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
Just like that, Hitomi had a Death Seal planted on her, and Nox took her away.Back at Dragoncourt, Bear was seated at the entrance, muttering, "Wonder what the lord is doing." And then, he saw a trio coming back. When he took a closer look and saw who it was, he was delighted."Milord, you're back!" Bear shouted as he ran up to Nox. "Um, who's this lady, milord? Never seen her before." He was curious about Hitomi."This is the daughter of Kitagawa Temple's leader. You know, the guy who wants to get back at me?""Oh, she's an Eastsun woman, huh?" Bear was buzzing with excitement."Keep her locked up, Bear." Nox then went into the estate.Suddenly, Queenie said, "I want to go home, Nono."Hearing that, Nox looked surprised. "Aren't you coming with me?""No. I'm exhausted, so I need to go home and sleep." Queenie walked away.Nox saw her off. "Okay. Drive safely."As she went down the mountain, Queenie started to pout, but Nox had no idea about that. After handing Hitomi to Bea
"What? She's from Eastsun? When did the lord take interest in women from that country?" Jebediah blinked in confusion."He's not interested, you dolt. The woman wanted to kill him, so he took her back." Bear scoffed.Jebediah smacked his head. "I see. But why did he bring her home? He should've killed her," said Jebediah."No idea," muttered Bear.Then Nox appeared. "What are you two talking about?"Jebediah and Bear quickly grinned. "Nothing, milord."Nox didn't press them for answers. He looked at the room. "She's inside?""Yes, milord.""Open the door.""Yes." Bear quickly unlocked the chain on the door and opened it up.A pale Hitomi quickly stood up. Her hair was ruffled, and the look on her face was solemn. Her lips were cracked, as if she just woke up from an illness. Her kimono looked messy after what Nox did to it. Most of her skin was revealed, but Nox had no interest.He turned to Bear and Jebediah. "Leave us, you two."Bear and Jebediah nodded and left the room.
The explanation only drained more color from Hitomi's face. Being a native of Eastsun, she knew of shikigami and the Yin Yang Masters, but they were supposed to be rumors. If she ran into any one of them, she'd tremble in fear. Now she found out she had an oni hiding in her body.She'd be a fool to think her family had no idea about this. A moment of silence later, the pale Hitomi looked at Nox. "Can you tell me the real reason it possesses me? What does it want from me?""Your body, of course," Nox answered."What?" Hitomi was stunned."Don't be shocked. Only people with Pure Yin Physiques like you can withstand the power of that oni's clone. Most people would've had their essence and blood sucked dry at this point."You're still alive because the oni hadn't taken over completely. If it did, your soul would've been consumed, and it would've taken over your body."Hitomi fell to the ground. Her eyes were wide, and her mind was blank. "How did this happen?" Hitomi knew that when s
The moment Nox extracted the oni from Hitomi, something happened in Eastsun. A Yin Yang Master, wearing a tall hat and ceremonial robes, came running out of the great hall, covered in blood. "Help!" he screamed.However, a blast of black energy came flying out of the temple. It turned into a phantom hand and grabbed the running Yin Yang Master. The guy could only let out a shout before he was dragged into the great hall again.More screams came from the great hall. The air was covered with the stench of blood like this was hell on earth. At the same time, dozens of robed Yin Yang Masters came from all directions. All of them were pale as if they had seen a ghost."Oh no. Susanoo has awakened, and he's furious. He killed all his servants and the Yin Yang Masters who served him." A Yin Yang Master looked at the bloody great hall in horror.A quartet of Eastsun elders were in the lead. Their eyes twinkled, and the air around them was filled with magick. Any sorcerer could see that the
The pillar of Yin energy covered the skies above and enveloped the great hall. Even the Yin Yang Masters before Susanoo found it hard to breathe."Someone in Faeast destroyed Lord Susanoo's clone? Did a Legend Realm do it?"Everyone knew that Susanoo was the strongest demonic deity in Eastsun a thousand years ago. His soul was forced to stay within the temple to recuperate from the grievous injuries he sustained.For over a thousand years, Susanoo had been trying to find his perfect vessel to reincarnate into. The only vessel he managed to find was Yanagawa Hitomi. If everything went right, his clone would be able to consume Hitomi's soul in another year. Then, he could take over her body.However, his plan was laid to ruins. Of course, he was enraged. "I don't care who he is! Find him! I will tear him apart!" Susanoo roared from within the blob of shadows."Worry not, Lord Susanoo. We will be talking to Kitagawa Temple." The white-haired Yin Yang Master bowed at the statue again
After Hokusai was gone, the look in Ikkaku's eyes turned dark. He stood up and pressed his hand on the left wall. Something rumbled, and a gigantic hidden door appeared. Ikkaku went inside. Within the chamber was a snarling statue of the famous Susanoo.Beneath the statue was a porcelain doll with a photo of Hitomi pasted on it. This was the infamous spell of parasitism, something Eastsun was known for. Ikkaku bowed to the statue and looked at the doll with his daughter's photo on it."This temple has served Lord Susanoo for centuries. Another year, and he will awaken completely." Ikkaku touched the doll. "Do not curse me, Hitomi. This is all for the temple."A thousand years ago, the patriarch of Kitagawa Temple was a general who worked for Susanoo. Susanoo used to be a local lord of Eastsun, but because of the egregious killings he committed, the people buried him alive.Before he died, Eastsun dispatched a hundred Yin Yang Masters and sealed his grudge. And now, a thousand years
Ikkaku knew that his daughter was the most suitable vessel for Susanoo. Only she could grant Susanoo the freedom he wanted. He must get her back no matter what. "Heed my order. All hands, find the girl. Bring her back no matter the cost!"The disciples of the temple nodded. "Yes, sensei." And they set off to search for Hitomi.…Back in Riverton, after Nox found out that the oni's original self was in Eastsun, he decided to make a trip there. If he could get his hands on the original self, he could complete his search quest.Nox summoned Bear and Jebediah. They came in and greeted, "Milord.""Bear, Jeb, I might have to go on a trip. Dragoncourt's in your hands while I'm gone," said Nox slowly."Where are you going, milord?" Bear asked, a little confused."Eastsun."Bear couldn't sit still after hearing that. "What? Why all of a sudden? Is this because of that lady you brought back?" Bear asked."She's part of the reason, but most of it is because I found another item that has
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