'Hm?' Nox was stunned, and Swordheart froze, then fury took over his heart."How dare you! You think you can kill me in a hundred blows? If I want to, I can keep you occupied forever!" If Swordheart only wanted to keep Azure Dragon busy, he could fight on indefinitely.Nox was shocked because he thought Azure Dragon could take Swordheart down in fifty blows. "You can be arrogant at times, but this isn't one of those times, I see. Fine, fifty more blows it is. I can wait." Nox moved to the training ground and sat down. There was tea on the table, and he took a sip.The alliance's people loved life a lot. Even a tea idiot like Nox thought the tea was incredible. Swordheart's face fell. "How dare you, Greenshade! You think this is a field trip?" he hissed."I'm a Sovereign, and the lands of Faeast belong to me. This mountain is a part of the nation. I can come and go as I please. Your permission is not needed! I manage the affairs of Faeast, and if any foreign entities try anything fu
A ribbon of white a hundred feet tall swept across the battlefield, threatening to open a hole in the skies. Nox took a look and turned his attention to the mountain. The one on the top was the true powerhouse.Swordheart, like the other alliance members, was neither a martial artist nor a cultivator. Though his sword energy was powerful, he hadn't even cultivated his will-of-the-sword, much less being one with his weapon.Azure Dragon made a sword formation with his weapons and blocked the sword energy."Dammit, so you do have the Swords of the Faeast Lord!" Swordheart's face contorted with rage. He'd been looking for those swords for a long time. Someone told him Azure Dragon had them all, but he didn't believe them, and now he did.'Why can he have all fourteen of them? What does he have that I don't?' Anyone who could handle the will-of-the-sword in any of these weapons could be one of the top warriors in Faeast.Though the wielders of the Fourteen Swords lived short lives, th
That was the doing of Swordheart's sword energy. Of course, part of it was Azure Dragon's attack as well. The flames were the result of Azure Dragon's energy.Swordheart was panicking. "His swordsmanship is above mine. He's one with his weapon." Origin Sword was something only those who were one with their weapon could use. Azure Dragon even merged it with his Sacred Beast Seal, and it became a Forbidden Art. It was on par with a Sacred technique.Swordheart was only at the level of will-of-the-sword. The gap between them was tremendous. "If it weren't for the fact that the alliance took up the best cultivation spot in Faeast and fed you with a ton of elixirs, that attack would've killed you."You had all the advantage, and yet you failed to defeat a Mortal World cultivator like me. You think that kind of power is good enough to be the number one warrior in Faeast. My lord is vastly beyond me, and that makes him beyond you." Azure Dragon sneered.If he had the audacity to look down
Aphrodite was his past, and that was where she should stay. However, when his divine sense saw the lust Swordheart had for her, his rage flared. Swordheart had no idea that the bloodlust he felt earlier came from Nox. He thought he was seeing things after burning his soul too much.Azure Dragon, however, felt his lord's desire for murder. It wasn't his business how Nox would deal with Aphrodite, but he could kill Swordheart. Letting him live would only anger Nox further."I was going to take you down after a hundred blows, but change of plans. Let's finish this, kid. We're ending this right now! You're dead!"The final sword came out of the container. Its name was Heavenly Mandate, and it was Azure Dragon's strongest sword. This sword was incredibly powerful, but it also had a deadly flaw. If he couldn't kill his enemy, then Azure Dragon would die.Nox stopped him back on Mount Prison because he knew Azure Dragon was going to use that sword. This time, however, was different. Azure
Nox stopped the only guy who could save him from disturbing the battle, so he had only himself to rely on. Swordheart couldn't take that attack head-on. Left with no choice, his spirit left his body. By burning his soul, he quickly flew backward and opened some distance between him and Azure Dragon's attack.To his shock, Azure Dragon's attack went around his body and kept going after his soul. 'What the fuck? He can switch directions?'"Fine, if you're going to kill me, you'll pay for it! I have no body now, and I'm burning my soul. You're slower than me!" Swordheart gave up on running away. He knew he couldn't do it forever. Azure Dragon would catch up with him moments later, and he would die.He turned his attention to Nox. Taking a Sovereign down as his last act was good enough. "Die, Greenshade! I have no body now, and my soul's burning up! Your illusions don't scare me!" he snarled. Killing Nox would be a great contribution to the alliance.Nox watched Swordheart as he came c
Their enemy was a powerful demonoid. The once holy Mount Martial was turned into a hell on earth because of him. The silhouette's body radiated a wave of invisible energy, and the space around him was starting to twist and turn.Azure Dragon felt his heart race. That silhouette's aura was so powerful, he couldn't even look at the enemy directly. "Milord, you told me once that the eyes can be deceived if the enemy is far too strong for us. I can see twisted space. Is that because his level is too high for me to comprehend?""Yes, he's very powerful. A bit more than Goldenwheel, even. He's also a cultivator of the path of humanity. This is going to be tricky. Any path of humanity cultivator will be an extremist no matter which side they're on. As long as they grow powerful enough." Nox nodded.Nox was an extreme man who would not tolerate anything he didn't like. Anyone who tried to topple Faeast would be killed, no matter how trivial their crimes were."I know. The path of humanity'
The silhouette raised his hand, and a wave of powerful energy swept through the skies. Azure Dragon's avatar only lasted for a moment before it was destroyed. Even the dark clouds in the vicinity were blown away.'What?' Azure Dragon was stunned. 'He's that powerful?'He roared, "Who are you? I don't remember someone with your power in Faeast's ranks!""I do not introduce myself to those who are beneath me, but since you work for Greenshade… Very well, I am the enemy you wish to fight. I am the one who took your emperor's beloved," said the silhouette, and a pair of crimson eyes appeared on his face.There were no negative emotions in his eyes. There was only bloodlust. Most people's fiercer and bloodthirsty side was learned, but this man was born a killer. He was also born a talented cultivator. He was destined to be a tyrant. Naturally, Azure Dragon knew this guy was the biggest demonoid in Faeast.As long as he lived, the nation would not know peace. He was reminded of the humi
The demonoid launched his attack, and everything would die. A dark demon descended and engulfed Azure Dragon. His energy disappeared, and his aura was gone. Then, demonic aura spilled forth, and vengeful phantoms killed the cultivators on the mountain.The cultivators were vaporized. Even the elders were destroyed as well. Mount Martial was once an iconic place for Faeast's martial arts world, but now it was a place littered with death. Weirdly enough, not even a trace of the dead was left behind. It was almost as if no one was here .Even Nox frowned. Cultivators of the path of humanity would either become saints or demons. Most became demons. Without Nox's guidance, even the Four Great Generals might become demons in the future."I have taken your underling, Greenshade. Yet you still try to save him?" The silhouette stared at Nox. Nox was his only target all this time.Nox sneered. "Let him go. I know you never wanted to kill him, but I wouldn't thank you. I know your lot all too
Nox dispeled the death energy and pulled Aphrodite back from the abyss."Nox!""Don't say anything. Death is easy, but living on isn't. You still owe the nation, and before you clear your debt, you are not allowed to die. Eight Saintly Techniques, Holy Revival!"That was Holy Revival. Once it became a Saintly technique, it could change fate itself. If Nox could handle the backlash, Aphrodite could survive.Dominic had been watching nearby, and he quickly flew into the Dao. "So he's made his move."Nox could save Aphrodite, but she'd run out of her lifespan. Not even he could tether that kind of person to life. It was time for the Master of Swords to make his move. "If you can handle the backlash for her, I'll use my power to prolong her life, Nox!" said Dominic telepathically.Nox glared at him. He knew the old man would save Aphrodite. That was why he came along. Aphrodite couldn't die. It would be a great loss for Faeast."Be careful, Nox. If you fail, you'll die too!" Domini
Nox nodded. "That battle was dangerous. I only got out alive through sheer luck, but to be honest, the traps after that were mediocre. I didn't even feel anything in the last few ones."After the Heaven's Cage trap, the threats from the northern battlefront, Mount Prison, and Sect Alliance did nothing for him. Aphrodite answered, "Because I relented. I hurt you and myself at the same time. Every time I tried to hit you where it hurt, I hurt myself too, so every trap after that had flaws in them. I wanted to kill you, but it only made you grow."Aphrodite smiled. She was just a maiden in love when she was dating Nox. Like regular couples, they'd banter and play games together, but those were days she couldn't go back to. Then, Aphrodite trembled, as if she could sense something. With a twisted face, she snarled, "Kill me. I want to die by your hands."It would be an honor to die at Nox's hands. She thought of herself as a warrior, and it was an honor to die in battle. She didn't want
Aphrodite almost felt like she'd found her old self back. It almost felt like she was his tactician again, and she was unstoppable back then. She could have anything she wanted. She thought she had everything under control. Everyone could be controlled, because she was smart enough to do that.And then reality gave her a big, fat slap. Without Nox, she could do nothing. "I've not done a lot of right things in my life, Nox. My grandpa's gone to the path of the martial. He's fully turned his back on Faeast," said Aphrodite. Nox's next enemy would be the path of the martial."They'll come sooner or later anyway." Nox nodded."One more thing. Amass all the power you can. Faeast hasn't survived this long all by itself. Where you stand now, you know the sacrifices of a group of people cannot fight the flow of destiny," said Aphrodite."Yes, it's thanks to the path of the ancient divine. It began in Faeast, and they wouldn't let the path of the martial do anything stupid," said Nox. The p
"You're an embarrassment! An animal!"The Mousses knew Aphrodite had given her verdict, and they lost their only hope at life. They cursed her in hopes to kill her. That could work. Verbal abuse, when taken to an extent, could turn into a spell. Goldenwheel made it work. He turned his curses into a spell.Aphrodite was dying, and she could not endure the curses from her family, but surprisingly, she started breathing better. It could be a last hurrah before death claimed her. Curious, she looked at Nox. She wondered why no one had the guts to curse him.Nox was strong, yes, but that didn't stop anyone from cursing him behind his back. Then she saw the determination in his eyes, and Aphrodite got her answer. Nox didn't care what anyone thought about him. He knew what he did was right.Nox had no personal demons, and he was a chaser of the truth. To the Mousses and Mystia, he was an evil god of murder, but to Faeast, Nox was a righteous hero who deserved to be respected.Aphrodite f
"Yeah. They've been a menace for a thousand years, especially in recent memory. They tried to work with foreign nations to colonize the people's land, and their ambition doesn't stop there. They want to split up Faeast. They want to destroy our nation and our people."And that's why you became their servants. You came back to slaughter your own people for survival." Nox's eyes were red with fury and sorrow. "Do you know why the Limerents allowed you to come back even though they knew you were up to something?"The Limerents are no saints. Their empire was created upon a tower of the dead. You'll never understand this. The Limerents hold the nation's fate because the people wanted them to. They're beholden to the will of the nation's fate, and they must work to fulfill that."Faeast accepts everything, just like how a mother should. Her children might be ungrateful bastards, but they're still a part of her. You know why I never wanted to take the throne? The emperor of Faeast is as r
She didn't want to say anything now. Nox smiled at the silent response. "An easy death is mercy for you," Nox said solemnly. Then, he spoke to the Mousses."I know your family has suffered humiliation before. Five hundred years ago, your family had a lord among you. The Southcloud Lord. And your family still exists in Faeast despite the changing dynasties is all thanks to your loyalty to the nation. The Mousses have protected Southstate for many, many years."When the tyrant reigned, he worked with the foreigners and sold out the nation, disregarding the lives of its people. Your family defended Southstate with your lives and beat back the invaders. To an extent, your family protected the nation's land. You have contributed to the nation."However, the tyrant had a trap set up for you. Eventually, the Mystians invaded Southstate. They held the people of Southstate hostage, and left with no choice, your family had to relent. From that day onward, the guardian of Southstate became the
The man was none other than Nox. At the very end, he was the one who came to Aphrodite's help. Nox pulled Aphrodite into his arms and flew back to the surface. Though the waves roared and crashed, Nox didn't let Aphrodite go.If Aphrodite were to die right now, she would die in peace. Nox took her back to the fortress and used his optical power to set up a barrier and imprisoned the Mousses."It's the God of Murder! We're doomed!" The Mousses were having a meltdown. They knew what they'd done to Nox before, and they would be shown no mercy.Nox put Aphrodite back into her wheelchair and pinned everyone down with the aura of the Sovereign. The Mousses knew how powerful Nox was. He killed so many legendary warriors and cultivators. Them alone couldn't win in a fight against him.The prisoners hastily came back and begged for forgiveness. They groveled and sniveled."After the battle at the Ocean of Death, your family set up a trap for Sariel and killed him. You murdered Aldric North
"What are you doing? If he gets here, none of us are getting out alive!" The cultivators gathered before her. Some still thought of her as the heir of the family, so they didn't speak to her harshly. Some did not care about that.These people only cared about themselves and their survival. They didn't care about her at all. Aphrodite's heart finally died. "I gave them everything and betrayed the love of my life, and what do I get? This family is beyond saving. There's no point helping them. They might be helping me live, but the price is Faeast's safety."I am its citizen as well." Aphrodite was ashen. She said nothing in the face of criticism. All she did was endure silently.Aphrodite wouldn't say a word, and the Mousses had lost news about their family head. Morale took a big hit, and it was every man for himself. Eventually, some failed to endure the pressure and started to run.The Domino effect ensued, and everyone followed. The rise of the family was never more important tha
"No, Azure Dragon. The one who raised their level is Nox. We live by our actions, and our actions are born from our thoughts. Faeast never had a lack of heroes. It only survived so long because of the people's wish. The humiliation we suffered angered us, and we've been waiting for the day to come where we could unleash it."Nox gathered the people's hearts and united them under one banner. He is the true contributor of Faeast." Sealmaster approached Azure Dragon. What the founder did was elevate that iron will to the next level.This was the result of their accumulation. Nox gathered the hearts of the people, and only then could the patriarchs raise it to a higher level. Queenie thought it was a dream. She just got out of what might be certain death, and now she felt like she was remade.Not even Queenie realized she was a different woman now. She was a true cultivator. Once again, Faeast defeated a powerful enemy and destroyed them all. The nation's fate grew stronger. The people,