Queenie's eyes went red. She looked at the photo again and confirmed it was Nox, and she thought the woman he was holding looked familiar somehow.Queenie had a closer look and recognized who that woman was. "That's Alexander's daughter…" Tears finally spilled, and they trickled down her cheeks."You should've listened to me and stayed away from Greenshade. Now you see who he really is. It's only been a few days since you last met him, and he already found another woman. He's not worth it."George continued, "Just listen to me and date Alexander. He might be old, but he's rich and powerful, and he's nice to you."George wouldn't stop yapping and blabbering, but then Queenie roared, "Dad, stop talking!""Why won't you listen to me?" George asked.Queenie didn't want to hear what George had to say. Crying, she stormed out of the house."Queenie! Queenie!" George tried to stop Queenie, but she was already gone.Queenie's heart was broken into a thousand pieces. Ever since she met
Queenie started crying again. She couldn't find Nox, and now she couldn't reach him either. Helpless, she stayed in her car, crying her heart out.Time went by, and Nox had no idea that a certain lady was waiting for him at the base of the mountain.It didn't take long until noon swept by. Queenie remained in the car all this time, hoping to see Nox so she could ask him what the photo was all about. In the end, she was only met with disappointment.She made one last call, but Nox was still unavailable. She smiled bitterly, wiped her tears away, and drove away dispirited.Then night fell, and a young girl was on her bed, fiddling with Nox's charged phone. She was none other than Thalia. "Hey, there's a ton of missed calls here. Who is it?"Thalia turned on the phone and saw the caller's name—Queenie."Who's Queenie? Why'd she call Greenie so many times?" Thalia was curious. She opened up the contacts and noticed Nox only had two numbers logged. One was Queenie's, and the other was
Scared by Nox's anger, Thalia quickly retreated. "I-I didn't delete her number.""You're lying!" Nox roared. He quickly lifted Thalia off the bed.Terrified, Thalia started crying again, and she confessed, "Yes, yes, I did it…""Why'd you delete her number? Tell me!" Nox asked furiously."Because you care about her, and I got jealous." Thalia hiccoughed, but she spoke the truth. "Let me go!"Nox was frustrated, but he couldn't take it out on a young girl like her. He let go of Thalia, and the girl fell with a thud.Thalia kept bawling and wailing. Aggrieved, she said, "You meanie! I like you so much, but you keep bullying me! I-I won't like you anymore!"The girl ran out of the room, still crying and bawling. Nox stood still, black as thunder.Jebediah, hearing the commotion, quickly came in. "What happened, milord?"Nox harrumphed. "When you get the chance, send that girl off. I don't want to see her again!"Jebediah had no idea what happened, but he quickly said, "Yes, milo
Nox narrowed his eyes. 'Voxlia, huh? One of the ten nations involved in that big battle,' he thought.Voxlia was the nation closest to Faeast. Back then, Nox waged a battle so terrible that there was not a single soul left in the vicinity of Voxlia. A big pit of bodies was left under the Devil's Peak.Because of that, the children of Voxlia would cry in fear at the mention of Lord Nox."And?" Nox asked."I have received news that the auction will officially begin tonight. I would like to go with you and retrieve the plant, milord."Nox grunted. Ever since he was infected by the poison, Nox had been using the Ultimate Sun Dragon Manual to keep the toxin down, but as long as it wasn't cured, Nox could never regain his former power.He had to find all three plants as soon as possible. Now that Alexander, after much difficulties, found news of one, Nox had to get the plant, of course."Then we have our plan, milord. I shall pick you up at six. We shall get the plant for you."Nox n
The Stretch Lincoln Limousine came to a stop, and out came a bald, burly man. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches, he resembled an ox, and his muscles were the size of mountains. A crimson flower was tattooed on the back of his head.The bald man opened the car's door, after which a handsome, smiling lad came out, followed by an old man in a black shirt. The old man had sunken cheekbones and a gaze as sharp as a falcon's.He radiated an air more terrifying than the bald man. The final member of this misfit group to show was a woman in a bodycon dress, and she attracted everyone's attention.The lady was gorgeous that everyone could not tear their gaze away from her. She had a voluptuous figure, and her purple dress clung to her skin tightly. The men couldn't stop staring at her legs.Everyone around the woman, the old man included, bowed to her."Who are those people?""No idea.""Weird. Why did these guys come? Seems like they're from out of town."The local bluebloods were surprised
More and more bluebloods arrived at Universal Center. The auction would be a gathering to behold, and yet a storm was brewing.The rich guys all over the nation were gathered on the 66th floor. Redmoon Auction House was a famous international auction house, so the auction tonight would surely be spectacular.The auction house occupied two stories. The first story was for the retail investors, while the second story was reserved for the VIP players, and there were only little more than a dozen rooms on the second story.Nox was in one of the rooms. As the richest man of Riverton, Alexander had reserved a room in the VIP zone for Nox the moment he knew the ice plant would go on auction.Alexander was standing beside Nox quietly while Jebediah was on Nox's other side. The auction hadn't begun yet, and more guests were trickling in.The flags of Voxlia and the emblem of Redmoon Auction House could be seen everywhere. There were also warriors from Voxlia standing around as well.Nox c
While everyone was preoccupied with the almost lascivious dance, no one noticed Nox slowly opening his eyes. That was because he sensed that the dancers were all warriors.When he took a closer look, he noticed a black sauvastika symbol etched on the dancers' arms. "Hm? That's the sign of Black Flag!" Nox radiated killing intentions.Black Flag was the largest spy organization of Voxlia, and they worked in the fields of assassination, information, and recon. During the Battle of the Ten Nations, Black Flag had tried to get their hands on Faeast's information.Nox was surprised to see this group infiltrate Riverton. "I see the auction house is connected to Black Flag." Once again, Nox scanned the whole place, and he noticed powerful warriors hiding in every corner."Interesting." Nox sneered and closed his eyes again.The dance ended soon after, and it was now time for the main event. The man with the turban appeared on the stage once more to explain the rules of the auction. Natur
"That's the ice plant."The moment the old man pulled the cloth away, everyone looked at the cabinet. Within the crystal cabinet sat a flower clear as crystal and slithering as a snake. The flower only had four petals, and its stem meandered like a viper.Discussion rippled through the crowd as Nox stared at the flower. "The flower is freezing, and it has the shape of a snake. Yes, it's an ice plant that's been living for a thousand years."The moment Nox was sure the flower was what he needed, Alexander said, "Milord, this is the treasure I told you about."Nox nodded. "Leave everything else to me." He stood up.The Voxlian elder announced the starting bid, which was at 10 million. The bluebloods were in an uproar. Most of them didn't think the plant was worth that much.Still, some of the richer guys made their bids. The first bid was 12 million."15 million!""18 million!"The Riverton locals were bidding against the guys from other states, perhaps to make things more inter
"What is he doing? Is he going to put everything on the line? No, he's trying to take the domain's control from me. How dare he! No, the golden kirin is something much more ancient than I am. If he activates some sort of secret spell, he might actually pull this off!"The empress would not leave this battle to chance. One mistake, and she would lose everything. She had no choice but to do everything she could to stop Kirin. However, using her eye power meant she would be distracted.And an opening was created.Nox was in the mist, but he suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Weird. The mist is growing thin. The empress' eye power is weakening?" This might be a trap, but Nox didn't care."Eight Saintly Techniques, Blazing Holy Eyes." Nox's golden eyes appeared and dispelled most of the mist. Right away, he found an opening. "Heaven's Demise! Shatter this thing!"He cast a Forbidden Art, and flames burned everything. A talisman sprang forth and burned into a crisp. The moment its ashes w
Nox, Nineve, Queenie, and Dominic were in the mist, all worried about one another. Back in Celestial Domain, the spirits' attack was growing fiercer. Some were even close to devouring the sacred beasts. Kirin had to call back the sacred beasts and send them away to keep the bloodline going."There are too many people who have died in this place over the last seventy millennia. We can't hope to kill them all. We can't last much longer at this rate." Kirin himself was bearing too much weight. He couldn't join the fray."I think it's time," Aphrodite suddenly said."What? Is it the final moment?" Kirin asked solemnly."No. I mean the empress is backed into a corner. You might think she's still relentless, but I think she's at her wit's end. Time to give her the final push. She's too tense, and one little distraction is enough to create an opening," answered Aphrodite seriously.Kirin had no idea what she had in mind, but he knew she wasn't lying. She was doing this for a reason. "Wha
Queenie was a little shocked. 'Next time? Please, no.'"I knew something was wrong. Nono wasn't sure if Nineve was Flame Emperor's descendant, but the one in the illusion was certain. I knew it was fake, but I couldn't help myself." Queenie sighed. She still couldn't get over herself.Dominic laughed. "You need some confidence. Be arrogant if you have to. It's better than to be craven. If Nineve is a Sovereign's descendant, then there must be a reason for your being here. Let's see if we can uncover the mystery."Dominic was about to take Queenie into a search for the truth, but Queenie stopped him. "Tell me the truth. Since you're an astral form, does that mean you're a sacrifice too?" she asked solemnly."No, not exactly. I can't break the formation, but I can enter it, though that comes with a price. It can't hurt me, but going out won't be easy." It was pointless to lie now, after all."So the empress can't hurt you for now, but if she wants to drag everyone down with her and
The empress didn't want Queenie to kill herself. She needed Queenie's willpower to crumble so she could plant her soul technique inside her. Once she controlled Queenie, Nox would have to relent if he wanted her freedom.Queenie was slowly walking into an abyss. "If my death can make you happy, then I will sacrifice myself, even if it can only take a bit off your shoulder."Sacrificing herself for Nox was a way for Queenie to fulfill her wish. Just when the empress thought she would succeed, a flash of holy light burst through the ground. Dominic had arrived, sword in hand."What?" The empress' eyes went wide. She thought, 'The old man entered my formation with nothing but his astral form just to save her?'Dominic harrumphed. "Surprised? Never thought I'd risk my own life?" He turned to Queenie. "Don't listen to her bullshit, Queenie! Nox has always been a straightforward man. No one can force him to do what he doesn't want to do! He's nice to you because he wants to!"No guilt t
His body was decayed, and violent energy radiated from head to toe. He was like a beast. Queenie had never seen him like this. Even though she knew this was an illusion, it still scared her. Perhaps this was what Nox would be like if he turned to the side of evil. If he wasn't a Sovereign, he would be a demon.Just like Nameless, he would be infamous. Nox slowly stepped toward the beach like a demon who'd clawed back out of hell. The sea was dyed red from his demonic energy. Everywhere Nox stepped, black, pungent lotuses bloomed."Look what you did to me, Queenie. Why did you save me? I am a loyal man, but I had to abandon Aphrodite to repay my debt to you! Who do you think you are? Even without Aphrodite, I have Nineve! She is royalty. A princess. A descendant of Flame Emperor."It is just right that I marry her. We are the perfect match! You keep hounding me just because you saved me. You made me marry a commoner! Do you know how hard I had it? I had to put on an act every day, te
Dos took a good look. Dominic did look like he was dead. "What is this? I can't sense any aura from him. But he's powerful enough. He shouldn't have walked into her trap." He thought Dominic might be trapped in a formation. If he didn't step into it, he wouldn't see Dominic. But if he did, he would be trapped, just like Dominic.Then, a ripple of energy came out of the training chamber. Dos was on guard. He mused about it and realized Dominic was trying to contact him. Obviously, Dominic saw him.Back in the mist, Dominic's astral form saw Dos. "Don't be stupid, Dos. They want you to walk into the formation. Remember why I called you back," said Dominic solemnly.At the same time, Dos was thinking hard. He was a master of talismans. This was probably why Dominic called him back. "I understand. Even if I can't help you, I won't walk into this trap." He made a few runes in the air and called upon a few powerful mystical artefacts to form a formation.Then, a formation appeared, and r
"But if worse comes to worst, I'll kill myself than let her control me. You have to help me when that happens, master," Queenie muttered to the rune on her wrist. She wondered why Dominic wasn't saying anything.Back on the path of the sword, Dominic's consciousness was trapped in a sea of fog. "Damn the empress. She got me, and I'm not even in her domain." He did not look happy at all. Though he was trapped, he could free himself anytime he wanted to, but he would lose his connection to Queenie.Nox was in trouble, and Queenie was inexperienced. She needed his help, so he must find a way to break this spell. At the same time, the path of the sword's disciples were gathered outside Dominic's training chamber.Quentin, their leader, was restless. "Damn it. The master's trapped in an illusion? Is the empress' spell that powerful? Blast. If I don't get any answer soon, I'll lead a charge into enemy territory right now"He'd been holding back for a long time. If Dominic hadn't forbidde
The empress could wait no longer. Nineve was the weakest among the trio, which made her the perfect place to start. Demonic energy appeared, eating away at the Sovereign's energy."You're the only hope of turning this around, Nineve. We're all counting on you." Flame Emperor kept powering up his energy, but he succumbed to the empress' attacks. Once the Sovereign's barrier was gone, the empress attacked Nineve.Right before the attack could hit, Nineve's bloodline awakened. The wandering Saint power swam into her body."Perfect! Now's the time! I'll give you seventy thousand years worth of energy!" Flame Emperor infused all the energy he'd gathered over the last seventy millennia into Nineve. It would be useless for any other cultivator. They'd have to refine the energy over time, and the quality of the energy was just mediocre.Nineve was no normal woman. In ancient times, the descendants of a Sovereign could inherit part of their ancestor's power and abilities. Like a dried-up s
If anything were to happen to Nox because she couldn't pull her own weight, she'd never be able to face her father. Quilo might spoil her, but even she could be sacrificed for the nation's good.If anything were to happen to Nox, Mystia would attack Faeast relentlessly. War would come for the nation again, and the people would be slaughtered. Her father would never forgive her if that happened."No, I can't give up. If Faeast is hurt because of me, my ancestors will kill me! Dammit, fine, I'll suffer just this once. Come on, me. Hold on!" Nineve would not die a sinner, nor would she hold back her lover.It didn't matter if Nox truly cared about her. Even if he did it just because he thought he owed her or because he wanted to become Faeast's ruler easier, he was still nice to her. She was born to royalty and had never gone through any hardship, but she had seen deception all her life.Even if Nox was nice to her because he had something to gain, she couldn't complain about it."He