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
"Dad, what happened? Who did this to you?" Queenie had a lot of complaints about her father, but she was still worried about him.George grabbed Queenie's arm. "Queenie, I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He broke into sobs again.'Huh? Did he just say sorry? Why? Oh no, Dad's gone mental!' Queenie couldn't believe her father would apologize."Dad, say something. What happened? Who did this to you?" Queenie quickly asked.George wasn't about to tell her. He was too terrified to. If he said a word about the encounter, Nox would kill him. "No more questions, Queenie. I'm fine. Just cleared my mind and realized I've been mistaken all along. From now on, you can date whoever you want. I won't butt in! Your relationship is yours."George started crying again. Yvette and Queenie found it confusing. After all, they didn't think that George, who was usually demanding at home, would change so drastically. The fact that he promised Queenie she could date anyone gave her the clue she needed.She wasn't
"Why did he change so much? It's barely been a day. And he's letting me see Nox? No way can that be Dad."Yvette was still looking at her husband. "Beats me."Suddenly, Queenie smiled. "It doesn't matter. This works for me."Yvette sighed. She had a lot on her mind, but she said nothing.…Ever since the ordeal at Dragoncourt, George had become a different person. He used to lord everyone around the house and did nothing but eat and read. Now, he was soft-spoken and even took up chores around the house.Yvette thought her husband's days were numbered. He was obviously going mad. After a few days, the terror finally got the best of her.Queenie had just started exercising when Yvette pulled her aside. "I think your dad's cursed, Queenie. He's doing the dishes. He's never done that before!"Queenie was dressed in a pink sport attire that accentuated the curves. She looked into the kitchen and saw her dad doing the dishes. "I think it's a good thing, Mom." She smiled."It's a cur
A beautiful silhouette leaped onto Nox. "Nono!" Queenie had been waiting for a while. She was still in her sports attire, and her hair was tied into a ponytail, looking energetic.Nox smiled. "Why did you ask me to come, Queenie?"Queenie grabbed Nox's arm and said mysteriously, "Something major just happened, Nono.""Sounds serious," Nox said."Yeah, it's my dad. He's not himself anymore," Queenie replied."Is that so?""Yes. A few days ago, he came back all bruised. His face was swollen like a balloon. It was from that day he started acting like a different person. He mellowed out and even took up chores around the house."Queenie added, "But more importantly, he said that he will stay out of my relationships. He even let me date you!"Queenie blabbed everything to Nox, but he wasn't surprised. It would be weirder if George remained the same snob he was after that harrowing event. "Sounds like a good thing if you ask me," Nox said."Wait. You're being too calm about this. Do
"Not much. Just telling your father to stay safe. Wasn't I, Mr. Sanders?" Nox gave George a look."Yes, of course. Nox is right," George answered quickly."What did you just call Nono?" Queenie's eyes went wide with confusion.Yvette, too, wondered why George called Nox by his first name. He never used to do that. Why was he so courteous today?"His name. Why?" George couldn't call Nox 'milord,' so he went with his first name."Something's wrong. You used to talk down to him. Have you really come around?" Queenie was buzzing with excitement."Tosh. I've never talked down to the l—I mean Nox. I told you. It's all a big misunderstanding, and I'm sorry for my ignorance. I swear you can date him now, Queenie. Don't worry." George sounded genuine. He would get on his knees and beg if needed.Queenie couldn't be more elated. She asked Nox over to see if George had really changed, and he had. "Did you hear that? Dad said we can date!" A happy Queenie clasped Nox's hand.Nox was smilin
'I have to change the topic,' Nox thought.Hence, he said, "Just don't mind it. We have a great thing going on here, silly.""Did you just call me silly? You lost your memories. You don't even remember who you are." Queenie put her hands on her hips and puckered her lips.Nox laughed. "Fine, fine. I'm the silly guy. Happy?""That's more like it." Queenie held Nox's arm again. "If Dad has our back, I bet we'll be so happy together."Nox gently held Queenie's hand. "Of course we will."Queenie chuckled and rested her head on Nox's chest. "I want to bring you to the hospital in a few days, Nox.""What? Why?" Nox was curious."You lost your memories, remember?" Queenie replied.'I didn't lose my memories.' In the end, Nox didn't say that out loud.Queenie thought Nox was anxious about his condition. She quickly comforted, "I swear I'll stay with you even if you can't get your memories back. We'll get through this together until death do us part."Nox felt warm inside, and he loo
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