Nox stamped his soul seal in the killers' mindsea. Then, he used it to tell them where he was. The dozen or so killers hiding in the southwest heard that voice in their minds and immediately knew Nox's location."That's the billion-dollar bounty!""That Faeast guy finally shows up. Let's kill him!"The killers charged in Nox's direction like hyenas drawn to meat. In the meantime, Bear was lying on the stone chair in the Blathanna Sect’s courtyard while cutting a red swath through those killers.An expensive red wine stood on the stone table beside him, along with a couple of side dishes. "What a nice night. Perfect for killing. I wonder how much the lord has slaughtered," Bear muttered.Bear picked up a handful of peanuts and shoved them into his mouth. Then, a silhouette appeared before him."Commander." The man was none other than Jesse the military judge.Bear looked at him. "How goes the investigation?""My team has located bodies in sixty-four locations, commander. All of
The night went one. It had been one and a half hours since Nox left Blathanna Sect. On a barren slope on the outskirts of the southwest, a silhouette sat cross-legged and silent. His hair, long and flowy, billowed in the wind.Silvery moonlight shone on his chiseled face. His eyes were closed. It was as if everything around him was nothing to him.Then, hidden figures skulked through the darkness, slowly inching toward the silhouette like he was their prey. Obviously, these were the killers Nox imprinted his soul seal on.There were about forty of them. As international killers, they were experts in assassination and stealth. Some held sniper rifles, while some wielded hidden weapons. Some were equipped with poison and venom, circling around Nox like snakes hiding in the grass."Dammit, that's the guy?" About half a mile away, a killer with a Barrett M82 hid in the bushes. Beside him was a redhead.The redhead was looking through her military-grade binoculars. "I think so.""That
This was beyond their realm of imagination.While the Reaper Duo was immersed in their shock, Nox's eyes snapped open, and he scanned his surroundings. "Guess that's all of them." He swung his finger, and a wave of energy condensed into a green blade about ten feet long.The blade arced through the air and mercilessly fell upon the Reaper Duo. Screams punctuated the battlefield as two sliced-open bodies appeared.Nox leaped into the air after that kill and looked around him again. "One, two, three… Thirty-eight." He boomed, "You're here for me, aren't you? Then, get out here!"No killer made a move. None dared, for they'd just seen how Nox took out the Reaper Duo with a flick of his fingers. If a bullet failed to get him, they were certain nothing else could.Everyone was still hiding when a killer in a ditch shouted, "Don't chicken out! We came all the way here for the cash! So, we might as well take this bastard out! We can split the bounty among ourselves!"A blond, burly man
Nox made more hand seals, and the energy around him converged into another green blade. The blade buzzed, and Nox pointed ahead. "Kill them."The blade hurtled forward like a comet, piercing the throats of a killer, then the second, then the third. The outskirts were turning into hell on earth with every passing moment.The air was rife with screams of murder and agony and the rattling of guns. However, it didn't take long for the sounds to grow weaker. Now that Swordmaster was rampaging through the battlefield, the horde of killers was quickly thinning out.As the killers were whittled down, an alluring woman with a black viper tattooed on her appeared from the shadows. She was Alina the Black Mamba, the number three killer on the Shadow Web.The venomous viper, however, stared at the butchering before her in disbelief. Soon, she quaked in terror. "Shit. Faeast is a nightmare. I'm getting out of this bounty hunt." She galloped into the night. She had to escape.Moments ago, she w
Nox watched Alina unsheathe her scimitar before saying blandly, "You must be Black Mamba, the number three killer.""You know me?" Alina seemed surprised."I saw your name on Skyweb's Most Wanted before. It left an impression," answered Nox blithely.Silence seized Alina.Then, he said coldly, "Do your worst, then. I'd like to see what made you curs think you could infiltrate Faeast however you want."Alina attacked. She was experienced enough to know she had no choice but to fight for her life, and she had to make each attack count. So, she thrust her scimitar straight at Nox's throat.Nox had his hands behind his back. Suddenly, he moved three yards away as the scimitar drew close as if he had teleported. The attack missed, but Alina swung her weapon five more times, each fast as lightning.She desperately tried to land a hit on Nox. Alas, Nox could get out of her slices every single time as though he had seen through her."Dammit, he's strong." When all her attacks missed th
Alina was not fast enough at all. Nox's fist connected with her belly. Alina felt herself spewing a mouthful of blood before she crashed into a wall, leaving a crater in it. She lay there, weak and dying. Nox looked at the killer, coldly saying, "I can't believe weaklings like you had the gall to take that bounty."Alina never thought she'd die here. If she had a time machine, she'd use it and tell the her in the past to never step into Faeast. Alas, this was the real world, not some movie or cartoon."Please, spare… me! I… I can give you any… anything. Even my… my body…" Alina started undressing herself.A frown creased Nox's forehead. 'Is this how foreigners are? They start to strip when they lose a fight?' he wondered.Alina wasn't wearing any lingerie. Her breasts were revealed to Nox in their full magnificence. She had a smoking hot body. Nox had just glanced at her when Alina's eyes glinted darkly.A black viper flew off her back and attacked Nox. "Die!" This was the black m
"It's not a bad technique. It is, however, a pity you're facing me." Nox, three yards away, looked at the darkness.No answer came. Suddenly, a roar echoed in the alley as hidden weapons hurtled away at Nox. They were faster than bullets and made in the shape of a cross. These were shurikens, weapons of Eastsun assassins.The shurikens spiraled at Nox, but the weapons fell like flies with just a punch. Then, a hoarse voice came from the darkness. "Whirlwind Slash!"A katana silhouette appeared from the black fog. It turned into a hurricane and tried to slash Nox into ribbons. Nox didn't move an inch. Instead, he looked at the hurricane and delivered another punch.The alleyway seemed to rattle, and the air shattered. As the fist slammed into the hurricane, the black fog shivered as the attacker staggered backward."That's all for hide and seek. Come out, come out, wherever you are!"The black fog slowly dissipated as a samurai wearing a ghastly mask appeared. He was the top Shado
Nox narrowed his eyes, staring at the black fog. "The art of Hidden Fog, eh? Sadly, for you, this isn't enough to blind me. Golden Eye, open!" His eyes turned golden. Sure enough, everything was revealed to him, even the hidden Onimusha.Onimusha's blades flew through the air, charging at Nox like freezing ice spears one after the other. He knew that not even a Rank Eight Grandmaster could stop these katanas. Alas, Nox was far stronger than that.He used to kill Legend Realms easily. Nox sneered at the katanas and leaped into the air. The katanas missed. Meanwhile, Onimusha, who had leaped into the air, bellowed, "Ashura Slash!"The katanas merged into one, conjuring a powerful wave of saber energy. It was more than 20 feet long and coated in black hellfire. It even felt like the flames of hell, as if it were chilling to the bone."Down with you!" The saber energy swung down, and the battlefield started to shake.Nox didn't move, of course. He grabbed the air, and a gigantic hand
"What a joke. Do you think that shabby saber can defeat me? Even if Sariel were here, I could still take him down. You're not a talented cultivator at all. All you care about is the decadence of mortals. Even if you risk your life when it matters most, it's still useless."You should've lived out your life in mediocrity. Enlightenment does not come to those who refuse it, and you have clearly said no to my offer, so you shall suffer in hell. It is your rightful place." The monk laughed and made hand seals. A black demonic seal came out of his palm and went straight for Atlas' vitals."I'm done for." Atlas didn't want to die like this. He shouldn't have gloated. Perhaps this wouldn't have happened. He would never rest in peace if he died while Faeast was in trouble. He could excuse himself if his defenses were taken down, but no. His defense was lax, and now his enemy was going to kill him like he was a maggot.His ancestors would rip him to shreds when he met them. Atlas regretted a
The Nox Army wanted to fight with Atlas, but Atlas roared, "Fall back! The enemy is the House of Enlightenment's leader! You're just going to get yourself killed!" He talked to them as governor-general, and Atlas charged into battle alone."You think you can stop me, Atlas? I will kill you and take the nation's fate!" Cyrus rode the wind, and Atlas risked his life. He faced Cyrus' spells and fought him head-on. Though it seemed valiant, Atlas was risking his life, and yet he couldn't get close to Cyrus. All he could do was buy some time.It wasn't pretty on the other side. The swordsman in rein used to be Sword Sect's leader's student, and his powerful swordsmanship was the bane of Mystian cultivators. Harley was burning his spirit to hold on.While the battles raged on, dark clouds hung over Imperia, and they slowly turned into skeletons, threatening to engulf the city. Dark mists traveled everywhere, covering the city. The sleeping residents were haunted by nightmares and couldn't
"That god's aura is incredibly weak now. Shit, that bastard's after White Tiger!" The Hidden Dragon Guards realized what was going on, and they told headquarters about this, but to make things worse, they lost contact with headquarters.Everyone back there was dead, including the royal guards. They were lying in pools of their own blood. There was a barrier hanging around, cutting off all contact with the outside world. The powerhouses in the palace were killed, and none survived. Curiously, the royal family living near the palace was fine.Jaculus was outside the palace. He got the message and came back from the outskirts to hold the fort. He'd been stationed at the Dragon Vein, but this was an emergency, so he had to come back.Jaculus was helpless, however. Atlas and the god were stronger than him, but their situation was unknown, and they needed him to save the situation. "Shit. Black Tortoise and Vermilion Bird are overseas, and Lord Nox is in Mystia. Sword Sect is in trouble t
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