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
"You're going nowhere! Die!" The Sovereigns chased after the spirit, and a hundred rulers followed. They trapped the Titan's spirit and ripped him to shreds."Holy shit! That's the ancient Faeastian Sovereigns for you!" White Tiger roared with pride. He was on the roof of a tower somewhere.Emperor Elijah narrowed his eyes and exchanged a look with the other Sovereigns. He hurled the remaining essence of the Titan's spirit to White Tiger and stuffed him with it. The energy filled White Tiger up, and he ballooned. Black, rancid energy came out of his body, and he fell into madness.Nox cast Heaven's Demise and sealed White Tiger's consciousness. The Ice Temple Lord, realizing what the Sovereigns were trying to do, encased White Tiger in a coffin of magic ice."This is an impressive underling you have, Nine-State Lord. Devouring spirits gives him power. Anyone else would've lost their minds and become a killing machine, but White Tiger's already mad to begin with. There's no further
"The third kind of Emperor uses natural energy, the power of Yin and Yang, and the elements to become one. Since they use all kinds of elements and energy to become an Emperor, they are practically invincible."The Ice Temple Lord was excited. "So, you're saying I'm the strongest kind of Emperor?"Nox was speechless. "No, what I was trying to say was you took the wrong path. You could've absorbed the energy in the heavens, but you absorbed the Yin energy in the ground. You're stronger than Frostmir, but his level was higher, so you'd still be no match for him." Nox pursed his lips."Eh?" The Ice Temple Lord was disappointed. He thought he could be on par with Nox once he became an Emperor. The Ice Temple Lord wasn't the only one who gained power. The Ice Temple cultivators did as well. Black Tortoise, White Tiger, and Vermilion Bird gained a lot of power, too.Vermilion Bird was now a Flawless Supreme, Black Tortoise was an Advanced Supreme, while White Tiger was an Intermediate Pi
The fact that Nox could cast Sovereign Seal showed the Ice Temple Lord a new level of power. The Sovereign was more terrifying than the gods. 'No wonder they could rule the world in ancient times.'The ancient Sovereigns and rulers of Faeast attacked their enemies. The fate of Faeast gathered over their heads, piercing the clouds that hung over them. The weaker monsters were all slain, and Emperor Hans pierced the pharaoh with his spear, returning him to dust.Emperor Blade killed the god of another ancient civilization. The evil energy possessing them was purified. Moments later, the only gods left were the Titans. Unlike the possessed gods, the Titans were ancient cultivators.Even if they didn't master any spells or techniques, they'd trained their bodies to their absolute best. The Sovereigns and rulers didn't have much advantage against these enemies.These spirits were only summoned through the relics and the remnants of energy left within. Their bodies were gone, and their s
The talismans were Magic Mountain's Forbidden Art, and Nox had fused them with Ultimate Sun Dragon Manual. Nox's mentors back in Mystia had taught him the Sovereign Seal earlier than expected.Their goal was simple. If Nox became the Sovereign, he could use the seal to command all the natural energy around him. If he didn't become the Sovereign, he would teach the Sovereign how to use the seal.The Sovereign Seal was a Saintly technique and the most ancient technique around. It was stronger than a Celestial technique.A golden seal brighter than the sun slowly rose into the air. It was the Sovereign Seal.As it appeared, natural energy gathered around it. The energy flew into the relics Brundela took from Faeast. Within a museum not open to the public, a bronze sword started to tremble as natural energy flowed into it. That got the attention of a professor."That sword belonged to Faeast's Emperor Elijah! What is going on?"A silhouette came out of the sword, and his aura was maj
Back in the navy command center, Fergus got the drone footage of Brundela's latest development. There were a few generals from the Nox Army with him. They could see that the monsters in the capital were far stronger than the ones they took out."It's a pity the capital is too densely populated. We have the weapons, but we can't use them." Fergus slammed the table in frustration. Even if the capital were to fall into enemy hands and the people torn apart by the monsters, Fergus could not order his men to fire at the capital, or things would be bad for them.Fergus could only open fire if the monsters were in a no man's land."Commander Parrish, the lord has orders. We are to keep the waters guarded. Once the capital's crisis is over, we are to make our way to the port and give humanitarian aid," a Nox Army general said telepathically. He just got Nox's orders."Is that so? Then Nox can stop this crisis." Fergus' eyes shone. He had no idea what Nox was planning, but he was the Sovere
Demons were walking the lands of Brundela. Legendary creatures were roaming the streets as if the end of days were here. The resurrected monsters were causing chaos everywhere. When the Titans showed themselves, despair washed over Brundela.There were too many monsters running around. Even after the Twilight Order and Ice Temple cultivators sent out everyone they had, it still wasn't enough to stop these creatures. The monsters went straight to the council hall, and so did the Titans.The Ice Temple Lord created a Magic Ice Formation and kept using Forbidden Arts and mystical artifacts to fend off the enemies. He had already done his best."You have to do something, Nine-State Lord. I can't hold on much longer!" the Ice Temple Lord said telepathically.Though monsters were about, they were not a threat to the Ice Temple Lord. he could leave anytime he wanted, but he had a deal with Nox. If he were to desert the battlefield, he would face a hell far worse than he could imagine late
Their targets were the relics around the altars. The moment the whirlpool showed up, the black energy conjured black walls and kept Brundela on lockdown, cutting off all communications.Possessed by evil spirits, gods from ancient civilizations came back to life. In the underground graveyard, the dead came bursting out of their coffins, and skeletons with phantom flames flickering around them charged at the holy knights and James' secret agents.Nothing more needed to be said. The holy knights' leader led the charge. The other knights resolved to fight to the death as they battled the skeleton gods.James and his secret agents fired off at the enemies, but the bullets did nothing to the skeletons. All they managed was to light a big spark. Only grenades and howitzers could deal damage to them, and even then, the damage was light.The battle was fierce. Though the knights did not fear death, they were still weaker than the prehistoric gods. These skeletons were nigh invincible, and
Nox was hovering higher than the Ice Temple Lord, and he got everyone's attention."Who's that?""It's a Faeastian!""My God, it's the Nine-State Lord!" Nox was known throughout Faeast and the world. Brundela's council members had recognized him the moment he showed up. They had nothing but fear for gods, yet Nox was the strongest man in the Mortal World, so they respected him.The clouds in Brundela's skies were hanging heavily over the ground, and the icy aura they radiated was making everyone shiver. Winter seemed to have come early for Brundela. The temperature was dipping fast.Back in the control center, intelligence agents were watching the surveillance footage closely, and they noticed the altar. The Twilight Order and Ice Temple cultivators were there, strengthening the altars' seal the best they could. There were soldiers guarding the altar as well.For some reason, the secret agents had a feeling something bad was going to happen. Murphy's Law, as they said.Suddenly,
A sliver of energy flew out of the puppet and gathered natural energy around it. Then, the temperature rose at a blistering rate. Fortunately, Bard's reminder came just in time, and Vermilion Bird was prepared for this. She led her team away from the spot.A pillar of fire engulfed the building, and heat waves shot off in every direction, lethal and deadly. The light eventually faded, and all buildings in a few hundred yards were razed to the ground.If Vermilion Bird had killed the puppet without thinking just now, she would have lost all her men and suffered serious injuries. "That bitch! I'm going to make her into a human swine one day! I'll give her hell!" she cursed.Bard gasped. 'Yeah, women can be really terrifying.' Not one General was a normal person.This incident didn't escape Nox, of course. He saw it through his divine sense. "Heh, you can't fight the flow of history? You say that, Aphrodite, but you've done the same thing more than once. Schemes and plots when your ey