The Shadow Division's leader reviewed some files on his tablet."Commander, HQ just gave us the files for Redmoon Auction House." Derek handed the file to the leader."They claim the auction house is the facade for Voxlia's most prominent spy organization, Black Flag. They've been collecting coin for Voxlian military and are the masterminds behind many scams."The leader took a look. "The bastards," he said. "They have the gall to infiltrate Faeast after the Battle of the Ten Nations? Damn them. Derek, I have an order."The leader announced, "Gather all of our members in Riverton. We'll be arresting all of Redmoon Auction House's staff. All of them. Kill anyone who resists capture!" There was a roar in the last part of the sentence.Derek said, "Yes, commander.""We fought off ten nations' army and rained blood on Voxlia. Their country was littered with bodies, and now they dare trouble my nation? If Lord Nox is here, they'd never be so daring."The man was one of Shadow Divisio
Derek nodded and turned his phone off.At the same time, Yvette only got beeps from the call. She was so ready to call her long-lost nephew, too.Curious about Yvette's silence, George asked, "So, did you get through to him?"Yvette shook her head. "I think he hung up on me.""What? But you're his aunt. Quick, call him again," urged George.Yvette called Derek again, but his phone was turned off this time. Flabbergasted, Yvette said, "He turned his phone off.""Unbelievable! He wouldn't take a call from his aunt? Is he trying to distance himself because he's a somebody now?"Yvette shook her head. "Derek's been a good boy. He would never do this.""Then why didn't he take your call?" asked George.Yvette mused over it. "He's probably on a mission."George cursed, but in the end, he said, "Forget it. Try calling him later at night."Yvette sighed. Queenie had been starved and dehydrated for 48 hours now, and she was emaciated.Nox had no idea about this at all, however.…
Jebediah felt a great weight getting lifted off his body. "Yes, milord!" He hurried over to Nox, and what he saw made his eyes go wide.The greenery around Nox had faded, and boulders were crushed. The place seemed like a warzone that extended for a few hundred yards in radius. Jebediah bowed. "I apologize, milord. I shouldn't have interrupted your cultivation."Nox waved him down and turned around. "You've reached your bottleneck, haven't you?"Jebediah was stunned. He did not expect that question but answered, "Yes, milord. I have no talent at all. It has been more than three decades since I began on the path of sorcery, but I could never break through to the next stage, so…"Sorcerers had four stages: Beginner, Attuned, Zen, and Origin. Unlike martial arts, sorcerers needed talent and a deep understanding of the arts. All sorcerers would die just to gain more knowledge.Some sorcerers could spend their whole lives stuck in one stage, just like Jebediah.Nox blurted, "Would you
The member was a newbie."I bet you want to know," Derek said, looking at the ocean. "Do you know what this place is?""The ocean?""Obviously, but do you know where it leads to?" Derek asked again."No.""It leads to the Ocean of Death.""What? The Ocean of Death?" The newbie was shocked. He knew what that place meant."Yes." Derek stared into the distance. "At the ends of these waters is where Faeast's army defeated the ten nations once and for all. That battle dyed the sea crimson and littered it with a mountain of corpses."Derek continued, "In the same battle, the ten nations retreated a thousand miles and suffered the deaths of six top Legend Realms. In the same battle, Lord Nox…"Derek's voice cracked. He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone knew what had happened. Lord Nox had died, and a legend had fallen back then.Everyone stared at the sea in silence. Just then, Keith roared at the waters."Glory be to us all! Yet time waits for none! In the distance lies the
The vehicles made their way into the city center, and they came to a building. It was the headquarters of Shadow Division's Riverton branch. Keith was in the office, going through his files."Commander, column thirty-six's captain is calling. This is urgent." Derek came into the office."Let him in," said Keith, not even raising his head."Yes, commander."And then, a man in a suit appeared. "Greetings, commander. I am Yves Singer, captain of column thirty-six." Yves stood up straight."What is it?" Keith asked, still staring at the tablet."Commander, we have found everything there is to the downfall of Redmoon. It belongs to Black Flag. Our men have attacked all of their bases and caught every single one of them."Keith grunted."And the old man who died at the auction was B Rank spy of Black Flag.""A B Rank?" Keith finally raised his head. Black Flag, being Voxlia's spy organization, had a strict hierarchy where everyone's jobs were clearly stated. The members were split i
Faye smiled. "We must. Mr. Inkheart, you know how powerful Grandmasters are. If someone like him can be a member of our society, it will be a great help."Mr. Inkheart said, "But he's mighty and young. He might not agree to this.""Not to worry. Even if we can't make him part of the society, we can still be friends."Mr. Inkheart said nothing more. The limousine kept going on and would arrive at Dragoncourt a while later.Before the society's members could arrive, however, three black off-road vehicles made it. The doors opened, and lean figures in fighting attire came out.Mr. Inkheart frowned. "That's a lot of warriors."And then a burly silhouette came out of the off-road vehicle. Alarm bells rang in Mr. Inkheart's head. At the same time, he felt tremendous pressure coming off that man. "The pressure. Hallmaster, that man is a terrifying one." Mr. Inkheart stared at the burly figure.Faye was also staring at the figure, but her eyes were wide, and she looked like she'd seen a
Keith then led his men to Dragoncourt, but the moment they stepped onto the path, fog rolled in and blocked everyone's path."Commander, something's off with the fog," one member said.Keith scanned the fog icily. "This city is more than meets the eye. Didn't think I'd see this kind of formation here. Everyone, step back!"The Shadow Division members quickly retreated. Keith looked at the fog once more and put his hands together. A gust of spiraling air burst forth from his body, and the air started howling.Keith then held his hand up. "Begone!" he roared, and the spiraling air turned into a hurricane, charging into the fog.The hurricane thundered, and the fog was cut open, revealing the path again. Keith charged ahead like a tiger.While Keith was charging ahead, two silhouettes were seated silently in the mountains. They were Nox and Jebediah. Ever since Jebediah took the pill Nox gave him, his cultivation had been progressing at an incredible speed.Earlier in the morning,
Keith only smiled. "It's alright if you don't know. Let me ask you something. Did you join a Redmoon auction three days ago?"Jebediah was stunned for a moment. He said, "Yes, and what of it?""Then you're probably the guy." Keith got the wrong person, but Jebediah didn't know that.Jebediah looked at Keith, then at the Shadow Division members behind him. "Who the fuck are you guys? Why'd you barge into our place?"Keith was still smiling. "You do not need to know. I'll need you to come to HQ with us. We have questions for you."Jebediah chuckled. "You're an interesting man, oaf. You barged into our place, and now you demand I go with you? What do you think I am, chopped liver?" He harrumphed and hurled a few talismans ahead.The talismans exploded, and fog covered the place again, but the mist was black this time. Jebediah quickly made hand seals and howls charged from within the fog.A couple of skulls then darted at Keith, but Keith only sneered. He focused all the spiraling
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