The murder in Aphrodite's eyes was intensifying. At the same time, a dagger slid down her sleeve.Bloodstalker. That was the name of Aphrodite's trusty dagger. It was a stone-cold killer. Once someone was stabbed, they would be drained of their blood in less than sixty seconds.'Kill her. Kill her!' Aphrodite slowly closed in on Queenie, but before she could strike, the doorbell rang, and the door swung open.An unkempt, grimy beggar came in. "Please, may I have some food?" The beggar looked no older than eight. He was barefoot, and holding a bowl, he started begging for some food. There was some money in his bowl.The staff members looked disgusted. "Get out, get out!" a portly retail assistant screeched. "You can't come in here. You'll ruin our business!"Scared, the young beggar shrank, but he said, "Please, I just need some food.""No food for you! Get out, or I'll make you!" The portly retail assistant raised her hand, and the beggar ran away."A moment," Queenie blurted.
A car was speeding down the road. Running too fast after his theft, the beggar didn't notice the oncoming vehicle until it was too late.The young beggar stood petrified, but before the car could hit him, someone charged ahead and pulled him into their arms."Look out!" Queenie shouted."Queenie!""No!"Yvette and the retail assistant went limp with fear at the sight of Queenie risking her life. The car's tires screeched, but just when everyone thought the vehicle would crash into Queenie and the boy, it stopped in time, though only barely.The driver got out of his car and started cursing.Yvette quickly checked on Queenie, her voice cracking, "Queenie, are you alright?"The retail assistant rushed over to Queenie and asked if she was okay. Queenie was holding the boy. She didn't seem resentful. Instead, she consoled the crying boy."It's alright now.""Why'd you risk your life for someone like him, lady? He stole your money." The retail assistant was confused."Yeah, Queen
"If the driver hadn't stopped in time, you could've been killed. Why would you risk your life for someone who stole your money?" Aphrodite asked.Queenie mused for a moment. "I know he did, but he had no choice. He's still young, and there's a future ahead of him. If he has no one to guide him, he might take the wrong path. If one little deed on my part can change his life, why not?"She continued, "He's just a boy. You'd do the same." She looked at Aphrodite.Aphrodite's heart skipped a beat. 'Will I really do the same?' she thought. 'Of course not. I'm the lady of the Mousse family and the new lord of Faeast. I can't risk my life for a mere beggar.'She slowly raised her head and looked at Queenie. A weird smile curled her lips. "I can see why he likes you.""Sorry?" Queenie had no idea what Aphrodite was saying.Aphrodite didn't explain, though she smiled bitterly. She waved at Queenie. "It's your lucky day. You can live, but your luck will run out."She left, and Queenie sti
Nothing was left standing after that attack. Keith blocked it, however. When the dust settled, he glared ahead, but Michael was long gone."Don't run, you coward! Come back and fight!" Keith roared, his fists clenched, but his enemy was nowhere to be found.Staring at the empty street, Keith was then reminded of Queenie. "Shit. Please let her be fine." Keith charged back to the bridal shop and saw Queenie and Yvette. He heaved a sigh of relief, for Queenie seemed to be safe.Keith ran up to Queenie. "Milady, are you alright?""Yeah, what's wrong?" Queenie had no idea she had just narrowly escaped death."Nothing," said Keith. "And where's the bastards?" Keith looked around, but his team members were nowhere to be found. "Um, done shopping? You should get back home now," he suggested. He didn't want any more mishaps to happen.Queenie had nothing more to do. "Sure, can do." She and Yvette left.Keith saw the ladies off, then took out his walkie-talkie to find his team. He searche
The woman was Aphrodite, of course. She pulled her hair back. "Because I don't feel like it anymore.""Why, milord?" Houston was confused. Aphrodite set this whole assassination scene up so she could kill Queenie and break Nox's heart. Yet, in the end, she held back."Nothing. I just think she's interesting. Besides, if I do kill her, it'll mean I'm jealous of her. That she's better than me."Houston paused, then said, "Yes, of course. You're leagues better than maggots like her, milord."Aphrodite sneered. "I won't kill her, but I can make her suffer. Sometimes losing someone isn't the worst pain; watching them waste away helplessly is." She laughed venomously and stood up."Lonewolf."Michael had been standing silently all this time. He said, "Yes.""Tell the Curseland Demons that they're up," said Aphrodite shrilly."Understood," answered Michael."I'll put her through a living hell this time, and Nox will suffer! He'll watch while the woman he loves wastes away!" Aphrodite
"His skill with the saber is incredible, and he's cruel in battle. Every time he swings his weapon, it's like he's one with it. The bastard's the strongest guy I've met in recent years," said Keith. He was reminded of the battle again.Nox narrowed his eyes. A moment later, he blurted, "He could be a Lonewolf.""Wait. The same family famous for their skill with a saber?"Nox nodded solemnly. "Yes. That's the only family with saber users, at least on Rank Nine Greater Grandmaster. Their signature move, the Heartrender, is a cruel and powerful technique."Keith's eyes went wide. "No. You have cut them all down for their treason. Felix Lonewolf, their family head, took his own life before your very eyes. There can't be any survivors left."The Lonewolfs were one of Faeast's ancient families, but they worked with Eastsun and stole Faeast information in a bid to gain strength.Nox found out eventually, and he barged into their family grave alone. There, he killed ten of their stronges
Keith shook his head again. "I'm afraid I have no answers for that."That worried Nox. He wasn't scared of any enemies, even when facing the ten nations. He was worried that the people he loved might get hurt. Queenie, for example. She was just a civilian. Hurting her was an easy task.'But the problem is, why didn't they do it? They started this.'Nox said shrilly, "Keith, I need you to call your men back in Imperia. Find out if she's still in the city.""You mean Aphrodite?" Keith raised his head."Yes."Keith shivered. "You're saying she's behind this, milord?""No answers yet, but if she knows I'm alive and getting married, she'll kill Queenie. That's the kind of woman she is." The look in Nox's eyes was icy, and murder swirled around him.Keith balled his fists. "Damn that woman! She poisoned you, and now she's attacking the lady? Unbelievable! I'll call Bear and Bard. They'll send a team."Keith moved away. Nox saw him off, the look in his eyes turning colder still. A st
Nox didn't look happy at all. He could guess who that woman was. Worried, he asked, "Did she do anything to you? Or say anything? Tell me.""No. Well, she said something weird, but that was it," Queenie answered."What did she say?"Queenie mused for a moment. "She asked me why I saved the boy, and then she said it's my lucky day, so I got to live, but my luck will run out one day."Nox's face fell, and murder spread across the air. That change was not missed on Queenie. She asked, "What's wrong, Nono? You look awful.""Nothing." Nox held Queenie's hand. "Why don't you move in with me for a bit, Queenie?""What? But we're not married yet." Queenie went red. She thought Nox was getting ideas about her."I'm not getting any ideas. I just want you to be safe," Nox clarified."Huh? But I am safe. Are you being paranoid or something? Why do you think I'll be in danger? Riverton's one of the safest cities in Faeast, so don't worry." Queenie held Nox's arm.Since Queenie wasn't worri
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