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
As the attack fell upon Nox, Kobo snarled, "Now you die!" Though he was supposed to be Musashi's senior among the ranks of Kitagawa Temple's disciples, Musashi was the more famous one.When he was told that Musashi was slain in Faeast, he knew this was his chance to rise to fame. If he could kill Nox, he would be more famous than his dead junior. That was why he used Kitagawa Iaijutsu right off the bat.Nox didn't even dodge the terrifying attack. He raised his right hand, and a gust of green wind converged into a blade that met the attack. The room shook as invisible saber energy cracked the walls.Kobo's pupils contracted. "He took my attack head-on?" Nox not only took on the attack, but he didn't even stand up. This was humiliating. Kobo took great offense. "Damn you, Faeast bastard! Let's see how you take a second one!"Kobo let out a roar, and he held his saber with both hands. Slivers of black aura radiated around him as his katana grew ten feet longer. "Iaijutsu, Phantom!"
Perhaps out of fury, humiliation, and excessive blood loss, Kobo's head lolled, and he drew his last breath. Then, Nox turned his attention to the deathly pale Hitomi. "Your turn." He smiled.The smile only made Hitomi shiver. "W-What do you want to do?" She retreated, holding her black cat tightly."You wish to avenge Onimusha, right? Is this your army?" Nox asked calmly.Hitomi took a deep breath. "M-My father will be here soon to challenge you!""Who's your father?" Nox asked."The top swordsman of Kitagawa Temple, Yanagawa Ikkaku. You should've heard of him." Hitomi thought using her father's name was enough to scare Nox."Sorry, but small fries like him don't get a moment of my time," Nox said.Hitomi was stunned by his haughtiness, but she continued, "You're arrogant, Faeast man. My father is the strongest man in the temple. If he comes to you, you will die."But then Nox's eyes twinkled, and he sneered. "Is that so?"Then, an invisible wave of energy crashed onto Hitomi
Everyone thought Hitomi was going to perish, but then Nox stopped his attack. The group looked at him in confusion, but his eyes were twinkling as he stared at the petrified Hitomi.Even Hitomi was flabbergasted. 'What is he doing?' she thought.Just as everyone wondered what was going on, Nox blurted, "Ah, I wasn't expecting this, but you have something I need."Stunned, Hitomi wanted to ask, but Nox continued, "Do you know why you still live? Because of this." He grabbed Hitomi's voluptuous chest, and powerful golden energy rammed into her body.Hitomi screamed as twisted runes started surfacing on her skin. The runes were crimson in color, covering her body like scales. At the same time, the air was filled with Yin energy. Waves of black, evil energy swam into the air from her body.As Hitomi screamed, another bang came from her body, after which the wave of black aura converged into an avatar. It was a one-eyed creature with two horns protruding from its head. Its face was gro
Hitomi was only covered by a black bra and pink underwear. She was flabbergasted. "Why you…" she gasped, covering her chest right away, looking at Nox with wide-eyed disbelief.'What's he trying to do? Is he going to ravish me? But we're in public, and his girlfriend is right there!'The samurais were stupefied to see what Nox just did, of course, and Queenie was flummoxed. 'What is Nox doing?' she wondered.While everyone had burning questions, Nox pointed at Hitomi's belly. "Who planted the runes on you?"Hitomi was stunned, but then she looked at her belly. A circular rune, crimson in color, laid upon her skin. In the center of that rune was a one-horned oni, and Hitomi gawked."What is this?" Her eyes went even wider, and she'd forgotten that she was almost naked. However, the samurais hung their heads low.None dared to look at Hitomi. Eastsun's rules were strict, after all. If they tried so much as to glance at Hitomi, they would have their eyes gouged out once they went ba
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