"I commend your will, but the gap between us is impossible to bridge. This is the end of the line for you, Skye. You will die, so stop fighting. Merge, my dragons and elephants."The dragons and elephants merged as one, and the incredible pressure pinned Skye down. It eventually reached a breaking point, and Skye's will broke down. With his will destroyed, the lightning ripped his soul apart.The scout noticed multicolored lightning bolts raining into the mountain. Skye managed to hold on for a while, and then the lightning tore his soul apart before boring a hole into the mountain.The mountain crumbled, and the alliance's home base was destroyed. Everything returned to dust. The mountain broke down, and debris was what's left. The lightning cleansed all dark and violent energy in its way.The juggernaut of Faeast's western land, the sect that gobbled up all its spiritual energy, was destroyed. Nox's spell cleansed the land, and the light of justice shone upon it."We won! The mo
An epiphany wouldn't come easily, especially at Nox's level. One mistake, and everything could be lost. Chances didn't come every day. Miss it, and a breakthrough would be hard.Nox snapped out of it and looked at Azure Dragon. His face was swelling up, and Nox smirked. "It's not your fault. Breaking through is never easy. Only gods are omnipotent. I am but a human. I understand the Saint Realm, but my power isn't quite there yet. I need to amass more strength, but Mystia will not give me that luxury."The alliance is destroyed, but its leader still runs free. It won't be easy to kill him now." Nox shook his head. Skye was not the top cultivator in Faeast. He was just a pawn used to test Nox's power."Shit!" Azure Dragon shouted."What is wrong with you?" Nox scolded."We didn't come here just to take the alliance out! We need to take His Majesty's remains back with us! You leveled the whole mountain, so his body's…" Azure Dragon gasped. If Nox's attack destroyed Quilo's body, how
Now, power that exceeded the Mortal World yet came from the Mortal World protected Quilo's remains. Azure Dragon knew this was Faeast's providence. It was surprising to see a nation's providence protecting a body."Did you do this, milord?" he asked. Only Nox had that kind of power."Yes, but I'm only part of it. You're also part of it too. The people are as well. Our ancestors play a role too. The ones who protect His Majesty are the first emperors. I've felt that in Mount Prison. Our ancestors' will lies in Faeast's providence. They told me about His Majesty's death," said Nox.Back in Mount Prison, Nox knew Quilo would die. Providence gathered in Quilo. No matter what he did, Skye couldn't destroy Quilo's remains. Hanging the body was a way to erode Quilo's providence, but the alliance's evil energy couldn't break righteous energy.Thus, Skye went into Mystia to find a way to destroy Quilo's body. He knew Nox would arrive sooner or later, so he wanted to destroy the remains and
Only when Nox had grown up to be a good heir could Quilo set aside his work and fulfill his own wish for once. "I'm happy that Faeast has you, but I'm sorry for hoisting this responsibility on your shoulders." That was why Quilo felt for Nox.Back when he was a crown prince, he lived happily and in luxury for a while. He managed to be himself for a while, but Nox had to live for the nation, and his life was a mess. It was a pity. "You're great at helping the nation but not yourself."Nox laughed. "You flatter me. This is who I am. I don't want those who come after me to shoulder this kind of thing, after all. Even if I can't handle it, I can find someone to take up the mantle. All I need is a good successor. You're gone now, and you didn't ask me to hold down the fort." Nox smiled.Quilo was speechless. "Very well. Do as you please. First time I've seen someone refusing the throne. Everyone else would've tried their best to take the throne even if history would be unkind to them.
Nox rolled his eyes and glared at Azure Dragon. "We have a lot of work to do here. The dead are not our business. If you're that curious, I can send you over."Azure Dragon sweated buckets and shut up. He told the scout about the news, and it was sent back to Imperia. The alliance was destroyed. Relief washed over Douglas, and he crumpled. He was worried sick about Nox. Quilo was dead. If Nox was taken out, Faeast was done for.Fortunately, the heavens did not forsake them, but they needed to come up with a story for the people. The alliance and the cultivators' power was beyond the understanding of the secret department. They couldn't tell the people that demons were real, after all.Nox escorted the emperor and his beloved back to Imperia. That very night, Faeast's government made an announcement. Quilo was assassinated during border patrol. Nox had avenged him, and he would return with Quilo's remains.The news about Quilo's death was released by the Mousses. Douglas then said t
The people occupied the royal path, tears welling in their eyes. Their emperor had lived his whole life working for the nation, and now Faeast was about to rise, yet he was gone. The people walked with Quilo on his final journey, and all media outlets were airing this live. The people watching this prayed for their emperor.The procession went on until they arrived at the palace. The Limerents were already waiting on their knees, welcoming Quilo back home. The Forbidden Army was wearing white armor. Their leader, Atlas, took the casket from Nox and proceeded into the main chamber.Nineve knelt beside her father's casket and cried until her voice was hoarse. Nox had to pick her up and let the procession go on. The usually solemn palace had an air of sorrow around it. All the flags were pulled down half mast, and Magic Mountain rang a bell for Quilo's death. A sorrowful bell.The snow came all of a sudden, and half of Faeast's temperature dipped, yet it failed to douse the fire in the
Choice could be a luxury sometimes. The Mousses betrayed Faeast because they had to survive. Not everyone could pick loyalty in the face of death. Dominic and Nox could do it, but that didn't mean everyone else could."Even saints commit errors sometimes, let alone mortals." Dominic sighed. Sadness filled him up, and he took a big swig, then he lit up a cigarette.Queenie had no idea what Aphrodite had gone through, but she would never leave Nox. "I am just a regular girl, Mr. Edge. I'm not as smart as Aphrodite. I can't predict the future. I care about the present. I'll fight by his side." Queenie had made up her mind. She had the courage to see her love through, even to the bitter end."Really? If Nox is gone, so will you. If you're gone, he will still have to live on, even if it means unending agony. He must press on until he finds someone who can take his place, that is the price of being a Sovereign. It's not easy finding a successor. No one like him will be born in this genera
"You're right, Queenie. You are the Mousses' only hope at victory. If I were you, I'd take my own life, and Nox would be invincible, but there's one flaw in that plan. Nox cultivates the path of humanity. He doesn't care how the world sees him. He can live if you die, but he might turn to the path of darkness."There's too much at stake here, and I cannot risk you. Like Nox, you cultivate the path of humanity as well. You can decide your fate."Queenie was stunned. She had no idea she was so important to Nox. If she were to die, he would go mad with grief."It won't be long until they're here. A few days, give and take. They've planned for this from the moment Fiery Ignis went back to Mystia. Aphrodite used what remained of her lifespan and turned the skies into her chessboard, and the stars her pieces. We're all pawns in her game. This is her last ploy. She will do anything to win."If she sees no hope for victory, she might kill you to crush Nox's heart, but she cultivates the H
'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
"He couldn't even kill Nameless, and he only became an Ascendant through the Heavenly Dao's blessing. However, I can already summon the High Heavens' spiritual energy! How will you cut me down now?" With the spiritual energy he summoned, the enemy leader stirred the clouds, and Nox's will-of-the-sword was getting haywire.Nox scoffed. "The Heavenly Dao's blessing? You think he managed that because of a blessing? And you call yourself the leader of the path of the martial. You know nothing.""And why do you say so?" the enemy leader asked solemnly.Nox took a deep breath and stared at the enemy leader. "The heavens gave me glory, and not even I would say I am blessed by the Heavenly Dao. The founder ascended to save Faeast's people. He wanted someone from the High Heavens to kill Nameless. Answer me this: if you don't have enough power, would you challenge the Heavenly Dao for your faction?"Nox challenged, "If you fail an ascension, you will be destroyed, and that includes your sou
"So, your student's here. If he was one moment later, you'd be dead," the black-robed man said, sneering.Achille did not look happy at all. He looked at Nox with chastise in his eyes. Nox was worried about him. If he didn't show up, Achille would die."This is no sparring session, master. This is about the people of the world. If you want to spar with someone, Dominic and Voltaic are your real rivals. If you want to fight them after this, I won't stop you," said Nox.That managed to calm Achille down. He felt ashamed. "Heavens, my mindset was a mess just now. I thought I could face death calmly, but…""Every living being will try their best to survive, you told me that. We only sacrifice ourselves if the outcome is worth it. Now that I'm here, sacrificing yourself is just being stupid," said Nox.Achille sighed, but he was glad that his student could be so understanding about so many things. It was his honor. "Very well, then we shall kill this leader. You're right. This is no sp
Black Tortoise was stunned. 'So, they're serious?'He stared at the enemies and asked coldly, "Is this offer serious? You'd better not be lying to me.""You think we'd lie? We could trample you easily if we wanted to, but your damn lord is on his way back here!" The captains wanted to surrender immediately, or they might actually die.Black Tortoise was a little hesitant. If Nox was on his way back, he'd never give these people a chance to surrender. That could only mean one thing. The battle was inconclusive, but Aphrodite's plan worked. At least the powerhouses were taken down.The ten powerhouses were the path of the martial's true pillars. The enemies were surrendering without any one of them here, however. That could only mean that something had happened to them."Very well, I accept your terms and offer to surrender. But you'll have to tear down your defenses while the sacred beasts set up a formation," said Black Tortoise.The captains hesitated, but the powerhouses urged