After the samurais were killed, Hokusai looked at Nox icily. "Damn you! You're a Faeastian?"Nox sneered. "Dogs usually have a keen sense of smell, I'll give you that.""Damn you! You dare raise trouble on my land? Die!" Though Hokusai was weaker than Kobo and Onimusha, he was still one of Ikkaku's best disciples, and he was a Grandmaster.Hokusai let out a roar and swung his katana at Nox. Nox didn't bother to look at his weapon. He swung his right arm, and a gust of strongwind fell upon the blade. A loud bang rattled the air.Hokusai staggered backward, blood trickling from the corners of his mouth. He was hurt in one blow, and the Kitagawa Temple disciples were stunned. No one expected Nox to be this strong.The injured Hokusai was stunned as well. He was a swordsman and one of the top martial artists in Eastsun, and yet he couldn't even take a single blow from this guy."No, this can't be!" he roared again and leaped into the air. "Hero's Fall!" The blade in his hand fluttere
The samurais quickly whipped out their katanas and charged at Nox."If you wish to die, then so be it." Nox didn't care about these people. They weren't his countrymen, after all. During the Battle of the Ten Nations, he killed six hundred thousand members of the Eastsun Self-Defense Forces. The corpses piled up like a mountain.This much was nothing for Nox. He swung his finger, and a golden blast of light formed a saber. Wherever the saber flew, screams followed. Moments later, the samurais who attacked Nox were nothing but sliced corpses.Flesh and blood drenched the airport crimson. Moments ago, these people were alive, but now they were decapitated, diced, and lay in their blood.Elise and Magnus had fallen to the ground, their legs giving away in fear. Magnus, especially. He was annoyed by Nox because he seduced the girl he'd been wooing for a year, and he even insulted the guy. The memory of that made him wet his pants.After taking these samurais out, Nox looked at the blo
She had no idea why Nox killed so many samurais, but she had a feeling he was a good guy. Mustering her courage, Elise said, "Okay, Mr. Greenshade. But be safe, alright?"Nox flashed a smile. "Thanks. See you when I see you." He left, leaving Elise alone in the empty lobby, dazed and spacing out.…Prosperland wasn't a big island. Eastsun had thousands of islands that size. There were tens of thousands of people on the island, and Kitagawa Temple was the biggest shrine around. Being a shrine that'd existed for centuries on this island, it had a lot of worshippers.The disciples alone numbered thousands, and that was excluding the island's people. Eastsun was a nation of martial arts. Even toddlers as young as two would start learning about the way of the sword.Essentially, everyone in Prosperland was trained in the martial arts and the way of the sword.In an eerie chamber of the shrine, one disciple came rushing in, looking pale. He shouted, "Bad news, bad news!"The chamber's
"Yes, sir, and he's with Miss Hitomi," said the underling.Ikkaku's face was already a mask of rage. "How'd this happen?"An elderly swordsman in gray robes asked, "Why is Miss Hitomi with a Faeastian? And why'd she let him kill Hokusai?"Another swordsman asked, "Yeah. Isn't she with Kobo and their entourage? Why'd she bring a Faeastian back?"More questions piled up, and Ikkaku wasn't easing up either. He knew something was off. He sent Hitomi and Kobo to Faeast on an investigative mission. They were to find out the truth about Musashi's death, but then they lost contact with both of them.After that, the master's clone that was hiding in Hitomi got destroyed, and now a Faeastian showed up. He killed Hokusai and dozens of their shrine's disciples. Now, he was in Eastsun. 'Is he behind all of this?'The more he thought about it, the more furious Ikkaku was."I have news!" Another underling came running in."What is it now?" Ikkaku barked."Sir, we have news. Miss Hitomi is…"
Hitomi spoke after mustering all her courage."Are you worried about me?" Nox asked.Hitomi fell silent."You should worry about your shrine. After today, it'll probably not exist anymore," Nox said calmly.Hitomi was stunned. 'He's going to destroy the Kitagawa Temple? It has stood for centuries! We have thousands of students and a hundred master swordsmen! My own father is among them! How can he be so confident about this?'Hitomi didn't say that out loud, of course. It didn't take long for the boat to arrive at the island. Once they stepped onto solid ground, they were faced with a wave of samurais. All of them held katanas, bloodlust evident in their eyes.They quickly surrounded Hitomi and Nox. There were about a hundred of them, and the one in the lead was a burly Eastsun guy with triangular eyes. He was one of the captains of the shrine, and his name was Nagata Kimikazu.Kimikazu was nothing but a small fry, and in the past, he wouldn't have had a chance to talk to someon
Nox only sneered. Looking at the samurais dashing toward him, he said, "I killed an army of your samurais once in the Battle of the Ten Nations. I shall do it again today." He flicked his fingers again and again.The finger blasts were made of magick, and they traveled faster than bullets. They could pierce even iron slabs, not to mention bodies made of flesh and blood.Screams came from the attacking samurais. Wherever the finger blasts went, groans followed. Bodies dropped like leaves every time Nox flicked his fingers. However, Nox was fighting on the samurais' home turf.As the first samurais fell, more took their place. First, it was a hundred, then three hundred, and then a thousand. Even so, more were coming. The island was now a battlefield! The samurais weren't the only ones attacking. The islanders joined the fight as well, wielding bats and wooden swords.Kitagawa Temple was the object of their worship, so when the samurais attacked, the people came to help. Hitomi fel
The air was still filled with screams and shouts of murder. The samurais and people of the island wouldn't stop filling the gaps. However, as Nox continued killing, the 'fearless' samurais now felt fear striking their hearts.Bushido and the way of the sword? Nox thought they were all bullshit. Every single one of them would perish in his hands. After all, everyone feared death. He alone dealt with a thousand people, and they were starting to retreat. The warriors behind were scared to move forward.As Nox moved onward with his murders, a bloodied henchman came running into the Kitagawa Temple's great hall. "Sir, bad news! The Faestian… he's coming!" The henchman went on his knees.Ikkaku had been sitting on his knees, but he shot up upon hearing this. The other swordsmen didn't look happy at all too."Curses! I thought I sent everyone in to capture him! A thousand of you, and yet you couldn't take down a single man?"The bloodied henchman was crying. "H-He's too powerful. We coul
About half a mile away from the shrine, screams filled the air. Golden light streaked through the crowd of attackers, and following it were shrieks of pain and agony. Bodies piled up on the ground, while the stench of blood wafted across the battlefield.The once sunny Prosperland had dark clouds looming over it thanks to the deaths that happened here. Not long after, icy rain fell. Mixed with the downpour, streams of blood flowed down the road, crimson in color.The killings did not stop. Like a demon, Nox would slice through a dozen samurais every time he swung his arm. Sometimes, he would slice through civilians, too. It was like he didn't want to stop.Just then, a voice boomed. "You killed so many of our warriors and defenseless people, intruder. Don't you feel sorry?"A swordsman with graying hair stepped forth arrogantly, and a hundred swordsmen followed. Their appearance whipped the samurais into a frenzy."It's Mr. Itou!""Mr. Itou is only second to the leader! He's the
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