The firecrystal was purplish-brown and resembled a marble. If it weren't for the energy contained within, most people would think it was just a marble."Didn't know Riverton had something like this." Nox was staring at the firecrystal, his eyes glimmering.Firecrystals could be used to make some rare artifacts, but Nox didn't need it. He just wanted to make a protective item for Queenie. "And I choose you. I can make a pendant out of you. It'll shield Queenie from regular harm."Nox's eyes twinkled, and he started refining the component. The firecrystal was the size of Nox's fist, and within it was its real essence—the power of fire. He would have to refine it down to its purest form if he wanted to make a protective item.He also had to carve some runes on it to make it work. Thus, he tossed the firecrystal into the air, and it started to spin. He then made some hand seals and pointed at the firecrystal.A golden sliver of magick shot into the firecrystal, and a scorching wave of
Dragoncourt was subjected to intense heat for a whole day. A lot of trees wilted in the process, but Jebediah and Thalia were hit the worst.The estate felt like a big sauna cranked up to eleven halfway through. They were drenched in sweat, and the heat almost suffocated them."The heat's killing me! I can't take this anymore!" Thalia screamed as she ran down the mountain.Jebediah thought his skin was getting crispy. He wiped his sweat and looked at the mountain in fear. "Dear gods. If this keeps up, the mountain's going to melt."Powerful heat waves blasted forth from Nox. He was sitting cross-legged, his hair billowing in the air. Around him was a beam of light as burning-hot as a blaze. Before him was the firecrystal, radiating heat.After a day of refinement, the firecrystal was now the size of a thumb, its surface a fiery red color. The firecrystal hovered before Nox.A long time later, Nox's eyes snapped open, and beams of gold shot from his eyes. "Come back!" He raised hi
"It is supposed to be small. How else can I make a protective pendant?" Nox rolled his eyes.Jebediah was still staring at the firecrystal in confusion. There were a lot of bizarre patterns inside, but it looked like an ordinary stone on the outside. If it weren't for Nox holding it, Jebediah wouldn't even look at it."Is this really a protective item, milord?" Jebediah asked."You don't believe me?""No, I do. I'm just curious. Never seen protective items like this before," said Jebediah.Nox got what Jebediah was trying to say. He looked at the old guy and smiled. "Try it for yourself.""How should I do that?" Jebediah asked."Attack the item with all your strength." Nox pointed at the pendant."What? I don't think that's a good idea." Jebediah waved his hand. He entered the Zen Realm and considered himself a capable sorcerer. If his attack ruined this pendant, he'd hate himself."Just do it." Nox held up the pendant."Are you sure, milord? What if I ruin it by accident?" J
"Okay, then." Jebediah made more hand seals, and negative energy came charging ahead. Gales howled, and even the skies went dark. Ghostly wails swirled around Jebediah, and phantom silhouettes appeared behind him."Phantom Procession!" Jebediah put all his power into that attack, and dozens of silhouettes attacked the pendant.He was a sorcerer. There was no way he couldn't ruin a pendant. If this got out, he would be embarrassed.Then something chilling happened. Before the phantom silhouettes could touch the pendant, another explosion echoed. As if detecting a threat, the ball of light expanded, and the phantom silhouettes disappeared into smoke."What?" Jebediah's mind was numb, but the light didn't stop. It fired off at Jebediah."Holy shit!" Jebediah quickly made hand seals to block the beam, but it was too late. The beam hit him and sent him flying away. He fell with a thud, groaning in pain.Nox approached him. "Do you understand now?"Jebediah felt his joints getting dis
"Guys, it's a nice day. Why aren't you out and about?" Queenie was surprised. Her parents would usually be out at this hour.George said, "I'd love to be out and about, but I can't.""Why's that?" Queenie asked."Why? Some foreign spies infiltrated Riverton, so the city's on lockdown. Everyone's on house arrest.""What? We have spies in Riverton?" Queenie did not look happy at all."Yeah."Queenie was then reminded of the assassination two days ago. Nox said something about Voxlia. "Maybe this has something to do with those guys." Queenie thought that was possible."But why'd they go after Nox?" That was a question Queenie couldn't figure out. She had to ask Nox eventually.Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. Everyone froze, including Queenie."Who's out there? I thought we were in a lockdown," asked George."I'll take the door." Queenie was excited, thinking it was Nox. She opened the door and was met with a lean figure holding a bunch of presents.Queenie never met this
Queenie might be friendly to Derek, but her parents were a different story. They looked distant, as if Derek was just a stranger.Since Queenie had no idea about the story, she was surprised. "Dad, Mom, what is wrong with you? It's Derek. At least say hi."George harrumphed. "I'd rather not." He went into the house.Yvette was better, but not by much. "Derek, stay for a bit if you can. I'll whip something up for you." She left as well.Queenie was not happy with her parents' attitude at all. "Don't mind them, Derek. They were obsessed with you a while ago. I don't know what's gotten into them."Derek knew what had gotten into them, however. He smiled. "It was my fault, not theirs. It's been years since we met. I have a gift for you." He took out an expensive-looking wooden box.Queenie buzzed with excitement. "Whoa, what's that?""Some master of Enlightenment gave it to me when I was in the north two years ago." Derek opened the box, revealing a gleaming bead."What is this?" Q
On the other hand, Nox and Jebediah came to the streets, but they were empty. Nox asked, "City in lockdown?""Yes, milord. Orders from the city hall," said Jebediah.Nox was reminded of the Voxlian killers who infiltrated Riverton. 'Must be Keith,' he thought. 'No one else would put a city in lockdown, but how's progress going with him?' Nox did not know.He took his phone out and texted Queenie that he was coming over. Queenie was chatting happily with Derek, and the text delighted her even more."My boyfriend's coming over, Derek. You guys should meet."Derek paused for a moment. "You mean the guy I met last time I was here?""Yes."Silence caught Derek. He had no idea who Nox was. All he knew was that even Keith was respectful to him. 'Who is he, really?' he wondered. Keith wouldn't tell them, of course, and Derek was a little nervous about Nox coming over."Who's coming, Queenie?" George overheard Queenie."It's Nono," Queenie said honestly."What? That bastard again?" Ge
Derek quickly approached them. He had no idea who Nox was, but every time they met, Derek felt tremendous pressure coming from him. It was a feeling not even Keith ever gave off.Derek took a deep breath and extended his hand, enduring the pressure. "Derek Five. Pleased to meet you."Nox smiled. "Nox Greenshade."Though Queenie had said Nox's name, hearing it still made Derek shiver, as if it was magic. The men shook hands, and Derek was curious about who Nox was.Suddenly George popped up. He was black as thunder and glared at Nox. Though he was quiet, the disdain in his eyes was evident.Nox couldn't care less about the old man. Queenie was the one he came for. "I have a gift for you, Queenie.""Really, Nono? A gift for me?" Queenie looked pleased."Yes. We've been dating for a while now, and I haven't given you any presents, so I got you a special one."Queenie was overjoyed. "What is it? Show me." She extended her hand happily.George and Derek looked at Nox. They'd like t
"You're going nowhere! Die!" The Sovereigns chased after the spirit, and a hundred rulers followed. They trapped the Titan's spirit and ripped him to shreds."Holy shit! That's the ancient Faeastian Sovereigns for you!" White Tiger roared with pride. He was on the roof of a tower somewhere.Emperor Elijah narrowed his eyes and exchanged a look with the other Sovereigns. He hurled the remaining essence of the Titan's spirit to White Tiger and stuffed him with it. The energy filled White Tiger up, and he ballooned. Black, rancid energy came out of his body, and he fell into madness.Nox cast Heaven's Demise and sealed White Tiger's consciousness. The Ice Temple Lord, realizing what the Sovereigns were trying to do, encased White Tiger in a coffin of magic ice."This is an impressive underling you have, Nine-State Lord. Devouring spirits gives him power. Anyone else would've lost their minds and become a killing machine, but White Tiger's already mad to begin with. There's no further
"The third kind of Emperor uses natural energy, the power of Yin and Yang, and the elements to become one. Since they use all kinds of elements and energy to become an Emperor, they are practically invincible."The Ice Temple Lord was excited. "So, you're saying I'm the strongest kind of Emperor?"Nox was speechless. "No, what I was trying to say was you took the wrong path. You could've absorbed the energy in the heavens, but you absorbed the Yin energy in the ground. You're stronger than Frostmir, but his level was higher, so you'd still be no match for him." Nox pursed his lips."Eh?" The Ice Temple Lord was disappointed. He thought he could be on par with Nox once he became an Emperor. The Ice Temple Lord wasn't the only one who gained power. The Ice Temple cultivators did as well. Black Tortoise, White Tiger, and Vermilion Bird gained a lot of power, too.Vermilion Bird was now a Flawless Supreme, Black Tortoise was an Advanced Supreme, while White Tiger was an Intermediate Pi
The fact that Nox could cast Sovereign Seal showed the Ice Temple Lord a new level of power. The Sovereign was more terrifying than the gods. 'No wonder they could rule the world in ancient times.'The ancient Sovereigns and rulers of Faeast attacked their enemies. The fate of Faeast gathered over their heads, piercing the clouds that hung over them. The weaker monsters were all slain, and Emperor Hans pierced the pharaoh with his spear, returning him to dust.Emperor Blade killed the god of another ancient civilization. The evil energy possessing them was purified. Moments later, the only gods left were the Titans. Unlike the possessed gods, the Titans were ancient cultivators.Even if they didn't master any spells or techniques, they'd trained their bodies to their absolute best. The Sovereigns and rulers didn't have much advantage against these enemies.These spirits were only summoned through the relics and the remnants of energy left within. Their bodies were gone, and their s
The talismans were Magic Mountain's Forbidden Art, and Nox had fused them with Ultimate Sun Dragon Manual. Nox's mentors back in Mystia had taught him the Sovereign Seal earlier than expected.Their goal was simple. If Nox became the Sovereign, he could use the seal to command all the natural energy around him. If he didn't become the Sovereign, he would teach the Sovereign how to use the seal.The Sovereign Seal was a Saintly technique and the most ancient technique around. It was stronger than a Celestial technique.A golden seal brighter than the sun slowly rose into the air. It was the Sovereign Seal.As it appeared, natural energy gathered around it. The energy flew into the relics Brundela took from Faeast. Within a museum not open to the public, a bronze sword started to tremble as natural energy flowed into it. That got the attention of a professor."That sword belonged to Faeast's Emperor Elijah! What is going on?"A silhouette came out of the sword, and his aura was maj
Back in the navy command center, Fergus got the drone footage of Brundela's latest development. There were a few generals from the Nox Army with him. They could see that the monsters in the capital were far stronger than the ones they took out."It's a pity the capital is too densely populated. We have the weapons, but we can't use them." Fergus slammed the table in frustration. Even if the capital were to fall into enemy hands and the people torn apart by the monsters, Fergus could not order his men to fire at the capital, or things would be bad for them.Fergus could only open fire if the monsters were in a no man's land."Commander Parrish, the lord has orders. We are to keep the waters guarded. Once the capital's crisis is over, we are to make our way to the port and give humanitarian aid," a Nox Army general said telepathically. He just got Nox's orders."Is that so? Then Nox can stop this crisis." Fergus' eyes shone. He had no idea what Nox was planning, but he was the Sovere
Demons were walking the lands of Brundela. Legendary creatures were roaming the streets as if the end of days were here. The resurrected monsters were causing chaos everywhere. When the Titans showed themselves, despair washed over Brundela.There were too many monsters running around. Even after the Twilight Order and Ice Temple cultivators sent out everyone they had, it still wasn't enough to stop these creatures. The monsters went straight to the council hall, and so did the Titans.The Ice Temple Lord created a Magic Ice Formation and kept using Forbidden Arts and mystical artifacts to fend off the enemies. He had already done his best."You have to do something, Nine-State Lord. I can't hold on much longer!" the Ice Temple Lord said telepathically.Though monsters were about, they were not a threat to the Ice Temple Lord. he could leave anytime he wanted, but he had a deal with Nox. If he were to desert the battlefield, he would face a hell far worse than he could imagine late
Their targets were the relics around the altars. The moment the whirlpool showed up, the black energy conjured black walls and kept Brundela on lockdown, cutting off all communications.Possessed by evil spirits, gods from ancient civilizations came back to life. In the underground graveyard, the dead came bursting out of their coffins, and skeletons with phantom flames flickering around them charged at the holy knights and James' secret agents.Nothing more needed to be said. The holy knights' leader led the charge. The other knights resolved to fight to the death as they battled the skeleton gods.James and his secret agents fired off at the enemies, but the bullets did nothing to the skeletons. All they managed was to light a big spark. Only grenades and howitzers could deal damage to them, and even then, the damage was light.The battle was fierce. Though the knights did not fear death, they were still weaker than the prehistoric gods. These skeletons were nigh invincible, and
Nox was hovering higher than the Ice Temple Lord, and he got everyone's attention."Who's that?""It's a Faeastian!""My God, it's the Nine-State Lord!" Nox was known throughout Faeast and the world. Brundela's council members had recognized him the moment he showed up. They had nothing but fear for gods, yet Nox was the strongest man in the Mortal World, so they respected him.The clouds in Brundela's skies were hanging heavily over the ground, and the icy aura they radiated was making everyone shiver. Winter seemed to have come early for Brundela. The temperature was dipping fast.Back in the control center, intelligence agents were watching the surveillance footage closely, and they noticed the altar. The Twilight Order and Ice Temple cultivators were there, strengthening the altars' seal the best they could. There were soldiers guarding the altar as well.For some reason, the secret agents had a feeling something bad was going to happen. Murphy's Law, as they said.Suddenly,
A sliver of energy flew out of the puppet and gathered natural energy around it. Then, the temperature rose at a blistering rate. Fortunately, Bard's reminder came just in time, and Vermilion Bird was prepared for this. She led her team away from the spot.A pillar of fire engulfed the building, and heat waves shot off in every direction, lethal and deadly. The light eventually faded, and all buildings in a few hundred yards were razed to the ground.If Vermilion Bird had killed the puppet without thinking just now, she would have lost all her men and suffered serious injuries. "That bitch! I'm going to make her into a human swine one day! I'll give her hell!" she cursed.Bard gasped. 'Yeah, women can be really terrifying.' Not one General was a normal person.This incident didn't escape Nox, of course. He saw it through his divine sense. "Heh, you can't fight the flow of history? You say that, Aphrodite, but you've done the same thing more than once. Schemes and plots when your ey