Nineve kept kissing until Nox made her come down, and she did so reluctantly. The empress and Flame Emperor were destroyed, but they still had a rescue mission going on."I'll need to use the crucible and get back to Celestial Domain." Nox used the crucible again, and golden flames tore through the formation. Once Nox figured out the details of this place and Celestial Domain, he activated the teleportation formation of this realm and sent everyone back to Celestial Domain.Kirin was at his limits. If Nox had returned a few moments later, the spirits would've eaten him alive. Kirin cried loudly.Nox soothed him, "Thanks. You did well.""I thought you were done for. I don't mind dying if you're alright." Kirin sobbed."Really? Well, you go ahead, then. I can save some of my strength," Nox said."No, that was just a joke. Save me!" Kirin changed attitudes immediately."I know. You've always been that guy." Nox used the crucible to pin down the spirits and held up the crumbling dom
Dominic was speechless. 'Your grandson saved you, and now you're lecturing him? You owe him a thank you.'"You're lecturing your grandson? Not like you helped him when Mystia's guys were hunting him down." Dominic curled his lips.Cassian said nothing. Putting his duty to the nation aside, he was not a good grandfather. "I'm sorry, boy. This is all my fault. I know I shouldn't lecture you." He blushed. Of course he adored his grandson.Nox wanted to tear up, but he held it in. "What? You and the founder saved me back then. The emperor and the clan as well. And Aphrodite…" Nox hesitated. He looked at Cassian, a silent question in his eyes.Cassian knew about the thing between Nox and Aphrodite. "She did contribute to the nation's stability and unity. And she is a woman who knows you very well. Are you really going to watch her die? Even if she is not your lover, she can be a soulmate. It's hard to find one, you know," said Cassian."I see. I have someone to save. We'll talk later."
Even though she was in danger, Aphrodite was still worried about him. Nox fell silent."What's going on, Nox? We just ended the chaos in the south, didn't we? And then she saw Queenie and the others. "Why's the Master of Swords here? And why does Nineve have power now? Who is that woman? My heart hurts when I see her."Though she had lost her memories, Aphrodite's wisdom still remained. She could sense the wall between her and Nox. Then she noticed the looks everyone was giving her, and she knew what must have happened.Aphrodite tucked away all her worries and feelings and resumed her calm, composed self. "I see. I must've betrayed you, then. I knew that day would come. This must be Celestial Domain. The only way to get through this hurdle is through sacrifice. I must've done that to atone for my sins."The fact that my soul remains means the dangers are neutralized. The path of the martial is still running rampant. The path of the ancient divine calls themselves the Heavenly Dao
"Faeast hasn't risen to power yet. You cannot die, Aphrodite." Nox cast Revival. The saint power of life came raining out of the crucible and drenched Aphrodite's soul. At the same time, Nox flitted around to collect the memories scattered around Celestial Domain.As if something was working from the shadows, Nox couldn't find the memories of Aphrodite's betrayal. All he found were good memories of them while they were still a couple. "Can't find them all. This will have to do. You're coming back to life, Aphrodite! I will use the crucible and reform your body!"As long as the nation's fate prospers, you live. If any harm comes to it, you will be destroyed!" Nox stuffed the memories into Aphrodite's soul. The memories were incomplete, but it wasn't the time to think about that. The crucible was forming her body.It was the most crucial step next. The soul must be merged with the body and bring it to life. Dominic said seriously, "If Nox wants to breathe life into her, he'll have to
Nox did not look happy at all. He knew Aphrodite was up to something."Don't get mad. You've saved me, so you're getting something for it. I am keeping the memories about everything that happened after the Southern Sea incident not because I want to remember that you saved me, but because I don't want to forget any important clues. When I checked the empress' formation, I found something peculiar."I found the aura of your clan's ancestor. He was here once," said Aphrodite."The clan's ancestor?" Cassian couldn't stay out of this anymore. That was the reason he was tricked into coming here. "Nox, I walked into the empress trap because I knew one of our ancestors came to this place before. I guess she wasn't lying about that part." He was visibly excited.Nox asked, "Do you know who he is?""No, but judging from the situation, that person had the power to destroy Flame Emperor and the empress, but he left Celestial Domain after taking the Sovereign Bell. That's why Flame Emperor ha
Nineve, smart as always, joined in. She kept trying to show herself off to Cassian. Nox was introducing Queenie to his grandfather, while Aphrodite… was left to her own devices.Aphrodite coughed. She said coldly, "Everyone's happy, but you're all abandoning me. What am I, chopped liver?"Everyone was annoyed, especially the guy who was set up. Kirin snarled, "Yeah, you are. I'd have whooped your ass if you weren't still useful for the nation."Nox smacked him. "Shut it. What are you trying to say, Aphrodite?" He knew Aphrodite wasn't saying that just to make everyone accept her. She couldn't care less."Like I said, one of your ancestors came to this place before. Why aren't you asking the name?" Aphrodite fiddled with her lustrous hair. She was happy with the body Nox made for her."What? But I thought I asked you, and you didn't know!" Cassian frowned. He thought the girl was really weird."You're a fool, Cassian. The family only got this far thanks to Penelope. Yes, I don't k
Everyone was having a good time. Fergus wondered who the old gentlemen were. One devoured his food silently, while the other was being friendly with everyone. He hadn't even touched his food.Curious, Fergus blurted, "So who are these gentlemen, Nox?""Oh, right. I forgot I haven't done the introductions. This is Dominic Edge, the Master of Swords," Nox said.Fergus gasped, and he almost jumped out of his seat. 'The Master of Swords?' he thought. Mystia had three big factions. The path of the sword was number three, and its leader was the top swordsman of the world. He was a famous saintly swordsman too."Mr. Edge, it's an honor to meet you!" Fergus quickly bowed. Though they both seemed old and about the same age, Dominic was already a famous warrior in Faeast when Fergus was still a child.Even during Faeast's most recent turbulence, Dominic was already a powerful swordsman."Oh, you don't have to bow. I don't do that. I'm no famous man. You, Commander Parrish, are a great hero
Fergus was flabbergasted. 'So the gentleman is more important than I thought.'"I was locked up in that hellhole for so long, I almost forgot what meat tastes like. You're a good cook, just like your old man, Fergus." Cassian patted Fergus' shoulder, smiling.Fergus stood up, straight as a pole. "Who are you, sir?""I wish you could see the look on your face. You're overreacting. I am Nox's grandfather, Cassian Greenshade," answered Cassian, and he had a confident, heroic look on his face. Though he was old, he was every bit the hero he once was."You're Cassian himself?" Fergus went on his knees and bowed to Cassian with all the respect he could muster. Everyone thought this was sudden. And bizarre.Nineve said, "Cassian's my grandpa's peer, and he used to fight side by side with Gramps. Pity he died early. He could've seen a peaceful Faeast otherwise."Casian lamented, "Luck wasn't your grandpa's best trait, after all. He was the only child of his father, and his old man had hi
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