"I…" Red Devil stammered."Enough. Our infiltration has alarmed the Shadow Division, but we're lucky only Keith is here. If all three commanders were here, we'd be toast," Urata said coldly.His companions shut up."Now, charge. This nation is the forbidden zone for all warriors. Be careful." Urata swung his arm. The dozens of Voxlian assassins slithered into the prison.Alarm bells screamed. Behind a big iron gate, two dozen people stood shaking in fear. Half of them were prison officers. The other half was the entourage of Riverton leaders who came for a visit.One of them was William, the governor of Riverton. A pale William asked, "Can someone tell me what's happening?""I-I think we're surrounded, governor.""What? We're surrounded! Blast. Have you found out who the villain is?" William asked angrily.The warden answered, "If surveillance is right, they're the Voxlian spies who infiltrated Faeast.""Them again? Where's the Shadow Division? I thought they dealt with the cu
The explosions kept tearing the air, and the gates started cracking. The officers were ashen. They knew they would die the moment the iron gates were blasted open.Their only hope was the Shadow Division. Those people were the only ones who could save them.Urata and the Black Flag people were still attacking the prison. Just when they were about to break in, a few SUVs came charging into the battlefield.A Black Flag member gasped. "No! The Shadow Division! They're here!"Urata, Red Devil, and the other guy were Rank A members, akin to Grandmasters in Faeast, and Urata was the strongest of them all.The three of them were a little concerned that the Shadow Division had come. Contrary to them, the ashen warden buzzed with excitement. "The Shadow Division's here! We're saved! Governor, we're saved!"William and his men trotted up to the warden. He checked the screen and saw the SUVs. "Finally." He heaved a sigh of relief.The SUVs' doors swung open, and out came a dozen armed Sha
Red Devil was a Rank A warrior, and that was akin to a Rank One Grandmaster. He swung his axe and clashed with the saber. The saber broke, and the Shadow Division member barreled through the air, blood spewing from his mouth.The other guy wanted to ambush Red Devil, but it was like he had eyes on his back. Red Devil swung his axe, and it slammed into the member's chest. He let out a scream before he died.That was the cue for everyone else to attack Red Devil."Come at me if you wanna die, you maggots!" Red Devil roared in laughter as he swung his axe at the incoming Shadow Division members. A few more died moments later.William, the warden, and everyone else in the prison looked grim. They thought the Shadow Division members could save them, but the Voxlian killers were stronger than they thought."We're done for.""Governor, the Voxlian bastards are too powerful. The Shadow Division is no match for them." The warden was watching Red Devil easily kill the Shadow Division membe
That petrified everyone: the Shadow Division, the Voxlian killers, and even the people in the prison enclosure. No one expected Nox's arrival.William's eyes went wide, and his gaze was glued to the screen. "Who is that lad? He stopped the beast's weapon with nothing but his bare fingers!"The Voxlian killers were in disbelief. Red Devil was a top killer and a Rank A member, and yet the enemy stopped his axe with nothing but his fingers.Red Devil himself was stupefied. He glared at Nox furiously and tried to pull his axe back, but no matter how much he pulled, the axe wouldn't budge."Dammit!" Red Devil roared, and his bloodthirst caused the air around him to turn bloody red. He clenched his fist and swung it at Nox.At the same time, a regal air blasted forth from within Nox, and it slammed down on Red Devil like a mountain. Even the air itself was howling and swirling. Nox didn't even spare a glance at Red Devil's fist."Die!"The next moment, a golden light glowed from withi
Nox strode up to the Voxlian killers. Shocked, the killers retreated. Urata roared, "Who are you?""You're not big enough to ask me that. Your nation is nothing but a pigsty to me."Urata twitched, and he glared at Nox. "How dare you insult Voxlia!" he roared. "Get him! He's outnumbered twenty to one!"The Voxlian killers made a grim decision. They raised their weapons and attacked Nox, but an overwhelming aura undulated from Nox.Nox charged into the battlefield like a bolt of lightning. No one could see how he moved, and screams pierced the air. Blood drenched the air crimson. Within moments, the two dozen or so killers fell into pools of their own blood.Everyone was petrified. 'He's not human. He's a god among men!'"Impossible! How can there be someone like you in Riverton? You're a Legend Realm!" Urata was dumbfounded. He couldn't believe his underlings were killed so swiftly."Legend Realm?" Nox sneered. "They're nothing compared to me." Back then, even though he was pois
The Voxlian killers felt a heavy, overwhelming air crashing down on them. They tried to block it with all their might, but they were too weak.Nox would have their lives even if they were Legend Realms, let alone Grandmasters. The roar of a dragon echoed, and golden light bathed Nox. "Ultimate Sun Dragon Manual!"The brooding Voxlian made his move. He blinked away and shot off a row of black, poisoned needles.But before the poisoned needles could hit Nox, the golden light enveloping him deflected the needles back to the brooding man.A scream escaped the brooding man's lips. All his needles stabbed his face, and black blood oozed from his pores. Moments later, he dropped dead.Only Urata was left. Though he was a Rank Three Grandmaster, he still shivered in the face of Nox. Still, he let out a screech. "I'll take you down!"Urata swung his arms, and the air of blood swirling around him burst into a crimson fog. He leaped into the air, and the mist condensed into a bloody saber.
"If he hadn't shown up, we'd all be dead by now. Quickly, open the gates! I must thank him myself!"An officer quickly opened the thick iron gates.It was a mess outside. Ashes were burning and flickering while corpses were strewn about. Some were the prison's officers, some were Shadow Division members, but most were Voxlians.More than forty Black Flag members were slain here. And then, a roar thundered through the air, "I'm here, Voxlian scum!"A burly figure charged into the burning battlefield like thunder. He was none other than Keith Moon, holding a pair of bloody heads. One was a woman; the other was a dark-skinned man. Blood was still trickling down the stump. Keith was holding his saber in the other hand."It's the commander!" The Shadow Division members quickly approached their commander.Keith asked shrilly, "Where's the Voxlian scum?""All dead, commander!" Derek reported."They're dead?" Keith froze."Yes, and it's all thanks to Nox. If it weren't for him…" Derek
Nox didn't really care. The ten nations could band together, and he'd still face them down. Voxlia alone was no threat to him, but he was in no hurry to teach them a lesson.Nox's only targets were the Mousse family and the vile woman who poisoned him—Aphrodite.The prison gates yawned open. William, Riverton's leaders, and the prison wardens came out, looking worn out.William trotted up to Nox. "Thank you, thank you for what you did for us!" He had nothing but gratitude for Nox. He was made governor earlier this year, and he'd been trying to make something of himself.The prison check was part of that plan, but then he ran into an assassination. If he'd died, it would be a joke."What is wrong with your men, Commander Moon? They couldn't even deal with these killers. And we have worked with you guys ever since you came. We ordered a lockdown and gave you everything you needed for your investigation, and this is what we get? We'd all be dead if it weren't for the lad!" William ac
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