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
That simple attack possessed the power of a Legend Realm. Since Mr. Itou was the most experienced member and a swordsman who was only second to Ikkaku, he could sense how terrifyingly powerful Nox's attack was. Finally, he steeled himself and unsheathed his weapon.Judging by its worn scabbard, the katana was old. However, a gust of bloodlust came pouring out of the blade the second it was unsheathed. "You must be a Legend Realm from Faeast. I've had the honor of meeting some of them. Who are you? Why did you come here and kill so many innocents?"Nox knew this guy wanted to weasel some information out of him. So, he simply sneered. "Legend Realms might be powerful to you, but they're nothing to me.""You insolent brat! Do you think you're stronger than a Legend Realm?" Mr. Itou wanted to know who Nox truly was. Alas, he got sidetracked due to his fury when Nox took such a flippant and disrespectful attitude toward Legend Realms.What he didn't know was that Nox was telling the tru
The air crackled with energy as the Thousand-Edge Blade fell upon Nox's energy blade. The energy blade was torn apart and splintered in all directions. Some unlucky samurais couldn't dodge in time and were promptly sliced apart.However, the remaining samurais didn't mourn for their lost comrades. Instead, they were ecstatic. "That's Mr. Itou for you! He tore that bastard's blade apart!" they gushed.In the meantime, Mr. Itou didn't share their excitement as a solemn expression appeared on his face. He could feel the incredible power lying within when he tore that energy blade apart. If he hadn't used his signature move right off the bat, he might have failed to defend himself.Although Mr. Itou looked calm, his hands were actually hurting from the recoil. Most importantly, that energy blade was just something Nox threw out without a care in the world. In other words, Nox was a lot stronger than he imagined.'Dammit, how can he be so powerful? No Legend Realm could be this strong.'
"What?""Mr. Itou's katana is broken?""I…"The samurais were petrified. They weren't expecting Mr. Itou to fail to withstand even one blow from Nox. The moment his weapon broke, Mr. Itou screeched, "Spare… me…"Alas, the dragon bodied him, acting like a meat grinder whirring through flesh. Mr. Itou's body was shredded into bits of bones and meat. Chunks of Mr. Itou's corpse fell from the air.Nox killed the famous swordsman with just a single blow. As a result, Mr. Itou's entourage was stunned. Even Hitomi was shocked."What? H-He killed Mr. Itou with a single blow?""He isn't human! He's a demon!"Everyone looked at Nox with terror. After Nox killed Mr. Itou, he swung his arm and told the remaining samurais. "I'm taking your shrine down because you asked for it."It was the truth. Nox didn't want to kill these people, but they sent spies to Faeast and tried to hunt him down. The Great Lord of Faeast would not stand for this. Therefore, it was time for some deep cleansing.N
Hitomi could only sink weakly onto the ground as she stared at the sea of fire and lightning devouring the corpses mercilessly. Her mind had gone blank. "Why? Why must you do this?" She was crying tears of blood, looking at Nox with confusion.Nox came down and landed beside Hitomi when he heard her."Even if we did the wrong thing, you've killed everyone we sent out. Musashi, Kobo, Hokusai, and so many more! Why must you keep killing them? Why must you destroy the shrine?" Hitomi asked, still shedding crimson tears.She wanted answers. Too many died today. Some deserved it, but most of them were innocent. A lot of them were just regular disciples who only did as Ikkaku ordered. Yet, Nox took them all out without mercy.Nox stood tall and inscrutable. He looked ahead with his unfathomable gaze as he said coldly, "Because your people deserve this.""We deserve this?" Hitomi trembled."Yes. I didn't do this for myself. I did this for my country. For the grudge that has gone between
Nox hurled Hitomi to the center of the hall. Ikkaku didn't look at his daughter. Instead, his eyes were on Nox."You're the leader of this shrine?" Nox questioned."Yes," said Ikkaku."Good. I've slaughtered all your men. Now, it's your turn," said Nox mercilessly.There was no surprise on Ikkaku's face. He merely smiled sadly. "They're all dead, are they?" He looked at his daughter, who was crying tears of blood."I'm sorry, Father…" Hitomi sobbed.Perhaps Ikkaku hadn't heard her as he muttered, "This shrine has stood in this nation for more than seven centuries. It had thousands of disciples. Yet, you alone killed them all. Very well." He laughed somberly."And you, my daughter. Why did you betray me? Why did you betray the shrine?" Ikkaku looked at Hitomi again."I never betrayed you, Father. All I want to know is the truth. Why did I have an oni clone in my body?" Hitomi asked, still crying."Because I had someone plant it within you.""What? You…" Hitomi froze in shock,
Ikkaku swung the weapon as he leaped into the air, lunging at Nox. A bloodcurdling will-of-the-sword radiated from Kusanagi no Tsurugi.Nox raised his hand and swatted the sword away. The metal buzzed. Ikakku leaped into the air again when his attack missed, swinging his weapon a dozen times at Nox.Since he was the true leader of this shrine, his attacks were powerful and never-ending. Besides, he only gained more power the longer he held Kusanagi no Tsurugi. As a result, the energy behind his attacks was lethal.Ikkaku was at least a Beginner Legend Realm. The attacks rained on Nox's vitals. However, Nox simply slapped his hands together, allowing his palms to catch the sword energy.Ikkaku staggered backward while Nox stood his ground."Damn you, boy. You're a Legend Realm, indeed. Not many Faeastians can gain this power at this age. What is your name? Are you part of Faeast's Ancient Four?""I'll tell you when you're dead." Nox sneered."Insolence!" Ikkaku roared. He swung h
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