The moment Keith and his little troop stepped into the mountain, Jebediah felt the formation move. "Goddammit, who is it this time?" A frown furrowed his brows, and he looked at the fog.Then, an explosion shattered the air. The fog barreled back in every direction. "I'll be damned. Someone broke through the lord's formation. This I'd like to see."Jebediah's face twitched, and he leaped down the mountain path. Alexander, Faye, and everyone else were curious about the explosion. They wondered, 'Who's that? They just destroyed Mr. Greenshade's formation.'Keith trekked up the path like a warrior going through battle. Every time the fog tried to roll in, Keith would punch it away.A moment later, Jebediah roared, "Who dares intrude?""It's me," said Keith."Commander Moon?" Jebediah was speechless. "I am so sorry, commander. I didn't realize it was you," Jebediah quickly apologized.Keith didn't really mind the attitude. Jebediah was Nox's lackey, after all. "Where's the lord?""
William recounted his ordeal with the Voxlian killers back in prison.'Oh, so that's why they're all here to thank the lord,' mused Alexander.The Sovereign's Society member felt more respect for Nox after hearing the story.Suddenly, Keith shot a look at Faye and Mr. Inkheart. "You guys again?"Faye held on despite the icy pressure, and she stepped ahead tremulously. "Commander Moon, we're just here for a visit.""I think you're here to disturb my lord again," said Keith, his voice an icy blast of wind."No, please, Commander Moon. This is just a simple visit, nothing more!" Faye gave Alexander a look of plea.Alexander quickly stepped in. "Commander Moon, I can attest to that, and I'm the one who led them here. Please, forgive them."Keith didn't care. He snarled, "You'd best not disturb the king. These rats are not worthy of an audience."Alexander was lectured, and Sovereign's Society members felt humiliated. They were the rulers of the western frontier, and Keith showed t
It was a surprising scene for Nox. Keith and Alexander were not out of the ordinary, but Riverton's leaders and Sovereign's Society were. Nox scanned all his guests. "We have a big turnout, I see."Jebediah answered, "Apologies, milord. I let them in. Apparently, they're here for a visit.""Is that so?""Yes." Jebediah turned to Alexander and Keith.Keith went over to Nox. "Milord, the politicians wouldn't stop bugging me, so…" Keith pointed at the Riverton leaders. Nox turned his sights to William and his colleagues."Do you remember me, sir?" William stepped forth. "I'm William Langdon, the governor of this city. This one's the Head of Appointments, and this is the Chief of Press and Communications. We were trapped in Riverton Prison during the assault, but you saved us."The Head of Appointments and Chief of Press and Communications greeted him as well.Nox smiled. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Langdon.""The pleasure is all mine. I did promise a proper offer of gratitude, henc
George was still out cold despite all the abuse he suffered, but eventually, he stirred. Everywhere he looked, he saw darkness. "W-Where am I?" His mind was foggy.George tried to move a muscle only for it to tear in pain. "Ow!" He thought his bones were broken while his hands and feet were tied."What happened to me? Who did this?" George was petrified."So, you're finally awake, you bastard," a voice echoed."Who goes there?" George's heart skipped a beat."Me!" Thalia approached George, her hands on her hips.George couldn't believe his eyes. "Who are you, you brat? And what is this place? I demand you let me go!" George roared furiously."Listen up, old man. The name's Thalia Wood!""Never heard of you. Now let me go!" George wriggled and squirmed, trying to worm a way out of his bondage."Oh, but I've heard of you, cur. Are you the succubus' old man?" Thalia kept her eyes on George."What do you mean I'm a succubus' dad?" George was speechless."You have a daughter. San
George finally relented. He thought he was on top of the world only because no one in his family would take him down a peg or two. Not even Nox would do this to him. Thalia, however, would never hold back. George thought this was unfair and mortifying."Can't believe you insulted Greenie. Trash like you should know your place, and I'm the perfect girl for the job." Thalia grinned, but that was the sign that another nightmare would come for George.While Thalia was having fun torturing George, Nox was dealing with his guests. It was then he noticed the little commotion in the backyard."What's with the backyard?" Nox asked.Jebediah smacked his head. He had forgotten about George. "The snob barged into the estate, so I took him prisoner, milord.""The sno— Queenie's dad?" Nox frowned."Yep, it's that donkey."Nox was dumbstruck for a moment. "Lead the way." He stood up."Yes, of course."Screams of agony tore through the air as Thalia abused George in her room. Then, the door c
Thalia heard everything, and she was about to blow up. Jebediah clenched his fists tightly. If Nox weren't here, they would've turned George into mincemeat."Who dares insult my lord?" A roar rumbled the house, and a burly silhouette appeared seemingly out of thin air."You again?" The sight of Keith sent George reeling. He scrambled backward, fearing Keith would kill him again."Those who insult the lord shall die, especially useless pieces of shit like you!" Keith shouted, "Shadow Division!"The Shadow Division members unsheathed their blades. "Your orders, commander?"Keith pointed at George. "Take this piece of worthless trash out of my sight and cut off his head!""Yes, commander!" The Shadow Division members were about to attack George, and he was petrified."W-What do you want? You can't kill me! I'll call the cops!" George screeched as he kept retreating."The cops? Best joke I've ever heard!" Keith ordered, "Get your ass here right now, William! You and your politician
"What's happening here? Why're they bowing to him?" George was flabbergasted. This was his worst nightmare.Alexander finally could speak his mind. "Sanders, the lord has forgiven your insults time and again, but you spat in his hand. If he hadn't taken a liking to your daughter, I wouldn't even give a moment of my time to you!""Mr. Weeks!" George couldn't believe what he was hearing."It's all thanks to the lord your family still lives. You're nothing without him," said Alexander. "And he bailed you out of the Joshtons' revenge. You ignored that and insulted him incessantly. That's unforgivable."Every word pierced George's soul, and he slumped. 'What is going on? The richest man in Riverton just called Nox his lord. And Nox helped us? He bailed us out of that crisis?'William chimed in, "My sentiments exactly. You're an embarrassment to this city. Insulting a hero of the city? Unthinkable. It's an honor having him with us."George was quaking in fear. As if Alexander wasn't en
Again, Nox said, "I'll spare you only for Queenie's sake. You should feel lucky you have such a good and kind daughter. But remember, you'll run out of luck one day, and when that day comes, I will kill you.""T-Thank you." George groveled, professing his gratitude to Nox for sparing him."And you can't tell anyone about this, not even Queenie. It's going to ruin our relationship. Fail, and you die," Nox warned.Shivering, George promised, "I swear my mouth's zipped. No one will hear a word, not even Queenie.""Good. Now piss off."George couldn't remember how he got down the mountain due to the shock. Half his body was numb from fear. He was even slurring. The day had been a nightmare for him. All this time, he had nothing but disdain for Nox.All of a sudden, he found out that Alexander, the governor, the leaders, and even the commander, bowed to Nox. George wondered, 'Who is that man? I thought he lost his memories.' George shuddered at this thought.…The sun had set. Queen
Three months later, Nox declared Faeast as the leader of all nations, ushering in a true era of peace and prosperity. Then, he abdicated the throne, passing the throne to Nineve. Nox proclaimed that this nation was neither the Greenshade nor the Limerent family's, but a world that belonged to its people.One year later, Nox and Queenie lounged under the warm sun on the sandy shores of the Ocean of Death, enjoying a rare moment of tranquility. The world had finally settled into peace, allowing them to take a well-deserved rest."Nono, what's Aphrodite up to?" Queenie asked, her brows furrowed as she leaned against Nox. "Is she planning something shady again? She's been building alliances all over like she wants to imitate the Three-Eyed Empress.""Death changes people," Nox replied calmly. "Don't worry about her. She knows exactly what she's doing."Old Aphrodite would've killed Jacques and run off to save herself without a second thought. Instead, she spared him, stripped his cul
The Nine-State Crucible hovered majestically over the heavens, drawing all the spiritual energy from the Nine States and Five Domains into itself. As the ultimate artifact of Faeast, the crucible was unmatched—a legendary relic that had never known defeat.The origins of the Nine-State Crucible were shrouded in mystery. No one knew who forged it nor why it disappeared over the ages. For centuries, many dismissed it as a mere myth. Yet now, it reappeared, proving its existence—and, by extension, the truth of all the ancient legends tied to it.The sight left every cultivator present in awe, bowing in reverence to the artifact."The ancient sovereigns of Faeast forged the Nine-State Crucible to safeguard the Nine States and Five Domains. "Its power ensures that Ascendants cannot interfere with the mortal realm. It has crushed even Ascendants in the past, and you, still merely a mortal cultivator, think you can stand against it? I promised to crush you, and I will!"With Nox at it
However, only Nox himself could sever the celestial providence. Only by cutting off the Celestial Lord's celestial providence could Faeast's providence be restored to its peak."Damn it! Nox Greenshade! Do you really think you can defy the heavens? I didn't want to damage my cultivation, but it seems I have no choice but to go all out! You think a one-ring Minor Saint can defeat me? I am the Celestial Lord—the apex of mortals, the Great Saint of Dao and Virtue, ordained by the heavens themselves!"The Celestial Lord's furious roar resonated across Mystia, drawing in vast waves of spiritual energy from the realm that converged upon him alone."Great Saint of Dao and Virtue? If the so-called heavens of the Transcendent Firmament made you, it only proves that even they have failures," Nox retorted coldly.Even the Celestial Lord, enraged as he was, could scarcely believe Nox's audacity—daring to disparage the mighty figures of the Transcendent Firmament."I am indeed a one-ring Minor
'What? Griffin was a sworn brother to Magic Mountain's founder?!'"That's right," confirmed the formation master. "He only told us recently."As the first to learn of this connection, he had shared it with the Saints of the Five Elements, ensuring they wouldn't betray their alliance. Using the promise of ascension as leverage, he managed to secure their cooperation. After all, the Great Saint of Fire had already reached the threshold for ascension.The risks were minimal, and upon ascending to the Transcendent Firmament, the Magic Mountain's founder would surely offer his guidance. For that reason alone, the five mentors had rallied to aid Nox.With such mighty forces gathered, morale on Nox's side soared. Meanwhile, the Whitefield family's spirits plummeted, crashing from the heights of hope to the depths of despair in mere moments. The mental strain caused several of their weaker-willed members to break completely.With dread settling over them, the Whitefields could only place
The Whitefields were getting cocky, but then they realized the powerhouses that came weren't responding. The aura was powerful, but there was no life in it. On closer inspection, they noticed that the leader of the group only had half a body left. His soul was missing. The quartet behind him was nothing but a pile of mincemeat.The portal buzzed again, and seven silhouettes came out. Five of them felt domineering, and they looked prideful. It almost felt like they were peerless. These people were none other than the Saints of the Five Elements.Four of them were Pinnacle Minor Saints. While one had an aura so strong, this place couldn't handle it."A Great Saint! Great Saint of Fire!" Fiery Ignis, Dominic, and Achille couldn't believe their eyes.It had been too long since Mystia saw a Great Saint, and he was Nox's mentor."So, he's the one who broke through first. But now he's already hit his bottleneck. The other four's power isn't enough. If the Sacred Beast Seal isn't upgraded
The Montgomerys and the Byrds decided to see Nox together, but they were refused. They were cursing Nox and calling him disrespectful, but then they saw Nox and his team taking a portal to the path of the ancient divine."What? He went right to them? Why? He's going to fight the Celestial Lord now?" The representatives were shocked.'How dare they!' they thought.Nox and his team went through the portal quickly and appeared right over the Whitefields' place. The Whitefield family was the newest member of the divine four and the real mastermind behind the Inkdarks' demise."Kirin, I told you I'd take you back here someday. I told you that when we come back, the Whitefields will be no more. If you can't do it, I can wipe them out for you." Nox looked at Kirin."Don't look down on me, milord. You don't need to dirty your hands for them. I'll do it!" Kirin summoned his avatar, and with Saint power infused, the avatar turned into a real beast. The sacred beast itself descended upon the
"Time to finish this. My lord's going to the path of the ancient divine next. You should decide who's going to take over after the Celestial Lord is taken down. That's all. Now let's talk about our personal business. Listen up, anyone who had a part in attacking my family, tell your clans that I'm coming for them. I'm killing all of you!"Bloodlust filled the air, and the representatives were shocked. "You killed your own family. Yes, we made them attack you, but we never wanted to wipe it out!" the Whitefields' representative said.Kirin flew into a rage. "How low can you go? You forced them to kill me, or you would wipe us out instead! You think I'm stupid? You'd have killed my family either way! I know how you guys function. You're crueler than any beast out there. Listen up, there's still time to plan for your funeral. You'd better make a good plan."Kirin chased everyone away. The families were going back to prepare for battle, but two remained behind. One was the Byrds' repres
Nox's Magick Sword crushed the enemy leader's soul. "I said I would cut you down, and I did. Now do you see who's the ignorant one?"The enemy leader realized that Nox was the man at the pinnacle. Perhaps the moment Nox became a faux Saint, he was already no match for him. "So what if you can kill me? You are Faeast's Sovereign, and you have a duty to push Faeast to power. But the Celestial Lord still exists. As long as he is around, your wish will never be fulfilled." He sneered."Is that so? Well, he's next on the list to be culled. If anyone tries to make an enemy out of me, I will destroy them and their families, even if they are from the path of the ancient divine!"Nox shattered the remains of the soul, and the path of the martial's leader was no more. The problem harassing Faeast for millennia could be solved at long last. Achille was stunned. It hadn't been that long, but Nox had surpassed him.Nox was better than him in every way. He was an even better swordsman than Achil
The enemy leader was waiting. One technique broken wasn't enough to take Nox out. He wanted to wait until Nox had cast all he knew and find an opening to take him down, but Nox wanted to take him down with the power of the sword."You're stubborn. Very well, this makes things easier for me. I'll kill you, or at the very least, wound you!" He'd be stupid not to take advantage of this. The enemy leader's avatar morphed into a gigantic fist and slammed into Nox's chest.The impact shot through his body and reached his soul. Nox spat blood, and his soul was injured.Achille couldn't stand by anymore. Nox just told him not to push himself, but he wasn't taking his own advice. Then, Nox's weak will-of-the-sword shone blindingly, and then Unto the Origin appeared once more."Even under my pressure, you can use this technique? You're strong, but you're as stubborn as your mentor. You've lost your chance! Die! You'll never get here in time, Achille! Shadowkill!"The enemy leader's avatar t