Nox laughed. He knew how hotheaded Draco could be. Then, he said coldly, "The fact she is crowned lady means Faeast's Ancient Four is supporting her, especially the Mousse family.""That is correct, milord. From what I've gathered in the troops, all of the generals who worked for you disagreed about letting her be crowned. Unfortunately, the very next day, they would either go missing or die in accidents. I'm sure she has something to do with it," huffed Draco.Nox's eyes turned icy. "What about Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise?"Back when Nox was still active on the field, he had a quartet of powerful men with him: Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise.Besides Draco, the four of them were Nox loyalists, and all of them were top Greater Grandmasters. Azure Dragon was very nearly a Legend Realm.Draco quickly said, "From what I know, Azure Dragon retired after your fall. I heard he went overseas to avenge you. White Tiger and Ve
The duo came to collect rent. No one in the River Tri-State area knew how Logan made his way to power. No one knew how he rose to power in Goldcity underbelly. Barely anyone knew of his past.Logan alone knew the reason he became the underground ruler and de facto leader of the River Tri-State area. It was because of his unimaginably powerful backer, the Wood family.The Wood family was one of Faeast's Ancient Four. Rumors flew around about Faeast's Ancient Four. Some said they had existed for a thousand years. Some said they had influence over Faeast's political, business, and military spheres.All sorts of stories flew around, but none ever shook Faeast's Ancient Four. They stood tall and proud. Even Lady Phoenix came from the Mousse family.Thalia mused for a moment. "So he's the guy who owes us rent?"Lorelei smiled. "And it's time for us to collect." She held Thalia's hand and went into the villa. It was in ruins, and the ground was caked with dried blood.Thalia stared arou
Thalia nodded with a smile. "I see.""Let's go, girl. Draco captured our debtor. Then, we'll ask them to hand him over." Lorelei took Thalia's hand and got out of the villa.And then they vanished into thin air again.…A few military Hummers were going down the wide roads of Riverton's outskirts. Draco ordered his men to take in the remnants of Blackdragon.Aside from Cashmere, many important Blackdragon members were captured. They would be taken to Zone: Draco, where they would be interrogated. After all, they did cross Nox.Aside from the Hummers, the tanks had returned to the military zone. Draco took a helicopter to get back after he left Watercloud Villa.Only a dozen armed soldiers were taking Cashmere and everyone else in. Cashmere and the remnants of Blackdragon were ashen.A few days ago, they were the underground rulers of the River Tri-State area, but then, in less than half a day, their chamber of commerce was pulverized. Even Logan was killed.Everything was like
The girl wasn't afraid of Harold at all. She was licking her lollipop, still standing around.Harold asked, "Why are you out here alone, girl? Where are your folks?"The girl only laughed."It's dangerous out here. You shouldn't be playing alone. Listen to me and get out of here. Go back to your folks," Harold persuaded.He thought the girl would leave, but she was still standing around in silence. Confused, Harold crouched. "Did you hear me, girl? You shouldn't be here. It's dangerous."The girl pointed at the Hummer behind Harold.Curious, Harold turned around. The girl pointed at the car, escorting Cashmere and the Blackdragon remnants. "Mister, I need one of the guys in there. He owes my family rent. Can you get him out here so he can pay his rent?" asked the girl.'Rent?' Harold was flummoxed. He looked at the girl again. She was about six or seven years old, and her hair was tied in pigtails. 'It looks like she just got out of kindergarten, and she's already collecting ren
The moment Lorelei's voice echoed, Thalia smirked, and she retreated. "You're done for. Lorelei will kill you for what you tried to do to me!"Everyone was grim."Who goes there?""Come out here!"There was no one around. Just when the guards wondered what they should do, a crone appeared before Thalia. Everyone pointed their rifles at her."Who are you? Why are you stopping us?"Lorelei didn't even look at the armed forces. She patted Thalia. "Stay back, girl. I'll deal with these pests."Thalia nodded and moved away. Lorelei then turned around and scanned the armed guards. She approached them."Freeze!""One more step, and we'll open fire!"The soldiers held up their rifles against Lorelei, but the crone didn't even dodge. She licked her lips and challenged darkly, "Open fire, then."Furious, a guard said, "Open fire!"The soldiers fired off incessantly, but before the bullets could hit Lorelei, she vanished. The bullets flew through the air, but Lorelei was nowhere to be
Cashmere and the other captives blanched. They kept quiet and stared at the crone outside. Lorelei looked at Cashmere venomously. She then scanned around and asked, "Where's our slave, Logan Royal?"The captives froze. They didn't expect the crone to ask about a dead man. They were wondering why that was, but Lorelei extended her arm and grabbed a Blackdragon member.She crushed his neck before he could fight back. "I'll ask again: where is our slave, Logan Royal? Answer me, or you shall die!" threatened Lorelei.The captives just saw the crone kill someone like it was nothing, and they were terrified. A member said, "I'll speak! Mr. Royal… is dead!" He was shaking like a leaf."The slave is dead?" Lorelei frowned."Yes! You can ask the Enlightened!" The captive pointed at Cashmere.Lorelei turned to Cashmere.Shivering, Cashmere quickly answered, "Yes, Mr. Royal is dead!"Lorelei harrumphed. "That slave died before he paid his dues?"Cashmere couldn't believe what he was hear
At the same time, a silhouette appeared at the base of the mountain. The man was in a yellow robe, and he had beady eyes. He was none other than Jebediah White.Nox almost killed him, but Jebediah surrendered, and Nox brought him under his control with his Death Seal. At this moment, Jebediah was staring at the fog-covered Dragoncourt in hesitation. He wondered if he should see Nox.A long, long time later, he gnashed his teeth. "Alright, let's do this." Jebediah entered Dragoncourt.The moment Jebediah stepped into the fog, Nox was notified of his presence. The look in his eyes grew cold, and he flew up into the air.Jebediah was but an Attuned Realm sorcerer. He was trapped in the formation the moment he stepped into it. Eventually, he was led in circles and breathing raggedly.A voice asked icily, "You insect. How dare you breach my formation?"Scared, Jebediah felt his legs go limp and plopped on the ground. "Have mercy! It's me!"The voice was familiar. Nox waved his hand,
Jebediah saw the Frostpills, and he froze for a moment. His eyes then gleamed with worship. Pills and elixirs were the treasures sorcerers could refine, but not many could do that.Refining pills required a great understanding and mastery over sorcery, and they had to be at least Attuned Realm sorcerers to do it. Nox was at least as powerful as a Grandmaster, and he even knew Jebediah's patriarch. Jebediah only had respect for him now.He stood aside, quiet as a mouse. Nox kept making Frostpills, leaving Jebediah alone. Nox placed expensive herbs in his palm, and he ran his inner energy through his veins. A short while later, a wave of scorching energy shot out. The herbs were refined into liquids.Jebediah watched as the liquids became pills, and he stood in awe. An hour later, Nox had made a few Frostpills. Once he was done, he tucked the pills away.Jebediah was still standing like a good little pup.Nox suddenly turned to him. "You really want to work for me?"Jebediah droppe
Back in the regular guards' camp, Harley spat blood. He was lying in the ruins of a building, his body covered in slash marks. His Celestial technique was broken. This man was leagues above him. Celestial techniques were useless. The swordsman was too powerful."Magic Mountain's techniques? But their swordsmen are on good terms with the lord!" Harley stared at the man in green. He defeated Harley using Magic Mountain's techniques.Magic Mountain and Mystia had always been at loggerheads. They had slain many demons and monsters throughout the years, and their swordsmanship was a bane for the cultivators."I wonder how Nox managed to make a Mystian like you loyal to him. Yes, I am a Magic Mountain swordsman. Was, to be honest. I was kicked out a hundred years ago. My master said my heart is astray. How laughable. I have killed demons over ninety years, and hundreds of them have died to my blade! My heart is not astray!"Your sins are innumerable, Harley, and you must be slain! White
All of a sudden, the soldiers let go of their weapons. They had a look of fanaticism on their faces as they throttled themselves to death. The party went on, and the bluebloods enjoyed every moment, oblivious to the incoming danger.The monk passed through the residence smoothly, with all the soldiers and guards throttling themselves to death. Suddenly, everyone noticed a monk in red robes in the party hall. The drunk guests thought this was an event arranged by Atlas."We have a monk here. Wonder what kind of show you're presenting," a portly rich man joked, laughing loudly."Show? I am the leader of an evil sect. No show, but I do have a scripture to share. The government calls my sect evil, and they claim the monks are agents of darkness. You are not much better yourself. Omitofo."The old monk chanted once more, and the look on everyone's faces changed. Some knelt and cried their hearts out. Some groveled and didn't even notice that their heads were bleeding. They talked about
Back in his residence, Atlas called a feast and invited the bluebloods of Imperia. He was glowing during the event and could never be happier. He used to be a declining aristocrat with nothing but the title of nobility.However, his luck turned for the better when he got older. He followed Nox into battle at Heaven's Cage, Vertolt, and Winterosch, making him a true lord. The Limerents controlled the nation, and he was a prince. He could even have some power over the nation or at least be one of the top dogs in Faeast.If Nox became emperor, then all the better. Perhaps he could be a more intimate part of the royal family. He drank to his heart's content and partied with the most desired people in Imperia. Nothing could be better."Life is short, people. Drink!"…The Ice Temple's vice-Lord was in the regular guards' encampment. This was a critical junction, and yet Atlas wasn't at his post. Instead, he was having a party. The vice-Lord had a bad feeling about this, but he had no p
Harley sneered, having nothing but disdain for Atlas. "I can't believe the master would employ a shithead like you."Atlas laughed. "You think you're so high and mighty, but you're also Lord Nox's lapdog now. I am his subordinate, and we have a close relationship. I'm also the uncle of the emperor. That makes me Lord Nox's great-uncle," bragged Atlas."Dumbass. Just do your fucking job. Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise told me the Mousses might try something," Harley cursed.The mention of the Mousses made Atlas panic, but he calmed himself down and snored. "The Mousses? They won't dare do anything when I'm here. If they show up, I'll kick their ass! I command thirty thousand units. If they come to Imperia, it'll be the last thing they see!" Atlas was confident.Harley was speechless. 'My word, how can he be such a braggart?'With thirty thousand Nox Army units in Imperia, combined with the Forbidden Army, the regular guards, and 200 thousand elites protecting Imperia, nothing co
Vermilion Bird said, "Azure Dragon used to be an Advanced Eight Gates. After the Mousses had him under their control, he became a Supreme. Judging by these photos, he's gotten more powerful since then."'More powerful?' Nineve knew how the cultivators were ranked. Top Legend Realms were another kind of life form entirely. In Faeast, a Supreme could be made a lord. An undefeatable Supreme would be made a ruler. A Sovereign was made every five hundred years, while a ruler was made every century.Supremes appeared once every decade or so. "I don't get it. You three obviously found some power source, and with Nox's help, you leveled up. Azure Dragon only has the Mousses. How'd he level up so fast?"If the Mousses were so powerful, they wouldn't have to resort to assassinations or betrayals."Not the Mousses. It's all Azure Dragon. He's our captain. He's a very talented and cunning man. Emphasis on talent. He's so strong that not even three of us can compare to him, combined. The only g
Elizabeth said nothing but went red and hung her head low, causing Black Tortoise to panic."Uh oh. If you want him, you'll have to fight for him. That's all I can say, but the lord does think highly of you." He laughed."Shut it, Black Tortoise. You're talking nonsense here!" Vermilion Bird snapped. "See you, Your Majesty." She then took Black Tortoise and left the room quickly. They had work to do.The duo led most of the Shadow Division members back to Faeast. After the incident of Brundela, Faeast's fate was going strong, and the people were excited. However, beneath that excitement was unseen danger.Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise came back to Northstate's governor-general's place and met up with Nineve. Black Tortoise said solemnly, "What happened, Your Highness? We need the details."Nineve looked exhausted, and there were dark circles under her eyes. She had been working hard in Nox's absence. "Honestly, Atlas… I mean, the Defender of the Lord hasn't been pulling his we
Douglas worked through the night for the negotiation."One, you must apologize for your invasion of Faeast. Two, you will return all stolen relics to us and pay for damages. Three, you will open trade with Faeast, and it must be complete and total. Those are our demands. We promise not to interfere with your nation's administration. Once the aid is administered, our fleet and army will retreat from Brundela."And one more thing. Faeast recognizes you as Brundela's new ruler." That was interesting. It also meant that Faeast could rescind that recognition at any time. Elizabeth had no choice. Without Faeast, Brundela would be gone. In the end, the nations arrived at an agreement.At midnight, they called a press conference. Faeast helped Eropa settle a war and avert a world disaster. That news took the world by storm. The Eastern dragon was rising, and none could stop it. It wouldn't take long for Faeast to return to the top.Brundela's case was over. After they gave enough aid, Ferg
"They call you Great Generals?" the Ice Temple Lord laughed. "If I do want to betray him, how do you hope to stop me? You three had to take me on together, and it only ended in a draw. Now that I'm an Emperor and White Tiger is in a slumber, I can destroy you in a moment!"The Ice Temple Lord looked at Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise with disdain. Vermilion Bird's eyes were wide. She didn't care. She would fight the Temple Lord to the bitter end if she must.Black Tortoise was the calmer one, and he pulled Vermilion Bird back. "Calm down. Even if he wants to betray the lord, he at least would want to see the lord's body before he tries anything."Even a woman like Aphrodite lost this fight. He wouldn't dare try anything stupid."The Ice Temple Lord was still smug about being an Emperor, and now his celebration was cut short. Betraying Nox required a lot of courage. Nox's power terrified him. Even if he couldn't win the fight, Nox could at least come back safely.Besides, he only
The formation Nox created with the Sovereign Seal was on the brink of destruction. Once the formation was gone, the Sovereigns and the spirits would return to dust. In this final moment, Brundela's Faeastian called their friends and family in their homeland and projected the modern-day Faeast onto the gigantic screen in the plaza.The spirits cried when they saw how developed their nation had become. The Sovereigns and the rulers were meticulous people. They used to rule over a unified nation, so they knew how hard it was to create a dynasty. Every dynasty would have its peak and nadir.Every time a dynasty was on a decline, Faeast would be in danger. They didn't talk about the truth behind that video, of course. They admired the beautiful land of Faeast as they waited for their final moment to arrive."The hardest and darkest moment is behind us, sirs. Faeast has me now. You may rest in peace. I will not let you down. I will destroy the canker that infects Faeast and give it the pe