'What?' The Generals were confused, and White Tiger was a little frustrated."Milord, do you think we won't be of help? If she can come with you, why can't we?" Azure Dragon pointed at the princess. "Azure Dragon and the others might be useless, but I'm not!" He just got on the princess' bad side and annoyed his friends."Can you shut the fuck up?" Azure Dragon smacked White Tiger's head. An angry Nineve kicked him too.'He's looking down on me?'"I don't have much time. Stay back and keep an eye on Faeast. I have my reasons for taking them with me, and I need you guys to do something for me," said Nox.Azure Dragon could guess what that was. "You need us to summon Kirin?"'Kirin?' White Tiger shut up and said nothing more."Yes. I'm not sure if I can come back alive. It's time for him to join us." Nox nodded."I understand." Azure Dragon did as he was told. The other Generals did the same."Shit. That monster's coming out again." White Tiger was nervous. Kirin tormented him a
That kind of power could kill anyone who wasn't a Saint easily. Any faux Saint or half Saint would die the moment they touched it, but Nox absorbed the energy instead. His body started to change colors. His skin turned red, orange, yellow, green, and even more, as if he was poisoned.The energy swirled in Nox's body once and was expelled. Nox's face returned to normal. "Still can't do it. I'm not scared of sacred energy, and I can absorb it, but I can't refine it. I wonder if it's because of my power level. Maybe I can refine it if I become a Saint?" Nox muttered.He had no idea. Even back when he wasn't a Supreme, he could ignore the formation's threat. He still had no answer for that. Nox's astral form flew into the mountain and traveled the passage he and Kirin opened up six years ago. Into the depths he went.He was met with a new world, as if it wasn't explored at all. There was something magical inside the mountain. It teemed with life here, and many different beings roamed th
Nineve was about to poke them, but Aphrodite said, "Don't move. They've projected their astral form.""Astral projection? So why's Nox alright?" Nineve was confused."Not everyone is an Immortal like him. His astral form is already in Mystia." Aphrodite rolled her eyes."Um…" Nineve blinked, and then she realized Aphrodite just scolded her. She was about to yell at Aphrodite, but Queenie told them to look at the sky. The Generals' astral forms merged with their sacred beasts."The Sovereign can create true gods. If the Generals manage to reach the pinnacle or die in battle, as long as they have a sliver of their soul left, they can merge it with their sacred beast. To an extent, they're immortal, but the price to pay is their freedom. The sacred beast will control them, and they don't have their own will," Aphrodite explained.There were a lot of cons, but only Faeast's Sovereign could create gods. Immortality alone was enough to whip the cultivators into a frenzy. Losing their ow
"Oh, come on. We can talk this out!" Kirin curled his lips."I'm not making a request or begging for a favor, Kirin. This is an order. Remember what you said? I make a hole through Mount Eternia, and you owe me your eternal loyalty." Nox was furious. He came for an important reason. Nox knew it would hinder Kirin's cultivation, calling him out when the time wasn't ripe.He wouldn't come here if he knew he could get out of the mission alive. "You're coming out right now, you hear me?" Nox gave an ultimatum. If Kirin wouldn't come out, Nox might kill him.Kirin's aura changed. "You're threatening me? I thought you were my friend, but you think I'm your slave?"A kirin's avatar appeared. Unlike the Generals' avatar, this one was a living being. Flames danced around it, and a sea of fire roared around Mount Eternia."I'm already generous enough, Kirin. Faeast has been nothing but kind to you, and you got some of its fate as well. I'm the one who faced almost every single danger that t
Queenie and Nineve were worried about Nox, but then Nox and Kirin came out of the golden gates and returned to Imperia. Nox's astral form returned to his body, and he dispeled the spell. The Generals' astral form went back into their bodies as well. Their auras were revived."Kirin!" The Generals were excited to see Kirin. Their leader was back."Kirin, you're back! I've missed you! A lot!" White Tiger pounced and cried exaggeratedly. It was obviously fake tears."Alright, back off. You're just worried I'd whoop your ass." Kirin curled his lips and slapped White Tiger.White Tiger's smile broadened. This was how they said hi. The Generals said hello, and then Kirin looked at the ladies. He was not interested in Nineve, but he did look at Aphrodite and Queenie for a while.Nox was waiting for the aircraft, and Kirin sneered at Aphrodite. "You turned your back on him in the end. I knew you were a control freak the moment I saw you. You want a man who'd be your slave, but he also has
Nineve was speechless. "I'd rather you mock me. Kirin, my foot. Kiss my ass!" Nineve jabbed her finger at Kirin.Kirin didn't respond. His eyes seemed glazed, as if he couldn't see Nineve. The princess was ignored. Her presence wasn't even noticed. Even Aphrodite had more presence, and she was the one who got insulted.The aircraft came. Nox said, "This won't be an easy mission. Regular staff won't cut it. White Tiger, you're the pilot. Once we get close enough, crash land."White Tiger was disappointed. He thought he could go with Nox."Don't give him that look. We all want to go, but we can't. You can at least give them a ride." Black Tortoise patted White Tiger's shoulder. The other Generals envied him."Get on the plane. Stop messing around!" Kirin was excited to see the plane, and he shoved White Tiger into the cockpit. Nox and the ladies boarded the aircraft as well.When the tower gave them the signal, the aircraft flew off. The other Generals saluted the plane and saw it
Under Kirin's guidance, White Tiger piloted the aircraft down south."We just got into international waters. Uh, Kirin, I thought the world was split into Nine States and Five Domains. Neither of those include Celestial Domain. What is that place?" asked White Tiger curiously.The Generals were Faeast's cultivators, and they'd never gotten in touch with anything Mystia, so they had no idea about other lands."It's just a spot with magnetic force that went haywire. Like that mysterious triangle, but that's nothing to cultivators. Any place regular people can get in with gadgets and gizmos are nothing to write home about," Kirin blabbed.The thing White Tiger was curious about was a regular Monday for Kirin."So Celestial Domain's magnetic force is in a worse state?" White Tiger asked."The outer zone, yes. It's just a barrier at work. Powerful cultivators usually had their own turfs, and they made it a point to separate it from the outside world. They're not as mysterious as the s
"Oh, I know this. Some guys told me this nation was just a second-rate country back then. Their empress was powerful, though. One of the pinnacle cultivators." Kirin smacked his lips."Even so, why's the lord so wary about that place?" White Tiger was confused. He knew that Pinnacle Legend Realms were powerful since ancient times. With White Tiger's power, he'd be a powerhouse even back then, let alone Kirin and the lord. They were anomalies.Kirin smacked White Tiger. "Yeah, the nation's average, but the empress is not! She's a Saint with her body intact. They claim that she might be a Great Saint now!""A Great Saint?" White Tiger was shocked."Wait, you got that?""No.""Why the reaction?""Because the name sounds powerful."Kirn was speechless. "Faux Saints and half-Saints are Saints. Then they become true Saints. Then Minor Saints, and then Great Saints. That's the highest level any cultivator can reach, or at least that's what we currently know. Any higher, and they'll li
"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
The five powerhouses were persuading and threatening the captain to surrender, but if they did, how would they handle the faction leader's wrath? Left with no choice, they had to tell the captains that the faction leader was dead, and Nox killed him. They had to ask for Aphrodite's help to keep the faction safe."We're surrendering to protect our faction. We need to live if we want revenge. Dying now will mean nothing. Nox will return to Faeast soon, and he will join the fray before you know it. Not even the faction leader is a match for him. You can never even touch him no matter what you do."The captains finally accepted the orders. They would feign a surrender and save whatever power they had left. Jacques was furious."You're surrendering? This is a scam! What if the faction leader isn't dead? What would you do? You'd be traitors! Don't fall for her tricks!"If Nox was really that powerful, the guy who would be commanding their forces here would be Kirin. They were asking the
"Make your choice, or once the battle starts, this opportunity won't come again," Aphrodite urged. They were hesitating, and she gave them an ultimatum. She counted down from three."Three, two, one…"The five stopped hesitating. They'd come in contact with Aphrodite before. She was not the kind of woman who would accept any pleas after she took back her offer. They presented their souls and signed a contract with Aphrodite.Aphrodite smiled evilly. 'They think they can get a new body just because they changed sides? It's not that easy.'Nox had the power to recreate bodies, but the price was dear. When he did it for her last time, it set up a blockade for him on his path to power, or he would've been more than just a One-ring Minor Saint.The five noticed something wrong once the contract was signed, but it was too late for regrets. Aphrodite said coldly, "I want you to tell your faction's men to surrender. Anyone who's preparing to fight or already fighting on the borders, I don
The remaining enemies pulled back their aura and decided to wait and see what would happen. Aphrodite appeared in the formation a while later. Even though she betrayed Nox and killed a lot of Faeast's people, she still gained Nox's trust and took an important position for herself. The enemies did not look happy at all."I have a feeling your family had this all planned out. You played both sides, and no matter who wins, your family benefits," the strongest of the enemy said darkly.Jacques worked for the path of the martial, while Aphrodite returned to Nox. No matter who won the final battle, the Mousses would lose nothing."Whatever you say. You do not have the privilege to play both sides. Nox is on his way to fight your leader. Once the outcome is settled, your choice doesn't matter. Even if your leader wins, even if Nox dies, you can't survive. You have two choices. Self-destruct and end your path of cultivation, or give your soul and atone for your sins like me," said Aphrodite
Dominic was the world's top swordsman. He wouldn't let a young guy like Kirin look down on him. Kirin only laughed. "World's top swordsman? Come on, old man. Don't push yourself. You're the second best now.""You bastard! He only got to me because I was distracted. I'll show you why I'm the best! Come, Heaven's Fountain!" Dominic's sword flew into the air and summoned a heavenly fountain from the skies. The water spilled and turned into a structure a thousand feet tall.Heaven's Fountain was at the heart of this sword domain. Within the domain, Dominic could teleport, and he could go anywhere inside the domain. He was handling all nine enemies easily. They couldn't even stop him, and soon, Dominic's sword was dicing them up."Perfect!" Kirin grinned and dispelled his avatar. He melted into the shadows and cut off the enemies like a blade of darkness. Kirin was a very genuine fighter. He might be obsessed with combat, but he didn't much care about honor or fairness. There was only on
He held up two fingers, and one sword split into ten thousand. He swung his fingers, and the sea of swords sliced through all the escaping enemies. The enemies' leaders were shocked and furious. They couldn't believe Nox was this powerful. They thought Nox was only on par with Kirin, but no. He was stronger.And they hated him for destroying the path of the martial's foundation. They spent so much time and resources raising these elites, but Nox and Kirin killed them all in the blink of an eye. Even if they could escape unscathed, their faction was already chipped away. Not even a thousand years was enough to heal up.Worse, Nox wasn't going to let them escape unscathed. "The God of Murder, the pinnacle of the path of the ancient divine, and the world's strongest swordsman. They're working together. We might not get out of this alive."The enemies knew Nox and his team wouldn't let them escape, and they gave up on retreating. If they did, none of them could escape. They had to work
The voice rumbled the mountains themselves. Kirin, in his sacred beast form, descended upon the path of the sword. He was the size of a hill, and he crashed into Edgegrounds. However, not only did he not destroy the place, but his Saint energy's timely infusion replenished the formation's power.Dos felt energy coursing through his veins, and a wave of incredible will-of-the-sword spread everywhere. It swept through everything in a few miles, and tens of thousands of enemies were culled.No one in Faeast knew Kirin, but Mystia's people knew he was a madman. A killer. A butcher. And he was the God of Murder's follower. If he was here, Nox wasn't far behind.Nox was nearby, and the swordsmen's morale rose at a blistering speed once the news hit them. The path of the martial's people, however, felt their hearts stopping. They lost tens of thousands of elites at once, and their morale had never been lower."Finally. If you had come one moment later, we'd be gone," Dos roared, crawling