After Nox escorted Queenie back to her house, he hailed a ride to Dragoncourt, and the first thing he did after coming home was to summon Bear.A moment later, Bear came to the great hall. "You called, milord?""Bear, tell your guys to look into Morton Pharmaceuticals immediately. It's a multinational conglomerate in Riverton," Nox said."Um, why the sudden investigation on them, milord?" Bear wondered aloud."Because I suspect it's a front for some foreign spies to hide in Faeast," Nox said."What? We have spies roaming the land? God damn it! Haven't they learned their lesson after we killed so many of them?"During the Battle of the Ten Nations, Nox had ordered a cleansing of the spies who infiltrated Faeast. That operation saw nearly ten thousand spies massacred. Ever since then, the intelligence agencies of the ten nations were spooked and hadn't sent any more spies to Faeast.Of course, Bear was mad to hear that there were still spies among them."I have reason to think he
The man behind Hitomi stepped forth. "Should I kill him now, Miss Hitomi?"Hitomi shook her head. "If he is the one who killed Musashi, do you think you can take him down?"The man with the katana fell silent. Musashi was Kitagawa Temples' most famous killer and the top assassin on Shadow Web. Even so, he was killed. The sabreur stood no chance in a fight against Nox."What now, Miss Hitomi?" Michael asked nervously.Hitomi held her cat closer. She blurted, "He didn't find out that you're a spy, did he?""No, of course not. I've long destroyed all information related to my past after staying in Faeast for so many years. They couldn't have known," Michael promised."Good. Saburo, I order you to set up a meeting between me and Musashi's killer."Michael was surprised that Hitomi wanted to see Nox. "You wish to see him, Miss Hitomi?""Yes. I'd like to see what kind of man possesses the power to kill Musashi." Hitomi smiled."I will make the arrangements right away." Michael lef
For the last two days, Queenie spent her time finding out how those antibiotics came about. Eventually, the warehouse's manager found something on the second day."We found something, Ms. Sanders. Our factory isn't the one that produced the antibiotics. It's some no-name workshop in the outskirts. They used our name. We even found the supplies and the stuff they used to impersonate us."The manager showed her all the evidence, including the bottles that had Queenie's company's name plastered all over them.Queenie and George were visibly excited. "This is great! You helped us out big time, Liam!""Of course, Mr. Sanders. It's my job." Liam rubbed his head."With this, we don't have to fear Morton Pharmaceuticals," George said happily, and he turned to Liam. "Did you find the workshop, Liam?""Yes, and our security department has them pinned down.""Great! Liam, lead the way! We're demanding an explanation from them! I want to know why they impersonated us and made Morton Pharmac
With the witnesses slaughtered, Sanders Pharmaceuticals was once again in trouble. If Morton Pharmaceuticals did go ahead with their lawsuit, Queenie would have problems on her plate.The Sanderses were agonizing over the incoming trouble when three luxury cars stopped at their home's entrance. The doors swung open, and out came Morton Pharmaceuticals' people. The one in the lead was Michael himself, and he was followed by a group of bodyguards.A servant came running into the yard. "Mr. Sanders, bad news! Morton Pharmaceuticals' guys are here!""What? They're here? So soon?" George was scared."Yeah, and they demand to see Ms. Queenie," the servant said."Oh no. They're really going to sue us!" George looked grim."It's alright, Dad. I'm here." Queenie walked into the yard.George ran up to his daughter. "Calm down, Queenie. Just talk things out with them. Tell them we've found the guys who made the counterfeits. Ask them not to sue us.""Don't worry about it, Dad," Queenie sa
Queenie came to Cansea Hotel as promised at eight o'clock. The hotel served Faeast cuisine, Anselan cuisine, and Eastsun cuisine. Michael had arranged for them to have Eastsun cuisine.After Queenie parked her car, she waited for Nox at the entrance. He was the only one who came with her to this appointment, after all. A while later, Nox's voice came from behind, and Queenie turned around to find her handsome boyfriend."You're finally here, Nono. I thought you weren't coming." Queenie ran up to Nox and held his arm."Why would I miss this, silly?"Queenie giggled. "With you by my side, there's nothing to worry about."Nox looked at the hotel. "We should meet them, then.""Okay."The couple went into the hotel hand in hand. At the lobby, they told the staff member their parlor number, and the staff member led Nox to the restaurant serving Eastsun food."Ugh, Eastsun cuisine? Why?" Queenie was dissatisfied."Because they're from Eastsun," said Nox calmly."I wouldn't have come
The man in the suit said, "Miss Hitomi, he's a dashing man, but I don't feel any aura of a warrior coming from him.""Hm? Not even a bit?" Hitomi asked."Yes," the man said.Hitomi's brows furrowed. "Damn it! So, he is the one who killed Musashi," she blurted."Um, how can you see that, Miss Hitomi?" Kobo asked.Solemnly, Hitomi said, "My father told me about this. The stronger someone is, the easier it is for them to hide their aura. If none of you can feel any air of a warrior coming off him, that means he's incredibly powerful."Kobo scoffed. "You think too much, Miss Hitomi. Perhaps he's just a weakling.""Do not underestimate him, Kobo. Remember the Battle of the Ten Nations? Lord Nox fought all ten nations by himself. Even the previous leader of Kitagawa Temple died at his hands. Never underestimate Faeast's people, Kobo."Kobo said nothing more after that. Hitomi then turned to the besuited man. "Keep an eye on him. Tell me if anything happens.""Yes." The man went out
Mizutani was stupefied after Nox exposed him so easily. Panicked, he said, "You got the… wrong person.""Did I?" Nox sneered. "Cowards like your lot should never have tried to infiltrate Faeast. You're nothing but vermin.""Damn you!" a samurai roared and unsheathed his katana, and then swung it down on Nox.Nox didn't even look at him. He flicked his finger, and a blast of light charged through the samurai's forehead. The samurai was flung toward the wall, dead as a doornail.After Nox killed one samurai, the others pulled out their blades. Queenie was shocked by the sudden revelation, and she hid behind Nox.Nonchalantly, Nox said, "Don't worry, Queenie. These maggots are nothing to me. Just close your eyes, alright?"Queenie nodded quickly and closed her eyes.After Nox exposed him, Mizutani had a dark and eerie look on his face. He was staring at Nox intently. "Who are you, Greenshade? How did you find out?"Nox laughed. "You think it was hard for me? You're nothing but sma
Hitomi had made her appearance. Nox wasn't curious about this group of people and remained seated. Hitomi looked at the corpses on the ground before turning to Nox. "You're strong," she said in Eastsun's language.Nox said, "Sorry, but I don't speak gibberish. You'd better talk in Faeastian.""Damn you!" Kobo roared.He was going to attack, but Hitomi stopped him. In fluent Faeastian, she said, "Very well. If that is what you wish, sir." She sat across from Nox, still holding her cat. "I am Yanagawa Hitomi from Kitagawa Temple. What is your name?" Hitomi asked."There is no need for you to know that. Let's cut to the chase," Nox said. "If I'm right, you're here because of Onimusha." He took a sip of the tea.Hitomi's heart sank. She didn't think Nox would expose her reason for infiltrating Faeast that easily. A moment of musing later, she said, "You're smart. Yes, we're here to look into Musashi's death.""I killed him. Do you want revenge?" Nox slowly raised his head, looking at
Three months later, Nox declared Faeast as the leader of all nations, ushering in a true era of peace and prosperity. Then, he abdicated the throne, passing the throne to Nineve. Nox proclaimed that this nation was neither the Greenshade nor the Limerent family's, but a world that belonged to its people.One year later, Nox and Queenie lounged under the warm sun on the sandy shores of the Ocean of Death, enjoying a rare moment of tranquility. The world had finally settled into peace, allowing them to take a well-deserved rest."Nono, what's Aphrodite up to?" Queenie asked, her brows furrowed as she leaned against Nox. "Is she planning something shady again? She's been building alliances all over like she wants to imitate the Three-Eyed Empress.""Death changes people," Nox replied calmly. "Don't worry about her. She knows exactly what she's doing."Old Aphrodite would've killed Jacques and run off to save herself without a second thought. Instead, she spared him, stripped his cul
The Nine-State Crucible hovered majestically over the heavens, drawing all the spiritual energy from the Nine States and Five Domains into itself. As the ultimate artifact of Faeast, the crucible was unmatched—a legendary relic that had never known defeat.The origins of the Nine-State Crucible were shrouded in mystery. No one knew who forged it nor why it disappeared over the ages. For centuries, many dismissed it as a mere myth. Yet now, it reappeared, proving its existence—and, by extension, the truth of all the ancient legends tied to it.The sight left every cultivator present in awe, bowing in reverence to the artifact."The ancient sovereigns of Faeast forged the Nine-State Crucible to safeguard the Nine States and Five Domains. "Its power ensures that Ascendants cannot interfere with the mortal realm. It has crushed even Ascendants in the past, and you, still merely a mortal cultivator, think you can stand against it? I promised to crush you, and I will!"With Nox at it
However, only Nox himself could sever the celestial providence. Only by cutting off the Celestial Lord's celestial providence could Faeast's providence be restored to its peak."Damn it! Nox Greenshade! Do you really think you can defy the heavens? I didn't want to damage my cultivation, but it seems I have no choice but to go all out! You think a one-ring Minor Saint can defeat me? I am the Celestial Lord—the apex of mortals, the Great Saint of Dao and Virtue, ordained by the heavens themselves!"The Celestial Lord's furious roar resonated across Mystia, drawing in vast waves of spiritual energy from the realm that converged upon him alone."Great Saint of Dao and Virtue? If the so-called heavens of the Transcendent Firmament made you, it only proves that even they have failures," Nox retorted coldly.Even the Celestial Lord, enraged as he was, could scarcely believe Nox's audacity—daring to disparage the mighty figures of the Transcendent Firmament."I am indeed a one-ring Minor
'What? Griffin was a sworn brother to Magic Mountain's founder?!'"That's right," confirmed the formation master. "He only told us recently."As the first to learn of this connection, he had shared it with the Saints of the Five Elements, ensuring they wouldn't betray their alliance. Using the promise of ascension as leverage, he managed to secure their cooperation. After all, the Great Saint of Fire had already reached the threshold for ascension.The risks were minimal, and upon ascending to the Transcendent Firmament, the Magic Mountain's founder would surely offer his guidance. For that reason alone, the five mentors had rallied to aid Nox.With such mighty forces gathered, morale on Nox's side soared. Meanwhile, the Whitefield family's spirits plummeted, crashing from the heights of hope to the depths of despair in mere moments. The mental strain caused several of their weaker-willed members to break completely.With dread settling over them, the Whitefields could only place
The Whitefields were getting cocky, but then they realized the powerhouses that came weren't responding. The aura was powerful, but there was no life in it. On closer inspection, they noticed that the leader of the group only had half a body left. His soul was missing. The quartet behind him was nothing but a pile of mincemeat.The portal buzzed again, and seven silhouettes came out. Five of them felt domineering, and they looked prideful. It almost felt like they were peerless. These people were none other than the Saints of the Five Elements.Four of them were Pinnacle Minor Saints. While one had an aura so strong, this place couldn't handle it."A Great Saint! Great Saint of Fire!" Fiery Ignis, Dominic, and Achille couldn't believe their eyes.It had been too long since Mystia saw a Great Saint, and he was Nox's mentor."So, he's the one who broke through first. But now he's already hit his bottleneck. The other four's power isn't enough. If the Sacred Beast Seal isn't upgraded
The Montgomerys and the Byrds decided to see Nox together, but they were refused. They were cursing Nox and calling him disrespectful, but then they saw Nox and his team taking a portal to the path of the ancient divine."What? He went right to them? Why? He's going to fight the Celestial Lord now?" The representatives were shocked.'How dare they!' they thought.Nox and his team went through the portal quickly and appeared right over the Whitefields' place. The Whitefield family was the newest member of the divine four and the real mastermind behind the Inkdarks' demise."Kirin, I told you I'd take you back here someday. I told you that when we come back, the Whitefields will be no more. If you can't do it, I can wipe them out for you." Nox looked at Kirin."Don't look down on me, milord. You don't need to dirty your hands for them. I'll do it!" Kirin summoned his avatar, and with Saint power infused, the avatar turned into a real beast. The sacred beast itself descended upon the
"Time to finish this. My lord's going to the path of the ancient divine next. You should decide who's going to take over after the Celestial Lord is taken down. That's all. Now let's talk about our personal business. Listen up, anyone who had a part in attacking my family, tell your clans that I'm coming for them. I'm killing all of you!"Bloodlust filled the air, and the representatives were shocked. "You killed your own family. Yes, we made them attack you, but we never wanted to wipe it out!" the Whitefields' representative said.Kirin flew into a rage. "How low can you go? You forced them to kill me, or you would wipe us out instead! You think I'm stupid? You'd have killed my family either way! I know how you guys function. You're crueler than any beast out there. Listen up, there's still time to plan for your funeral. You'd better make a good plan."Kirin chased everyone away. The families were going back to prepare for battle, but two remained behind. One was the Byrds' repres
Nox's Magick Sword crushed the enemy leader's soul. "I said I would cut you down, and I did. Now do you see who's the ignorant one?"The enemy leader realized that Nox was the man at the pinnacle. Perhaps the moment Nox became a faux Saint, he was already no match for him. "So what if you can kill me? You are Faeast's Sovereign, and you have a duty to push Faeast to power. But the Celestial Lord still exists. As long as he is around, your wish will never be fulfilled." He sneered."Is that so? Well, he's next on the list to be culled. If anyone tries to make an enemy out of me, I will destroy them and their families, even if they are from the path of the ancient divine!"Nox shattered the remains of the soul, and the path of the martial's leader was no more. The problem harassing Faeast for millennia could be solved at long last. Achille was stunned. It hadn't been that long, but Nox had surpassed him.Nox was better than him in every way. He was an even better swordsman than Achil
The enemy leader was waiting. One technique broken wasn't enough to take Nox out. He wanted to wait until Nox had cast all he knew and find an opening to take him down, but Nox wanted to take him down with the power of the sword."You're stubborn. Very well, this makes things easier for me. I'll kill you, or at the very least, wound you!" He'd be stupid not to take advantage of this. The enemy leader's avatar morphed into a gigantic fist and slammed into Nox's chest.The impact shot through his body and reached his soul. Nox spat blood, and his soul was injured.Achille couldn't stand by anymore. Nox just told him not to push himself, but he wasn't taking his own advice. Then, Nox's weak will-of-the-sword shone blindingly, and then Unto the Origin appeared once more."Even under my pressure, you can use this technique? You're strong, but you're as stubborn as your mentor. You've lost your chance! Die! You'll never get here in time, Achille! Shadowkill!"The enemy leader's avatar t