"May I have a look?" asked Ludwig.Melania nodded and pointed at her forehead. "Here, Master Crimson."Ludwig turned his attention to Melania's forehead. When he saw the lotus seal flickering, his eyes narrowed. "That's a fire seal, and it's powerful.""Can you lift this seal, Master Crimson?" asked Nathan quickly.Ludwig didn't answer. Instead, lightning flickered in his eyes. He extended a finger and pressed Melania's forehead.Bolts of purple lightning swam into Melania's forehead. That was the lightning spell the Phantomslayers were proud of. As the lightning swam into her, Melania trembled. The fire lotus on her forehead started to weaken as if it were under attack."Heaven and earth, water and flames. I summon thee, lightning. Obey my bidding! Go!" Ludwig performed hand seals with just one hand, and a circular seal of lightning shot into Melania's forehead.A coat of lightning was draped over Melania, electricity sparking and crackling all over her. Slivers of lightning sw
As the flames burned, Ludwig roared. He made more hand seals, and lightning crackled all over his body. They slithered ahead and swam into Melania's body, trying to stop the flames from burning her up, but alas, it was futile.The flames burned everything up, still covering Melania. "Dad, save me…" Melania shouted with pain."Melania!" His daughter was going to be burned to death. Nathan quickly turned to Ludwig. "You have to save her, Master Crimson!"Poor Ludwig. He couldn't do anything against this seal of death. A moment before Melania would be burned to death, something inside her boomed. The flames on her body disappeared.Nathan and Ludwig were stupefied. Everyone wondered what was going on, and then they heard an icy voice talking to them."You tried to lift my seal, didn't you? I could kill you for that."The voice seemed to come out of nowhere, yet it felt like someone was inches away from them.Melania recognized this voice. 'It's him, that demon. Greenshade.'Nathan
Hundreds of warriors were already standing sentry, and it was the first thing in the morning. The weakest of them were Greater Combatants, and dozens were Grandmasters. Even so, they were all grim.All of them were staring at the gigantic clock on the manor's entrance. Everyone was waiting for the storm to come. Dozens of powerful people were gathered in the great hall as well. The leaders of Taichi Sect and Greencity Watch were there, along with the Regals' warriors.Ludwig was also among them, sitting quietly in his chair.Nathan took the most prominent seat of them all, and he looked stormy. Beside him was a shining spear. It was nearly two hundred pounds heavy and made of good steel. This weapon was part of Nathan's glory.The girl beside Nathan was Melania herself, though she had lost some of her previous beauty. Replacing that was a look of lethargy. She hung her head low and stayed quiet.A long while later, Nathan asked, "The time?"An elderly Grandmaster stepped forth. "
"Were you talking about me?" The voice was booming and thundering. Everyone felt their heart skipping a beat. Some of the weaker martial artists were bleeding at their mouths already.A silhouette descended from the skies like a god. Nox had arrived. When he landed, the tiles underneath cracked. His aura made the air around him howl.Everyone was watching Nox with their eyes wide as saucers. He was young, yet dashing and almost godlike.On the other hand, Nox was scanning Tony and Horace. Icily, he said, "You called me a coward, didn't you?"Tony took a step back. He hemmed and hawed, but no answer came out.Horace, however, mustered his courage. "So what if we did?""You're a Regal?" Nox asked.Stunned, Horace mumbled, "No.""Then get out of the way. Blabber again, and you die," Nox warned.Feeling bolstered by his status as sect leader, Horace said, "I'm the leader of Greencity Watch, punk. What makes you think I'll do as you say?"That was it for Horace. He should not have
After killing Horace, Nox turned his sights to Tony. "Wanna have a go?"Tony's face twitched. He scrambled backward and pleaded, "No, please.""Then get out of my way. I'm here for the Regals. Only the Regals," declared Nox as he marched into the manor."Who dares intrude?" a roar rankled the air, then dozens of warriors came darting out. Every one of them was a Grandmaster, and they surrounded Nox. There was murder on their faces.Nox only sneered. "You think you can stop me?"A tanned Grandmaster growled, "Try us, punk.""Very well."The warriors were about to fight, but another voice traveled through the air. "Stop!" Nathan finally came out of the great hall, followed by Melania and Ludwig.Nathan looked confused when he saw Nox. The enemy was younger than he expected. He'd thought Melania was just speaking nonsense. 'But he is as dashing as she says.'Nathan took a deep breath. "May I know your name and reason for this intrusion?""There is no need for you to know my name
"Trying to weasel some information out of me, sorcerer? I told you, you're not big enough to know who I am," Nox retorted.The crowd was furious. Ludwig was one of the most celebrated Phantomslayers of his organization. Nox, on the other hand, was just a lad, yet he spewed disrespect at the old sorcerer.Ludwig wasn't mad. He only smiled. "Do you know of the Phantomslayers, then?"Nox sneered. "So what? Are you trying to threaten me?""No. I just think you're breaking the rules of sorcerers by barging into the Regals' place and killing their people. I ought to step in."Nox chuckled. "You're talking rules with me, Crimson? What makes you think you're good enough?"'What? He knows Master Crimson?' The crowd was taken aback.Even Ludwig was shocked. His eyes went wide. "W-Who are you? How'd you know my name?"Nox roared with laughter, "I told you, no one here is big enough to know my name! Not even your Great Immortal, sorcerer!"The Great Immortal was a god among Phantomslayers
'He stopped both of my attacks?' Ludwig turned solemn, his eyes glued to Nox."It's the youngsters' world now. Thirty years, I haven't left the mountain, and Faeast already has someone like you. It's a pity you're steeped too deeply in killings. In the name of the heavens, I'll cripple that murderous part of you!" Ludwig declared.He clapped his hands together and chanted something under his breath. Dark winds howled around him, and the avatar of a rakshasa appeared before him. The avatar belonged to a phantom, one of the things the Phantomslayers worshipped. The other two were humans and deities.The rakshasa was nine feet tall, with a head like a skull and a body like a snake. It had four hands, each wielding a gigantic axe. This was the Phantomslayers' famous phantom rakshasa.While the avatar was summoned, Nox sneered. "You think you can cripple me? Why don't I do the same to you?" The golden light before him was shining brighter.At the same time, the rakshasa swung its axes
Though flanked by two attacks, Nox only sneered. "That's all?" Nox made a sword seal with his right hand, and the golden light around him converged into a gigantic sword. The blade swung away at the rakshasa.The rakshasa let out a cry of agony as it faded from the slash. Though the rakshasa failed to fend off Nox, the Phantom Lightning covered him like a net."That lightning will kill you, lad! Hyah!" Ludwig quickly made hand seals and pointed at Nox. The lightning bolts rained like a downpour. The ground beneath exploded, balls of lightning destroying everything around Nox.However, through the sea of lightning, Nox spoke. "If it's lightning you want, then I'll show you what real lightning is like. Eight Techniques, Thunderlord's Seal! Attack!"A sea of lightning lit up the skies and gathered above the battlefield, merging into a pool of pure lightning."What? You can use lightning, too?" Ludwig stared at the lightning pool, his face contorted with horror.Nox stood tall like a
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