It had been barely a few minutes, but all the sect leaders were already dead. The Blathanna Sect ladies stared in disbelief at the ground that was strewn with corpses.Selina walked up to Nox. "I guess Melania has her sights set on you."Nox smiled. "Just as well. It's been frustrating for me, and I need to vent. She's the perfect candidate."…Melania was in the Southwest Building, dressed in a beautiful mermaid-tail dress. She was enjoying her cup of coffee in her room as she waited for her henchmen's news.Arrogant Melania was born to money. She was bossy and insolent, but she was adored by Drago himself. Everyone in her family and the alliance feared her. She didn't think anyone would disobey her, but Nox actually made her kneel.The thought of Nox made her clench her teeth. "You bastard. I'll kill you myself!" she snarled. Looking at Mr. Goldstein, she asked in a shrill voice, "Mr. Goldstein, they've been out for a while. Any news?""Not for now, Ms. Melania," said the sorc
Melania was quivering.Nox came closer and sank into a couch. "Dead. I killed them.""What?" Melania screamed. "Y-You killed all of them?""Yeah. They asked for it." Nox looked at Melania. "And now, it's your turn."Shudders traveled down Melania's body. She stared at Nox with widened eyes as she asked "W-What do you want?"Nox's eyes were still on Melania. "Why don't you take a guess?" He closed in on her.Scared, Melania scuttled backward. She threatened, "I dare you to attack me. I'm the Regals' lady, and my grandfather is the leader of the Martial Alliance! Hurt me, and my family will make you pay!""Is that so? What a pity. Even if your grandfather was here, you would still die." Nox slowly closed the distance between him and Melania.A pair of warriors stood in Nox's way. They were the old men guarding Melania.The martial artist was the one Nox injured with a swing of his arm. He quickly pleaded in fear, "Please, spare Ms. Melania. We're sorry. We'll never come after yo
'They're all dead?' Melania thought. The fact that her strongest protectors were killed drained all strength from her, and she sank to the ground. Her face was twisted in fear, and she was trembling. Tears were also streaming down her cheeks."Your turn." Nox turned his attention to Melania."Don't kill me. Please don't kill me. If you do, my grandfather will come after you! The southwest's Martial Alliance will hunt you down."In the face of death, Melania finally relented. She was crying and begging for mercy.Yet, Nox said, "I've told you. Even if your grandfather was here, I would still kill you.""No, please. Please don't kill me. I'll do anything!" Melania kneeled before Nox just to survive, but Nox didn't spare her a look.Even though Melania was beautiful and came from a powerful family, she still got on Nox's wrong side. "Time to die." Nox raised his finger and was about to kill her, but when he got near her, Nox felt a familiar chill radiating from her chest.Even his
First, she was the lady of a big family, and second, her fiance was part of the Southkings. She thought Nox was going to violate her because of his request. Her hands still covering her chest, Melania stared at Nox with fear. "W-What do you want to do to me?""Shut it and strip." Nox didn't bother explaining.Melania shut up. Nothing could stop Nox from killing her. She had to survive, so she closed her eyes. With trembling hands, she started unbuttoning her clothes, revealing her pearly skin and voluptuous chest to Nox.Her breasts were tightly wrapped in a pair of black, lacey bras, and her skin had a faint scent to it. She was like a kitten that needed a hug right now.Nox didn't care. He was staring at the black pearl hanging before Melania's chest. The incredible chill he felt earlier was coming from that thing. Nox scanned it with his Divine Sense and recognized that pearl."That's a Phoenix Eye Bodhi Pearl!"Bodhi Pearls were treasures of the religion of Enlightenment. One
Melania thought Nox was after her, but all he did was take away her pearl. Though she had questions, she didn't dare to voice them out.Nox was observing the pearl closely, his eyes gleaming brighter with every passing moment. "It's the real deal." He turned around, staring at Melania. "Where did you get this?""My grandfather gave it to me," Melania answered truthfully."Drago did?""Yes.""How much of this does he have?" Nox continued to ask. One pearl didn't have enough cold energy to compare with a thousand-year-old ice plant. He needed a handful or even more than a dozen for that."This pearl is a family heirloom. My grandfather wears a bracelet made of it. That's all I know," Melania said honestly.The answer made Nox's eyes twinkle. 'This pearl is about the size of my nail. If Drago has a bracelet, then that's about a dozen of them. Drago's pearls have enough cold energy to rival a thousand-year-old ice plant."A small smile played on Nox's lips. "Good. Finally, somethin
When Melania was done covering herself up, she stood next to Nox with her head bowed. The once arrogant lady of the Regals was now Nox's servant."Tell me, where does your family live?" Nox asked."Southtomb," Melania said."Guess that's where I'm going next."…While Nox was hunting down Melania, his friends waited back in the club. A long time later, three silhouettes appeared at the entrance. The man was handsome while the woman was gorgeous, though she looked haggard and was following the man like a servant.They were Nox and Melania, and following them was Copperpeak.Selina and Jebediah noticed them at once. Quickly, they welcomed Nox. "Finally, Nox. And this lady is…" Selina asked curiously when she saw a stranger following Nox.Jebediah and the other ladies were stunned to see Melania, too. They were looking at her curiously."Melania Regal," Nox said.'What? This is Melania?' Selina took a closer look and finally recognized her. "It is her!" she exclaimed. "Why did y
"You're going out? Where?" Queenie quickly asked."Southtomb," Nox responded. Southtomb was the biggest industrialized city in the southwest. It wasn't just a state, but it was also the central hub of the southwest's economy.The fact that Nox was going there made Queenie curious. "That's sudden. Why?""I have some business there," Nox answered briefly. He didn't want Queenie to worry."How long are you going to be there? When are you coming back?" Queenie was reluctant to see him go."It'll be fast, and then I'll come back right away." Nox squeezed Queenie's hand.Queenie would rather Nox stay with her, but she knew he had work to do. "Fine, but come back soon.""I will." Nox pulled Queenie into his embrace. He then told Selina and Jebediah that he would be paying the Regals a visit.When Selina was told that the Regals had a stash of Phoenix Eye Bodhi Pearls, she asked, "Are you sure those pearls have enough cold energy to rival a thousand-year-old ice plant's?""Yes. The p
The only other companion Nox brought was Copperpeak. Southtomb was more than hundreds of miles away, so Nox was going to take the high-speed rail.Selina was going to have a driver take him there, but Nox declined. High-speed rails were faster and more convenient. Nox and his little group made their way to the station.Since Copperpeak had no ID, Nox cast a spell at the checkpoint so Copperpeak could sneak in. He and Melania bought tickets, of course.Being the lady of a rich family, Melania was driven everywhere in luxury cars. This was her first time riding a high-speed rail. Though disgruntled, she didn't complain out of fear.They got the tickets and waited for their ride. Once it was here, Nox and his little team hopped in. They got business class tickets, so their seats were in the front. After they sat down, the train left the station.It would only take about an hour to get to Southtomb. Nox took out the pearl and fiddled with it. Melania stayed silent, stealing occasional
Back in the regular guards' camp, Harley spat blood. He was lying in the ruins of a building, his body covered in slash marks. His Celestial technique was broken. This man was leagues above him. Celestial techniques were useless. The swordsman was too powerful."Magic Mountain's techniques? But their swordsmen are on good terms with the lord!" Harley stared at the man in green. He defeated Harley using Magic Mountain's techniques.Magic Mountain and Mystia had always been at loggerheads. They had slain many demons and monsters throughout the years, and their swordsmanship was a bane for the cultivators."I wonder how Nox managed to make a Mystian like you loyal to him. Yes, I am a Magic Mountain swordsman. Was, to be honest. I was kicked out a hundred years ago. My master said my heart is astray. How laughable. I have killed demons over ninety years, and hundreds of them have died to my blade! My heart is not astray!"Your sins are innumerable, Harley, and you must be slain! White
All of a sudden, the soldiers let go of their weapons. They had a look of fanaticism on their faces as they throttled themselves to death. The party went on, and the bluebloods enjoyed every moment, oblivious to the incoming danger.The monk passed through the residence smoothly, with all the soldiers and guards throttling themselves to death. Suddenly, everyone noticed a monk in red robes in the party hall. The drunk guests thought this was an event arranged by Atlas."We have a monk here. Wonder what kind of show you're presenting," a portly rich man joked, laughing loudly."Show? I am the leader of an evil sect. No show, but I do have a scripture to share. The government calls my sect evil, and they claim the monks are agents of darkness. You are not much better yourself. Omitofo."The old monk chanted once more, and the look on everyone's faces changed. Some knelt and cried their hearts out. Some groveled and didn't even notice that their heads were bleeding. They talked about
Back in his residence, Atlas called a feast and invited the bluebloods of Imperia. He was glowing during the event and could never be happier. He used to be a declining aristocrat with nothing but the title of nobility.However, his luck turned for the better when he got older. He followed Nox into battle at Heaven's Cage, Vertolt, and Winterosch, making him a true lord. The Limerents controlled the nation, and he was a prince. He could even have some power over the nation or at least be one of the top dogs in Faeast.If Nox became emperor, then all the better. Perhaps he could be a more intimate part of the royal family. He drank to his heart's content and partied with the most desired people in Imperia. Nothing could be better."Life is short, people. Drink!"…The Ice Temple's vice-Lord was in the regular guards' encampment. This was a critical junction, and yet Atlas wasn't at his post. Instead, he was having a party. The vice-Lord had a bad feeling about this, but he had no p
Harley sneered, having nothing but disdain for Atlas. "I can't believe the master would employ a shithead like you."Atlas laughed. "You think you're so high and mighty, but you're also Lord Nox's lapdog now. I am his subordinate, and we have a close relationship. I'm also the uncle of the emperor. That makes me Lord Nox's great-uncle," bragged Atlas."Dumbass. Just do your fucking job. Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise told me the Mousses might try something," Harley cursed.The mention of the Mousses made Atlas panic, but he calmed himself down and snored. "The Mousses? They won't dare do anything when I'm here. If they show up, I'll kick their ass! I command thirty thousand units. If they come to Imperia, it'll be the last thing they see!" Atlas was confident.Harley was speechless. 'My word, how can he be such a braggart?'With thirty thousand Nox Army units in Imperia, combined with the Forbidden Army, the regular guards, and 200 thousand elites protecting Imperia, nothing co
Vermilion Bird said, "Azure Dragon used to be an Advanced Eight Gates. After the Mousses had him under their control, he became a Supreme. Judging by these photos, he's gotten more powerful since then."'More powerful?' Nineve knew how the cultivators were ranked. Top Legend Realms were another kind of life form entirely. In Faeast, a Supreme could be made a lord. An undefeatable Supreme would be made a ruler. A Sovereign was made every five hundred years, while a ruler was made every century.Supremes appeared once every decade or so. "I don't get it. You three obviously found some power source, and with Nox's help, you leveled up. Azure Dragon only has the Mousses. How'd he level up so fast?"If the Mousses were so powerful, they wouldn't have to resort to assassinations or betrayals."Not the Mousses. It's all Azure Dragon. He's our captain. He's a very talented and cunning man. Emphasis on talent. He's so strong that not even three of us can compare to him, combined. The only g
Elizabeth said nothing but went red and hung her head low, causing Black Tortoise to panic."Uh oh. If you want him, you'll have to fight for him. That's all I can say, but the lord does think highly of you." He laughed."Shut it, Black Tortoise. You're talking nonsense here!" Vermilion Bird snapped. "See you, Your Majesty." She then took Black Tortoise and left the room quickly. They had work to do.The duo led most of the Shadow Division members back to Faeast. After the incident of Brundela, Faeast's fate was going strong, and the people were excited. However, beneath that excitement was unseen danger.Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise came back to Northstate's governor-general's place and met up with Nineve. Black Tortoise said solemnly, "What happened, Your Highness? We need the details."Nineve looked exhausted, and there were dark circles under her eyes. She had been working hard in Nox's absence. "Honestly, Atlas… I mean, the Defender of the Lord hasn't been pulling his we
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