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
After that, Nox barely talked to Melania at all. It didn't take long for the train to stop at Southtomb. The little group hopped off their ride, standing at the packed entrance of Southtomb's station. Nox stared at the skyscrapers in the distance. "Here at last."Nox swiveled back. "Your family calls the shots here?""Yes," said Melania."Good. Take me to lunch, then," Nox said imperiously.Melania couldn't refuse, or she would die. Humbly, she asked, "What would you like to eat?""Anything's fine."Melania didn't press on with any more questions. She hailed a ride and led Nox to an eatery. This city was her family's base of operations, so she knew it like the back of her hand. Soon, they arrived at Sunshine Restaurant, the most famous eatery in this city.Every rich businessman or politician would pick Sunshine Restaurant for their gatherings or dining events, so that was where Melania took Nox.The building was octagonal and towered like a mountain. Supercars lined up at the
Master Kingsley smiled. "If you say so, Mr. Hobson. I shall lend a hand, then. After all, us Phantomslayers have always been guest officers for the Regals.""Thank you, Master Kingsley."The group came in, and Donald summoned a waiter to get them the best table, all for Master Kingsley.Just as Master Kingsley was glancing around, he spotted Melania. He shivered. "Could that be…"Noticing that, Donald asked, "What is it, Master Kingsley?"Master Kingsley was looking at Melania closely. He muttered, "But that's Ms. Melania. How can she be here?"That did not escape Donald. Excited, he turned around as well.Finally recognizing Melania, Master Kingsley stood up straighter. "It is her!" He walked up to Nox's table quickly. Donald and his group followed closely."Greetings, Ms. Melania. I am Ashton Kingsley, part of the Phantomslayers." Ashton bowed to Melania.Melania wasn't expecting a run-in with a Phantomslayer here. She looked at Nox, but he didn't even look at them, so she s
After getting chased away, Ashton remained outside, looking gloomy. "Something's off," he muttered."What do you mean, Master Kingsley?" Donald was perplexed.Ashton looked at Sunshine Restaurant. "I get the feeling Ms. Melania doesn't feel right.""What do you mean?""She's not the subservient kind, nor would she look for anyone's permission to do anything. I'm almost certain that punk's holding her hostage.""What? But that's Ms. Melania. That punk wouldn't be so daring, would he?" Donald had a look of disbelief on his face."No idea, but I'm sure she's in trouble." Ashton narrowed his eyes, looking at the restaurant. "Here's an order, Donald. You and your men go to the Regals and tell their family head what we saw," ordered Ashton."Right away." Donald and his students quickly left for the Regals' place.Ashton's eyes were filled with rage. "I don't know who you are, punk, but threatening Ms. Melania is unforgivable!"Back in the restaurant, Nox and Melania had their lunch
After that, Nox kept on walking. He didn't pay any attention to Melania throughout the whole episode as if she was invisible.Melania and Nox arrived at the hotel a while later. Melania got Nox a presidential suite, and it was huge. It had everything, including the southwest's famous salt spring.Nox scanned the room, pleased with what he saw. Melania stood with him carefully."Well done. Now prepare the water," ordered Nox."What do you mean prepare the water?" Melania was confused."I want to use the hot spring. Do you expect me to do it dry?" Nox asked coldly.Melania was speechless. 'He wants me to fill the spring with water? I'm a lady. This is servant work.' Still, Nox controlled her, so she had no choice but to do as she was told.The spring was filled a while later. Nox shed his clothes, ready to get into the hot spring.Speechless, Melania covered her eyes. She cursed in her mind, 'Dammit! You can't strip right in front of me!'Melania wanted to scream, but she rememb
Melania felt awkward. She couldn't believe she was peeking at a naked stranger, but to make things worse, he caught her red-handed. She wanted to hide somewhere no one could find her.Nox repeated, "Don't just stand there. Come and wash my back."Melania was speechless. 'So, he really thinks I'm his servant? He wants me to wash his back?' Though furious, Melania was still Nox's hostage, and his body was perfect, so she obliged and came closer. 'Not like I'll lose anything rubbing the back of a guy like this,' she thought.Nox lay in the spring, the top half of his body naked. The tattoo on his back was impressive. Melania came closer and carefully went down. She picked up the white towel beside her and started washing Nox's back like a servant.Nox was enjoying his hot spring, while Melania had to crouch just to serve him. Every time she rubbed his back, Melania felt her heart thump. This was her first time rubbing a guy's back. Not even her fiance had this privilege.Melania kept
And no one in her family besides Drago could stop Nox.Nox got out of the hot spring and draped a white towel around his waist. "You can leave now."Melania stood up and looked at Nox quietly. She then said "Okay" and left.…The Regals were a family of martial artists whose history spanned centuries. They were even more powerful than the Curseland Five. Not only were they the leaders of the southwest's Martial Alliance, but they were also one of the richest families here.Their patriarch, Drago, had a physique on par with any Legend Realm. Everyone said he was invincible. He ranked number seven on the Heavenly Ranking.The Regals held great sway over all five states in the southwest, and their connections spanned far and wide. As Drago's eightieth birthday was nearing, all sects in the southwest, including the Phantomslayers, sent representatives to celebrate it.Even so, Nox declared that he would be taking the Regals' family heirloom at ten the next morning.The Regals' mano
A young man in a robe came out looking upset. "Bad news, Dad. I just called Greentown's sects. They're all dead. Killed. Even Melania's gone missing."Everyone in the great hall looked shocked. Nathan roared, "What? Dead? Are you sure?""Yes," the young man answered. He was Joshua Regal, the second son of Nathan.Nathan shot up from his seat. "And Melania?""Like I said, missing. I can't even get through to her," answered Joshua."How did this happen?" Nathan's face was contorted with rage. He whirled around, staring at Ashton. "Master Kingsley, are you sure you saw Melania in Sunshine Restaurant with a lad?""Yes, Mr. Regal.""Dammit, what's going on? How did the sects' people die? And why'd Melania show up all of a sudden?"Nathan looked more upset with every passing second. Ashton proposed, "Perhaps everything's linked to that lad?""The one with Melania?""Yes. As I've told you, Ms. Melania was subservient to him. She didn't even dare talk in his presence."Nathan's face
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