A long time after that, Nox said, "Let them in."Keith turned around. "The lord calls for you two.""Yes, thank you." George led Yvette into the room.Nox was still standing before Queenie's bed. Thanks to Nox's blood and Ultimate Sun Dragon Manual's energy, Queenie had regained some color, though still unconscious.The sight of their daughter unconscious made George and Yvette scream."Queenie, what happened?" George approached Queenie, shouting. Yvette followed him.There was no answer from Queenie, however.Scared, George turned to Nox. "What… what happened, Nox? What happened to her?" he asked with a trembling voice."Thousand-corpse worm. She won't be waking so soon," answered Nox honestly."What? Is that a poison or something?" George sobbed. "How'd this happen? Who did this? Who's the bastard?"Yvette was in tears as well. She held Queenie, shouting, "Queenie, wake up! It's me! I'm here. Wake up!"Nox consoled, "It's alright, you two. I promise I'll cure her.""You?
At the central command center, Imperia.The Phoenix Chamber also housed Aphrodite's bedroom. She was in the main hall, dressed in crimson, her eyes closed. Behind her was Michael, the stony sabreur.A silhouette quickly came in. "Milord, the Demons have news." It was Houston.Aphrodite slowly opened her eyes, her gaze filled with venom. "Speak."Houston went down on his knees. "They have completed their mission. Sanders is infected with a thousand-corpse worm, the deadliest cursebug Curseland has. There is no known cure, and the victim doesn't die immediately. They will rot from within and waste away."Aphrodite laughed menacingly. "Good." She stared into the distance, her eyes filled with cruelty. "You must be in pain now, Nox. Though you're invincible, though you're a lord, but so what? You failed to protect your woman. You are impotent."She cackled. "It's not over. I'll make her suffer the worst this world has to offer. You'll rue the day you promised to marry her."…Two d
Nox scanned all his comrades. "To the great hall. I have something to say.""Yes, milord."Everyone followed Nox into the great hall, and Nox took the main seat. His comrades took the seats beside him. Once everyone sat down, Nox announced, "This will be a big announcement.""Your orders, milord?" everyone asked.Nox looked at everyone once more. "You are to return to your posts. All of you. Effective immediately."The announcement stunned everyone.Bear blurted, "You want us to leave?"Everyone looked at Nox in confusion."Yes." Nox nodded. "All of you. Leave Dragoncourt. Leave this city.""What? Why? We've not avenged the lady, and we can't leave without seeing the wedding," Keith asked."The wedding's on hold for now. And you're leaving because you're not needed here anymore," said Nox."Milord! We cannot leave. Even if we set the lady's case aside, we still have to stay with you." Draco stood firm."Wrong," said Nox. "I'm just a civilian. I don't need you hanging around
Nox's comrades looked crestfallen, especially Bear. His eyes went red, and he cried. "When will I see you again, milord?""Soon." Nox smiled.The consolation only made Bear cry more. Even Keith teared up. He said nothing and went down on his knees. Everyone else followed his example.Draco approached Nox. He lamented, "Very well, milord. If that is what you want. My army awaits your return. And once you do, we'll charge straight into Imperia and slaughter the Mousses."Nox looked at Draco and clapped his shoulder. And then, everyone was dismissed. Farewells were always sad, especially for these men. Nox was not just a god among men, but he was also their brother.Unbeknownst to him, Nox was reluctant to see them go as well. They were his comrades. His brothers. His family.Alas, Nox must look at the big picture. He couldn't ask them to stay with him while Faeast was slowly destabilized. This nation was his homeland, the place he called home.Dragoncourt fell into silence after t
That did not sit well with Yvette at all. She disagreed, "You can't do this. Queenie's in a coma, and gods know if she'll wake up.""That's why I have to take her along, Mrs. Sanders. To cure her." Nox was right. Queenie was unconscious and nearly dead. She was only tethered to life by Nox's Revival and Ultimate Sun Dragon Manual.Nox had to take her along so he could heal her if needed, but Yvette had no idea about that. "I won't let you take her away. I won't. Even if she's awake, I can't let her go with you. And where are you taking her anyway?"Nox slowly raised his head, staring far into the southwest. He said, "To kill the people who did this to her.""Y-You're going to kill someone?" Yvette was horrified."Yes, and not someone. A lot of someones. They hurt the woman I love, and they will die for that." Nox's voice was dripping with murder, and Yvette went quiet.George stepped forth. "I'm on your side, Nox. Kill the bastards who did this to Queenie. Avenge her."Yvette pu
Curseland was in the southwestern zone of Faeast. Legend had it that this was where witchcraft was born. Though not everyone could cultivate, most knew of the legend of witchcraft and cursebugs.But with the advent of the modern age, the tales about witchcraft and cursebugs barely made their rounds around Curseland anymore.If it weren't for the fact they retained a lot of local customs and ancient buildings, Curseland would just be another modern metropolis, and it was a famous tourist spot. Tourism drew in billions every year.Three days later, a handsome silhouette appeared at the terminal of Curseland's airport. He was pushing a wheelchair, where an unconscious figure sat. To make sure no one knew the lady was in a coma, a pair of sunglasses were worn over her nose, covering her eyes.They were Nox and Queenie, of course."Milord, we're finally here!" an excited voice gushed. Jebediah followed Nox on this trip. He was carrying a lot of luggage. If not for his robes, he'd look
The news stoked flames of anger within Nox's eyes. "If the Curseland Five harbors that bastard, I'll slaughter them all."Keith said nothing. He knew his lord could be arrogant, and he knew Nox would really slaughter the five clans. "There's something more, milord," blurted Keith."What is it?""Do you remember Ms. Hendrickson, your admirer?"Nox frowned. "Selina Hendrickson from Blathanna Sect?""Yes. Ever since you rejected her, she left the northern battlefront for Curseland. Blathanna Sect's in Southwest City, they say."Memories of Selina flitted through Nox's mind. She was the leader of the Blathanna Sect and an incredibly gorgeous woman. No one knew who she used to be or how she rose to fame.The only thing they knew was that the sect she led was on par with Sovereign's Society, Shadow Sect, and Chamber of Healers. They were the strongest four among Faeast's new sects.Blathanna Sect was made up of beautiful women, but they were not to be underestimated. They were profes
Jebediah woke up early to make breakfast for Nox. After they ate, Nox said, "Jeb, I need you to do something for me.""Your orders, milord?" Jebediah quickly approached Nox.Nox handed him a prescription. "Buy everything that's listed on this paper. I'm making some pills for Queenie.""Yes, milord." Jebediah went on a shopping trip.At the same time, Nox got a text from Keith. It was about Curseland Five. Nox opened the file, and murder burst from his soul.Curseland Five was made up of five of the oldest clans in Curseland. They'd been standing for a thousand years, their roots deeply entrenched in this part of the nation.The five clans were: the Pearsons, the Mullers, the Greens, the Vines, and the Flames. They worshipped Cursegod and practiced witchcraft and cursebugs. The Pearsons were the most powerful of them all.The Vines were the most evil, while the Mullers possessed the vilest of cursebugs. These clans controlled the southwest's underworld and world of martial arts.
The demonic eye covered everything. Its intensity even suppressed Faeast's fate a little. Dominic knew better, though. The empress might look like she had the upper hand, but Faeast's fate was still cleansing her formation. This was her final moment, and the empress was risking her life to fight Nox."If I can't get you, no one can! Die, Greenshade! You will perish today, and I will destroy your nation's fate! Faeast will never see a Sovereign!" The empress had succumbed to madness. Anything she couldn't get, she would destroy.Her eye power attacked again, and the crimson vessels turned black. The black strings weaved a huge web, and every string could destroy any cultivator who was not a Saint. Nox activated his Saintly manual, and the saintly dragons breathed fire. Though it was powerful, it couldn't break the web, and even the dragons were trapped."Saintly dragons, so what? I'll kill them all the same!" The third eye unleashed its power again, but it was the empress' limit. Bla
"Dammit, how'd that bastard take my place? I'm the Sovereign! You're blind, Faeast's fate!" Flame Emperor roared, but the more he complained, the more the nation's fate turned its back on him.The empress' mind was blank. 'What is going on here? He's just a cultivator who's barely trained for twenty years, and he can summon his nation's fate all the way here?' she thought."This can't be. How did this happen? It's impossible!" She was questioning her own power. Her confidence was wavering. She might lose this battle, and Nox would kill her."So what do you think now, empress? Are these dragons enough to pin you down?" Nox walked through the air and passed the barrier easily. Slowly, he approached the empress and looked at the ancient cultivator proudly."You're looking down on me again? You bastard! So what if you have nine saintly dragons? You think Faeast's fate is enough to kill me? You do not have the power!" The empress hated that look. She was the god who controlled this land
If Nox met his end here, it would be very unceremonious compared to his life."Ultimate Sun, Nine Dragons." Nine dragons appeared. These dragons were the avatar of Nox's power. They were not just any avatar; they were sacred beasts."Dragons? You think they can take down an ultimate ruler like me? This is why you're so confident? How childish, Greenshade. I'll shatter your hope, then! Die, dragons!" The empress' third eye unleashed bloody energy, and it formed a sharp web.The web crushed the dragons immediately, and golden rain fell. Though he was bathing in his dragons' blood, Nox wasn't panicking."The dragons alone aren't enough. They can't pin a monster like her!" Dominic looked grim. In ancient times, dragons were nothing but a delicacy for powerful entities. Their power was not enough to scare a monster like the empress."If true dragons aren't enough, what about saintly dragons?" Nox's eyebrow arched, and the empress' pupils contracted."Saintly dragons? You? You think yo
"Say the word, and I shall help you push Faeast to power. All I want is for you to submit to me, not make me your master. Is a woman like me not enough for you? My beauty, power, and brains far outstrip whatever your women have. Survival of the fittest is how this world works. Cultivators like you should know that."Submit to me, and I shall become Heavenly Dao, while you shall rule the Mortal World. I shall rule the heavens, and you shall rule the earth. Together, we are the world!" The empress was making an offer again, and she presented a whole agreement.Unlike the deception she threw to Flame Emperor, she genuinely wanted to work with Nox this time. "You are a master of talisman. You know I'm not lying to you. I admire you, so do not let me down again. Push me into a corner, and no one comes out happy." The empress stared at Nox.She hoped Nox would understand where she was coming from and change his mind. Nox was in her trap, but all he did was laugh. "Let you down? You amuse
White Tiger was crying. A guy who didn't fear death was kneeling on the deck and crying his heart out. The Southern Sea navy gathered around. This man was a Great General, and they wondered what might have happened to him. Everyone knew it must be serious.Fergus was stunned. "Is Nox in trouble?" Nox used to work with Fergus for a while, and the man saw Nox as his own son. He was the future of Faeast. If a man like him were to die, he couldn't imagine what would happen to Faeast.All the Southern Sea navy units thought highly of Nox. He was their boss and comrade. A blanket of despair spread through the fleet. When that emotion reached its peak, it would turn into fury. Anger filled up the Southern Sea navy."Men, heed my order. Open fire at Celestial Domain and do not hold back!" Fergus ordered recklessly. He wanted to fire the forbidden item at Celestial Domain.When the news got back to Imperia, Douglas almost leaped out of his seat. "Are you mad, Fergus? Do you have any idea wh
The empress laughed. "That was a powerful attack, Greenshade. If we'd fought seventy thousand years ago, you'd have killed me, but I'm far stronger than I was. You have no idea how much I've suffered over the years. My eye power is beyond what you can imagine! I've gone through enough pain, and that's why I can stand at the top!"This is the final hurdle! Now I'll show you the suffering I've endured!" The empress' third eye opened, and the eye power it unleashed was twisting space itself. The whole world was shuddering.Heavy pressure weighed down on Nox, and his astral form trembled. Much to Nineve's shock, the third eye flew out of the empress and hovered high up in the skies, replacing the sun and moon. The eye turned crimson, but it reflected different colors and inversed the world's colors.Living beings were black and white in this world."Shit, that's her ultimate Soulcatcher and the level of power every eye technique user dreams of! The moment the kaleidoscope opens, you ar
Queenie didn't care about the big picture. She would do whatever Nox told her to. Flames burned her again, and the fires of a phoenix covered the mountain, suppressing Flame Emperor once more, stopping his release."You are my clan's emblem, phoenix! Why are you doing Greenshade's bidding?" Flame Emperor was furious. At his core, he was as short-tempered as the empress.The empress saw what was going on, and she mocked, "Seventy thousand years, and you are at the mercy of the new Sovereign! Not even your phoenix listens to you now!"Nox's astral form descended and stood before the empress. The bloodlust he radiated made her shake. "You're killing me? Can you really do that? My life is tied to Celestial Domain. Even if it is destroyed, I will not be harmed, but if I die, Celestial Domain will fall. Kirin and Aphrodite will die as well."One is the smartest mortal I've seen all my life. The other is the only cultivator who managed to merge with a sacred beast completely. My life for
For Nox, she could give up everything, even her life. This pain was nothing. "The man I love is a hero. Someone who can stand tall and proud. But even if he's no lord or Sovereign, I love him all the same. Not even death can douse the fires of my love."The pain heightened to its peak, and the flames were now a tribulation. They flew into Queenie's soul. At the same time, a blinding crimson light shone from Queenie's body. The light came from her chest."What?" The empress was trying to kill Dominic, but she sensed something terrible going on, and she froze. "She's my lost heart? Why? Seventy thousand years, and this is what I get?" She was losing it. Her determination was crumbling.Dominic laughed. "You know why? Because you're trying to take over as Heavenly Dao, and it will fight back, hard. Nothing good will come for you! To cultivate means to do good and stay just. Evil will never triumph, and you will die!" His laughter turned into a cackle.No one saw this coming. Who'd hav
"Worry not, Queenie. As long as the phoenix's heart is not destroyed, she will be reborn in flames. Every time a phoenix is reborn, they will gain greater heights." said Flame Emperor.'Yes, that's the legend of the phoenix.' Queenie was once again in awe of nature's magic. 'So Faeast's legends are true. Phoenixes are immortal!'"So where's the heart?" Queenie quickly asked. If she could find it and help Flame Emperor get out of his prison, he and Nox could kill the empress."Silly girl. It's right here. You are the missing heart."Queenie's mind buzzed, and she froze. 'I am the phoenix's heart? Wait, so who or what am I, really?'"That witch enslaved the phoenix's body, but she could never control her heart. No one can. The legends of a phoenix's immortality are not entirely true. Every time they are reborn, they will have died once. The new phoenix will inherit their predecessor's power, but they cannot represent their predecessor."Just like reincarnation, once someone goes in