More importantly, this token gave its owner power over the nation's wealth. It was unthinkable that the Voxlians had their hands on this token.Alexander was the first to protest. "Milord, what is this? You have the Nox Token. Why do these people have it, too?" He fell quiet, a little speechless.Eventually, Alexander smacked his leg. "Damn the bastards. That must be a fake."Nox smirked as well. He thought the Voxlians had something to show, but they had only a fake item. He mused, 'I see they set this up because they thought I was dead. This is a trap to scam these people's money. But still, it's effective.'The bluebloods had no idea this was a fake token, and they were ecstatic to see it. Though Nox had fallen, he still remained their object of worship. This token was the closest thing Nox had. No foreigner had claim to it."Quick, make a bid. I'll give my all if it means we can get back what is ours!""Me too!""Us too!"More people stood up. Even Madam Rose was getting ex
"What? Fifteen billion?"The bluebloods were shocked. They could afford 15 billion, but making an enemy out of Sovereign's Society? That they would not do.Then, Larry stepped forth. "If you think you can do better, why don't you make your bid, then?" He looked at everyone, daring them to challenge him.No one said a thing. The bidding had stopped."Well, I guess no one's bidding, then. The token is ours." Larry smiled at the old man. "Hey, old man, make the announcement."The host looked around. No one made any more bids, and he smiled. "Since no one is bidding for the item, then the lady shall be its new owner—""Hold it!" Another voice spoke, and Nox appeared.Madam Rose frowned. She thought Nox wanted to get the token as well.Murder flared in Larry's eyes, and he demanded, "You're going to fight us, punk? Do you know what happens to people who do that?"Nox didn't look at Larry but coldly said, "You idiot.""Did you just call me an… You're done for!" Larry roared. He was
Nox didn't even bother with the threats. His attention was on the fake token. "How dare you sell this thing? It's a fake! Are you trying to scam us?"'What? A fake?' No one could believe what they heard, including Madam Rose and her men.The elderly host roared indignantly, "Lies! Voxlia spent months fishing the Ocean of Death just to get this token! How dare you slander our name?""I'm slandering your name? That's rich coming from a liar and a scammer." Nox harrumphed, and he pointed at the fake token."Putting the authenticity aside, the fact Voxlia has this token means war! And yet you have the gall to auction this in Faeast?"Nox's accusation riled everyone up. He was right. The token was Lord Nox's item, yet Voxlia sold it like merchandise. Of course, they hated it."The lad's right! I have his back!""Yeah. That's Lord Nox's stuff. No way people from your country can find something like that, let alone sell it. The lad's right!"The rich guys finally snapped out of their
The horrific changes caught Jebediah by surprise. He had no idea about ancient yoga, which Voxlia was famous for."This is Faeast sorcery? Nothing to write home about." The old man laughed darkly, and a black scimitar appeared in his hand. He thrust it at Jebediah's back, but someone defended Jebediah before metal could slice flesh."What did you just say?" Nox made his move. He held the scimitar with his fingers, and the weapon could no longer move."Impossible!" The old man stared in disbelief. He activated his inner energy and tried to pull his weapon back, but alas, the metal seemed to have been welded into Nox's hand."Again, I ask you. What did you just say, you cur?" Nox demanded imperiously."What I wanted to say!" The old man roared, and once again, he tapped into yoga. He spun his body and clawed at Nox's chest.Nox didn't even look at him. He swung his right hand, and a wave of wind crashed into the old man's chest.A sickening thud echoed, and the old man's chest cav
Nox and Alexander gained a lot that night. They exposed Voxlian's scam and even got a refund for the Icesnake Bloom. Nox, however, still owned the flower. Alexander saved 150 million and got the flower for free. It was a great bargain.They exited the building, and Alexander gushed, "Milord, if you hadn't been there, the bastards would've played us like a fiddle.""Voxlia is a joke anyway." Everyone in that nation saw Nox as their worst nightmare, after all."You're the best, milord," praised Jebediah.They approached the car park, but an icy voice demanded, "Hold it right there!"Nox and his companions turned around. Madam Rose and the members of Sovereign's Society were standing behind them. Larry was the one who spoke.Alexander stepped ahead. "What do you want?"Larry stepped ahead as well, a sneer on his lips. He pointed at Nox. "You insulted my society, punk. Time to settle the score."Jebediah stepped ahead this time, dark air swirling around him. "You wanna fight?"Lar
Faye wanted to thank Nox. At the same time, her society needed more people, so she wanted to turn Nox into one of them, but Nox was being arrogant. He wouldn't tell his name and even subtly mocked the society's leader.Sovereign's Society was a powerful force in the western frontier. Even in the central region, the society commanded respect. Now that Larry wanted to teach Nox a lesson, Faye said nothing. She gave her permission.Larry stepped ahead, sneering. "Let's see how you can talk big now, punk!"Jebediah stepped ahead. "If you want to challenge my lord, you'll have to go through me first!"Nox waved him down. "Jeb, stand down.""Milord?" Jebediah was stunned."Stand down."Jebediah did so reluctantly. Nox then stepped ahead and looked at Larry. "Wanna know why I talked big? I'll tell you. Better yet, I'll show you."A blast of regal air charged forth from within Nox. Everyone shivered, and Mr. Inkheart exclaimed, "Look out, lad!"But he was too late. Nox moved like the
"You defeated two Greater Combatants in one go. Might you be a Grandmaster?" Mr. Inkheart asked."Grandmaster?" Nox sneered. "I've killed hundreds of that before."That alone stopped the sorcerer from making his move. He could feel the pressure mounting on him as if facing a terrifying beast. "That is impossible!" Mr. Inkheart gasped.Only one kind of warrior could kill Grandmasters, and that was the Legend Realm, but Legend Realms were few and far between. Besides the top dogs of Faeast and the fossils in hiding, he knew no other Legend Realms.Mr. Inkheart wondered, 'This man is too young. He can't be a Legend Realm.'Nox didn't bother answering. He turned back to Larry coolly. "Now, do you know why I talk big? Because I don't even need to lift a finger to kill you."Nox swung Larry away, and the young man flew through the car park. He slammed into an off-road vehicle and totaled it. Larry remained lying on the piece of scrap metal, a jet of blood spewing from his mouth.Nox t
The plant was still perfectly intact, and the radiating chill turned the room into a winter wonderland a moment later.Nox stared at the plant with a smile. "One down, two to go. Then I can make Bloodchanger and cure myself of Kirin Firepoison."The thought of that poison also yanked out the memory of Aphrodite's betrayal. Fury flared in Nox's heart once more, but then he let it go.Eventually, he would charge into the heart of Imperia and face the Mousse Family. The problem was, Aphrodite was now Lady Phoenix. Before he regained his full power, revenge was impossible for Nox.Nox took a deep breath and went through the events of the night again. "The Voxlian bastards used my name to scam my countrymen. If I weren't there, those people would've gone bankrupt or worse."Nox took out the real Nox Token and sneered.…Ever since Queenie had her heart broken, she fell ill. She'd been bedridden for two days, refusing to eat or drink. The Sanderses were worried sick about her.It was
Dominic's energy formed a barrier, and his sword merged with his astral form. This was a true fusion between man and sword."Do you want to die that much, old man? It's not too late to back out. I can set up an exit, and your astral form can leave. Refuse, and I will snuff you out." The empress' face contorted. She was a demoness, and not an ounce of her beauty was left on her face.Dominic laughed. "Death does not scare me. It is not the end. Glory is what I seek. Generations to come will know me as a saintly swordsman, but none will remember even your name. You failed even after seventy thousand years. You will not get what you want! Give up on your delusions and accept reality!"There was a hint of death wish in Dominic's will-of-the-sword. Should he die in this battle, his name would be known throughout Faeast. He wasn't scared at all."Damn you. I will kill you! None of your faction will live!" The empress' third eye was bloodshot, and then the crimson strings came crawling ou
Aphrodite didn't react much. She said, "If she kills you, it's a good thing. Proves that you're a capable person. It's easy to kill someone. Not so much when it comes to controlling the heart. She doesn't have the power to control your soul just yet.""What the hell are you talking about? Same difference. Just tell me what I should do now. My sacred beasts are running out of energy. I can't ask them to put their lives on the line. They're practically an endangered species! They mustn't die!" Kirin had no choice but to call back the sacred beasts that'd exhausted their energy and dispel them.The Generals weren't sacred beasts, but they were Kirin's friends. He couldn't watch them die here."Oh, pipe down. There's nothing to worry about." Aphrodite snorted."So you have a plan?" Kirin thought they had hope, seeing that Aphrodite was so calm."No. I did everything I could. Everything is in fate's hands now," said Aphrodite."Dammit! What do you mean you did everything you could? I
"We're out." Dominic and Queenie were back in the real world. He saw the demonic mountain and the desolate world around him, and he wondered if this was another formation."We're out, master. This is the real world. Nono said Flame Emperor's trapped under the mountain," said Queenie solemnly."No, it's not the mountain that has him trapped; it's the empress." Dominic gasped. "No, that's not right. She doesn't have the right or authority to do that." He frowned. "And where's Nox?" he asked curiously. He only got out thanks to Nox's guidance, but the guy was nowhere to be found.Nox and Nineve fell into another illusion formation, and this time, they were transported back to Imperia. The formation carved out the whole city, and Nox was surprised it managed that. Nineve's head was spinning. She grabbed Nox's arm and wouldn't stop talking."Are we back in Imperia? You killed that bitch, Nox?"Nox was speechless. "No, we're in another illusion. Dammit, this can't trap me, but figuring
"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