion Bird's underling was reporting the latest news to Nox. Nox found out about it from Vermilion Bird before, and that was why he decided to come to Eropa."Milord,
Then, a confused White Tiger asked, "Interesting. They're helping this guy to the throne, so he's the gods' lapdog. He's their puppet, but they gave him control over the military?"Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise were speechless."Not everyone's as mad as you are, White Tiger. Not even Soulcatcher works on you, but that puppet king must be under the gods' control now. They don't have to worry about him fighting back. The gods can even prolong a mortal's lifespan by 500 years, remember?" Black Tortoise explained.Vermilion Bird added, "Not just 500 years. Once a slave, always a slave to the gods. Even if you're a god, divinity is always a heavy cross to bear."Nox said, "True. The gods only became gods because they toppled Faeast. It's never easy being a god, especially for mortals. They have to give up everything. Him alone will never repay the debt. Not important, though. He's probably happy to be their slave. Faith is one hell of a drug, after all."He used to cultivate in Mys
The secret agents were flabbergasted. The information they had was limited to the Mortal World's. They weren't privy to the stuff happening in Mystia."Go on. Where's the remaining royal family member?" Nox asked."She's the former heir to the throne, milord. She's the princess of Brundela and the darling of the royal family—Elizabeth Snowden. She's under the royal guards' protection. Currently, she's in Brunhild Manor, located on the royal island."The puppet king who swore his loyalty to the Assad Temple's gods, Dickson, has found out where she is. He's also her uncle, and he will be attacking her soon," the underling said, and he projected the map of Brunhild Manor onto the screen.Then, a wave of chill attacked them. "Pinnacle Legend Realm!"Black Tortoise, White Tiger, and Vermilion Bird were on guard. They saw a wave of ice energy attack the base, and it stopped in front of Nox."Ice Temple scum! How did they find out we're here?" White Tiger cursed.Vermilion Bird and Bla
The soldiers were spread out all across the island, but they didn't move out in the open. Instead, they operated from the shadows.A girl with golden locks remained in her bedroom, staring at the photo album in her hand, her mind elsewhere. She was staring at a photo of her and her mother, the recently-deceased Queen of Brundela.Tears blurred the girl's vision, and she started to cry."Your Highness." A gentleman in his forties came in, wearing a butler's suit. He was a prized secret agent for the empire, and he had defused conspiracies against the empire many times. The man completed every single mission perfectly.This time, however, he was pale beyond recognition and looked troubled.Elizabeth wiped her tears away and smiled at her loyal agent. "Sir James!"James forced a smile and bowed to the princess."Any news, James? Have you established contact with our carrier units?" They had to escape Brundela to survive. Only by contacting the carrier units and leaving through the
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