Queenie wouldn't stop fiddling with the pendant since Nox gave it to her. She was lying on her bed, staring at it happily.The pendant wasn't much different from the cheap trinkets she could find anywhere, but it meant a world of difference to her since Nox gifted it to her. Even if it was just a regular stone, she'd be stoked.It meant he loved her. She played with the stone happily. Unbeknownst to her, a sliver of heat energy would swim into her body every time she touched the stone. Firecrystals were rare treasures, and they were incredibly beneficial for the ladies.More importantly, the pendant provided protection. Queenie had no idea about that, however.Sometime later, Yvette summoned her for dinner.Queenie came to the dining room, still wearing her pendant. She never liked wearing accessories, but this time, she wore the pendant visibly.Yvette saw it right away. She served the food and pointed at Queenie's pendant. "What's that you're wearing, Queenie?""It's a gift fr
Yvette saw how much Queenie loved the pendant. She wouldn't stop fiddling with it. Eventually, Yvette sighed. "Queenie, I need to ask you something, and I need you to be honest with me.""Sure thing," Queenie said."Do you really like Greenshade?" Yvette was serious."Yeah, a lot," answered Queenie honestly."You should keep that in check. I've been where you are right now. Just because you like him doesn't mean you have to date him. You're not getting any younger. You should think about your future."Yvette continued, "I want you to be prepared. Do you know your partner well enough? About his past? His plans? You have to find out if you want a stable life. If you're dating him out of mere affection, you should cut things off while you can, or you might come to regret it in the future."Queenie knew what her mother was getting at. She raised her head, her gaze determined. "Don't worry, Mom. I know what I'm doing. I've regretted nothing ever since I decided to date Nox."Queenie
Queenie closed her eyes. Her last thoughts were, 'This is it. It's gonna crash into me!'A rumble thundered. Everyone thought Queenie would barrel through the air or even die from the crash, but the van slammed into a white barrier. The barrier was shaped like a sphere, enveloping Queenie.The impact from the slam didn't break the barrier. Instead, the head of the van caved. Yvette was the first to snap out of her stupor. She was crying from shock but quickly approached Queenie. "Queenie!" she shouted.Queenie was curled up like a millipede. The white barrier started disappearing like the mist after the danger had passed.Yvette held Queenie, still in tears. "Queenie, are you alright? You scared me!"Queenie was still in shock. She stared at the ruined van and the disappearing light. The light shot back into her pendant."I'm alright, Mom. I think," said Queenie."Really? No, let me take a look." Yvette quickly checked Queenie and confirmed that she was alright. A sigh of relief
Queenie's spacing out did not escape Yvette."I'm fine," said Queenie."I saw the van crash into you. How are you still fine?" Yvette asked.Queenie had no idea how to answer that. She touched her pendant. It awakened when it protected her, and the stone was still hot. She thought it was the heat from her hand."I'm just happy you're safe. Almost had a heart attack." Yvette quickly took Queenie home.Queenie ran into her bedroom and closed the door. She picked her phone up and was about to call Nox, but her phone rang. It was Nox himself. "Nono's calling?" Curious, she took the call."Queenie, did something happen to you?" Nox asked.Queenie was stupefied. She was just about to tell Nox about the car crash. 'How'd he know?' she wondered. "How'd you know I got into trouble?" asked Queenie."Not the point. Are you hurt?" Nox was concerned.Queenie giggled. "I'm perfectly fine, but how'd you know I was in trouble?" she questioned.The runes in the firecrystal were linked to Nox,
Nox hung up, feeling relieved. He was sure his pendant would work well, but he was still worried when it started to work. Knowing Queenie was okay was the confirmation he needed.Jebediah asked, "Is Ms. Sanders alright, milord?""Yes. The pendant saved her. Thank gods I gave it to her in time," said Nox."With that pendant around, she'll never run into trouble," said Jebediah. "But she has no idea that you went to lengths just to make that pendant."Nox smiled. "She will. Someday." He then headed to the mountains.At the same time, a petite silhouette showed up. It was Thalia. Ever since she came to Dragoncourt, she refused to go home. She hounded Nox and swore she would only marry him.Nox was frustrated, but he could do nothing about it. Thalia was just a kid. He couldn't really yell at her, so all he could do was ignore her.Thalia asked, "Hey, old git. Who's on the phone earlier?"Jebediah didn't like Thalia at all. He shot her a glare. "What's that got to do with you?"Th
Besides the Ultimate Sun Dragon Manual, using the Icesnake Bloom to keep the Kirin Firepoison down would work, and it would work better. The problem was he only had one ice plant. If he had three, he could cure the poison and regain all his power."I must cure myself." Nox's eyes glinted coldly.…Alexander was in his study. Ever since the auction, he hadn't seen Nox. Alexander wasn't busy or anything, but he wouldn't disturb Nox without any summons.A while later, a servant came in. "Mr. Weeks, we have some guests. They want to see you.""I don't have time," said Alexander."Yes, Mr. Weeks." The servant was about to leave, but then he stopped. "Mr. Weeks, they're from the western frontier, and they claim to be members of the Sovereign's Society."'Sovereign's Society?' Alexander frowned. He knew of this society. They were the rulers of the western frontier, and he met their members back at the auction. These people harassed Nox, too.Alexander wondered what was up with the sud
Alexander looked at the ginseng. "I don't remember being business partners with you guys. Why the expensive gift?"Faye said, "You jest, Mr. Weeks. This present is nothing. We just wish to befriend you."'Befriend me?' Alexander was no fool. His company was a small fry compared to Sovereign's Society. Their members wouldn't befriend him out of nowhere.Alexander sneered. "I don't like beating about the bush. Why don't we get straight to it?"Faye smiled. "Very well then, Mr. Weeks. We'd like to get in touch with Mr. Greenshade through you."Alexander understood what these people were after. 'I knew it. They're after the lord.'"Don't take this the wrong way, Mr. Weeks. We're doing this out of respect. We mean him no harm. Can you introduce us to him?" Faye gave Alexander a look of genuine request.Alexander laughed. "Sorry, but I don't think I can do that."Faye knew this would happen, and she wasn't mad. "Please, give us a moment, Mr. Weeks." A pause settled in, and then Faye
The Sovereign's Society really wanted to be friends with Nox. If they could form a connection with him, it would be greatly beneficial to them. They might even have the chance to take over the central state.That had been Faye's wish all along and the reason she wanted to know Nox. However, she had no idea who Nox was. If she knew Nox was the Lord Nox, she'd probably have a heart attack.On the other hand, William worked hard in the city hall. Ever since the assassination, he'd been swamped, but he still kept Nox in mind. Nox was his savior and this city's guardian. He must pay the guy a visit."Mr. Lawson, have you found his address?" William asked his secretary."We've looked into it, but no matter what we did, we couldn't find Mr. Greenshade.""How is that possible?" William asked."No idea. The database has nothing on him," said Mr. Lawson.Now William was confused. It was Riverton's honor to have Nox living in it. 'So why isn't he in the database?'William muttered, "Maybe
Queenie did as she was told and flew into the mountain. She was met with a gigantic furnace, and Flame Emperor was trapped within, suffering the burn. His astral form was extremely weakened."Look closely. This is not your usual fire. It's making me into an elixir, slowly refining my providence and funneling it into the coffin. The coffin's connected to Celestial Domain, and that place transfers my providence to the witch. She wishes to use my providence to gain greater heights."The empress is now a Five-ring Minor Saint. One step, and she'll be a Great Saint," explained Flame Emperor."She's using Nox to become a Great Saint?" Queenie asked."Exactly. If Nox relents and sacrifices himself for her, she can absorb his providence and become a Great Saint. The moment she does, she will activate Celestial Burtial and absorb the providence of all civilizations around the world. She wants to sacrifice the whole world for her own success."Queenie had her answers, but what confused her
Dominic was fighting with his life, buying time for Queenie. Suddenly, the empress' eye power weakened, and it couldn't even fight Dominic's will-of-the-sword. "What is this? What's Nox doing?"Dominic's will-of-the-sword noticed the scent of death coming from Nox. This mustn't happen. Nothing must happen to Nox, or his sacrifice would've been for nothing. "Stand up, Nox! You're not giving up here!" Dominic called out to Nox with his will-of-the-sword. As a fellow swordsman, Nox noticed the call."I want you to live Nox. I don't want you to die with me. I know this is all fake, but I just want to confirm what my father told me before. If someone's dying here, it's me!" Nineve lunged at Nox and held him tightly."Very well, then we're killing our way out of here!"Nineve nodded. Nox used his eye power to break the formation by force. With will-of-the-sword, he carved a path out of the formation. At the same time Nox and Nineve ran for their lives, Queenie was making her way to the m
"Nineve, Queenie is at risk right now! If I don't stop the empress, she will use her spell to control the whole world! Faeast will be gone! We will never rise again!" Nox said solemnly. He was worried this might happen. He wasn't scared of any illusion, but the rules would change if Nineve was in the picture.Her wish would affect Nox. When Nox brought Queenie up, she cried. "So you care about her the most. Go to her, then! No one loves me! I deserve this! I did this to myself! I should've given up everything to save you! I don't care about anything now. I just want to stay right here and be with my father!"Nineve had given up, and Nox wanted to scream. He wasn't sure how he should explain it to Nineve. Love needed no explanation, however."What do I do, Your Majesty?? I can't give her up for Nineve, and I can't give up Nineve for her. I can't make a choice." Nox was in a dilemma. No matter the decision, he would regret it. From a big picture perspective, he should save Queenie. Ho
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