In the eerie Phoenix Chamber, a deadly, gorgeous silhouette in red was staring at the calendar before her. A red X was blotched over the eighth of the month—the day of Nox's wedding.There were three days until that date. The silhouette's eyes were filled with violence and murder. "Three more days, and you'll be marrying that mediocre, unremarkable…"Mutters of dismay escaped her lips. And then she slammed her fist on the obsidian table before her. The table was smashed into pieces."Lonewolf! Where are the Curseland Demons?" she roared.A gaunt, icy man with a saber appeared from behind. "Milord, they should be in Riverton now.""Good." A dark laugh appeared on Aphrodite's face. "Tell them to keep her alive, but make sure she's tortured out of her mind. I want to crush Nox's heart!" hissed Aphrodite mercilessly."Yes, milord." Michael backed out of the chamber.Aphrodite stared into the distance, venom dripping from her gaze. "You'll regret marrying her, Nox! I'll see to that."
"That monster must've taken them away! Officers, you have to save the kids," said the street vendor, a little drunk. The cops were searching in the east of town.They ignored the drunken codger. Vampires? A likely story. It was all bullshit.Old Zimmers cursed the cops' mistrust and said that he would find the children himself. He downed a couple more glasses of wine and went off on his own, armed with nothing but an axe.The old man went down the road, searching the outer ring of town. It was a deserted place. This was a shantytown. All the villages around had been leveled, and only grass and ruin remained, with the exception of a small shrine that many still visited.Whenever festivities swung by, the townsfolk would come and pray. That stopped after the disappearances started happening.A drunk silhouette—old Zimmers—was approaching the shrine. He murmured, "Why won't they believe me?"A moment later, Zimmers reached the shrine. Once proud, the shrine now had a dark air. If
The man didn't even look at Zimmers' body. He darted back into the main chamber, where the shriveled bodies lay. Two black coffins lay on each side of the bodies."A place as good as any," the man croaked."Indeed. Those in Imperia are doubling down on us." An equally grating voice came from the coffin.Blasts echoed as the coffins exploded. Two men, as strange as the first, appeared from within. They were both in black robes, their faces covered in runes. The air was filled with the rancid stench of evil when they appeared.They were the nightmarish Curseland Demons. The trio made their way to infamy years ago. They were in the top ten on Skyweb's Most Wanted.Anyone who was on Skyweb's Most Wanted was a supervillain. They were crooks and mass murderers, and all were at least Grandmasters. They showed no mercy to their enemies.Besides their strength, the Curseland Demons had the backing of the Curseland Five. The families were the origins of the Curses. The Curses were practiti
"Doesn't matter. We have our orders. Now we just have to do it," Bayon said."Of course, Bayon.""Let's go." Bayon turned into a cloud of crimson fog and disappeared.The air around Bason and Badon was slowly filled with crimson fog as well. Moments later, they turned into a blur and disappeared.…Another day went by. There were two days left until the wedding. A bunch of relatives had arrived at Queenie's house thanks to George. He wanted the whole of Riverton to witness this wedding. After all, he knew how stately the man Queenie would marry was.First thing in the morning, more relatives came to Queenie's house. One was Yvette's cousin, while the other two were George's cousin and uncle.George led Queenie out to welcome them. Keith and his team were protecting Queenie and her family as per Nox's orders.A silhouette in a black robe appeared on the corner of the street across. The only thing visible was his devilishly green eyes.His shuddering gaze fell upon Queenie. A lo
Badon returned to their hideout in Riverton."What? The Butcher is here?" Bason asked. For some reason, the mention of Keith contorted his face with rage."Yes. I saw him with my own eyes," answered Badon.Bayon sneered. "No wonder she sent us here. It turns out that we have a Rank Nine Grandmaster guarding the target.""Damn the Butcher! I didn't expect to see him here, but we can finally settle our score! I've been holding it in for three years!" Bason said."Calm down, Bason. The Butcher is a Rank Nine Grandmaster. It won't be easy to take him down," Bayon said."Are we going to just let it slide?" Bason screeched and tore his robes back, revealing a hideous scar dotting his rune-covered torso.Previously, the Shadow Division tracked down Bason when he was in Imperia, and Keith was the one who came. They ran into each other at the train station, and the battle that ensued was terribly ferocious.Bason used everything he had, but he was no match for Keith. In the end, Keith s
It was eight at night. Queenie and her mother came out of the house. Queenie was wearing a dress and a pink jacket. She paired it with white sneakers, looking innocent and lovely.Upon seeing that, Keith quickly came up to Queenie. "It's late, milady. Going out?"Queenie smiled. "Yes. We have to be at the train station to pick up a relative.""But it's late. It's not safe," Keith said with concern. Nox told him to keep Queenie safe, and he was going to do just that."You worry too much. It's only eight. The station's about half an hour away. We'll be fine," Queenie said.Keith was hesitating. He checked the darkening sky. "Fine, but we're going too.""Wait, you guys are coming along?" Yvette blurted."Yes," Keith answered adamantly.Speechless, Yvette looked at Queenie. Queenie understood that Keith was just doing his job. She said, "They can come with us, Mom."Though she thought it was weird, Yvette agreed. Keith and his team followed Queenie to the train station.Keith and
Keith, of course, kept an eye on Queenie. Yvette and Queenie weren't worried at all. They didn't think anyone would attack them in public.About fifteen minutes later, a train was coming in. The arrival was announced, and Yvette smiled. "They're here. Been a while since you saw your great-aunt. She adored you when you were little. Took you around for some literal catfishing." Yvette started reminiscing about the past.Queenie smiled. "I remember her. She had a pond at her place. I fell into it when I was a kid, and she saved me.""I'm glad you remember."Tourists shuffled out of the train, luggage in tow. Queenie and Yvette stood on their tiptoes, looking for the dame.A while later, a wrinkly crone in almost anachronistic clothes came out, holding a snakeskin bag. She was in her seventies, her skin rough and tanned from her work in the village. With her was a girl no more than seven years old.The girl had grimy hair as if she had gone a long time not washing it, but her eyes we
Something tugged on Queenie's heartstrings. She picked up the girl and kissed her cheek. "Thank you, Nat, but I can't take this.""But great-aunt said you have to. It's for your wedding."Queenie wanted to explain, but the crone stuffed the gift into her hands. "Take it. I don't have much, but it's the least I could do."Queenie held the gift, touched by the gesture. She picked up Nat again. "I'll take it, then. Thank you, Nat. So, where do you want to go? Anything you want to eat? I'll buy it for you."Carefully, the girl said, "I-I want to ride a car. The ones that go up a hill.""You mean the roller coaster?" Queenie smiled."Yes. She saw that on TV and wouldn't shut up about it. So here we are." The crone smiled.Queenie kissed Nat's cheek again. "I'll take you there tomorrow. And we're having a whole day for ourselves.""Thank you, Aunt Queenie!" The girl happily wrapped her arms around Queenie's neck.Keith was listening to the conversation, and he was moved. A long chat
Douglas worked through the night for the negotiation."One, you must apologize for your invasion of Faeast. Two, you will return all stolen relics to us and pay for damages. Three, you will open trade with Faeast, and it must be complete and total. Those are our demands. We promise not to interfere with your nation's administration. Once the aid is administered, our fleet and army will retreat from Brundela."And one more thing. Faeast recognizes you as Brundela's new ruler." That was interesting. It also meant that Faeast could rescind that recognition at any time. Elizabeth had no choice. Without Faeast, Brundela would be gone. In the end, the nations arrived at an agreement.At midnight, they called a press conference. Faeast helped Eropa settle a war and avert a world disaster. That news took the world by storm. The Eastern dragon was rising, and none could stop it. It wouldn't take long for Faeast to return to the top.Brundela's case was over. After they gave enough aid, Ferg
"They call you Great Generals?" the Ice Temple Lord laughed. "If I do want to betray him, how do you hope to stop me? You three had to take me on together, and it only ended in a draw. Now that I'm an Emperor and White Tiger is in a slumber, I can destroy you in a moment!"The Ice Temple Lord looked at Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise with disdain. Vermilion Bird's eyes were wide. She didn't care. She would fight the Temple Lord to the bitter end if she must.Black Tortoise was the calmer one, and he pulled Vermilion Bird back. "Calm down. Even if he wants to betray the lord, he at least would want to see the lord's body before he tries anything."Even a woman like Aphrodite lost this fight. He wouldn't dare try anything stupid."The Ice Temple Lord was still smug about being an Emperor, and now his celebration was cut short. Betraying Nox required a lot of courage. Nox's power terrified him. Even if he couldn't win the fight, Nox could at least come back safely.Besides, he only
The formation Nox created with the Sovereign Seal was on the brink of destruction. Once the formation was gone, the Sovereigns and the spirits would return to dust. In this final moment, Brundela's Faeastian called their friends and family in their homeland and projected the modern-day Faeast onto the gigantic screen in the plaza.The spirits cried when they saw how developed their nation had become. The Sovereigns and the rulers were meticulous people. They used to rule over a unified nation, so they knew how hard it was to create a dynasty. Every dynasty would have its peak and nadir.Every time a dynasty was on a decline, Faeast would be in danger. They didn't talk about the truth behind that video, of course. They admired the beautiful land of Faeast as they waited for their final moment to arrive."The hardest and darkest moment is behind us, sirs. Faeast has me now. You may rest in peace. I will not let you down. I will destroy the canker that infects Faeast and give it the pe
"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